Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 115400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
I think I’ve already come to the conclusion that she will bear my child. Seeing that boldness in her this morning only cemented the fact that she would make a great mother. That strength and courage I’ve seen in her are the traits I require of my offspring in order to be successful as the next ruler of this family. My sweet angel is not timid or shy, and she certainly isn’t afraid of speaking her mind and going after what she wants. Any child would be lucky to obtain those traits, and along with my demanding nature and leadership, we could create the strongest ruler this family has ever encountered.
Excitement bursts through my chest, and I do what I can to mask the emotions brimming in my eyes as I fix Krista with a stare, unsure of what to say. “You might be right,” I tell her. “However, she will never be my equal.”
Krista rolls her eyes and slides my breakfast toward me. “No, she won’t, but I think you can learn to love the idea of having her standing at your side and being the woman you come home to. Everybody can see it, Killian. There’s a spark between you every time you’re in the same room. It’s electrifying, and I think you’d be foolish not to see where it goes. Who knows, you might even allow yourself to love her.”
I clench my jaw and drop my gaze.
That’s the problem with Krista. She has a way of forcing you to see what’s right in front of your face, and she’s not afraid to call you out on it either.
She’s right.
The electricity that sparks between us is like nothing I’ve ever felt before, and because of it, I am constantly seeking her out. I want to be around her and see the way her face lights up with happiness when she smiles, but mostly, I want to claim more than just her body. It’s a long road we must travel before we get there first. While she claims to understand who I am and what I do, it’s not the same as accepting it, and I don’t believe that will be easy for her.
Can I love her? Possibly.
But is she capable of loving me in return? That, I don’t know.
She has been hesitant during the week. Nervous perhaps. It’s hard to tell. She faked an illness earlier in the week to remain locked away in her room. I figured she required a few days to adjust to this new life, and I willingly gave it to her. Coming into my world isn’t an easy adjustment, and that much was obvious when she hid in the library yesterday during my meeting. She insisted she wasn’t hiding, but I felt the nervousness coming off her when I first walked in. She might trust me not to hurt her, but she does not trust the company I keep, and that is fair enough. She will soon learn, and after I introduce her tonight, they will all know that she is off-limits.
In the past few days, she’s blossomed right out of her shell, and this morning when she so boldly came into my bedroom and took what she wanted, she proved to me that she could handle it. It will be hard, and there will be trials she must overcome, but once she climbs through the wreckage and takes her stand by my side, nothing will ever hurt her. Though she must be prepared to fight for what she wants because nothing in this world comes without a price.
14
CHIARA
After spending my day lounging around the pool and getting to know Krista a little better, I stand in my room, staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror. I’ve never worn a gown like this. On second thought, I don’t think I’ve ever worn a gown at all. I was too cool when it came to participating in school events and skipped out on my senior prom, robbing myself of a moment just like this.
I barely recognize myself.
The plunging neckline and high slit add just enough sex appeal while somehow keeping the overall look elegant and sophisticated. The perfect puppet for my Romanian mystery to parade on his arm. My hair is pulled up with a few loose curls framing my face, while also showing off just enough of my back.
I’m just finishing the final touches of my makeup when a knock sounds at my door. There’s still an hour or so before we need to leave, and assuming it’s Krista with something to eat, I call out over my shoulder. “Come in.”
The door opens just a sliver, and there’s a slight hesitation before it finally pushes open all the way. I glance up in the mirror, but when my Romanian jailer appears in the doorway, my back stiffens.