Page 20 of Silent Secrets

Hadley

Heissucha douche.

It takes everything in me to not scream out in frustration as Hunter stalks away from me without a word. He’d been a dick during our entire lesson, short and never pausing to see if I had questions. It’s obvious that he has no desire to be here, so why the hell is he? I’m sure there was someone else that the Winter court could have sent to be their representative.

Calm down, Hadley. He’s not worth it.

With that thought in mind, I follow the path back to the palace and make my way to my rooms—proud of myself for only getting lost once. I think a shower will help calm me down before I have to head to dinner and deal with these assholes again. Though, I guess that they’re not all assholes. Marcos had been quite charming, and Kai had been nice. It was really just Hunter and Caiden.

Glancing at the clock, I sigh. It’ll have to be a quick shower since Grace had been very adamant that I not be late. I almost want to be late just to prove that I can be, and maybe to piss Hunter off.

But that won’t accomplish anything.

Hurrying into the bathroom, I glance at the tub in longing. I wish I had time to soak away the stress of the day, but I’m determined to not be late. I won’t give them, or at least Hunter, any other reason to dislike me. Taking a quick shower, I’m in and out in ten minutes and then I realize my error when I step into the closet.

What the hell does a soon-to-be queen wear to dinner with representatives of the minor courts that she will rule over? Representatives that mostly seem to dislike me, or at the very least, resent my presence.

What I need is battle armor. Obviously not real battle armor, but something that makes me feel like a badass. Knowing that I’m low on time, I go through the pants that are both on a set of shelves and that hang in one section of the closet. I grin when my hands land on the black leather pants, pulling them down. A quick glance at the shirts and I have the perfect outfit.

I throw on the black long-sleeved blouse that I can’t wear a bra with. It’s fitted and stops just above the waistband of the leather pants. The back is open below the lace, showing off skin without looking trashy. The front cuts just low enough to show a hint of cleavage, and thank goodness for the built-in bra. I’m a little too blessed in the boob department to go completely braless.

Throwing on a pair of kick ass boots with a low heel before hurrying down the hall, I know that I’m cutting it close. I wish that I’d had time to do my hair and makeup, just for another layer of armor, but if I’d done that, then I would have been late for sure. I’m honestly not sure that I’m going to make it on time even with as much as I’d hurried. Thirty minutes isn’t nearly enough time to get ready for a meal if I plan to shower.

I slow when I reach the long hallway that leads to the dining room, proud of myself again for not getting lost. Maybe I’ll be able to figure out this damned palace after all.

The doors to the dining room stand open, and I can hear voices filtering out. It annoys me that they beat me here, but three of the four of them had plenty of time to get ready. Not to mention they’re men, and they take next to no time to get ready—not that I’m jealous or anything.

The four men fall silent as I step into the room, all eyes going to me. I lift my head, avoiding their eyes as I make my way to the head of the table, as Grace had told me to. She’d told me that as queen, this is my seat and though I might not be queen yet, I need to behave as if I were.

There’s a scraping of chairs and I realize that all four men have hurried to their feet. When I reach my chair, I find Marcos standing there, pulling it out and gesturing for me to sit.

“You look gorgeous, Hadley.”

I give him a tight smile as I settle into the chair, allowing him to push it forward for me before turning to the others. They’re still standing, eyes locked on me. I take a moment to look at each of them.

Kai won’t meet my eyes, looking just above my head. There’s a small smile on Caiden’s lips as he considers me, and I can read the desire in them. Hunter’s face and eyes are completely blank of any emotion, annoying the hell out of me. Once Marcos makes it back to his seat, I turn to find him licking his lips as he eats me up with his gaze.

Holy shit.

Heat rises low in my belly, and it takes everything in me to force my gaze from his. I frown when the four of them remain standing, the servants still standing against the wall. It’s obvious that I’m missing a step here.

Marcos clears his throat, grinning when I turn back to him. “We’re not allowed to be seated until you tell us we may.”

“Is that so?” I ask, tapping my chin as I consider this. It would be kind of nice to make them stand while I sit and enjoy my meal. It would serve them right.

“They also won’t serve dinner until we’re all seated.” There’s laughter in Caiden’s voice as he speaks.

Well, there went that plan.

“Fine. Sit, please.”

As soon as they’re all four seated, the servants rush forward. Pouring wine for each of us and placing bread on our end of the table. Marcos sits to my left with Hunter on his other side. On my right is Caiden and then Kai. It’s such a waste for the five of us to sit at this table that could easily fit twenty or more people.

“Do we have to eat in here?”

“Where else would we eat?”

I turn to Caiden with a frown. “I don’t know, but I hate that we’re sitting at this enormous table with only five of us.”

---