CHAPTER SIX
HELIAFOUNDHERSELF in the King’s office. Vasili’s office.
After their chat over breakfast, she’d readied herself as quickly as possible in clothes she didn’t recognise and made her way with Vasili to this room. It didn’t suit him at all. Everything seemed to have been carefully chosen to project an image of modernity, but without pushing the boundaries of tradition. That wasn’t Vasili. Since she had first seen him, everything he had done had smashed down tradition’s stifling walls. He didn’t toe any line. He challenged it. It felt as if everything here had been designed for someone else and Vasili was the understudy that didn’t fit.
The notion angered her.
‘I thought we were meeting with Andreas,’ she said, turning away from the fresco she had been examining.
‘We are, but we’re making him come to us. In fact... Would you come over here, Helia?’
Without thinking, she obeyed, walking over to Vasili, who had pulled his chair out.
‘Have a seat.’
Helia stopped short. It might not be the throne, but that was most certainly the King’s seat. Arguably the most important seat in the Kingdom. And he was offering it to her.
‘I couldn’t possibly.’
‘Of course you could.’
He waited. Clearly he wouldn’t back down.
Helia’s heart thumped in her chest. She didn’t know what to make of this. She sat down and he pushed the chair in, then rounded the table to face her.
‘You look good there, Your Majesty.’
‘Vasili, don’t tease.’ Obviously it was all in her head, but the chair, the table, this whole office, suddenly felt far too big for her.
‘I’m not. Here are a few things to remember, Helia. Firstly, always make them come to you. Especially Andreas. Use my office or your own—it doesn’t matter. Never go to them. Secondly, you’re the Queen of Thalonia. The title might chafe, but it brings power. Wield it.’
‘It’s not that easy,’ she admitted.
‘No, it isn’t. I understand this is all overwhelming, and that everyone here might seem as if they know more than you do, and that’s fine. Learn from them, but don’t ever let them forget who they’re talking to.’
She understood what he was doing. In giving her his chair, Vasili was establishing the power balance between her and his closest advisor. Gratitude clogged her throat. But there was no time to express it because there was a knock at the door. Vasili held her gaze a moment longer, then turned around and perched on the edge of the table.
Andreas’s attitude generally frustrated her, so she watched with some satisfaction as he entered the room and stopped in his tracks when he caught sight of them. The older man’s brows knitted together, and for the first time she was glad for the change in her wardrobe. She doubted this would be nearly as effective if she had still been dressed like a librarian.
‘Your Majesties.’ Andreas inclined his head as he sketched a small bow.
‘Andreas,’ Vasili said. The authority in his voice was impressive. ‘Have a seat.’
Helia watched him sit down in the chair opposite, casting a cursory glance her way before fixing his attention on the King.
‘We wish to speak to you about the public appearance to be held once we return from our honeymoon.’ He didn’t take his eyes off Andreas. ‘Helia, why don’t you tell him what we have decided?’
She knew she needed to pass this initial test by wielding her power with a man who still attempted to intimidate her. She hoped her nervousness wouldn’t show in her voice.
‘Our first outing will be to the Seidon orphanage. We will meet with the caregivers there and the children. In that meeting we are going to find out exactly how the home is run, what help they need, and then work on measures to help.’
With every word she could see Andreas growing more and more unimpressed, until he could no longer keep his opinions leashed.
‘Absolutely not.’
‘I’m sorry?’ replied Helia, afraid that her idea was going to die in this room.
Andreas took his time answering. No doubt choosing his words as diplomatically as possible. ‘As admirable as your intentions may be, that is not an appropriate choice for your first sighting as King and Queen. The point is to introduce you both to the Kingdom and the world—because make no mistake the world will be watching—and show you in the best possible light. Not doing something that will take the focus away from you. We don’t want the first thing we put on show to be—’
‘Our country’s failures? Should we hide everything that’s wrong so that it will make everyone look good?’ Helia challenged.
She knew she needed to be calm—she felt anything but. Her voice had risen as anger had coursed through her. Men like Andreas were the reason she and the other children had been cold in winter. Why they’d had to make do with what little they’d had.
Andreas didn’t even look slightly uncomfortable. ‘Every kingdom has its issues. It’s an unfortunate reality.’
‘Issues?’ Helia exclaimed in disbelief. She was certain that this was not how a queen should behave, but she couldn’t stop herself now. ‘We need to do something about it.’
She could see the battle she would be facing to have her goals met. With Vasili having accepted his duty purely for the concern of his people, she reasoned that he would be on her side in her quest, but getting everyone else to play their part would be a fight.
‘Eventually we may be able to look into it.’
A non-committal answer if ever there was one.
‘We need to look at more appropriate public appearances and I am happy to help you with that.’
