39. Alexei #4
King Linus exhales through his nose, steadying himself. “As you know… begging for forgiveness is not something kings are accustomed to.”
I give a single nod.
He meets it and holds it. “I am asking for it anyway.”
That earns him my full attention.
“My son, Prince Weston, did not act on behalf of North Sosova. Not with my approval. Not with my knowledge.”
“We knew nothing of his plans,” Prince Rogan adds quickly. “Or these… business dealings he claimed to offer.”
Beside me, Elena lets out a soft, incredulous sound. “Offer?” she repeats, one brow lifting. “There was no offer.” There’s steel in her voice. Controlled. Precise.
King Linus shifts slightly. Enough to notice. “Yes,” he amends, lips pressing together. “Our apologies.”
I draw in a slow breath. “Let me ask you something, King Linus.” His attention snaps back to me. “What would you do… if I walked into your kingdom, threatened your alliances, and propositioned your wife?”
A flicker of discomfort crosses his face. “Probably weep,” he says with a straining smile, attempting humor. “I’ve never been as… physically impressive as you.”
Nothing. No reaction from me. None from Elena. The silence that follows swallows the attempt whole.
He clears his throat, abandoning it. “I would be enraged. I would seek retribution.”
“Prince Weston didn’t only insult my husband,” Elena retorts beside me, her voice cutting clean through the space. “He insulted me. My choices. And then punished our people for it.”
King Linus nods quickly. “Yes. And I have no words that can excuse that behavior.”
“What do you have?” she asks. Sharp. Direct. No room to hide. “I’ve had a difficult year,” she adds, her tone cooling further. “My patience for empty apologies is… limited.”
“Understood,” he answers immediately.
“Please,” Prince Rogan steps forward again, hands open now. “Our countries have prospered together. There must be—” He falters when my gaze snaps to him. “—an opportunity,” he finishes more carefully. “For this to be resolved.”
“What are you asking?” Elena asks.
King Linus answers this time. “We were never dissatisfied with your agreement. We never sought alternatives.”
I tilt my head slightly. “And that has nothing to do with the fact that your son’s deal no longer exists?”
A flicker. There it is. Gone quickly, but I saw it.
“I assure you,” King Linus continues, voice tightening, “we only learned of that… arrangement days ago. We came here immediately after.”
Fool, I think, not for the first time. Prince Weston truly believed Elena would ever choose him by issuing her threats and ultimatums. He never understood her. Never understood us.
I shift slightly, turning my head toward Elena. “My wife was the one insulted,” I inform. “If there is to be any future between our kingdoms… the decision is hers.”
Her fingers tighten around my arm. Pride flickers across her face before she masks it.
“Queen Elena,” Prince Rogan beseeches, softer now. “We ask for your forgiveness.”
She lifts her hand. “I don’t need you to beg.”
That silences the room.
“What do you need?” King Linus asks.
Now there is something in his voice. Not fear. But the understanding that he may not like the answer.
Elena studies them both. “Our previous agreement stands,” she starts, “with a few conditions.”
King Linus straightens.
“A ten percent reduction in your kingdom’s profits. For five years.”
His throat bobs.
She doesn’t pause. “One year,” she adds, “for each insult your son made against my husband.”
Prince Rogan shifts beside him, tension pulling at his posture.
“Additionally,” she continues, “you will provide structural materials at half price. Consider it… goodwill.”
Their expressions tighten. They don’t argue, which is smart considering their kingdom must be hurting without our trade as much as ours. We have one advantage. One call to our allies, sharing what North Sosova had done, could jeopardize every remaining trade agreement they had.
“And finally?—”
“There’s more—” Prince Rogan starts.
“Quiet,” King Linus snaps.
I don’t bother hiding my smile.
Elena’s gaze lands squarely on the prince. “Your brother is never to set foot in Zurdonia again.”
Prince Rogan’s eyes drop.
“If he does,” she resumes, “our partnership ends. Permanently.”
The king and prince glance at each other.
“Yes,” King Linus agrees quickly. “We accept. Prince Rogan can assure any future liaisons with our great kingdom, as its future heir.”
Elena lifts her chin, satisfied. “Then we move forward.” She glances up at me, a spark in her eyes. “Won’t we… Honey?”
I take her hand from my arm, bringing it to my lips. “As my queen wishes.”
Her cheek twitches, fighting a smile.
“We appreciate your generosity,” King Linus emphasizes.
“It’s settled,” Elena concludes.
“Deputy Director Huber.”
The door opens immediately. Braydon and Lance step inside.
“Escort our guests out safely,” I order. “Ensure their safe departure.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
King Linus and Prince Rogan bow, less pride now, more relief, before turning and leaving.
“You’re incredibly sexy when you do that,” Elena muses once the door shuts behind them.
I glance down at her. My mouth twitches. “So are you.”
She steps into me, hands sliding up my chest, easing the remaining tension right out of me.
“I wasn’t about to let them get away with that.”
“I noticed.” I lean down, brushing my lips against hers. “The materials at half price were a nice touch.”
“They’re lucky I didn’t ask for more.”
A quiet laugh escapes me before I kiss her properly. “My fearless queen.”
“My warrior husband.”
I pull back, one brow lifting. “Warrior?”
She grins. “My extremely sexy warrior husband.”
That earns a real laugh.
“Ew. Yuck.”
I don’t even look at the door. “Do you ever knock?”
“No.”
Of course not.
Elena laughs beside me.
Hannah leans casually against the doorway. “Celebration dinner tonight.”
Elena tilts her head. “Celebration?”
“Braydon’s promotion,” Hannah informs, practically glowing.
Elena turns to me, eyes lighting up. “We’ll be there,” she confirms.
“Good.” Hannah claps once. “Carry on.”
She disappears as quickly as she slipped in.
I shake my head. “Unbelievable.”
“And now,” Elena murmurs, turning back to me, “we’re alone.”
“For about two seconds,” I mutter.
She smiles anyway. Her arms loop around my neck, pulling me down as she rises onto her toes. “Then we should make the most of it.”
Her lips meet mine, warm, certain, grounding.
And for a moment… there’s no crown.
No kingdom.
Just her.
Us.