Chapter 46

46

CHARLOTTE

W hen I step back into the room, my hair still wet from my shower, I stare in horror at the swarm of people that have descended upon Killian's quarters, and now, my little sanctuary.

From lounging in bed with my mate to this in just half an hour.

Our space is now bustling with people, coming in and out through the open door with boxes and carts, and stacking them against one long wall.

One pushes a rack of gowns with skill, scooping up the trailing ends and stroking the covers of dresses like they're his favourite pets as he stands back and makes sure they're all displayed perfectly.

He has a utility belt strapped around his waist that looks like something I carry when I'm on duty, except instead of handcuffs and tasers, he's got safety pins, needles, and thread.

Elodie comes into the room weighed down by swatches of fabric.

I glare at her, wide eyed, as mad as you can look in peach coloured velour, and hiss at her. "Elodie, what the hell is all this?"

When Killian told me someone was going to drop off some dresses, he also made it sound like he'd be sticking around to help, but I can tell from his faded scent that he's left.

"Killian is downstairs. More confessions to deal with." Elodie pats me on the arm condescendingly, but with an amused glint in her eye. She thinks this is funny. "You're about to be mated to a prince, dear sister. And even though you might not like it, this is what comes with the territory."

Shaking my head, I stare around at the strangers invading my private space. "No, I don't."

"You're just on edge because you're not marked yet. You'll feel less anxious when you guys have sealed the deal ."

I mustn't look very convinced, because she switches gears and tries another tactic.

"You have to look good for one day, and one day only. You have to look the part. Don't you want Killian to be blown away when he sees you? He'll remember this for the rest of his life."

"Oh God," is all I say as the realisation of what this means sweeps over me.

I'm going to be the queen. Killian is going to be the king.

Elodie blinks and stares at me, a line appearing between her brows as she takes in my stunned expression.

This should not be news to me, yet somewhere, with everything else that's been going on, I forgot about what this would mean for me.

"You did tell the prince that you wanted to help people. Didn't you? The best way to help people is to become queen and use that power and influence for good."

I didn't think Elodie would remember that. She didn't seem to be paying attention when I was ranting down the earpiece from my jail cell. I should stop underestimating my sister.

"And if that means you have to stand in front of the kingdom, in a beautiful dress and a pair of sparkly shoes, groomed to within an inch of your life, then you're just going to have to suck it up."

She gives me a little wink as I stare at her, in horror. What does she mean by groomed ? Elodie holds up various pairs of sky-high heels and sweeps an arm over what looks to be a jewellery store that's been set up on one side of the suite.

"Elodie, this is too much." And way too much for one person. "I just need one dress, one pair of shoes."

Elodie rolls her eyes at me. "God, you're going to be terrible at this, aren't you?" With an exaggerated sigh, she shakes her head. "No, you don't need one dress. You're going to have endless functions, endless nights out. All of these things will be used. You just get to pick your favourite for the coronation."

Swallowing hard, I convince myself that I can do this. I'm tough. All it is, is walking. In front of hundreds of people. In heels.

"But why are we doing this now, why today?" I'm aware that I'm whining, but if you're not allowed to when you've just been shot, when can you? "I mean, I'm just out of the shower. I'm not even sure I'm supposed to be out of the hospital."

Elodie looks at me, with pity. "Do you know nothing, sister?"

My patience is thin enough as it is. I wish she'd stop making me out to be some kind of idiot for finding this strange.

I scowl at the scorn in her tone. "There's no need to speak to me like that. Not all of us are royalty buffs."

With a put-upon sigh, she wraps an arm around my shoulder and steers me closer to the eccentric looking dress guy, who's already sizing me up. He pulls a tape measure from behind his back with lightning speed, and I scowl as he holds it up to my body and makes notes.

"Killian should have explained all of this to you." She huffs.

"Well, first I was in jail, and then, unconscious, so we haven't had much time for chats." My defence of him is quick and automatic, making Elodie smile.

"The coronation must happen within a week of you becoming mated to the prince." Her eyes land pointedly on my still bare neck. "While you're just out of hospital, from the... atmosphere in this room, I can tell that it's not going to be long before you're his."

That's probably the most tactful way anyone has told someone their bedroom reeks of sex.

My sister really is a class act.

"One week?" I hiss, completely stunned.

Killian definitely should have mentioned this.

"So, if we..."

I leave the rest of that sentence hanging out there as I realise I'm facing down the barrel of a very short gun. In no time, my life is going to be turned upside down.

"Yes, sister, one week. So, if you are mated within the next couple of days, the coronation will be this weekend."

"This weekend!" I squeal, my heart starting to pound wildly in my chest.

Even the designer currently trying to measure the length of my arms looks at me with concern when she hears my palpitations. I'm still recovering. Nobody wants to be responsible for the future king's mate having a full-blown panic attack.

"Yes. That means we have lots to do, and very little time." Elodie ignores my anxiety and claps her hands together with glee. She loves this. Organising. Bossing. Knowing more than me. "I've started pulling together a guest list. Without the palace ballroom available, we'll be restricted to the capacity of the function room in Alpha's Steels territory. So probably, five hundred or so."

Jesus. I blink at her.

I love how she says the ballroom is unavailable, like it's already booked, rather than practically burnt to the ground.

"Killian doesn't know anybody, and I hate socialising. How can there be five hundred people?"

Laughing at my naivety, Elodie holds my hand and gives it a squeeze. "It's okay, sister. We're going to be here to help."

The designer nods, carefully wrapping the measuring tape around my bust.

This just proves how woefully unprepared I am to be queen. I have no idea what to do. "You can't leave me. I need you, Elodie."

"Killian knew you'd hate it, so I've been drafted to help, and I'm more than happy to. I'll get you through this, Charlotte. You just concentrate on looking beautiful and getting those teeth marks onto your neck in the next couple of days."

I stare at her, slightly teary-eyed and overwhelmed. "But is this not weird for you?"

She's prepared her entire life for it, to be her giant fairytale wedding.

Elodie smiles. "It might have been my dream to marry a prince, but not Killian. He's yours. And whatever comes with that, this crown, this palace, I'm happy for you. I'll find my own knight in shining armour."

I pull my sister in for a hug. It's stiff and awkward, neither of us giving out physical affection very often, but it seemed like the right thing to do.

"Where's Mum?" I'm afraid to hear the answer, but I need to know, more so for my dad's sake.

"Downstairs in the dungeon, eating some humble pie." Anger flashes across Elodie's features before she reverts to her calm poker face once more. "Zane assures me he's got things handled, and to be frank, I'm eager to just stay out of it. She's his problem now."

I couldn't agree more. She protected her mother after knowing there was a good chance she'd attack Killian. And worse, she kept her mouth shut after he was hurt and let her come after him again. She might not have known he was my mate, but she knew we were in a relationship. Not that it matters. A good person would have come forward.

And for letting him get shot three times, I'll never forgive her.

"I'm going to be an awful queen," I whisper, making Elodie laugh.

"No, you're not. It's new, but you'll pick up all the customs and traditions in no time. Especially with an expert in the family. Plus, most people here aren't old enough to remember how the royal family is supposed to behave. You and Killian have the opportunity to shape things how you wish."

"But the palace is in ruins," I say, feeling like I'm stating the obvious.

Elodie waves my hand away. "Temporarily. And the palace is nothing but bricks and mortar. The monarchy is much, much more than that. You're a beacon of hope. All you need to do, is do good things, and people will love you."

That sounds doable.

Elodie grins as she skips out of arm's reach. "And wear a beautiful dress for a few hours while hundreds of people stare at you."