Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
“I like that you always have something nice to say,” I tell Isadora and kiss her on the nose.
“I like you and I love this blessed night.”
“Me too, Vinny. I like how you appreciate things,” Isadora says. “I feel like people take so much for granted. They get up and go through their day, probably having a better day than most in this world, and they don’t even seem to appreciate it. That annoys me, but you you really seem to appreciate everything, and I like that.”
“Thank you for saying so, Isadora,” I say.
We continue our walk through the gardens, admiring the beauty of the night we’re sharing together. A relaxed chat, the bright stars lighting our path, and the sweet smell of the beautiful flowers. The horses are just off in the distance in a little kingdom all their own.
We eventually come back to the bench and I watch her get dressed, helping zip her dressed closed. It’s a nice sight. I take in the last few sounds of night before dawn comes and certain creatures go away and the birds replace those night mating calls with their sweet chirping sounds. Isadora pins her hair away from her face, and her cheeks have a nice tint, like a dewy post-sex glow. Tendrils of blonde hair cascade around her face, but no matter because it’s only going to tousle while she’s in bed.
There are words on the tip of my tongue that I want to say to her, but as I start to speak she kisses my lips. I pepper kisses down her neck, along her shoulder, and over the swells of her breasts, though we both smell delightfully gross. She claims my lips once more, and I allow her the control, the hard nibble she places in the plump of my lip, but when she pulls back she’s breathless. I lick a slow trail up the curve of her neck and over the shell of her ear, closing my lips over the lobe before the words slip into her ear.
“Night is my favorite time of day.”
Chapter Fourteen
Nathan
I arrive in the tea room a few minutes early for my meeting with Queen Ileana. I always arrive early for any engagement. I casually stroll the perimeter of the room. To all appearances I'm simply taking in the decor, perhaps considering if it suits my tastes. Actually, I'm checking for surveillance equipment. One turn around the room satisfies that there aren't any cameras or listening devices within sight.
Rather than comforting, I find the lack of surveillance equipment strange. A palace that hosts royalty and diplomats on a regular basis without a surveillance system in the main areas? It's unusual to say the least, and it could be dangerous. I take a seat in one of the high-back leather armchairs and wait for Queen Ileana.
I look down at my watch. The queen has exactly two and a half minutes before she’s late for our meeting. The click of heels on the floor tells me that a woman is approaching, but the steps are much too hurried to belong to Queen Ileana.
I stand just as Queen Ileana’s secretary, Theresa I believe her name is, comes rushing in, looking flustered, apologetic, and very nervous.
“Hello, Theresa.”
“Good morning. Prince Nathan, Queen Ileana sends her apologies, but she's unable to have tea with you this afternoon. She asked me to reschedule, at your convenience, of course.”
“Of course,” I say. “Tell me, Theresa, is Ileana not feeling well?”.
“No. I mean, yes. I mean, Ilea—her Highness is not sick.” Theresa’s voice trembles slightly. I suspect that Ileana isn’t a particularly kind person to work for.
“If the queen isn’t ill then why has she cancelled our meeting?” I ask as kindly as possible. I’m worried the poor girl might faint from anxiety, and I need information.
“She had a scheduling conflict. It’s all my fault, really,” Theresa stammers.
“Really?” I smile at her and she relaxes just a little. “I’m sure you’re not entirely to blame.”
“Well, I scheduled the tea, but… But I didn’t know Queen Ileana had another meeting scheduled.”
“You didn’t?” I raise an eyebrow and step closer. “But aren’t you her scheduling secretary?”
“Yes, but . . .” She trails off, hesitating.
“But?” I push.
“The queen scheduled this meeting herself.”
“I see.” Now I’m certain the queen is up to something.
“I didn’t know about it until today, you see, and I didn’t want to disturb you this morning.” Theresa blushes.
“Understandable, and no real harm done. It’s still early, I’m sure I’ll find something to amuse me.”
Theresa breathes a visible sigh of relief. “If you don’t require anything of me, I’ll just be going now,” she says, edging toward the door.
“No, I don’t need anything else. I’ll have my secretary call you to reschedule.”
“Yes, your highness,” she says, turning to leave.
“Oh, Theresa, one more thing?”
“Yes, sir?”