Page 33 of The Forgotten Queen
She lifted her chin, training her focus back to the High Ruler.
“I’ve known King Marx since he was a small child…” High Ruler Grier said as if this was a real wedding that needed sentimental remarks scattered throughout.
“Are you disappointed that I’m the king?” he whispered closer into her ear, sending a small ripple of chills down her neck and arm.
She rolled her neck to stop the sensation. “I’m disappointed in a lot of things right now.”
“The aquarium?”
“Yes, that’s one of them.” She kept her gaze forward, not wanting to get in trouble again.
“My suit?”
“What?” she eyed him briefly. “No.”
His dark suit jacket pulled across his broad shoulders and chest, fitting snugly around his arm muscles as if each measurement of the jacket had been made to fit his body perfectly.
“I really wanted to wear a blue suit, but my secretary set out this dark one, and I was already late, so I didn’t change.” He shrugged, and because he stood so close, Sydria felt the movement roll down her arm. “I just got out of the shower.” He tilted his head toward her. “I would’ve asked you to join me, but I was in a hurry.”
Sydria snapped her gaze to him.
An amused smile filled his lips. “I’m kidding.”
She lifted her chin, looking back at the officiator. As the High Ruler spoke, his eyes narrowed in on King Marx as if he disapproved of his whisperings.
She gave the High Ruler an apologetic smile and whispered back to the king. “Do you mind? We’re in the middle of our wedding.”
“I don’t mind.” He shrugged, the movement rubbing against her arm…again. “It’s my wedding. In fact,” he raised his index finger to High Ruler Grier, “can you give us a moment?” He said it loud enough for all the guests to hear—all four of them. He gently grabbed her elbow, pulling her off the dais.
Sydria’s face flushed with embarrassment as she looked back behind her at the bewildered expressions following their every move.
King Marx led her to a closet off the side of the dais. He pulled her into the small room, shutting the door behind them. They stood in complete darkness as his hand grazed the wall looking for a light switch. The switch clicked, and a blast of light filled the area.
Hazel eyes studied her. His chest and face were mere inches from hers, and Sydria tried to take a step away, but her back hit against a shelf.
She looked around nervously. “What is this room?”
“A broom closet.”
This had to be the strangest wedding ever.
“We need to talk,” he said.
This was her chance to get out of this marriage.
“Is this wedding your way of getting back at me for the whole aquarium thing?” he asked.
“What?” Her jaw dropped. “I’m being forced into this.”
His brow raised. “Forced?”
“Do you think I would willingly choose to marry a man I’ve never met?”
“Technically, we have met.”
Sydria thought back to the first time she’d seen the king. “Where’s the girl you were kissing the other night?” she asked. “I believe you called her Cheney.”
His lips puckered out. “I have no clue.”
