Destiny scowled. “You and Sasha gossip like hens.”
A mewing sound interrupted her before she could finish scolding her busybody of a mother. Destiny sat up in bed. The sound grew louder, and it seemed to be coming from just outside her door. She got up and padded across the room.
“If you’d just tell me the juicy stuff I wouldn’t have to resort to bribing Sasha for details,” her mother protested without the slightest hint of remorse. “Don’t murder Prince Alexander. He’s pretty cute. Now that Prince Ammar, I will cut his bitch ass.”
Destiny laughed again, shaking her head. She’d reached her door and the source of the insistent mewing. Ivan the cat pushed his way into her room, weaving between her legs, and meowing his displeasure about being kept waiting. Destiny shook her head again as the cat hopped onto the bed, making himself at home.
“I’m going to make Sasha block your number. Good night, mom. I love you.”
The following morning saw the castle bustling and busy. There hadn’t been any additional snowfall, so the city had managed to clear the roads and festival sites. The day would begin with an assortment of activities for Avondale’s citizens, several of which would take place at the castle. Then the festival would officially kick off with the tree lighting competition at sunset.
Though Destiny hadn’t intended to take part in the other events, the PR teams had decided it would be best for her to be seen publicly with the royal family as much as possible. That stupid clickbait article hadn’t painted either Destiny or Prince Alexander in a particularly positive light, and the festival presented an opportunity to change the narrative.
Destiny felt an unexpected bout of nerves as she prepared for the day. After the intimate hours she’d spent with Pack Stepanov, followed by the disastrous article and subsequent PR strategizing, and then the conversation with her mother, she wasn’t sure how she felt about Alexander, Hunter, and Greyson. Should she take the article as a sign to step back and be more careful of them, or should she listen to her mother and her hormones and see where things went?
Now that Destiny knew her parents would support her no matter what she wanted to do next, whatdidshe want?
She was still contemplating the question when someone knocked on her door. She opened it to find Mina, looking a bit harried despite still wearing her customary megawatt smile.
“Good morning, Miss Duvalle! Queen Raina asks if you would do her the honor of joining her for breakfast this morning?” the royal assistant said, glancing between Destiny and the tablet in her hand, which she tapped on rapidly even as she talked. “It will be just the two of you.”
Destiny felt another stab of anxiety. Why would the queen want to speak with her privately? Maybe she wanted to discuss the day’s festivities. That was probably it.
The queen definitely wouldn’t want to discuss Destiny’s relationship with the prince and his pack. Right?
“That would be lovely,” she replied, forcing herself to sound calm and gracious. “When and where?”
“I can escort you if you’re ready. The queen is waiting in her library,” Mina said.
And so, Destiny soon found herself outside the French doors to the queen’s private library. Mina left quickly, obviously off to manage the day’s events, leaving Destiny and Damon alone. Now that the castle was teeming with people again, her bodyguard hovered nearby, a protective shadow.
She left Damon outside the doors when the queen invited her in. Destiny found her settled in a comfortable-looking chair next to a roaring fireplace. Her shiny blonde hair was piled atop her head, her crown glittering from where it nestled, perfectly centered in her updo. She wore a beautiful blue gown that brought out her piercing sapphire eyes, which were fixed on Destiny with undisguised interest.
“Come and sit with me, dear,” Queen Raina commanded, gesturing to an identical chair next to hers, separated only by a small table holding assorted breakfast items. “You’ve already met my other guests, I hear.”
As Destiny moved toward the seat, she noticed two familiar balls of fur curled up in a plush cat bed near the fire. She stooped and rubbed their heads, earning purrs from Ivan and a pleased chirp from Aly. The queen watched her every move, a smile playing about the corners of her mouth.
“So, you truly are the reason I haven’t seen much of the twins lately,” Queen Raina said as Destiny took her seat. “Normally, one of them is always underfoot.”
Destiny smiled. “They’re very sweet. My lifestyle isn’t well-suited to having pets, but Ivan has shown me what I’m missing out on. He takes up a lot more space in bed than you’d expect, but he’s an excellent cuddle buddy.”
Queen Raina raised her eyebrows. “Ivanushka slept with you? Interesting.”
The queen studied Destiny intently, but it wasn’t an unpleasant scrutiny. There was something warm about the older woman, as if she were smiling with her whole body, even when her expression was neutral. Destiny liked her a lot.
“I think he knew I was a little upset yesterday and wanted to comfort me,” she shrugged. “He really is sweet. I don’t know why Prince Alexander is so scared of him.”
Queen Raina laughed. “Because Ivanushka is only loyal to the queen, and prone to dislike most everyone else. I’m glad he comforted you yesterday. It seems my son has not behaved as admirably during your visit.”
Destiny’s cheeks warmed. She didn’t know how much the queen knew about her interactions with the prince, and she didn’t want to badmouth him to his mother. Besides, he’d been much more pleasant during their movie day. Far less annoying that she’d expected.
“Prince Alexander and I may be too much alike,” Destiny said honestly. “It put us at odds initially, but I think we’re finding our stride. We might even be friends by the time the snow clears.”
Queen Raina hummed thoughtfully as she poured them each a cup of tea, before selecting a few items from the lavish spread between them. Destiny followed suit, helping herself to a tasty-looking pancake the queen called a Blini. It was no match for Hunter’s steamed buns, but it was pretty good.
The memory of her intimate breakfast with Hunter and Greyson made Destiny flush. She’d never done anything like that before. The way they’d touched her, talked to her, taken care of her—it was easily the best date she’d ever had. She wondered if they’d have any time alone together now that the festival was beginning. Her heart raced at the thought.
“So, the reporters say you turned down Remy Rhodes,” Queen Raina remarked, startling Destiny from her thoughts. “He’s…how do you Americans say it? Quite the dreamboat?”
