Arianna & Finn (Royals of Valleria #3) (16 page)

He kissed the top of her head. “Are you all right? Was that too much?”

She shook her head. “It was lovely.”

He smiled. “It was fucking hot, is what it was.”

“You like to curse, don’t you?”

He brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Does it bother you?”

“No, actually, it doesn’t.” For some reason, his loss of control, whether in words or physical expression, simply aroused her.

The distant sound of a ringing phone broke into their secluded bath.

“It’s my phone,” Arianna said with sigh as she sat up. “It’s Alex. I can tell by the ringtone.”

“Then I’d better leave before he decides to pay a visit. Will you be all right?”

She nodded. “Will you be at breakfast later?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” he said and gave her a swift kiss.

They untangled their bodies and Finn stepped out to dress while Arianna took a quick shower. When she reemerged into the bedroom dressed in a robe, she noticed all of her clothes were now draped over a chair.

Finn stood near the secret entrance clad in his suit again and was checking his own phone. She had to admit, he looked sexy in that suit but she much preferred him naked. The thought made her blush.

“What’s got you so red, Princess?” he asked with a gleam in his eye.

“Nothing,” she said softly.

“I bet that’s not true.”

When she walked over to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’re right, it’s not true. I was thinking about you naked.”

“Funny, I was thinking about you naked, but those kinds of thoughts are dangerous when I need to leave.”

She pulled his mouth to hers, taking a long, heady kiss to last her through the day. When she pulled back, she said, “I’ll see you soon.”

“Count on it,” he said in a husky voice. He gave her a last look before he pulled away and disappeared into the secret hallway.

Finn disappeared not a moment too soon, as a knock came to her door right after he left. Arianna quickly fixed the bed, hoping to make it seem less ‘passionate’ and then glanced frantically around the room for anything that might give her away. She noticed Finn had left his cufflinks on the night stand, so she quickly scooped them and dropped them into the pocket of her robe.

After a last look, she went to the door. “Who is it?”

“It’s Alex. Open up, will you?” Alex rushed inside the moment she opened it. “What took you so long?” he asked with a grim expression.

“I was in the shower,” she said, her wet hair providing evidence of her statement. “I thought I heard you calling. What is it?”

“You never called me back last night. You’re lucky Rebecca talked me out of storming into your room last night.”

“Yes, you are lucky that Rebecca talked you out of it. She seems to be the only one besides Papa who can keep you sane.”

Alex ignored her last comment. “Why are you happy that I didn’t barge in here? Were you with Henry?”

“No, I was not,” she said as she put her hands on her hips. “You can ask the guards if you don’t believe me. Henry walked me to my door and left.”

Alex grunted and Arianna knew she’d won the argument. “So, how did it go last night?”

“Stop glaring at me and I might tell you.” After she gave him a stern look, he ran a frustrated hand through his hair and nodded.

“Good,” she said and indicated for him to sit down. After she took a seat herself, she said, “It went okay, Alex.”

“Just ‘okay’? Not good or great?”

Arianna fiddled with the tie to her robe. “It was okay. He seemed to be singularly focused, but I don’t know if it was towards me.”

“Did he talk to you about his proposal?”

She nodded. “He seems to think it a foregone conclusion that I’ll accept, but I just don’t know.”

“You don’t want to do it?”

“I don’t know.”

“You seemed very sure of yourself yesterday.”

“Yesterday was a different day. For the record, I was never sure of myself about this. I did want to go through with it, to help Valleria, but now I’m not sure. I suppose you’re disappointed in me.”

“Let’s get one thing straight here and now. I have never, nor will I ever be disappointed in you.”

“You can’t say that with such authority, Alex. I could screw things up for you. I’ve done it in the past.”

Alex muttered a curse. “You made a mistake before. Hell, so have I. So has Papa, and all of our siblings. We’re human beings, for Christ’s sake, of course we’ll make mistakes. That doesn’t mean any of us will stop loving or believing in you.”

Her eyes welled up despite her efforts to hold them back. “Thank you, Alex.”

“Don’t thank me for being your brother. I quite enjoy it, you know.” She huffed a laugh while she brushed away some loose tears.

“Now, tell me,” he said as he looked her straight in the eyes. “Can you see yourself with Henry? Forget everything else. Can you see yourself as his wife?”

“I don’t know.”

Alex nodded. “I’m working on getting the information through other means. I don’t know if we’ll be successful. However, you should know that no matter what happens, this marriage need never take place.”

She knew the answer but asked anyway. “How are you getting the information?”

“I suppose it won’t hurt to tell you, but keep the information to yourself. We’ve got our own Vallerian spies looking into it, but Finn’s also helping us.”

“You trust him, don’t you?”

“More than Henry, that’s for sure.”

“Then I’ll follow your lead, Alex.”

“We’ll have to be careful at breakfast today. I’ve already told Henry that we won’t even entertain the idea of a marriage until Papa meets him.”

“So, what’s the plan?”

