There was only one final introduction.
I lowered my head in front of her. “Queen Caroline,” I spoke clearly.
Her expression didn’t change. She nodded.
I exhaled.
The music began and the intense focus on my every word and move was over. Guests were free to mingle, drink, and eat.
Damon walked up next to me, leaning to kiss his mother on the cheek.
“I had no idea you were flying in for the ball.”
“Sutcliffe called and told me what you had planned. I needed to meet the girl who has upended the country.”
I knew I was supposed to remain polite and emotionless, but my mouth opened.
“Mother,” Damon warned with a sharp tone.
“I’m trying to remember the last time the king had a royal consort.”
My mouth went dry as she continued her cold digs at my title. This was the opposite of going well.
“I was a child, but I remember whose mistress she was.”
Oh my God. If the queen assumed the worst, she couldn’t be the only one. I was mortified.
“If the Dowager Queen has something she would like to say, maybe we should go to the royal study.” Damon gritted his teeth. “I’m not interested in your public manipulations tonight.”
She pinched her red lips together. She was a beautiful woman. Like her children, she had jet black hair and eyes like coal. There was barely a hint of fine lines in her skin. It was hard to gauge her age, but her oldest child was 32, so that put her somewhere in her fifties.
“But isn’t the ball for the public?” she questioned.
I didn’t know if I should run or slowly back into the crowd dancing behind us. I could disappear and find one of those tunnels.
I looked over my shoulder and my heart sang. Brooklyn was here.
Before I could hear another icy exchange, I bowed. “It was wonderful to meet you, Your Majesty.” I looked at Damon. “Brooklyn is here.”
“Go,” he advised. “I’ll find you in a moment.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” I made sure to curtsy as low as I could without falling over. She may have hated me, but she was still Damon’s mother.
I made myself walk slowly instead of taking off in a full run.
Brooklyn laughed when I reached her. “This is unreal.”
I pulled her into a hug. “You have no idea.”
“You look amazing, by the way. Like an actual princess.”
“I can’t take any credit. I have a royal stylist.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”
A server walked up to us with a tray of champagne. “It would be an honor to serve the Royal Consort.”
Brooklyn giggled. “This is crazy.”
We each took a glass.
“Thank you.”
He walked away and we skirted through the crowd to find a corner where we could talk. I had completed my official duties. I needed a few minutes with my best friend.
“I’m so glad you’re here. The queen didn’t exactly warm up to me.”
Brooklyn wrinkled her nose. “Most mothers love you, but they also aren’t forced to.”
“What do you mean?” I was glad to have the champagne. The bubbles danced in the glass.
“She doesn’t have a choice. The entire country watched while she received you. If she dissed you in front of them, she’d look like a bitch. She had to be nice to you. That probably just pissed her off.”
“The rest of them didn’t act like that.” Although, I didn’t have a good read on Dominic.
Brooklyn shrugged. “Yeah, but it’s their brother. Not their first son. My mom is ridiculous when it comes to my brother. You know that. Thomas this. Thomas that. He is the definition of the prodigal son.” She looked up. “Well, until I met these guys.”
I laughed. “Ok, good point. Thomas has always had it easy and your mother never likes the girlfriends. Valid example.”
“I’m sure once the publicity dies down, she’ll like you. How can she hold it against you that you’ve fallen for her son?”
“Brooklyn.”
“Are you saying you haven’t?”
“No, I’m not saying that.”
“Then why don’t you admit it?” she pressed.
“Because do you have any idea how scary and intimidating all of this is? Look at this place. We’re at a ball. A royal ball. And those people behind us are princes and a princess. I have a royal manager. I can’t even pick out clothes without her approval.” I was starting to breathe quickly.
“Hey, it’s ok. It doesn’t have to go that fast.”
I shook my head. “But it already has. I’m scared to death that I can feel something like this for him so quickly. But it’s like the more I try to fight it, the more he has a hold on me. I’m in so deep.”
She smiled. “I’m happy for you. Try to enjoy it. Even if there is an evil queen. What fairy tale doesn’t have one of those?”
We both laughed.
“Oh shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.” Brooklyn’s face turned white and her laughter ceased.
“What is it?”
She cowered in the corner, trying to hide behind me.
“Him.”
“Who?”
“From the gala, him.”
I thought she was talking about the MC. “Yeah, I know. He’s the royal announcer apparently. Don’t worry. He’s not going to say anything.”
She shook her head. “Not the old guy. Him.” She pointed carefully. “Sebastian Roux. The duke. He was the one.”
“The one you went home with at the gala?” I questioned.
“Yes,” she eked. “Shit. What if he sees me?”
“Is that bad?”
I still had no idea what happened with her the night of the gala. On the rare occasions we had seen each other since, we were so short on time it wasn’t discussed. I assumed I would get the details eventually, but not like this in a room full of hundreds of people.
“It’s terrible.”
I looked at Brooklyn. “Did he do something?” I was worried. “Did he hurt you?”
“Oh God no. Nothing like that. No, he wasn’t like that.” She gulped. “He saw me. He’s coming over.”
