go ahead.”
The prime minister poured another drink. Jared had a vivid memory of tracing designs with the stuff over Keira’s naked body and then following the trails with his tongue.
“Prince Jared, was there something else you wanted to discuss?”
There was, Jared thought. Something about investigations. But he kept seeing his finger making circles on the inside of Keira’s thighs and everywhere else. She was as smooth as a baby down there. He’d traced the pink, swollen lips of her private parts with the sweet liqueur until she’d quivered, moaning in delight. Then he’d followed with his mouth and had taken her the rest of the way. It was the best damn shot of liquor he’d ever had. Then she’d reciprocated. It had ended up being one wild night.
“Prince Jared. Your Highness.”
Jared shook himself back to alertness. His entire body throbbed for his wife. He wanted to go to her right now and make love to her all night. She had the hot blood of a goddess, all right.
“Have you anything else you’d like to chat about or would you like to go back to your apartment now?” Rissallen prompted.
“Nope. I think that covers it all.”
“You will return to your apartment now.” The prime minister’s eyes were so persuasive. “It is important for a man to have some time alone.”
“Yes, you’ve been very helpful. I thank you for your time.” Jared rose. He was feeling much better about the prime minister. He was feeling much better about life in general. Life was great—he was great! He grinned. “Enjoy your evening. Prime Minister.”
Jared turned on a heel and strode to the doors. Nodding briefly at the security team, some of whom broke off to escort him, he made his way back to the area of the palace that housed the queen’s chambers. He started to go in the direction of her bedroom and stopped, remembering a reason he wasn’t supposed to go there. Oh, yeah. He needed some time alone. He couldn’t remember why, though.
He headed for his apartments. The guards allowed him inside after searching the interior and deeming it a Drakken-free zone.
Drakken-free zone. Jared chuckled. Funny joke. He helped himself to a glass of water and sat at the table in the empty dining room. For a long time he pondered the water glass in his hand. After a while, he grew thirsty. More time passed as he contemplated why he couldn’t get the water glass from the table to his mouth. Finally he put his head down and gave up.
Keira flung dagger after dagger into the wall. Each time Taye retrieved them, she’d start all over again, pushing herself for hours, until she ached from sore muscles and dripped with perspiration. She was nearly ready to fall over from exhaustion. Where was her husband?
By now her hurt from learning Jared’s secrets was nearly spent. It was safe for him to return. “One more round,” she ordered Taye, panting as she swung her heavy, damp hair over a shoulder.
A eunuch appeared in the gym doorway. “Your Majesty, Minister Vemekk is here. And Dr. Parekka.”
“What do they want?” It was odd having an ordinary attendant announce guests, but because of the rover incident she’d dismissed Tibor for the night, and she was too upset to let Zaafran place his military security men outside the doors to her chambers.
“They bring news regarding the prince.”
Keira sighed. More news? Hadn’t the staff given her enough news of him for one night, whether lies or otherwise? “Send them in,” she said tiredly.
Ismae and the doctor walked in, their eyes kind but worried. Keira gripped a dagger. “What is it?”
“My queen, I bring you news of the prince. I’m afraid there has been a tragic accident.”
Chapter Twenty
Keira staggered backward as if someone had punched her in the stomach. Her lungs tightened. She couldn’t seem to pull in enough air. Her fingers throbbed around the hilt of the dagger. “Is he badly hurt?”
“He is dead, my queen. So sorry. It seems he died by his own hand.”
“Suicide?” Her voice tore painfully from her dry throat. “Jared would never kill himself.” She shouldn’t have let him go off alone. She should have made him return here with her. Goddess, what had she done?
“He was terribly distraught over today’s findings. Perhaps he felt he could no longer live with such guilt. But it remains under investigation. He was pronounced dead only a short time ago.”
Dr. Parekka nodded gravely. “The body is in the morgue pending further instructions.”
Jared was dead.