Maria shot to her feet, her chair scraping against the floor. “You don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“Don’t I?” Keira remained seated, her voice deadly calm. “Then explain to me why you’ve been circling Alexei like a vulture since I arrived. Why every conversation we’ve had has been you trying to undermine me and my worth.”
Maria’s hands clenched at her sides. “You think you can just waltz in here and take what should be mine? I’ve been preparing for this role my entire life!”
“There it is,” Keira said with satisfaction. “Finally, some honesty. You think Alexei belongs to you.”
“I would be perfect for him!” Maria’s voice rose, all royal composure gone in a blink of an eye. “I understand this world, I know what’s expected. I could help him rule-”
“But he doesn’t want you,” Keira interrupted, rising slowly to her feet. Alexei still didn’t say anything proving Keira right.
Maria’s face went white, then flushed crimson. “He would if you hadn’t-”
“If I hadn’t what? Existed? Sorry, Maria, but I’m not going anywhere just to make your delusions easier to swallow. You need help.”
“You’re nothing but a common—”
“Choose your next words very carefully,” Alexei’s voice cut through the confrontation like a blade. He’d been silent throughout their exchange, but now he stood, his presence suddenly menacing. “Because I won’t tolerate anyone insulting my fiancée. Not even so- called family.”
Maria whirled to face him, touching him on the arm, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Alexei, please. You can’t seriously be considering marrying her. She’s completely wrong for you… for us–for the crown!”
“That’s enough.” His voice carried the full weight of his royal authority. “You will keep your opinions about my choice of bride to yourself, or you’ll find yourself persona non grata at this palace.”
“But Alexei-”
“No.” He stepped closer to Keira, his hand finding the small of her back in a gesture of unmistakable support. “Keira will be my wife, and eventually your princess. You will treat her with the respect her position demands, or you will never be welcome here again. Your invitation to every social event withdrawn.”
Maria stared at him as if he’d struck her.
“I suggest you take some time to adjust your attitude; you are not welcome tonight.” Alexei continued, his tone harsh,
Maria’s face crumpled, horror filled her wet eyes as the full weight of Alexei’s rejection hit her.
“You’ll regret this,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Both of you. When she proves she’s not worthy of this family, when she embarrasses the crown-
“That’s enough,” Alexei’s voice cut through her words like ice. “Leave. Now.”
Maria’s gaze darted between them, desperate and wild. “Alexei, please. You know I would never-”
“I said leave.”
Chapter 197
The finality in his tone seemed to break whatever composure Maria had left. She straightened her shoulders, trying to salvage some dignity as she gathered herself.
“This isn’t over,” she said quietly, but the fire had gone out of her voice.
“Yes, it is, you said the same thing to me yesterday. I wasn’t worried then, and I’m not worried now. Get some new material.” Keira replied, meeting her gaze steadily. “And the next time you want to trifle with me, remember this moment. Remember that I don’t back down.”
Maria’s face flushed one final time before she turned on her heel and walked to the door.
Keira had one more thing to say. “Oh, Maria?”
The other woman stopped but didn’t turn. “I would suggest keeping your eyes and hands off my man in future. I’m very possessive by nature and I wouldn’t want to have to hurt you. You can leave now.”
And she did without a word.
The silence that followed was deafening. Keira sank back into her chair. Feeling better that everything was out there.
“Well,” she said after a moment, “that was fun.”
Alexei moved to her side, his hand warm on her shoulder. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” She looked up at him, studying his expression. “Are you? I know she’s family.”
“She’s a second cousin who’s forgotten her place.” His jaw was still tight with anger. “I won’t have anyone speak to you that way.
Ever.”
The fierce protectiveness in his voice made something warm unfurl in her chest. “Thank you for backing me up, and I could feel the tension in you. I knew you wanted to take over and deal with her sooner. Thank you for letting me.”
“Always.” He leaned down to press a kiss to her temple. “Though you hardly needed it. You handled her perfectly.”
Keira laughed, some of the tension finally leaving her shoulders. “I may have been a bit harsh. I laid her feelings for you bare.”
“You were honest. There’s a difference.” Alexei pulled out his chair and sat beside her again. “Maria needed to hear the truth, even if she didn’t want to. She doesn’t love me. She loves my title. Even Niko would have done. She didn’t make Amelia very welcome. But that was a match no one could have changed.”
“And Amelia’s American,” Keira said, pouring herself a fresh cup of coffee. “Even though her family is from here, Maria must have seen her as a threat.”
“Exactly. Amelia saw right through the passive–aggressive bullshit from day one.” Alexei reached for a pastry from the basket on the table. “Though she handled it with more diplomacy than you just did.”
Keira raised an eyebrow. “Are you criticizing my technique?”
