Page 104 of Dark Rival

Royce’s smile was cool. The deference vanished from his tone. “Do ye come to my home to ask about my privy affairs?”

Joan stared at him. Her blue gaze sparked. It was a moment before she replied. “We ask now. We do not care for another lover to interfere in Our stay here.”

“Lady Monroe willna interfere in yer stay, Yer Majesty. I would hardly be such a fool,” Royce said flatly.

“But We think she has already interfered, as your greeting was lackluster, after such a long absence on your part,” Joan shot, and the powerful woman was suddenly peeved in a completely feminine way.

“Then I haven’t understood,” he said softly. “For I believed ye got a very proper greeting. But then, I am a patient man.”

Allie felt like kicking him, hard.

Joan flushed. “We are very patient, as well—when it suits Us.”

“Ah, well, patience may be a small price to pay for what Yer Majesty truly desires.”

Tension sizzled in the room.

Allie choked. Joan was as hot as a woman could be, and Royce was promising her a night of passion. She knew he was treading a fine line and that he had to promise her what she clearly wanted—because this made Joan a woman, not a royal. But there wasn’t going to be a repeat of what she had witnessed earlier. Somehow she was going to thwart the damn slut first.

Joan stared at him for another long moment, and then turned her gaze to Allie. “You will not interfere with Our desires.”

Allie felt her blood pressure soar. She somehow smiled sweetly. “I can hardly compete with the Queen of Scotland,” she said. “After all, I am only somewhat pretty.”

Displeasure crossed Joan’s pale face.

Royce stepped between them. “Lady Monroe means her words, Yer Majesty. She willna cross Yer Majesty.”

“Lady Monroe needs to learn how to speak to her Queen,” Joan said tightly. “We do not care for her tone of voice—or her gown. We should like it for Us.”

Allie blinked. What?

Royce took her arm firmly. “She is pleased to give ye the gown as a gift.”

Allie choked. The damned Queen was going to take her dress!

“What did she say?” Joan demanded.

“She said, ‘With pleasure,’” Royce returned.

Allie told herself to count to ten. She did not even get to two. “It won’t fit her,” Allie said, meeting Joan’s gaze.

Joan turned red. “Come before Us, Lady Monroe,” she snapped.

Allie knew she had to obey, even without Royce’s glare. She held her head high and walked forward, feeling as if she were on the way to the guillotine. If Joan wanted the dress, there was no way to refuse. But then, why not give her the gown and watch the seams burst as she struggled to put it on? And how had Royce ever wanted that nasty woman? “I am very pleased to give you the dress,” she began.

“We have not given you permission to speak,” Joan said.

Allie shook with anger. Behind her, she felt Royce trying to silently tell her something. Ailios. Had she heard him thinking her name?

“We do not care what pleases you,” Joan said, two spots of pink on her cheeks. “And We take what pleases Us, whenever it pleases Us.”

Dinna speak.

She started. Had she really heard that?

Aye, ye listen closely to me.

Royce was communicating with her. A thrill began, never mind the witch bitch Queen. Somehow, she kept silent.