A Savage Debt (The Beholden Duet #1) - Zoey Ellis Page 0,31

library for her, and did so swiftly. She headed to her favorite section—historic love stories—to search for some of her favorite reads.

For the next two hours, Ana read through some of her favorite stories; ones that gave her comfort, stories that reminded her that hope and love and sacrifice existed. After an hour or so, she felt much better, and even snoozed in the chair as exhaustion overwhelmed her. She didn’t find another copy of her favorite book that Maddoc had taken, but she didn’t expect to. From what she could recall, that was the only copy. She cursed inwardly that she had been silly enough to bring it to the room, since now it would always be a reminder of him.

As she was leaving, her mind wandered back to some of their exchanges. He seemed convinced that the library was filled with information or texts that would justify his behavior, particularly with regarding the Royal Promise. There was undoubtedly no truth to that, but he had dismissed her denial outright, simply because he believed she preferred children stories. Perhaps it would be good to prove him wrong, finally have something to say to him that would erase the stupid smirk on his face. At the thought of his quieter smiles, a reasonable level of anger surged through her, but she tried her hardest to push it away. He certainly knew how to enrage someone; he had enraged the entire high society of Allandis for decades. After all, it wasn’t as though she was the first one. But trying to prove anything to him would simply mean she would be playing his game. And she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of it. However there had to be a text in the library to help her keep her from becoming emotional.

She searched out all books and files she could find that dealt with negotiation or interrogation. Of course there would be no circumstances that were similar to the one she was in, but there might be some techniques she could draw from. She took her time to read through them, trying to find some commonality with the scenarios presented. Mainly, the texts sited negotiations between farmers or landowners, nobles, and even sometimes with a Royal House. As she read on, the examples themselves became fascinating stories of their own.

“I am surprised to see you studying.”

Ana looked up to see her mother approaching the table where she sat.

“I thought you were going to try to get some sleep?” she said, smiling as she slid into the chair next to Ana.

“I tried. But I couldn’t.”

“And you thought studying might help you get there,” her mother chuckled. “I can see your reasoning.”

Ana smiled with her. “I thought maybe I could find some way to deal with the outlaw so I didn’t get so…”

Her mother watched carefully as you try to search the word. “Sad?” she suggested. “Tearful? Depressed?”

“Angry,” Ana completed.

“Angry?” The queen shot her strange look. “What did he say to make you angry?”

“Just the things I told you—that I’m stupid and I don’t know anything that’s going on around me…”

“You know that he is a manipulator,” the queen said. “If he is angering you, it’s because that is his intention.”

“I know,” Ana said. “I’m trying to find a way to be more emotionless tonight.”

The queen nodded thoughtfully. “I’m not sure you’ll find anything in this library, Ana. Not many studies have been done about the emotional connection between Alphas and Omegas.”

That was surprising. “Why not?”

“Mostly because royal couples tend to be extremely sensitive about their privacy. Usually, we talk to each other so that we know what to expect.” She tilted her head as she held Ana’s gaze. “It is really my duty to discuss with you what to expect with your bonded Alpha. This is a tricky situation, because he’s not that, but you can still ask me whatever you want to know.”

Ana fidgeted with the corner of a piece of parchment as she thought for a long moment. “You said before that I might have false feelings?”

The queen inclined her head. “Not false as such, but they may lead you to think that you are more connected to this man than you are. As Omegas our feelings are very overwhelming when we are with an Alpha sexually.”

“Does that happen for every Omega? Did that happen with you and father?”

“It happens to some degree between all Alphas and Omegas,” the queen explained. “But sometimes it is more extreme. As you