“What would you like me to do?” Vexley focused his eyes on the book. “Would you like me to?—”
“Yes,” I interrupted. “Destroy all evidence of the Clair name. I don’t want even a single record with her family’s name listed. Not as associates, neutral parties, or executed parties. Not in strategic plans, missives, or even on the lips of the guards—the Clair name never crossed the desk of the Guard. I will deal with the records of execution.”
“Yes, sir. I will see to it personally that all documents are obliterated.” His eyes met mine. “Unless you would like to see them first?”
I shook my head. “I’ve heard all I’ve needed. Burn them. And not a word from you to anyone, not even my father. If you must share any information about the Clairs, it will be only with me and in private.”
“Understood.” Vexley stood. “Anything else?”
“No—not from you. You’re free to go.” I stood. “Vexley?”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Your continued loyalty to my family is appreciated.” I’d need to give him an increase in pay, or maybe send a basket of fruits and chocolates to his wife.
I moved to the corridor and found the female guard stationed outside the door. “Have Fisher retrieve Audryn and bring her to my personal rooms.”
29
AUDRYN
“Off to dinner?” Roark asked as Fisher and I passed.
I shrugged. “Not sure, but if I don’t see you before you leave, have a good evening.” I’d enjoyed our brief chats each day, which was in stark contrast to how much I despised most of the guards.
“You’re too friendly with him,” Fisher reprimanded.
“Or maybeyou’rejust jealous since I actually like him.” I clasped my mother’s necklace as we moved down the hall. I’d had just enough time to take a quick bath before he’d summoned me away. Wrapped in the heat of the water had left me teetering between misery and ecstasy for what I had done.
Seeing Jezelle lying dead on the side of the road was an image I couldn’t entirely rid myself of. I couldn’t consider my connection to her, couldn’t think of her family or the fact that she was another person barely scraping by, and now she was dead. Because of me.
“If Prince Sutton sees you speaking with Roark like that, he’ll have his head.” He stopped walking. His face hardened and his cerulean eyes bore into me. “If you really do like him, you’ll be careful how you speak when others are around to hear.”
“You going to tattle on me?” I ribbed.
He shook his head and silently guided me down several corridors. I’d been so lost in my own thoughts that I hadn’t paid attention to where we’d gone. I stared at the two tall unfamiliar white double doors we were stopped in front of.
Fisher knocked on the heavy wood while I shifted on my feet. The door pulled inward, and Ryder stood at the threshold with a beautiful smile on his face. My breath stuttered as I considered running my hands through his thick head of hair. What the fuck was wrong with me? I’d killed someone just hours ago, yet I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to touch the man. The more I was around him, the more I wanted him.
Ryder stepped away, allowing the door to swing wide, and looked at Fisher. “You’re free to go home for the evening.”
The guard took a step back and looked between the two of us, seemingly unsure of what to do. “You don’t want me to stay and escort her back?”
Ryder shook his head.
“Thank you, Fisher,” I acknowledged, without taking my eyes off of the prince. Every part of me wanted to be pressed against him—to touch him. I was utterly obsessed, and the guard was slowing things down.
“Come in.” Ryder extended his hand and pulled me into the room, closing the door behind us.
His quarters held multiple rooms: a bedroom, dressing room, sitting room, and an elaborate bathing room with two tubs. Long billowing aquamarine fabrics hung over the windows while tapestries adorned the walls. The elaborate four post bed had the same fabric draped over it as the windows had. Gold scrolling accented the mahogany headboard, footboard, and posts.
The fireplace burned bright in the corner, and filled the bedroom with heat. A sizable desk was pushed against the wall on the way to the bathing room, with a map of the kingdomhung above it. Stacks of books sat on the desk, with a brown leather book upside down and open.
“Please, sit.” Ryder gestured as he took a seat on a nearby velvet sofa. “We must speak.”
My stomach dipped with worry right before lust rolled over me, wiping my concern away. I sauntered to the sofa and sat on the other end, leaving a sizable gap between us.
He moved to sit next to me and took my hand. I inadvertently flinched at the touch, though I wanted nothing more than to feel the warmth of his skin against mine. My emotions were at war with one another, and I wasn’t sure which would be the victor.
