by Vivian Wood
“I’ll see if I can make that work.”
“How often do you leave her side?”
“Not often.”
“If I’m chosen, I want you to know, you’d have more freedom. I’d be able to protect her.”
“That’s comforting.”
Malark’s attention stays focused on Fiora.
“Is there anything she can’t do?”
“Mechanical engineering.”
“That was specific.”
“She can do a lot of things, Malark. Cooking, sewing, painting, riding, piloting, hunting, trapping, fighting. She can identify an array of flora and fauna. She’s trained in politics, geography, social welfare, battle strategies. The list goes on, but she can’t do mechanical engineering or advanced technology, and she likely won’t. They both bore her.”
“Thank you, Matheas, that was helpful.”
“I do what I can.”
Tapping me on the shoulder, he looks at me.
“Let’s have that drink tonight.”
Expression serious, he nods at me as if to confirm our plans.
“There’s no guarantee I can make it, but I’ll try to.”
“I think she’ll be all right without you for a while.” Mouth titled into a half-smile he pats my shoulder before leaving. “See you at the race.”
—FIORA—
Guiding Artax, he trots to the fence, stopping in front of Matheas.
“What was that about?”
“He’s schmoozing me to get to you.”
Scrunching my nose, I roll my eyes.
“Ah, well don’t tell him all the good stuff.”
With a chuckle, Matheas pats Artax on the neck.
“If I tell him all the bad, there won’t be much to say.”
“Oooh, that was a good line.”
“It’s my way with words.”
“They do woo me.”
With a wink, I lead Artax back to the stable. Matheas arrives as I’m telling the stableman to bathe Artax and muzzle him, so he doesn’t consume any more feed after his bath. Handing the reins to the stableman, I join Matheas.
“It’s time I head to the stadium to meet and greet with the Royal Houses before the races. For the bow and arrow trial this afternoon, I now know I have to shoot at targets that could be as small as a cat’s eye, with no scope. And the best part, some of the targets have people standing within the target. The Nevari house is insane.”
“How did you find out?”
“Father is good friends with Turi Nevari. He was bragging about how creative they got with the targets and how thrilled they are to see me perform. I’m a freaking entertainment show to these people.”
“It’s true, you are. They’ve all come to see you perform each trial.”
“Well let me hippity-hop on over to the stadium to start my next one. Although, honestly, I am going to enjoy this race.”
“You’re going to dominate it.”
“If you keep that up, you’re going to inflate my ego.”
“I’d still think you’re pretty.”
Turning to face him, I make the shape of a heart with my fingers.
“You complete me.”
Running off, I laugh, and Matheas chases after me, following me inside the stadium corridor. Inside my preparation room, he catches up to me, pinning me to the wall as the automated door closes behind us. Mouth crashing into mine, he presses up against me, and I push back, grinding against him. Hands held above my head, he dominates me with his mouth and body, and I moan, succumbing to the desire rising to the surface.
Letting go of my arms, I place them around his neck, and he lifts my legs, wrapping them around his waist. With his erection centered on my core, he thrusts against me as our mouths and tongues lash at one another with aggressive need.
“I want you to take me tonight,” I breathe between kisses.
“I will.”
He thrusts again, and I cry out as my body hums with pleasure. Arms around my back, he turns us, putting my ass on the table and uses it as leverage to thrust harder.
“The things I want to do to you, Fi. My mind is wild with want.” Hand slipping up my shirt, he massages my breast, adding to the raging need coursing through me. “I can’t pull away from you.”
My soul band vibrates, and I grip his arm.
“I have my purity scan before the race. I have to go.”
Matheas drops his head and groans.
“As much as I hate the purity scans, they do keep me an honorable man.” Lifting my chin, he kisses me. “See you out there.”
Entering the healing chamber, I nod to my father and the doctor sitting in front of the monitor plugged into the healing booth. Wasting no time, I step behind the changing partition. Undressed, I slide into the thin robe. Following the usual protocol, I enter the vertical healing booth. Disrobing, I await the green light to flash at the top. Once it does, a laser disperses from the wall at my belly button and scans down to my thighs and returns to my belly button.
Putting the robe on, I return to the changing partition and change back into my riding outfit. Meeting my father and doctor on the other side of the partition, I already know the answer by the pleased expressions on their faces.
“Her purity is intact, King Gregory.”
“Thank you. Publish the record, please.”
“Will do.”
The doctor leaves, and my father outstretches his long arms and hugs me briefly.
“I know the scans are an invasion of your privacy, and the law requiring your purity is frustrating as a grown woman, but it won’t be much longer, and you’ll be free to do as you please.”
“What if what I want is different from what everyone expects of me?”
“By then you’ll be Queen and it won’t matter. Are you ready for the race?”
“I am. This is one of the trials I’m looking forward to.”
“I knew you would. It’s time I return to the Royal tent. Good speed, my sweet.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Leaving the healing chamber, I stroll to the exit where the horses are being lined up in the stadium. Walking through the automated door, the sun beats down on me, blinding me from the view of the crowds, but I can hear their cheers as I walk to Artax’s race stall. The other racers have come out through a different door and are already atop their horses, waiting for me. Saddling Artax, I wave to the crowds, and the cheers grow louder.
