Crowns and Courtships (1001 Dark Nights)

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

Day looked out over the ballroom and wondered where her bridegroom had gotten off to.

“You look lovely, Your Majesty.” Rai gave her a proper bow.

He and the other guards had done a wonderful job on the wedding. It had gone off without a single hitch. Between McKay-Taggart working security and the lord chamberlain running the wedding, she’d had to do little except wave and say the words that bound her to Kashmir and the Loa Mali throne forever.

Which was good because it seemed her Kash had a never-ending need for sex. Since that first night, he’d been voracious. He was sweet and so willing to please her when the doors closed and they were alone. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that this was the right thing to do.

They fit together, and tonight she was going to talk to him about more exotic play. Tonight, she was going to discuss punishments and rewards.

She wouldn’t ever top another man again. Only her dashing husband.

“You practically glow with happiness,” Rai said, his eyes looking out over the dance floor.

“Thank you.” She felt happy. Maybe truly for the first time in her life, she felt at peace. Always there had been this nagging question in the back of her mind about whether she could find someone she loved who could accept her as she was.

Now that question had been answered. Kash had answered it when he’d said “I do.”

It was funny how the more he gave her in the bedroom, the less she felt the need to be aggressive outside of it. She’d found herself compromising more and more, especially with him. When he wanted to sit in on her meetings with parliament, she didn’t question it. After all, he never forced his opinion on her, but he did give wise counsel.

She was rapidly falling head over heels in love with him once again.

She turned to Rai, wondering if she could help her brand new husband out a bit. She knew he missed this man. They’d been friends for years. She didn’t understand the nature of what had caused them to break. “I think Kash would dearly love to have you on his detail again. He misses you.”

A bitter smile crossed his lips. “Somehow I doubt that. Or perhaps not. Perhaps he’s simply so arrogant and self-centered that he doesn’t understand how he hurts the people around him.”

Or maybe that would be a terrible mistake. “All I’ve seen is his kindness.”

“Then you haven’t been watching, Your Majesty,” Rai shot back. “You wait. Give him a month or two and he’ll be right back to his old tricks. He’ll crawl into the bed of any woman who will have him. And some who don’t want him at all.”

She stepped in front of him when he started to go. “What exactly are you accusing my husband of?”

Rai’s jaw formed a stubborn line. “Nothing at all, Your Majesty. After all, what woman wouldn’t want to bed the great Kashmir Kamdar? What woman would say no to him? Certainly not my own wife. If you’ll excuse me.”

She let him pass with a sigh. So that was what had happened.

“If it makes you feel any better, I believe Kash slept with the young Lia before her marriage to Rai.” Hanin stepped up next to her, looking out over the ballroom with a keen eye.

The lord chamberlain hadn’t been particularly friendly, but then he’d been under a bit of pressure. A royal wedding in a few weeks wasn’t an easy thing to accomplish. Day was happy he seemed to be calming down. “Rai didn’t find out until after the wedding, I suspect.”

“Yes. He married the girl hastily. From what I understand, Rai discovered Kash had been his wife’s lover. You know how palace gossip is. No one can keep a secret here. Kash should have immediately told Rai, if you ask me. No one ever asks my opinion, much less follows my excellent advice. If they did, their lives would all be the better for it.” He turned to her. “Rai was right about one thing. You do make a lovely queen. Hopefully now that we will have a sovereign in residence full time, the country will be more stable. The king can wander as he may and we shall have your wise hand to guide us.”

“Well, I think you might find that the king is much happier staying home now that he’s married. I think he’ll take his duties more seriously than he did before.” She felt comfortable that Kash’s wanderlust had more to do with guilt than anything else. She would gently start pushing him to restart his project. He’d come so close, and he had a true passion for innovation.

