49. Gratitude #2
“Are you well?” Lord Hanson appeared at my other side looking genuinely concerned. He ignored Breckon completely, and I suspected he only asked in order to irritate my betrothed. But I, too, wished to see Breckon discomfited at any possible juncture, so I let myself sway as I nodded.
“Yes, yes. I’m fine. I only felt weary for a moment.”
Koa sent an image—vague, and fuzzy, but undoubtedly of Kham, flying quickly, and drawing nearer. I felt like I was about to split my skin.
“Are you certain?” Hanson offered, sounding more concerned this time. I realized I’d bumped into his arm.
“She is merely tired due to our extensive travel,” Breckon snapped. “If you’ll excuse us.”
Hanson nodded once, but his eyes gleamed—and he stared at Breckon, not me.
“Thank you, Lord Hanson!” I said faintly. “I’m certain all I need is a good night’s sleep!” And my mate.
“Stop making a scene,” Breckon muttered, tugging me toward the door.
“A scene? I merely tripped—”
“They’re all staring. And judging,” he hissed, walking slowly, but pulling me with him.
“Who?” I looked around—and then I saw it. The eyes of women, cutting to me as they leaned into the ears of their companions. Or grinning into their wine goblets. Tittering. Arching brows. The older ones sniffing with disapproval.
“Why would they—”
“Because a woman in a compromising position is often prone to fainting, or clumsiness,” he snarled.
He turned to face the royals, who’d stayed at the side of the room and were speaking with a handful of their Courtiers.
“Please, forgive us for our early exit Your Majesties. My fiancée has been wearied by our travel. We are most grateful for your hospitality, and eager to see you again on the morrow!”
The king raised his glass as I curtseyed—wobbling only a little—and Breckon bowed, then turned and marched me out of the room.
It was a good thing I had his arm to steady me. Between Koa’s sendings—blissful, excited, and worried for her mate’s wellbeing—and the travel, along with limited sleep, I really did feel unsteady on my feet.
My cheeks had heated because of the wine with the meal, but now Breckon hissed about the gossips, and my flush deepened, knowing what they’d be saying about me.
And knowing there was a chance it was true.
But Breckon didn’t speak further—beyond muttered curses—until we made it to my room, where he opened the door, and ushered me inside.
When he followed me, I made certain the servants weren’t in sight, then turned to face him, backing away as he strode closer.
“You said you’d stay away,” I reminded him. “I did as you asked. I played my part—”
“Oh, don’t flatter yourself,” he growled, his cheeks red from wine as well. “I’m merely giving the gossips something to speak about that isn’t your infidelity, and returning to my room.”
And then he started across my large sitting room, to the servants door at the side. But it wasn’t until he opened it to reveal an equally large sitting room, the mirror image of this one, though decorated in darker, more masculine colors and fabrics, that I realized…
His chamber adjoined mine.
My lower jaw dropped.
He smiled, of course. “Oh, you hadn’t noticed?
” he asked. “Our bathing rooms back onto each other—so don’t go considering a tryst in there.
The king gave us these chambers so that after the wedding we could conveniently share a bed for the rest of our stay.
Wasn’t that thoughtful of him?” he said with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
I swallowed and refused to answer.
His eyes narrowed. “I warned you not to get any ideas, Grace. I wasn’t playing a game.
The king and I have plans. Great plans. And you will not be allowed to divert them.
Oh, don’t look at me like that, I said I wouldn’t fuck you, and I meant it.
Trust me. But you should prepare yourself for our union.
You’ll bleed before it, or during. My advice is to be certain it’s before the wedding, and ask the servants to assist with your laundry when you do,” he said in a strange tone.
What was he suggesting?
I nodded once, praying he’d leave me alone, so I could focus on Koa, who was still doing cartwheels in my chest, and screaming her joy at the approach of her mate.
Instead, we were interrupted by the arrival of Jade, knocking on the door, then entering with her eyes down. “Mistress, you asked me to attend when you returned?” she asked meekly.
I hadn’t. But thank you, God.
“Yes,” I said before Breckon could send her away. “My Lord has graciously returned me early, because I’m very weary,” I said, shooting a look at him. “If you could help me dress for bed, I would be grateful.”
“Of course.” She didn’t lift her eyes, but started straight for the bedroom.
I glanced back at Breckon and raised one brow.
He huffed and shook his head, but didn’t speak, turning on his heel, and disappearing through his door, slamming it behind him.
There was a key in the door lock on this side, and I desperately wanted to turn it, to lock him out. But I knew that would enrage him, for no gain. So, I balled my hands at my sides, then followed Jade into my room, closing that door and locking it, just because I could.
Jade straightened from unfolding a long white nightgown and looked at me with a wary question in her eyes.
“Thank you,” I said quietly. “I won’t forget it.”
“I only do my job, my lady,” she said, then moved to my back to begin unbuttoning the gown she’d buttoned me into before dinner.
But while she moved quickly and stayed focused on the task, I could feel her tension, and though I was desperate to speak with Koa in detail, I needed to know.
“What is it? What do you want to tell me?” I asked.
She took a deep breath as the bodice of my dress sagged forward and she began on the laces of my corset.
“I removed the key to the lock that was on the other side of this door,” she whispered. “I will keep it with me, so no one else can find it,” she added.
I swallowed at the sudden kindness. “That is very thoughtful of you.”
“Again, it is only my job, My Lady.”
“Then you are very good at your job. And I want you to use that key if you ever find yourself uneasy. Even if I’m not in the room.”
“I… I don’t know that I could—”
“Yes, you can. I’m giving you permission. And in the event that you ever feel the need to lock yourself in—any reason at all—I will make certain any that would challenge you know that you do so on my authority.”
She went still for a moment, then continued tugging at the laces at my back. “That is very kind, my lady. But, may I ask why you would think to offer such a thing?”
I sighed as the laces finally loosened enough to give my lungs space, then spoke to her over my shoulder.
“Because, while I am quite privileged to have lived a life of protection, I am aware, Jade. I know how unsettling it is to be under the eyes of a man who sees you as prey. And I imagine that you face that far more often than I do. So, if I can do anything to ease your burden, I would like to. I would like that very much.”
There was a long moment before she opened the last of the laces and lifted the corset from my body.
I groaned and rubbed at the reddened skin where the boning had pressed lines in—then sucked in a breath when I turned to find her holding my blade—which I’d slipped into the layers of the corset, alongside the boning, to keep it flat.
For a split second, my mind screamed that she leveled the blade at my chest—but then I blinked. No. She offered it to me hilt-first.
I took it, grateful, and a little sheepish. “Thank you,” I said quietly.
“The thanks is all mine,” she whispered.