Chapter 41
Ruby’s
The full moon bathed Sullivan’s garden in a silver glow, casting long shadows over the lush greenery. And there, standing as if he owned the night itself, was Killian Budwick.
The King
My formentor.
My protector.
The man whose absence I had felt so deeply these past few days.
His crimson eyes gleamed–sharp and unreadable–as he greeted me with a knowing smirk. I remained rooted in place, unable to force a single wond past my lips.
He strode toward me with the same arrogance he always carried, his movements deliberate and controlled. How dare he act so composed after ignoring me for more than a week?
Our communication had suddenly been gut off, and I wondered why. Frustration burned within me, but I refused to showit–or at least, that was my intention at first.
Leia, my wolf, let out a small chuckle in my mind.
I think you should stop being so stubborn‘
1 nearly rolled my eyes before replying through our link,
Oh, really! And here I thought you and I agreed on everything‘
my wolf turning her back on me.
Leia let out an irritated growl, and I could practically picture my
Lying to yourself is pointless. You wanted to see him, and you’ve been restless these past few days because you haven’t
have my reasons for that, 1 muttered internally.
“Whatever you say. If I were you, I’d just take this sexy man. Villain or not, he’s the better choice
Before I could respond, the link was severed–one–sided and abrupt
Killian knew. Of course, he knew,
I but the inside of my cheek, wondering what I should do. Backing away wouldn’t work, but moving closer felt just as wrong. As Killian stepped forward, towering over me, his presence became an unshakable force.
I should have turned away.
I should have left him standing there
But I didn’t
“No answer for me?”
My hands clenched at the sides of my gown. That man seined to enjoy the reactions he provoked from me. Lying had never come easy to me—il had taken tremendous effort ju master It was an achievement that I could now play mind games and deceive the traitors within my ranks
I had worked hard for that
But in from of him—this King–I was powerless. Even if I tried, he could smell any hes from aniles away
“Did I make you angry!”
Killian smirked. “Ah, I love this fiery temper of yours. Would you care to show me a little more of it?”
“Forgive me. Your Majesty,” I finally rasped, bowing respectfully. It was a good way to start a civil conversation with this wicked man. “I did not mean to offend you with my discourteous beluavior. I simply do not know how to act around you after so much time apart”
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Chapter 41
Killian narrowed his eyes. “What is this way of speaking”
“What do you mean, Your Majesty!”
“Ruby Lucienne, I know you to be a refined and well–mannered woman. But we have long since abandoned formalities–especially when we have shared warnth in varinLIN WAYS
Heat rushed to my face, burning bright red. That carned a deep, rumbling laugh from him.
This cruel man knew. Again.
He knew I
w I was angry about our sudden lack of communication, about the way he had disappeared without
“You’re mad. Just admit it
it a worl. In short, about his absence,
I finally relented. “I have my reasons for acting a certain way, Your Majesty”
“Including frustration, irritation, and..?”
“Fine, fine. You’re right about everything. Your Majesty.”
“Ah, finally. It’s good to see you being honest, Ruby, he said, a hint of amusement in his tone.
Thad no interest in responding or continuing this conversation. Let the man understand that a woman could be truly terrifying when she was angry. I was on the verge of forgetting his status altogether.
“so. I take it there’s still something you want to say to me.
Glancing at Killian, I sighed. 1 had anticipated this. That man would never accept the word no
“We had an agreement, I finally said, my voice remaining calm despite my frustration. At the very least, I should know where the benefits lie.”
“Our deal still stands, Ruby. What exactly are you worried about?”
I faltered as Killian took another step closer.
“It’s just that.. y–you disappeared without any explanation a–and.”
“And you think I did it on purpose?” he interrupted, unimpressed.
at idea
I wanted to say yes, but that didn’t seem like a good
Then again, if I thought about it logically, I shouldn’t have been this angry or upset as long as our agreement remained intact. Killian was a king–a ruler who governed an entire kingdom. He had his people and countless responsibilities to attend to. Surely, his time was limited.
All the attention he had given me thus far should have been more than enough.
Maybe..maybe I was the one with the problem here.
“Tapologize, Your Majesty. I lowered my head, feeling small and ashamed.
“Well then. I’m glad this misunderstanding has been cleared up. You realized my reasons even before I explained, didn’t you?” he asked effortlessly:
Those crimson cyci–red as a sea of blood–gleamed under the moonlight. Killian and the word ‘sorry‘ would never belong in the same sentence And he was never going to say it, so what was the point of waiting for something that would never come!
“Yes, Your Majesty.” I paused, rubbing one arm with any other lund. “Hut I still want to question dut agreement.
Kilhan let out a quiet, deep (druckle
“Oh. Ruby” he mused, uking his head as if my words entertained him. “There’s no need to dance around the subject. Right now, you miss me
I suitened. I do not mass you.”
He leaned in, his breath ghosting over my skin
“Liar”
I clenched my fists, determined not to let him win so easily. But it was always a losing battle.
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Chapter 41
“You could have at least sent word”
“True. Bon 1 assure you, the matters I dealt with were grave,” he admitted, his voice softer now. “Especially those concerning the kingdom. And
His eyes darkened slightly. Dominic has been tormenting you, hasn’t he?“.
I swallowed hard.
He hadn’t touched me–net in the way a mate should–but his presence alone, his words, his games. He was killing me, slowly, piece by piece
And Killian knew. He always
s knew.
“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” I said, forcing indifference.
Killian exhaled through his nose, displeased. “A reasonable answer, yet you’re still angry with me.”
I met his gaze sharply and admitted. “Of course, I am”
His lips curved slightly. “Then, allow me to make amends”
Before I could ask what he meant, he extended his hand toward me, a rare gentleness softening his expression.
“Dance with me.
I stared at his hand, heat slowly creeping up my cheeks.
I should have refused.
And yet, I placed my hand in his
Killian pulled me closer, guiding me effortlessly as if we had danced like this a thousand times before. The night wrapped around us, the soft hum of crickets and the distant melody of the masquerade setting the rhythm of our steps. His grip was firm yet comforting, his warmth a striking contrast to the cool night air.
You look breathtaking,” he murmured, his lips brushing close to my ear.
I felt myself preen under the compliment. I had chosen this dress carefully–the deep blue fabric accentuated my figure, the delicate embroidery shimmering beneath the moonlight.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I mustered, still clinging to my earlier resentment.
Killian chuckled, low and rich. “Sharp tongue.. and yet you melt so beautifully in my arms.
I hated how right he
Our dance slowed, shifting into something else entirely. His arms encircled me, holding me in a way that felt safe. It was strange. I had never felt safe in anyone’s presence before, and yet with him, the weight on my shoulders seemed to lift, if only for a moment.
Is this what it feels like to be protected?
Rather than the one who protects!
1 let my head rest against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. He was about to say something when-
Footsteps
Hurried, sharp against the gravel path
Paruc surged through me as tensed, instinctively stepping back. Killian reacted instantly, grabbing my wrist and pulling me into the shadows of the garden, concealing us behind the thick ledges
The figure that entered the garden was not who I had expected
Camilla
I frowned. What is slae doing here? Wasn’t le supposed to be with Dominic?
She hurried along the pathway, her expensive gown ballowing around her ankles. Both hands instinctively cradled her swollen stomach, the undeniable proof of the new life growing within her–bom from hier affair with Dominic.
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1033 AM
Chapter 11
Camilla looked restless and frustrated, and there was a trace of anger in her expression.
But what shocked me more than her presence.. was the person who emerged after her.
A man
And then he spoke, his voire low, biting with accusation.
“Is this really my child, Camille“
Oh, this was unexpected.
