Stealing His Princess (Kings of Conquest #2) - Adelaide Forrest Page 0,50

never outright said anything of course, but he made it obvious, regardless.”

She reached forward and gave my hand a squeeze. "Even without proof, I'm certain she forged the document. The way she and Corbin acted around each other further proved that they were colluding for their own personal benefit."

"How could I have been so stupid that I didn’t see what she was doing?" I bent my head forward and buried my face in my hands. She patted me on the knee, and the unfortunate reality was that it only reminded me of one thing. With Alina off to be married, and my mother no longer welcome in Lantis, my Kingdom would lack the feminine touch that a Queen or Princess offered. "I'm sorry, Alina."

"It's not your fault. When our father died, you did nothing but work hard to give Lantis and its people the quality of life that they deserve. It hasn't been easy, and you were so young when you became King. But our people respect you because they know, without a doubt, that you care for them and want the best for them. Mother did what she has always done. And that's think of herself. Okay?"

I nodded but said nothing. A part of me knew Alina was right, but the anger I felt was also because I could have fought for Bristol's hand if I’d only worked a little harder. Maybe I would have been able to convince myself that I deserved her. Alina asked, "Where's that pretty redhead I saw you arguing with yesterday?"

I tightened my hand around hers. Not enough to hurt her but enough so she would know I was serious. "She's not someone I want to talk about ever again. I would like to review the marriage contract as a formality, since I am the head of the family. That being said, I trust in your judgment. I’m happy that you found your match. I would have found it highly distasteful to walk you down the aisle to give you to Corbin."

She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug, one I returned with enthusiasm. "I wouldn't have survived without you."

"Baby bird," a voice sounded from beside us and Alina pulled back and looked up with her widest, most brilliant smile. "My cousin pretends that she’s fine, however I know she is troubled. But she won't talk to me." Reece paused, and I saw how the admission cost him. "Perhaps you could try?"

Alina nodded and gave my cheek a soft kiss. "Of course." They shared a long look before Reece nodded. "Keep an eye on him for a bit? He won’t admit it, but I suspect he needs the company.”

Squeezing my shoulder, Alina pushed herself up from the chair and ran off. Reece took her place across from me, handing me a tumbler with some scotch, which I accepted gingerly. Rather than taking a sip, I swirled the liquid in the glass and dreamed of smashing it against a hard wall. "I've told Alina that I would still like to see the marriage contract. I trust her, but it's a formality I’m unwilling to part with. I’m sure you understand.”

Reece sipped as he nodded. "Of course. Cheval will get it to you tonight. Now that we’re speaking with more privacy, I mean to tell you that I've had Alina moved to my rooms. I know it's not the most proper of things to do, but as it's something we both want, I find I don't give a damn about propriety."

I shrugged although it was still uncomfortable of me to think of my sister as someone's woman. But judging them on propriety would be hypocritical, considering what I’d done with Bristol. "As uncomfortable as it is for me to think of my sister sharing rooms with a man, I acknowledge that she is an adult who is free to make her own choices. I'd ask you to be discreet, but as you've already announced to everyone your intent to marry her, it's too late for that, I suppose.”

Reece laughed and threw his head back to down the rest of his scotch. "Quite too late. Even without a room full of witnesses, I would not let her go. I'm sure she's told you that I had to chase after her to the airport."

My jaw tightened again at the reminder that our very own Mother was so self-serving, she would essentially sell one of her children. "Yes, she did. I'm only sorry I