Page 61 of Crowned for His Son

But she suspected that too might be a tactic.

‘No. The only bed I’m getting into is my own.’

She rubbed at her temple, averting her gaze when his chest swelled with a deep inhalation. Knowing he was about to press the point, she tightened the belt of her robe and headed determinedly for the door.

‘Goodnight,Your Majesty.’

His harsh exhale just before she slammed the door behind her was her only response.

* * *

‘Eat something.’

Azar’s belly clenched hard as Eden’s gaze flicked in his direction, started to rise, then stopped halfway up his chest before returning to Max.

While he couldn’t fault her for showering their son with her attention this morning, he found he very much minded that she was freezinghimout. That the eyes he’d stared so deeply into in the throes of the most profound lovemaking of his life were being denied him in the light of day.

Hell, he even felt the tiniest most uncharitable sensation of wishing her memory hadn’t returned just yet. Because he’d selfishly wanted time to grapple with his own bewildering emotions. With the persistent possibility that he’d relied too heavily on past crutches in his interaction with Eden three years ago, and been too quick to heap blame on her.

The possibility that Nick was not blameless…

He killed the self-deprecating laugh that growled up his throat. That hinted at the impossible notion that he might be floundering on a subject he didn’t want to delve into and—holy of holies—that he might be feeling the tiniest bit sorry for himself.

Hell, no.

It had never happened before, and he was damned if he would allow such useless emotions to vanquish him.

‘I’m not hungry,’ she murmured, with barely an inflexion.

It was the same tone she’d used since they’d dressed and gone to fetch their son for breakfast. Her mood was only transformed when she addressed Max. Then pure joy and gratitude shone from her eyes.

And,diablo, he was not about to admit to feeling jealous of his own flesh and blood. That would be the lowest of low.

So he shifted in his seat, reached for fresh fruit, sliced it before placing it on her plate.

‘Try. You need your strength, and we have much to celebrate.’

That drew her attention, as he had known it would.

‘Do we?’ she echoed hollowly.

‘Sí.Your memories have returned. Surely that’s a good thing?’

Her gaze dropped, veiling her expression once more. Was it wishful thinking, or did he catch the shadow of regret in her eyes?

‘Well, if nothing else, I guess we both know where we stand now.’

His belly clenched tighter. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

She didn’t answer straight away, choosing instead to shower more attention on Max, who was devouring his favourite breakfast of pancakes painstakingly made in the shape of his favourite creatures by the palace chef.

After wiping a syrup-covered cheek, she slid Azar another no-contact glance. ‘A mere waitress could never hold her own in your world, never mind be Queen. Or something to that effect.’

‘You wish to turn every word I said to you three years ago in Arizona into a whip to flay me with? Before you do, remember that I was going with the evidence before me.’

‘What evidence? I did absolutely nothing to give you the impression that I had loose morals. Hell, you saw the “evidence” when I slept with you. And if we’re playingRemember when…Remember when you all but beat your chest in primal smugness when you discovered I wasa virgin?’

She whispered those two words, her cheeks flushing as she glanced furtively to where the staff waited just beyond hearing range.

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