Queen of Nothing

4. Queen of Shady Schemes

Two days later I received a call from Alexis's butler, informing me that my dress had returned from the dry cleaners and that I could pick it up from her house. He also told me that Alexis really needed to talk to me.

On one hand, I was thrilled. This could be my big chance to get on Alexis's good side. On the other hand, I really didn't have the best impression of Alexis and I still had no idea what her true motives were. At least she kept to her word and took care of my dress.

The morning was cloudy and foggy, setting an eerie atmosphere around Alexis's white manor. Jonathan, Alexis's jowly middle-aged butler, greeted me at the door and escorted me to the sitting room, where Alexis sat waiting.

"Hi Sabine," Alexis said, smiling widely. "Your dress is right there." She nodded to the beige loveseat, where my dress was draped over the back, looking pristine.

"Thanks," I said, running my fingers along the fabric for want of anything else to do.

There was a pitcher of sweet tea on the coffee table, along with two glasses. Alexis must have been expecting me to stay for a while.

"Why don't you sit down," she gestured to the loveseat across from her. I reluctantly obeyed.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" I asked, folding my hands in my lap.

"Sweet tea?" Alexis offered, holding the pitcher out to me. I nodded, despite the fact that I didn't like tea, especially sweetened. I drank coffee, and I liked it as bitter and black as my alleged soul.

"I wanted to start off by apologizing for my behavior at the party," Alexis said as she poured tea into both of the glasses. "You see, I just went through a really bad breakup and I wasn't in my right mind. I hope you understand."

"Right before your birthday? What a jerk!" I said, injecting my words with as much sympathy as I could muster. I didn't care enough about Alexis to truly feel sorry for her, but it was reassuring to know she wasn't always a mess.

"I'm over it," Alexis smiled and shrugged her shoulders coyly. "But speaking of romance, a little birdie saw you leave the party with my cousin. How'd that go?"

My mouth dropped open, heartbeat quickening. "Cousin?"

Alexis wiggled her eyebrows conspiratorially as she took a sip of her sweet tea. "Did Tristan not tell you who he was?"

I shook my head. "He's a Sinclair?"

Alexis's head bounced up and down in an enthusiastic nod. "Mmhmm. Not just any Sinclair. He's the only descendant of King Sheridan left alive."

"Shit," I whispered. The king's direct descendant. Why hadn't he said anything? If he had I wouldn't have been so quick to dismiss him. Thank goodness he left his phone number and I had the foresight to keep it...

I looked back up at Alexis, who regarded me with a knowing smirk. She was playing a game here. But what sort?

Alexis put her tea down on the table, daintily straightened the hem of her black and white polka dot skirt, and folded her hands in her lap.

"Don't worry. I'm not mad that you ditched my party to hook up with my cousin, although that was awfully rude of you. After all, you have so few friends here, you can't afford to alienate anyone," she said, batting her eyelashes. Though her tone was casual, there was an undercurrent of venom laced in it. I should have anticipated her reaction, but how was I to know this would happen?

Clenching my jaw, I took a deep breath to calm myself. "You want something from me. What is it?"

Alexis grinned and wagged her finger at me. "Cutting straight past the bullshit. I like that." She rose to her feet and paced over to the window and peered out. "I don't buy your story about taking a year off to 'find yourself.' You northerners come her for one reason and one reason only."