Royal Torment - Viola Grace Page 0,21
much more comfortable.”
She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. “Don’t you have guests?”
“I met them. Two were immediately dismissed by my mother, and the remaining four seem pleasant enough.”
She snorted. “Well, no matter how this turns out, thanks for showing up.”
They were inside the palace, and he walked to what turned out to be his chambers. She chuckled. “I wonder if I will get an invitation to the history quiz. I am really good at Kiidar history.”
He paused and then chuckled. “Royal tutors?”
“Of course. I have the best education. Tutors lined up to teach me. I had a thirsty mind and parents with deep pockets. I was a dream.”
He settled her on his bed and helped her with her jacket. “Why are you even wearing... oh.”
The bite from the night before had been a little savage. The marks could not be misconstrued for anything else.
He kissed the bite marks, licking softly at her shoulder. He raised his head. “Does it hurt?”
She shook her head. “No. It doesn’t. It does make me remember last night every time I move my arm. Fighting with my mother was difficult.”
He chuckled and pulled her onto his lap. He ran his hand over the back of her dress. “Laces?”
“Laces. They hold the dress up like nothing else.” As she said it, he tugged at the loops, and the bodice came loose. She slammed a hand to her chest, and he chuckled.
He eased her out of the bodice and the morning gown. He shrugged out of his clothing, and when he brought them back together, he was seated, and she was astride him. She rose and fell with him until they both shook and groaned.
She pressed her head to his shoulder, and he removed his teeth from her shoulder with soft licks.
She didn’t get her nap.
The invitation to the history test was delivered with lunch. She yawned and nodded, eating her sandwich and soup after Tomath had tried everything. She needed more food, and she was desperate for sleep.
She smiled at Tomath. “I want to go to the area where the testing will be held half an hour early. I don’t have anything else to do.”
“Excellent. I am disturbed by what happened this morning.”
“As am I. Wait. No, I am not. I deal with that crud all the time.” She snorted then yawned again.
She was in her afternoon dress, family crest, full skirt, and she sounded like a ball of parchment when she moved. Her hair was up and tied together with a thin ribbon.
She nodded to her guards, and they escorted her on a leisurely trip through the palace and to the library on the main floor. The staff that was getting ready for the test bowed. “Your Highness, you are early.”
Tydella inclined her head. “Any chance of a romance section? There really isn’t anything else for me to do around here.”
The library custodian smiled and said, “Right this way.”
She followed him, and he directed her to the correct area, and she grinned at the expansive collection. “King or queen?”
He chuckled. “The queen. I will be sure to come get you when the others arrive. Please, just put your selections aside and then take them with you after the test.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
He left her alone, and she picked a few books, finding an armchair, and she curled up into an elegant curve that she had been taught since she was twelve.
Forty-five minutes after she began reading, the curator came and nodded to her. She closed her book and stood up, walking toward the girls that were whispering base-born bastard.
She chuckled. “I believe that if you actually investigate, you will find that I was born ten months after the consort contract was enacted. Legal in every way.”
The two princesses paused and stared.
They met her amused gaze, and then, they both curtsied deeply. One of them said, “I beg your pardon, Imperial Highness. I did not know that you were there.”
Tydella cocked her head. “Whether you knew or not, you were still engaged in spreading falsehood. As a lady, it behooves you to make sure that your information is accurate, especially when it involves another lady. It would be unfair, for example, if I began to call your birth into question. I mean, your stripes resemble your fathers, but also resemble the major-domo of your parents’ country estate.”
The princess gasped.
The other princess smiled. “Oh hush, Meia. You deserved that.”
Tydella chuckled. “Thank you, Rohama of Rygon.”
The princess paused. “You know who I am?”
“Of course. I was instructed