“My innocence?” I skipped once before turning to the music, careful to watch the fluidity of my lines. “How do you know I’m a virgin?”
He stopped moving, his hands gripping mine almost painfully.
While he held his polite smile, his voice nearly seized my confidence. “The boyfriend you spoke of?”
He was listening. “Boyfriend…?”
“His name.”
“Liam,” I managed, wishing my words back.
He caught me in his arms, his mouth lowering to my ear. “And you are not an innocent.”
“Define ‘innocent’.”
He smiled and nodded at a regal looking couple who danced by us before jerking his face back to mine and talking through gritted teeth. “Do you understand sex?”
“What the hell- are you kidding me?”
“We are retiring for the evening,” he pulled me to his side, clapping at the end of the song. I followed suit, my eyes darting nervously around the room. Where did Eric go? Unnerved by Will’s reaction, I struggled with the urge to run.
“Come.” He hauled me toward the private stairwell, and I looked back over my shoulder at the applauding crowd.
“We’re leaving so early-…,”
“They will understand.”
“Will, slow down,” I protested, doubling my pace to keep up with him. “Will-…,”
“My lord,” he snapped, stopping in front of his bedroom door. I realized two guards were behind us, having followed us from the great hall.
He swept me up into his arms, taking me by surprise; I cried out, grasping for his neck. The bedroom was lit with several flickering candles, darkening his silhouette and shadowing every corner of the space. Soft music played from somewhere in the room.
Slamming the door behind him, he carried me to the edge of the bed, tossing me to the pillows.
“What is your problem?”
“Eva,” he threw off his coat, tugging at the buttons of his shirt. “You tell me that you are not a child. You throw yourself at me… and beg me to kiss you. You insist on a change in our arrangement, and ask to be my wife- in every way. And yet, you do not even know if you are a virgin?”
I glared at him, my temper rising. Count. Don’t lose it. One, two, three…
“Who do you think you are? You are their king, but you are not my king. I don’t have a king! I’m here to keep an eye on your crazy subjects and protect my brother. That’s it. Sorry if I’m not comfortable with you screwing Bleach-Bottle Barbie and then feeling me up on the bed.”
He tossed his shirt next to his coat, and I paled, backing against the headboard at the cold wrath in his eyes.
“Oh, and P.S. - this little candle-lit, porn set-up? Tacky.”
His eyes turned to cold, gray stone.
“My valets prepared this room for our wedding night.” He stood at the foot of the bed, staring at me sternly with his arms crossed over his broad chest. “I’m going to tell you what to expect over the course of the coming weeks. Are you listening?”
I stared at him, crossing my own arms over my chest and leaning against the headboard.
“You’ll be up at dawn each morning and take breakfast in either the hall or in your room. Immediately following, you’ll begin conditioning. Eric has taken responsibility for weaponry. Fencing and swordplay will be my responsibility. After that, you’ll bathe and dress for the day, and I have a female instructor for your etiquette. Her name is Valerie.”
“Etiquette? I-…,”
“Be silent.” He snapped, and I closed my mouth, glaring at him. “You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions. I don’t care for your iniquitous tongue this evening.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, giving him a defiant stare.
“You’ll break to take your midday meal, and then proceed to your grandfather’s quarters for lessons in magic. Your kingdom responsibilities begin after magic; you’ll be working with my personal physician, Alexander. You’ll be able to express your artistic talent and aid him in his journaling.”
“I can barely contain my excitement.”
He moved around the bed, leaning forward to cage me in both of his arms as his palms flattened against the headboard. “When your king is speaking, you are silent. And despite your juvenile rant moments ago- I am your king. If you do not agree, then you do not recognize your responsibilities as queen.”
I lowered my eyes; I couldn’t help it. His authoritative tone- and bare chest- quickened my pulse.
“Yes… my lord.”
