The Devil in Reign

Request.

Time seemed to freeze

And in that moment, Alexandria caught her breath. It felt like hours. She watched as his tongue snaked out to wet his bottom lip... And then he averted his gaze and walked back into the corridor from which he came.

It must've only been a second or two because James had taken her hand and started to move with her again.

"So this is one of the perks of my fiancé being a United Nations delegate. You get invited to big parties like this." James uttered out softly, his lips by her ear as they danced to the sweet melody of the violin.

But there was something about the way he said 'my' that made her blood chill. He sounded possessive.

He knew something.

"Trust me, I didn't expect his either." She replied back, resting her forehead against his as they moved, her blue eyes searching his.

She tried not to linger on the fact that Christian was somewhere else, not here. Others, well, greeting people and shaking their hands and starting up small talk. She didn't want to think about it. It made her feel nauseous.

James spun her around and she laughed like a child. A beautiful, pure sound that echoed throughout the grand hall. She felt beautiful, in that moment; with her dress flowing out around her, right next to the man she loved. She knew all eyes were on the two of them as he caught her and started to waltz.

"I didn't know you knew how to ballroom dance.." she stated with a laugh of joy, slipping her arms around his neck as they moved.

"Oh, I do. You don't know everything about me just yet." He replied smoothly with a wink, spinning her around one last time and then pulled her in and dipped her down, low to the floor.

She laughed happily as he pulled her up and she placed her hands on his cheeks, pressing her forehead against his and nose touching his own.

"I would kiss you right now if everyone wasn't watching." She whispered, hearing the applause from those around them.

"Fuck it." James replied to her and pressed his lips to hers.

She was sure people had turned around and went back to their own conversations and that some were still watching but she didn't care.

And she returned the gentle, loving kiss, snaking her arms around his neck before they heard someone clearing their throat beside them.

The pair immediately pulled away, James quickly wiping any remnants of her crimson paint off her lips. It was one of the kingsmen, dressed in the navy blue suit, decorated with gold medals.

It wasn't their formal attire. It seems like they dressed down tonight.

"Sorry to intrude on your little... lovefest," The man stated, a wrinkle of disgust on his face. "But His Highness requests a moment with the lady..." Then he glanced at James, who tightened his hold on her hand. "Alone."

Alexandria swallowed her saliva, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I'll be back soon. Just mingle and have fun. You're good at that, baby." She whispered, pecking his lips lightly and squeezing his hand before letting go of it.

She pouted softly at him before following the kingman off and out of the grand hallway.

She looked around at her surroundings in awe. The expensive paintings, the beautiful architecture. The dark colours accentuating the gold frames and decorations that lay against it. It was hauntingly beautiful. But something about it made her feel a chill in her bones.

"Excuse me, sir." She called as she pulled up her dress to run and catch up to him.

She'd slowed down to admire the hallway that she didn't even notice.

"Where are you taking me? Wasn't Chr—His Highness on the stairway inside the Hall?" She stammered, quick to cover up the fact that she almost called the king by his first name, which would have definitely had some repercussions.

"To his office, Miss. You should be honoured. He doesn't let anyone in there, not even the maids." He stated, leading her through another couple hallways and two staircases.

Her feet were killing her as they finally walked up to the two grand mahogany doors.

"She's here, Your Highness. As you requested." He said, knocking on the doors.

She watched as the door opened just two inches, the voice of the man filling the air.

"You may leave, thank you Cedric." He stated, opening the door wide as the kingsman walked away.

"And you may come in."

•••••••••

Ohhh, the suspense. This was probably one of my favourite chapters to have written so far. It was so sweet and innocent until the end. I don't know about you but I've fallen in love with James ahhhhh. I can't wait to see more of him. And what will happen next. ;)
xoxo,
Britt