Determined (The Queen's Mates Book 2) by Mazzy J. March

Author:Mazzy J. March [March, Mazzy J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Decadent Publishing LLC
Published: 2021-06-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

An afternoon with Arne was guaranteed to be a pleasant distraction, especially when he made love to me in that lovely meadow. The sun warmed my skin while my mate warmed all of me. He was such a considerate lover, the kind who never took his own pleasure without being sure I had mine. Even if I tried to make it about him, he said it was about us.

He also made it about me when he wanted to and refused to acknowledge the hypocrisy of it all. And it was so sweet, how could I argue? A girl would have to be a fool not to want his attentions.

We rode slowly back to court afterward, the vibration of our mount’s hooves the only thing that kept me at all grounded as I nestled in Arne’s arms. Sometimes I was amazed at the many things he was good at. Horse breeding, an ancient art—green energy production, a modern skill. Lovemaking, of course, but more than that, he had the ability to make me feel safe and warm even when my responsibilities weighed heavily.

But although I sailed through dinner and the rest of the evening, as soon as I went to bed, those worries came tumbling back in force. Bors led the parade of fears and doubts, but he was quickly followed by the faces of the people in my kingdom who needed so many things, and then the money I’d committed to solar and wind power, among other things.

The roofs I’d seen that needed repairing, the homes that needed paint or other repairs. And I hadn’t even begun to invest in a thousand other things. My people had gone forever without electricity. Wouldn’t they prefer a solid roof?

The list of things needed was endless. Education. Adequate food. Transportation. Modern indoor plumbing. Clothing. Childcare for those who worked outside the home or needed some time uninterrupted within the home.

I tossed myself from one side of the bed to the other, finally coming all the way awake twisted in the sheets until I could barely move my arms and legs. Arne had wanted to come up with me, but I’d been so tired, I just wanted to sleep.

Now I wished I had his reassuring presence next to me. Because everything I was doing was wrong. My people counted on me to make the right decisions, but I absolutely was not doing that. And if I didn’t, who would?

The only other members of the ruling family were Jillian, who did not want the throne, and Bors who would steal it and then continue beggaring the kingdom.

I had to do better. Had to use the resources at my command to meet their needs.

The sun was still abed when I rose from mine, dressed, and practically tumbled down the stairs to find Eleanor. She was staying in the main part of the castle, but I didn’t remember what room, so I ran from room to room, peeking inside and waking most of the occupants. By

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