The lord chamberlain’s lips pursed as though he was thinking about what he would say next. Or thinking about not saying anything at all. “I should hope so. Nevertheless, I hope you find me helpful. Anything at all that you need, I shall be more than happy to provide it for you. This is your household now. It’s up to me to make sure it runs according to your desires.”

“And the king’s.”

He bowed his head. “Of course. When he is here, I shall surely take him into account. When you return from your honeymoon, I hope we can sit down and plan the next few months.”

“What do you know that I don’t?” She wasn’t going to beat about the bush any longer.

The lord chamberlain shrugged, an elegant motion. “I know he’s planning a trip to Hong Kong a few days after you return from your time on the yacht. He’s going to be gone for a week or more and he told security that you would be remaining behind. He’s planning a series of trips and I do believe he intends to take them solo.”

That couldn’t be right. Hanin had simply misunderstood. Kash wouldn’t leave her behind right after their honeymoon. If he had something he needed to do, surely he would have spoken with her about it.

She looked back over the ballroom floor where couples were dancing. The ballroom was glittering and elegant, but Kash was nowhere to be seen. She did, however, note that Jesse Murdoch was standing at the edge of the ballroom, his back to the hallway. He guarded the door that led to the more intimate gathering areas. There were several rooms in this wing that the royals used to entertain heads of states. They were cozy rooms, perfect for a talk with her husband.

She would ask him calmly and he would explain that it was all a mistake. Then they could start their honeymoon early. She was ready to leave the pomp and circumstance behind and focus on Kash. He’d had a long day. He would need some play to alleviate the stresses. She’d seen his forced smile, the stiff way he’d waved to the crowd on the balcony.

“Thank you, Hanin,” she said politely. “I would love to sit down with you and plan everything out. I think we shall have a busy schedule.”

Hanin nodded. “Excellent, Your Majesty. And let me know if you need anything to make this evening even brighter.”

Because they should be heading off to bed in a bit. They would stand together and greet their guests and then retire while the party went on. It was custom.

So many customs. She stepped out onto the floor and was forced to smile and greet people whose names she barely remembered. Her brand new social secretary was across the palace, meeting with the photographers and helping the queen mother select the right photos to be published in the morning.

Where was Kash? He’d kissed her on the cheek and then frowned as he’d gone to dance with yet another guest. He’d been dancing all night long and only once with her. Kash had spent the evening charming all the ladies, and she missed having all that masculine attention to herself.

She worked her way through the crowd, trying to ignore the chatter around her.

“I don’t know. I hope she’s doing this for the right reasons.”

“Such a beautiful wedding. He’s so dreamy. She’s pretty and all but I’m surprised he would marry a commoner.”

“I don’t know. I expected more from her. She’s a bit on the plain side for a man who could have any woman he wanted.”

“The right reason being money and power, since she’s not going to be getting any fidelity from that man. Imagine actually marrying Kash. Not that he isn’t exquisite in bed. I enjoyed my time with him, but the humiliation would be terrible.”

“Who wants to bet how long it is before he’s right back to his playboy ways? As soon as she’s pregnant, he’ll find a way. I’ve heard he’s already seeing that actress again. She showed up at his wedding. What gall.”

Day stopped.

“I can’t believe he walked out with her. Everyone could see the way he was touching her. The poor queen. Not married more than a few hours and her husband is already cheating.”

“Ah, well, we all know he married her because his mother forced his hand. He’ll get her pregnant a few times and then he’ll be done with her.”

She could feel her cheeks heat, humiliation swamping her.

“Don’t listen to them,” a low voice whispered.

She turned and Phoebe Murdoch was standing beside her. Someone had figured out the new queen was walking among them and the gossip was now being whispered instead of openly talked about. She felt a hundred eyes on her and she steeled her spine. She’d stood up to professors who didn’t think she had a place in their world, to parliament members who laughed openly at her suggestions. She wasn’t about to crumble because a few people said some nasty things about her marriage.

