by Amy Sumida
“Nothing will ever happen between us that you don't wish to,” Robyn promised in a gentle voice. “I swear it to you.”
I took a shaky breath.
“I will never touch you without your consent,” Arnet swore.
“I would die if I ever caused you harm,” Barret added.
“Princess, we only want you to be happy,” Hugin said simply. “If you would rather choose just one of us, we would abide by your decision.”
“I couldn't decide, had I been forced to at sword point,” I whispered.
Then I leaned forward into their arms and hugged them. Marriage to four men. It was unusual, sure, but my life had suddenly become unusual. Perhaps happiness wasn't like a brick, matching all the other blocks in the wall. Maybe it could be a boulder or even a butterfly. Maybe happiness could be whatever I wanted it to be. Whatever we wanted it to be.
“We shall have a celebration feast when you return with your father,” the King declared. “Off you go. The royal coach will deliver you home,” he thumped them each on the back. “We look forward to your return.”
The brothers stood, each of them keeping their eyes on me, and I nodded. I was looking forward to meeting the man who had raised such magical sons. They bowed to us and left, heading off for another journey. I felt horrible that they had to leave so soon, but I supposed that their home wouldn't be as far away as we had already traveled. At least they wouldn't have to take a ship.
I watched with casual interest as my mother sent away her maids.
“Gregor,” my mother growled as soon as we were alone. “What have you done? Four men with one woman? Our people will riot. They will stone our daughter for a harlot.”
“They will not, Eufemia,” my father said gently. Now that it was just us, he didn't feel the need to be so firm with her. “I will have the bards spread tales of the Four Clever Brothers, singing about their strength, wit, honor, and magic. By the time those boys return to us, they will be so adored that no one will think twice about all of them marrying our Addy. Trust me, my love.”
“They do seem to love her,” my mother sighed. Then she looked over to me, holding out her hand. “Do you care for them, Adelysia? Is this what you want?”
I almost dropped into my mother's lap and cried my happiness out. That she would ask me what I wanted, what made me happy, was more than I could hope for. She seemed to see it on my face and frowned.
“You know that we want you to be happy, don't you, Adelysia?” she asked.
My father turned to me in surprise, “You are my only child. I love you more than my own life. Did you ever think differently?”
“No, of course not,” I hugged each of them. “But I knew that someday I would have to marry a man of your choosing.”
“I would have chosen someone good for you,” my father declared.
“You offered me in marriage to whoever saved me,” I reminded him.
“Adelysia,” my father sighed. “I was certain that whoever was strong enough and smart enough to save you from the dragons would be a worthy husband for you. One not hampered by the trappings of royalty. Don't think I don't know about your training sessions with the spear and dagger,” he gave me a stern look, and I gaped at him. “And I believe that I was right. From this tragedy, you have gained not one, but four men to love and care for you. Four princes who will one day become kings. They will rule my kingdom together, and I think they just might do a damn fine job of it.”
“I'm more concerned over their doing a damn fine job of loving our daughter,” my mother grumbled.
“Cease, Eufemia,” my father groaned. “You saw it as clearly as I did. Those men would do anything for her. She has them wrapped around her finger already. Do not worry about our Adelysia; she is stronger than you think.”
“Thank you, Father,” I whispered in shock.
“I've watched you grow from a serious little girl into a stout princess,” my father touched my cheek fondly. “You are smart, kind, and have the steel of your mother in you. If you had been born a man, I've no doubt you would have been knighted by the age of sixteen. You may not wear armor, but you are a soldier, sweetheart. My little fighter. When that son of a bitch stole you from us, my first thought was that he was in for a hell of a surprise.”
“But he wasn't,” I whispered sadly. “I didn't fight him. I pretended to like him so that he wouldn't hurt me. I gave up.”
“I don't believe that for a second. Gave up,” the King scoffed. “I've no doubt that once his guard lowered, you would have hurt him,” he said with a serious glint in his eyes. “You would have used every weapon you had to survive, and then you would have conquered them all. Because you are my daughter, and that is the woman I raised.”
