by Vivian Wood
My hand is in my pocket, and it brushes against the golden band that holds a massive emerald encrusted with diamonds.
I cannot wait to slip this on Violet’s finger.
I think through the words I plan to say to her, and I’m so lost in thought that when the door to the tent opens again, I startle. But once I see Violet walk in, see her eyes go wide in surprise, I grin broadly.
“Hunter, what’s going on?” She looks at me quizzically, trying to figure out the situation. Her leather boots sink into the warm sand as she steps into the tent.
“You should probably take off your shoes. Let your toes unfurl in the sand.”
She looks down at my feet, and sees that my jeans are rolled up above my ankles. I’m not wearing any socks, and my long-sleeved flannel shirt is rolled up, too.
Damn, it’s hot in here.
I wouldn’t mind if she rolled up a few things herself; that skirt could be a few inches shorter.
“Okay, I can take off my boots—but seriously, Hunter. What’s this about? How did you get the ocean projected on this tent? It’s like a movie.”
“I made us an island. It’s only big enough for you and I.”
“Hunter, you did this for me?” She walks toward me in her bare feet and pulls off her sweater, letting it drop in the sand. Her blouse underneath is sheer white, her lacy white bra obvious through it.
“Violet, I know our fathers arranged this marriage. And it’s something I fought, but I’ve fought a lot of things in my life. I never accepted who I was, the man I could be, until I met you. In a matter of days, you’ve changed the way I see everything. You changed me.”
“Hunter,” Violet says in a whisper. She shakes her head, pressing her hand against my chest. “Wait—”
“I can’t wait. I need you to know this. I need you to know that even though this marriage was arranged for us, it’s the one I would choose.”
“I have to tell you something Hunter. I spoke with my father today. And—”
“And what? What is it, Violet?”
Now that she’s standing in front of me, I can see that she’s upset. My stomach drops; something’s wrong.
“Is everything okay, Violet? Did something happen with your father, your sisters?” I grab her hands, pulling her to me, hating the idea of something hurting her.
“Something did happen, Hunter. Everything has changed.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
It’s painful looking into Hunter’s eyes.
He’s clearly torn the moment he thinks something happened to my family.
I’m not meaning to scare him. In fact, that’s the last thing I want to do. Even though I know I have the power to break him.
“My father is fine, and my sisters are, too. In fact, prospects are better for Elexia than they ever have been.”
“Because of the dowry you’re receiving tomorrow? Because I thought about it, and I can send the dowry today.”
“No, Hunter, that isn’t necessary. In fact, it isn’t necessary at all. My father spoke with the family Iris is betrothed to, the VonAhren’s of Alpinweiss. She’s moving to Alpinweiss next week, for the wedding. She’s only been waiting until my marriage took place before she left. But that isn’t even necessary anymore.”
“What do you mean it isn’t necessary, that we don’t have to be married before her?” Hunter’s eyes squint as he tries to understand my words. I hate to see the frown on his face. I don’t want to confuse him.
“Right, I don’t have to be married for her to marry. That was the plan originally, but my father was able to change the terms of that deal. Apparently Prince Garrick is sort of….”
“An ass?” Hunter finishes. “I had no idea Iris is supposed to marry Garrick of Alpinweiss. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. He refuses to come to court, thinks it’s a waste of time.” He shakes his head.
“I know, but Iris is actually okay with it. She wants to leave Elexia and start her life. She isn’t intimidated by the challenge.”
“What is this about, then? What does your sister’s dowry have to do with us?”
“My father was able to change the terms so that I don’t need to marry you.”
The warm air that’s clearly being pumped into this tent seems to be sucked out the moment my words are spoken. Hunter’s face goes slack, and I know my face is white.
“Why did he do that?” Hunter asks. “Why did he go to all that trouble to get you out of this marriage?”
“A few days ago. when we were at the cabin and I called my sisters? I was crying and confused. I said you didn’t want me and you were pushing me away and—”
“And you wanted to leave me?” Hunter’s jaw is tight, his shoulders tense. All I want to do is run my hands over his shoulder blades and ease out all of his worry.
“I didn’t ask for anything, Hunter. I was crying and you were upset. My sisters knew that and they talked to my dad. Honestly, my father has never been so gracious in his life. When he called me this morning, I couldn’t believe what he was saying because he’s never been a man who hears his daughters. You and I joked about him being old-fashioned, but you know it isn’t an exaggeration. But when he called me today … he said I could come home and help him rule Elexia.”
I bite my bottom lip, watching Hunter’s reaction.
“What did you tell him?”
