He seemed to notice that, too, and stepped closer, whispering in my ear. “Self-appointed messenger.”
I pulled back to glimpse his all too handsome face grinning at me with a mischievous wink. Small flutters filled my stomach at the sight.
His face turned contemplative, seriously so, as he took in the fashionable lounge area. “You know, I have yet to receive a proper tour of this castle. I wouldn’t dare dream of imposing on your time, but I would be just so pleased if you showed me around.” His attempt to match my formality sounded too forced to be natural, but gods, if he wasn’t cute for trying.
“I would be delighted.”
He offered his arm, and when I wrapped mine around, feeling the hardened muscle underneath his dirty and slightly tattered coat, my heart skipped a beat.
“You look absolutely beautiful, by the way,” he said quietly, just between us.
I’d donned a gorgeous lavender organza gown with embroidered flowers stitched into the flowing layers. The sleeves billowed just above my elbows that were covered by pristinely white gloves. Overlapping material on the bodice gave me brilliant coverage over my shapely bosom, and the rest flowed from the curves of my hips to my ankles. “You look lovely yourself.” I was beaming.
We began our tour, and not knowing if he actually cared, or much about the history of anything in this giant castle, I imparted what information I could. A pitiful tour guide I would make, certainly.
Yet, he responded with vigor each time I shared something extremely mundane. I stopped us in the middle of a hallway, turning to address the guard in Highcrest blue following us. “If you wouldn’t mind, would you please let the king and queen know that Mr. Tio Galanis has arrived and requests an audience?”
The poor guard froze, the spinning wheels in his mind evident. He’d probably been ordered to keep me under watch, and now that I’d asked him to leave his post, he felt conflicted. I was a member of the royal family, after all.
“Please?” I continued, “I still haven’t memorized the routes in this castle, and I’m afraid I might get lost and waste everybody’s time.” I held a prim and proper smile.
He straightened, swallowed his apprehension and nodded, setting off at a rigorous pace.
“I thought he’d never leave.”
Before I could breathe, Tio’s hand settled on my hips and he backed me into the wall, his other hand sinking into my loose wavy hair and cradling the back. His mouth was on mine a heartbeat later, and my hands found their way into his beautiful curls. His stomach pressed into mine, pinning me to the wall under his mountain of muscle. I melted, a small moan slipping from my lips as they returned his kisses with fervor.
He pulled back, resting his forehead against mine, and essentially growled, his fingers sinking further into the soft flesh around my waist. “You are intoxicating.”
My breathing ran ragged. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Grabbing his jaw with my gloved hands, I brought my mouth to his, where our tongues readily met in a dance they knew how to perform. It was his turn to groan and he pressed his body harder against mine.
Bustling armor down one of the hallways nearby forced us to separate. For a moment, I had to use the wall to keep myself upright against my spinning daze. Then I stepped away, hoping I didn’t look so disheveled that a person walking by would notice what had just occurred.
The young man returned, slightly out of breath. “The king and queen will see you now. I’m to bring you to the dining room.”
“Excellent,” Tio said, holding the posture of a nobleman, hands clasped behind his back. The performative picture of poised innocence. I giggled under my breath.
“Lady Melody, would you be so kind as to escort me?” Another offer of his arm.
I momentarily covered my lips with my gloved fingers, attempting to gain a modicum of composure. “Of course.” We interlocked again, each step brimming with the desire that steadily built between us.
17
Nicholas
Nora and I waited, both a little nervous that Tio would bring not-so-great news regarding the transition of the Argora Vale refugees. The town of Solei would take a considerable amount of effort to restore what could be salvaged, but I had every faith it would be revived if we could just get them there.
Glancing at my beautiful wife, two strands of hair fell from the braids securing the front pieces to her head, bordering her face as she peered down at her buttery roll. If I couldn’t already read on her face how worried she was, the fact that the bun still existed would have tipped me off.
The dining room doors opened, the thick wood groaning as the guardsman announced Melody and Tio and they entered the room. I rose, and Nora shot up from her seat. Today she wore a perfectly tailored Highcrest blue set, matching shirt and pants. A little casual for most queens I knew, but still an envied piece. Seeing her in the color I normally wear had done things to me all morning.
“Tio, is everything alright?” My wife, direct as ever. Refreshing in political conversations.
I didn’t miss the fact that Melody hadn’t released his arm yet. Nora had told me about Melody sneaking off to see him. Tio was not a man of refinement or status, and part of that pricked my mind as well. I wouldn’t let someone use my family to improve their circumstance. The way he smiled at the charming blonde woman on his arm told me his intentions.
“Couldn’t be better,” he responded to my wife, not meeting her eyes as he got lost in the woman next to him.
“Join us for lunch, won’t you?” I allowed the depth of my voice to suffocate the room, drawing both of their gazes to me.
