by Jeanne Hardt
Olivia grabbed her hand before Allana ripped away the fine lace. “Pleasing a man is not difficult, nor should it be cause for worry. If you agree to be Jonah’s wife, I am certain pleasing you will be his utmost concern. Besides, when you love someone, there is more than the physical act of lovemaking that carries you through each day. Simply being in each other’s presence is satisfying.”
A loud grunt from one of the men drew their attention.
“Have you had enough?” Sebastian yelled. “For I am not tired in the least!”
“Enough?” Jonah wiggled out from beneath him. “The word is foreign to me!” He latched onto Sebastian’s legs and flipped him over.
Allana laughed and Olivia joined her. The men would be good for little if they kept on this way.
“Do not harm my brother, Jonah!” Allana shouted.
Jonah froze, and of course, Sebastian took advantage. In a flash, he repeated his former move and sat upon Jonah, pinning him to the ground.
“He did not realize you were here,” Olivia whispered. “You have bewitched him with your presence.”
Allana pushed herself up from the ground and wandered over to the men. She hovered above Jonah, smiling. Olivia stayed where she was, enjoying the display.
Sebastian held both of Jonah’s arms and pressed them to the ground above Jonah’s head. The entranced man breathed heavily, and Olivia felt certain it had more to do with Allana’s presence than being spent in mock battle.
Allana bent over and looked Jonah in the eyes. “Are you injured?”
“Of course not.” Jonah rapidly licked his lips.
“And yet, my brother bested you. I thought you were the teacher.”
Sebastian stood and brushed off his clothes. “Our roles have reversed.”
Jonah scowled. “Bite your tongue!” His cheeks glowed red.
Allana reached out to him. “Let me help you up.”
Chuckling, Sebastian wandered away from them and approached Olivia. “Did you orchestrate this?”
“No.” She patted the spot beside her, and he sat. “However, I confess I told her about Angeline’s feelings for Tesher, and that they are likely reciprocated.”
Sebastian gestured toward Jonah and Allana. “They have a long while before they can act on any sort of feelings for one another. Why encourage them now?”
Jonah took Allana’s hand and stood, facing her without speaking.
“Jonah needs hope,” Olivia said. “His heart is set on Allana. Time spent waiting may cultivate something wonderful.”
“I know what you mean.” Sebastian rubbed his hand over her belly.
Utterly content, she lay back and pulled him with her. They kissed as if they were alone in their bedchamber.
“Excuse me!” Jonah fussed. “Can you not mind where you are? As well as who you are with? Allana does not need to witness such behavior.”
“I have seen them kiss before,” Allana said. “Even so, we should leave them to their privacy. Would you like to accompany me to the kitchen so we might find something to eat? I am quite hungry. Or would you prefer to clean yourself up first?”
Jonah scratched the back of his head. “You would have me escort you?”
Allana coyly tilted her head. “Please?”
Jonah extended his arm, and the two walked away as if oblivious to Sebastian and Olivia.
Sebastian propped himself up on one elbow. “You started something, Olivia.”
“No. It began long ago. I merely added fuel to the fire.” She lay flat on her back, gazing up at him. The love she felt overpowered her, and she chose to ignore just how dirty and sweaty he had become. She did not want to ruin this beautiful moment.
He gazed down at her, and his eyes displayed the intense feelings she, too, felt. “You are an expert at igniting a flame.” He kissed her deeply.
When he rose up again, she blissfully sighed. “I love seeing you so happy. If only this day could last forever.”
“It can.” He glided his lips down her neck.
“Sebastian?”
“Yes?” He breathed harder with every passing second as he dotted her skin with tiny pecks.
“Would it be wrong of me to ask that you bathe before we go further?” Unfortunately, her stomach could not so easily dismiss his smell. “Your activity with Jonah has covered you in sweat. I love you, but your odor is making me queasy.”
Laughing, he sat up. “So much for making this day last forever. Unless, of course, it includes a decent bath.” He stood and offered her a hand. “I shall have one drawn, and then, will you have me?”
She let him help her to her feet. “Over and over.”
“Good.”
She wrapped an arm around his waist, and they headed toward the castle. “I told Allana there is more to loving than lovemaking. If you did not love me, I doubt you would be so willing to bathe. You would have taken me without respecting my wishes.”
“Hmm. Not in the courtyard. Maybe I would have scooped you up and ravished you in our chamber.”
“Stinking to high heaven,” she laughed. “And I would have lost my breakfast on you.”
The guards stepped to the side of the entry door, so they could pass.
Once inside, Sebastian grabbed onto her, pressed her against the wall, and kissed her with such intensity it took her breath.
She gaped at him. “What brought that on?”
“I wanted to leave with a far more pleasant thought than you heaving all over me.” He threaded his fingers through her hair, grinned, and stepped back. “Perhaps you should go to our room and rest while I bathe. You can wait for me there.”
“Gladly.” She fingered his beard, and he shuddered. The look he gave her sent her heart racing.
She placed a light peck on his lips. “Please make it a quick bath.”
“Definitely.”
They parted and went in separate directions.
