Royal Thief (Editing)

Chapter 40

Logan

I looked into her eyes expecting to see shock from the kiss but it showed none. The green beamed brighter than ever and I couldn't help but trailed her parted lips with my eyes while caressing her cheeks.

She closed her eyes, probably feeling the connection that had me leaning a little.

Connection?

Connection or not I felt something, but I was snapped back to reality when she said, "Thank you."

Reluctantly, I took my hands off her and watched her turned her back to me. She slowly headed for the bed but stopped before my already arranged sofa. "Are you going to sleep here?"

I smoothed my hands over my hair,  exhaling as I moved to her. "Yeah."

"The bed is big enough for two," she stated, still staring at the sofa like it held unknown secrets. Maybe it did, the sofa has been in the castle before my birth.

I massaged my neck, my thoughts on how sour it would be tomorrow but I ignored my subconscious and stood on my already made decision.

"I prefer the sofa."

She turned to me with a genuine smile.  "I think the incident with Aunty Valeria had a side effect on you."

"How so?" Folding my hands I waited for her response.

Her face was restored to its formal glory with no evidence of sorrow or tears, It was as if she never cried and I was amazed by her ability to hide her emotions.

"You, your highness." She pointed with a smile. "Will never pick a sofa over your comfortable bed. I mean you love your sleep remember?"

She had a point, I loved my sleep but I wasn't heartless to let her lay on a sofa while I used the king-sized bed. She taught me little manners in her flat back in London. "Well, I haven't had a good sleep in a while, but I believe the sofa is as comfortable as the bed."

"That makes it even right for you to have the bed, c'mon we are going to switch."

"No."

"Then we are going to share this." In a flash, she laid on the sofa with both hands and legs spread.

"No, no, no." I picked her from the sofa while she kicked and struggled to get down. "Annabelle!"

"What?!" She stopped her mid-air catfight with a frown.

"What is wrong with you?" I placed her on the floor and watched her run back assuming her previous position.

God, she is crazy, I thought watching her with a frown. I ran my hands through my face exhausted and ready for bed. "Alright let's share the bed.  I will take the left, you take the right side."

She sat up immediately. "No way, I will take the left, you will take the right."

"Do we really have to argue about everything?"

She shrugged and laid back on the sofa.

I shook my head not irked but rather finding her demeanour a comic one. She was going out of her way to ensure I had a good rest.  "Fine."

"Now go over to your side of the bed. I'm watching you, c'mon, go on," She said, like a mother shooing her kid.

I moved to my approved side of the bed and laid with my hands underneath my head. "Happy now mummy?"

"Don't ever call me that, it sounds weird." She took her position at the edge of the bed. The space between us was ample for four humans.

I dimmed the light and rolled to my side facing the wall.

"How are we going to end this?" She inquired out of thin air.

It was a question I never thought about, a question with a lot of energy.

I veered to her and noticed her eyes were closed. "We are going to cross the bridge when we eventually get there."

"But we need to prepare or end up collapsing with the bridge," she said.

Knowing I had to give an answer, I said the only thing I could think of, "You could dye your hair green?"

Her eyes snapped open, glaring with flames from the mention of changing her hair colour. "I will never dye my  hair and why green?"

"I don't know. And I will be breaking up with you, not the other way round. If you end it, my sisters will find you," I added as more ways to end the lies flooded in.

"So I get to be the cheating slut?"

"Language Belle."

"No one is here to judge. You should try cursing sometimes, it frees the spirit." She sighed and closed her eyes again.

Feeling an intense desire to pull her closer, I turned, welcoming the sleep that made my eyes heavy and pushed my innermost desire away.

"Logan."

"Mmm." Letting my lids open, I waited for her to speak.

"Thanks for being a good friend."

Friends. Was that what I really wanted? I knew I wanted my throne, I wanted my peace, I wanted my dignity, I wanted her to be safe, I wanted her to never cry but deep down, I wanted her.

Jesus Logan, what is wrong with you?

***

The door to my room opened. After multiple knocks and no reply, Aaron was allowed to step in, that was our rule.

On cue, I opened my eyes and caught him quietly shutting the door. Pulling the sheets down my body, I rushed out of the room. It was too early and Aaron waking me up meant something was wrong.

"You didn't have to leave," I said gently closing the door to avoid waking Annabelle.

He turned to me, his hands were behind his back and a smile played on his lips.

"And nothing happened." I leaned on the wall with my hands folded on my chest.

"I can't seem to trust your words, your highness." He paused, now standing before me. "Do you remember the last girl you had in your bed that nothing happened?"

"Ah-"

"Your Grandma."

"Funny but I mean it," I said, clearing the air. My playboy days ceased after the accident that ended everything with Eva.  "Why I'm I up early?"

"I was not there for you, I was there for her. I checked her room, she was missing, so I decided to inform you." He paused giving me a knowing look. "Her portrait section starts 5:00 am and it's already 4:30 am."

He stared at his wristwatch. "Sorry, 4:35 am."

I rushed inside leaving Aaron smiling by the door. I moved to where she laid with her hair covering her face and I couldn't help but wonder how she breathes without packing them.

"Belle," I called, but she only turned.

"Annabelle." I gently shook her shoulders and her eyes opened.

"You are going to be late for your portrait section with the Queen."

She sat up, blinked for a couple of seconds then her eyes went wide, struck by reality.

"Oh my God!" she jumped from the bed, lunged past me, while I watched her rushed out of my room leaving her phone behind.

***

Authors note.

Hey guys. Feel free to tell me what your thoughts are. We are gradually moving forward with this book and I just want to say thanks to those reading.