Page 64 of Hidden Kingdoms

Same, Kaius, you beautiful man. Same.

I cleared the roughness from my voice, whether that was from disuse or my reaction to him I wasn’t sure. One thing I did know was that he hadn’t brought food, and as tempting as he was, I wasn’t going to be eating him.

Not today anyway.

“Mine’s still pink.” His eyes hooded with undeniable lust and that was all the confirmation I needed to know it was him who had picked the underwear I was currently wearing.

“You’re coming with me for lunch, Goldie.” Straightening, he tucked a strand of white hair behind my ear, and I was glad I’d washed it.

“And where is it we’re going?” I asked. Kaius hesitated and I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.

“For lunch.”

Vague.

“For lunch where?” I mirrored.

“In the palace, of course.”

“Who else will be joining us for lunch in the palace?”

“Technically,” he began, “he won’t be joining us as he’s the one who has asked us to join him.”

Fuck. I knew who that was. And I highly doubt he had asked. He had definitely demanded.

“And if I say no?” He grimaced apologetically. Yeah, there was no asking going on here.

“He’ll behave, I promise.”

There was no point fighting it, he was the Prince. If he wanted me, all he had to do was tell one of the guards to come get me, and I would be dragged from here kicking and screaming.

“Will you be there the whole time?”

“I won’t leave you, although I have a feeling it wouldn’t beyouthat needed my protection.” He held his arm out towardsthe corridor, and I slipped my feet into the soft shoes I had left by the door then stepped past him, the door shutting behind me.

“That’s what I’m worried about,” I murmured as we headed off through the palace.

26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

ELODIE

Kaius led me down the palace corridors in silence. I was too busy wondering what the prince wanted to mind.

Would I get answers soon? Probably not.

The further we walked, the thicker the red carpets became until they completely muffled all sounds of our footsteps. Walls which had started off sparse were now covered in paintings in ornate golden frames with important-looking people dressed in fancy clothes staring down at me. I started to wonder who they were, then found I didn’t really care.

Other paintings of places and creatures I had never seen were interspersed with them, and I wished that I was spending my time looking at them instead of going for lunch with a prince I had no desire to talk with.

I could already feel my apprehension at this reunion surfacing, energy swirling uncomfortably to sit with the ball of anxiety that had lodged within me. Out of habit, I reached up to my chest and ran my finger over the pendant, remembering that it was now Kaius’ gemstone tucked under my jumper, nestled between my breasts. As I did, Kaius reached for my hand and Ilet him take it, his own energy brushing against mine through that small connection, and I felt myself calm slightly.

We approached a wide set of double doors panelled with black wood, a guard stationed on each side, neither of whom being the one who had come to my room yesterday. As soon as we were in their line of sight they pulled open the doors, curious glances shot my way. Kaius inclined his head towards them and strode through with my hand held tight in his.

The rectangular room stretched out ahead of me, the walls lined in heavy grey cloth with sparkling thread woven through the pattern. The few portraits framed in here all bore a strong resemblance. A serious face surrounded by thick blond hair.

A long, black walnut table took up most of the centre with matching dark chairs lining either side and a delicately made grey runner down its length. Shining gold dinner sets were stacked in front of each placement, with a ridiculous selection of cutlery laid beside them. A much bigger chair with plush red velvet padding loomed at the head, with a direct view of the doors I had just stepped through.

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