The Wrath of the King by Danielle Bourdon

the guard. Her heart trip-hammered so hard she thought it might pop. “Do you always sneak up on people?”
    “Only when I think they're up to no good. What are you doing, anyway?” he asked.
    Gathering her files with shaking hands, Wynn stepped around the edge of Paavo's desk. Leander, decked out in a steel gray uniform, looked like he meant to block her exit with his body. Making contact with his eyes, which were two shades lighter than his uniform, Wynn said, “It's none of your business. I work for the Prince, or have you forgotten? I've got every right to be in here.”
    He straightened from his negligent lean and dropped his arms to his sides, effectively barring the exit. “Maybe you do. That doesn't explain why you're so prickly. Unless you're feeling guilty, which means you're doing things you shouldn't be.”
    Wynn stopped three feet from him. She knew her cheeks were flushed, a state he didn't help when he pointed out her guilt. Blast the man, he was right. Not that she would ever admit it. “Move, please.”
    “What, no tender greeting? No I'm happy to see you again, Leander?” he asked, barely containing a laugh.
    Here he was, toying with her, and all she worried about was whether he meant to tell Paavo she'd been snooping. “Maybe next time,” she snapped.
    Leander tilted his body just enough, just barely enough, for her to squeeze by.
    Exasperated, she stalked past, refusing to inch around him. Instead, she bumped his shoulder with her own, nearly rocking her back on her feet. He felt like a solid wall, too strong for his own good. He also smelled like heaven. Something sexy and musky with a hint of amber. Steadied by his hand on her elbow, she glared up into his face and exited into the hallway. Feeling the weight of his stare, Wynn resisted the urge to look back and see if his mocking grin had faded into something more serious. Maybe he was already on the phone, or sending a text.
    Holding her breath, she took the first turn she came to, expecting any moment to be waylaid by guards or Paavo's personal security.
    To her surprise, she made it all the way to her borrowed bedroom without interruption.
    Leander the Guard might not be such a bad sort after all.

Chapter Ten
    “I don't know what we're going to do, Krislin,” Chey said. She closed the door to Sander's room so no one would overhear. Pacing away, she headed back to the bed where Krislin waited. Gunnar's wife had arrived ten minutes before with the news of Gunnar's departure. “With Gunnar gone to Solvandi, and Mattias unable to be found, Paavo has free rein to do what he wants. It worries me. I know why Gunnar went, and I think it was a smart move. I guess I wish Mattias would show up.”
    “Gunnar can return any time if we need him to. I think he wants to see what's going on, what the countryside looks like. He wants to know how deep Paavo's plans go.” Krislin patted a chair next to Sander's bed. “You should sit down and relax. I'll rub your shoulders if you'd like. You look so tense, Chey.”
    Chey paused to smile at Krislin. If there had been anyone willing to help, someone always on Chey's side of things, it was Krislin. The woman was indispensable in a time of crisis. “That's all right. I know you're just as tired as I am, taking shifts sleeping and standing guard.”
    “But I'm not almost ready to have a baby,” Krislin pointed out. “Here, come put your feet up.”
    Chey reversed direction, eased down into a chair, and allowed Krislin to push an ottoman under her feet. She had to admit—it felt good to recline and take the weight off her legs for a minute. Nerves caused her to pace relentlessly, not a bad thing in moderate amounts, but mildly exhausting with so little rest. She laid her palms over her stomach when the baby moved and rolled. “Thanks, Kris.”
    “You're welcome.” Krislin tugged on the snug fitted, peach top she wore over a simple pair of jeans and crossed the room to pour herself a glass of water.