“I need to head back to Valleria today, and I’d like you to come with me. Mama and Papa’s fortieth anniversary ball is tomorrow night. I’m going to invite Henry to come for the ball and meet our parents then.”

“And if Finn finds the information we need before then?”

“Truthfully, the Vallerian spies we’ve sent to gather information could have it even before Finn. But, if that happens, we’ll deal with it when the time comes.”

Arianna nodded. “All right. Like I said, I’ll follow your lead. Will you invite Finn to the ball, too?”

Alex quirked an eyebrow. “Would you like to?”

“If we did, he’d be closer to you if he found out what you needed.”
And closer to me
, she didn’t add.

“I don’t know that he’ll be able to come, but I think you’re right that we should invite him. In fact, we’ll make it conditional.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll say Papa wants to meet them both before making a decision.”

“If you think that’s best.”

“I do. Here’s what I propose we should do at breakfast,” Alex said and proceeded to outline his plan. After a few tweaks, Alex left Arianna to finish getting ready.

It would be a long few days.

As soon as Finn had made it back to his room, he had quickly showered and changed before leaving the palace entirely. He only had a short time before breakfast, and he had promised Arianna he would be there.

He made his way quickly through the quiet streets of the capital. With the days growing shorter, more and more shop owners and vendors had switched to winter hours: opening late and closing early. No one was around, which was just what he needed.

Finn parked a few blocks from his destination and jogged quickly to a small café, barely open with only one person behind the country setting up a display of morning pastries. Finn slid in the door, which chimed his arrival.

“Jacob,” Finn said.

“Finn,” Jacob said with a tone of surprise. Jacob was one of the few people who didn’t call Finn by his title, even in endearment. There was too much history between them for that. “To what do I owe this visit so early in the morning?”

Finn glanced around. “Are we alone?”

Jacob’s eyes narrowed. “I take it this is not a visit to taste my newest pastry?”

“No. This visit involves your old life.”

Jacob nodded. “Let’s head to the back. I’ll lock the doors. Where did you park?”

“A few blocks away, in front of an office building.”

Jacob nodded and went to lock the doors while Finn proceeded to the back. Jacob’s office was small but organized and functional. As a former spy for Brazenbourg, Jacob was used to making the most of small places and little amenities. Though Jacob had left that life long ago, some habits were too engrained.

“What’s going on?” Jacob asked as he walked in and gestured for Finn to take a seat. Finn just shook his head and leaned against the man’s desk instead.

“I need information.”

“Regarding?”

“Henry, in a way.”

“I see.” After a searching look, Jacob asked, “What’s going on?”

Finn, who knew Jacob could be trusted, told him what information Valleria was seeking, but didn’t mention what Henry wanted in return for it.

“So, you want to know who’s got it out for Valleria and their royal family.”

Finn nodded. “Time is of the essence here.”

“When is it not?” Jacob muttered. “You know this isn’t my job anymore. I left that world behind.”

“I know you did, but you still have contacts in that world. I would never ask you if I wasn’t desperate for help.”

“Desperate, huh? First time I ever heard you say that word.”

“But it’s not the first time I’ve felt it,” he said, and Jacob nodded. Finn knew Jacob was remembering the day of the fatal car crash that killed his parents; Jacob had been the one to pull him from the car afterwards. They had grown close after that.

“Will you help me? Or lead me to someone who can?”

After a charged few moments, Jacob said, “I’ll help you.”

Finn let out a visible sigh of relief; if Jacob hadn’t agreed he wasn’t sure what he would have done.

“The Vallerian royals are visiting right now, aren’t they?”

“Just the heir to the throne, Alexander, and one of his younger sisters.”

“Yes, I seem to recall some pictures in the paper this morning of you with a beautiful woman.”

“What?” he burst out as he stood. “Do you have the paper? May I see?”

“Behind you on the desk,” Jacob said and Finn turned to see his face staring up at him. Walking and smiling next to him was Arianna, as they strolled down the Food Street speaking with various vendors. How had missed this when he’d first walked into the office?

Crushing the newspaper in his hands, unaware of the ink coating his fingers due to his fierce grip, he scrutinized the picture. He knew Henry would see it, and gazed at it as someone who was looking for something untoward. After a minute of staring at the black and white image, nothing seemed improper. Arianna was holding a scarf in her hand, while Finn’s hands were tucked casually in his pocket. It was a simple scene. Finn hoped Henry would see it as such, too.

“There were other pictures,” Jacob said and Finn remembered he was in the room.

“What other pictures?”

“Others that may appear in the tabloids soon.”

“Damn it.” As Finn threw the paper down, he wondered if he could intercept Henry before breakfast, but dismissed the idea. In today’s hyper-connected world, Henry could just as easily access those images on his phone, or from one of his spies.

“I doubt the Princess will be bothered overmuch by them,” Jacob said as he crossed his arms over his chest. “She’s likely to understand about these things, having grown up a royal.”

