Royalty

Chapter 32: Into Battle

James' POV

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I heard the door open and Astra broke off, already flushed bright red as Sebastian burst into the room.

"Oops," he said in a monotone voice before sending me a smirk.

He's a dead man walking.

I sighed heavily. "What do you want, Sebastian?"

"Dmitrov's on the phone. Apparently you owe him money." I notice his eyes dip to the crisp white bandage on Astra's arm, and I answer quickly, both so he'll leave and so he won't ask about it.

"I don't owe him anything. He owes me two mil. Give him a strict warning and a two month deadline. Now get out." He shoots me another smirk and I feel myself bristle.

Dead. Man. Walking.

I felt Astra's hand on my shoulder and she pressed against my side like she had earlier in the bathroom. Annoyingly, it made my heart skip a beat. "Hey. Do you have to go figure that out?" She asks softly. I shook my head a little.

"No. Sebastian can handle it. I can stay here." She rests her head against my shoulder and I absently press a kiss into her hair.

She hums softly. It's ... Admittedly sort of peaceful to just hold her against me like this. My hand brushes against the bandage, and I press a soft kiss to her palm.

Quietly, I asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

She shakes her head. "I think it was just an ... impulse thing. I've been alone for the week, and just ... got overwhelmed. I think I'm okay now." She sounds a little hollow like earlier and hesitant. That was what made me keep her close to me.

Because I know what that means. Souding numb. Confused. Or lost. But acting like you're okay.

So I make a decision.

"I think I'd like you to stay in my room tonight. Just in case." She looks a little alarmed, so I add, "I won't do anything. I just want to keep an eye on you." She still feels a little tense, so I press another kiss to her forehead. "I just want you to be safe."

She relaxes a little bit. "Alright. That's ... okay."

"That's my angel."

She glances up at me. "Your angel?"

I smirked. "Well, if you don't like me voicing my possession ... Just so you know if I see another man touches you, his blood will paint my living room."

She smiles. "Alright. I guess I can be your angel." She presses a kiss into my neck that makes me shiver a little. "I have to finish up what I was cooking before you got back." She moves away from me towards the door. I'm suddenly hyper aware of the absence of her warmth against my chest.

I raised an eyebrow. "You're cooking?"

"I'm sick of eating peanut butter sandwiches and scrambled eggs. So, yes, I am attempting to cook."

"How brave of you. Are you sharing?"

"Only if you and Sebastian want some."

I didn't know what she was making, but I don't pass up a chance to avoid having to make my own food, and Sebastian usually feels similarly. "Ah, you're kind as well. Some knight you'd make."

"Better than you, Cadogan."

I rolled my eyes. "I am not short and annoying."

"Yes, you are," she called, leaving the room. I smiled a little and glanced back at my laptop, my brief enthusiasm for my work quickly draining. I'd rather be out in the main area.