There was no point in trying to conceal her. Brooklyn was tall. She was stunning and men always noticed her. I saw the man she was talking about and he was on a mission. He was headed straight for us.
33
Damon
“You realize this is beneath you.” I stared at my mother. She hadn’t softened in the years since she left Freychon.
“It’s certainly beneath you,” she snapped. “She’s not crown material. You know that. She will disgrace your father’s legacy.”
I leaned toward her as if I was going to kiss her cheek and smiled. “I am my father’s legacy. And I have chosen her.”
“American?” I heard the disdain in her voice. “Not an ounce of royal blood.”
“That’s enough.”
I took a step back. There were too many ears in the vicinity. Too many bullshitters who would eavesdrop and gloat over our family squabble. Happy that we were broken since my father died. One more sign the House of Sauvage should hand over the royal reins to another family.
My mother clicked her tongue. “Looks like Sebastian has the same taste you do.”
I rotated in time to see Roux’s hand land on Molly’s wrist. She tried to shake him off. What in the hell was he doing? He couldn’t touch her.
I cut through the dancefloor, ready to rip the head from his neck.
“Get your hands off her, Sebastian.”
Molly’s face was horror-stricken. “D-Damon, wait.”
I barely heard her. I gritted my teeth at Roux.
“Your Majesty.” He smirked. He let go of Molly’s wrist knowing that if he didn’t I would punch him in the teeth.
“Do you want to tell me what the fuck you’re doing?”
“Having a conversation with my tally.”
&n
bsp; Molly tried to explain. “I was only trying to tell him—”
I narrowed in on Roux, pushing Molly out of the way. “That was settled at the gala.” I didn’t believe he had the balls or the stupidity to bring that up here. She was never his tally. “You’re drunk, Sebastian. Go home.”
He laughed. “Not your tally.”
“He’s talking about me.” I noticed the girl next to Molly. “Hi.”
“Damon, this is my best friend, Brooklyn. The one I told you about.” She pressed the information with her eyes.
Sebastian puffed his chest. “That’s the problem. What is she doing here?”
My anger started to dissolve and I realized the problem. Roux had no interest in Molly.
“Who let the tallies in here?” he asked. “They shouldn’t be allowed at balls. And not in the prestigious blue ball room,” he mocked. He was definitely drunk.
No one else seemed to notice our discussion. “Shut up, Roux. No one knows. There’s no reason for you to announce it.”
“Lesage is here. You don’t think he’s going to realize the new Royal Consort is a tally?”
I wasn’t comfortable with where he was going with the conversation. He needed to shut his fucking mouth.
“I’ll leave. I’ll just go,” Molly’s friend offered. “I don’t want to ruin your night, Mol.”
“No. You’re not leaving.” Molly spoke up. “You’re my guest. You have every right to be here.”
Roux laughed as if he heard a hilarious joke. There was nothing funny about this. The fucker liked trouble.
“Guest?”
“Sebastian, please,” Brooklyn pleaded. “I’ll go. I’m sorry.”
Molly looked at me frantically. We both knew things were escalating. I still had no idea what Roux’s problem was with Brooklyn.
“Out here,” I ordered.
We hurried through one of the side ballroom doors. We maybe had five minutes before our absence was a problem. They followed me to one of the sitting rooms women used to use during balls. It had been aired out for tonight. There were fresh bouquets of flowers. There were crystal dishes with House of Sauvage chocolates and mints on the tables. I locked the doors behind us.
“Ok. What the fuck is going on?” I turned to them. “And I don’t want to hear your bullshit, Roux. The truth.”
Molly put an arm around her friend. She was visibly shaken.
“She shouldn’t be here.” He pointed at Brooklyn.
“Stop being a dick,” I snarled.
He glared at me. “You think this is going to work out? You realize you have to pay an exit fee.”
I shoved my hands in my pockets. “I know.”
Molly’s eyes darted back and forth. “What is he talking about?”
I shook my head. “I’ll explain later. We have about two minutes before we have to get back to the ballroom. I need to know that the secrecy of the gala is safe between us. Whatever happened between you two is your business until it interferes with me, then it becomes mine. You are walking a fine line right now with that distinction.”
Roux’s eyebrows knitted together. “You bastard. You get everything you want. Even her.”
“Molly hasn’t done anything to you. And I doubt Brooklyn has either. You’re being a royal ass. If you don’t want to be here, leave. Nothing is keeping you here.”
“Except Carina,” he retorted.
Molly looked confused. “Who is Carina?”
“His wife,” Brooklyn answered. “Lady Roux.”
“You’re married?” It was as if a small explosive had been detonated in the middle of us.
“Don’t look at me like that. It was an arranged marriage. Royal convenience,” he explained.
There was no rule in the society that members had to be single. With only a one-night commitment, it didn’t matter, but something had happened between Sebastian and Brooklyn. Carina was apparently a problem.
“Is that why you didn’t want to talk about it?” Molly asked her friend. “You didn’t want me to know he was married?”
“I couldn’t. We agreed. And it was complicated.” Her eyes darted to Sebastian.
He stepped in front of me, separating the girls. He slipped a hand around Brooklyn’s waist, tugging her toward him. “I can’t help it. I can’t get the other night out of my head. And then tonight I saw you by the staircase. Do you know I almost left Carina right then?”