Day gave them her brightest smile. “I hope you’re all having a lovely time. His majesty and I are so glad to be surrounded by such supportive friends. I will let him know how much you care about him.”

She caught sight of a few men and women who paled at her words, but she was done with them. If Kash had walked out with a woman, there was a good explanation. She knew something the others didn’t. Kash didn’t have a reason to hide things from her. He’d been given a clear choice. She would have accepted a marriage without the relationship. She would have been friends and partners with him. He’d chosen and she had to believe he meant to honor the choice.

Phoebe walked beside her. “You are really good at that. I’m fairly certain some of those people peed a little. You know they’re always going to talk about you. You have to be able to separate Dayita from the queen.”

It was an excellent point and one she would take to heart. She stopped at the edge of the crowd and reached for her new friend’s hand. “Thank you. I will try to remember that. Do you know where my husband went and who he was with?”

Phoebe didn’t pale exactly but she did frown. “I think he’s trying to avoid a scene.”

“With a woman?” She was starting to understand what was happening.

Phoebe looked over at the place where her husband was guarding the door. He had a steely-eyed glare that turned away even the most avid curiosity seeker. He caught sight of his wife and they seemed to have a whole conversation with gestures and raised eyebrows. Finally Phoebe turned back to Day. “Apparently one of Kash’s ex-girlfriends managed to get through our security. She snuck in as the date of one of the ambassadors. Before we could figure it out and toss her on her rear, she managed to get to Kash. I think he’s trying to convince her to leave quietly.”

So at least Day knew where she needed to go. “He’ll struggle with that. He’ll view her as something delicate and weak, and if she’s got half a brain in her head, she’ll manipulate him.”

“I don’t think he’s trying to do anything but get rid of her,” Phoebe said.

Day turned. She wanted to make something plain. “I never thought for a moment that he was. I believe in Kash. I trust him, but he won’t understand how to deal with a woman like this. He needs me.”

She strode to the double doors that led to the hallway. Murdoch touched his earpiece and muttered something she couldn’t understand.

“Your Majesty.” Murdoch nodded her way. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“Yes, Mr. Murdoch. You can stand aside and let me get to my husband, who is likely trying to ward off some bimbo.”

Murdoch frowned his wife’s way. “Seriously, baby? I told you to distract her, not tell her everything.”

Phoebe shrugged. “Sorry. I thought that was your ‘hey, you should help out your new friend’ raised eyebrow. You should really be more specific. And she’s not worried that Kash is cheating on her. She’s worried he won’t be able to throw that chick out on her rear.”

Murdoch winced slightly. “Yeah, I’m worried about that, too. I tried to send Rai back there but he said something about Kash being able to handle anything and walked away. I think it’s time to fire that dude, but Kash keeps overruling me. I’ll escort you back if my wife will watch this door for me.”

“I think I can handle it.” Phoebe took her husband’s place. Somehow, despite the fact that she was wearing a beautiful, filmy gown and heels, Phoebe Murdoch oozed competence.

Murdoch opened the door for Day and they slipped out into the hallway. The minute the doors closed, the sounds of the ballroom seemed to fade and she could breathe again. How did Kash deal with such scrutiny every day of his life?

“Take a deep breath,” Murdoch said. “Not a one of their opinions matter. Get used to being judged and get used to smiling and giving them your happy middle finger. I know a bit about this.”

“How so?” She hadn’t realized how tense she’d been until she’d managed to get out of that ballroom.

Murdoch started walking down the mostly empty hallway. There were a few of the catering workers moving mounds of used glasses back toward the kitchens, and she could hear someone discussing the fact that they would need to open another case of champagne. “I’ve been the center of attention before, and not of good attention. I’ve had people think the absolute worst of me and I decided they were right. It got me into a lot of trouble, but I found a group of people who built me back up.”

She smiled his way. “Your wife and friends. That’s good. I’m usually all right being the focus of criticism. I’ve never followed what my father would have called the ‘proper’ path. I can handle it. However, I’m not allowed to use my happy middle finger. The queen has to be more subtle.”

