“You know what you’re doing to me, don’t you? Driving me crazy from a thousand miles away.” My pace quickens, desperation coloring my tone. “Gods, Leigh, that’s not fair. You’re going to make me explode just watching you.”
Her eyes glaze over, and I know she’s reached her peak. I quicken my movements, my heart pounding in my chest, my skin slick with sweat, my breath coming in short gasps.
My abs clench with each stroke, my balls drawing up tight against my body.
A few more seconds tick by, and her moans switch to cursing, her voice rising in pitch, her body tensing. “Fuck.”
Leigh screams into the covers, her body shuddering, her hand still moving as she rides out her orgasm. I savor the image to conjure the next time the urge to draw hits me. Leigh coming is the prettiest thing I’ve seen, and I want to capture it on paper to immortalize the moment.
“Shit.” I shudder at my release leaving me breathless and spent, my cum spilling over my hand and onto my stomach. I stroke myself through it, prolonging the sensation, my eyes squeezed shut, my mouth open in a silent moan.
I open my eyes to see her reaction, but I’m alone. The room is suddenly cold and empty without her larger-than-life presence. I swear I smell the lingering scent of her perfume and arousal in the air, a ghost of her essence. My hair is damp and stuck to the nape of my neck, and my skin is cooling in the aftermath.
Groaning, I rise, eager to take a shower. My girl is a fucking goddess.
The next day,I hoist my biggest purse over my shoulder. It’s packed with a disguise—a red wig, sunglasses, and a dark overcoat—I will need to slip into Kratos Prison without alerting the press. My heart pounds as I race down the palace steps. Isolde is waiting outside with a car to covertly whisk me to the prison.
Don must be Stellan’s source. The letters in my wastebasket claim he wants to be a family again, but I know better. My uncle wants my crown—he always has. What better way to discredit my claim to the throne than to undermine my leadership capabilities and my brother’s legitimacy by selling intel to Stellan? Today, I will make him admit it.
As I pass the billiard room, the rich scent of aged whiskey and cigar smoke wafts out. Pool balls collide with a sharp crack. I glimpse Ravi sinking the eight ball into a pocket, but Alden’s piercing blue eyes are fixed on me, ignoring his loss. A breath lodges in my throat, and I quicken my pace. Gripping my bag until my knuckles turn white, I’ve barely taken a few steps before Alden’s voice cuts through the air like a knife.
“Where’s the fire?” he asks, his tone businesslike and devoid of the flirtatious charm he usually uses with me. The sudden shift in his demeanor prickles my skin.
I pause, my chest tightening as I turn. My gaze meets his. The warmth that used to reside there has been replaced by a chillier, more calculating look. He’s read the article about Fynn. I had hoped to avoid talking to Alden until I spoke to Don and the Council. If Alden decides that invading Borealis is more worthwhile than marrying me, I don’t know what we will do. Our kingdom is not equipped to go to war, especially when our people are divided.
“Hi, Alden,” I manage, steadier than I feel. I tap my heel in anticipation of leaving.
Isolde is waiting, and time is of the essence. Warden Grey gave me a very small window to talk to Don. It’s hardly enough time, but letting that man bully me is a necessary evil to fixing the cruelty embedded in this country’s bedrock. Each minute is precious.
“Are you avoiding me, Leigh? We haven’t talked since you stranded me at the races yesterday.” Alden circles me with a predatory smile. I resist the urge to step back.
“I’ve been busy, and you were hardly stranded,” I reply. Some of my guards stayed behind to ensure the prince returned to the palace.
Alden frowns. “I heard you visited Cynthia. How is Mommy Dearest? I am sure she is disgusted by the rumor regarding her courtship with your uncle. It seems I’ve arrived just in time to save your family from ill repute.” He slips his hands into his pockets, then pulls out the moonstone. Ravi told me it belonged to his dead mate, Tanith. He palms it like a worry stone.
I exhale. His offer still stands. That’s good. I need more time to figure out how to counter it.
A shiver slides down my spine. How does he know I visited my mother? Only a few select staff were aware. A pit hollows my stomach. How deep does his influence run in my home? Maybe he’s outstayed his welcome.
“I still have time left before I owe you an answer,” I say, “so if you will excuse me, I have to go.”
“Go where?” Alden appraises my outfit, but nothing indicates I am going to Kratos. My disguise is in my bag. Even so, when I meet Ravi’s gaze, his eyes have a knowing look. I scowl. Did he tell Alden I wanted to astral project into the prison?
When I don’t answer, Alden says, “Tick-tock, Leigh. I’d love to return home with good news. My father may be ill, but he loves weddings.”
“Alden, I need to go,” I repeat, turning to leave.
“I’ll miss you while you are away,” Alden calls, and I wince.
“I am sure you will find a way to entertain yourself,” I call out as I hurry toward the stairs.
“Aw, I’ve done that already today.”
I grimace. “Ew.”
As I approach Isolde outside with the car, I steel myself. I will not be a pawn in anyone’s game. Not anymore.
I am the queen, and it’s time I started playing like one.