She meant what she had said about this day lasting forever. Her dreams of late had not been good, yet she had not told Sebastian their details. He had been through too much, and she wanted to allow him a brief rest before he was called to face more difficult trials.
If her dreams held true, the crazed priest’s warnings were mild in comparison to what lay ahead.
Angeline was almost out of breath, but she would never let on to Darius that she needed to stop.
“You hold your sword like an inexperienced child!” he barked. “Do as I taught you!”
The sword felt heavier with every passing moment. Even so, she corrected her stance and gripped it in the proper fashion. Sweat dampened her entire face.
“Better,” Darius grumbled. “Now, come at me and prove you know what you are doing.”
She took a large breath, lunged at him, and stumbled, tripping on the edge of her skirt.
“No!” He spit the word out, tossed his sword on the ground, then shook his fists in the air. “You have learned nothing!”
“Stop yelling at me!” She leered at him and dropped her weapon. “I cannot fight in this damnable dress!”
Darius grunted and splayed his arms wide. “Then, remove it. No one is about.”
“Fine!” She yanked at the ties binding her gown and loosened them, then stripped it off and tossed it aside.
They had been coming to this empty chamber in the depths of the castle for months. It afforded them a private space where they alone ventured. Here, they had first coupled, but she had hated the lack of a proper bed and insisted they find elsewhere to play. Because of her desires, she relocated her bedchamber to one in a wing of the castle set apart from her siblings. It proved to be perfect for her activities with Darius, but unsuitable for swordplay. In order to fulfill her destiny, she had to master the craft, so she enlisted Darius to help her.
At times, she regretted it. The man had no patience. His skills as a lover far outweighed those as a teacher.
Somehow, she had to focus on the task at hand. This frigid chamber was good for little else. Though
void of windows, due to its underground location, it was incredibly cold. If not for the exertion she had just spent, the frigid air might have stung, but it felt liberating to be free of the heavy gown. Her undergarments covered most of her, yet were unbinding and gave her the freedom to move about.
Darius smirked and picked up his sword. “What are you waiting for? Come at me!”
She grabbed her weapon and charged at him.
He stood firm, and with a single blow, he knocked the blade from her grasp. “You are impossible.”
His smug expression made matters worse. Anger boiled inside her with vengeance.
She tried to pick up her sword, but he stepped on it and stopped her. “We are done for today. I cannot teach someone so pig-headed.”
“Pig-headed?” She slapped his face as hard as she could.
He grabbed her by the wrist and squeezed. “Do that again, and I will strike back.”
“If you hit me,” she hissed, “I shall see you hung.”
They glared at each other, breathing harder and harder.
Angeline’s thoughts took an enormous turn.
She threw her arms around Darius and kissed him with such force they nearly fell to the floor. He yanked her close, and she backed him against the wall and tugged at the strings of his trousers.
“I thought you despised doing this here?” Darius helped her shed his clothes.
“Shall we stop?” She pursed her lips and jutted her chin.
“Of course not. But what about our swordplay?”
“As you said, we are done for today. With that form of thrusting, that is.” She grinned, eyeing him up and down. “I see you have grown cold.”
He scowled and covered his shriveled self.
“Dear, dear, Darius. Let me warm you.”
She took a deep breath to compose herself, walked away from him, and knelt on the floor beside her discarded dress. After smoothing the heavy gown, she lay back upon it. “What are you waiting for?” She grinned slyly. “Come at me.”
“You are a devil, Angeline.”
Maybe so, but he certainly appreciated her wicked ways. It took her no time at all to arouse him.
If she were to fulfill the prophecy, she had to become proficient at both sword fighting and archery. For now, she contented herself, reveling in something she had already mastered.
Chapter 19
Though only a month had passed since their dreadful ceremony, Sebastian felt as if it had been much longer. Time had sluggishly drug on.
Regardless of how he felt, his beautiful wife radiated joy. She had her head out the window of their bedchamber, gazing at the courtyard below. Muffled chatter filtered upward from the people gathering for Eural and Estelle’s wedding.
“I find it so odd to be underground,” Olivia said, “yet peering from a window. Do you not find it incredible they can bring in sunlight through funneled tunnels?”
“Funneled tunnels?” He rubbed his jaw, then laughed. “I have never heard them referred to in such a way. But yes, it is quite unbelievable how the people of Oros managed to build this structure. I only hope Estelle will be content here.”
“And happy.” Olivia left the window and put her arms around him. “I wish my parents could have come, but after their journey to Basilia, I feel Father is more comfortable staying in Padrida. I doubt they will ever be fully at ease with the people of other realms.”
“They did well at our reception, but it seemed they stepped outside their comfort to make certain you were faring well.” Sighing, he drew her closer and tenderly rubbed her back.
She peered up at him. “I can tell you are troubled. Is it because Frederick is staying in the room beside ours?”
“Yes. I want to celebrate with my sister, but being anywhere close to him dampens my spirit. When we arrived, did you see how he strutted around me, gloating his position with every smirk?”
“Ignore him.” She flattened her palm against his chest. “Be the man I know you to be and do not allow him to spoil your joy.”
He took her hand and kissed it. “Very well. We shall ignore him together.”
