Chapter 0059
I blinked at him, keeping my expression neutral.
“I’m the king. The power to help you take back your pack, put an end to Lucas‘ claim–it’s all in my hands. It would be in your best interest to befriend me and do as I want.”
“You’re not exactly offering me a deal.” I tilted my head. “And based on your politics, I don’t think I have a real reason to trust you. Have you signed the documents on Shelter yet.”
He scoffed, snatching his drink off the table.
“I want you to spy on him.”
“Tell me every thing he’s planning. Every move he makes. In exchange-”
“For how long?” I asked.
“What?”
“How long am I supposed to be your little spy? You know this vagueness must run in the family.” He flinched. “When Theodore made me an offer of a prenup and put this ring on my hand, his terms were vague, too… So I’ll tell you the way I told him.” I met his gaze. “I don’t make deals without all the details.‘
“I didn’t think you wanted to make this more difficult than it needs to be.”
I smiled. “I’m actually trying to make it very simple. Only someone with absolutely no intentions of following through on a contract would be hesitant to lay out terms.”
I crossed the room to the window, leaning against the sill. I was still closer to the door than he
was,
but not so obviously trying to get away.
“I thought you were a smart woman,” he scoffed. “Though I suppose that’s something that will never happen, in this lifetime.”
His insult wasn’t a new one, though it was a stupid one.
“Where did you attend university?”
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t need to negotiate with you.”
“I’m seeing more and more of a resemblance between you two by the second,” I said and pushed off. “If you are so assured of being able to… do whatever it is you’re after. I’ll take my leave.”
He stepped between me and the door, clearly threatening. I made my body relax, gauging the distance and bracing myself to fight if I had to.
Theodore
I couldn’t just wait in the hallway. The stone halls of the palace echoed with a quiet that felt
1/2
like it was pressurizing all of the memories I didn’t want to remember, so I walked. Not far, but far enough down the corridor and back. Pacing, essentially. What was taking so long? Why did I feel so uneasy?
As I turned to make my way down the hall again, I nearly ran into someone. Owen’s wife, Madeleine, stood before me, her sharp eyes narrowing as they met mine. She was dressed in the silks and jewels from dinner, but she had that ugly sneer on her face that reminded me of her mother in law.
“Madeleine,” I greeted, keeping my voice neutral.
“What are you doing skulking around the palace halls? Shouldn’t you be busy somewhere else?”
“Waiting for my wife and your husband to be done with their little meeting.” She glanced back toward the parlor. “And you?”
She lifted her chin. “Is that any way to talk to your queen?”
I smirked. “You are no more my queen as that woman who married you into this family.”
She snarled at me. “You should have done the smart thing and stayed away.”
I shrugged. “Damned if I obey summons. Damned if I don’t, eh?”
With a final, pointed glare, she turned and swept down the hall, her skirts trailing behind her. I almost laughed as I watched her go, wondering how someone could harbor so much resentment towards someone trying to completely exit the situation, and yet so desperately want to escape the situation herself.
I shuddered. The walls felt so much closer, so much older, so much more dangerous than I remembered. The echoes of memories rushed through me. Secrets. Lies.
Theodore…
I turned hearing my mother’s voice on the wind. My heart ached. I hated being here. I hated feeling as if she still lingered here in some way. A sudden wave of anxiety cut through my thoughts, sharp and unmistakable.
Violet.
Her unease simmered through the partial bond, tightening into something nearly suffocating. Whatever was happening in that private parlor was escalating. Was she hurt? Without a second thought, I headed back down the corridor. I could hear Owen’s voice before I had even reached
for the door.
“You might be a Donovan, but do you think that’s enough to save you from my wrath?”
