2#Awakened by the Vampire Prince (Flower) Read Free Page A

change your robe?” She wrinkled her nose
while looking down at the perfectly fresh, bright garment that Esral was
wearing.
    The
robe she had only just put on. “I’m good, thanks.”
    “Suit
yourself. Let’s go.”
    “Right
now?” Although she tried to speak in a normal tone and to remain calm, there
was a slight quiver to her voice and Cheri definitely noticed it.
    The
female both smiled and narrowed her eyes at the same time. “Yes, princess. He is waiting. You don’t want to keep your father waiting do you?” She made the
title sound like a swearword.
    Esral
shook her head, what could she say? They left her chamber. She was momentarily
taken aback when she saw that York had replaced Gideon. He threw her a smile
and gave a nod in greeting. Esral nodded back, noticing how he fell in behind
them. The royal chambers were built into a cluster of great white oaks so they
didn’t have too far to travel.
    Her
mind was reeling from what she had just been told, her hands were shaking. She
knew surely that Cheri had to be lying about Xavier, yet Esral still couldn’t
help but to feel a knot of worry in her gut. Xavier had been with many females
over the last few months. He had said himself that he was a male that had needs.
Had he sought the female out before or after she had asked him to honor her?
Would the answer to that question make any difference as to how she would feel
about it? She hoped and prayed that Cheri was once again being her conniving,
lying self. Esral would seek him out, as soon as the family meeting was over,
and gain her answers. There had to be a reasonable explanation and in order to
make it through the next few minutes, she would hold on to that thought.
    This
helped to calm her, somewhat. This meeting could not have come at a worse time.
Her mind was a jumbled mess.
     Esral
knocked on her father’s door while forcing a smile. Her greeting died on her
lips when she saw Xavier standing next to Keto. What was going on?
    Her
heart was ripped from her chest when she saw recognition flare in Xavier’s eyes
as Cheri walked in behind her. So Cheri had not lied after all. What a big
surprise that the first time the female actually spoke anything of the truth
was now. As if in confirmation, Cheri narrowed her eyes at Xavier and pulled
her robe closer around herself. The female pursed her lips in disgust. She
lifted her chin, turning her eyes from Xavier.
    Esral
took a shuddering breath, pulling her shoulders upright while working hard to
keep her lip from quivering and her eyes from welling with tears. There was no
way she could feign a smile but the best she could do was try to look indifferent.
    Xavier’s
forehead creased with… concern . His eyes narrowed in question and he gave
a small shake of his head.
    She
must look a mess because even her dear father’s expression turned to one of
concern as she approached him. “Are you feeling all right? We can postpone this
meeting if you are unwell.”
    Keto
immediately stepped forward with a jerk of his head. “No,” he growled. “This is
not something that can wait. Five minutes is all that I ask. If you are capable
of attending this meeting, father, then I’m sure that Esral is too.” He looked
pointedly at her.
    She
nodded, moving to her father’s side. The only way she would survive this,
regardless of what this gathering was about, was if she kept her focus on him
rather than on the other three present in the room. If she so much as looked at
Xavier or Cheri again, she would lose it.
    “Since
both you and father are unwell, I’m not going to waste anyone’s time and I’m going
to get straight to the point.” He clenched his jaw for a few beats. “Tell us
the name of the male that you plan to take as your mate? I’m not sure why you
insist on keeping this a secret.”
    She
heard Xavier shuffle his weight from one boot to the other and back again.
    “I
am beginning to think, sister, that you are withholding this information