“Sebastian!” Delana rapped hard on their door. “If you do not come at once, you will miss the ceremony!”
He strode across the floor and opened the door wide. “Is it already time?”
“Yes.” Delana shook her head. “Mother feared you had forgotten. Everyone else has already taken their place.”
Olivia came to his side. “I am to blame. I was watching the people gather.”
Delana’s nose wrinkled. “Are you going to wear that?” She pointed at Olivia’s crown.
“Yes, she is,” Sebastian said. “I do not care what anyone thinks of it. It is her right.”
“But—”
“Do not argue with me, Delana. I should at least be able to count on my sisters to give Olivia the respect she deserves, as well as support.”
Olivia sighed. “Please do not scold her. If it will save us from being chastised, I can leave it in our room.”
Sebastian shook his head. “You look beautiful just as you are, and I want you to wear it.” He extended his arm.
Delana rolled her eyes, waved for them to hurry, then hastened down the hallway.
They did what they could to keep up with her, but soon she went out of view. Sebastian helped Olivia descend a set of fanned steps, then they rounded a corner to the courtyard.
His parents stood at the front of the crowd, close to the marital dais. Estelle and Eural were already on the platform, facing the priest.
Sebastian led Olivia through the mass of people and tried to shut out the murmurs following them. Once they reached his parents, not only did he receive a look of relief from his mother, the noise from the crowd fell into hushed whispers, until the sound died into silence.
He glanced to the opposite side of the dais, only to find Frederick wearing his blasted smirk. He stood with Marni and the rest of the royal house of Oros. It made sense, though it would have been more fitting for him to stand with the house of Basilia. Even so, this arrangement suited Sebastian. The farther from Frederick he could keep himself, the happier he would be.
I must stop this!
If Sebastian could not release his hate, he would destroy himself.
He put his mind and his eyes on his sister. This was Estelle’s day—one she had waited a long while to celebrate. Her golden hair shimmered in the funneled light. Eural gazed at her with genuine love, and Sebastian prayed it would never die.
His mother had wanted the rites said in Basilia, but because Estelle and Eural would be making their home in Oros, they chose to have the ceremony here. Estelle had claimed she wanted to prove to her beloved that she embraced her new home with fondness and desired for all her family to see her thriving there.
The priest spoke the same words Sebastian had heard twice before with Olivia at his side. To his sister’s good fortune, no one objected to her union with Eural. The vows following were spoken without interruption. Had Sebastian and Olivia arrived minutes later, they would have missed the rite entirely.
So little time spent on such an important occasion.
The priest raised the Holy Scrolls into the air. “Only in death may their bond be broken!”
Cheers resounded from the crowd.
Eural lifted Estelle into his arms and carried her from the platform. By his right, he would take her to their bedchamber and consummate the marriage. Once finished, they would eventually return to celebrate.
Sebastian could have done the same with Olivia, but he had promised her an ocean setting for the act, so he had waited. Eural, on the other hand, rushed from the courtyard with so much eagerness in his eyes, it brought laughter to everyone he passed.
Olivia tugged on Sebastian’s arm. “Why are they leaving?”
“To seal their bond.”
“Oh.” She craned her neck, watching them go. “Is everyone here aware of what they are about to do?”
“Of course. The pries
ts require it. You and I were an exception.”
“For that, I am grateful. I would have been mortified, if we had been forced to act.” She leaned into him. “But why is the priest following them?” Her eyes widened as she waited for him to answer.
The crowd broke formation. People mingled about and softly chatted.
Sebastian pulled Olivia to the far side of the courtyard, so they could speak discretely. “The priest must have proof of Estelle’s chastity.”
Olivia’s head drew back. “Please do not tell me he intends to examine her.”
“No.” Sebastian refrained from chuckling. Olivia’s unawareness of the practice should not surprise him. “Her chambermaid will wait outside their door until she is called upon. Once Eural and Estelle have completed their bonding, they will give the soiled sheet to the maid, who will take it to the priest. If there is no blood, Eural must vow that Estelle felt pain, but was not torn, and therefore, she did not bleed.”
“It seems barbaric. Why did they not question you in regard to my pain?”
“I assume it is because they had already determined they would disavow you. But since I testified to having had you, they chose not to dissolve our marriage.”
She peered out into the crowd, then faced him again. “If they determine Estelle is not a maid, will her marriage to Eural be renounced? Even though only moments ago the priest declared only death could break their bond?”
“Yes. It is the only way to insure the royal bloodline remains pure. As you know, the priests do not stray from the law.”
“It is foolish. They follow the law only when it suits them. Had they dissolved our marriage, you could have wed Angeline and you would be happy again. You could have had your throne, and—”
“Stop.” He took her face in his hands. “I am happy. I want no one but you. By the time we said our official rites, you were already with child. Do you honestly believe I would have given that up for a throne?”
“But—”
Loud cheers stopped her cold. Even if they had not, he would never allow her to think he wanted anyone else.
They faced the cheering crowd. The priest stood at its center, wielding a heavily blood-stained sheet.
“Oh, my,” Olivia muttered and buried her face into Sebastian’s shoulder. “Poor Estelle.”