Finn wondered if that were true. She held so much uncertainty and doubt inside her because she found it difficult to let go of the past. Arianna may seem polished on the outside, but Finn already knew she felt things acutely. The tougher the shell, the softer the heart.

Finn was momentarily blinded by the headlights of a car flashing as it parked nearby, and checked his watch. “How soon can you have something for me?” Finn asked as he carefully folded up the newspaper; for some reason, he wanted to keep their photo.

“Come by first thing tomorrow and I’ll give you an update.”

“That’s pretty ambitious.”

“That’s why I’m the best,” Jacob said with a wide smile.

Finn laughed. “So you are, my friend. I’ll sneak out the back, if you don’t mind.”

“I prefer it, actually. I’m trying to keep a low profile here.”

“No problem.” Finn shook Jacob’s hand. As Jacob went to assist his customers, Finn went out the back door of the office, exiting behind the cafe. In the growing dawn of day, few noticed him skirting through the alleys and between buildings, and only one or two may have glanced at him when he revved his engine and sped away.

***

Arianna and Alex walked into the dining room to find Henry already there and waiting for them. They all greeted each other, plated some food from the buffet, and sat down. Arianna’ stomach gave a little flip as she wondered where Finn was; she hoped she could keep a calm demeanor after a night of passionate sex with him.

She was wrong.

Finn strode in barely a moment later, his hair windswept and his air hurried. Lust curled sharp and swift inside her. By the way his gaze raked over her, she guessed he was having a similar reaction.

“Sorry, I’m late,” Finn said as he plated some food for himself and took an empty spot besides her, managing to put his chair as close to her as possible in the process.

“Really, Finn,” Henry said with a frown. “You should show our guests more respect.”

Finn merely cocked an eyebrow, and why the defiant look had Arianna’s blood racing was beyond her. “I had some business to see to this morning. I do apologize if I offended either Alex or Arianna.”

Did anyone else notice how Finn’s voice had softened when he said her name? Or was she merely imagining it?

“You didn’t offend me,” Alex said casually as he reached for his coffee. “I believe I can speak for Arianna when I state you didn’t offend her, either.”

“You didn’t offend me,” she agreed, her voice huskier than she intended. She reached for her glass of water just as Finn’s hand came to rest of her thigh, teasing the edge of her dress. His hand felt like a fire against her skin.

Henry pursed his lips but didn’t say anything further about it. Switching topics, he asked, “Arianna, my dear, what are your plans for today?”

“We wanted to discuss that with you,” Alex interjected as he put down his cup; the fine china made nary a sound as it was placed on its saucer. Arianna, who knew what was coming, reached down and placed her hand over Finn’s.

“We’ll be heading back to Valleria today,” Alex said, his eyes fixed on Henry’s shocked reaction. Finn’s hand tightened around hers; she wished she’d had time to explain their plan to him.

“Today? But we have not finished our negotiations. You cannot leave yet.”

“I’m afraid we must. As I mentioned, there is the anniversary party for our parents that we must attend, and several family members are due to arrive for it.”

Henry glanced furtively at Arianna, who hoped she was keeping a straight face. “Arianna, my dear, surely you would like to stay behind, at least one more day?”

Arianna cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, but I must go back with my brother. I do hope you understand.”

“Oh, well, yes, of course. I had hoped you would want to stay in Brazenbourg a little longer, if it is to be your home.”

Finn’s hand was gripping hers fiercely; she couldn’t bear to look at him just yet. “Nothing along those lines has been decided yet, as you well know.”

“Indeed,” Alex said with narrowed eyes. “You would do well to remember that, Henry.”

“Of course, of course. I was merely hopeful, that’s all,” Henry said with an awkward laugh.

“In any case," Alex said, “we would like to invite both you and your brother to the Anniversary Ball. I know it is rather short notice, but my father would like to meet you both.”

“Both of us? Surely only myself,” Henry said.

“Do you doubt my and my father’s word?” Alex asked as he leaned back against the chair.

“No, no, not at all. Not at all,” Henry said quickly. “Of course, if your father wishes to meet us both, then he shall. Would you like us to come down with you today?”

Alex shook his head. “We’ll be far too busy today to arrange the meeting. I’ll have my chief of staff, Tavin, contact your assistant; he’ll give you all the details.”

“With the ball tomorrow, won’t a meeting be difficult?”

Alex smiled. “Not at all, I assure you. A few minutes before the ball is enough for introductions. We can discuss more the day after, if needed.” Turning to Finn, he asked, “Will the short notice be a problem for you, Finn?”

“Not at all. I’m very honored by the invitation. I do have some business to attend to in the morning, but if you’ll have Tavin contact me with the details for our meeting, I’ll make sure I’m there. On time,” Finn finished with a pointed look at Henry.

“Excellent,” Alex said with a smile.

Unable to resist anymore, Arianna looked at Finn, who gave her a broad smile. She blushed and smiled shyly back.

Henry was looking less and less appealing.