Page 37 of Crown of Thorns
“You know it’ll never get that far,” Saoirse says petulantly, rolling her eyes. “She’s just going to run away again when things get tough. You need to focus on your country and what is best for it.”
I sit there stunned as she throws me right under the bus. Not only is she the one who fed me the information that has me feeling the way I do, but she also did it in a way that was intentional. She sent me on the run while Rhys was away on business and then my car blew up, killing my driver and leaving Leo and I definitely worse for the wear. I don’t know about him, but I know I’ll never forgive myself for the part I played in a man’s death. Never.
“I am,” he replies dangerously. “And what’s best formy countryis a kind and caring queen not a narcissistic succubus.”
Saoirse gasps.
I feel my eyes go wide. I’ve tried to keep my composure, really, I have, but this seems to have surprised us all. Even Craig covers his mouth with his hand and pretends a cough to cover his laughter over her embarrassment. Poor Leo just stares at his feet.
“Besides, I don’t remember inviting you to this meeting.”
“Surely, you agree that I need to know what’s going on inmy countryand inmy home,” she pouts.
“And surely you realize that this might be your native country, but you are no longer married to the monarch. As for your home, it’s now mine and I thank you for reminding me that your future accommodations need to be seen to. I’ll make sure a royal property is opened for you at once.”
“Do not forget that there are still people here who are loyal to me and not you…” she seethes.
I wish he wouldn’t toy with Saoirse so much. She’s dangerous and we should tread lightly. That’s clearly not Rhys’s style and it makes me want to cry, to hide, to kiss him?—I don’t know.
“And do no’ forget to close the door behind you on your way out,” Rhys says as if he’s completely unaffected by her voiced threats.
I know all too well that her threats are not to be dismissed so easily but still I hold my tongue. Because I’m also tired of being punished. The orgasms are nice, but I’d prefer them without the extra complications.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she says before turning on her heels and click-clacking her way to the door. She stops there and looks back at me from over her shoulder, a cat-that-got-her-cream smile on her pink painted lips. I hold my breath for whatever she’s about to drop in my lap, knowing that I’ll hate whatever she has to say. “Don’t get too comfortable. We both know that you don’t belong here. And besides, Rhys will beback to fucking the maids or Lady Thomley again before long.” And with that, she pulls the door closed behind her with an uncharacteristically quiet snick.
After a moment, Rhys turns to the room as if he doesn’t have a care in the world and says, “So I was thinking of a garden party to kick things off.”
“That’s a lovely idea,” Craig says. “And it gives us an opportunity to introduce Stella to the aristocracy.”
“Aye, I was thinking the same. We need them in her favor,” Rhys agrees before turning to Leo. “What security concerns should we have?”
“Besides the dowager queen?” he asks.
“Aye.”
“Her father is in the wind,” he says.
“Fuck.”
“Aye,” Leo agrees. “He’s dangerous to be sure but to snub him openly would be more dangerous.”
“And social suicide,” Craig adds. “We need him close enough to watch but not close enough for him to strike. Timing-wise, the castle gardens are almost done for the season. Perfect for a pre-wedding garden party if you ask me.”
“That would be easy to secure as well,” Leo adds. “Even if we open viewing to the village.”
“Aye,” Rhys agrees. “The villagers will love a garden party and so will all of the aristocracy who love to be invited to that kind of shite.”
I slowly raise my hand up like I’m back in a classroom and Rhys turns and smiles at me. “You don’thave to ask to speak, hen. This is your meeting too.”
“Umm… permission to speak freely?”
“Am I going to like it?” he asks me.
“If keeping with consistency… probably not,” I answer before I can think better of it and his smile widens.
“That’s all right,” he croons. “I think I’ll like the outcome either way.”
I narrow my eyes but still hold my tongue. “Can I ask?”
