The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 615

Chapter 615

Xander suddenly leaned so close that Athena could almost count the pores on his face.

The long trailing sleeves of his robe nearly brushed against her ruffled skirt.

The shadow cast by his lashes enveloped her, and the emotions churning in his eyes were in quenched iron, making her throat dry

Athena felt her mind go completely blank and instinctively held her breath.

Athena’s cheeks flushed as she instinctively stepped back, only for a large hand to suddenly pull her close by her slender waist.

Xander’s deep voice murmured in her ear, “Watch your step”

Startled, Athena finally glanced down and spotted a pebble at her feet.

Athena looked at Xander, flustered and helpless, and pleaded in a whisper, “Let go, please Someone might

Xander’s voice was as deep as liquor–soaked velvet, laced with a heady mix of intoxication and burning desire. He murmured. “Shouldn’t we start planning our wedding? If I don’t marry soon, I’ll end up a confirmed bachelor,”

Xander was twenty–five. Most men his age already had children in school.

Yet Xander stubbornly refused to med, driving Alexandra Cavendish to fury every time she saw him.

The bugs‘ chirping suddenly seemed deafening, and Athena could clearly hear the frantic pounding of her own heart.

The scent of his sandalwood perfume grew even stronger, eveloping her in a gentle, inescapable embrace.

Flustered, she looked up, only to meet his smiling gaze. His amber eyes now blared with wildfire–the intensity making even the tips of her wars fluch red.

Yet he feigned ignorance, shamelessly pressing his suit for marriage as if utterly oblivious to the effect he had on her.

Athena, both annoyed and flustered, gave him a shove and protested, “Stop this nonsense!”

Seeing her shyness, Xander laughed—a deep, honeyed sound that weled up from his chest, rich and intoxicating

Athena’s cheeks burned crimson with embarrassment. Flustered and wexed, she spun around and marched toward the manor, snapping at Lance, “Shut the door. Don’t let anyone in

With that, she practically stormed inside.

Lance’s jaw dropped in shock.

He thought, ‘Anyone? Does that include Prince Xander?

“As if I’d ever dare to stop Prince Xandert

Fortunately, Xander didn’t trouble Lance. He simply instructed, inform her that I’ll be returning home for a few days to attend to some personal matters. I shall call on her again once these matters are settled.”

Lance nearly dropped to his knees in deference, bobbing his head like a buoy in rough waters. “Understood, Your Highness!”

However, before leaving, Xander added, “I have my messenger deliver a letter here every day. Make sure your lady reads it and writes me back”

As he spoke, he looked every bit the spirited young

with none of his usual princely solemnity

Lance thought, if Prince Kander weren’t standing right in front of me, I’d swear he was bewitched”

Chapter 615

It wasn’t until Xander had left that Lance finally broke into a silly grin

He thought, ‘Prince Xander isn’t bewitched. He’s just smitten with Lady Athena.

That explains everything”

Xander stood outside the gates of the Kander Manor, garing up at the imposing estate as the warmth in his eyes turned icy

‘The Xander Manor can have only one mistress. If I’m getting married, then no other woman will remain here, he thought coldly

With a glacial expression, he ascended the steps and strode into the manor,

Nelson hurried over, beaming with joy as he greeted him, “Your Highness, you’re finally back!”

Xander replied softly, “Where’s Mother?”

“Lady Alexandra is in the garden, speaking with Lady Kendra, Nelson replied, his voice thick with resignation

He had assumed that with Xander away, Kendra Porter would have the decency to leave. Yet, to his surprise, she had been staying here for ne months now, showing no intention of departing

AD