Page 9 of Alpha's Embrace

Laro uncuffed me and the metal clinked as he fastened the cuffs back onto his belt.

As we entered my room, he said to Laro, “Leave the door open, please.” Then to the nurse and the man leaning against the wall, he said, “Remain outside please.”

“Bad idea,” said the smirking man at the wall.

I wondered who he was. He didn’t seem like a king, and certainly he should not be talking with such disrespect to one.

But Geo merely said, “We’ll see, Tory.”

“I’m sure you will,” said Tory.

I smiled at the rude Alpha’s statement. Maybe he was afraid for Geo. This was a foreign place for a visiting king. Plus, Geo was glove-less. But as I looked him over, I knew that Geo wasn’t afraid of anything. He had a knightly look about him. He would not be one to test in combat.

We stood in the center of my room before I gestured to the bed. It was neatly made, as I liked it. “I use this as my couch. Will you sit, Your Grace?”

He looked down at it and his lower lip caught between his teeth. I took no offense. In fact, it made his mouth look even more delightful.

He sat and looked at me expectantly.

Immediately, I dropped to the floor at his feet, crossing my legs and leaning forward on my knees.

“Why do you call me Your Grace?” he asked.

“Ah. Yes. You are a king, are you not?” Perhaps he wanted to be addressed by another title?

“No.”

“Chief, then,” I decided. It might make him more comfortable. “You said so yourself. It is a synonym for king. I prefer king.”

“You do? Hmm.”

“Are you interviewing all the princes as you tour the castle?” I asked.

He blinked as if trying to make sense of me. I didn’t mind. A culture clash was to be expected.

“Most of the—uh—princes here do not speak. Those who do have trouble articulating and focusing. But I am trying my best.”

“Did you talk to Cedric yet?”

“I did. He is—interesting.”

“Yes. He is.”

“Misha, if I may ask--”

“You may ask me anything, Your Grace.”

“Because of your talents and intelligence, are you given any extra things to do?”

“Like what?”

“Do you help out around here? Has anyone ever asked you to?”

I shook my head. “I am in isolation until the day I am ready to rule. And outside my room, I am cuffed.”

“Ready to rule, you say?”

I nodded.