Page 139 of Reign

“Only until you show me that you can be trusted to hydrate.”

“That could take years.”

“I’m prepared for a lengthy rehabilitation.”

She takes the bottle but doesn’t open it. She simply holds it at her side as though that is enough to satisfy me.

“Drink it.”

“You could say please.”

“Humor me, princesa.”

Her expression softens despite her best effort to prevent it. She twists off the cap and takes a tiny, ceremonial sip.

“That was theater.”

“That was hydration.”

“Try again.”

She maintains eye contact as she drinks, making the act aggressively obedient.

I smile. Everything with Elena becomes a performance when she knows I’m watching.

She begins swallowing too quickly, determined to turn compliance into another form of argument. I place my fingers against the bottom of the bottle and lower it slightly.

“Slowly.”

I’m beginning to understand that caring for Elena will come with suspicion, negotiation, and exaggerated obedience.

I prefer it that way.

“Better,” I say.

“Bossy.”

“You have no idea.”

I release the bottle, but her eyes stay on me.

“Everything to her office,” I tell another one of my men. “Clear whatever needs to be cleared.”

“Yes, boss.”

Elena lowers the water. “You’re really letting me use that room?”

“Temporarily.”

“Of course.”

“It’s for practicality, Elena.”

“Everything with you is practical.”

“Not everything.”

Her cheeks warm.