“George, I just found out that when the council stops sitting and takes a break, we can’t stay here. That means we need a place that we can go.” Adriana and George walked through the gardens again. This time, there was no running or training. This was where they spoke of things without Maximus being close at hand. Maximus disliked any form of exercise or training. He was a nobleman, and he would have others to protect him. Then he didn’t see the point of wandering aimlessly about without a destination. “Lovely. I gather we’ll need to find a location to reside in sooner rather than later. How would you like to go about this then? Do you trust Maximus to find a safe location, after all, this should be his job to find options for you.” George listened to Adriana speak and mentally took notes on what she wanted this location to have. He already knew what security the location needed to have. That was something he knew well. What he also knew about her n
The emperor charged George to look after Adriana just three weeks ago. Already there’d been a couple of threats and a death involved with her. He was still investing all of those.Now he had to do Maximus’ job because Adriana didn’t feel safe with Maximus doing it without adding in an ulterior motive for someone else.The worst part of it all, even though he felt annoyed with this new job, he had to agree Maximus was not all on the up and up. Something was off about him. George just felt it even if he couldn’t place why he felt that way, at least not yet. So George now had more than enough business every evening to deal with. The incident investigations, Maximus, and now finding alternative accommodations. He wasn’t angry with Adriana, he just felt that his job was becoming compromised because of how Maximus was acting and using his position to push some unknown agenda. It felt so juvenile and petty. He could only put it down to the foolishness that
Franco sat in the throne’s anteroom as he waited for the court to empty of people. He’d spent hours hearing the senseless prattle of so many, including that of his mate. No one gave him the truth about anything. It was all one selfish spin after another. There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t regret his actions. Taking on everything back then sounded like such a grand idea. It fulled his thirst for living and gave him a purpose. Sadly, he’d lacked the insight he had now. Franco couldn’t trust anyone anymore. He couldn’t even allow his daughter, his true daughter, to reside in the palace and the court with him. There was no trusting anyone, and he knew others plotted against him. So he did what few would do. He found the most capable stranger to do what he couldn’t. Now as he sat there and read the latest report from Atwood. He definitely took his job seriously. Franco sincerely hoped so after he’d poured o
Ana’s evening was relaxing. She’d gone to visit Edith and company after the final sitting with George. The previous nights before this, they spent their time sorting out living arrangements for the new security staff. It took a night to settle the people and a couple of nights to settle all their belongings and gear. Now the entire delegate had some form of security and protection.She’d not expected the emperor to care one way or the other. Ana left, reporting the incidents to the emperor to George.Her only excuse why she didn’t inform him herself was she feared being turned away with no help forthcoming. After all, why would the emperor send protection to a person he’d exiled a few short weeks ago?So, she thought that was strange enough. Ana so far avoided opening the last of her correspondence from home. She’d expected one from Edger instructing her of the emperor’s wishes pertaining to how she did her job. The letter she resisted opening so far came from her mo
It was difficult getting away from her mother. But there were times when having your daughters around made entertaining oneself difficult. If you were entertaining yourself with a person, you should be with in an entertainment like this. Tatiana’s mother dropped her daughters like a hot potato when her love made it to court. Now was a perfect time for Tatiana to have her way with things. Her plans today were to contact her own lover and talk about their lovely plans for the near future. Lucia Hocks, leader of the Blood Traitor’s Network, was Tatiana’s lover and to Tatiana, they were fated mates. Perfect in every way. Even their goals in life lined up. Lucia made Tatiana feel like she was already the empress and Lucia was her consort. Tatiana slipped from the hidden door in the far garden and walked into town. It took her time to get to where she was going to meet Lucia. Because she needed to keep
Finally, the last things of his left his apartment on their way to their alternate accommodations. Maximus stood, annoyed with this entire prospect. He’d sent a formal complaint to his counterpart in court, but he’d received no response and Maximus could only feel it fell on deaf ears. At least once he stepped out of here, there wasn’t much reason to be present for the princess’ benefit. He could come and go, for the most part unnoticed. Maximus felt far too restricted, and he didn’t receive the respect he felt he was due. This didn’t help him achieve any of his missions. Now he wanted to step out and be himself for a time while there was no one looking over his shoulder. Their belongings would travel as one to the new residence. The staff would travel by their own means. That pleased Maximus greatly because he planned to take his time and let off a little steam. “Mr Lioness. The head of security would like to see
George watched Ana pack her own belongings. It shouldn’t have surprised him she would do this. He stayed there to assist with supervision of the removal of the packed items for her. He’d never get bored with watching her move. She didn’t flutter or tiptoe about like most at court. He never understood why the vampiress’ at court thought it necessary to act flighty and he wouldn’t believe that they were that simple. None of them would survive with how innocent they pretended to be. Ana, he didn’t believe that name fit her as well as her full name. It felt too soft and weak for the strong and graceful vampiress who battled closing a trunk of clothing at this moment. He couldn’t stop his indulgent smile as he heard her quietly curse the thing out. George found it adorable. He liked everything about her, even her cursing and temper. “I will say this again, George. I can do this by myself. I don’t need supervision or pr
“Yes, I requested you here because we need to clear up a few things. I’m hoping it won’t take too long to clear it all up and all be on the same page.” George tried to sound professional and keep his dislike from shading the tone of his words. As far as George knew, currently he didn’t have proof that Maximus lied about his whereabouts and his alibi at the time of Mary’s murder. But Maximus was an artificial as any creature could be. His image possessed several cracks that George could see, and it didn’t endear him to George in any way. “What do we need to clear up between us? How many things do we have problems with?” Maximus, of course, played dumb to George’s words and meaning. “I’ve had several complaints about you and your treatment of others. No, no. I’m not done yet. They range from the serving caste all the way up to the ambassador herself. Now I know right now we have no way of replacing you. So instead o