“We raised,” my mother corrected as she stood. She crossed over to us and hugged us both to her. “Our daughter. Home safe.”
Chapter Nine
The servants worked through the night, preparing the chambers which were to be given to my fiances. At the same time, the pubs and inns were flooded with bards, singing tales of the clever brothers who rescued Princess Adelysia from the evil dragon. Overnight, the men became more than heroes; they became legends.
They arrived at the castle to cheering, their father staring out the coach windows with wide eyes. I watched their return from the castle steps. My parents and I had come out to welcome them back and meet our new relation. The courtyard was filled with people, all crammed in to get a look at these magical men who wielded unusual weapons along with their sharp wits. The coachman jumped down and opened the door with a wide grin, and the brothers stepped out into glory.
But they didn't wave or preen for the crowd. They helped their father down onto the stones and escorted him carefully up to us. Each was intent on the older man's welfare, casting only the quickest of nods in the direction of the jubilant throng. Then they reached the steps, and their eyes turned to me. My hands started to shake. How could I forget how beautiful they were? It had only been a single night, yet now, in the glaring sunlight, their attractiveness was intoxicating.
“Welcome,” my father held his hand out to the older man among the brothers. “I am King Gregor, and this is my wife, Queen Eufemia.”
“Your Majesty,” Robyn made the introduction, “this is our father, Bayard.”
“It's nice to meet you both,” Bayard stammered, and then looked to me. “And you are the Princess?”
“Adelysia, sir,” I eased forward and kissed his cheek. “But please call me Addy.”
“Addy,” Bayard smiled, instantly more relaxed. “You are more than I could have hoped for, for my boys.”
“Thank you,” I smiled at him. “I've heard that you're a fisherman.”
“Yes, the sea has been kind to me,” his smile turned secretive.
“Ah, but now you will be a Baron,” my father declared, and Bayard's eyes went wide.
“Come inside, please,” my mother ushered us in, giving my father an annoyed look, for being so brash about the news. “It is a bit loud out here. Your sons have made quite an impression on the kingdom, Bayard.”
“I would say it's unbelievable,” Bayard grinned. “But I always knew they were destined for greatness.”
The men stopped and looked at their father quizzically.
“Soon I'll tell you my own story of magic,” he promised us. “But for now, let's focus on you five and your happiness. May it be eternal.”
The feast was still being prepared, and the scent of roasting meat filled the lower floors. The crowds in the courtyard would be fed too, in honor of my engagement, but the eight of us would dine together within the dining hall, at the high table. First, though, the men were sent to their rooms to prepare for dinner. Bayard was given a room in my parent's wing of the castle, and Barret went to see his father settled before he found his way to his own chambers. I escorted the other three brothers to their new rooms, shyly showing them to chambers on either side of, and below, mine.
Robyn and Hugin, as the
eldest, were given rooms on the same floor as mine, and they had doors which opened directly into my bedchamber. The younger two, Barret and Arnet, were put in rooms directly below mine, and they each had hidden stairways which led up into my bedroom. I'd had to be moved specially into this new chamber to accommodate all these secret passages and doorways (all new additions as well- our poor masons had been busy). But that's how things were done. A husband and wife didn't share a bedroom. They each had their own rooms, but they also had private access to each other. At least, that's how it was with royalty, who could afford such extravagance.
After the brothers were settled, I went to freshen up. I went into my new bedroom, trying not to look at the massive bed, big enough to sleep five easily. Husbands and wives may have separate rooms, but that didn't mean they didn't enjoy sleeping together. The individual rooms were for propriety's sake... and for escaping into, if you happened to be unlucky in marriage.
My lady's maid had just finished setting my hair into a complicated arrangement when a knock came at the adjoining door within the left wall. Robyn's room. I swallowed hard as my maid went to answer it. The manservant assigned to Robyn stood there, waiting patiently.