“After your work with Alexander, you’ll either choose- or I’ll assign you- a humanitarian task.” He must have recognized the confusion my expression. “Charity, volunteer work. Your people need a compassionate queen.”
“Every evening, you’ll join my side in the hall to dine. You’ll retire to your chamber with your women, and you will not attempt to come to my bed.”
The flush of rage that immediately swept over my bare neck and chest was not lost on him. Uninterrupted time with your whores? Are you kidding me?
He pulled away, softening his tone. “If you need me, at any time, you may ask for an escort to my chamber. I will always see you, no matter what the hour. What I mean, Eva, is that you will not parade yourself, dripping wet and naked, in my presence. I have no intention of consummating this marriage.”
I felt the tears burning in my sinuses, and I fought against them with all of my strength. “May I speak?”
“Yes.”
“You promise you won’t sleep with other girls?”
“I told you, Eva. I will respect your wishes.”
What I wished was I could see his face more clearly. The flickering candlelight masked the truth that was always clear in his eyes.
“I never slept with Liam.” I let the tears fill my eyes, but refused to let them drip down my cheeks. “I don’t love him. I don’t even like him. I… touched him… and let him touch me… so I could stop him. To make him mad. I just want him to hurt… like he hurt me.”
Even in the darkness of the bedroom, I could read the pity in his expression.
“Eva,” he lowered to the bed, at my side. I looked down, tracing the intricate designs on my gown. “It is my responsibility to protect you- in every way. You are not ready for the complications- or the intimacy- of sex.” He softened his gaze. “I must keep my distance from you.”
I lifted my eyes to his. “So you really are attracted to me, but you don’t think I’m ready.”
“Mental maturity comes with age… and experience. Unfortunately, physical maturity arrives much sooner.”
“Will- my lord,” I sighed, and he held his arms out for me.
“Just ‘Will’ when we are alone.”
“Will, I like you. So much. I just want you to know that. Sometimes… when I get… possessive… I act a little… crazy.”
“And that is a quality that I accept within you. Just as you accept me with my flaws, I accept you with yours.”
“Your flaws?” I echoed, scoffing. “You’re kind to everyone. You smile even when you’re beyond pissed off. You’re so… handsome. Tell me more about your ‘flaws.’”
He laughed quietly, tucking me against his chest and leaning against the headboard. “I have imperfections, Eva. You’ll discover them soon enough.”
“My dad has given me… everything that I want. Whenever I want it. I think I’ve become an impatient person.”
“I’ll be sure to say ‘no’ to you as often as possible,” he teased, and I curled into the crook of his arm with a breathy laugh.
“I guess you naturally try to model your adult life after your upbringing… that’s what I learned from my dad’s psychology books, anyway. I see my mom worshipped by my dad, and I guess I expect the same thing.”
He was silent for a long moment, and I listened to the music change to a nineties Shania Twain love song. “My childhood was… not as easy. I struggle every day with the temper that my father has given me.”
At the mentio
n of his father, I bit my lip to keep from speaking. Waiting silently, he began to talk while pulling the pins out of my heavy hair.
“My father beat my sister for the first time, in front of me, when we were only eight years old. She had refused to leave the children’s quarters when he ordered her to her own rooms.”
“She was only eight? That’s still a kid,” I defended.
“He wanted her alone.” I felt him stiffen, and I kept quiet. “He abused her. Drove her mad. Sent my mother away.”
“Will, you don’t have to talk about this.” I covered his hand gently.
“I will share this one memory,” he insisted, lacing my fingers in his. “He placed her on the throne when she turned seventeen, announcing to the kingdom that she was to be his queen. A short time after that, she tried to murder him in his bed.”
“Oh God,” I felt my throat tighten as bile burned my chest. “He was… sexually… abusing her, wasn’t he.”
“I was beaten and kept in the dungeons for that time, Eva. Nine years. She endured for nine years… as long as she could.”
“Disgusting… what a monster,” I let one tear slip from my eyes, hastily wiping it away. “And he kept her alive?”
