Seat of Power

The dining hall glittered like a gilded cage.

Candlelight flickered over silver platters and crystal goblets, casting long shadows across the faces of the assembled nobles. Ana had tried to sit at the far end of the table anywhere but near him but Ivander’s voice had sliced through the murmuring crowd like a blade:

“Princess Anastasia. Here.”

He’d pointed to the chair at his left. The queen’s seat.

Every eye in the room had snapped to her.

Now, as she perched stiffly on the edge of the velvet cushion, Ana could feel the heat of Ivander’s gaze like a brand.

“Try the roast chicken,” he murmured, forking a slice onto her plate.“It’s been prepared specially for you.”

Ana didn’t touch it.“I’m not hungry.”

A slow smile curled his lips. “Liar.”He smirks and feeds her infront of whole Noblians.

Then she feels the brush of leather against silk.

She was stiffened for a moment.

Under the table, Ivander’s knee pressed against her.She glared at him and kicked him.

The ambassador from France droned on about trade routes, his voice a distant buzz in Ana’s ears.

All she could focus on was the touch.

Ivander’s leg shifted, his calf sliding along hers in a slow, deliberate stroke. The contact burned through her skirts as if the fabric didn’t exist.

Ana jerked her knee away.

Ivander took a sip of wine, his expression perfectly composed as he addressed the table.“The Spanish fleet’s dominance in the Mediterranean is unsettling for some.”His hand dropped below the tablecloth, his fingers tracing the inside of her wrist. “Wouldn’t you agree, Princess?”

Her breath hitched.“I find unsettling is often a matter of perspective, Your Majesty.”

His thumb circled her pulse point.“And what’s your perspective?”

Ana snatched her hand back, reaching for her goblet to hide the tremble in her fingers. “I think fear makes fools of even the wisest men.”

A hushed silence fell over the guests.

Ivander’s eyes darkened. Then, to the room’s shock, he laughed a rich, velvety sound that made Ana’s stomach flip.“A diplomatic answer from our most reluctant student.”

His shoe hooked around her ankle, dragging her foot toward him.

Ana choked on her wine.

By the third course, Ana was ready to stab him with her fork.

Every time she tried to shift away, Ivander found a new way to torment her:

His pinky brushing hers as they reached for the salt.The clink of his signet ring against her water glass a silent toast just for her.And worst of all his knee parting hers under the table, forcing her to either yield or kick him in front of the entire court.

She chose option three.

"Ouch"

Ivander’s grunt was swallowed by the chatter, but his eyes promised retribution.

Ana smiled sweetly.“Apologies, Your Majesty. My foot slipped.”

The ambassador blinked.“Is everything alright?”

“Perfect,”Ivander gritted out. Then, lower, for Ana alone“You’ll pay for that.”

The dessert course arrived a sinful chocolate torte drizzled in raspberry coulis, a dish Ana normally would’ve devoured. But how could she eat when Ivander’s thumb was now tracing slow circles on the inside of her knee beneath the tablecloth?

“You’re not indulging, Princess,”Ivander mused aloud, forking a bite of the torte and holding it toward her lips.“A shame. It’s… exquisite.”

The nobles tittered, mistaking his gesture for chivalry.

Ana clenched her fists in her lap.“I prefer my sweets unspoiled.”

A flash of danger in his eyes.“And yet,”he said, too softly for others to hear,“you seem to enjoy bitter flavors.”His knee nudged hers.“Like the taste of my blood last night.”

Her cheeks burned. She snatched the fork from his hand, her lips brushing the tines as she took the bite. The chocolate was rich, decadent like his voice when he whispered her name in the dark.

Across the table, the French ambassador smirked. “Ah, youth! Such passion in academic debates.”

If only he knew.

The moment the servants cleared the plates from table she rose.“If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen.”

Ivander’s hand shot out, circling her wrist. “We’re not finished.”

“I am.”She wrenched free, ignoring the gasps around them.“Unless you’d like to explain to my father why I’m being held captive at dinner.”

A dangerous pause. Then Ivander leaned back, waving a dismissive hand.“As you wish.”

Ana didn’t look back as she fled but she felt his gaze like a physical touch,glaring her with….

She barely made it to the hallway before an arm hooked around her waist, yanking her into a shadowed alcove.

“You dare disrespect me infront of so many people”

Ivander spun her to face him, his chest heaving.“You humiliated me in there.Do you forgot that I m the king.You should respect me.”

Ana shoved against him.“You deserved it.”

“For what? Wanting you?”His hands caged her face.“For loving you so much it hurts?”

"Let me go"She shoved against his chest, but he crowded her against the wall, his breath hot on her lips.

“No.”His knee slid between hers, pinning her in place.“Not until you admit the truth.”

“What truth?”She spat the words, her nails digging into his wrists.

Ivander’s voice dropped to a growl.“That you liked it.”His thumb brushed the hollow of her throat, feeling her traitorous pulse leap.“That every time I touch you, you melt.”

Ana’s breath hitched.“I hate you.”

“Liar.”His lips grazed her jaw.“You hate that you want me. That even now, your body is begging”

A moan slipped from her as his teeth scraped her earlobe.

Ivander froze.

The sound hung between them a confession neither could take back.

Her breath caught.She knew she was the woman he ever had in his life.She knew he loved her with his whole heart but still there relationship was complicated.

Some footsteps were heard.

They froze.

Isabella’s voice echoed down the hall.“Ana? Where are you?are you there?”

Ivander’s lips ghosted over Ana’s ear.“This isn’t over..I will see you later Princess Anastasia.”

And like smoke, he was gone.no trace of him was left.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***