A Thief's Kiss

34| London

Chapter 34: London (Alexander's POV)

"Aria." 

She remained asleep, her head on my shoulder. 

"Aria." I grabbed her hand, squeezing it lightly, my thumb stroking her skin. 

She stirred. 

"We're back at the palace. Come on," I said. 

She sighed, rubbing her eyes and sitting up. Her eyes immediately went down to our held hands. "Let go," she demanded. 

"No." I held on even tighter. "I don't want to." 

"Please let go," she whispered. 

I sighed in defeat, pulling my hand away. "Now, shall we?" I climbed out, getting her side of the door for her, leaving the driver to hand over our luggage to Mr. Harry. 

We entered the palace side by side and were immediately greeted by my mother. "Oh, I came to miss you two around here. Tell me, how was it? Are you two coming back in love?" she grinned. 

"In love?" Aria asked, chuckling awkwardly. "We're not in love," she said, making my mother frown. 

I stared at Aria. "Yet." 

My mother's face lit up while she rushed us over to the couches. I smirked at Aria, walking along with her. "Oh, are you two hungry? Would you like anything?" 

"Mom," I sighed. "We're all right. We're just a little tired, can we rest?" 

"He is a little tired, not me," Aria laughed, shooting me a stern look when my mother wasn't looking at her. 

"Oh. Well how come he's so tired?" my mother mumbled mostly to herself. 

"Oh yes, Aria. Tell her why I'm so tired," I smirked, leaning back on the couch, putting one leg over the other. 

"He was too busy..." she thought. "With God knows what. Just too busy to actually like his wife," she shrugged, lying blatantly. 

"I-" 

"Alexander!" my mother scolded. 

Aria bit back a smile, leaning back in her seat mockingly, crossing one leg over the other. 

My mother started rambling about how I should appreciate my wife more and whatnot. 

"Mother!" I groaned, silencing her. "Where is dad?" 

"Oh, he's gone for a meeting with the council board." She waved her hand dismissively. 

"Council board? Does that mean Eric is back?" I asked, straightening up. 

"I never understand how you two became the best of friends. He's nothing like you. But yes, he's finally back." She turned to Aria. "Eric is his best friend. Since you were...?" she trailed off questioningly. 

"Five years old," I answered. 

"Eric Jackson? Who's father is on the council board?" she asked. 

"Yes," my mother nodded. "He's been in London for the past eight months." 

"London," she nodded. "What was he doing there?" 

"He was on a vacation," I answered. 

"For eight months?" she frowned in confusion. 

"He has a knack for seeing the world," I shrugged. "He takes a lot of spontaneous trips." 

"Oh, but he's a sweetheart, I'm sure you'll like him. In fact, Mr. Jackson is hosting a party tonight to welcome him back formally. I thought you two would be too tired but-"