Page 23 of Mated to the Crown
“I can’t believe this shit.” Isla mutters.
Isla looks like she is going to scream. Her normally posed stance is so askew, her face is bright red and if she could I’m sure there would be steam coming out of her ears. I try to hold back my laugh.
“Which part? The part where I’m here or the part where Sandra is trying to double cross you?
” I lean back against a pillar in the chapel.
Most of the audience has filtered out. Some family members and higher level servants are seated near the back.
Isla is standing and Sandra is currently being cuffed by the guards.
Isla whips her head to me, pointing a finger at me.
“I thought you were dead.” She snarls.
“That was the point, sister.” I roll my eyes, crossing my arms across my chest. “You wanted the throne so badly, so I disappeared. Made the whole thing easier for you.” I push off the pillar, stepping closer to her.
She was tall, but not as tall as I was. I lean closer to her, lowering my voice.
“Since you know, you faked the whole Goddess mark.”
“How dare you.” She shakes her head but steps back, pushing past me to walk toward Sandra. I glance around the room, realizing James is not here. I click my tongue, wondering if Sandra already took care of him.
“Where is James? I do wish to see him.” I ask, turning to face Sandra. She doesn’t hunch over or hide from us, if anything she stands tall and keeps her face neutral.
“Where is he?” Isla asks as she stands in front of Sandra. Sandra looks up at Isla before a wicked smile spreads on her face. “If you’ve hurt him…”
“Like you would give a shit.” Sandra spits before laughing. Isla shoots a look at me and I snap my fingers, rounding the guards up.
“Bring her to the dungeons and start a search for James. Start in their room and work outward. Bring in Jeffries, Morgan, Leslie and Harry to see if they have any ideas.” The guards all move in unison, spreading out where they need to be.
Sandra gets pulled away, her laughter echoing in the chapel.
I let out a sigh, this is why I left. All this unnecessary bullshit.
“Nicholas.” Isla whispers, walking up to me.
It has been years since I have seen her.
While she hasn’t aged much in that time I can see the changes.
Small creases in her otherwise flawless skin.
Her hair is thinning slightly at the temples and I can see the grays popping at the root, devoid of the hair dye I know she uses.
“I didn’t come here for you. I came for Malik.
To save him from whatever stupid fucking thing his mother had planned.
I’m not staying so don’t get your hopes up.
” I say it rougher than I mean to but it doesn’t change the fact I am not coming back.
It isn’t worth it. I would rather be in the Valley, holding Daisy close to me and building things.
That is where I belong. Isla puts her hand on my shoulder and gives me a nod.
“Sorry it came to this. Thanks for coming. You are always welcome.” She turns and disappears out the front door, the guards surrounding her as she leaves.
I let out a breath, turning to see where Malik was but he’s gone.
Must be fine then. I turn back around and standing in front of me are the servants I had asked about.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. I wanted to leave, not deal with this.
“Please go help Isla and the guards find James. I am leaving.” I mutter.
Morgan takes a step toward me and holds out his hand. I shake it, cocking my head slightly at him.
“We will do our best. Thank you for protecting Malik.”
I pat Morgan’s shoulder and squeeze past the rest of them. The longer I stay here, the more wrapped up I get. I need to get out before I get stuck in here again, pulled from my mate and the baby in her belly.