Page 32 of Wicked Queen

“Consider this me rescinding her invitation,” I growled.

Clara placed a hand on my upper arm. “X”

“Don’t try to be diplomatic,” I said, not looking at her. “My sister seems to be struggling with something. This palace is ours now. The throne? The crown? Mine and hers.” I pointed to Clara to clear it up for Sarah. If she wanted to see how far she could push me, she’d find out that it wasn’t far where my wife was concerned.

Sarah was on her feet, leaning across the table toward me. “Then why not leave me in Windsor? I see you have a nice thing going here. Who would want little sister to come fuck everything up?”

I opened my mouth to speak but there was a loud knock at the door. We all turned to find Norris standing there looking unfazed to find us already at each other’s throats. “I apologize for the interruption, but I need to speak to His Majesty immediately.”

“We’re in the middle of dinner,” I grunted out, willing him to understand that now was not the moment.

“Actually, we’re through.” Sarah stepped away from the table and Pepper stood, throwing her napkin down. They sauntered out of the room and back to whatever suite we’d arranged for her.

I looked to Norris, hoping for a reprieve. Now wasn’t the time to leave my wife. Not after what they’d been saying to her. “Can this wait?”

He shook his head regretfully. “I’m afraid not.”

“Don’t worry,” Edward said. “Clara and I are going to finish our steaks and then we’re going to eat everyone’s desserts while coming up with new nicknames for Pepper Spray.”

Clara giggled, but it was half-hearted. “Go on, X. I’ll be fine.”

I hesitated, but she shoved at me playfully. We’d been putting on a show here tonight, presenting a united front, and at some point, it had become real. There was a real possibility that if I walked out now I’d come back to find that door has been closed. I tore my eyes away from her and looked to my brother. “Force-feed her chocolate so she forgets that Pepper was in our home.”

“I’ll consider it an order,” he said with a smirk.

As soon as we were in the hall, I turned on Norris. “This better be good. I was in the middle of putting Pepper Lockwood in her place.”

“About damn time someone did. Although it looked like Sarah was getting an earful, too,” Norris said. He heaved a heavy sigh. “But I’m afraid it couldn’t wait.”

“What couldn’t wait—on the night my sister came home after ten years?” Riots had better be involved. Violence, at the very least.

“Parliament met for a special session,” Norris said. I felt the world tilt on its axis at his next words. “They’ve overruled your decision regarding Oliver Jacobson.”

“What does that mean?” I asked even as a flash of a bloody wedding flooded through my mind. Wish granted. Violence was involved.

“Alexander,” he placed a hand on my shoulder as if it might provide comfort for what I was about to learn next, “they’ve released him.”

Chapter 13

Clara

“I can’t believe Pepper was there.” Belle grimaced and took a sip of her sparkling water, wrinkling her nose. “Just thinking about it makes me wish this was alcohol.”

Edward surprised us with an afternoon private viewing at Tamara’s. I’d been hesitant at first, until he’d told me that the designer had created an entire maternity line inspired by me. She’d been a go-to choice for most of my wardrobe since I’d started dating Alexander, and I more than appreciated the gesture. It wasn’t the ego massage so much as the prospect of a day out with friends that made me say yes. I needed to do something normal—not an easy task considering who I’d married—and shopping would have to do.

“Me too,” I said, my hand running circles over my belly. I was unnerved to put it mildly. Although I’d done my best to hide it last night, I needed to sort out my feelings with my friends now. “I’ve never wanted to steal Alexander’s wine glass so badly.”

“Now, now. Neither of you are drinking.” Edward sipped his champagne while wagging his finger at us.

“You should abstain in solidarity,” Belle pouted.

“I wasn’t the one born with a uterus.” He seemed to sense he was on dangerous ground with that comment and shifted gears immediately. It was a good thing since I was considering pouring my non-alcoholic beverage over his head to force the issue. He raised his glass to me. “You should have seen Clara. She was the perfect queen.”

“What does that mean?” I demanded. It probably wasn’t good form to take that as an insult given that Edward was Royal, but every example I’d ever been given of what constituted a perfect queen was usually coupled with how I fell short of it. Considering what it took, according to Alexander’s father and grandmother, I was reluctant to fall in line. I wasn’t interested in being obedient or demure. Edward squeezed my hand as if to say I was overreacting.

“You stayed completely calm. It was spectacular,” he told Belle. “Pepper was trying to get a rise out of Clara and she didn’t so much as blink.”

That I was proud of, actually. “If you only knew. I was screaming inside. Plus, if she continued with that story…”