Murdoch whistled. “Damn, I wouldn’t have gotten through most things without being able to shoot people the bird. I suspect you’ll find other coping mechanisms. He’s in that room to your left. I’ll be out here and ready to escort you back to the ballroom when you’re ready. Be careful, though. There are reporters and they’ve been using this hallway to move around.”

“You don’t need to get back to Phoebe? I’m sure I’m safe here in the palace.”

He shook his head. “Nah, Phoebe’s a pro. She can handle anything those people throw at her.”

She strode to the door and heard the sound of a whiny female.

“Kash, we can make this right. All you have to do is divorce her. You don’t even need a divorce. You can get this marriage annulled and we can start over.”

Ah, she recognized the voice from one of the more popular British soaps. Tasha Reynolds was considered one of the world’s most beautiful women and she’d dated Kash for the better part of a year before moving on to one of her costars. She’d been giving interviews in the last two weeks about how she felt Kash was making a terrible mistake with his marriage. The woman had gone on every talk and news show she could, spilling secrets about their sex life and how he’d told her he would never marry anyone but her.

So she was a crazy bitch. Luckily, Day had figured out how to deal with crazy bitches a long time ago.

She opened the door and got ready to save her man.

Kash looked out over the ballroom, hoping to catch a glimpse of his wife.

His wife. Dayita was his. He should feel settled and satisfied, but something gnawed at his gut. He was falling in deeper and deeper with her, and he wasn’t sure he knew how to swim in these waters. Day smiled as she shook the hand of one of the Swedish royals. So poised and perfect.

“She’s truly going to make a wonderful queen.” His mother came to stand beside him, her hand coming to his arm as though she needed him to balance her. The last week had taken a toll on her, but she’d shooed away any thought of resting. “I hope you’ll forgive me someday.”

He looked down at her. “It’s all forgiven, Mother. I understand that you did what you felt you needed to do. You found a proper monarch for the country. She will be wonderful.”

And he would be somewhat superfluous. Already all the serious people shook his hand, laughed and joked around him, and then asked the real questions of his bride. He’d heard the US ambassador asking her for a meeting about potentially inviting the president to Loa Mali for a state visit, and Prince Harry had spoken with her about sponsoring a new charity. Harry only ever talked to him about polo and beer.

His mother had lost Shray, the true king, and she’d finally figured out that Kash was never going to take his place. She’d found a daughter this time, someone lovely and kind and intelligent. Someone who could take Shray’s place. He would be nothing but a sperm donor.

Yes, he’d heard someone say that, and now it played around in his head.

“What do you mean, Kash? You’re the king. Having a queen doesn’t take the crown from you.” His mother blinked up at him as though she couldn’t quite process his words.

He put a hand over hers. It wasn’t a good time to have a fight. Hell, he didn’t want to fight with her at all. He couldn’t truly be angry with her. She’d given him an out. He could leave everything to Day and spend his time as he wished.

Why did that seem so hollow?

“Of course it doesn’t, Mother. You’re right, though. She is a perfect queen. The ambassadors are all happy about her.” He gave his mother a grin. “They don’t have to deal with me now. Of course, they will if I find any of them hitting on my wife again. I swear that Spaniard kissed her hand five times. There’s no need to kiss her hand at all. Does he think we’re back in the Victorian era?”

“You’ll have to deal with the fact that your wife is beautiful and everyone looks up to her.” His mother glanced to her right. “Ah, they’re calling for me. I need to select the official portraits to go out to the press. I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Don’t overdo it, Mother.” He would hate for her to not be able to enjoy the festivities, but he couldn’t stand the thought of her crumpling.

She waved the worry off as she started to walk away.

And he was left with the good Scotch and worry in his head that he was slipping into something he couldn’t come back from.

