Page 71 of Slippers and Thorns
And of what significance was it that Michael was already married to Ella?
CHAPTER 31
Michael
U
m.” Michael’s eyes shuffled back and forth between the two of them. Helena still looked angry, but Ella’s face was practically void of expression. What was she thinking right now?
Heavens above, couldn’t Helena have chosen a better time to drop that bombshell? Like, maybe when it was just the two of them? He was ecstatic to have her back, of course, and he’d been dreaming for months about what it would be like to be married to Helena instead of Ella, but… the fact remained that hewasmarried to Ella. And no matter how frustrated he was with her, he still cared enough about her to want to spare her the pain of an announcement like that.
Assuming she was hurt by it. He couldn’t read her reaction. Actually, considering her response to him for the last month, he probably shouldn’t rule out the possibility that she was secretly pleased by it, thus the blank expression.
She’d been with that guard again, too, and without any viable reason for it, given the guards were rarely inside the castle at Reineggburg. She hadn’t had one of her guards following her everywhere the entire time they’d been here. And the excuse she’d given was flimsy at best. Her maid sent him looking for her? Sure she did, he scoffed internally.
Resolve hardened his heart. He didn’t know what he thought about Helena’s declaration that he was her true love, but he wanted to find out.
“I think perhaps this is something to be discussed after we are fully rested,” he attempted diplomatically. “I’ll see Helena to her quarters, and then I’ll join you in our rooms, Ella.”
“Discuss?” Ella hissed.
“I’ve been resting for the last twelve years,” Helena snorted. “I don’t need more rest yet, and definitely not to know my mind—or what Iknow, which includes the specifications ofmycurse.”
So much for diplomacy.
“Fine,” he snapped. “Idon’t want to talk about it right now. Ella, I’ll see you in our rooms later. Helena, would you like me to walk you to your rooms, or shall I bid you good night now?”
“After what she said, you think I’m going to let you just—” Ella broke off, her shoulders heaving and her fists clenched. Her voice was strained. “Excuse me.” She spun on her heel and practically ran down the hallway.
Helena crossed her arms and gave Michael a challenging look. “She’s gone. Now what?”
He ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. “What do you expect from me, Helena? Whether you like it or not, Arabella is my wife.”
“You could change that.”
“I—what?”
She took a step closer. “There are laws that allow you to change that. The only thing keeping you tied to her instead of being with your true love isyour choice.”
He knew it was true. He had briefly considered it a few months before when he thought Ella was cavorting with her guard. But could he really do that to her?
Could he not, and give up Helena?
“Not now,” he ground out. “Maybe you don’t need rest, but I do. I am not talking about this tonight.”
“Fine,” she pouted. “You can walk me to my room, then.”
With less grace than usual, Michael offered his arm. She took it and pulled herself closer than Ella would have.
He remembered being upset with Lady Charlotte for not respecting the fact that he was married. Making eyes at him, hanging off his arm, using any excuse to be as near to him as possible…it had convinced him that he was glad he hadn’t married her.
But this was Helena.Helena.If her curse hadn’t hidden her away for twelve years, it would never have been a question. He would never have even met Ella, because he would have married Princess Helena of Ralnor, and the ball to find a wife for him would never have happened.
How could something as wonderful as Helena being returned to them cause so much turmoil?
Michael walked stiffly down the hall. When he had first suggested walking Helena to her room, he had envisioned a cozy chat with more reminisces about their time before her curse had put her to sleep.
The reality – at least after their little tiff – was incredibly awkward. From his side, anyway. Although Helena had her nose a little in the air, too.