“My master requests that his betrothed attend him at his bath,” the man intoned.
My maid looked to me.
This was also very proper. A betrothed man, or even a highly respected guest, could request to be attended on by either his bride-to-be or, in the case of the latter, the lady of the castle herself. Which would have been the Queen. Generally, the practice wasn't followed by royalty. At least not for the highly respected guest. But as for a betrothed man and his bride? It was perfectly normal. The glint in the manservant's eyes told me all I needed to know. He had just endeared himself to his new master by informing him of this practice.
“Of course,” I tried to be casual about it, but my heart had flown up into my throat and was making it difficult for me to speak.
As I passed the manservant, he eased into my bedroom, and made a hasty retreat through my bedroom door, along with my maid. I was alone with Robyn. I saw him immediately, submerged already in a wood tub full of steaming water. There was a cloth draped over the edges of the tub, but that was beneath him, to make the hard wood more comfortable. It wouldn't be covering anything on him.
Robyn lounged back against the rim of the tub, arms draped over the sides and head fallen back in bliss. Steam rose around him, making him appear even more mysterious than he already was. Even in the bath, the man was hooded. The mist collected on his skin, beading along his neck and arms, and soaking his hair. Robyn's shaggy locks were slicked back and dripping onto the stone floor behind him. His eyes were closed, but as I stepped forward, he opened them. A relaxed roll of the head brought his stare to mine, then it dropped, slowly.
It was so different than when Saunder had ogled me. Robyn gazed on me like he barely dared to believe I was real. As if I could be a ghost or a witch there to taunt him and disappear before he could touch me. He looked longingly at my face, his eyes dropping to half-lidded seduction. Something shook, low inside of me. A quivering that I'd never felt before. I took a hesitant step forward. And then another, and another.
“Addy,” Robyn whispered. “Is it acceptable for me to call you Addy?”
“Of course,” my voice was a low purr, which startled me into clearing my throat. “You... we are betrothed, you can be more intimate with me now.”
“Intimate,” he rolled the word over his tongue and then held a hand out to me. “Do you want that?”
“Yes,” I whispered as my stomach clenched.
“I thought this might be a way for you to get more comfortable with me,” Robyn sat up, water sluicing from his body. He was more muscled than I'd originally thought, his wide chest sprinkled lightly with crisp curls. “Would you like to touch me?”
The words hung in the air between us. I could hardly breathe with the thickness of them filling my lungs. I swallowed once. Twice. And then simply nodded, taking that last step to bring me into his reach. Robyn fished a chunk of soap from the water and a wet piece of cloth, then handed them both to me. There were two chairs set by the tub. One held towels, and the other was empty. I slid the empty chair behind him, took the soap and cloth, then eased onto the seat.
I didn't dare look down into that cloudy water. The parts of Robyn already bare to me were making me flush, and sweat was starting to bead at my temples. I wasn't sure I could handle any more of him. The fire on our left was too warm, my dress felt stifling, but it cast a seductive glow over Robyn's skin. He was a golden god in that light, sleek and wet, straight from the forge. Robyn leaned forward a little more, giving me his back as well as some space between us. It was a considerate gesture, distancing himself just a little, and it put me at ease. I could wash his back. I'd seen hundreds of bare backs. Touching one wouldn't be a problem. I soaped up the cloth and laid it to his skin, my fingertips spreading over the edges.
Robyn flinched as if I'd hurt him, and I jerked away in shock.
“No,” he whispered, “don't stop. I was just... I wasn't prepared for your touch.”
I felt a rush of confidence fill me, a woman's pride over what she could do to a man. I found myself smiling as I leaned forward and set to gently soaping him. After I scrubbed Robyn's entire back, I used the cup, set beside the tub, to rinse him. He sighed and leaned back after I was done. It brought him into the curve of my arms, and I automatically leaned forward. The back of his head and the width of his shoulders pressed into me. I was getting my dress wet, but I didn't care. He felt so good there.
