Hester nodded, momentarily unable to think of a reply. They reminded her of crocodiles with their toothy smiles and tough skin and she was instantly cast into freeze mode.
‘You look pale,’ Kimberly commented with a concern that was a touch too solicitous. ‘Are you feeling well?’
‘Very well.’ Hester breathed slowly to regulate her skipping pulse. ‘Thank you.’
‘I imagine it’s been frantic,’ Kimberly added. ‘Such an unexpected whirlwind wedding, Hester. How fortunate he found you.’
‘Yes.’ Brittany had been watching closely with her sharp eyes. ‘You’ve done so well for yourself, I could hardly believe it was you when you walked into that chapel. What an amazing dress and make-up job.’
Their peals of laughter reverberated with a cruel edge and Hester all but choked. Because they knew and she knew—it was all a façade, as fake as their flattery and smiles were now. Smoke and mirrors.
‘And now Alek can be crowned King.’ Brittany sent another stabbing look towards Hester. ‘But I’d have thought you’d look more like a blushingly happy bride.’
Her cousins had said nothing overtly cruel. Not even they would dare spit bare barbs and bitchiness at her in the palace grounds. No, this was a subtle poison, wrapped in layers of saccharine politeness. But they’d always known where to strike for maximum hurt—mean girls from the moment she’d met them.
Don’t reply. Don’t give them ammunition.
But that was the old Hester whispering. The one who’d been too afraid to speak or stand up, who’d hidden every reaction, who’d run away…
As Alek had pointed out, there was nothing wrong with choosing not to stick around to be abused. It had taken strength for her to walk out and because she had, she was even stronger now. So she wasn’t going to let them chip away her new-found confidence. She’d taken on a huge job here and nailed it. What was more, while Alek mightn’t love her, he liked her and he respected what she could offer.
‘Oh, I’m very happy,’ Hester dredged up enough serenity to assure them. ‘Just a little tired from our secret honeymoon. We weren’t supposed to go away, what with the coronation so soon, but—’ she shrugged and her oh-so-polite tone matched theirs ‘—Alek’s very used to doing and having what he wants.’ She paused for a moment to bestow them with a smile as brilliantly fake as theirs had been. ‘And he wants me.’
It was true, after all. Even if only for now.
The satisfaction she felt wasn’t from seeing her cousins slack-jawed, but from the sudden lightening of her soul. What these people thought of her truly didn’t matter and she didn’t need to bother any more.
‘If you’ll excuse me…’ She stepped past her cousins only to see her security officer standing at a slight distance behind them. Worse, Alek was standing beside him.
She froze. She’d been so focused on her cousins she’d not noticed him arrive. Now she saw the question in his eye and knew he’d heard some of that conversation. Her composure began to crumble.
‘Is everything all right, Hester?’ he asked, his gaze fixed on her.
‘Perfectly fine, Alek,’ she said clearly, despite her pulse pounding again in her ears. ‘But Kimberly, Brittany and Joshua were just explaining that unfortunately they’re unable to stay for the coronation. They need to return home tonight.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Alek swiftly turned to their security officer. ‘Could you please escort our guests back to their hotel now and ensure they get on the next available flight this afternoon?’
‘Of course, Your Highness.’ The security stepped forward with an authoritative air.
Hester watched as her cousins—with furious wordlessness—walked out of her life.
‘Are you okay?’ Alek asked softly once they were beyond earshot.
She nodded. ‘I’m fine.’ She flashed a wobbly grin at him. ‘I actually mean that. I handled them fine.’
‘Not fine, Hester.’ A chuckle broke his tense expression. ‘You eviscerated them.’
Alek watched a raft of expressions cross Hester’s face. She was much easier to read now—anger melded with satisfaction, but quickly faded to wispy sadness, to settle on bittersweet relief. It was a mash-up of conflicting emotions that made her so very human. He’d watched, frankly awed, as she’d stood her ground and despatched her former bullies. She’d breathed ice-cool fire.
Those flames within her were so well hidden, but when she let them show? She was incredible. He guided her through the gardens to the terrace and into his private study. He closed the door, determined to be alone with her again.
‘I was thinking,’ he muttered. ‘I don’t think this should end.’
‘Pardon?’ She shot him a confused look.
‘Our marriage.’ He cleared his throat and discovered how truly horrible awkwardness felt. ‘You realise we had unprotected sex yesterday.’
Her skin mottled and she ducked her head, brushing the swing of her hair back with a shaking hand. ‘Oh, I should have told you at the time but I… I wasn’t thinking,’ she mumbled. ‘I won’t get pregnant. I’m on contraception for other reasons. I’m sorry if you’ve been worried.’
* * *
‘Worried? No.’ He needed a moment to absorb the hit of disappointment. It was startling and he had to clear his throat again. ‘Well, I think that we should tear up the contract.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Tear it up?’ she echoed. ‘You want this to end already?’
‘No. I mean stay married,’ he clarified.
‘Stay married.’
She seemed to be stuck on repeat.
‘That’s right.’ He nodded. ‘For good.’
She just stared at him.
‘I will have to have children some day,’ he said.
She didn’t even blink. ‘I thought you had years to figure that out.’
‘I think perhaps I’ve figured it out already.’ He watched her closely. ‘I’m not going to lie. I didn’t think I wanted them. Partly because I don’t want to burden them with…everything. But perhaps the sooner I have children, the longer I’ll be around to be King, so they can have as long as possible to shape their own lives, have their own careers, their own dreams.’
She was still staring at him, still unmoving.
‘We work well together, Hester. We could make a good team.’
Why