‘What is more appropriate than showing an interest in helping the children of Thalonia? Where will this kingdom be without them? You are determined to secure the future of our nation, so surely this fits in with that objective?’
Gone was the quiet librarian. Right now, in this office, she would fight with all she had for her people.
Andreas had gone tense with frustration. ‘I didn’t say we wouldn’t do anything about it, only that we need to choose wisely for your first public appearance. We have numerous options available to us. There is a charity concert being held by the symphonic orchestra. That would resonate well, as previous kings and queens have often chosen the same event. It will show the people that you are willing to uphold our traditions despite your history.’
Helia didn’t miss the jab, but Andreas ploughed on.
‘There is the annual polo match—or even a charity ball. Any of those would work well. Which should I arrange?’
Rage. That was what burned through Helia now. Andreas assumed that she would back down and listen. She wouldn’t.
Just as she was about to argue, Vasili spoke. His voice was calm, but no one would dare oppose his tone. It would be enough to silence Andreas.
‘That’s enough. We brought you here to inform you of our decision. Your queen has given her orders. We are going to the orphanage.’
‘My apologies, Your Majesty,’ he said rigidly. ‘It shall be arranged.’
‘Good.’
Andreas swiftly exited the office, leaving Helia alone with Vasili. He had been so opposed it concerned her that he wouldn’t plan the appearance.
‘Do you think he will follow through?’ Helia asked, feeling ashamed that she had reacted so strongly. She had let Andreas control her emotions instead of being the one in control. She had failed her very first test.
‘Yes. Andreas may not be happy with the situation, but serving the royal family is something for which he holds a great deal of pride. Regardless of his opinions, he will do as he is ordered.’
Helia hoped so, but she wasn’t given much time to brood over the matter when Vasili appeared at her side, offering her his hand.
‘Come, we have to leave.’
She placed her hand in his, ignoring the flutter in her belly, and allowed him to lead her through the palace and out to the expansive gardens at the rear, where a gleaming red helicopter waited. She was debating whether or not she should apologise.
The rotors swished as they approached, quickly gathering speed and creating an almighty wind. Goosebumps erupted on her skin when Vasili’s hand came up to her nape, forcing her thoughts away and making her bend slightly to see a man in a black suit with an earpiece standing at the door.
‘Why are we travelling by helicopter?’ she asked loudly, so he could hear her over the din.
She waited for an answer that only came after he had helped her inside, ushering her into one of four cream leather seats.
‘Because, Helia, only two of our security detail can travel with us,’ he said as he buckled her into the harness.
The touches made it hard for her to pay any attention to his words.
‘I figured you would be far more comfortable alone with me than an entire entourage.’ His eyes flicked to hers.
She was at a loss for words. Vasili hadn’t wanted to be married, or to be King, yet he continued to show her more consideration than anyone else. If she wasn’t meant to love him, his actions would make that very difficult. How was she supposed to keep her emotions out of a physical relationship if he was to treat her with such kindness?
She couldn’t trust herself to keep to that promise if she had to make it. Did it mean she would have to keep her distance? She couldn’t see another way to ensure that she would never fall in love with him. To mitigate the risk of that ever happening.
After all, her plans depended on her remaining as Queen, so she would have to agree to Vasili’s emotionless marriage.
Some honeymoon this would be.
‘You’re right. Thank you,’ she said now.
‘Are you nervous?’ Vasili asked as he strapped himself in.
‘A little. I’ve never flown before,’ she admitted.
More and more she was coming to realise how out of her depth she was in this life.
The flight took barely over an hour, and in that time she couldn’t tear her gaze away from the scenery around them.
It was Thalonia as she had never seen it before.
The turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea glittered as if it was covered in jewels. The city gave way to beaches and cliffs and dense green forests.
The only thing that challenged the view was Vasili’s presence. She kept stealing glances at the King, who had a faraway look in his eyes.
He caught her staring, and she knew she should look away, but she couldn’t. There was something unreadable in that intense gaze. It almost seemed as if he couldn’t look away either. A muscle in his jaw flexed. They were stuck in this world where beauty existed all around them but had faded to nothing.
It was the slight bump of the helicopter touching down that wrenched them away.
Vasili exited first, silently helping Helia out afterwards, and, with a hand on her back and her heart thumping furiously at his touch he guided her away from the aircraft.
She paid no attention to where she was being led because, to her, they had arrived in Paradise.
Protected by steep cliffs on all sides, the resort was a hidden gem, with only a few white chalets. She heard Vasili say something, but couldn’t make out the words as they stepped onto a wooden pathway that was flanked by all sorts of plants, winding between each chalet. They were spaced so far apart they would have complete privacy. And as they walked forward she saw a private beach emerge, with pristine shore and clear waters. She noticed each pathway emerged onto the sand, like a delta meeting the sea.