“You know my heart’s desire. I love Elexia with all that I am,” I wipe the tears in my eyes, my chest burning with the reality of what I’m saying goodbye to. I don’t want to hurt anyone; I don’t want to let anyone down. But have to do what is right for me. “Ever since I was a little girl I imagined being Queen. And when I had to say goodbye to that dream, I thought the second best thing would be to help whoever was ruling the country. If my cousin became king one day, the idea of helping him was enough. But then I came here. And I met you.”
I’m crying now, tears falling from my eyes faster than I can brush them away. Hunter reaches out to wipe them off my cheek.
“I met you, Hunter, and everything changed.”
“Just say it, Violet. If you’re going to break my heart, do it fast.”
“No, Hunter, that’s not what I’m saying at all. Before I met you, I thought my dream to stay on the island was enough.” I spin around in the tent, in the island Hunter made for me. “I don’t want to be on an island without you. I don’t want to be anywhere without you. I love you, Hunter, even though we are the most unlikely match. Our hearts have knit together and I could never be an ocean apart.”
His hands wrap around my waist, pulling me to him.
I am secure in his arms.
I am safe here.
He loves me.
“Violet, I can’t let you make a sacrifice if you might look back and regret it. If your heart belongs in Elexia, I can’t live with the idea of taking away your dream.”
“But, Hunter, that’s the thing. Elexia is no longer my home. You are. Hunter, you are home.”
His lips are on mine, kissing me with passion, with heat. His hands are in my long black hair, and our mouths have melted together, our bodies become one.
“I love you, Violet,” he tells me, pulling away. “I love you, and I want to marry you.”
“Well, good.” I laugh softly, shaking my head as he looks down into my eyes. “Because we’re getting married tomorrow.”
“No, not like that. I want to marry you. Not because my father paid for you, or because your father sent you here. I want to marry you because I love you. Because you are my woman. I want to marry you and make you my mountain bride.”
He drops to one knee, and from his pocket he pulls out a ring, offering it to me.
“Marry me, Violet. Be my wife. Take my heart; I trust you with it. I trust you with everything.”
“Of course I’ll marry you. Hunter, I’m yours. Completely.” Using his knee as a stool, I set myself upon his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. Fiercely.
He grabs my hand, slides
the ring on my finger. It sparkles in the artificial light, and I blink back tears, knowing that there’s nothing artificial about this moment.
Hunter’s love is real. My love is real.
Our love is forever.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Two weeks later ...
Violet and I are on the last leg of our honeymoon. I’m sprawled out on a four-poster bed with Violet on top of me. My hands are on her bare ass as her mouth wraps around my hard cock. She’s sucking me as if her life depends on it, and her pussy is in my face. I’m eating her out like it’s my last fucking meal.
She’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted—even better than our wedding cake.
“Oh, Hunter,” she moans, pulling my hardness from her, “you’re so close. And I want you to come in my pussy. Put a royal baby in me.”
I lick the length of her. Her pussy’s wet, and I twirl my tongue over her clit.
“Oh my God, that feels so good.” Violet whimpers above me, her ass in my face, and I hold on tight. I want to make her come before I fill her. Before I fill her with my seed.
I flick my tongue over her length; it’s nice and tight, and I feel the pulsing within her as her wetness seeps over my mouth. I lap it up. She tastes so fucking right.
“Yeah, oh yeah that’s it, Hunter.” Violet holds onto my thighs, arching her back as an orgasm rolls through her. She moans in pleasure, and my stiff rod is ready for her warm cunt. I’ve worked her pussy over and it’s ready to be filled.
I slap her ass playfully and she turns around, our eyes locked. She shakes her head, biting her bottom lip, her tits bouncing as she moves.
“I love you, Hunter, so much.” She raises her ass ever so slightly and begins to take me inside her.
“I love you too, Sunshine.”
I watch her gasp as she takes me fully, sitting down on me, rocking back and forth over my hardness. It won’t take long; we both know I’m ready to explode. So ready to fill her womb with my seed. I’m going to put a baby in my woman. A royal heir.
I don’t care if it’s a prince or princess. We’ve already covered the fact that I’m a motherfucking feminist. I want to watch Violet’s belly grow as she carries the child made from our love.
I come in her hard, my come shooting inside of her, and we both moan as I finish.
Violet’s hands press against my chest as she leans over and kisses me. This is a dream, and I never want to wake up.
The phone rings, though, and jars us back to reality.
“Who would be calling?” Violet moans as I lean over and reach for the receiver in the penthouse.
“Hello, this is Hunter.”
“It’s Iris, I know you’re on your honeymoon, but it’s an emergency. I need my sister. Bad.”
I hand the phone to Violet. “It’s Iris.”
Violet takes the phone from me. I watch as her eyes grow wide.
“What is it?” I ask.
Violet covers the mouthpiece and whispers to me. “Iris needs us to come to Alpinweiss palace. Now.”
