Then I turn on the fire because I want the warmth and a little light to see by, but otherwise shut off all the lights and climb into bed, waiting, idly stroking my stomach. I watch my mate as he comes out of the bathroom a few minutes later, his face serious and his eyes far-off, thinking through
Ella Conner opens my car door and gives an odd little bow as I get out of it. “What on earth was that?” I ask, grinning at him. Conner, to his credit, blushes a little as he gives me a shrug. “I don’t know, you’re a Queen now. Aren’t I supposed to bow?” I wrinkle my nose at him. “I have no
And then I stop, and burst into laughter, because Calvin chokes a little on his wine and turns beet red. “Seriously?” I say, leaning forward, unable to stop my grin. “Is that – should I not have said that? Is that embarrassing for you?” He clears his throat and looks down at the table, embarrass
Ella Calvin nods to me, just once, and then stands, moving his hand from mine and going to speak to the waiter, nodding towards the terrace. As he does I turn to Conner, who raises his eyebrows at me. I know he heard, and now he’s asking if that’s what I really want. I hesitate, but then I nod
He drops his eyes then, looking down at the drink in his hand and I think taking a breath. “I’ll tell you all you want to know about her, Ella,” he murmurs. “But why do I have to ask?” He lifts his eyes to mine then and something…something passes between us, even without us touching. Almost unco
Ella Immediately, I tear myself away from him. “What!?” I gasp, appalled at the idea. His face falls in horror, in disappointment. “Ella, I –“ But I don’t say another word to him. Instead, I spin and hurry back into the dining room as fast as I can. Conner, seeing me coming, is immediately on
Because I need to be home, with my mate and my baby. Right. Now. Conner stays pinned at my side as he gets me home, helping me out of the car in the garages below the palace and escorting me through the halls. But as we approach my door I lift a hand, placing it flat on his chest. “You should
Ella “Ella,” my mate growls as my tears start to subside a little bit. And I look up at him with a sniff, into his face that is terribly dark with his anger. His whole body is shaking – not trembling like mine was, but honestly shaking as if he’s trying very, very hard to hold himself back. “Yo