* * *
“It’s sucha pleasure to meet you,” Gothi Elias says as he takes a seat in front of us.
After my workout, I made it to my room for a quick shower. When I exited my bathroom to get changed, Lilly was sitting on my bed, dressed in a beautiful yellow dress, her hair curled, looking so goddamn edible that I almost pushed her back on the mattress to remind her who she belonged to. I asked her what the hell she was doing, and her simple answer was waiting for me.
Doubt that was the truth. She was trying to entice me, and it was working, especially when she asked if her boobs were too revealing in her dress. She knew damn well they weren’t too revealing, but that didn’t stop her from hinging at the waist and pushing her breasts together for me.
Irritated, I quickly dressed and then escorted her to the ancestor room where we’ll conduct our meetings with Gothi Elias. Not only is the room covered in portraits of royals from the past, but it’s draped in elegant ivory curtains, low-hanging crystal chandeliers, and it offers soundproof anonymity and peace from any prying ears. Bright and cheerful, yet safe and secure. Just the way I like it.
“The pleasure is ours,” Lilly says while folding her hand on her lap. “And please, just call me Lilly.”
“As long as you call me Elias,” he counters.
“Deal.” Lilly smiles.
“Well, first, I must say congratulations. As I’m sure you probably know already, the country is bustling with excitement over the announcement of your engagement. It’s been quite some time since we’ve had a royal wedding that we’re due for a jubilant celebration.”
“Thank you, we’re quite excited.” Lilly places her hand on my thigh, and I quickly shift my legs to knock her away. Knowing her, she’d smooth that hand right up my thigh to dangerous territories. The girl gives zero fucks.
Elias must notice the move on my end because he directs his attention toward me. “Keller, you seem a bit stiff. Are you uncomfortable?”
Yes.
Very.
I’ve heard about these sessions. They like to dive deep into the personal lives of the betrothed. They pick apart the relationship. They are brutally honest, and I’m already uneasy with not being able to sleep in the same room as Lilly—or touch her, for that matter. And to top it all off, I don’t like talking about my personal life or feelings with people I don’t know.
And I don’t know Elias.
“Just anticipating what today will be about,” I answer.
“Ah, well, I can understand that. Today, I’d like to get to know both of you. Although you are the future queen of Torskethorpe, I’m afraid my knowledge of who you are is lacking, Lilly. And Keller, despite being the personal secretary to the king, that’s about as much as I know as well. It’ll serve me best if I get to know you both better. Let’s start with you, Keller.”
Of course.
“Nothing too important,” I answer. “My parents used to work for the palace. My dad was part of the kitchen staff, and my mom helped preserve the artwork around Strombly. I haven’t known of a home outside these walls. They lost their lives in the Strombly fire, and I stayed here to serve. Worked my way up to the position of the king’s private secretary. That’s about it.”
Short.
Simple.
To the point.
“I see,” Elias says. “That was rather quick, don’t you think?”
“Efficient,” I answer.
Lilly pats my thigh. “He’s not much of a talker. Me, on the other hand, get me going, and I’ll never stop.”
She could not be more right about that.
“I think it’s best that we dive deeper into Keller then, don’t you think? If he’s not much of a talker, there may be things you don’t know about him.”
There goes my idea on efficiency.
I shift on the couch. “I’m not very comfortable with diving in too deep.”
“And why is that, Keller? Are there things you haven’t told Lilly?”