“God, no.” His eyes gleamed with something that looked suspiciously like pride. “I’m admiring it. Maria’s been getting away with her little power plays for years because everyone’s too polite to call her out directly.”
“Well, I’m not everyone.” Keira took a sip of her coffee. “And I don’t do polite when someone’s actively trying to undermine me.
“I noticed.” Alexei leaned back in his chair, studying her. “You called her a fucking bitch to her face.”
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behavior.”
“True.” His mouth twitched. “Though I suspect he had diplomatic honesty in mind, not quite so… colorful.”
“Too late now.” Keira reached for a piece of fruit from the platter. “She knows exactly where we stand.”
“We?” Alexei’s voice carried a note of satisfaction.
“Don’t get smug.” She pointed her fork at him. “I defended myself, not you. Though I suppose you benefited by association.”
“Such romance,” he said dryly. “My heart is all aflutter. I do remember you telling her to keep her hands off your man. You really should have been a redhead my little firecracker.”
Keira found herself smiling. This was what she’d missed during all the formal palace interactions… their easy banter, the way they could needle each other without malice. Because it had never been mean… just pushing each other’s buttons. Almost like their own form of foreplay. Because once they had finally hit the sack it had been explosive.
Keira laughed “I was the baby of the family that was bad enough.”
Taking her hand and guiding it under the table to rest against his lap, letting her feel exactly how hard she’d made him. “It’s a turn on… Don’t touch what’s yours huh? If I had time, I would put you on this table and fuck you.”
Heat shot through Keira at his blunt words and the evidence of his arousal pressing against her palm. She glanced toward the breakfast room doors, suddenly very aware of where they were.
“Alexei,” she whispered, though she didn’t pull her hand away. “Anyone could walk in.”
“Then you’d better keep your voice down when I do this.” His fingers found the hem of her sundress under the table, sliding up her bare thigh slowly.
Keira’s breath caught. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.” His eyes held that dangerous glint she recognized, the one that usually preceded him doing exactly what he said he would. “You think telling Maria to keep her hands to herself and claiming me as yours wouldn’t have consequences?”
“Good consequences or bad consequences?” she managed, her voice slightly breathless as his fingers traced higher.
“That depends entirely on how quiet you can stay.” His thumb brushed against the edge of her panties, and she had to bite her lip to keep from making a sound.
“You’re insane,” she hissed, but her body was already responding, heat pooling low in her belly.
“And you love it.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to that register that made her knees weak and fired the blood through her body. “The way you defended us, claimed me… Do you have any idea how that made me feel?”
“Tell me.” The words escaped before she could stop them.
“Proud. Possessive.” His fingers slipped beneath the fabric, finding her already wet. “Like I wanted to bend you over this table and show you exactly how much I appreciate having a woman who fights for what’s hers.”
Keira gripped the edge of the table with her free hand, fighting to keep her expression neutral even as he began to move his fingers. in slow, torturous circles.
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Chapter 197
“Someone will come in,” she warned, though her protest lacked conviction.
“Then you’d better come quickly.” His
“This is crazy,” she breathed.
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thumb pressed against her clit, and she had to press her lips together to stifle a moan.
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“Maybe.” He increased the pressure, his fingers working her with practiced skill. “This is what happens when you stake your claim so beautifully and now it’s time I stake mine.”
Keira could feel herself getting closer, her body responding despite the danger of discovery. The thrill of it, the absolute shock of what he was doing and where, only heightened every sensation.
“Lex”
“Shh.” He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her temple even as his fingers continued their relentless rhythm. “Let me take care of you.”
Just as she teetered on the edge, there was a knock on the doors.
“Miss Warner? Your Highness?” Elena’s voice called from just outside the doors.
Alexei withdrew his hand with maddening slowness, bringing his fingers to his lips and sucking them clean while maintaining eye contact with Keira. The gesture was so blatantly sexual it made her core clench with need. He had done this to her before but here… it was just so naughty.
“Come in, Elena,” Alexei called out, his voice perfectly steady.
Elena entered with a small curtsy. “Forgive the interruption, Your Highness. I wanted to confirm the timing for Miss Warner’s preparations this afternoon.”
“Of course,” Keira managed, hoping her voice sounded more controlled than she felt. “What time should I be ready?”
“Three o’clock, miss. The stylists will need several hours for your hair and makeup before the dinner.”
“That’s fine.” Keira’s legs were still trembling from Alexei’s touch, her body aching for the release he’d brought her so close to.
Elena smiled and retreated, leaving them alone again.
“You’re evil,” Keira whispered once they were sure Elena was gone.
“And you’re beautiful when you’re frustrated.” Alexei’s eyes were dark with promise. “Don’t worry, little firecracker. I’ll finish what I started later. You can spend the rest of the day thinking about it.”
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