“Yes. He imprisoned her in a cell next to mine. I couldn’t see Meredith, but I could hear her.”
He cleared his throat and turned to me, brushing my cheek with his thumb. “So, as you can see, I carry my own burdens, love. I’ve had over sixty years to practice self control, and suppress my temper. You, my fiery little queen, have had only a few years.”
I melted at his endearments, leaning into his chest.
Sighing, I nodded. “Let’s be friends, okay? I’ll do everything on the daily schedule, and I’ll respect you all the time. Just understand… if you decide to creep around with the castle bitches at night, you had better sleep with your eyes open.”
He laughed, pulling the final pin from my hair to let it fall over my shoulders. “You have my word, Eva. And I do not give it often.”
Smiling, I hugged him playfully. “Great. I’m liking this arrangement. Maybe I can pretend you’re my big gay brother. We can paint each other’s toenails and gossip about the scandals in the castle.”
“Pretend what you wish. But as I said,” he tilted my face to his. “I am not immune to your perfect body, or your swift tongue. You’ll keep your distance.”
I was tempted to turn and press myself to him, but instead, I made a well-behaved effort to back against the headboard. “I’ll be good, big gay brother. I promise.”
“I shall believe that when I see it,” he lamented, ruffling my curls playfully. Moving to pull down the comforter of the bed, I watched him carefully. “I do regret that I pulled you away from dancing so soon…,” he turned to reach for me, and I gave him my hand. “You are a talented dancer.”
“I’ve had lessons all my life. Violet is a teacher.”
“So, you do pay attention to your lessons… when they interest you.” He grinned, swaying with me to the song.
I smothered a smile, pressing my face against his chest.
Chapter Ten
We danced for a while to clichéd love ballads, and I was surprised to find that moving with him in his arms wasn’t the least bit awkward or uncomfortable. He listened to me talk about my dance recitals, my friends (not Liam- I was not bringing him up again) and my art. I loved the way he listened without interrupting, asking me question after question about each subject.
“You draw the inside of the human body, and then magnify the art with glass?”
“No, I draw the magnification as though it’s part of the diagram.”
“Impressive. The human heart took my breath away, Eva. I would love to see more of your work.”
“You will- on Saturday.” I realized I was counting the minutes until we traveled back my world.
The music stopped, and he raised his eyebrows at me expectantly. He was at least 6’2”, and my head reached the center of his chest. I pressed my ear to his skin, loving the rumbling sound of his deep, soothing voice. “Perhaps you should prepare for bed,” he suggested, his fingers touching the sleeve of my wedding gown.
“Slip into something more… comfortable?” I lowered my voice to sound like Mae West from my dad’s old movies. He stilled, threading his fingers through mine and lifting my hand high in the air.
“Yes. But first,” he drew a slow circle in the air with our intertwined hands, his gaze captivating, “What song shall we have next, love?”
I didn’t have to think. My heart thudded in my chest, and a song began that I didn’t recognize. Freezing, I squeezed his hand. “I… didn’t play this song. How did I do this?”
“This is Eric Clapton. It is called ‘Wonderful Tonight.’” He dropped our hands, taking a step back. “I was thinking of your beauty, especially in the candlelight.”
No one has ever been able to play a song through me… not my parents, or Violet or Chris… or Liam or anyone.
“I better… go change. Thank you,” I whispered, hurrying to the enormous bathroom.
A long, white nightgown was left hanging on the door, and I changed quickly. The empire waist and silken folds made me chuckle at my reflection. I look like the sacrificial virgin from some old Conan movie. Rolling my eyes, I made sure to brush my teeth and attempt to organize my hair before rejoining Will.
He lay on his side on the bed, propping his head up with his elbow as he waited for me. Sprawling across the bed on my stomach, I scissored my legs in the air next to him. With a quick wave, I settled on Bob Marley. His hand lowered to my back, tracing my shoulders before tenderly kneading into my muscles. I sighed, relaxing and closing my eyes.
