Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
THE THIRTEENTH MOVE
‘These are all the Raven vehicles on the estate?’
‘That’s right.’ I hold my breath as Michael brushes past, his hand feather-light on my waist. He walks around the Mercedes, his fingers trailing along the glossy trim.
For probably the tenth time today I curse the circumstances that led to me choosing him as my lieutenant.
If he hadn’t come back, if his brothers hadn’t been such absolute tossers, then I’d be preparing for my coronation and, most likely, announcing my engagement to Joaquin.
Instead, I’m wandering around my home, trying not to scream with frustration.
As my lieutenant, Michael has to know all the ins and outs of how the estate works, as well as understand a political structure going back centuries.
My parents are helping him with the latter and I, in what now seems a spectacularly ill-conceived moment of weakness, offered to take him around the estate during the day.
So now I’m showing him the outbuildings, all the while doing my utmost not to think of his lips on mine, how he felt pressed against me, the absolute obscene heat of him.
I’m furious that I cannot seem to get over him.
‘These are the staff coaches? There was a similar arrangement on my father’s estate.’
‘Yep.’
It’s becoming more and more clear that whatever was between us in the Safe Zone hasn’t gone anywhere.
If anything, my longing for him has increased, especially as I can’t act on it.
Not because he doesn’t want me to, because he’s made it very clear he does.
But because I have to choose what’s best for my realm.
I’m about to turn away when I notice something odd. There are only three coaches here.
‘What is it?’
‘There should be four coaches onsite.’
‘Maybe one of them is on a staff run?’
I check my phone. ‘Not at this time of day.’
I don’t understand. I checked with the guards when we returned from the Gathering, and the numbers of humans leaving and entering the estate seems to mostly match up now, with the majority of discrepancies explained. But there should be four coaches here.
Michael shrugs. ‘Maybe it’s something to do with the extra guards in the Safe Zones.
’ Raven have upped their guard presence in response to the attacks, and we’ve advised the other families to do the same.
I also haven’t forgotten my revelation about Reapers, and what they might be.
But I’m snowed under with everything that needs to be done before my coronation.
Plus, if I want to go to the Pits and find a Reaper I’ll have to consult with my lieutenant.
And I’m trying to do as little of that as possible at the moment.
‘Maybe.’ I’m still frowning, though, as we leave the garages and head towards the small guardhouse. I’ve not found any more clothing left there, despite checking several times. ‘So, this is where food deliveries come in, and—’
‘E, I can figure this stuff out myself. You don’t have to show me around. In fact, what I imagine you should be doing is preparing for your birthday ball.’
Damn him. The ball is a week away, guests arriving soon. It’s not like I have to do much except show up, though. I offered to help with organising it, but my mother wouldn’t hear of it, telling me I wasn’t to dream of arranging my own birthday party.
‘You don’t have to do this at all.’ He’s grinning now, his arms folded. ‘So, the only conclusion I can come to is that you want to spend more time with me.’
My mouth drops open. ‘You are truly just…’ Words fail me.
‘Just…?’ His grin widens, one eyebrow raised. ‘I can’t wait to hear what you think of me. Because I know you do. Think of me, that is. I think of you, too. In all kinds of ways.’
‘Oh!’ Fuming, I turn on my heel and march back towards the house, his laughter following me.
I cannot escape him. Over the next few days, despite my best efforts, I see Michael everywhere.
Laughing in the library with my mother. Practising drills with Varin (I stood there, mouth agape, before I realised what I was doing and fled, heat in my cheeks).
Discussing strategy with my father in the War Room.
He is infuriating.
He’s also, I realise, absolutely born to this role. What a fool I was in the Safe Zone, thinking I needed to work out how to fit him into my world. He was born into it, just as I was.
Joaquin is also everywhere. Except, possibly, where he’d most like to be.
My bed. But it doesn’t stop him from grabbing me at every opportunity, pulling me into alcoves for heated kisses, whirling me around the empty ballroom until I’m breathless with laughter.
