Page 49 of Red King

“And you’renotactively dating?” His expression doesn’t change. “You’re single, aren’t you, Paisley?”

I narrow my eyes and must look taken aback because I certainly feel it. It’s a strange thing to ask an employee. How does he know all this?

“I read your file.” He gives me a measured look. “I make it my business to know all of my management team. Your marital status is on record. You’ve been divorced for over two years now. Are you telling me you don’t date?”

How is this relevant?

“Um…” I try not to squirm in my seat and fail. “No…I haven’t dated since my break-up. I was with the same man from high school. Jim was my first love, so I’ve never really dated.” I shrug, feeling like a complete loser. Why did I just say all of that? I’m sure he was looking for a straight no.

“It looks like you’re using Cathy’s knowledge to your advantage. A good leader knows their own weaknesses as well as the strengths and weaknesses of those on their team. Speed dating.” He lifts his brows. “I’ve never heard of it myself.”

“You’ll find out all about it tonight, since you’re a candidate.” I give him a pointed look.

“What is it?” he asks in that low voice of his. “I can see there’s something going on in that brain of yours.” He gives me a half-smile.

Too damned perfect.

“You left early last night. Yes, I noticed. I made it my business to keep my eye on everyone at the event. You left an hour before the end and were the only one to do so. Even Lauren stayed, and she’s still recovering from an injury.”

“My apologies. I had an early start this morning. I meant it when I said that I had a demanding role. I don’t often get to do the things I enjoy.”

I want to ask him about his astronomy, but I don’t. I’d be out of line. It doesn’t quite feel like it, but this is a formal meeting.

“Forgive me, but I noticed that although you chatted with a few women, you didn’t seem to make any real connections. You looked like you were going through the motions. You do know it’s almost double the number of men to women? You will need to put in some effort, Arctic.”

He smiles at me. “I know that, Paisley. I’m fully aware of the odds and that they’re stacked against me.”

“I suppose you’re the king and used to getting any woman you want.” I slap a hand over my mouth. “Forgive me. I probably shouldn’t have said that,” I say from behind my hand.

His smile widens. “I like how forthright you are. It’s one of the reasons I hired you. Actually, I haven’t dated in a long time either. In fact, I win.” He gets this faraway, hazy look. “It’s been over four years since… It’s been a long time.”

He hasn’t dated in over four years. Why? Has he been that busy? It sounds like there’s more to it. Does he just have sex? Are there concubines at the castle to service his every need? Or is he fully celibate?

No.

He can’t be.

Just no.

“My mate was murdered four and a half years ago. Her name was Anya. It was an assassination attempt. The bullets that killed her were meant for me. She died in my arms.”

Holy shit!

Horror at his words grows inside me. It fills me up.

I sit frozen in my chair, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air between us. The casual banter we had just shared feels like a distant memory now, replaced by the gravity of his confession. My heart aches for him, for the pain he must have endured and continues to carry. I can see it now. It’s there…just below the surface.

How did I miss it?

No wonder this is so hard on him.

“I’m so sorry,” I manage to whisper; my voice shakes a little. No words seem adequate in the face of such tragedy.

Arctic’s gaze softens as he looks at me, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features before his mask slides back into place. “Thank you, Paisley. It’s not something I talk about often. It’s not disinterest. It’s just—”

“You don’t need to explain yourself to me.” I shake my head. “I get it. I understand.”

“I have to find a mate. I am the king, and therefore, I have a responsibility to my people to give them heirs. When this program was on the cards, there was some push-back despite our situation…our desperation. That’s when I decided to enter the program. It is largely due to the pressure I received from my Council…from my people. I doubt I will ever love again, but I do need to mate again. I’m telling you all this so that you understand my stance and so that you don’t take any of it personally.”

---