Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“No.” And this time, Kyria’s voice was tight with anger.
Malik frowned. “What are you being mad about?”
Harper’s teeth gnashed. How could one be so dense? If she could be sure that throwing a glass of water on Malik’s too-beautiful face fell within her rights as queen, she would have done so then and there. Although Khalil had been reluctant to speak of Malik’s feelings for the girl, he had said just enough for Harper to understand that Malik had been half in love with Kyria for most of his life. If that was the case, then why couldn’t the idiot see how much he was hurting the girl he supposedly loved?
During Katerina’s stay at the palace, Malik had been less subtle than usual in the way he had flirted with the girl, and when the sheikh even flew all the way to Tokyo to meet with her, most people were convinced that marriage was in the works...Kyria included.
“Does that man really love her,” Harper burst out angrily as soon as she was alone with the king in their chamber.
“With his whole being, and probably more than we can ever comprehend.” Khalil swept her up in his arms as he spoke and carried his wife to bed.
“I know Malik must have told you what caused them to have this...this very civilized war between them...”
“I wouldn’t know what you’re talking about.” The king’s tone was polite, but his touch was gentle as he laid Harper on the bed.
She snorted. “No need to admit it. I know you guys don’t hide anything from each other.”
“If that’s the case...” His weight settled over her, and she bit back a gasp of pleasure as he licked her lips. “What’s your point?”
“Umm...” It took her a while to answer, that tiny taste of pleasure more than enough to make Harper lose her senses. Clearing her throat, she said, “That morning changed things between them, and for as long as they don’t talk about it, they’re just going to keep hurting each other.”
“Probably.”
She gaped. “That’s all you’re going to say?”
“It’s what I think—-” And this time, Khalil’s dark gaze held a serious look of warning. “—-but you and I and the others are not allowed to say anything.”
“B-but—-”
He said very gently, “Malikta.” My queen. “It is their lives, and so we must allow them to make their own decisions as they see fit.”
“I know that,” she exclaimed in frustration. “But didn’t you see Kyria’s face when Malik suggested KC’s schools to her? He was hurting her!”
“Even so.” The king sighed, and seeing his wife prepare to start arguing with him again, he forestalled her words with a shake of his head. “Let me ask you this. Has Kyria told you that she is in love with Malik?”
She bit her lip. “No.”
“Has Kyria told you that she’s stopped seeing him as her brother?”
“No,” she admitted reluctantly.
“Then you mustn’t say another word that could influence her. I know this whole thing seems romantic, but you mustn’t forget Kyria is just eighteen. She’s young, impressionable. A word from you and especially from Malik could change her mind, but would it really be her decision? My brother is suffering, too, Harper. More so than Kyria, I would suspect, because unlike her – he is certain of his feelings for her. Unlike her, Malik knows exactly what he had lost – just as he knows there’s no guarantee he can have it back.”
Part IV
St. Valentine was Contini’s winter capital, a city blessed with spectacular snow-capped mountains and flower fields that went as far as the eyes could see. Tourists abounded for as long as snow fell, and in the day, they would come skiing down any of St. Valentine’s majestic slopes, and once darkness ushered in they would take refuge in the hallowed halls of any of the tastefully opulent chateaus that lined the picture-perfect avenue of Rodestein. There, the sound of gaiety often rang well past the last hour of the night, with many guests delighting in post-dinner chats in front of the fireplace while enjoying toasted sweets and hot chocolate. Others danced the night away, swaying to the lilting notes played by classical quartets, which locals greatly preferred to any kind of modern-day music that involved screaming or head-banging.
Indeed, these were magical moments, but as soon as the snow melted, the crowds faded, and as spring turned into summer, a quiet would settle, and it was during this time of the year locals would have their beloved city to themselves.
Was it terribly selfish of her, Kyria wondered guiltily, to feel one with the locals and wish that it would always be like this?
Although now having reached the grand old age of twenty, Kyria was still unused to the massive crowds that winter brought to St. Valentine. She still much preferred the solitude of summer, with its fairly empty roads and how the air was mostly quiet save for the occasional chirping of birds. It reminded her of life back home, and although one could never actually be alone in the palace, the servants and guards there were so good at making themselves unobtrusive that she had never felt her privacy invaded.