That, and I was going to continue my quest to learn more about my mother, which meant I would hold Royce to his promise to give me more information. Finding out what sort of relationship she had with my father was very important to me, for it likely would answer the truth about how I got to the States.
I just had to push hard.
Chapter 11
Royce
I opened the door, grinning as I saw Anna shivering on the doorstep. “Why did I come all the way over to your mansion?” she asked, her teeth chattering.
“Get inside before you freeze your ass off,” I said instead, pushing the door wider so she could step inside.
She did as I asked, dropping her bag on the hardwood floor. “God, it’s freezing cold out there.”
I frowned. “You walked.”
Anna glanced up at me, her eyes giving me the answer. “Damn, I’m sorry,” I said instantly. I hadn’t even thought about how she would get over to my house when I sent her that text.
She arched a brow as she rubbed her hands together. “I still don’t think I’m used to you actually apologizing to me.”
“Don’t get used to it, pauper,” I answered, grabbing her bag. “Come on. It’s warm enough in the gym to thaw you out.”
I didn’t wait for a response, instead moving toward the rear of the mansion. Mine was different than the other two kings’. I much preferred the warm, dark wood interior and deep colors than the coldness of tile floors and granite. I don’t know why I did, but it was an exhale from the rigors of the academy the moment I stepped inside this place.
Bloody hell, I was going to miss this place, but it wasn’t the only thing I would miss when my time was up at the academy.
One of them was right behind me, taking in my home. I wondered what Anna thought about it. It didn’t meet my personality. I was the party boy, the one who liked the finer things in life, from my liquor to my clothes.
This mansion didn’t match me. Instead it was quite plain compared to Arthur’s.
I led Anna past the kitchen and down the stairs that led to the heated basement, feeling a sense of satisfaction when I saw what I truly considered my domain.
“Oh my God,” she breathed as she stepped onto the floor. “You have an entire ring down here.”
I did. It was my crowning glory. The entire basement had been turned into a sparring ring, higher quality than the one at the academy. Every once in a while I threw private sparring matches with high-stakes money on the line, preferring to be out of the academy. But for the most part, I used it for my own personal use.
I dropped Anna’s bag on the floor next to the ring, turning to face her. “I thought this would be better than the academy’s.”
She eyed me. “Better in what way?”
I couldn’t tell her the truth. I wanted her to myself, without the chance of the other kings interrupting us. After my ‘discussions’ with them both, I knew they would be gunning for me to separate from Anna and hell, I wanted my turn with her.
Not in any way other than the pleasure of her company.
Then we would figure out if it was going to move on to something more.
“I figured you could use a break from Arthur.”
Her expression shifted and suddenly Anna looked tired. “Yeah, I guess you are right. We are fighting like every day now.”
I fucking knew it. “I’m not lying to you, Anna, when I tell you that he’s looking out for himself and his family’s future. Without you, he isn’t shit. Arthur has no future.”
She touched the barrier with her hand, sliding it along the metal. “Can we not talk about Arthur right now?”
“If that’s what you want,” I said slowly, trying not to grin at my small victory. “Maybe you can take out your aggression on me.”
Anna laughed. “Don’t say that too loudly. I might have to do just that.”
I swept my arms wide. “Bring it on, pauper.”
Her eyes narrowed, but I didn’t wait for her to agree, grabbing my sword and walking into the ring. I wanted Anna to lose control and I wanted to watch as she did so. Arthur thought of her as some sort of princess in the making, like he could mold her into what he wanted.
I thought of her as a hellion itching to break free.
I did a few stretches, rewarded by the sight of Anna striding into the ring like she owned the fucking place, the other practice sword in her hand. “When do you graduate to real swords?”
I chuckled, palming the lightweight sword. “When I know you aren’t going to accidently stab yourself with it.”
“Have you ever?”
“All the fucking time,” I answered as I stalked around the ring. “It’s almost like a rite of passage.”
Anna just shook her head as she did the same. We circled each other, sizing each other up. I already knew what her first move was going to be, but I was going to give her the benefit of at least thinking she had one up on me before I brought her back down to reality.
All I had to do was rile her up a
