Page 29 of Fae Divided
Samuel didn’t know that James was working undercover; the hurt at his long-time friend’s defection and anger for Sarah’s suffering were too visceral to fake. That left Queen Rose and her heir. No one else could have convinced her mate to leave her and Noah behind.
The region’s prince was the most intimidating male she’d ever met, so the plan was to interview Lady Rose first. If the queen denied knowledge of the mission, then she’d confront the vampire prince next. Scared spitless or not.
Mikhail drew her into a gentle hug. “Call if you need us, yeah?”
Her throat went tight. “I will.”
Jessup swung open the doors, kindness shining in his deep brown eyes. “Zee,” he called to the monarch’s secretary. “Sarah Reed is here to see Lady Rose.”
Mikhail ended the embrace and gave her a little push, encouraging her to go inside.
“Thank you,” she whispered, grateful for the love and support of her pack. She wouldn’t have survived the painful split from James without them.
“Sarah.” Zhang Min greeted her with a smile, teeth bright white against cherry-red lipstick. The petite Anwyll sat behind a Victorian secretary in the monarch’s outer office, her jet-black hair arranged in a sophisticated French twist. “How are you?”
“I’m good.”
“Liar,” Zee shot back.
“Okay, maybe notgood,” Sarah admitted. “But I’m doing okay.”
The witch’s dark eyes narrowed as they searched Sarah’s face, judging the truth for herself.
Zee shut the laptop on the desk with a snap. Manicured nails remained poised on its sleek black surface, highlighting the pale, intricate runes inked on her forearms and the back of her hands. “You need to speak with the queen?”
“Yes, I know I don’t have an appointment—”
“Pfft.” She snorted, the inelegant sound jarring coming from the mature Anwyll. “I know you, Sarah. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.”
Life or death.“Is she alone?”
“Yes, Commander Walker came and whisked Abby away a couple of hours ago. Apparently, your males get grumpy if they think their mates are tired. Or thirsty. Or heaven forbid…hungry. They don’t much like being apart.”
“No,” Sarah said, swallowing hard. “They don’t.”
“Well, hell, I’m an idiot.” Zee flew around the desk and clutched Sarah’s hands. “I’m sorry, that was an insensitive thing to say.”
“No, it’s okay. I’m glad my brother found his Ca’anam. He deserves to be happy.”
“No word from James yet?”
“Will you tell Lady Rose I’m here?” Sarah dodged, done lying to her friends. Done feeling their pity, no matter how well-intentioned the concern. “Please.”
“Of course,” she said, squeezed once and let go. “I’ll be right back.”
Sarah smoothed her skirt while she waited. Her mouth was dry, the pit in her empty stomach making her nauseous.
Would the queen admit the truth?
“You can go on in,” Zee announced.
“Thank you.” Sarah lifted her chin. She wasn’t leaving the building without answers.
Lady Rose’s office was a study of contrasts. Several cream-colored rugs covered floors stained almost black. Ivory, windowless walls bore colorful splashes of modern artwork. Her desk was a handcrafted antique with carved legs and swooping lines, but the conference table occupying the entire left side of the room was glass-topped and leaned toward industrial. The queen was on the phone, but she smiled and gestured for Sarah to take a seat in one of the two club chairs in front of her feminine workspace.
The ESC’s ruler paced as she talked, her ebony hair trailing over slender shoulders. Her patent leather pumps were silent on the plush carpeting, then loud when they met an open area of hardwood flooring. Her dress was formfitting and powder blue, the hemline hitting the middle of her knees. Classic jewelry and a straight neckline confirmed Abby’s positive influence on the often questionable prior style choices of the beautiful Dádhe.
Sarah moved to the indicated chairs, but didn’t sit, waiting for the phone conversation to end.