Below me, Artax is huffing, ready to be released. It’s one thing we both love, to be set free, to run and ride without restraints. Lowering myself, I listen for the buzzer. The gates open, and we take off. Aiming for the inside, I avoid getting surrounded by the riders. We keep a steady pace and keep close to the wall. With what seems like ease, Artax passes horse after horse until he’s behind the two leading horses. Wind whipping my ponytail at my back, I listen to Artax’s rhythmic breaths as his hoofs pound the ground.
Glancing back, I see the distance between us three riders and the riders behind us has expanded. The race is just between us now. Reaching the halfway mark, I push Artax to take the second-place horse. Coming to his side, I push Artax toward him, forcing his horse and the rider out of their steady pace. Ahead of us is the black horse Malark warned me about. He’s right, the horse is powerful, intimidating.
Artax’s muzzle is at the horse’s back end, and neither of us are moving closer or farther in distance. In the last hundred meters, I push Artax harder, knowing he has the last sprint to give, but the black horse does too. Side by side, we sprint to the finish, the loud deep breaths of the horses, their hooves heavily pounding the ground, the wind whistling past my ears. We’re so close, my body tingles with excitement. Crossing the painted line it’s the black horse that’s taken first, Artax following within inches.
Slowing down, we ease into a trot. The crowd goes wild, and I wave, smiling with immense joy. It was never first-place that mattered to me. It’s the high of the race, the challenge of a talented rider I enjoy. T
he male rider on the black horse comes up beside us. Lowering his shaded glasses, I immediately notice the dark eyes.
“You’re not Anaukin.”
“No, Princess. I’m Dolorian from the Free Territory. That was one hell of a race you gave today.”
Mixed with my exhilaration, seeing someone who isn’t Anaukin adds to my excitement. The man is handsome, his dark eyes fascinating.
“Thank you. What’s your name?”
“Kendrick.”
“You live in Anauka?”
“I do.”
“For how long?”
“Several years, but I do return home often.”
“What brought you here?”
“Horse racing. Your territory is known for it, and I live and breathe it. The Anaukin horse is the best bred horse.”
“I’d agree, but my experience with the horses of other territories is unfortunately limited.”
“Then trust me, Princess. What I say is true.”
“Will you join us for lunch? I’d like to speak to you more about horses and the Free territory.”
“Of course, Princess. I’ll be there.”
“Kendrick…”
“Yes, Princess?”
“Thank you for not holding back today. I needed that.”
“I’ll race you anytime, anywhere, and I’ll never hold back.”
Tipping my head to him, I can’t help smiling. We ride together down the track as white roses are thrown onto our path.
“They adore you, Princess.”
“And I them.”
“The King of the Free territory doesn’t have a wife, so this is new for me to see a future monarch being worshipped as you are.”
“Do you think it’s strange?”
“No, I think there are qualities they love about you, and they believe you’ll continue to keep the territory peaceful and prosperous for them.”
“That is my very hope.”
Stopping at the center of the track in front of the Royal tent, we remain atop our horses as white and blue rose wreaths are carried to our horses and placed around their necks. Kendrick takes my hand and raises both our hands in the air. The crowd cheers and stomps their feet. For the moment, I cling to the lingering exhilaration.
From the race, Artax is taken by my stableman to be cared for while I’m obligated to go to the healing chamber for another purity scan. Finding my purity still intact, I escape the room quickly and head to the Royal tent outside the stadium for lunch. Standing outside the stadium door, Matheas grabs me. Brushing his hand over my hair, his grin is from ear to ear.
“That was a hell of a race. You did great.”
Hand tucked in his bent arm, we stroll to the Royal lunch tent.
“I loved it. Kendrick didn’t hold back, and I enjoyed every second of it. I know Artax did too. He came alive out there.”
“You both did. I could see how much the race thrilled you.”
“I think I’m still buzzing from it. I could use a glass of wine to settle my excitement.”
Coming up to the tent, Malark’s family immediately notices me and greets me with raised glasses.
“To Fiora!”
Malark hands me a glass of wine, and I take it willingly.
“Thank you to the Levore house. Your trial was pleasurable. I enjoyed it immensely.”
Malark wraps his arm around my waist bringing me to his side.
“We’re honored you enjoyed it, Princess. You were amazing out there.”
With a watchful eye, Matheas joins my family and their conversation.
“Will you sit with us, Princess?” Malark’s mother asks.
“Of course. It would be my pleasure.”
Taking my seat at the Royal table, I’m pleased to see Kendrick take the seat next to me while Malark occupies the other side.
“That was kind of you to invite the first-place rider to lunch,” Malark compliments.
“I like to give appreciation where it’s owed.”
Across the table, I wink at Matheas. The corner of his mouth raises ever so slightly before lifting his glass to his lips. Next to him, Kellan, a man of average build with shiny raven hair, son of House Nevari, chimes in.
“With how well you did at the race, I’m eager to see you perform at the bow and arrow trial. We did ensure to make the trial challenging for you, Princess.”
