Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
So she had her guard back. They’d been much more subtle at Sanctum. She’d barely seen them, though she’d known they were there. Now that she was home, there would always be a guard on her door.
How much longer would she be here at the palace? How much longer would she have this family?
“Coffee, Your Majesty?” one of the maids asked.
Day sought her name. She was trying to learn them all because they were important to the family and needed to know they weren’t mere cogs in the wheel. “Elissa, yes, please, but could you put it in a cup to go? I need to get to the hospital as quickly as possible.”
“Why would you need to go to the hospital?” The lord chamberlain walked into the room, looking resplendent in his three-piece suit. “Is your majesty ill?”
She shook her head because all the servants had stopped as though the thought of her being sick was beyond what they could handle. “No. I’m fine. I need to go and see the queen mother. I assume that’s where my husband is. I need to go and be with him. Can someone update me on how she’s doing?”
Hanin shook his head, his eyes on her. “Now, now, Your Majesty. I can update you. You know how I adore the queen mother. I’ve worked for her and her family all of my life. I apparently overreacted. I was in a panic when I contacted the Americans to bring his majesty home to see her. I’m so sorry. At the time I truly thought she could die on us.”
“And now?”
He moved across the room, picking up the silver server and pouring her coffee with an expert hand. “She’s recovering in her room. Queen Yasmine is one of the strongest women I know. It’s from her breeding, you know. She comes from a good family. That’s important.”
Relief spilled through her. The thought of losing Yasmine had nearly crushed her, and what it would have done to Kash… She didn’t want to think on it. “I’m glad she’s all right. Is my husband with her?”
“Of course.” Hanin brought the delicate china cup to her. “Have something to eat, Your Majesty. When I saw them last, they were having a lovely conversation. There’s nothing at all for you to worry about. After you’ve had some fortification, I’ll take you down to her room myself.”
Her hands were shaking. How long had it been since she’d eaten? She walked over to the table and set the coffee cup and its saucer down. Her stomach was a little touchy. Perhaps pouring acidic coffee on it first thing wasn’t the best play.
“Elissa, do we have any tea? I think coffee might upset my stomach today. And perhaps some toast. All this looks lovely, but I need something simple. It was a long flight and I think all the stress is wearing on me.”
Elissa nodded. “Of course, Your Majesty. The lord chamberlain didn’t order tea for you, but I can pop down to the kitchen and be back in no time at all.”
“Thank you.” She glanced up to see Hanin frowning. Naturally she’d upset him. The lord chamberlain seemed to take offense easily. Kash had talked about pensioning the older man off when his mother was no longer with them, and Day was starting to agree with him. It was obvious the man had deep ties to Yasmine, but he didn’t seem to like the younger royals much. When the time came, she intended to ask Chapal’s husband, Ben, to take the role. He would have the palace running in a proper and modern fashion. Until then, she needed to get along with Hanin. “Thank you so much for the update and for this lovely spread. It’s all beautiful, but it’s too much for me this morning. I’ll have a spot of tea and go join my husband.”
They’d barely talked on the plane. Kash had sat in his seat, a beer in one hand, while he’d stared out at the night sky even as it had turned into day. She’d tried to sleep, but couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened.
Was he ashamed? She couldn’t overcome shame. She could handle him being shy, needing to go slow. She couldn’t handle being his dirty secret.
“Your Majesty?”
She glanced up and Hanin was still standing in the room. The other servants had all gone, but he had stayed behind. “Yes?”
He glanced back to where Malone stood. “Might I speak to you privately, Your Majesty? It’s palace business and I’m afraid it can’t wait.”
She couldn’t think of what he needed from her that her guard couldn’t hear, but she wasn’t going to argue with him. He ran the palace and there were certainly plenty of secrets to be kept. She nodded. With her mother-in-law out of commission, she was in charge. “Of course. Mr. Malone, would you mind?”