Chapter 34: Plaything
MALIA’S POV:
Princess Monet, wearing a white silk dress barely covering her nipples, swayed toward them, seeming to glide more than walk—Malia thought—closer to an ethereal sprite or goddess or demon than a human woman. How could Malia compete with that? And yet, Charles’s composure tightened when he saw Chloe approaching. Malia could sense his disgust toward the beautiful woman. What strange things duty makes one do, like marry someone you don’t love, and what strange ways behavior warps the senses so that beauty appears ugly in the discerning eye. But was Malia reading Charles correctly, or was it wishful thinking?
And what was Charles about to say to Malia before Chloe interrupted them? Some kind of a confession.
“So, this is the American skank?” Chloe said, her sharp, wild eyes soaking Malia’s body in like a predator to its helpless prey. “You’re a tasty morsel. A sugary little appetizer to the main dish, aren’t you?” Chloe said.