Conquered

Chapter 17 - We all settle sometimes

NOT EDITED

Chapter 17 - We all settle sometimes

Evangeline
"Have you eaten?" I hadn't, but knew he would get angry if I told him that I hadn't and that I wasn't hungry. "Are you sick?" I nodded my head from side to side. "Then why aren't you eating? Are you pregnant?"

"What? No!" He raised one eyebrow. "Of course not your highness." I didn't like it when he was like this, and he has been for a few days now.

"By all means, speak freely."

"I can't be your friend one minute, your sex slave the next, and your subordinate the next. It's frustrating."

"This is what I like about you Eva. When you're upset you say what's on your mind without caution. It's refreshing."

I covered my mouth. That was out of line. I started to apologize. He raised his hand. "Don't bother. I agree with you. It's unfair of me. Sit." I sat down carefully and waited. He disappeared and returned with an old looking book and placed it in front of me. "This book contains everything you need to know about the Royal family and some other information. I'm going to go out on a limb and trust you, because aside from my brother there really isn't anyone else. I want you to read, study and memorize everything in this book."

"Why do I need to do that?"

"Because I want you to. In order to be my friend there are things you need to know. These things can only be found in that book." I still don't understand why I need to do this. "From this moment on this is your top priority. This book can't leave this room, therefore you'll report here every evening. It's quite a lot of information. It would be easier to just stay here for the time being."

"What?" Has he lost his mind? Stay here? "I can't stay here. This isn't just a part of the Royal wing; it's the King's bedroom. What about the Queen? What about the other consorts? What will people think?" I brushed my curls from my face in a hurried panic. He can't be serious.

"You've spent the night here before, more than once, and like you've said, it's my bedroom so if I want you to stay here then that's what I want. The Queen doesn't sleep here nor can she come in here as she likes. And are you really that concerned about the other consorts? This isn't an order, but I can make it one. I like having you as a friend. Sex is just an added perk. But like I've told you so many times before, I won't touch you if you don't want me to."

I was tempted. I really was, because no matter how cruel the King was to other people, he was never cruel to me. And no matter that he'll never and cannot have feelings for me, I had for him and I know they weren't going to go away. He crossed his arms and stared me down. I didn't understand why he was doing this.

"I don't understand it myself either, but I'm sure I'll figure it out in due time. I'll have your things sent up."

"I'd like to pack them up myself."

"Do you really want to do that?"

He knows I was having a hard time with the other consorts. Was that his reason for doing this? If so, why? Why does he care?

"Sit. We can talk about it after you read the first couple of pages. I assume you're versed in the old language?"

"I am."

"Good, start reading."

He crossed his feet at the ankles and sat with his back to the bed's headboard while at sat at his desk reading. His eyes never left me. I knew this because I could feel their intense stare. It was hard for me to concentrate, and I knew I'd have to go over everything again when he wasn't here.