by Alice Wade
“I’ll find a way, eventually. First things first though, I need to figure out how to block their arrival to take her back. I need a reason to stall.” Ryan still rolled with fury but he read the warning look in Wallace’s eyes and heeded his caution.
Still leaning on the mantel, Wallace calmly said, “I can’t let you start a war over this, Ryan. I know you love her, but there has to be another way. ”
Wallace’s words went unheard as Ryan continued to talk as if he’d said nothing at all. “That bastard Akland has something to answer to as well. I want word spread to the border posts to watch for him, is that clear? I would love to get my hands on that man first.”
“Ryan...” he said in warning. “He’s one of Irfan’s Lords now. You can’t just go off like this and do what I see brewing in your eyes. You have more honor than this.”
Ryan turned away, releasing a violent sound. He knew Wallace was right but he didn’t want to accept it. He wanted to throttle someone—Irfan, Gareth or Akland. He didn’t care which one at this moment.
The door opened and June entered, taking in the scene with one glace. It was expansive with two fireplaces on the opposite walls, with only one roaring with orange flame sending undulating light about the room. The orange glow competed with the fiery light of the blazing sunset outside. At the moment the large couches and numerous chairs around the room were empty and the silence heavy. What drew her attention were two men standing near the fire, one looking about ready to fight someone.
She sighed. Obviously she had interrupted an argument, based on their body language. It was not like Ryan to lose his temper, and that meant she needed to tread carefully. June strolled over to her husband and leaned into his embrace while keeping eye contact with King Ryan. When he finally acknowledged her, she nodded. “Good evening, my liege.”
Wallace gave her a warning squeeze, but she didn’t need it. She could feel Ryan’s anger wafting off him in waves. She could only guess what caused a normally calm Ryan to be spitting angry.
Ryan dipped his head towards the redhead, finding a more respectable tone. He was just as close with her as he was with Wallace. “June. I’m glad you could make dinner at this short notice. I wanted you to meet Tillian.” His voice remained coiled with anger, and she could tell it was coming at a cost to be pleasant.
June turned to look up at Wallace and he winked. “Tillian?”
Ryan rolled his eyes. “You can stop pretending you don’t know. I know as well as anyone Wallace went straight to your rooms upon arriving. You’ve had an hour to discuss things, and I’m quite sure he’s told you everything about Tillian.” Ryan couldn’t resist the smile since he’d called her bluff and saw her smirk.
June’s eyes shimmered in challenge. “Fine, all right. You know me too well, Ryan. Of course I know and I have to say it’s about bloody time.” June’s laugh brightened the moment. She tilted her head slightly when she approached him, happy to see Ryan calming down in response. Talking about Tillian seemed to have a positive effect so she kept on. “I nearly fell out of my chair when I heard you finally admitted to love at first sight. I would dearly love to hear you say it though. So, do you finally agree?”
This earned a loud groan. “Can I really deny it?” Ryan said in good humor.
“I never thought you could, but I am thrilled you will no longer call me foolish.” June’s teasing earned her a hug and soon she found herself welcomed into Ryan’s embrace. “It’s just good to see you finally in love, Ryan. It’s been too long. So, where is she?”
Ryan adored his friend’s wife. “Thank you. Tillian is changing and will down shortly. I’m sure she’s overwhelmed by all of this and I wanted to give her as much time as she needs.”
“I can‘t wait.” June winked, breaking away from Ryan and returning to her husband. She looked between the two men and interpreted the pinched lines around Wallace’s eyes. That usually mean he’d been arguing. “What did I interrupt?”
Wallace gave an exaggerated shrug. “Not much. Ryan was just discussing starting a war with Folkyn.”
Her gaze darted to her liege whose mood darkened by each passing breath. She needed to lighten the moment. “Isn’t that your job to stop him?”
Ryan laughed at that.
Wallace rolled his eyes and looked down at her in defeat. “Aye, but it’s Ryan we are talking about, love. He never listens to reason,” Wallace said.
June patted his chest with a secretive smile. “You’ll find a way, dear.”
“You know, I’m right here,” Ryan jested. “I’m not some dolt who needs hand holding.”
“Why don’t you bring me up to speed and I’ll be the judge of that. Love has a way of muddling our minds. You’re new to this, so let me help.” June winked again and jumped when Wallace pinched her.
The room immediately became heavy with his rage. The lighthearted conversation and byplay between friends was a distraction. However at the mention of the current reason for his wrath, his anger soared. Ryan made a sound and turned away without speaking.
It was Wallace who spoke while his eyes tracked his friend’s wild pacing. He explained the circumstance bringing her up to speed to the current dilemma. “He doesn’t want to send her back to King Irfan and is trying to find a way around it.”
That made June beam for she had a solution. “Marry her.”
Ryan turned around and gaped at the eccentric redhead in Wallace’s arms. He couldn’t believe the solution was so simple. He felt foolish that he’d not thought of it sooner. Ryan snorted and ran his hands through his hair in thought while he repeated the idea. “Marry her.” Would it work?
“Yes, and quickly,” June added.
