Page 76 of 2 Books in One Bundle

‘Seems appropriate, given how you are dictating to me. And what about the crown?’

Her fork clattered on the plate as she placed her hands on the table. Vasili noticed how she forced herself to flatten her palms on the tablecloth as they tried to curl into fists.

‘It will end with me.’

Regardless of whatever Helia said next, he would not budge on this. He had decided he would not have children, and nothing would change his mind.

‘Do you want children?’ he asked. He had to know, because if she did, all of this would have to end right now.

‘I don’t know. I hadn’t had the luxury of thinking about the possibility all that much until two weeks ago, when I wastoldI would be expected to, and now again I am beingtoldthat I won’t. It’s my body, and possibly my family, but clearly I don’t get a say in this decision?’

She was right, so he couldn’t blame her for being angry.

‘Are we still being honest?’ she asked, after taking a breath, but he could still hear her temper in her voice.

‘Always.’

‘Then why? Help me understand.’

‘I will not have an heir and a spare. It is my mission to move this kingdom to a system of governance that will never again require a royal.’

‘You really hate it.’

‘I do.’

‘And yet you’re willing to do the duty you hate for the people you are now responsible for.’

The fire had gone out of her tone.

‘What’s your point?’

There was a shimmer of emotion in her eyes that she blinked away. He could see there were more questions she wanted to ask.

Helia shook her head. ‘It doesn’t matter. Not at this moment at least. But I need to understand a few things.’

‘Of course.’

‘You are aware of your reputation. I have seen all the women you entertain, Vasili. If I am not the one in your bed, and if you are choosing not to have heirs—children—what does that mean?’

That tension she had managed to let go of earlier was back in her shoulders. He supposed he had earned his playboy reputation and could understand her concern over the potential embarrassment she would suffer.

‘Are you asking me if I will stray?’

His voice had dropped an octave. He didn’t like her calling his integrity into question. He knew his reaction was unfounded, because he had chosen the path his life had taken, but he would never deliberately hurt anyone. Especially not Helia.

‘I am. If I am to be Queen—’

‘YouareQueen.’

She stared him down and continued, despite his interruption. ‘I will not be embarrassed by a scandal. My goals are too important to endanger them like that.’

Vasili placed his knife and fork on his plate and pushed it aside, clasping his hands on the table as he leaned towards her. ‘I will not be unfaithful to you, Helia.’ She looked down at her plate, but he needed her to understand. ‘Look at me,’ he demanded. ‘I may not have wanted to marry, but I did make a promise to you. Despite what might be said about me, I am a man of my word.’

‘But—’

‘But nothing. I am well aware of my reputation, but what you need to understand is that I have never wanted to be a royal.’

It looked as if Helia wanted to interrupt, but he wouldn’t let her.