Chapter Sixteen: A vessel for her king.
Jamie and Alexander walked hand in hand to the dining hall. Jamie had a perfect smile on her face and she tried as much as possible to stand upright and walk like a lady. It was difficult since the corset Rachael made her wear was cutting airflow to her lungs and Jamie fears she would expire in the dang thing if she wore it much longer but she had to. Proper Queens do not go around in male clothing.
Every time she remembered what happened in the king's chamber, Jamie turns crimson red in slight embarrassment and imprinted pleasure. She could only thank her stars that she could hide it well.
After Alexander finally let her go, she stood up on shaky legs and adjusted her outfit. She wanted to argue that she couldn't possibly go and dine with the royal family looking like a hog hag found in the dust pan but Alexander snapped his hand and suddenly, different colors of fashionable dresses and shoes were wheeled inside the king's chambers.
Alexander exclaimed that he had never seen so many dresses in his room and people were trouping in and out of his chambers without fear. Alexander then went further to reassure himself that the queen's room would be ready by the end of the day.
Jamie wanted to ask whether it was the same chamber Arabella occupied and he nodded reluctantly before he added that if she wanted another room she could have it. Jamie declined and accepted the room. If she knew Arabella, she had left some clues on her whereabouts in the room. And she plans to escape, find her frightened sister and return her safely to their father and kingdom.
Jamie wanted to know the wicked things Alexander did to Arabella that forced the sweet dutiful sister she grew up with to flee from him and landing her in this less than desirable predicament. Asking Alexander bluntly would be letting him in on her plan. What Jamie wanted to do was lock king Alexander in a room and beat the information out of him.
Jamie looked around as they walked. It was like the castle had suddenly doubled security and everywhere she turned to. there were two or more knights or guards. Bollocks! How was she going to escape if the rude king had suddenly grown a brain and anticipated her next move?
"Don't even plan to escape again, Janessa. It would be a waste of both your time and mine. And the punishment would be much more vivid than lashing, her majesty" Alexander whispered to her as they walked.
Jamie looked around nevertheless until she found a weak spot in their heightened security. Like her nursemaid Marge normally says, too many cooks spoil the broth. Who knew too much knights and lowly guards was exactly what she needed to plan and successfully execute her next escape. She looked at Alexander and flashed him her rarest innocent smile.
"How can you think that, Milord? I will never do such vile thing, his highness"
Alexander stopped. He turned and grabbed her hand and applied a little bit pressure. His face grew a little darker and his countenance dimmed. He hated it when someone else knew what he doesn't.
"I am warning you, Jamie. Do not try anything that would embarrass me further"
"Milord, you called me Jamie. Maybe there is hope for you, after all. Now, unhand me. We wouldn't want your beloved subjects to see their cold-hearted king lose his cool and handle their Queen roughly now, do we?" Jamie knew she shouldn't pick a fight but she couldn't help herself.
"I apologize for my brute behavior, Queen Janessa. But I feel the need to tell you that your next attempt at escaping might render you a vessel for the next few months and it is in your best interest not to try it"
"A vessel for what?" Jamie asked with a dark smirk.
"A vessel for the future king or Queen of Aradale, of course and since you wouldn't risk me burning down your kingdom to the ground by escaping and subsequently harming our unborn child, I would say it is in your best interest not to push your luck"
"You wouldn't dare!" Jamie fumed with anger.
"Oh but I would. Now, smile like you madly in love with me as we are here to be introduced to the rest of my nosy distant relatives" Alexander offered her his hand.
Jamie plastered a fake smile than almost looked real and took his arm "Like I could ever love such a vile man like you, King Alexander of Aradale"
He could feel his wolf growl at him for being a jerk to his mate. Alexander knew that Max his wolf was silently counting to the few days before he would be formally introduced to Janessa. Alexander warned him not to mark or he would lock him away for days.
He hated that the curse the moon goddess placed on him and his ancestor separated him from his wolf. They were two separate beings living in the same body. His wolf was his confidante and the voice of reason to remind him that they were in it together. Max had a violent streak to him that Alexander tamed a bit and Alexander had a temper that Max tamed too. Like his wolf always tell him, Anger never solves anything, revenge couldn't.
It was a lonely life for King Alexander and his wolf. He had never seen anyone like him before. He had being searching but werewolves were all but extinct. Now, he had to hide his beast. Only his sister, princess Rosemund knew of what he really was.
Alexander pushed the door open and marched inside with his Queen. He looked at the way, Jamie's face lit up with joy when she came face to face with the royal family. She was good at hiding her true feelings. Alexander was proud since it was a great quality a Queen should have.
Alexander looked around the table and for some reason more relatives were present to meet his queen. He knew it was his sister's doing. Damn it, Rosemund!