Page 89 of Caroline the Cruel
Sometimes, though, she’d scent him in a room, or on a piece of furniture and the memory of him would wash over her in a wave and she’d have to steady herself. Then the sounds of what had transpired in that room echoed in her mind, threatening to double her over. The only reason she resisted the urge to spin on her heel and strike him down was because of the strength of the elation welling in her. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Hollis nudge the man next to her.
“Hollis, why don’t you go find a window to jump out of?” Caroline blinked in mock sweetness at the former king who grimaced but left them.
“Don’t worry,” she winked at the men. “I didn’t compel him. Tell me your names. I’m eager to know them.” Gods, she wasn’t being subtle. But she would flirt and hoped Breicher would see every single second of it, down to the moment she chose which man would be her new husband. It hadn’t been the plan, but she would choose tonight for him to see. Take the lucky man to bed with her, and force Breicher to stand outside the door while she moaned in pleasure. The three tall men before her seemed up for the task.
“Jamison Flaxfeet,” the one who Hollis had nudged spoke up. Shiny auburn hair fell in soft curls down the sides of Jamison’s face. The rest was tied neatly at the nape of his neck. “I’ve been dying to meet the woman who was responsible for the death and torment of so many Ivanslohe men.” A wicked smile lit his face as he extended his open palm for her, lowering his muddy hazel eyes.
The man was good looking in a rugged way and almost as tall as Hollis, who, based on the three standing before her, had come through on his favor she’d called in. Caroline placed her fingers in his, and Jamison brought them to his lips. “Oh,” she said. “You must be referring to the team of assassins my commander and I dispatched. There were quite a few sapphire-eyed murderers among them.”
“Precisely. And what a magnificent creature you are, just as Hollis promised, if I may say, Your Majesty.”
Placing her finger under his chin, she raised his head from where it was still bowed, so his eyes met hers. “I was only fourteen then, Jamison. Imagine what I’m capable of now.”
Jamison let his eyes roll over her figure as he stood to full height. “Quite intriguing.”
Turning, Caroline assessed the next man. Dex Winningham, another hazel eyed suitor, introduced himself, then Geoff Strongman stepped forward and did the same.What strange family names. All tall, muscular, handsome. They all had family land, ran successful businesses, and had no attachments. She could do worse.
Caroline was quite enjoying herself when Angus stepped to her side. “Making progress?” he asked. She’d spent more time with these suitors than all the others in the room combined and Angus was here to move her along.
Caroline tapped the tip of a painted nail to her lips. “I think we can safely narrow the field to these three.” Three grins broke out across from her, but she flicked a wrist at them, addressing Angus. “I think a Veetula husband is a good strategic move. The union would show the people we intend to have balance, camaraderie, and prosperity in my Joined Kingdom.”
Breicher still hadn’t shown his face, but she had a feeling he was watching her intently. Time to draw him out of hiding. It wouldn’t do to allow her people to see him defy her exile. Embarrass her like this. A memory arose. She’d once threatened to have him follow her around crawling on all fours. That would be a fitting punishment.
“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” Jamison asked, a flirtatious smirk tugging up the side of his mouth.
Caroline wanted to roll her eyes. She was leaning more towards Dex or Geoff. But Jamison would do perfectly for bait. “Let’s see. I was thinking of your dossiers, weighing which of you had the most to bring to the table.” She bit her lower lip for effect and stared up at them. She shot a quick, doe-eyed glance at Angus. “I can sample the offering?”
Dex made an amusing choking sound, but Angus kept his face neutral, even though she suspected he wanted to throttle her. He had come to stand next to her because of the looming threat stalking somewhere on the outskirts of the party. “You are queen, Your Majesty. You may do whatever you wish.”
Splaying her fingers across her eyes, she began to chant a nursery rhyme in her head, changing which man she pointed to with her finger. By now, a small crowd gathered around her, and the spectacle of choosing a husband based on a riddle was sure to delight them. She stopped it a beat short, though no one knew, and landed on Jamison. “Looks like you’re first. Perhaps we can go to the terracealone,”she said a little loudly, “and you can show me what you’re all about.”
Jamison’s teeth flashed, and a self-satisfied expression took residence on his face, officially striking him off her list. She was done with self-important men. Still, he was incredibly attractive, and a little kiss wouldn’t hurt. Besides, when she sent him packing after their whole audience knew what had taken place on the balcony—she chuckled inwardly—thatwould be an ego damaging blow.
Bouncing on the balls of his feet, Jamison stepped forward, offering his arm to Caroline. She tucked her fingers into the crook of his elbow, allowing him to lead her across the room, all the while butterflies swirled relentlessly in her stomach. Before they’d made it halfway, heavy boot steps sounded behind them, approaching more quickly than they were moving. Beneath her hand, Jamison tensed, and she knew she’d drawn out her prey.
The helpless man beside her suddenly wasn’t there anymore. She spun. Breicher had grabbed Jamison by the collar, towed him backward a few steps, and was now in his face, seething righteous venom. A thrill zapped her heart making it double its beat. Then a surge of warmth spilled through her as her exiled love attempted to fight for her.No, she chided herself.He is nothing to you.
Breicher took a deep breath, and growled, “You’ve come to court my wife, cousin?”
Caroline huffed, then shot a furious glare Jamison’s way. “He’s your cousin?” She buried her fingers in the fabric of her skirt, squeezing the fine material so hard she was sure the points of her nails were piercing the garment. Searching the hall for Hollis, she narrowed in on him stomping back through the parting crowd.
“Eye drops, remember,” Breicher said in a hushed voice to which she responded to with a frown. Obvious, if it weren’t for her rapidly fraying nerves.
“It seems to me that your wife doesn’t want you anymore,” Jamison hissed.
A low grumble emanated from Breicher’s chest, causing the butterflies in Caroline’s stomach to turn into soaring eagles. “You’re mistaken,” he growled.
Caroline gasped. She might have passed out if it weren’t for the iron rod she was willing her spine to become. Plastering on her own self-important smirk, she said, “You always were cocky.”
Chapter 21
Magentaandvioletblotchespartially obscured Breicher’s vision. It was how they described it when a person had a blackout rage episode. But killing his cousin wasn’t on the agenda for tonight. He had a wife to win back. Releasing his hold on his cousin, he stepped forward to his subtly trembling wife.
“Why are you getting these men’s hopes up when you know it is me you want?” he asked her in earnest.
Or what he thought was earnest, because Caroline folded her arms across her chest and said, “Not good enough, Breicher. Your swagger isn’t going to get you out of it this time.”
“I know,” he said, lowering his eyes, letting her see the shame he felt for the pain he’d caused her.
