“Yes. Be well.” He’d evidently hit his paternal limits and hung up.
I didn’t judge. It was better than my parents who gave their love to hundreds of wards of the royal family instead of their own daughter.
“If he has any suggestions about what he would limit or make rules on, I’m open to hearing them,” I told her when she put her phone away. I gave a half shrug when she couldn’t hide her shock. “Your father is smart too and knows more of this than both of us. I didn’t say I’d just blindly do it, but I’m not against listening to experience.”
She studied me a moment and shook her head. “I was wrong about you. I think you’re going to make the best fucking queen Thovudin has ever seen.”
I wasn’t sure what I’d said to deserve that, but I wasn’t going to argue with her either. I appreciated the support and confidence.
Who wouldn’t?
5
Sagan
“I don’t envy you having to do this sixteen more times,” Joris Visser said as we sat down Monday morning for breakfast. He was the son of the Alpha of Wildcairn and had “won” the lottery to arrive first among the mating prospects. “This is awkward and nerve-racking from where I sit and the stakes are much higher for you.”
It was hard to keep my face neutral and not show my surprise that someone was being so compassionate about this. “Thank you for understanding that and not just ignoring how ridiculous this still is from my perspective.”
He snorted as he stood and moved closer with the platter of fruit that was placed near him when breakfast was served. “I still can’t believe it’s happening and I’m here. Only someone with rocks for brains wouldn’t understand that.” His pretty lilac eyes met mine. “What can I serve you, My Queen?”
I had a feeling he meant more than fruit, but I still accepted the gesture and thanked him.
He gave himself a healthy helping before he checked if I needed anything else closer to him. “I never believed the rumors about you. I admit to not being strong enough to stand up for you, especially when we’d only met in passing. So I didn’t have any proof they were wrong.”
“I never judge that, and it’s certainly not easy to stick your nose into affairs people are very decisive on,” I hedged, wondering where he was going with that.
Joris shot me a kind smile. “You’re definitely not as cold or hard as they say. Thank you, but I deserve to be smacked for not being braver.” He let out a slow breath and then seemed to decide something. “May I be blunt with you, Your Majesty? Lay my cards on the table as I believe the mermaids say?”
“They do and yes, please.” I couldn’t swallow my full snort. “It would be refreshing.”
“I find the same, but it’s rare or not done without an agenda.” He took a few bites of his food and then set his fork down. “I don’t want to be Alpha. I don’t want to be prince either—or consort.”
I wasn’t sure what else to say besides asking the obvious question. “Why?”
“I have no desire to lead in any way,” he chuckled darkly. “It’s not in me, and as much as my father wishes it was, we both know my brother is better suited. Father thanked me when I immediately offered. He might want to hope I’ll become a consort or be one you keep, but mostly he saw it as a way for me to graciously step aside without judgment.”
I simply studied him and waited for more. I wasn’t trying to play games, but sometimes it was just better for people to get it all out in their own time.
I learned a lot more of the truth that way too.
I stared him over as I waited for him to explain. Joris hid his feelings and anxiety well. He seemed like a confident man who knew exactly what he wanted without being overbearing. It was all over his no-nonsense, professional shorter haircut.
But then I realized it was shorter so he couldn’t mess with it just like I kept mine up in a bun. His was styled slightly with gel, so maybe he didn’t like the feel of running his fingers through it?
He had the golden streaks of his medicinal dragon and I’d always liked the contrast to the darker hair dragons had… But on him with his very light green eyes that were almost yellow?
Stunning.
There really wasn’t any other word for Joris than stunning. He was a stunning man and seemed to know it but didn’t have that air that egotistical men did. He was bigger than most—at least seven and a half feet and well filled out.
Not as muscular as someone like Benson who made training a priority, but not a novice to taking care of himself either.
“I’m not made to be front and center,” he continued. “Even as Alpha Heir—I’m constantly anxious and hate every minute of my formal duties. I’m fine with the behind the scenes work and honestly love helping our area prosper. I don’t want you to think it’s because I’m lazy or an idiot.”
“I’ve skimmed your resume, so I know you’re neither,” I offered. On the contrary, Joris wasimpressive. He was fifty-two and had more high-level degrees than I did. He also had a lot of experience using them. He was a big part of the faster recovery from the recession in Wildcairn.
He nodded in acknowledgement and spent the next several minutes talking about his issues with what was expected of him and how he just knew the role wasn’t for him. And no matter how lovely I was—and he confessed he was completely attracted to me—he had no desire to stand at the side of the highest leader in Thovudin.
