The King Takes A Bride (Royals Book 4) by Danielle Bourdon Read Free Book Online

expected me to say something.”
    “Does he normally act like that?”
    “I've only met him once, but it was at a gala in another country and very brief. I wasn't in Latvala when his entourage made a state visit.” Sander paused with her outside the door to a conference room. “I don't know how long this will take, but I'll be up shortly before dinner to shower and change.”
    “I'll be waiting. See you then.” Chey squeezed his arm, then headed for the stairs. She needed time to figure out what to wear.
    On the upper floor, she came across Mattias exiting his bedroom. One hand on the door knob, the other on the button of his suit, he looked dapper and dashing.
    “Mattias,” she said to get his attention.
    Glancing over, Mattias smiled and stepped her way. “How did the meeting go?”
    “It was a little strange. I'm still getting used to these kinds of things though, so maybe it was just me.” Chey didn't think so. Sander had also thought something was off. Putting it from her mind, she said, “I wanted to ask you if you had a word with Natalia.”
    “You're a natural. You'll get used to it before you know it.” He hesitated, then said, “Yes, I did.”
    “Is that why she showed up today? Even though she didn't want to be there?”
    “I expect so. I'd like to think she thought about her actions and attended because she is seeing the error of her ways...” Mattias let it trail.
    “But probably not,” Chey finished for him.
    Mattias inclined his head. He slid his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “That she showed up at all is perhaps a step in the right direction.”
    “Perhaps. Either way, thank you for taking the time to run interference.” Chey studied Mattias's expression, the kindness she saw in his eyes alongside a more cunning gleam.
    “I'd like to see the wedding go without a hitch. Anything I can do to help that along is worthwhile. Besides that, I'm hoping Natalia will work through some of her bad habits,” he admitted.
    “What's this, consorting with the enemy?” Natalia said from down the hall.
    She must have come from one of the private sitting rooms or a library, since there hadn't been the opening or closing of a door to announce her. Chey, who couldn't see Natalia from her position with Mattias in the way, glanced at the woman when the Prince turned around.
    Scowling, Natalia marched their direction with Katrin at her side.
    “She's hardly the enemy, Natalia. Don't snap at her because the truth stings,” Mattias said.
    Drawing even with the pair, Natalia, who had lost her glasses since the fitting, glared first at Chey, then at her brother. “I'm disappointed to find you standing right here in the open, discussing such private things. How's that for maturity, Mattias? Are you impressed now that I've 'stepped up to your level'? Did I handle that with enough aplomb?”
    “With your attitude, you should feel grateful that we discuss you at all,” Mattias said.
    Chey hid her surprise at Mattias's calmly delivered insult. She looked at Natalia in time to see the woman's face go pale, then redden with fury.
    Katrin in tow, Natalia marched past, disappearing around the far corner of the hall.
    Chey released a pent up breath. “That was my fault, Mattias. I'm sorry. I should have known better than to talk about her where anyone might overhear.”
    For long seconds, Mattias stared at the spot his sister disappeared. “Don't apologize. She's the one with a chip on her shoulder. If she doesn't want to hear people talking about her childish displays, then maybe she'll cease making them.”
    “Maybe so,” Chey said. Whatever progress had been made at the fitting just got wiped clean. “Anyway, I need to go find something to wear. See you tonight?”
    “You will.” Mattias withdrew a hand to touch her lightly on the back of the shoulder as he passed.
    Chey headed the opposite direction, following the corridor around two corners until she came to the master suite. With much on her