Read Online The Queen by Kiera Cass - Free Book Online

who spoke.
    “Excuse me?”
    “Your Highness,” he replied quietly, “certainly you know your father would disapprove of you devoting so much time to a girl not worthy of you.”
    It would have hurt less if he’d hit me.
    “The chances of her producing an heir are marginal at best. And you nearly lost your life rescuing her! I’ve yet to report her condition to the king, as I was sure you’d mercifully send her home once you knew. But if this continues, I will have to make him aware.”
    There was a long pause before Clarkson answered.
    “I believe I heard several of the girls say your hands lingered a little too long as you examined them today,” he said coldly.
    The doctor’s eyes squinted. “What do you—”
    “And which one was it who said you whispered something very inappropriate in her ear? It doesn’t matter, I suppose.”
    “But I never—”
    “Hardly the point. I’m the prince. My word is above questioning. And if I even hint that you dared to touch my women in any way that wasn’t professional, you might find yourself in front of a firing squad.”
    My heart was racing. I wanted to stop him, to tell him no one’s life needed to be threatened over this. Surely, there were other ways to get around the issue. But I knew that now was not the time to speak.
    Dr. Mission swallowed as Clarkson continued to speak. “If you value your life at all, then I suggest that you don’t interfere with mine. Are we clear?”
    “Yes, Your Highness,” Dr. Mission said, throwing in a quick bow for good measure.
    “Excellent. Now, is Lady Amberly in good health? Can she go to her room to rest in comfort?”
    “I’ll have a nurse check her vitals at once.”
    Clarkson waved his arm, and the doctor left.
    “Can you believe he had the nerve? I should get rid of him anyway.”
    I placed my hand on Clarkson’s chest. “No. No, please don’t hurt him.”
    He smiled. “I meant that I’d send him away, find a suitable position for him elsewhere. Many of the governors like having private doctors. He’ll do well in something like that.”
    I sighed in relief. So long as no one died.
    “Amberly,” he whispered. “Before he told you, did you know you might be unable to have children?”
    I shook my head. “I worried. I’ve seen it happen to others where I live. But both my oldest siblings are married, and they have babies. I hoped I would be able to, too.”
    My voice hitched, and he hushed me. “Don’t worry about any of that now. I’ll come check on you later. We need to talk.”
    He kissed my forehead, there in the hospital wing where anyone could see. All my worries disappeared, if only for the moment.

CHAPTER 11
    “I HAVE A SECRET FOR you.”
    I awoke to Clarkson whispering in my ear. It was as if my body just knew to respond to him, and I wasn’t even startled. Instead, I was gently stirred by his voice, and it was the sweetest way to wake up in the world.
    “Do you?” I rubbed my eyes and looked at his impish smile.
    He nodded. “Shall I tell you?” I giggled in reply, and he bent his head again to my ear. “You are going to be the next queen of Illéa.”
    I pulled back to see his face, searching for any hint of this being a joke. But, truly, I’d never seen him calmer.
    “Do you want me to tell you how I know?” He seemed pleased with himself, to have surprised me so.
    “Please,” I breathed, still not believing his words.
    “I hope you’ll forgive my little tests, but I’ve known for a long time what I was looking for.” He shifted in the bed, and I sat up so we were facing each other. “I liked your hair.”
    Instinctively, I touched it. “What do you mean?”
    “There was nothing wrong with it when it was long. I asked several girls to cut their hair, and you were the only one who gave me more than an inch.”
    I stared, dumbfounded. What did that mean?
    “And the night I came to you for our first date . . . do you remember that?” Of course I did. “I came late, when I