Wallace snarled down at his wife and broke away from her embrace to snatch up a mug of ale sitting on the table near Ryan. He wasn’t pleased with this. It would start the war he tried to avoid. When he drained the mug he slammed it down, causing a loud bang. “You know what that will do! We’ve had peace with Folkyn since that damned war you ended and now you want to shatter it over this?”
“I want to shatter it over Tillian,” Ryan replied absently. His mind still churned with this new suggestion. Marry Tillian? Make her Yorath’s Queen? It could work. It could just be enough to avoid sending her back.
Wallace wasn’t done, however. “Ryan, you don’t have any claim over her and you know it. You don’t have a betrothal contract in place which means you don’t have his approval. It would be a very shaky argument trying to prove any valid union. King Irfan could still reclaim her,” he shouted.
“I don’t care,” Ryan said again and approached June engulfing her in a hug. “Thank you, June. You just gave me what I needed.”
The change in him was visible. “You are welcome,” she mumbled from his chest. He smothered her in his arms but she was saved when the door opened and the most exquisite woman entered.
June’s eyes widened in surprise and pushed away from Ryan to gawk. This woman was tiny, with long black hair pleated into a single braid down her back. On her head rested a delicate crown signifying her status. It was simple in design, but elegant enough to enhance her beauty. She was stunning.
June gasped as she admired the foreign Princess. Her gaze took in her slanted eyes, her creamy white skin and her absolutely stunning figure. She also radiated a sweetness that spoke volumes for her personality. She wouldn’t be some power hungry woman who wanted only the status. No wonder Ryan fell hard. After her cursory evaluation, she turned back to Ryan with a snort. He’d have been blind if he didn’t love her.
Ryan beamed at seeing her and announced, “June, please meet Princess Tillian.”
Tillian stood in the doorway frozen to the very spot she stood. She’d been terrified to enter and not sure what to do next. June saved her by approaching and bowed a half curtsey, before she extended her hand. “My pleasure, Princess. Welcome to Yorath. Since Wallace and I live in the palace, if there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate. I am at your disposal.”
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br /> Tillian extended her hand and June quickly clasped her fingers in respect and then departed to stand near her husband. Wallace still glowered from the earlier argument, but he succeeded in forcing smile in greeting and a nod in Tillian’s direction.
Ryan approached Tillian cautiously, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her. The gown he’d sent hugged her thin frame and highlighted all the curves he became intimately acquainted with last night. The corset top pushed her breasts high and had them nearly spilling from her neckline. His gaze danced lower, tracing how the waist cinched her so tight that it appeared he could wrap both hands around and have his fingers touch. When he got closer he smelled the familiar honey scent of his realm and inhaled deeply. The scent suited her and he found it quite pleasing.
“Tillian,” he said in a breathy voice.
“Good evening,” Tillian greeted when she finally found her voice. She was clearly overcome. After being led through the palace by Beth and avoiding the interested eyes that followed her, she was a bit shaken upon arriving here.
June nudged her husband in the ribs. They were suddenly intruding and she guided Wallace towards the door. “My liege, we’ll see you at dinner.” She nearly shoved Wallace when he didn’t move and then stifled a laugh when he leveled her with a glare that said he wasn’t done with his arguments about her suggestion.
“Later,” she whispered. “Let them be alone for a moment.”
“Fine, but this is not over,” Wallace replied.
“I know, dear.”
Ryan didn’t even hear them depart for he was solely fixated on Tillian. He couldn’t miss the pure terror glazing her eyes nor the stiff body language while she continued to stand there near the door. She looked frightened and it called to his soul to ease her discomfort.
“Princess, you clean up very nice,” King Ryan said with a ready smile.
Ryan approached her while she stood near the door. He quickly had her pressed against the wall and trapped her using both his arms by pressing his palms flat on the wall. It forced her to look up into his bearded face which loomed above her. He’d bathed and had a chance to trim his beard close to his skin and it looked quite handsome.
“Something wrong?” he softly asked. He’d been cautiously evaluating her with his eyes. She fought some inner battle and he desperately wanted to know what it was.
“I’m waiting for this dream to end. I half expect someone to start yelling profanities at me,” she replied matter-of-factly with her chin thrust high, defiantly meeting his eyes.
“What!” he exclaimed. “Has someone said something to you?”
Tillian shook her head. “No, of course not. This all feels unreal, though. I told you earlier I’m no better than a whore; therefore, it would make sense for the cursing. In my mind, I fully expect you to treat me as such.” The look she leveled him was enough to shatter his anger. What replaced it was a look of protectiveness. He couldn’t believe she still felt this way. He thought he’d made himself very clear on the topic to be honest. To hear her voice the same worry upset him.
He exhaled loudly and brushed warm air across her cheek. “Tillian, no one but you views you this way. I thought I made myself quite clear on that.” His hand moved off the wall to caress her chin, tilting her face higher. “My people won’t, and I won’t. Why are you still feeling this way?”
Tillian closed her eyes to stop the tears that threatened. She battled the emotions warring in her head about right and wrong, pure and soiled. When Ryan wasn’t with her, she felt no better than a wench. When he was near, like now, she couldn’t help but hope she was more than how she felt. “No matter what you say, Ryan, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m ruined.”
