Page 61 of Out of Office Nights
He hesitated for a moment before replying, ‘His Highness is no longer using his suite.’
Surprise was washed away by all the reasons Teo would abandon his suite. ‘Then, where is he?’
Again the butler hesitated for a beat. ‘He spends most of his nights in his studio or…in the suite next to yours.’
Her heart soared then dipped, knowing it was foolish to ascribe any reasoning to Teo’s actions or why he was choosing to work in his studio only when she was asleep. Maybe he didn’t care anymore? It shouldn’t hurt that he was avoiding her, especially when she knew he was spending daylight hours with his father. They were rebuilding a relationship long left to fallow. She was happy for him.And yet…
The unbearable notion that their connection—as tenuous as it might turn out to be if she wasn’t pregnant—hung in the balance wouldn’t be dismissed. Berating herself for the selfish thought, especially when Eden had reported during their brief coffee dates that the old king’s health had steadied, she turned from the door. ‘Is he in the studio now?’
Fernando shook his head, a flicker of a frown marring his brow before disappearing. ‘He left on his motorbike before dawn, miss.’
Her spirits plummeted further. ‘Oh.’
‘Would you like your breakfast now, miss?’
Her appetite was non-existent, but she had to eat. Because if the growing belief that she was pregnant turned out to be true…
If she was going to be a mother…
The overwhelming forces of awe and apprehension shaking through her stalled when they reached the bottom of the stairs and she was confronted with Valenti Domene.
His uncanny resemblance to his twin made her heart flip over. Then it settled because, besides the small scar characterising Valenti’s features, his face didn’t hold the constant gleam in Teo’s eyes that kept her mesmerised.
‘Hello,’ she said tentatively, suspecting he wasn’t there for Teo. This Domene most certainly knew his twin’s whereabouts at all times.
‘You’ve been summoned to thepalacio,’ he rasped, his deep voice an octave lower than his brother’s.
She fought to quell her heart’s stagger. ‘By whom?’
‘My father.’
Her thwarted elation must’ve shown, but although one brow quirked, he didn’t crack a smile. In fact, during the short journey, she got the distinct impression he was less than thrilled to be in her company.
The chilling gaze he turned on her just before a footman opened the door once they reached thepalaciofurther clued her in. ‘Word of advice. Do not toy with Teo.’
She bristled. ‘Excuse me? What makes you think I—’
He held up his hand. ‘You’ve seen beneath his surface.’ Eyes eerily similar to his twin’s pierced her. ‘You’re worth something to him. The question is, are you woman enough to admit he’s worth it to you, or are you going to judge him by another’s standards until he slips through your fingers?’
Her mouth was still agape when he drove away.
The senior palace staff member discreetly cleared his throat. ‘Miss El-Maleh? His Majesty is waiting.’
The prompt refocused her. But she didn’t move. Hell, she even went as far as to consider refusing the monarch’s request. After a week and a half of living on tenterhooks and not feeling anywhere near assuaged about the distance she’d put between them with her decree of wanting to keep their brief liaison asecret, she was now severely doubting this road she’d taken of keeping her feelings to herself.
Because…
He’s worth it. Dear God, he is.
Her insides shook as she was led through the stunningpalacioto a sun-drenched terrace. And on a wide seat that looked more lounger than chair, festooned with pillows, sat King Alfonse.
Sabeen drew in a breath and dropped into a curtsy. ‘Good morning, Your Majesty.’
‘Welcome, young lady,’ he rasped in a voice much stronger than she’d expected. Maybe it was the lighting, but he looked more robust than she’d expected, too.
He caught her scrutiny, and his mouth twisted, a quirk he’d passed on to his son. ‘If you’re wondering why I’m not knocking on death’s door, I have a secret.’
‘Oh? What’s that?’ she asked, taking the offered seat adjacent to him.
