“What do you want?” I whisper. “Does your father even know you’re here?”
Her chest rises and falls and I can’t resist, I reach out and brush my fingers across her face. Her eyes close and her lips part and I have never been so fucking turned on in my life. When her eyes flutter open, my craving for her is so strong that I’m practically trembling inside. I school my features into indifference and wait for her next cue.
She leans in and I stop breathing for the seconds she stares up at me, our noses nearly touching.
“I don’t want my father’s last days to be spent stressing over what you’re going to do next. Why is he so obsessed with you if not for your threatening him in some way? Back down and let us live in peace. Better yet, submit to my father and let’s join kingdoms.”
I frown at her, momentarily taken aback. When she continues to stare up at me with those eyes that remind me of the stones in the Cave of Stars, I clench my jaw shut and fold my arms across my chest, causing her to take a step back.
“Either you have been grossly misled or your naïveté is appalling.” The contempt drips from my voice and I don’t bother anymore to contain it. “I’m not sure which is more detestable.” The color rises in her cheeks and it gives me a small dose of satisfaction. “I suggest you go home, ask your daddy to fill you in on the way he conducts business, and let us take things from there.”
If I thought her flushed skin was due to embarrassment, the way her eyes flash in the next instant proves me wrong.
“You’re no better than any other man, thinking that I’m incapable of anything because I’m a woman. I assure you, I am fully capable.”
“I have no doubt that if you were informed, you would be fully capable; however, all you have proven today is that you know nothing. You know nothing about me, and sadly, it seems you know nothing about your father…or in the case of the latter, I’d say that’s probably a blessing since you can’t choose who your father is.” I soften my next words and attempt the mercy that usually comes easily to me…for some reason, she has me in a rage I don’t typically feel toward anyone. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Delilah. One you don’t know the rules to, and one in which you don’t have all of the information…please go home before someone is needlessly hurt.”
I move past her and she reaches out and grabs my arm.
“Is that a threat?”
I sigh and feel the weight of what I have to do every day as king bearing down on my chest.
“For the last time, I am not a threat to you.” I steady my eyes on her and pray that she’s paying attention. “But I’d be worried about your family, once they find out you’ve been playing negotiator. Something tells me there’s a reason you’ve been kept in the dark.”
She pales and the way her skin can go from flushed to white is fascinating. I swallow hard and attempt to think of something other than what her skin would do under my touch. What shade would her skin turn under the stubble of my chin or if I sucked her skin between my lips and gave it the hard bite that suddenly seems to be all I can think about…how many shades of pink?
“Please don’t let anyone know about this meeting.” Her voice shakes and the way she clenches my arm sends a bolt right through me. “What can I do to convince you that I have the right motives?”
“Go home and stay out of this.”
I put my hand over hers and the way she looks up at me is almost beguiling enough for me to want to move mountains just to see her content. I drop my hand like it’s on fire and her hand falls off of my arm as I walk toward the window.
“And if, God forbid, my father doesn’t live and I become queen—will you be more forthright in your political aspirations toward my country?”
I rub my temples and focus on the colors of the sunset. We’re going to just continue in these circles if we try to talk any longer.
“I’ve entertained this conversation long enough,” I say with as much kindness as I can. “I’ll ask you to close the door behind you on your way out.”
A few seconds later, I hear the click of the door closing and take a deep breath, sagging into the window. What was that? I feel like I’ve run a marathon and am in last place, not sure where I went wrong. Watch my back indeed…somehow the attraction to Delilah Farthing feels far more dangerous than any recent attempts on my life.
Chapter Five
Delilah
I go home feeling defeated and like I have more questions than ever. My conversation with Jadon has plagued my thoughts all the way home. And what makes it worse is that I don’t know how I’m going to find out the truth when I was supposed to have been on a shopping expedition…for a wardrobe, not gaining secrets from our greatest ally.
When I think of Jadon, my body turns to mush. I resort to a typical female, all giddy inside over a gorgeous man whose power seeps from his pores. I’m thoroughly ashamed of the way I fell captive to his charms; even when he wasn’t being charming, the passion that exuded from him when he was abrasive was almost more powerful.
The only thing I really accomplished from this trip is knowing I could sneak out and none would be the wiser. Diego leaves as soon as my father greets us, his exhaustion from partying while we were away probably sending him straight to bed. And my father smiles warmly at me and hugs me as tight as his weak body can manage.
“Did you buy out all the shops?” he asks.
“Not quite. But I did get some nice things. Maybe I can take another trip later to fill in what I didn’t find…”
He pats my cheek. “I’m glad you got away. You’ve spent too much of your time cooped up in this house, worried about me. It’s time we have a little fun. I decided something while you were away.”
“Oh?” I grin. I can tell by the mischief in his eyes that he’s up to something and it makes me so happy to see the life back in his eyes.
“I’ve decided to throw a ball,” he says, clasping his hands together. His smile is bigger than I’ve seen it in years and I hug him again.
“That’s a great idea! Anything that makes you smile like this…” I lean back and beam at him.
“It’ll be the biggest ball any of the kingdoms have ever seen…and all the key players will be here to witness it,” he pauses to let his words sink in.
I put a hand to my throat when I realize what he’s saying. “You’re inviting all of the monarchies here? Is that wise?”
He throws back his head and laughs and I shiver, my nerves feeling whiplashed.
“Sweetheart, trust me, you won’t have to worry about a thing. We will have more security than anyone knows what to do with, and you won’t have to lift a finger for any of the arrangements unless you want to help with the planning. While you were gone, I handled most of that. You just need to show up and be your beautiful self.”
I groan and scowl at him, which just makes him laugh harder.
“I’m capable of doing a lot more around here. I wish you’d let me,” I shake my finger at him, “but I’m glad to see you excited about something. How about I take it from here and you just keep getting better. How much time do we have to plan this?”