Page 9 of A Queen and HER Bad Boy
This was the moment, wasn’t it? He was going to offer ultimatums that would force her into tricking Achilles into marrying her, and she would have to show him as much pluck as Venice had earlier.
It wouldn’t be too hard to refuse him, right? After all, Achilles had just proved that he wanted nothing to do with her. Surely, that would convince her father that it was never going to happen. And still he didn’t speak.
“Father,” she managed to work around her frozen tongue. “What is it?”
“You’re ruling Tirreoy under my direction, do you understand?”
Her stomach curled in on itself. This was worse than she thought. “Me?”
“You and the Duke. Achilles shall be your prince consort, and you shall be queen. I’ve already arranged the marriage. It is happening tonight.”
Impossible, Achilles would never go for it, and still she didn’t argue. Her father looked half mad with rage. “H-how?” she asked.
“Never mind how. It’s already a done deal. Don’t bother finding a dress. That one will do.”
Oh, no he didn’t! Gold just wasn’t done! She’d dreamed about her wedding since childhood! She had every intention of being a Bridezilla, color coordinating her bridesmaids, securing a destination wedding, the works! “What about Venice?”
“What about him? He’s not fit to be king. I should’ve seen that long ago.”
She let out a breath. Venice had gone too far with his show of rebellion. He should’ve gone about it more stealthily, pulled the rug out from under her father after it was too late.
Her father spun away from her—blessedly getting out of her face as he headed for his desk—that hated desk where every official paper was signed. She noticed the marriage certificate and felt hysteria bubble through her veins. This wasn’t real. None of this was real. Achilles wouldn’t let it go through.
But if he didn’t agree to marry her in the end, then who would her groom be? Her father’s face was set, and he looked determined to make her go through with ruling the kingdom that had long ago banished them.
Bris felt cold and frigid with fear. “Y-you can’t do this,” she whispered.
“What did you say?” Her father turned sharply.
How could he not expect her to object, but she had a stronger argument than her own? “Achilles won’t do it.” Her father had to understand that.
“Of course, he will.”
“Father!” He’d gone mad—that was all there was to it. Things like this didn’t happen in this modern age, right? It was about as ridiculous as hiding out as a secret princess. Her hand still clasped those flowers. They felt cold and clammy under her fingers. “Please, just give Venice time to prove himself.”
“Time?” His voice had turned businesslike, brisk, which was even worse than when he showed he was in a temper. It meant that he was absolutely certain he’d get his way. “We’ve run out of time. Try telling the ambassadors, the benefactors, the leaders of Tirreoy trying to hold things together until we get there? What will the presidents of neighboring countries believe about our stability when my own son openly defies me in public? Circumstances have changed… our security is compromised. Only minutes ago, I was informed by the High Consortium that we are out of time. And Venice is unacceptable.”
The High Consortium—twelve unelected power brokers who decided who ruled and who died. Her father bent to their will, and now she would too.
“Thenyoushould rule,” Bris said hurriedly. “You were bred for it.”
His leather-bound ledger slammed into the wall with a thunderous crack. His face had gone crimson—she’d never quite seen him so out of control. “Is this a game to you? Your brother is going to die because of his little tantrum tonight, and you’re worried about wedding dresses?”
The words slammed into her like ice water.
“Don’t you get it? There’s a target on Venice’s back right now. He’ll get a bullet in his head before he even reaches that pathetic little island you gave him.” His voice turned vicious. “So, we’regoing to go through with your wedding today and legitimize your claim as queen, or I’ll be planning his funeral instead. Any other move you make seals your brother’s death. Do you understand me?”
Her heart felt like it was being crushed in her chest. Venice. Her kind, generous brother who’d just found love, who’d finally stood up for himself.
She crushed the bouquet against her stomach, the stems cutting into her palms. “Achilles won’t have me. You know that.” Her voice cracked. “I’ll go alone. How hard can it be to rule a kingdom?”
“Oh no, dear girl, you’re not going to do that without his help.”
The door exploded open like a gunshot, and she twisted around to see Achilles appearing like the very devil. His tuxedo jacket was gone, his shirt partially unbuttoned, and fury radiated from every line of his powerful frame. He was a tempest unleashed as he stormed into the room, his black eyes blazing as they found her.
Tears that she didn’t know she was holding back fell at the sight of him. He’d tell her father exactly what to do with his plans!
And then what would happen to Venice?
