Tempting the Crown (The Crown 1)

My face flushed.

He laughed. “Because of that look. You just came in my hand and you still get shy. You still act surprised. I don’t think I can ever get enough of your eyes when you come. You get lost in it.”

“Only because you take me there. It’s never been like that before.” There wasn’t an explanation for it other than Damon was what my sexual existence needed to be complete.

He exhaled. “You’re mine. That’s why.”

He said it with such certainty I was willing to believe the explanation. My body belonged to him. My soul. And I was starting to think my heart did too.

He glanced at his watch. “I have five minutes before I am announced. We need to hurry.”

He weaved his fingers through mine and led me through the tunnels. We walked down stairs into more levels of hallways. I would never be able to find my way back. We emerged in the library.

He grinned. “Thought this might be a good place to start your evening. You can wait here. Ayla will come get you when it’s time.”

I gripped his hand. “Couldn’t I just sneak in? I don’t need a big announcement.”

“You do. It’s the official introduction that’s required of a royal appointment. You’ll be fine.”

He started to walk away and I felt the queasiness in my stomach return. “Damon,” I called.

He stood in the doorway. “Yes?”

“The vote. What happened? How did it go?”

He grinned. “It passed.”

***

I stared at the set of double doors that reached at least twelve feet high. There were two guards dressed in full ceremonial uniforms. Their white gloves gripped the handles.

This was it. On the other side of the door was a ballroom full of guests.

I closed my eyes, picturing Damon’s smile. His eyes.

The doors opened and a man next to the grand staircase began to speak in a booming voice. I froze when I realized where I had heard him before. He was the MC at The Titan. Holy shit.

Someone whispered behind me to enter the room.

“Announcing the arrival of Molly Washington, official Royal Consort to King Sauvage.”

He didn’t act like he recognized me.

I stepped forward toward the top of the staircase. I wish someone had warned me the ballroom was sunken. Guests entered at the upper level. There was a balcony that surrounded the floor below. I had to walk down an entire flight of stairs.

I looked down. Damon was in the center of the room, smiling.

Suddenly I realized I could do it. It didn’t matter if the MC knew who I was. Damon was standing at attention as if he were still in the royal navy. I couldn’t keep him waiting.

By the time I reached the bottom step I knew everyone was watching us. He stepped forward. I offered my hand, curtseying the way Ayla taught me. When I rose, he took my hand and led me to the row of men and women closest to us. This row was Damon’s cabinet.

“Nice to meet you.” I shook hands with the first man, followed by the rest of the line. “Thank you for attending.” I smiled and nodded.

Once I had made all the government introductions, the room watched as Damon led me to the opposite side of the room. The royals sat in chairs.

I was required to curtsey to each of them. I already preferred the government side of the ballroom. But these people were Damon’s family. This was critical.

I smiled when I saw Isabel. Thank God, I knew someone in this sea of diamonds and tuxedos. It was as if I had been given a small lifeline.