She curses in French. “You’re telling me the truth? Because if he’s hurting you against your permission, king or no king, he’s still my nephew and I can punish him accordingly.”
I rein in my smirk at the imagery with that. “It’s consensual.”
“Daccord. Okay. Fine. I won’t ask any further questions because, frankly, I’m terrified of knowing the answers.” She gives an exaggerated shudder. “But for now, you must rush back upstairs and cover that neck either with clothing or makeup before the children or the prime minister see it. The country already believes Sebastian to be a beast and these markings will only prove that.”
“True. Thank you.”
I move to leave, desperate to flee from this awkward moment, when she reaches out and grasps my wrist, stopping me. “You can talk to me,” she says, her expression sincere. “You can talk to me about anything. I know what it’s like to be alone and not have many people in your life. My sister was all I had for a very long time and now…well, she’s not who she once was. She has no time or patience for anyone, too stuck in her grief. But I’m here for you, Bellamy. Whether this thing with Sebastian is for now or forever, I’m here for you.”
I blow out an uneven breath, my heart clogging my throat as tears threaten like weapons. “Thank you,” I choke out and hug her. She’s my person in a way, and I hope she knows I am that for her, too. Something I tell her in earnest, so I’m positive she does. We hold each other for another moment, and she gives me a playful shove toward the door.
“Now go. Please. That neck…mon dieu.”
I snicker and leave her in the gym, racing quickly along thefirst floor of the palace, through the sweeping room where I broke the bust those months ago, and over toward the side stairs that lead up to the bedrooms. Only I don’t make it to the stairs. I hardly make it through the huge sweeping room before someone calls my name.
The last person on the planet I want to see right now.
Samil.
“Bellamy,” he croons, marching with heavy, determined steps in my direction after entering the palace. “Just the woman I was hoping to run into.”
He’s alone. None of the other members of his cabinet or parliament are with him. Not even his handler is here. He wasn’t set to arrive until around ten, and it’s not even seven.
What the hell is he up to?
“Good morning. I’m sorry, I can’t stop to talk now.” I head for the stairs as a nauseating wave of panic hits me.
“Bellamy, wait,” he cries, quickening his steps. “Why are you running from me?”
Shit. “I’m not,” I call back to him, hoping my tone isn’t as strained as I think it sounds. “I’m late to get the children ready for the day.”
“No, you’re running,” he accuses, and rightly, because I am. I have no doubt how guilty and foolish it makes me appear. “Stop!” He catches up to me, jogging the last few steps, and his hand latches onto my forearm, pulling me to a standstill. “I haven’t seen you in months now and I thought we were friends. Why do you not wish to speak to me?”
I tilt my chin down and away from him, hoping he doesn’t see the mark. Why didn’t I put on a turtleneck or cover it with makeup? Why was I so anxious to get down to the gym? Now look.
“That’s not the case at all,” I tell him, compelling a smile. “Truly, I’m running late.”
“Only your pulse is racing.” His fingers press in on my wrist,proving his point. “And there is fear in your eyes, Bella.” He tilts my chin up until I’m forced to meet his eyes. “I am not the one you should be afraid of.”
I shake my head, growing tired and frustrated. I yank my arm away from his grasp. “I’m not afraid, Samil. Now, please, if you’ll excuse?—”
He doesn’t let me go. Instead, he regrabs my arm, firmer this time, and forcefully drags me to an alcove between the main room and the entrance, just off another parlor. Aggressively, he shoves me into the corner of the wall and gets right up in my face.
“You’re hurting me,” I accuse, narrowing my eyes at him. “I haven’t given you permission to touch me. You’re out of line.”
“Out of line,” he repeats, testing the words only to smile at them as if they amuse him. His body is still. Too still. The stillness of a predator about to spring on his prey. The only things moving are his eyes as they rove around my face. It’s the most unsettling thing I’ve ever encountered. He’s not the same sort of hunter as Sebastian, and I have no desire to be his next meal. My impatience to flee him takes over, and I shove at him, but to no avail.
“What are you doing? Let me go.”
I know there are cameras everywhere. Sebastian told me. But right now it’s just the two of us alone, and I doubt there are cameras trained on this tiny alcove he has us in.
Realization dawns on his face, the tense energy between us cresting and breaking. He sighs, releasing my arm but not my body from the alcove.
“I’m trying to speak to you, and you can’t get away from me fast enough,” he says, his voice calmer now, almost dejected. He tsks, shaking his head in dismay. “You’re why I came early.”
“Me? Why?”
“Because I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we first met. You’re special to me.”
