Chapter 114
[ 1,089 words ]
Arabella Toussaint:
I was halfway through my second chocolate croissant when the warm chocolate squeezed out from the other end and landed on my lower lip and chin. I quickly licked it, only to realize there was more smeared at the corner of my mouth.
“Enjoying your breakfast?”
I froze with the croissant still in my hand when I heard the familiar heavy voice behind me. Shit!
My eyes immediately searched for the napkin, which, of course, was lying on the far side of the table. I leaned across to grab it, but before my fingers could reach it, a hand appeared and picked it up before me.
Lucien held the napkin out to me.
“Thank you,” I muttered, taking it and quickly wiping my mouth. He pulled out the chair across from me and sat down. I lowered the napkin and found him grinning widely.
For a second, I forgot about the mess. I hadn’t seen him like this since coming back. It was the same smile I used to see before I escaped the palace, back when he occasionally forgot he was the Lycan King around me.
Something strange tugged inside my chest, and I quickly looked down at the croissant in my hand. Pushing this odd feeling aside, I pulled my plate a little closer to myself. “Don’t even think about touching my food, my King. I’m too hungry to share today.”
Lucien chuckled and gave a small nod. “Sure. I won’t. I already had breakfast this morning.”
I cocked up a brow. “With Jasmine?” The words were out before I could stop them. Lucien went still for a second, and I wanted to commit suicide. Why did I ask that? Before I could pretend I hadn’t, he threw his head back and laughed.
“Of course. With my fiancée. Who else would I have it with?”
I picked up my croissant again and took another bite, mostly to give my mouth something better to do. “Good for you.”
His amusement only seemed to grow, but thankfully, he didn’t say anything about it. He leaned back in his chair while I concentrated very seriously on my breakfast.
After a while, his attention seemed to shift away from me. “What are your plans for today?”
Thank, Goddess. Now we were on safer territory.
I brushed a few crumbs from my fingers. “I’m waiting to see if Victor contacts me or comes to the palace. Bradley said the message would reach him.”
“And if he doesn’t?” He asked me with a shrug.
“Then I’ll send another warning.” I reached for my coffee. “A less polite one this time.”
Lucien gave a slow nod. “Do that.”
I bobbed my head before sipping my coffee. Victor had avoided me long enough. If he wanted me to believe there was more to Anika’s murder than everyone thought, the least he could do was show up and talk to me.
Lucien had now taken out his phone. His thumb moved steadily across the screen, typing a message, pausing for several seconds, then continuing.
I tried not to pay attention. I lasted approximately thirty seconds.
“Was Victor the only suspect you ever had?” I blurted out, mostly to distract myself from wondering who he was texting.
Lucien looked up from his phone as though the question had barely registered. “Yes.” His gaze returned to the screen, and his thumb continued moving.
That was all?
I tore off another piece of my croissant and watched him over it. Whoever he was messaging seemed to require a considerable number of responses.
Was he texting Jasmine? No, it was none of my business.
With his attention on his phone, I allowed myself to study him for a little longer. His dark hair had fallen slightly over his forehead, and for some stupid reason, I remembered how easily I used to reach over and push it back three years ago. Sometimes, I would run my fingers through it while he slept.
It felt strange now, sitting only a table away from the same man and knowing I wouldn’t dare reach across and touch him.
A sharp command rang out from somewhere beyond the gardens. “Back in formation!”
I blinked and turned toward the sound. A group of warriors was training in the distance, and the interruption was enough to pull me out of thoughts I had no business getting lost in.
A few minutes passed before I heard footsteps approaching the terrace. I glanced in that direction and saw Jasmine walking toward us.
So, he had been texting her . He must have asked her to come here. I reached for my second cup of coffee and took a sip, suddenly very interested in the gardens ahead of me. I was least interested in Jasmine’s presence, but when she reached our table with an overly sweet smile, I had no choice but to acknowledge her.
“Hello, Arabella. How are you?”
“Good.” I forced a smile and gave her a small nod.
I couldn’t say the same about my mood when she leaned down and kissed Lucien right on the lips. My eyes immediately dropped to the cup in my hand.
Jasmine pulled out the chair beside him and settled into it. This breakfast was supposed to be my peaceful time. I had specifically come outside because I wanted some alone time, and now both of them were sitting at my table, disturbing it.
I wished I could throw them both out.
Then I remembered this wasn’t my place to begin with. I was merely a guest here. For all I knew, they probably thought they were being wonderful hosts by keeping me company.
“Arabella?”
I looked up and shot her a questioning look.
Jasmine had leaned slightly over the table, that pleasant smile back on her face. “Why don’t you join us for dinner tonight?”
Bitch!
I had been waiting for that invitation. Before I could answer, Jasmine turned toward Lucien. “What do you think, honey?”
Lucien, who had gone back to his phone, finally stopped typing. He straightened and looked at me before turning to Jasmine.
“Tonight? Sure.”
Jasmine rested a hand lightly on his arm. “She’s been here for a few days now. We should invite her to have dinner with the Royal family.”
Lucien slipped his phone into his pocket and rested his forearm on the table. “If Arabella wants to join us, she’s welcome.”
I tried to hide the smile threatening my lips. “Oh, I’d love to,” I said sweetly, and this time, I meant it.
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