Winning the King by Nicole Murphy

Author:Nicole Murphy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Escape Publishing

Chapter Twelve

Diana met the Pontifex and Cassius in the cargo bay of the ship. It was a solemn occasion — the bodies of four Tatrynians lay under sheets. Barriers had been put up to hide the Rican bodies from view — there were twelve of those.

Media had accompanied the Pontifex and her heir, and Diana hated that it would be broadcast around the world that she accepted a kiss on the cheek, first from the Pontifex and then from Cassius.

The ceremony to remove the Tatryn bodies was very poignant and Diana wiped tears from her cheek. When all four bodies had been drummed out of the cargo hold, Diana hoped that the Pontifex and Cassius would also leave.

Instead, they turned to her.

‘Diana, my darling.’ Cassius squeezed her hand, his eyes shining. He looked her up and down and naked lust grew on his face. Oh, he was definitely happy with the deal his aunt had struck for him.

Diana looked at him and couldn’t forget that he was the reason 165 people now lay dead and 165 families had been changed forever. Gareth had to find a way to get to him and take him down. He had to.

She forced herself to look like she was paying attention to Cassius and unfortunately, that meant his words penetrated her mind.

‘I have been so worried about you, but now you are here, you can stay and we will look after you. Whoever is planning these horrific attacks is clearly targeting Angonia. You’ll be very safe here.’

No, I won’t be. ‘I cannot stay, Cassius. There are Rican dead that must be returned to Rica.’

‘The crew of the ship can do that.’

‘No,’ Diana said. ‘I am a member of the Rican royal family. I cannot abandon them.’

‘She is quite right,’ the Pontifex put in. ‘Your sense of duty does you honour, Diana.’

‘Thank you, Your Excellency.’

Cassius pouted. ‘But I want us to continue our courtship.’ His eyes moved over Diana’s body again. ‘We are to be married in just two weeks. We need to get to know each other better.’

A chill ran over Diana’s skin. Two weeks? ‘The Prince of Rica said he wanted the threat to Angonia dealt with before he would believe Tatryn safe enough for me to live in.’

‘The threat has been dealt with, dear,’ the Pontifex said. ‘Those responsible for this atrocity have been arrested. And I will convince the Prince that you’re now safe. I don’t want you and Cassius to wait a moment longer than necessary to begin your lives together. I want to see my great-niece or nephew soon.’

Diana swallowed down some bile. ‘You sound very certain of that.’

‘I am. Now, I know that you must go to Rica, to escort your poor countrymen home. But then you will come back to us, and we will prepare for the greatest wedding Jorda has ever seen.’

Diana was so shaken by the idea the horrid wedding could happen so quickly that she didn’t react quickly enough when Cassius moved closer and put his hands on her face.

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