His Majesty's Forbidden Temptat - Maisey Yates Page 0,35
all.
And she would take it with pride, even if she couldn’t take it with happiness.
And she would have to hope that someday she could.
Even if it would be someday very far away from here.
Even if it would be a someday without Alex.
CHAPTER NINE
HE HAD HANDLED the aftermath of their encounter badly.
But his thoughts had still been swirling with the truth of it all. That Tinley had been a virgin. That she was his, and only his. That she had not been with his brother.
He did not know why he should care, except that he felt no man particularly wanted to have a woman after his brother had had her. For a variety of reasons. And he was no different.
And there was something... Something extraordinary about it. His.
Except, he had wounded her gravely, and now the time of the ball was drawing near and he had not had a chance to speak with her. But perhaps it was better for that. Perhaps, the time for conversation was over. They didn’t do well when they conversed with each other, but they did quite well when their bodies met.
Being inside of Tinley was unlike anything he had ever experienced before.
It had been a baptism. A revelation.
It had been...
It had been wrong. But it had also been something to chart a course by. It had made decisions out of problems, and for that, he was grateful. For that, there was nothing to be but grateful.
He was certain that his decision would cause irritation, after all, his PA had certainly made it clear to some of the men that the reason for coming to this event was to look for a prospective wife, one who had the full support of the crown of Liri, but... No one would express their displeasure, for Alexius was the King. And in the end, that was all that mattered.
The King would do what he willed.
And there would be whispers. For there always were.
He was done trying to silence whispers.
He was done denying that which he desired.
He came around the corner, toward the ballroom, just as Tinley came around the curve of the sweeping staircase that led to the antechamber.
His heart stopped in his chest. And then raced forward, as if it was on the verge of exploding.
Her red hair was loose, save for two small strands which had been woven back, and twined together. It was full and curling, and devastating. Her body was wrapped in a gold gown, which made her curves look gilded.
She had barely any makeup on her face, gloss on her lips and something shiny on her cheeks, but her freckles were still clearly visible. She looked like a nymph, a fairy. Something that had come straight from the Dark Wood.
An enchantment.
Or a curse.
She tilted her chin upward, her expression proud.
“You look beautiful.”
She stopped. “I do?”
“You know you do. You’re a triumph.”
He took her arm, and he could feel her resist his hold.
“We will go in together.”
“All right.”
There was a determination about her, that light in her green eyes that he knew well, and he had the feeling that she had a plan of her own.
Whatever it was, it didn’t matter to him. For his course was set. And he was the King. And so his course was the course for Liri.
They walked into the ballroom, which was already filled with guests. It was customary for the King to arrive late, as a formal presentation of his royal personage.
But he had a feeling that what Tinley did not understand was that she was being formally presented as well. And not as a mere ward of the crown.
When the double doors opened and they walked into the room, everything stopped. He looked out over the crowd of people. “Good evening. On behalf of the royal family of Liri, I welcome you.” It was a customary greeting, but one that was grim these days, considering he was the last remaining Royal.
“Tonight is very special indeed, as I am presenting to you my future Queen. Ms. Tinley Markham of Liri.”
Tinley could hardly believe what she had just heard. The future Queen? There was no way. She had been about to tell him that she was going to marry no one.
That she would be presented to no one. That she would go off on her own and start afresh. And he was engaged to someone else. She turned her head sharply, and met fierce, dark eyes that invited no argument at all.
And she had no idea what she was