𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐧┃𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐓𝐰𝐨

21. 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐾𝑒𝑒𝑝𝑠 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝐴𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒

Syn

"Yes, just take those boxes to my room," I instructed the servants in the palace. When I came I expected some resistance...some sort of fight from the people in the palace to have me stay here. But I arrived and I seemed to be missed even though I barely spoke to the people here.

A group of servants carried my things in and I walked into the palace behind them. I looked around and nodded at the newly decorated place. When I was growing up my father didn't like it much so we barely stayed here, it was more so abandoned than anything.

I never thought I'd have to move into here until I was king, but it looked like it needed to be earlier. What's that thing about keeping your enemies closer? That's what I needed to do.

Especially when one of my enemies is a woman that I can't seem to stay away from.

I shook my head and took a breath as I walked deeper into the palace. I had one goal in mind and that was all, find out what Dimitri has over Queen, kill him, and then become king. Whether or not she chose to rule by my side would entirely be her decision.

Mia was the first one to walk down the stairs and she crossed her arms and smiled when she saw me. "I'm glad you're here. She needs you."

"No, she doesn't. She loves Dimitri," I lied. I knew for a fact that Queen didn't. I just needed to see Mia's reaction since they seemed to be close. I watched Mia as she looked away nervously and her eyes brimmed with tears. That was all the answer I needed to know that Queen wasn't staying with him because she wanted to.

I didn't truly want to admit it, but a part of me wanted to be here to protect her. After what I found out about Dimitri, and not being able to help her the first time, it wouldn't happen again.

"You're moving in?!" Xavier said excitedly as he rushed down the stairs. I didn't know how to feel about Xavier right now considering he agreed on lying to me about my past. I understood his reason but he was supposed to be the one who fought for something like this, not Caspian.

"Yup," I said dryly.

"Why?" He asked when he got closer. That's when I noticed that what I heard wasn't excitement at all. It was nervousness. I guess Caspian didn't tell him that I knew.

"I do own the palace, Xavier," I said. "I like the view here..." my voice trailed off as my eyes fell on Queen. She looked like nothing had happened to her all those days ago and had a smile on her face.

I felt like a horny teenager when my eyes trailed down her curvy body. I don't know why I was having this reaction, I'd seen her plenty of time— even naked, but I still stared at her like we just met. Besides she wasn't wearing anything that provoked such a reaction.

She was wearing sneakers and an oversized shirt as she happily walked down the stairs. With every step she took closer to me, the more I observed her. Are you truly happy, Queen?

She came in front of me and looked up at me with a forced smile. "Why are you here?"

I smiled down at her. "Because this place is mine."

"Lucifer is coming," she said as she crossed her arms. "He'll be deciding."

"Sounds good," I said as I took out a cigarette and lighter. When I began to light it, Queen held her hand out.

"There's no smoking in here," she said.

I ignored her and took a long drag off the cigarette as I walked past her and looked around. When I turned back to her, I nodded my head. "You did well with the decor."