‘Leave us,’ she heard Vasili say, and turned around to find their security detail disappearing off onto another path.
She looked to Vasili, who answered her question before she could ask it.
‘They will be staying on site in the furthest chalet from ours. No one is here, Helia. Apart from the resort staff, we’re alone.’
For days on end she would have only Vasili for company.
A thrill of excitement shot through her at the prospect. But so did trepidation, and a little loneliness, at knowing she had to keep away from him.
She stepped inside the chalet and had to pinch herself to remind her that now she spent her time in places like this.
The chalet was by far the most luxurious place she had ever seen. Her old apartment could have fitted in it many times over with space to spare. It was large and airy, with fluttering gauzy curtains hanging at windows and archways. She flitted from room to room. There was so much light, so many openings to the outside, that it barely seemed they were indoors at all.
And then she spotted a set of doors that undoubtedly led to the bedroom. Helia rushed through, but was drawn short. Not by the spectacular views, of which this particular chalet must have the best one, nor by the plunge pool that could be stepped into right from the bedroom itself, despite there being an enormous swimming pool out on the deck, but by the bed.
The very large, very singular bed.
Helia’s excitement morphed into anxiety as she remembered their talk. She hadn’t yet agreed to his terms and he had promised they would not be physical in any way until she did. But how would she be able to think, to keep her distance, if she was in the same bed as him?
She knew she had to while they were on this honeymoon, but she couldn’t help wonder what it would be like to share a bed with him. Did Vasili even want to?
She searched around the room, hoping for some sort of solution to magically make itself known. There was a chaise in the room, and several couches in the living area, one of which would be large enough to sleep on should things become awkward. But she couldn’t tell the King not to sleep on the bed. Especially not when they should be on their honeymoon.
Helia supposed she was small enough that she could comfortably sleep there. If there were staff in the grounds, their sleeping in different chalets was not an option—just as it wasn’t an option at the palace. They were the newly married King and Queen and they had to keep up appearances.
‘You look uncomfortable.’
Helia jumped at the deep, raspy voice behind her. She hadn’t heard Vasili enter.
‘Did I startle you?’
‘No.’
She didn’t need to see his face to know that he didn’t believe her lie. His sharply exhaled breath did that more than adequately.
‘I can sleep elsewhere, Helia. Relax.’
His voice had come from above her head, but it was his heat at her back that she felt most intensely. She would have loved nothing more than to lean into that. See if his embrace would ignite her like his kiss had, or if his immoveable hardness would comfort her.
But that was not the marriage they had, and she had to remember that fact.
‘I can’t let you do that.’
She took a few steps away from him. Distance was what she needed, or she knew she would want to savour his very presence.
‘You’ll find there’s very little that anyone can forbid me from doing.’
‘I get that you’re the King, Vasili. But I also very much doubt you would fit on that couch.’
His lips twitched as if he was battling a smile. She didn’t see what was so funny. This was an impossible situation. There was no way she would let him be uncomfortable for the entirety of their stay. And what if the staff entered to find one of them sleeping on the couch? They were definitely on hand. As discreet as she was sure they were, gossip would get out, and all the hard work they were doing—had already done to ensure everyone believed the monarchy stood strong—would be undone.
There was just no way around this.
‘I appreciate you thinking of my comfort,’ he said. ‘But I didn’t say I would sleep on the couch.’
It took her a moment to understand his words. ‘But you can’t sleep elsewhere. What happens if the staff notice? Or a picture gets out? We can’t afford the gossip. I can’t afford the gossip.’
‘We’ll handle it,’ he said gruffly.
‘I refuse to give anyone ammunition to use against me. Most of your advisors are already against my being Queen. My goals are too important to jeopardise. Look, I know what we agreed to, but we’re going to be sharing a bed in the palace anyway.’
She could see him thinking it through. He looked as if he wanted to say no. Did he think sharing with her would be so bad? she wondered.
‘Are you certain you are prepared for that?’
‘Yes,’ she lied.
He didn’t look as if he believed her.
‘Very well,’ he said stiffly.
Helia couldn’t get a read on him. Only knew that he was far more tense than he had been at any point during the day so far—including when he had strapped her into the helicopter seat. Perhaps an escape would do them both good.
‘I’m going for a walk.’
She hoped the sea air would settle all her conflicting feelings.
Helia returned to the chalet after dark, having had time to process what the week might possibly be like. Vasili was nowhere to be found, so she ordered room service, which she enjoyed on her own, and then readied herself for bed.
She wheeled her suitcase into the bathroom, cursing as she pawed through it. Her earlier gratitude for having her wardrobe changed had vanished, and was now replaced with mortification. She had already come to terms with the fact that her own wardrobe was not fit for royalty, but surely her nightwear didn’t have to be collateral damage in this war on her identity. No one would ever see her in it.