I enjoy his company, truly. And he’s definitely hot.
But I cannot bring myself to sleep with him, not yet.
Something about the way he waits for me in the shadows reminds me of Kyle, of sneaking around.
At least, I keep telling myself that’s the reason.
It’s what I tell Sophie, too, when we catch up for the first time since the Gathering. She’s back at work, seemingly recovered from her ordeal at Versailles. We screamed, throwing our arms around each other when we finally met again. And now, of course, she wants to know everything.
‘Half your luck, honestly.’
Sophie, leaning back on a pile of sacks, takes a bite of apple. There’s oil smudged across one cheek, more smeared across her grey jumpsuit, the Raven crest in black on the pocket. We’re in one of the cavernous garages at the edge of the estate, and I’m telling her my woes.
‘What?’
‘I only wish I had two hot men after me.’ She taps on her phone.
‘I mean, seriously. Look at them!’ She shows me a news article, with a photo of me at the Gathering.
Michael stands next to me, broad-shouldered and serious, beautiful in his dark suit.
On my other side is Joaquin, all glowering sexiness.
‘Ugh.’ I flop back, my hand to my head. ‘I knowwww.’
Sophie giggles. ‘Things could be worse.’
She’s right. Things could be a hell of a lot worse. I sit up. ‘I’m sorry,’ I say. ‘I shouldn’t be going on like this.’
‘You absolutely should! What are friends for, if not to discuss the merits of which hot person to kiss? I’m assuming you’ve kissed them both, anyway.’
I grimace, covering my face with my hands. Sophie squeals.
‘What do I doooo?’ I groan.
‘What you do,’ Sophie says, ‘is enjoy yourself. Your life is going to change so much, you need to have some fun. You’ve made no promises to anyone, have you? You’re the one with the power here.’
‘I guess so.’ I pause, overcome. It’s just so nice to sit with a friend and have no one expecting anything from me.
‘I get it.’ Sophie’s voice softens. ‘I know you have all the boys and dresses and power, but I can appreciate how … intense this all must be. You can always come and talk to me, you know.’
‘Thanks.’
Sophie smiles, but something glimmers in her blue gaze. ‘Just promise me that you won’t give up, that you’ll keep trying to change things. Don’t let all this coronation shit overwhelm you, or these boys distract you. I saw the Channel Islands, remember? You can do this.’
‘I won’t.’ I blink away tears.
‘Besides, there’s always Varin if this doesn’t pan out,’ she says with a giggle.
‘Break’s over. Back to it!’ A tall man walks into the garage, clad in Raven camouflage.
It’s the guard who drove me back to Dark Haven after Kyle’s kidnap attempt.
I made sure he got a commendation and a bonus, afterwards.
He’s also the one whose voice I heard in the guardhouse.
When he sees me, he stops short, then salutes.
‘Lady Raven. Forgive me.’
‘It’s fine.’ I get up, brushing my hands down my skirt. ‘It’s nice to see you again.’
‘And you, my lady.’ He glances from me to Sophie.
‘I should get back,’ Sophie murmurs, touching my hand. She heads over to the workbench, picking up a polishing rag.
‘Can I escort you anywhere, my lady?’ The guard holds out his arm.
I smile. ‘No, thank you. I know my way back this time.’
He returns my smile, inclining his head. ‘Of course.’
I leave the garage, but something makes me look back.
The guard and Sophie are standing close together, talking.
Then she throws her arms around his neck.
I look away, wanting to give them privacy.
I’m delighted for her – I don’t want to be the only one who’s been kissing hot guys.
She better be ready to give me every detail next time I see her, though.
But when I look back again, they’re both gone.
* * *
‘Dammit!’ I drop the wooden practice sword, my arms and shoulders aching. ‘I cannot get the thirteenth strike today.’
