Page 34 of His Dark Delights
Rhydan stated I stood like a lady, and I had my father to thank for that. But if those manners were sufficient enough to dine with royalty, I couldn’t say.
The overload of information from Mrs. Gibbons buzzed around the inside of my skull like a shaken hive of angry bees. Their stingers pricked at my brain and stung my tight, bristling skin. I didn’t have enough room in my head to take in the well-meaning but rushed instructions, not while my heart thundered against my ribs.
“Breathe, dearie. You must breathe. The Grand Duchess isn’t so bad.” Mrs. Gibbons patted my arm. “Though I’d advise you to sit pretty. Don’t speak too much and she might not even notice you.”
“I can do that.” Sitting and listening like a pretty object of the king’s affection was demeaning. Simple farm girl or not, I loathed the idea of objectifying myself. But I needed to listen to every word spoken tonight. Surely someone would say something of worth.
Manservants at two wide doors opened them at our approach and they ushered me into a beautifully lit dining room. The golden chandeliers sparkled and tall, arched stained glass windows permitted beautiful shafts of light from the sunset to gleam on the sapphire walls. A long table that I imagined easily fit a hundred people sported dozens of vases with assorted flowers of every color spilling over.
Mrs. Gibbons left me on my own to drift through the room. I was so far out of my league I might as well have been adrift at sea. At least that’s what it felt like. At any second, a wave might crest over me and drag me into the depths. I had to keep moving, keep breathing, keep treading water until my muscles gave out and I drowned.
If Soren Carnifex could have a grand purpose, thenso could I.
The doors opened again, and every nerve in my body went on alert. I whipped my head around to find Rhydan, dressed in black and red, striding into the room. He appeared confidently at ease with his head tipped back and arms clasped behind his back.
“Rhydan,” I exhaled, encouraged at the sight of a friendly face.
His eyes perked up as he caught me crossing the corner of the extravagantly endless table. “You look well rested, my lady.”
A demure smile lifted my lips. “It’s going to go to my head if you keep calling me a lady. You’ve seen where I come from.”
“Aye, but we are not where we come from.” Rhydan’s shoulder lifted dismissively.
I had a brief thought that flicked through my mind so quickly it nearly slipped through my fingers. It was a bright flash of another life I’d never live, blinding in its intensity. The idea was nothing more than insanity.
Gazing at Rhydan under the evening light, his genuine smile, his warmth, I wondered why I hadn’t fallen in love with someone like him. A true knight and a gentleman I could have a simple life with.
Because fate was cruel, but not nearly as much as the king sauntering through the doors.
Only a caged animal could understand the restlessness within me the moment Soren swept into the room. Bound beneath the confines of my skin, I paced like a panicked beast. My heart shot off like a startled bird flapping against iron bars. The need to flee sparked along my spine, and I itched to turn and run away.
Maybe even to throw myself out of the window.
“Rhydan.” Soren lit up with a spark of companionship that confirmed they were genuine friends. The knight wasn’t one of the fake ones.
“My Liege,” he replied in a teasing tone, like the title was a joke between them.
“And Lilliana.” The king’s breath shuddered through him, and a low whistle breached his lips when he turned his gaze on me. Something utterly indecent flashed through his eyes as he blatantly stared at the swells of my breasts pushing out of the dress.
A deep wave of delight quivered through me as he stepped closer. Not even the shadows that followed that mountain of a man could deter the warmth pooling between my thighs. Every thought I had since our last encounter flew right out of my ears.
“Your Majesty.” I dipped into a curtsy, supplicating myself before the Fairy Butcher. Brief revulsion coiled through my insides while I cast my eyes on the floor, staring at the king’s boots. Not toward him, but my reaction.
A firm finger curled under my chin, tipping my head back. His knuckles caressed over my cheek while he guided me upright. Charged tension billowed between us, almost powerful enough to stop my breath.
“Do not disparage yourself for me, Lilly. You are above that.” Soren’s thumb swiped lighter than a feather over my bottom lip. “My Queen of Flowers,” he whispered.
My breath hitched, and my heart stuttered.
Damn him. I nearly followed his hand when he pulled away. Next time, it would serve me better to bite one of his fingers off.
His Majesty guided me to the end of the table. He pulled out the chair to the left for me while Rhydan seated himself in the next chair. Soren took the head of the table, close enough that his boot nudged my heel, and we were nearly rubbing knees.
My face flushed, both with wanton heat and anger. I gritted my teeth and folded my hands in my lap to hide their trembling. After this morning’s incident, I had no grasp on the web of emotions weaving through my chest.
“Where is your delightful aunt, Ren?” Rhydan spoke first.
Soren groaned and swatted his hand through the air. “Gods, I hate when you call her that. It’s likely the old bat just wants to keep me waiting after I was late this morning.”
