Page 67 of Night's Fall
“It’s late, but since we’re discussing this, it’s an opportunityIcan’t let slide.”
I was confused.
“Sorry?”
“First,Iknew you were concerned about telling me how deeply you descend into your creative process.Butat the time, considering you didn’t know you were my mate, andIhad loincloths to show you…”—Igrinned, he reciprocated—“Ididn’t get into it.ButIfind it immensely attractive you have a passion, you allow yourself to sink into it and warn those in your life you need that.”
I found it immensely attractive that he found it the same.
“I’m glad,”Iwhispered by way of sharing that, but even if they were quiet, there was a lot of feeling in those two words.
“Further, it means a great deal to me you give as good as you get.”
I was confused again.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, we’ll discuss her to whatever extent you need me to explain.Butat this point, since it’s apropos,I’llshare that one of the various reasonsIcould not carry through my promise toAnnawas that she refused to understand my life was not simply about being a prince to the realm, visiting hospitals, shaking hands, wearing tuxedos and existing solely to rub the little beings’ noses in the fact they will always be the little beings.”
I didn’t know how to process the clear evidence there was some bitterness behind his break withPrincessAnna.
This wasn’t a surprise, as such.Abreak was a break, and they weren’t ever fun.
But although their break was not long ago, no new female in a male’s life wanted to think there was any feeling lingering, outside vague fondness, or alternately, annoyance, or something of the like.
I also couldn’t process the unexpected knowledgePrincessAnna, the fair and ethereal, was, at least according toAleksei, a classist bitch.
As he remained silent, it was clear some response was expected of me, however, allIcould come up with was, “Um.”
“We’ve known each other since we were children,” he said quietly. “Andwe’ve been friends since we first met.Asadults, a romance sparked from that, andI’mnot proud of how easily she deceived me, but she did.Inretrospect,Isee this mostly extended from the foundation of our many years being friends, and the fact we had a lot in common, both of us being the children of royals.Itwas still a long con on her part.”
He paused.
I wasn’t sure if he was waiting for me to say something, but since what he’d already told me had me mildly reeling, andIdidn’t, he continued.
“I was not expecting ever to meet my mate,bissi.Thelast fated ones of my line were my great-great grandfather and grandmother.Myparents were delighted with the match withAnna.Thereare…things happening withSky’sEdge, and the alliance would have positive political outcomes.ButAnnahad no patience with the pleasureIderived from the workIdo outside my royal duties.Shehad even less with my desire to keep as much of my life private asIcan manage.Andshe required far more attention than any femaleI’vebeen connected with.Itwas all immensely draining, then frustrating, annoying, and finally, intolerable.Itwas clear she wasn’t the female for me, even ifI’dnever met you.ButI’venow met you.Andthe pointI’mtrying very poorly to make is, it’s coming clear the many reasons why you are.”
“Okay,”Iwhispered.
He released a heavy sigh and stated, “Ihesitate to share this, butIhope you come to understand, in my position, this isn’t expected, and is sometimes actively discouraged.Iwasn’t in love with her.Icared for her, had affection for her, was attracted to her, butIdidn’t love her.”
“Okay,”Irepeated.
“Bloody hell,Ifucked this,” he muttered.
“No, it’s all right,”Iassured. “Wewould have to talk about it.AndIget you.I’mrelieved you understand whatIdo for work isn’t a job, it’s part of whoIam, and ifIwasn’t able to do it howIhave to do it,Idon’t know howI’dreact.Idon’t thinkIcould live with that.Soyeah.Iget you.”
“I’m glad.”
“But, since you two broke it off, are there political ramifications?Andsince we’re, well…what we are, and that will eventually be known, will that cause more problems?”
“Anna will be pissed.Althoughhow she gives it, and expects to get it, is unhealthy, the bottom line is, she was in love with me.”
Fabulous.
“QueenDelantaisn’t my biggest fan,” he went on.
QueenDelantaofDawn’sBreakwasa classist bitch, that was well-known, so screw her.