When I began talking about magic, I had his undivided attention.
“… and so Logan is immortal, like Violet. And they get to live happily ever after.” I shrugged. “And that was the last time I practiced magic… other than my being able to make you see whatever I want you to see when I play music with my mindpod.”
“Mindpod?”
“iPod… it’s a small- oh, never mind, not important.”
“So you are telling me that the shot you took at the assassin was purely skill?”
“What, you think I had an enchanted bullet or something?” I scoffed, rolling over to my stomach and propping my hands under my chin. “I have been shooting since I was four years old. I’m more comfortable with a gun in my hands than a hair brush.”
“I can imagine why,” he brushed a ringlet away from my eyes.
Grinning, I caught his hand in mine. “Tell me something about you- that isn’t scary, and doesn’t involve beatings, torture, or incest.”
He held his fingers up, pretending to mentally run through stories, folding each finger down slowly with a shake of his head.
I laughed, pushing against his shoulder. “Come on, you have to have one happy memory. Please.”
“Yes,” his voice deepened, and I waited for him to begin. “I do remember one icy night, two years ago… here. I patrolled the mountain door to your world, keeping watch. Though it was not my obligation, I volunteered for the shift. I cannot explain why I felt that I needed to be there.” His eyes swept over me with such devotion that I was forced to look away shyly.
“I found the infant at the gate, crying in the snow, only days old. By some grace of God, she was unharmed- and I was alone.” He reached for an errant curl at my ear, looping his finger through the ringlet. “All of that red hair… more than I’d ever seen on a newborn babe.”
“Me?”
He nodded, his fingers tracing over my jaw. I lowered my chin to my hands, gazing up at him from the bed. “I saw that you were hidden from the guards. If and when my father returned, you’d surely have been executed. I knew you were the child of the sun; the bringer of the prophecy.” He sighed. “I hid you in the dungeons with the woman Laurel. My mother helped me care for you. You remained here for two days before your father took you home.”
“How did
I end up here?”
“Your parents tried to take you through a fountain. Because you possessed magic within you already, other magical gateway enchantments, like the fountains, will always send you to your… destiny. Your life’s intended purpose… your home. When you were found here, I knew you’d one day live in Icepond. In speaking with Asher, I learned that your presence here would stop our burning kingdom… just as your death would save this world… but burn Earth.”
“I’m going to die someday, Will, I’m mortal here! Would my world burn then?”
“Your… murder… you, as the sacrifice… would bring about the prophecy. Not your natural death. In natural death, the states of both worlds continue as they are. I asked Asher the same question.”
I traced the stitching in the bedspread, speaking softly. “You saved my life. Twice.”
He smiled. “You were an innocent babe. So pink… and crying so very… loudly.”
Grinning, I took a deep, shaking breath. “I’m hungry,” I complained, scooting closer to him on the bed. “It’s what- three o’clock in the morning? Where do we get food at this hour?”
Will stretched out at the foot of the bed, his arms folded behind his head. “I could send a servant.”
“No, take me to the kitchen,” I sat up quickly, pulling the silken strap of the nightgown up over my shoulder. I was sure the Hens had left the nightgown for me in Will’s bathroom with absolutely no intention of me wearing it. “I really don’t know what I’m hungry for. Sometimes I just stand in front of the fridge, holding the door open, while I decide. My dad hates that,” I added, thinking of his stern eyes and playful smile.
I can’t wait to see him.
“You’re not dressed for a walk in the castle.”
“I have a robe! And I’ll be discreet, I promise.”
He shot me a dubious look, reaching for his own shirt. “Very well, but you must stay with me at all times.” He slung his holstered Beretta over his back, and I sighed.
“I asked the guards for a Glock, but they ignored me.”
“I’ll see that you’re armed. I’m sure that your first request as queen bewildered them.”
Rule (Roam Series, Book Five) Page 9