Page 44 of Throne Off Course

She rolled her eyes. “God, I take it back.”

Alexander chuckled—before spinning her effortlessly, the room blurring for a second before she landed back against him. His grip at her waist was firm, his other hand warm where it clasped hers. His expression was infuriatingly smug, but his eyes—his eyes weren’t detached or unreadable or full of that royal restraint. They were locked onto hers. And once again Emilia felt a spark between them.

The music surrounded them, the beat matching the rhythm of her pulse. For once, the world beyond them—the party, the guests, seemed to fade away.

Sebastian, still watching from the sidelines, let out a slow whistle. “Well, well, well,” he mused, taking a sip of his drink. “Alexander successfully flirting. Miracles do happen.”

22

How to Wake Up and Immediately Regret Everything

Emilia was too warm.

Which was a problem.

Her bed wasn’t this comfortable. It had a distinct “I bought this mattress on sale during my broke college years” quality to it.

Something was wrong.

Her eyes snapped open, and the world tilted unpleasantly as she bolted upright.

Not her bed. Not her room.

Panic surged as she took in her surroundings.

The sheets were obnoxiously soft. The curtains hung heavy and rich, while the walls gleamed pristine, polished, expensive.

And then—

Alexander.

Not in the bed.

Sitting on a chair in the corner, arms crossed, appearing irritatingly composed for someone who had spent the night sleeping upright in a hard-backed chair.

He wasn’t even glancing at her, instead flipping casually through a book as if this was a completely normal morningand not a deeply concerning one where she had somehow woken up in an unfamiliar bedroom with the Crown Prince of Caledonia in the room.

At her sudden movement, he glanced up. “Ah. You’re awake.”

Emilia stared at him.

Then at herself.

Still fully clothed, her dress, even her shoes still on.

Okay. That was… good. That was reassuring.

Still, nausea churned in her stomach, mingling with something far worse—dread.

She swallowed hard. “Did we—?”

Alexander didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, we did. And can I just say, it wasspectacular.”

Her stomach dropped.

Then his mouth twitched.

Emilia grabbed the nearest pillow and launched it at his head. “You—”