Charmed by the Mountain Prince
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Claimed Royalty
Betty Shreffler
GLOSSARY
Anauka – Princess Fiora’s territory
Iowan – neighboring territory to Anauka, Belore’s territory
Trinick City – neighboring territory that is a massive city
Riorrick - House Tuller, fire and ice trial
Malark –House Levore, horse race trial
Turi Nevari – patriarch of the House Nevari, bow and arrow trial
Kellan – House Nevari, bow and arrow trial
Luther – House Cindora, maze race trial
Kendrick – Dolorian, from the Free territory, rider of the black horse
Nina – Fiora’s grandmother
Gregory, Melinda – Fiora’s parents
Leon – Fiora’s younger brother
Pollo, Demerick & Sederick – soldiers/arms men
Belore – Prince of Iowan, son of King Beckett
CHAPTER ONE
FIORA
Around me, the aroma of wildflowers fills my nose as the warm sun bathes my skin. Yellow petals slip through my fingers as I pass by, touching the silky flowers. No one knows I’m here except one person, my bodyguard, Matheas. Having returned from his trip to Trinick City, it’s only a matter of time before he finds me. Raised alongside me since we were children and duty-bound to protect me, he knows where I am at all times. On my wrist, the familiar vibration of my soul band alerts me to his call.
“I’m headed your way. Wait for me at Willow Winds.”
“What makes you think I’m at Willow Winds?”
“Where else would you go to avoid your obligations?”
Smile forming, a flutter of joy tickles my belly. He knows me so well.
“See you soon.”
Lowering to my knee, I take in the fragrance of a purple heliotrope. Carelessly falling backward, I lay amongst the rainbow of colors surrounding me. Here I’m free, relaxed and able to forget my obligations awaiting me at the palace.
Some yards away, I hear the rover craft hum through the sky. It lands, and I remain where I’m hidden in the wildflowers. Moments later, I hear the footfall of heavy boots. The sun is blocked from my view by the handsome frame of Matheas. Over six feet in height and broad-shouldered, he’s the perfect Anaukin soldier. Trained since childhood, it’s ingrained in him to remain physically strong, and with that regimen, he’s muscled from head to toe. Lowering to a knee, he holds out a gift for me. Staring up at his face, I admire his dark blond hair and the new short haircut he’s received. Blinking with a smile, cerulean blue eyes stare back at me—a feature every Anaukin has. No matter our hair color, we’re all born with cerulean blue eyes.
“It’s from Trinick City.”
Placing a silver charm and chain in my hand, I turn the silver metal over to view it. At the center of the man-made oval charm is a blue diamond. It’s a stunning piece of jewelry and likely cost him a large sum of monetary value. As the years have passed, he’s made it a habit of bringing me something back from every one of his trips. These last few years, his gifts have become more expensive and valuable.
“Do you like it?”
Brows pinched inward, he studies my face, hope filling his eyes.
“It’s gorgeous. Will you put it on me?”
“Of course.”
Taking it from my hand, he unfastens the clasp, and I turn so he can easily place it around my neck. Pulling my hair from within the necklace, he drops my long brunette braid against my back, slowly letting it fall from his hand. Rotating toward him, he looks me over, his expression warm and affectionate.
“You look beautiful.”
My stomach flutters at the way he admires me. Nervously, I roll the charm between my index finger and thumb.
“You flatter me.”
Rising to his feet, he outstretches his hand for me to take.
“I need to get you back.”
“I need to hear about your trip.”
Hand in his, he pulls me to my feet. With swift movement, he hugs me tight again
st his body, capturing me in his arms. Instantly, my body goes into fight mode. With a kick to his leg, an elbow to his face, another elbow to his side, his hold releases, and I grip his hand, then shoulder, hoisting myself over his shoulder, bringing us both to the ground. I roll away and stand quickly, ready to defend myself.
Without a sign of exertion, a proud smile stretches his lips.
“Good, Fi. You responded perfectly.”
My arms lower to my sides, and I relax.
“You really like to surprise me, don’t you?”
“The most critical threats are often when you least expect them.”
“You’ll have me well prepared then.”
Together, we walk side by side to his rover craft. The silver metal gleams in the sun, and I raise my hand above my eyes to deflect the rays from blinding me.
“You were gone longer than normal this time.”
As we approach, the automated motion sensor engages, raising the door for us to climb in. Taking the passenger seat next to him, I watch the wildflowers become smaller in the distance as the rover craft rises in the sky.
“Your father’s business took longer than expected.”
Frowning, I fidget in my seat.
“Anything to do with my coronation?”
Looking at me with empathy, his eyes soften.
“Yes. He’s confirming alliances, ensuring the safety of Anauka for when you become the new monarch.”
“It’s come too soon, Matheas. I’m not sure I’m ready.”