He tilted her head gently and then delivered a kiss that made her legs wobble and her breathing increase. He used his skills as a lover to knock her senseless with his tongue and show her how he felt on the topic, leaving no more unanswered questions. When he finally released her, Tillian rested her head against the wall with her eyes closed, breathing hard.
“Now, shall we begin again?” he said seductively.
“I’m not sure what do in this situation,” she whispered, keeping her eyes closed. “I’ve recently been forced to have repeated sex with men I detest, I’m found naked in your land and now you expect me to act as if none of this has happened?”
“Yes,” he growled and captured her lips in another mind blowing kiss until she relaxed under his attention. This time he added his body to the attack and pressed her flush against the wall with his erection grinding into her soft body.
“Ryan, stop.” She placed a single hand on his chest to push him back, giving her a chance to breathe.
When he felt her hand, he froze. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Her tiny hand gripped his doublet before he could move away but the terror remained in her eyes when she finally looked at him.
“It’s not you. Don’t you see? It’s me and I think I just need time to adjust and settle,” she said softly while she looked into his eyes and noticed that he had small specks of gold in his irises. She’d never seen that before and was mesmerized by how they seemed to make his eyes glow.
“Of course. I’m sorry. I find it hard to behave when you are near. Why don’t we just go to dinner and then we can talk more later?” With that, Ryan detached from her body and held out a hand which she readily claimed. He frowned slightly when he felt how it trembled but he decided to let it go for the moment. “Now, there will be a few people at dinner tonight, so if you get uncomfortable, please let me know. We can leave at any time.”
Tillian swallowed her fear and nodded, subtly smoothing out her gown even though it didn’t need it.
Tucking her hand in the crook of his arm, he led her towards the large ornate doors that June and Wallace had recently passed through. Each one must have weighed more than four men could carry and were hand carved with runes and designs Tillian had never seen before. She tried to take a closer look as she passed, but he was moving with purpose and they passed by too quickly for her to make our any detail.
They emerged into a gigantic hall with a vaulted ceiling that was capped in grandiose stained glass window. This cast fantastic colors in a kaleidoscope of light throughout the room. She skidded to a halt while she stared straight up.
Ryan just chuckled at her reaction. “Breathe.”
Tillian released the breath she didn’t even realize she’d held. Her gaze darted to his face and her eyes were filled with wonder.
Ryan nodded towards the window. “My mother commissioned that before I was born. She felt the hall was too drab and wanted the place more cheery for her first child. I’m glad you enjoy it. I know I do.”
“It’s incredible,” she said letting her gaze drift back to the ceiling. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that before. How was it made?”
“Magic.” He cocked his head to the side, watching her reaction to this. “It is created with spells and protective wards to hold it in place. I’m not surprised you’ve never seen its kind before with you being from Folkyn.” He nudged her in jest. “See? Not all magic is evil.”
She released a sigh and looked at him with eyes filled with wonder. “No, I guess not.”
Ryan laughed tugging her forward towards her next wave of wonder. Globes of light lit the room and freely in the air. They hovered above large round tables filled with people talking happily amongst themselves. “What…are those?” She pointed at the glowing balls.
“I got tired of slipping on melted wax from the large candles we used to have in here. I also got tired of the servant’s complaints on how the walls became blackened with the smoke from torches, so I created these.” Ryan watched her closely to make sure this wasn’t going to push her too far. When he was sure she could handle this, he tugged her forward again.
“It’s amazing,” she said in a small voice thick with awe. They walked under one of the globes and her head swiveled to track it, trying to
make sense of this new wonder. They got closer to the large gathering of nobles and all heads turned in their direction. A silence settled over the hall when everyone stopped to see the woman their King had brought home.
Seeing their attention, Tillian felt twinges of anxiety flutter in her stomach. “Ryan, I don’t know if I can do this.” There were men watching her with interest and that constant panic she felt when men were near surfaced.
He felt her body stiffen and slowed his steps to look down her in concern. “We can go if you like. I could have dinner sent to my study?” He already flagged a servant who rushed over. The faraway look in her eyes alerted him that she was about to panic and that decided him. “Please set a table in my study and have our meal brought there. Ask Wallace and his wife to join us there.”
Hearing him say they could escape was enough. She hated the fact that she was this broken, this weak, but when she looked at the faces staring at her, she knew she couldn’t handle this right now. She felt her cheek twitch and gripped his arm tighter trying to curb the growing unease.
“Let’s just walk through to make an appearance, and then we can depart,” he said with a straight face, trying not to let his worry show.
Tillian cringed but couldn’t resist a question. “To what purpose?”
He couldn’t help the smile that lit up his face. “To show you off, of course.” When he saw the frown on her face, he faltered. “We can do that another time, Tillian.”
“Incorrigible, that’s what you are. I would greatly appreciate another time though. This is too much.”
As they were talking, both missed an older man, elegantly dressed, approach. “Your Highness.” He bowed before them. Tillian nearly fled but Ryan held her firmly in place.
“Lord Williams, how nice to see you in the palace after such a long absence. How is your wife?” Ryan inquired.