“I can’t either forget it either, but …”
“But nothing.” Sebastian pressed his forehead to hers.
Damn it.
I interrupted. “Roux, you can’t leave Carina. And this can’t happen.”
“I know that,” he hissed. “Some of us can’t write laws and grant positions for women we love.”
“I’m not married,” I corrected him. “You would lose your title. Carina will destroy you. Her family will come after you with everything.”
“Don’t you think I fucking know that?”
“You are the reason Lesage has contracts in place. This is why he has to protect the society. What have you done?”
“Me? You brought a tally into the palace.”
I backed up. I realized he was mad at his situation. Pissed at the world. I received the brunt of it because I had Molly. In his eyes I had won something he couldn’t have. Personal happiness. He had no idea what he was talking about. Molly was the only light I had.
“Can’t we do something?” Molly asked.
I shook my head. “My hands are tied. I granted the marriage. I joined two royal households.”
“But what about the modern monarchy,” she pleaded.
Tonight was supposed to be about many things. Celebrating the cabinet’s vote. Introducing Molly to my family. Sharing our modern relationship with the country. It was not supposed to be about Sebastian’s affair with Molly’s best friend. It wasn’t going to cloud everything I’d accomplished.
I turned to the doomed pair.
“You two have less than a minute to figure this out. Molly and I are going to the ball. But the gala stays intact and I’ll discuss my membership with Lesage. Leave me out of your problems, Roux. Handle this like a duke, not a college sweetheart.”
I beckoned Molly to follow me. She was hesitant to leave Brooklyn.
“Come, we’ll give them a minute.”
We stepped into the hall.
She searched my eyes for an answer. “What is going to happen? I didn’t know he was married. God, Brooklyn looks devastated. This is awful.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know, love. I’m just glad that’s not us.”
“I think I should wait for her, in case she needs me.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not an option.” I guided her to the side door. “We have guests to speak to and a waltz to dance.”
“I can’t dance right now. Brooklyn is my friend. This is terrible.”
I tipped her chin forward, staring into her brilliant blue eyes. “There’s nothing you can do. Roux knew what he was getting into when he agreed to marry Carina.”
“But Brooklyn didn’t. What if that had been me? Our tenders could easily have been reversed and tonight you’d be presenting Brooklyn to your family while I had to watch Roux and his wife from across the room. What if she feels about him, like I do about you?”
I brushed my thumb along her bottom lip. “And exactly how do you feel about me?” I challenged her. I wanted to see if she would say it.
We could hear the music through the doors. The crowd chattered on the other side. The champagne flowed from the celebration.
She sighed. “Like I’m falling in love.”
My chest tightened. My cock twitched. I’d never wanted to take her to bed as badly as I did now.
My lips crashed against hers. “I’m granting your first request as Royal Consort.”
“What is that?”
“We’re leaving the party,” I whispered.
“But I thought …”
I silenced her with another
kiss. “Malcom will announce that we’re leaving and then I’m taking you upstairs.” If I had learned anything tonight, it was that time was fleeting. I didn’t want to waste a second of it arguing about someone else’s life when we had an enchanted future ahead of us, and a bed that was calling her name.
“Everyone will know what we’re doing.” She blushed.
I grabbed her ass, and squeezed it as we walked into the ballroom, slipping back into the crowd. I leaned to her ear. “After tonight, no one is going to doubt us again.”
34
Molly
The doors to Damon’s bedroom burst open as he kissed me, kicking them out of our way. His hands tangled in my hair. I groaned as his tongue plunged inside my mouth.
“There’s too much of this fucking dress,” he growled, untying the ribbon at my neck.
The straps fell, exposing my breasts. He licked the nipple before sucking my tit between his hot lips.
“Oh shit.” I pressed his head to my breast.
“Everyone in that ballroom knew one thing tonight.” He kissed and nipped at my other nipple. “You’re mine.”
I nodded. “Yes.”
He pushed the remainder of the dress over my hips. I stepped out of it, leaving a pillow of silk on the floor. I leaned to loosen the straps on the heels.
“No. Leave them,” he ordered.
I gulped.
“I’m fucking you with those on.”
I reached for his jacket. He had more layers than I did. I worked the tie under the collar, while he dropped the royal pants to his ankles. I admired every inch of his sculpted body. I could kiss him and touch him all night.
His boxer briefs were the last to go as I shrugged them over his massive cock.
His eyes lit with lust as I lowered to my knees to take him in my mouth. It was gorgeous. Solid and strong, pulsing for me. My tongue flicked over the soft crown, savoring the dew before kissing along the thick vein.
As much as Damon liked to proclaim I was his, I knew he was just as much mine. That was the beauty of what our bodies had found together.
I opened my mouth as he pushed his shaft inside with a groan. “Fuck, love.”
My tongue swirled with control back and forth, making his hips jut forward. I reached around, grabbing his muscular ass. He sank to the back of my throat and my eyes closed in complete pleasure. I loved how he filled me. How my body reacted to him. How I could do things with him I couldn’t do with anyone else.
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