The night before, he’d gotten on his knees in front of Day and by the time she was finished with him, he was begging for her. He’d been on the ground, kissing her feet. At the time, it had felt like the perfect thing to do. He’d wanted to please her more than anything. He’d been happy and relaxed in the moment and he’d come like he’d never come before. He’d settled down with her and wondered what it would be like to have her use a paddle on his ass. Would it send sparks through his system? He’d loved it when Day gripped his cock and brought him to just the right side of pain. Could they explore more?

What would the world say about the pervert king who let his wife rule him? His father would be ashamed and he would be a laughingstock.

He had to stop this slow descent. He had to find a way to not want what he wanted. It was perverted. He was the man and she was the woman, and if they played those games, he should be the one on top.

Tonight, he would put their relationship on a proper footing.

Why did the thought make him infinitely sad? It was his wedding night. He cared about his bride. He wasn’t sure it was love. Certainly it was lust and possessiveness and a deep and abiding friendship.

Was he falling in love with Day? Was that making him weak?

“I’ve been hoping to catch you alone.”

He stopped, a chill rushing through his system as the familiar voice snaked along his skin. He felt a hand at his back and then he was staring down into big, blue eyes and pouty red lips. “Tasha, I’m surprised to see you here since you weren’t invited.”

A faint sheen of tears made those eyes a crystal blue. “I had to talk to you. I came as the guest of one of the ambassadors.”

“You shouldn’t have been able to get through security.”

She shrugged. “I used my legal name. That should tell you how important this is to me, Kashmir. I made a terrible mistake, but you made a bigger one. How could you have married her? She isn’t even pretty.”

Day was gorgeous, but he wasn’t about to argue with her. “You don’t have to worry about me anymore. I’ve got a wife to do that.”

Tasha frowned. “Yes, I’ve been looking into your wife. I’ve managed to dig up some facts about her that might shock you. Kash, please let me talk to you. That woman is using you. She doesn’t love you.”

Oh, but when he was on his knees in front of her and Day was smiling down at him, it felt like he’d imagined love would. In those stolen hours when they locked the rest of the world out, he was a different person entirely. Settled, happy.

And then she would sleep and he would deal with the storm of regret and guilt.

He glanced around but Weston wasn’t in the ballroom. He was probably in the control room, looking out over the palace, trying to catch any threats that would come their way. He hadn’t caught the real threat. Apparently, all a woman had to do was find some ambassador and she could waltz right in.

Still, the last thing he needed was a huge scene with Tasha. Despite her aggressiveness, she was quite fragile and needed to be handled with kid gloves. On more than one occasion she’d threatened to harm herself if Kash wouldn’t do what she wanted him to.

He would let her say what she felt like she needed to say, and then calmly explain that he wasn’t going to leave his wife and she should go back to London and her boyfriend. He could do all of this quietly and solve the problem before anyone realized there was one. He glanced around, looking for the photographers. When he realized they were busy shooting Day, he decided to make his move.

“Come on. I’m not going to do this in public. We’ll talk in private.” He began to walk toward the west doors. There was a sitting room that would serve as a good place to deal with the situation. He should have taken her calls and gently explained that he wasn’t unhappy about the marriage. He’d been a coward not to talk to her, and now he had to find a way to make her understand.

She hurried to keep up with him and suddenly he felt her hand reach for his. She tangled their fingers together and held on tight.

Yes, he had to deal with this and quickly.

Murdoch’s brows rose above his eyes as Kash approached the door he was guarding. “Problems, boss? You know I can handle any unwanted guests.”

He felt Tasha’s hand start to shake. She’d always needed someone to protect her. He had to get her to understand that it couldn’t be him anymore. “I can handle her. Please make sure no reporters follow us out.”

He slipped beyond the door and led her to the sitting room, closing that door behind them.

