“I told you, they are yours. This will complete the outfit,” he said as he placed his hands around her neck. Then she felt the cool touch of metal at her throat as he closed a clasp. Looking in the mirror, she was awed by the matching necklace he’d just put on her.
“Oh, Ian,” she gasped, reverting to the name she’d called him during their brief affair. “This is simply beautiful. We can argue later about it,” she said as her fingers ran along the jewels in the necklace.
The set had to have cost a fortune. This wasn’t a gift you gave to a friend, and since she didn’t plan to be anything more than that with him, she couldn’t rightfully keep it. But, hey, she’d feel like a superstar tonight.
“My lady,” he said as he held out his arm. Slipping her arm into his was easy as he led her from the room and straight out of the palace, where a limo awaited them.
Climbing inside, Rachel accepted a glass of sparkling water, then sat back and waited for their night to begin. She had to remind herself again that this was just a night out with a friend when his leg brushed against hers, sending shivers down her spine.
If she hadn’t slept with him before, she wouldn’t know what she was missing now. Of course, if she hadn’t slept with him before, she wouldn’t be here now. The only reason he was entertaining her was because she carried his children. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have anything to do with her. She was just a girl from the States, not someone worthy of being his queen. It would do her well to remember that.
But still, they spent a pleasant evening at a nice restaurant, then watched the opening night of a new musical, one with exquisite costumes and sublime vocal talent, and a full orchestra. The music was touching on many levels, and though she couldn’t understand the words, she could fully understand the mood they were conveying. The cast was thrilled when Adriane went backstage and congratulated them on an enjoyable show.
What a pleasure it was for Rachel to see firsthand how much his people adored him. The performers treated him with absolute hero worship, and their manner toward her was very flattering, as well. They must figure that anyone worthy of sharing the company of their king was someone they wanted to know.
If only they knew how wrong they were.
Still, she didn’t feel out of place. Adriane kept her at his side, included her in the conversations, and made her feel special. She wished he weren’t quite so good at that. This was the charming man she’d fallen fast for in Florida, the man who had made her laugh during the day, and cry out in pleasure during the night.
This was the man she’d had a hard time walking away from.
She just hoped it wasn’t so difficult this time, because she knew they weren’t right for each other.
He was a king, for goodness sake, not just an average man she could marry and spend the rest of her life with. Even if she wanted to marry him, it would never be just the two of them. He would always be owned by his people, and so would she. That wasn’t a responsibility she wanted.
Did that make her a bad person?
Maybe. But it wasn’t something she cared to analyze too closely.
One thing she was discovering about Adriane, however, was that he was made to be a king. He was confident with his title, the people loved him, and he would rule this country fairly. She felt pride in knowing him — even if it was for a short time.
“That was pretty fascinating to watch,” Rachel said as they walked from backstage, making their way from the theater.
“Yes, it was an entertaining performance,” he agreed.
“No. That’s not what I meant. You are good with your people, Adriane. It’s obvious that you care about them.”
Adriane stopped and turned to face her. “I do love my people, Rachel. This kingdom has done well through the years when others have faltered. The reason it’s done so well is, quite honestly, because of the people. They work hard even in the worst of times. They are dedicated to Corythia, and they are good to my family. There isn’t anything in my power I won’t do for them.”
“Then they are very lucky to have you,” she said, meaning it.
“And I them.”
Together they resumed their walk, the doors opening to a virtual mob scene out front. “I’m sorry, Rachel. Word must have leaked out that we were here.” He pulled her closer and his guards and a group of police moved in, blocking the people from overwhelming them.
“They’re just excited to see you,” she said, in a bit of awe as cameras flashed and people called out to their king, asking who Rachel was and whether Adriane could answer questions.
He smiled at the people, spoke a few words in French to tell the crowd he’d like to escort his companion home, and then moved forward, toward the limo.
Out of the corner of her eye, Rachel noticed a commotion, and she turned her head in time to see a small child being knocked to the ground. The people around him were so focused on the king that they didn’t notice that the boy was about to get trampled.
Before she was able to pull from Adriane’s grasp and rush over to the child, Adriane let her go and took a few quick steps, surging into the crowd, much to the dismay of his guards. He scooped up the boy, who couldn’t have been more than six or seven years old, and pulled him from the crowd, then returned to Rachel.
The boy had bruised his cheek in the fall, and there was a tear on his face as he leaned his head against Adriane’s shoulder.
“Oh, sweetie, you must have been so scared,” Rachel said, extending her hand and gently running her finger down his cheek. When he looked back at her blankly, she realized he would have no idea what she was saying.
“Mon Roi,” he whispered as he raised his eyes and looked worshipfully at Adriane.
“What did he say?” Rachel asked, continuing to smile at the boy’s little face.
“My king,” Adriane replied, then spoke to the boy. “Où est ta mère?” Where is your mother?
“Elle est dans la foule. Nous sommes venus ici aujourd’hui pour voir notre roi, mais il y a tellement de gens ici que je me suis perdu,” he answered in a frightened voice.
“What did he say?” Rachel again asked, determined to start learning French. Otherwise, her children would learn and then talk behind her back. That wasn’t going to happen.
“He is here with his mother. The two of them got separated as the crowd grew,” Adriane told her.