Unfortunately, as she picked through everything that had been packed for her, she found nothing that she would have chosen for herself. No comfy yoga pants or soft shirts.
Every negligee was more flimsy or weblike than the last. She could appreciate the beauty of them, the luxurious feel of the fabric, but how could she wear something like these without Vasili thinking that she was accepting his terms when she hadn’t yet come to a decision?
Helia put on what she thought to be the most modest of the lot. The deep red satin was vivid against her olive skin, but at least it covered her up.
She shut off the light and stepped back into the bedroom to find Vasili already in bed. He was sitting against the headboard, shirtless, paying no mind to her as he read something on his phone.
She had felt the hardness of his body, had seen the way he moved with a powerful grace, but she was still not prepared for the vision of his naked chest, which looked as if it had been carved from stone. The sculpted, shadowed dips and peaks of his stomach were highlighted by the lamplight. The bedcovers were tossed carelessly around his hips, and she could just make out the band of his underwear.
She couldn’t take her eyes off him. Vasili was glorious.
Her heart gave a sharp throb, and she realised that she had been staring.
She forced herself to move and, as carefully as she could, slunk towards the bed, slowly climbing beneath the covers to avoid catching his attention. She settled as close to the edge as possible, trying exceptionally hard to ignore the fact that she was now sharing a bed with the man she was impossibly attracted to but from whom she was determined to keep her distance.
‘You’re going to fall out of the bed. Come closer.’
When she didn’t listen, Vasili dropped his phone onto the duvet and reached around her, pulling her away from the edge. The touch scalded him to his core. His body rejoiced at her nearness.
He hadn’t been able to concentrate on a single word in the email he had been reading. How could he have been expected to concentrate when he had felt Helia’s gaze dragging across his body like a touch? How could his every nerve not have been attuned to her when she’d walked out of that bathroom looking like an enticing dream? If the people of Thalonia had still believed in mythological deities, she would undoubtedly have been one.
He tried not looking at her, hoping that would be enough to wrangle the arousal coursing through him into submission. He had to control himself. He would not make this any more uncomfortable for her than it already was. Helia had agreed to this marriage without being given much of a choice, and to him that was no consent at all.
Which was why he had said there would be no physical relationship. No matter how much he wanted to slip his hand under all that satin, explore her body... It was the very reason he wanted to sleep away from her—he couldn’t allow it.
He took a breath to master himself. Not that it helped much when he could smell her floral fragrance and wondered if she would smell that sweet everywhere.
Helia was embedded in his mind, and she wasn’t going anywhere soon. He had wanted to bow down to her in his office. She had been regal in that chair, and more than that he had been proud of the way she had handled Andreas. He had wanted to kiss her afterwards, and even though he’d managed to hold back, there had been no reprieve.
Buckling her into her seat in the helicopter had been another test he hadn’t felt prepared for. To be so close to her. To touch her and feel every contact like a white-hot shock. That flight had seemed like the longest he had ever taken. Every minute had been spent figuring out a way that he could either avoid Helia on their honeymoon or how he could get a taste of her without getting close. And then she had looked at him. Trapped him in a bubble that silenced the world. Quieted his anxiety.
And now, as if all of that had not been enough for one day, there was the bed.
When she had suggested that they share, Vasili had wondered if there would ever be a point in his life when the universe wouldn’t answer him with cruelty. He didn’t want to sleep with Helia. He didn’t want to let his guard down around her. To be vulnerable. There was no control in sleep. Nothing to stop warm embraces. No shields to stop them gravitating towards each other.
It had been test upon test, and he felt as if he was failing miserably because he simply could not contain this chemistry between them.
He had kissed her once and it had given her some sort of power over him. He couldn’t allow it—which was why he wanted to enforce the boundaries in their marriage. That was the end of it. No matter how badly he wanted a taste, Vasili refused to give in.
‘Go to sleep, Helia.’ He reached over and flicked the light switch.
‘Goodnight, Vasili,’ she replied in a barely-there whisper as the room was plunged into darkness.
If he’d thought the black night would allow them to relax, he couldn’t have been more wrong. With nothing to focus on apart from the weight of each other in the bed, and their audible breaths, he felt the tension between them magnified by the dark until they could focus on nothing but each other.
Vasili’s entire body was alert to the proximity of Helia. He wanted so badly to reach out to her. She was so close. He felt her hand twitch against the sheets, but refused to allow himself to think of what it would be like if she crossed that small expanse between them.
He lay awake for hours, and knew Helia did too. They were keenly aware of each other, and of the mounting current in the air. Desire was like a fog, suspended around them, but neither would reach out. Vasili would not break his word to her or to himself.
There was a scraping against the sheets...a tug he felt.
Clearly Helia felt the same.