Page 79 of Caroline the Cruel
“I noticed my uncle’s signature was glaringly absent from the annulment decree. I take it he didn’t leave willingly?”
“You’re here on behalf of your family to find out—”
“About the fate of the king? No. Because to Veetula, if you’re queen, then he’s still the king.” Jaden let out an exaggerated sigh. “He loves you, Caroline.”
“Well, sticking your dick in other women is a funny way of showing it.”
At first, Caroline thought Jaden was coughing. From under his breath, a full bellied laugh sprung forth. That set her blood racing. She grabbed the nearest pillow and clubbed him over the head with it. “How dare you, you little shit? This is all your stupid father’s fault. I hate the lot of you.”
Jaden didn’t stop laughing, no matter how many times Caroline assaulted him with the pillows. When he had enough, he grabbed a hold of her wrists and gave them a firm shake, bringing them eye to eye. “Why didn’t you tell him you love him? He thought you were playing him the whole time—for one of your punishments.”
Caroline thought her head was going to explode. “How is this my fault? Everything I’ve done—he should have known. If Hollis hadn’t been sending him women and filling his head with nonsense about mistaken loyalty—that staged massacre at Avondale. I shared what I learned about our family’s history and the deity’s maniacal scheming. I kept your family alive and even let you continue to live in Kierengaard for the sake of the dead gods, despite how you people disrespected me. I’d drain the gods a second time just to see the looks on their withering faces if I could.” Why had she said that last part? She supposed she wanted to see someone suffer like she was suffering.
Sitting back on her heels, she only then became aware of what she must look like, in her sleeping gown, hair mussed from wallowing in bed. She flipped her eyes toward the mirror. Her face and eyes were redder than she’d imagined.
Jaden’s gaze danced across her pitiful form, giving her a moment to take herself in before he started beating his muddy boots on the bed. Crusty clods of dirt broke off, soiling her linens. Apparently, he had enough. “Whelp, looks like you can’t stay here until you get the servants to change the bedding.” His expression was almost sympathetic as he dragged her out of the bed and over to the wardrobe.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked as he threw the doors open.
“My parents aren’t overseeing the petitions. Don’t tell them I said this, but they’re far worse than you. Everyone in Veetula plays like they’re not because of our collective hatred for the Dallimore’s and everything they touch.” He pulled out a sky-colored gown. “You never wear blue. Time for a change. And it will endear you to the people. That wouldn’t hurt.” Jaden gave her a pointed look.
Caroline took the dress that was proffered to her. “What a lofty compliment,” she said. “You don’t hate me too?” Her voice sounded a little shaky, but she didn’t care. She’d been through enough.
“I’ve been watching you, trying to understand you. And no, I don’t think I hate you. I think I might actually like you,” he said, raising his brows like he was surprising even himself. “Trust me, I’m shocked as well. And more importantly, I believe your story about the Gods.”
Caroline blinked at him a few times as he rustled through her drawer of undergarments.
“In my experience, these will work under a dress like this.” He tossed her a wink, along with what he’d selected, then gave a forceful point to the bathroom.
Caroline seemed glued to the spot. Jaden raised a challenging brow. “Do not make me bathe you. Unless you’d like to pay my uncle back? One thing would lead to another… Oh, that would be quite devious.” Jaden loosened the ties at his throat for effect. He was as handsome as his father and uncle. And he was known to be quite the rake, among both men and women. They hadn’t the slightest chemistry though, and no matter how badly she longed for the ache in her chest to stitch back together, taking him up on his offer wasn’t going to happen. Not that he was serious. Right? Her eyes darted to the space between his hips to be safe. No bulge. Good.
Jaden caught the movement and gave a little low chuckle. “Trust me, all I’d need is a few peeks of that creamy skin and I’d make things happen.”
Caroline groaned as she plodded into the bathroom, piling her hair on top of her head, and dropped her sleeping gown. Chills sparked across her skin as she submerged into the bathwater which had gone cold hours ago.What was with these insatiable men?The icy plunge stole her breath. For a moment, the only thing that existed was her body and the thrilling chill numbing her limbs.
As she soaked, Jaden spoke from the doorway. “There are a couple of things you need to know.” He paused and waited for her to object. When she didn’t, he continued. “I believe Breicher is still your king. I think sending him away was a mistake. He is a good man, the type of man you deserve and who deserves you if you both would let go of your bullshit.” He paused again.
“I find your audacity to speak to me so frankly…” she hesitated. She wasn’t sure what she thought of it. But if she let go of tradition... Angus spoke to her without fear of repercussion. Moments ago, he’d called her, the queen, an adolescent. She’d always felt the best advice had come from that aspect of their relationship. That is what Jaden might be for her here in Veetula.
“How do you find it, Caroline?” he pushed, testing the boundary.
Caroline looked inward for a moment. How did she find it? She settled on, “Refreshing.” The word gave her a sudden exhalation of tension, like a cork being blown from a bottle. It was a pain to admit, but she could use a friend. Still, her anger at Breicher and the decisions she’d made were only those a queen would make. Expecting Jaden to understand wasn’t fair.
“What else do you think, oh wise one?” Caroline asked, half annoyed, yet half curious what else the man who was her mirror in so many ways had to say.
“I think my mother was wrong about not accepting the friendship you extended to her. I never understood why our people hated each other. I mean, I get the countless wrongs over the years, but it’s like a game of revenge that never ends. But I don’t think we are so different. I’m not even sure there are that substantial philosophical differences between our people below the surface level ones. I guess what I’m trying to say is I think we can do this.”
Jaded let out a deep exhale after he finished his monologue.
“So, you want a job?” she called out.
His laugh danced through the door frame, and her spirits were lifted on the draft. “Yes, Your Majesty. I suppose that is what I am saying. Though we are going to have to come up with a more palatable moniker for you thanCaroline the Cruel. What about Caroline the Capricious? Slightly less edgy, and perhaps more accurate?”
“Stop talking,” she begged, though her amusement bubbled through. When she finally emerged from the bathroom clad in the undergarments Jaden had tossed her, her skin was bright pink.
Jaden looked her up and down. “First my uncle, now the ice bath. Are you some type of sadist?” He held the dress open as she stepped inside. Having the nephew of your former husband dress you was probably inappropriate on so many levels, but she’d threatened the lives of all her attendants. They’d elected to stop coming to work until she, as Angus repeated,calmed down.
They chatted openly while she’d finished getting ready. There was only so much eye makeup she could slather on to cover up her sorry state. Eventually, Jaden told her, “You’re making it worse,” so she stopped. “You still look beautiful,” he said, as if that mattered.