Tasha was immediately on him. She invaded his space, her head tilting up and lower lip quivering. “I’ve missed you so much. I know I was foolish to leave you, but you have to understand that woman isn’t good for you. I know everything. I still have friends in the palace. I know you didn’t want this marriage. Your mother forced you into it.”

He tried to ease away from her, but she simply followed him until his back hit the wall. “Please, Tasha. You don’t know her. We were friends for years. Yes, this was an arranged marriage, but I agreed to it.”

“Because that woman convinced your mother to do it. I know everything. I know how they’ve been meeting in secret for years.”

He worked hard not to roll his eyes. She did enjoy a bit of drama. “They were meeting because my mother was interested in Day’s education programs. They became friends. I assure you my mother needed no prompting. She was sick of me acting like a horny teenaged boy, so she found a wife to help me settle down.”

“She’s not the right one for you. I understand why you did this, but you’ve taken it too far.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I never thought you would actually do it. She’s wearing the ring that should have been for me.”

He would never have married Tasha. Not in a million years. She would have made a terrible queen.

Had he been thinking about it even back then? Had he chosen women specifically for their unsuitability?

He tried to get a hand between their chests, needing some space. “It was never that serious between us. Don’t you remember? We agreed we were only having a bit of fun.”

“We said that but then we fell in love. Kash, we can make this right. All you have to do is divorce her. You don’t even need a divorce. You can get this marriage annulled and we can start over.”

“That is not going to happen. Why are you doing this?” What the hell was he supposed to do? He wasn’t the type of man to shove a woman, but she wouldn’t let him go.

“Because I finally realize how much I love you.”

“She’s doing it because her show on telly got canceled last week,” a familiar voice said.

His heart nearly stopped. Day was standing in the doorway, a fierce frown on her face.

Kash tried to hold his hands up. “It’s not what you think.”

Tasha turned around, but stuck close to him, her well-manicured hand clutching at his chest. “It’s exactly what you think. He’s mine. He’s always been mine. I’m sorry, but this was all about making me jealous. He took it too far, but he’s got my attention now. I know this will hurt you, but he doesn’t love you.”

Kash was damn near panicking. What the hell would he do if Day thought he was truly in here conspiring with an ex-girlfriend? “I swear, I brought her in here so we wouldn’t make a scene. I didn’t bring her in here to do anything but talk to her.”

“Of course you didn’t. You are not the problem here, Kashmir. It’s all right.” Day shook her head. “It’s obvious to me that this woman is taking advantage of your good nature. Why don’t you let me deal with this, love?”

She was using the same voice she used on him in the bedroom, the one that let him know she was taking over. For a second, he wanted to throw up his hands and leave it all to her. He could walk out and Day would deal with the crazy ex.

“He’s not going anywhere.” Tasha stepped away, moving closer to Day. “He’s mine and if I don’t get him back, I’ll go to the press and tell a story that will ruin this family. Do you understand? I know things.”

If Day was intimidated, he couldn’t tell. “Really? Well, you should go and tell all. I’m sure it will make for excellent fiction.”

“It’s not fiction. I had an investigator look into you. I know all about your so-called vacations.”

Day frowned. “What vacations?”

Tasha turned back to Kash. “Your sweet new wife is a complete pervert. She’s into all kinds of nasty bondage things. But she can’t even be normal there. Do you know what she does? She’s a dominatrix. She abuses men.”

Kash felt the whole room go still. What the hell? Day had done this before? She’d topped men and in a place where people could see her? Could know who she was?

Tasha continued on, every word out of her mouth threatening to make Kash sick. “She would take these vacations and she would go to underground clubs. She was little better than a prostitute.”

“A prostitute gets paid,” Day corrected as Kash watched in horror. “I did everything I did for pure pleasure.”

Tasha shook her head, blonde curls bouncing. “I’ve got pictures of you. This scandal is going to make Kate Middleton’s nude shots look like an innocent day in the park. How are they going to feel when they find out their pretty new queen is a pervert? That she tricked the king into marrying her? They’ll know he would never marry a whore.”

