“I’m sure he would enjoy your company when you feel up to it.” They were both being so formal, it was ridiculous.
If killing someone with nothing but a look happened outside myth, his problems would be over. Her eyes flashed lethally, and yet he was almost grateful to see light coming to them.
“Thank you. Let him know I’ll be down in thirty minutes.”
With that, she turned away.
Adriane’s shoulders stiffened as he faced her back. This had to stop; it was time she got over her snit.
“I’m sorry if I offended you this morning. I still don’t understand what went wrong, but upsetting you was certainly not my intention.”
There. He was being the better man and apologizing, though he didn’t see what he needed to apologize for. Still, if it would get this fight over with, his apology was worth it.
“There’s no need to apologize, Adriane. I just need some time to think,” she said, walking to her closet and grabbing a coat.
“Where are you going?” He hated the anxiety that kept assailing him. With her brother there, it had grown worse.
“I’m going to walk on the beach. I need to clear my head — make some decisions.”
The decisions had to be whether to leave with her brother or not. Adriane couldn’t let that happen. If he did, he knew he would always regret it.
“A storm is brewing and the wind’s picking up, so please don’t be gone long.”
“I’m not worried, and I won’t go far,” she said.
“Rachel…”
She paused as she turned to look at him. What did he want to say? Was he going to beg her not to leave? He took a step forward, but his pride prevented him from acting.
“What, Adriane?” She seemed impatient.
“We’re going to be fine, Rachel. I know you’re upset today, but everything is fine between us. I enjoy being with you.” He was almost surprised by his confession, but he wasn’t unhappy he’d said it.
She paused as she looked at him, gazing into his eyes as if trying to read into his words, trying to see if there was a deeper meaning behind them.
She said nothing, so he continued. “Our marriage will be good. We will please each other. I won’t have another woman in my bed — I won’t cheat. And I will be a good father.”
“What exactly are you telling me?”
What was he telling her?
He didn’t know. He was giving her all he knew how to give her. He was trying to make her stay.
“I don’t want you to leave.”
It was unbelievable how hard that was for him to say.
Her face grew sad, as if he’d disappointed her. What was he doing wrong? What would make this all better?
“I know, Adriane,” she finally whispered as she came close to him and lifted her hand, rubbing her fingers against his cheek. He lifted his own and pressed her fingers to his face, not wanting to lose her touch. It was almost as if she were saying a goodbye. “I need to walk.”
With that, she pulled away and stepped past him, and he found himself alone, enveloped by her scent.
Unable to stand being in there without her, he left the room and closed the door. He had to collect himself and figure out what he was going to do if she decided she just couldn’t be with him anymore.
It was an unbearable thought.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
AS IF ON cue, the storm picked up speed. As Rachel stepped from the warmth and security of the palace, she was hit with a gust of wind so strong, it nearly blew her over. But she had to think, had to get away from the stagnant air she’d been breathing inside.
What was he saying to her? Did he care? It seemed that way to her each time they made love.
She’d been a fool to think she could ever just be Adriane’s friend. She’d wanted that for the sake of the children she carried, but how could she not fall in love with the man when she made love to him? Though some women might be able to have meaningless sex, she wasn’t built that way.
At least she had accomplished her goal — so to speak. She’d gotten to know Adriane about as well as anyone could. He wasn’t easy to know: he was too closed off to the world. Maybe that was from being born royal. Too many people sought only to use him.
She wasn’t one of those people. But did he know that?
And how long could she continue hoping he would give her all of himself? She deserved that; she didn’t deserve to be kept there waiting, waiting, and waiting for the day he’d profess his undying love.
But at this point could she simply walk away? Give in so easily? He seemed so close. If she hadn’t realized her heart was involved, the decision would be so much easier. She was terrified, though, that if she stayed now and he never felt anything more than a fondness for her, she would slowly wither away.
Her gloomy thoughts accompanied her to the beach, where she looked out at the ocean as the waves crashed dangerously close to the shore. She didn’t care; the looming tempest matched the way she felt. As she drew farther and farther from the palace, the storm clouds grew angrier and blacker in the sky.
Just as the first drops of a pounding rain started, Rachel was pushed to her knees by a large gust of wind. She fell to the sand, her hands digging in as she fought to find her breath.
When she looked back and realized how far she’d wandered, she decided it was time to go back. The sea was tossing and flailing about, and the wind blew strongly, strongly enough to carry her off into the waves if she wasn’t careful. No matter how emotional she was right now, she couldn’t put her babies in jeopardy. Now was a good time to face Adriane and demand answers from him.
He was going to give her all or nothing. And all was the only thing she would accept.
Pushing against the wind, she struggled to her feet and turned. Her breath hitched when she discovered a man looming nearby. Feeling strangely afraid, she looked for the path, seeking the palace in the distance. She really had walked too far.
When this new fear clawed at her chest, she had to remind herself that this was Adriane’s private beach — no one who didn’t belong could be here. This was most likely a new guard.
Still, she just wanted to get away from him.
“Hello, Rachel. I’ve been waiting to get you alone.”
The sound of his voice sent a chill straight through her body.
“Who are you? How do you know my name?”
She automatically took a few retreating steps from him.
“I know all about you and the children you carry — the supposed heirs of this kingdom. You are an inconvenience that must be disposed of if I’m to gain my throne.”