He glanced at his watch, and then peered back up to me where I was illuminated in the light from the room. “It’s getting kind of late, isn’t it, Caro?”
I swallowed as both the Queens’ heads turned, rubbing at their own eyes tiredly before squinting in my direction, and I nodded once. “Yes.” I waggled the book in my hand. “Late night reading, but I’m going to bed.”
And, I firmly kept my gaze away from King Zeller, who had already been staring out the doorway, watching, waiting, where he sat comfortably with an elbow on the arm of a chair, his chin in hand, fingers covering his mouth with an utterly blank expression…silently observing.
…well within range of his fucking ears to have heard everything.
Queen Cooper chuckled. “Did you enjoy it?”
My eyes widened marginally, my heart rate skyrocketing even further, and I swear I saw King Zeller’s shoulders start to shake a bit as my gaze flew to her, my tone a smidge too high pitched. “I’m sorry?”
She rubbed her eyes again, still chuckling, pointing with her other hand. “The book of Laws you’re holding. I can’t imagine it’s very interesting reading this late at night.” She waved a hand at me. “But, you seem awake enough, so I thought you might actually be enjoying it?”
“Oh.” I stared at the book a moment, taking a step toward the salvation of the dark hallway, out of the spotlight. “Actually, it’s boring as hell.”
King Collins eyebrows were together. “You’re not coming down with anything again, are you?” He pointed at his face, then mine. “You’re kind of flushed.”
My lips parted slowly. “I am kind of hot, so I should probably go to bed.” The words didn’t flow as easily as I had hoped they would, but it still worked, so I waved a hand. “Good night, everyone.” And then, hearing them call their good-byes, I speed walked as fast as I could without actually running, not bothering—or wanting—to glance in any other rooms for fear of who they might hold, damning King Zeller for being there, but slapping myself mentally for having sex in that room—withhim, only mildly relieved I didn’t believe King Zeller would currently ever out us on our reckless deed.
Chapter Eleven
Still kicking myself the next morning, angered all anew I couldn’t get him out of my fucking head, I was a…bit…of a grouch when Sin and I walked into the breakfast room. Sin had been giving me my space, but I could feel him watching me with an eagle eye, as if I was going to revert, and head down the spinning path of self-destruction again. Which, I wasn’t.
Been there, wasn’t going down that twisted road again.
I just needed to focus. Focus on what I should have been doing for the weeks I had partied-spread-my-legs-craze. And I was trying to. Reverently. Only if damn thoughts of Elder Merrick didn’t continue popping randomly in my head when I lost said focus. And there was the added fact that he looked all kinds of fucking delicious as he currently took a seat at the table while I turned my back on him to fill my plate. Dressed all in black, thin cashmere sweater and flat fronted dress pants, the platinum buckle on his belt was the only adornment of color, his mien quiet, but his navy blue eyes were cold, probably not unlike my own, but that didn’t even hinder my attraction to him, none of that helping a whole damn lot.
“How are you this morning, Caro? Tired from the late night cramming?” King Collins asked loudly as I sat next to him with a loaded plate, extremely hungry.
“Yes, I’m tired.” I kept my voice even, trying not to be snippy with my King as he flagrantly tried to make his Prodigy look better after her downfall. “And you?”
“I’m wonderful.” He patted my hand, beaming a bit before glancing about the table. “She was up late reading the book of Laws.”
Elder Venclaire was watching me closely from across the table. “So…you’re really done with the—,” his hand rolled elegantly as he paused in thought, “dimensional adjusting?”
My lips twitched on their own accord. “Thank you for being polite about it, and,” I nodded once, “yes, I’m done.”
Elder Kincaid sniffed heavily, then a broad grin graced his features, and he held his palm out over the table. “Pay up, gentlemen.”
I barely caught my jaw from falling when Elder Fergus, Elder Venclaire, and Elder Nelson all grumbled under their collective breaths as they brought their wallets out and started placing cash in his hand.
I growled, “How many times have I told you I am not a fountain for bets?”
Elder Fergus’s eyes twinkled at me, even as he took change from Elder Kincaid’s quickly filling palm. “You were always our favorite, Caro.” He winked at me. “Still are, so don’t expect it to stop anytime soon.”
King Collins made a noise in his throat, then blurted in a quiet whisper against my ear, “Just one story. All I want is one story about them.”
Elder Venclaire instantly interjected, snapping his fingers at me. “She’s already said she can’t remember.”
“Probably forgotten in the time warp.”
“Who the hell could be expected to remember anything from that long ago?”
“I’m betting Elder Harcourt zapped those memories.”
My lips trembled, not glancing at the fumbling Elders, and I said steadily to my King, “I’m sure they know best.” I patted my King’s hand when he scowled. “I’m sorry.”
Elder Jacobs stated candidly, “Actually, I remember vividly—”