Robyn angled his head onto my shoulder, the stubble on his cheek tickling my skin. It felt so perfect, the way we fit together. I slid my arms over his shoulders and began to rub the cloth over his chest, skimming the curves of his tight muscles. He twitched when I crossed over a nipple, and I froze. What's this, then? Men are sensitive there too? I bit my lip and brushed it again. Robyn moaned, his mouth falling open as his legs thrashed in the water. I glanced down and saw his manhood, a hazy shape beneath the surface, growing more solid. It was longer than I thought it would be, sticking out straight, as if seeking my touch. I swallowed hard and moved my hand down his belly.
I was so distracted by what I'd glimpsed, the cloth slipped from my grip and splashed into the water. I would have got up for another cloth, but Robyn grabbed my hand and moved it onto his knee.
“You don't need the cloth,” he turned his head to whisper into my ear. His lips were slick with steam, and the flutter of them on my skin felt like a kiss. “Just soap your hands.”
I pulled away, but only to do as he asked and soap up my hands. I gave Robyn the soap to hold and ran my hands over his shoulders, then down, kneading the muscles of his arms. He moaned again and laid his head back, this time on my chest. Robyn was soaking my dress all the way down to my skin, and I didn't care. I loved the way his wet hair felt on me, sticking to my skin, and the way he moved against me. I slid my hands down Robyn's chest, stopping to roll his nipples between my fingers, and he shouted, his hips bucking out of the water.
My hands clenched on his skin, holding him to me, as I caught my first glimpse of what made a man male. Robyn was very male. Very magnificent. Long and elegant. The sight of him stole all my reason. My hands wandered down, of their own volition, and slid beneath the water. Robyn tensed, holding himself very still. My fingertips edged over the bones of his hips; a light graze, a circling rub. Then my hands came closer together, to the very center of him. I brushed the hair surrounding his shaft and Robyn's breathing hitched. Then his hands shot to mine and held me still. Robyn slowly, so slowly, pulled them back up his chest, to safer skin, as if it pained him greatly to do so.
“Adelysia,” Robyn turned his head towards mine, and I couldn't deny that unspoken request.
I placed my mouth to his gently and pressed. A chaste kiss. The only type I'd ever enjoyed. But Robyn rubbed his lips against mine, teasing me until I parted my lips. Then hi
s tongue darted inside. I tensed, wondering what he would taste like. Rotten or minty? He was neither; he simply tasted of Robyn. There was no other description for it. And I wanted more. I opened further to him, and Robyn plundered my mouth like he would a treasure trove, searching through every corner to find hidden delights. But then the thief gave back as much as he took, luring my tongue into his mouth.
Under my fingers, Robyn's skin felt luxurious with the silky layer of soap over it. I couldn't stop touching him. I rubbed him with long strokes, my hands sliding across his chest, and up his neck. Robyn's breath started to grow labored, and finally, he pulled away from my kiss, holding my questing hands tight.
“Addy, you need to leave before I dishonor us both,” his eyes were wide and panicked. “Please!”
“Of course,” I whispered and stumbled to my feet, shocked at my behavior.
I fled Robyn's room, slamming the door behind me. Then I leaned against it, panting. I caught a look at myself in the full-length mirror across the bedroom and gasped. The front of my dress was soaked through, and my nipples were clearly outlined, my face was flushed, my arms soapy, and my hair was wild about me. I bit at my swollen lips and closed my eyes, remembering the kiss we'd just shared.
Suddenly, my wedding seemed too far away.
Chapter Ten
It turned out that my wedding wasn't far away at all. During the course of the celebration feast, it was decided that it would be held in three days. Announcements would be made, but it would be kept a rather small, private ceremony. Only a few hundred of our closest friends and family. I nearly rolled my eyes. And, of course, our entire kingdom would be celebrating outside the castle walls. Wedding feast delicacies would be passed out to our people in an effort to include them in the festivities.