Page 73 of Caroline the Cruel
“Say something,” she commanded.
If he didn’t know better, he could’ve sworn that was hopefulness in her eyes. His own narrowed and the constant companion of his—tension—slithered back across his muscles.
“We shouldn’t have done that.” He released her and turned to hand her a towel to clean his cum off her dress. “Sorry about…” He motioned to the stain on her gown.
She took the towel and wiped it off, looking away. The muscles in her delicate jaw flexed.
“You need to get over yourself,” she said, but there was no fire in her voice. “I should go.”
Don’t go. It was the first thing that sprung forward in his mind. Instead, he said, “Okay.”
Damn her. She was only trying to lure him in, he reminded himself. He shouldn’t fall for the glassiness in her eyes or how vulnerable she looked as she retreated. It was bait which would make the fall so much harder when she delivered the punch. Like him, she was a predator, and he refused to be her prey.
He steeled himself and let her leave, dropping to his knees the moment he heard the door click shut. How long would he have to do this until she finally gave up? How long could he withstand her constant assaults? Gods, what they had done had been a narrow miss, and this was only a few months in.
Anxiety gripped him as realization struck. Caroline wasn’t the type to give up. He thought of the words he’d left with his nephew. They’d have to find another way to solve his problem.
Chapter 14
AsBreicherstewedallnight, he’d come up with a plan. He walked into the breakfast room they shared wearing a fitting black riding suit she liked.
Caroline took notice, giving him a once over. “Going somewhere?”
He placed a kiss to her temple like the dutiful husband he wasn’t, then took a seat opposite her. “I was hoping you’ll allow Jaden and I to return to Kierengaard. Petitions are in a few days, and I thought we might oversee them ourselves. It would be valuable experience for him, and me, and you seem like you could use a break.”
Caroline narrowed her eyes at him. “You sound like you’re up to something,” she said, not buying it.
“Well, Jaden is driving Angus crazy,” he said, which was true, “and last night you said I was being a good boy.” He winked at her and she blushed. Everstal’s wicked queen blushed. Gods, he might have to stick his cock down her throat once more before he left, to ensure she was out of his system, of course.
As if reading his mind, her eyes flashed toward the door. No, he needed to get away. Do some work for the kingdoms—anything to get sex off his brain. They were acting like teenagers.
“I’ll get Jaden. Be back in ten.” Breicher spun on his heel and fled from the room.
Finding Jaden had taken ten minutes. Convincing him five. And another fifteen to get his things together and find wherever the queen had wandered off to. They found her in a garden terrace reclining on a wooden bench, surrounded by rose bushes covered in fat white blossoms. The vines ran up trellises on each side of her and overhead creating quite the picture. As a petal dropped and floated down toward her, she snatched it out of the air, and studied it as if she’d never seen a rose before.
“I’ve been wondering why they turned white.”
Her matching white hair spread across the bench and fell in straight strands to the ground beneath. “I found Jaden,” he said.
Caroline sat up, dropping the petal. “I was hoping you’d changed your mind.”
She sauntered over to him without fanfare as if she weren’t expecting a response when Angus approached. Taking note of him and his nephew, the commander frowned. “Your Majesty, Emmy wishes to see you.”
Caroline’s features liquified into a sneer. “Tell her she can rot.”
“Caroline,” Angus impressed, lips smashing into a thin line.
She rolled her eyes. “Fine, tell her I’ll visit once I’ve dropped these two off. My king wishes to try his hand at ruling and our lovely Prince Jaden here wants to watch.” Caroline winked at Jaden.
Before Angus commented, she’d grabbed their wrists and a cold gust was biting into the exposed skin on his neck and forearms. They were in Veetula.
Breicher blurted, “Your sister’s alive?” at her as soon as they landed.
She tilted her head to the side. “You seem shocked.”
Her husband coughed. “I am shocked. Your sister’s been alive this whole time, and you didn’t think to tell anyone? Wait—you have her imprisoned? Emmaline Dallimore has been in that filthy disease riddled prison for ten years.”
He hadn’t asked her. He’d assumed,accused, and it stung. She reached for him, but he stepped back as if he might catch something if she were to touch him. Frowning, she said, “First, I keep a pristine prison as you yourself are aware from experience. Second, you always think so little of me.”