‘Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ve only been training a short while, so to have already learnt the Morningstar, even at a slow pace, is remarkable.’ Varin, shirtless as usual, folds his arms. ‘You remind me of your father.’
I pout, still frustrated. By a lot of things, not just the Morningstar.
Joaquin is closeted with his entourage, feeding, and I took the opportunity to come downstairs, hoping time in the practice ring might help burn some of my tension away.
But it’s just making things worse. ‘I just… The angle, when you do it. Could you show me again, but more slowly?’
‘Maybe I can help?’ Michael’s voice is quiet.
I start, then blush all over. I had no idea he was watching.
‘Of course. If you don’t mind, please remove your shirt, so Emelia can better see the pattern of breath.’ Varin nods appraisingly as Michael enters the ring. ‘Are you all right with that, Emelia? Michael has been training with me, as you know, and is proficient in these movements.’
‘It’s fine.’ I’m very conscious of being sweaty and dirty, especially when Michael removes his shirt, hanging it over the barrier at the edge of the ring.
God and darkness, he’s beautiful. Yet there are scars on his golden skin, biting across his ribcage, along one smooth pec, silvery white marks of trauma. I want to touch them all, smooth the hurt from him.
He takes a practice sword from the rack, and steps into the first position.
Then, graceful as water flowing, he moves through the Morningstar.
Slow enough that I can see what he’s doing, yet with such control and precision I know he can do it far more quickly should he wish.
I try not to stare at his bunching abs, the muscles in his arms, his beautiful strong back, as he pivots and strikes.
When he gets to the thirteenth move, I watch carefully, but can’t see where I’m going wrong. It looks like what I think I’m doing, yet somehow I’m not.
‘Very nice,’ Varin nods his head approvingly as Michael finishes. ‘Emelia, try it again.’
Feeling as though my entire body is blushing, I start the routine once more. When I get to number thirteen, Michael stops me.
Then, oh darkness, he comes up behind me, fitting his broad chest to my back, his arms coming around mine to clasp my wrists. ‘It’s the angle, here,’ he says. ‘Your wrists are slightly out of alignment.’ He moves my hand, then takes me through the strike again.
It flows, perfectly.
‘Yes!’ Varin claps his hands. ‘Again!’
We repeat the strike, over and over, Varin clapping the beat for us. And, under cover of one of the claps, Michael’s mouth comes to my ear.
‘Will you come and see me?’
‘I can’t. You know why,’ I whisper, barely moving my mouth, as Varin claps again.
‘How do you know this isn’t a work request?’
‘Because you would have asked me like a normal person.’ I snap, slightly.
He releases me, stepping back. He’s breathing harder, perhaps, than he needs to, considering how slowly we were moving. ‘I hope that helped.’ He is all politeness. But heat lies in his gaze. I feel its answer in my own.
‘It really did. Thank you.’ I hope Varin puts my flushed face down to all the work I’ve been doing.
‘How’s your shoulder, Michael?’ Varin asks. ‘Did you get it looked at?’
‘What happened to your shoulder?’
Michael’s stormy gaze slants my way, a grin tugging the curve of his mouth. I glare at him.
‘A statue fell as I was passing. In the gallery.’
I grab a glass of water and drink it down. ‘Is that where that bruise is from?’ I’d noticed it, a smudge of purple across one smooth shoulder, but thought it was from training.
‘Hmm.’ He gulps down his own water. ‘Luckily I spotted it moving and got out the way before it landed on my head.’ He shrugs his shirt back on, and I try not to stare as he does up the buttons.
‘Prince Joaquin and his entourage have played several pranks since staying here.’ Varin’s voice is tight. ‘Things that, perhaps, would not trouble vampires overmuch. But they might need reminding that both you and your lieutenant are human, my lady.’
‘I’ll speak to them,’ I say, shaken. What in darkness? I grow cold at the thought of what could have happened, if the statue landed true.
I cannot bear to lose him. But I also cannot have him.
I suppose all I can do is protect him.