Kellan isn’t a bad-looking man, but it’s his higher pitched voice coming from a muscular frame that takes getting used to. I can’t bring myself to trust the man either. The ideas from his house are unpredictable and peculiar to me. Why my father likes Turi so much is beyond me. Perhaps it has more to do with loyalty than actual friendship. Turi Nevari always votes the same as my father, every single vote.
“Your trial may prove to be the most challenging of all, Kellan. Time will tell this afternoon.”
“I do hope you enjoy our trial, Princess. The maze race should be challenging, but fun for you.”
Luther, son of House Cindora with his short, light blond hair and kind smile is the quietest of all the suitors. He’s either shy or doesn’t feel he needs to vie for my attention like Malark does, it’s yet to be determined.
“I wish I could say the same,” Riorrick tells me. “My father insisted the fire and water be the most challenging trial of all. It is the last one after all before you’re put on view for the splendor ceremony.”
Matheas’s jaw tightens, his teeth clenching. I understand his irritation. It’s strange how nonchalantly it’s being discussed that my naked body will be put on display for them all to see.
“Are the Royal suitors the only people allowed in attendance to the splendor ceremony?” Kendrick asks the men.
“Yes,” Matheas answers.
Kendrick makes a face, clicking his tongue. “That’s unfortunate.”
The men sitting around me look at Kendrick as if he’s just insulted them all. My eyes widen, and a giggle escapes me. Kendrick clears his throat and lets out a quiet laugh.
“You’re all lucky men to be suitors for such a talented and vibrant woman.”
“They are,” Matheas agrees.
In unison, the men release a barrage of compliments, nods, and gestures of agreement. Steaming plates arrive, carried by our palace staff. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. For the first few bites, I get to enjoy my meal in silence.
Tether, my father’s right hand, enters the tent and whispers something to him. Immediately, the King’s gaze goes to me with a recognizable expression of concern. My muscles tighten as I stare back at him.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I apologize for taking the Princess from lunch, but I need to speak with my daughter alone.”
Rising from the table, I follow him out of the tent, feeling the eyes of every house on my back. My father stops before exiting the tent and turns to address them all.
“Her purity is intact. Rest assured. This discussion is of a different subject.”
Relief washes over their faces. I can feel the room take a breath. With a quick dip of my chin, I give a reassuring smile.
“We’ll return as soon as we can.”
Walking next to my Father and Tether, I glance over my shoulder and feel comfort the moment I see Matheas behind us.
“What is it? You seem worried.”
“King Beckett and his son, Prince Belore are in a rover craft outside the shield, requesting entry. They insist they’re here to support you in your trials. I do not trust them, Fiora. King Beckett made an offer to align with us if you married his son, Belore. His son is a horrible man. One I would never give you to. I must grant them entry to appear gracious and amicable, but while they’re here, I want you to add extra caution to everything you do. Do not let your guard down at any time.”
“Understood. How long will they be here?”
“Likely for the remainder of your trials.”
“They’re Royals. Does that mean Belore will be attending the splendor ceremony?”
“No.” My father, wi
th his kind smile, brushes his hand over my hair. “That is for Anaukin Royals only. They have no rights to view your unsullied body.”
Relief pours over me like cool refreshing water.
“Thank you for the word of warning. Let them in. I’ll do my best to keep my distance as much as I can.”
With tension in his face, my father faces Matheas.
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I’ll add more arms men to watch over her.”
“I know she’s well protected in your care.”
“Of course.”
“Grant them access,” my father orders Tether. “Give them housing with the Royals. It’s a safe enough distance from the central area of the palace. Increase security for all entrances and do scans for domicile admission technology every hour.”
“Will do, Sir. Should I put a tracker on their rover?”
“Yes, listen in on any calls they make within the palace walls as well.”
“Done, Sir. I’ll leave you to your lunch and start the tasks immediately.”
“Let them know they can join the bow and arrow trial after they’ve settled in.”
Tether accepts my father’s orders and departs, walking with quickened steps. Putting his hand through my arm, my father leads me back to the tent.
“You know how much I cherish you, don’t you, Fiora?”
“I do, Father. You’ve done everything you can to ensure I’m combat-skilled and I have the best bodyguard in Anauka. Stop worrying and enjoy the day.”
Kissing my head, he smiles into my hair.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Stepping through the tent, all eyes face us.
“Thank you for your patience. We have guests who have arrived to honor our Princess by attending her trials. Please, let us continue our lovely meal.”
Taking my seat, I quietly eat. The suitors give me the time without interruption, respecting I need the food for the activities. When my plate is cleared, I stand before any of the men can request time with me privately and address Kendrick directly.
“I must go to the stable to check on Artax. Your horse is there as well. If you’d like to join me, I’ll take you to him.”
“Yes, I appreciate that, Princess.”
Together, we leave the tent while conversations continue on with the Royal families. Matheas joins my other side until his soul band vibrates. Taking the call, he falls behind. Several feet forward, I look back to check on him, but he’s nowhere in sight. Within moments, Demerick appears from behind a vendor booth and follows us, taking over protection duty.