Page 6 of Mated to the Crown
I turn to the row of roses, hoping if I get him deep enough in this maze I can lose him. I had been playing in the gardens since I was a toddler so I know this place well, I can’t say the same for him.
“Maybe. Where were you?” He asks again and I bite the inside of my lip.
“I was there. What did you say to Jeffries at the end?” I swerve to the left around a large fountain. The water cascades down the side and into a large basin sunk into the ground.
“That I was looking for you.”
I skid to a stop and turn to see him. His lips are curved into a smirk, his fucking gorgeous face only inches from mine.
“If you want me to just disappear, let me know. You are going to get me exiled.” I snap. “I don’t need you sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. I told you, I didn’t do anything. She probably passed from natural causes.”
“She did. There was no foul play. They will be arranging her funeral now.” He stands still, letting his hands drop to his sides as he watches me. His hair moves in the breeze, tousling it ever so slightly.
“Then why are you looking for me?” I raise an eyebrow. He opens his mouth to speak and then shuts it before taking a fewsteps ahead. I follow after him, my own fantasies playing in my head about this time alone with him.
“I want to know more about you, Celeste.” He says casually.
I tilt my head ever so slightly. I remember I never told him my name, how did he find out?
“Oh Celeste, you think I couldn’t find your name? Although, I do like Princess better.” I stop walking and give him a look.
Who does he think he is?
Just because he is a Prince doesn’t mean he can talk to me like this.
“I don’t know what kind of shit you are pulling, but I am over it. I will not lose my job and my life because you think I am interesting. You may get to do whatever you want, but some of us get consequences from that.”
He turns around and looks at me before taking three long strides until our faces are inches away,
“You are more than interesting, and I would never do anything to jeopardize anything for you.” His breath washes across my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine.
My heart races and my face heats with his close proximity.
“I am not a concubine,” I mutter but all that does is make him smile.
“I don’t want a concubine. I want a friend. Royal life is not all it’s cracked up to be. You seemed to be friends with my grandmother, why would I be any different?” He takes half a step back and clasps his hands in front of him. I stare at him, not sure what to say.
“So please, meet me at 7? Or we could do it now,” he continues on as he shrugs his shoulders, “I could dismissyou from your duties, say that you were doing something else. Jeffries will confirm since I have already asked him about you.”
“What is it you want to know exactly?” I cross my arms, suddenly feeling vulnerable out in the garden with the Prince.
“Why do you hate me so much?” His question throws me off.
“Is it not obvious? Are you so stuck up that you don’t know anything?” I scoff.
“I know a lot, but I am genuinely curious. Why do I upset you?” His face is calm, the anger from before isn’t there.
I bite the inside of my lip, “I want more than this life. If you lived like me, maybe you would understand. I am expected to be this, and that with no regard to what I want.”
“That is exactly what I feel.” He says quietly, meeting my gaze.
Heat blooms low in my belly and I start walking, trying to ignore the feeling. I had never thought about that before. I suppose he could want something else than to be in the Royal family. It was something he was born into.
“What is it you want to do or be?” My voice comes out a whisper. The clouds move across the sun and I shiver involuntarily at the loss of sunlight.
“I’m not sure - but nothing to do with politics.” He is behind me but I feel the fabric of his jacket draped over my shoulders.
At first, I pull it tight around me. Surrounded by his scent of bourbon and pine, I close my eyes, reveling in the moment. Before I realize - the damn Prince just gave me his jacket.