“Don’t think you can use that against us,” Day was saying. “We’re perfectly fine with the way we are and no one else comes into it. So go ahead and spout all the nasty stories you like.”

Tasha’s mouth dropped open and she stared at him. “You let her do that to you? You let her tie you up and spank you like you’re some kind of…naughty little boy?”

“We haven’t gotten that far yet, but honestly it’s none of your business. Now you can leave my home or I’ll have you dragged out.” Day took a step toward Tasha.

“Dayita, don’t say another word.” He had to take control. She’d lied to him. His gut twisted at the thought of her with other men, with submissive men. Was that what she was trying to do to him? Was she trying to change him into some plaything to be used for her own pleasure? So she could have the upper hand in all things? “You should leave this room and go up to the bedroom. I will deal with you later.”

Day’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

He hardened himself against her. He wasn’t going to let her humiliate him like this. “You heard me. I said go up to our room and I will deal with you. Don’t you even think about walking back into the ballroom. The evening is done for you. I will handle our guests.”

“What are you doing, Kash?” For the first time since he’d found her again, she sounded unsure of herself. Day was always so self-possessed. Now he knew why. She made the men around her bow down, and he’d allowed himself to become one of many.

He knew it wasn’t fair. Deep down he realized he was being a terrible hypocrite, but he convinced himself that this was different. He looked at her, a chill coming over his whole body. “I’m going to clean up the mess you made for me. Get upstairs or I swear I’ll have the guards take you up there.”

“I’d love to see them try.” She stood up to him.

He couldn’t have that. There would be no backing down. This was far too important. He couldn’t allow himself to look weak in front of a woman who could apparently destroy them all. He moved into her space, using his height to his advantage. “Do you want me to humiliate you, Dayita? I’ll do it. If you don’t walk out of here right now and go to our room, I’ll carry you. I’ll throw you over my shoulder and I’ll slap your ass all the way through the ballroom.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.” He leaned in. “After all, that’s what you want to do to me, isn’t it? You want to turn me into a pathetic creature who licks your boots. I assure you that won’t happen, my darling wife. You might have tricked me into this marriage, might have fooled my mother into believing you’re some kind of a saint, but the manipulation stops now. If you push me, I’ll have every newspaper in the world tomorrow running a photo of you being carried off, and the story the next day will be that I abandoned you. I’ll leave and you won’t see me until I’m ready to deal with you. Do you want that humiliation?”

She’d paled, her eyes shimmering with tears, but her hands were fists at her sides. “Why are you doing this?” She started to reach for him. “We need to talk about this, love.”

He backed away. This was how she got to him. She offered him everything he couldn’t have, like Eve offering up that apple of hers. “Now!”

She turned, but not before he’d seen the look of abject horror in her eyes. She held her head high and walked out of the door.

“Well, well, it looks like you always make the right choice.” Tasha’s satisfied voice made him turn.

“Oh, I don’t think anyone in the world would agree with you.” Kash stalked toward her, his hands itching to do some violence. He wouldn’t, but the need was there. To destroy something. To smash it all into bits until his life was completely unrecognizable and he could start over again after sweeping up the ashes. “After all, I chose to bed down with a snake like you, my dear. Listen to me and listen well. You’re going to find out what a king can do. If you tell your trashy story to another soul, I swear to god I will make your life hell. I’ll be patient and wait. I won’t come after you right away, and you’ll never realize it’s me coming for you. I’ll find a way to ruin your reputation. If you’re up for a part, I’ll pay the producers to hire someone else. If you find a man foolish enough to marry you, I’ll send my people in to let him know what marrying you will cost him. There won’t be anywhere you can hide. If you destroy my wife’s reputation, I’ll spend the rest of my life making yours into a literal hell on earth. Am I understood?”

Tears, real ones now, poured from her eyes. “Kash, please. Please, listen to me.”

