“Let me make one thing crystal fucking clear. If…and it is a big fucking if… I decide that I want the princess, I will have her and there is fuck all you or any of these elf pussies can do about it.” When York sucked in a breath, Xavier held up his hand. “Fucking save it.”
He turned and walked away, while he was still able to. At least he knew where the princess was this time. They were about to have a long, in-depth conversation. It seemed that Esral had some explaining to do.
There was a knock on the door. Esral felt like barricading herself in. If only she could take one of her father’s Ferraris and head into Sweetwater. She would purchase a basket full of locks and deadbolts for her door to keep them all out. Was a moment of privacy too much to ask?
As true as all that was green, her door opened. She cringed, expecting the scent of daffodils and was surprise when she scented water lilies instead.
“I hope I’m not disturbing you, princess,” a familiar voice said. There was a light thud as the person put something down on the table next to her bed. “I brought you something to eat.”
She knew she was being rude, so she lifted her head. A familiar face stared back at her. Large doe like eyes, curly chestnut hair and a bright warm smile. Glendril had been serving the royal oaks for many years. A few years older than Esral, she remembered how they would often talk together, she had once considered the female a friend.
“It is good to see you.” Esral said, making to sit. “Forgive me, it has been a very long day.”
The female squinted her eyes. “That’s not why you’re so upset, you have never been able to hide your true feelings from me, princess. I can see that you are upset about something in particular. Surely this must be one of the happiest days of your life.”
Esral forced a smile. “Like I said, it has been a very long day and I feel drained.”
“May I? “ The female didn’t wait for a response and her bed dipped as Glendril sat down. “We have known each other for many years, and at least I consider you to be a friend. Please do not misunderstand”—the female touched her yellow robe—“I understand my place. It’s just it looks like you need somebody to talk to right now.”
It irritated Esral when her bottom lip quivered. She had been doing so well to keep the tears in. Though it all suddenly overwhelmed her. The worst of all of it was Xavier. She felt so betrayed. How could he? And with Cheri no less. She knew she was being unreasonable, Esral did not have a hold on him. The whole wanting to rut Cheri incident could’ve happened before she was with him. It didn’t matter. York had stepped forward when she needed him and she had resigned herself to mating with him. Not just that, to being the best possible mate that she could be. Making sure that she was grateful every day for what he was doing for her.
It was clear that Xavier never planned on stepping forward himself. Why then did it feel like her heart was being ripped from her chest? There was only pain left in its wake. She sobbed, feeling her face crumple, Esral put her hand over her mouth.
“There, there, princess.” Glendril cooed as if she were a small child. The female tapped Esral on the knee. “Tell me all about it and you will feel so much better.”
Esral shook her head and only cried harder. “I can’t.” She sobbed. It had already been announced that her and York were to be mated. She had decided and resigned herself to the fact. It would be wrong on so many levels if she told another living soul about her feelings for Xavier. She could never slight her future husband in that way.
“Is it another male?”
As much as she hated it, another even louder sob was torn from her as Glendril’s words made her think of Xavier. He had the most beautiful smile, she loved how it brought out the little groove in his chin. Loved how his eyes had shone in those rare moments. Esral clasped her hand tighter around her mouth, whimpering as she tried to control the sobs.
Her father was so happy, he had looked younger and more healthy in that moment. It actually gave her hope that he would make it through after all. It was on that thought that she sniffed, removed her hand from her mouth and finally managed to find some sort of control. She was a princess, from the royal oak, she could do this, would do it. Even if it killed her.
She realized that she would probably never be able to love York but she definitely liked the male. Very much as a matter of fact, and that would have to be enough. At least he would never be able to hurt her, would never be able to make her feel this out of control. That was a definite consolation.
She tried to smile through her tears and sniffed again while using the back of her hand to wipe away the moisture.