I suck in a breath and release it slowly. “I honestly have no idea.”
14
SEBASTIAN
The whispers reach me clear across the ballroom. It doesn’t take long. A few minutes at most and I begin catching on to what has happened. Then the text comes through.
Althea: Bellamy’s pregnancy is out.
Fuck.
“Excuse me, Mr. President,” I say sharply. “My wife needs me.”
His eyes grow round, but he quickly nods and utters something I don’t care enough about to listen to. In a flash, I storm my way across the room, immediately locking on Bellamy, who looks pale and sick.
Whoever did this, whoever intentionally hurt her, will pay.
“Let me take you out of here,” I say the moment I reach her, cupping her face in my hand and turning it toward me so I can see her eyes. My arms wrap around her, and I draw her into me, holding her close, kissing her hair. I need to shield her fromthis. From the prying eyes of the piranhas who seek to eat her alive.
Her gaze climbs up my chest until it locks on mine, and in her eyes, I see strength and resolve. “We can’t leave now.” Her voice trembles slightly as she looks into my eyes, searching for understanding. “If we walk out, it will only fuel the rumors that you married me solely because of this pregnancy. If we walk out of here, they win, and I won’t let them win.”
I can see her fierce determination, and I know she can feel my need to protect her. Still, I can’t help but be in awe of her. She refuses to let anyone strike her down. Frankly, I don’t care about what the pretentious assholes in this room say. As far as I’m concerned, they can all go fuck themselves.
I know what Bellamy and I have.
But she’s right. She is a woman worthy of the crown of Messalina, but more than that, we cannot show these people that they hurt her. She’s young and wears her heart on her sleeve, and as a woman and a mother, she deserves their respect. To leave would only harm her and benefit those who seek to hurt her.
“All right,” I finally relent, my grip on her tightening ever so slightly. “We’ll stay. But know that I am right here with you, and I won’t let anyone hurt you or our children.”
“Neither will I,” she tells me in no uncertain terms, and fuck, this woman.
As we stand here, side by side, facing the sea of disapproving gazes and hushed conversations, I know that our love is a force that can withstand even the harshest of trials, and I know without a doubt that together, we will prove them all wrong.
The music swells, filling the ballroom with a hauntingly beautiful melody as if the orchestra itself is aware of the tension in the air. It brings a smile to my lips, and I take mywife’s hand in mine and bow before her, and before the room of people and their watchful eyes.
“My queen, will you dance with me?” I ask, my voice low and steady.
She curtsies for me, the move is still awkward and a bit of a mess, and it only makes my smile grow.
“I’d be honored, Your Majesty.”
I lead her onto the dance floor, unable to stop the surge of pride and admiration I have for her. Her chin is high, and her eyes are bright, and when I twirl her out and spin her back into my chest, she laughs.
My hand immediately lands on her belly, my thumb dragging over our growing children, before I tuck her against me and lean in again so I can kiss her sweet lips. The weight of the world seems to lift from her shoulders as I move us gracefully across the floor. The whispers and stares of the people around us fade into the background, drowned out by the sound of our hearts beating in unison.
“Tomorrow this will hit the news.”
“I know,” she says.
“And there will be speculation because that’s what they do.”
“I know,” she repeats, meeting my gaze as we sway together. “It’ll suck, but we’ll deal. This was going to happen next week anyway. I just wish it hadn’t been at the hands of a nasty woman and I wish it hadn’t been tonight. I wish it had been on our terms, but what’s done is done.”
Her head falls against my chest, and I hold her close, slowing our pace and dancing with her like no one else is watching. We continue to dance, losing ourselves in the rhythm of the music.
Eventually, dinner is served, and we reluctantly leave the sanctuary of the dance floor. But even as we take our seats at the elegantly appointed table, I never once let go of her. Myfingers toy with hers, and when I can’t hold her hand, my arm is around the back of her shoulders or chair.
A show of dominance. Of possession.