He was done listening. “I can start right this instant. If you aren’t off my property in the next ten minutes, I’ll consider our war on. I have far more weapons in my arsenal than you do, so think about giving that interview. If I hear even a hint or a whisper of you spreading this story, I’ll destroy you.”

She turned and ran out of the room.

Kash followed her. Murdoch was standing outside the door, looking from right to left, as though he wasn’t sure what was happening.

“That’s the second crying female to come out of that room,” Murdoch said. “What’s happening, Kash? Day looked like you’d ripped her heart out of her chest. Tell me she didn’t find you having sex with that woman. She was coming to save you from that chick with the crazy eyes.”

Did everyone think he needed saving? “Tell Mr. Weston we won’t need the bodyguards anymore this evening. I don’t want to be disturbed. Do I make myself clear?”

Murdoch frowned. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but I don’t like the look in your eyes, Kash.”

“Your Majesty.” Perhaps his first mistake was trying to be friendly with people. He wasn’t a person. He was a figurehead, and it was past time he used the only thing his position afforded him that was worth anything at all. Power. “You will give me my due respect or you can go home, Mr. Murdoch. I’m going to speak to my bride and I won’t be disturbed.”

Because he had a few things to work out with her. A few questions that needed to be answered. By the time he was done with her she would know there would be no more manipulations, no more pretending. He would be the head of the household in all things and she would fall in line.

He strode to the secret stairwell the servants used. He could get to his apartments without being seen that way. All anyone would say was that the bride and groom had slipped away to start the honeymoon early.

He took the stairs two at a time, eager suddenly to get this over with. He would smash this whole relationship to pieces and see what they were left with. It had never been real. Not for one moment. Day had lied to him. She’d hidden huge parts of her life from him and he wouldn’t take it. Not another second.

He opened the door that led to the hallway of his wing and was nearly shoved back. Simon Weston was sprinting down the hall.

Kash started to yell out to the man that he should be more careful, but that was the moment he realized Weston had a gun in his hand.

“Sorry, Your Majesty. I can’t let you go down there.” Murdoch had moved in behind him. He put a hand on Kash’s arm. “You’ll need to come with me. There’s a problem in your room.”

Day? What had happened to her? He started to drag his arm out of the other man’s hold when he saw her being escorted out of their rooms. She was pale, her face tear streaked. She’d been such a lovely bride, but now she looked like a woman who’d seen a ghost.

She was escorted by Rai, one big hand on her arm. He strode down the hallway with purpose.

Kash started to move toward her, the instinct to hold her almost overwhelming. She looked so fragile that all he wanted to do was scoop her up and try to protect her. That was the moment she looked up at him. When she caught sight of him, her gaze turned blank and she moved like a zombie, her feet shuffling down the hall, all of her natural rhythm gone.

She walked past him like he meant nothing at all.

He could have sworn he caught Rai’s satisfied smirk.

“What has happened?” He knew better than to go look for himself. One of his blasted guards would choke him out and he would wake up hours later looking like a fool.

That was something he did all too often these days.

Murdoch started to lead him down the hall, back the way Day and Rai had gone. “Apparently, one of the servants likes to sneak a sip of your Scotch at night.”

Seriously? All of this over Jamil’s nightcap? He stopped, forcing Murdoch to drop his hold. “If you’re talking about the old man who turns my bed down at night, I told him he could have a glass when he likes. He worked for my father. He’s been here as long as I can remember. For god’s sake, don’t arrest one of my bloody butlers over a tumbler of Scotch.”

“He’s dead,” Murdoch said, his voice flat. “He died after drinking the Scotch that was brought up this evening. Simon caught it on camera. He tried to get here first, but the queen found him. She’s very upset. Someone tried to poison you, Your Majesty. It’s time to get you out of the palace for a while.”

Kash felt the room go cold. Apparently, his evening wasn’t going to end pleasantly.