by Renna Peak
“And you, as well, Your Highness.” She curtsies again for the millionth time and exits through the door.
I walk over and sit in front of the plates of food that have been brought to my room. There has to be enough food here for six people, though no one else is here. For a fleeting moment, I think perhaps William had all this food sent to me so that he might join me, but as the minutes tick by, I realize nothing of the sort is going to happen.
I pick at the food—at least there is no seafood included in tonight’s dishes. As I eat, I can’t help but think of my father. I still can’t quite believe he’s here—nor can I fathom what it is he’s doing here.
But I have far too much time on my hands to think the worst. I check the clock—dinner should be over by now. I have no idea where it is my father is staying in the palace, but I’m certain it can’t be far. The guest wing is large here—much larger than the guest wing in Rosvalia—but even still, it isn’t as though I wouldn’t be able to find him if I tried.
I finish nibbling at a roll and go over to the door. I peek my head out, looking both ways into the corridor. I’m not sure why I feel the need to be hiding—it would be much easier to find one of the staff and simply ask where my father is staying. I probably should have asked the young maid earlier, but I hadn’t thought of it in that moment.
I pad out into the hallway. Thankfully, I know I won’t be treated as a prisoner in this palace, unlike how William has been treated since the day he arrived in Rosvalia. I suppose the Montovians have little to hide, though, unlike my father.
William probably doesn’t believe me, but I have no idea what my father has going on in the east wing of the Rosvalian palace. Like everyone there, I know it has something to do with the Royal Guard, but what that something is, I have no idea.
I round a corner and walk right into William.
He catches me by the wrist and pulls me into a nearby alcove. “What are you doing out here?”
“I…I thought we were going to dine together tonight.”
He lifts a brow, grinning. “I thought we were trying to make it look like we weren’t getting along. And since your father was there… I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep my hands off you, especially since I haven’t seen you in far too long.”
I can’t help but smile. Something about the way he speaks to me makes me feel like I might never not smile again. “You should have come to my room today.”
“I wanted to let you rest. You had quite the ordeal last night.” He reaches up and threads his hand into my hair, pulling my face to his. “But you have no idea how much I wanted to see you. To do this.” He pulls me toward him, kissing me deeply before releasing me. “But we can’t do this here.”
“Then we should return to my suite.” My voice is breathless, and I’m not certain I’m going to be able to wait that long.
“And we shall… But we can’t be seen together. Not if we’re to keep up the ruse of our hating each other.”
“I know.” I frown. “Maybe…maybe this isn’t the best idea. I’m not sure I can put up with being apart from you all day.”
He grins. “Believe me, my love. I am going to make it very worth your while.”
William
We practically run back to her room. The moment the door is shut behind us, I pull her back into my arms, dropping my mouth to hers.
I wasn’t lying when I told her it was hard to stay away from her—this little plot to pretend to be angry with each other is going to be difficult, but if it helps Montovia, then I’m willing to face the challenge. Especially if I can still be with her each night.
My arms tighten around her, pulling her snug against my chest. She presses nearer, looping her arms around my neck, and her tongue teases mine. It’s been torture, being away from her all day, and I have every intention of drinking my fill of her now.
Slowly, I back her away from the door, toward the sofa. When the backs of her knees hit the cushions, I gently lower her down, lowering myself on top of her.
I won’t tell her how many times today I kept seeing her with her face all puffy and purple and her eyes wide with panic as she went into anaphylactic shock. I won’t tell her how much it hurts, even now, to think of what might have happened last night. I won’t tell her how furious I am that her father never bothered to check on her after hearing about her allergic reaction.
How did such a horrible man raise such an amazing daughter? I think, kissing her deeply. How much has Justine suffered at the hands of her horrible family?
There’s no need for her to suffer any longer. Once we find out what her father is up to—and stop him—she can stay here in Montovia, free from his influence.
Justine turns her face away from mine, and from the look in her eyes, I suspect her thoughts have been traveling along a similar path to mine.
“Did you find out anything from your father today?” she asks.
I shake my head. “He was with your father all day. I never had the chance to speak with him alone. I tried to see if I could pry anything out of Andrew, but it sounds like he’s in the dark, too.”
She presses her lips together, apparently taking this in. “At dinner, did my father… Did he seem to buy that we’re fighting?”
“As far as I could tell. I think the old bastard was actually pleased to see me there alone.” When I realize how that sounds, I quickly rush on. “Not that he didn’t want to see you, but—”
“Don’t worry, I know what my father thinks of me. He’s upset that I’m here at all—he probably thinks I’m just in the way.”
“Because he’s a heartless bastard,” I mutter. “Either way, I think everyone was shocked to see me there by myself. I… I haven’t told anyone in my family what we’re doing, and I’m not sure if I’m going to. Not yet, anyway. The more people who know, the more likely the truth gets back to your father. Besides, it only helps our case to have them all worried about me. Your father will think he has us right where he wants us. But I warn you—we might have to deal with some meddling the longer we go through with this. My mother was sending me worried looks all throughout dinner. Even Andrew looked a little concerned.” I give a wry laugh. “It’s Sophia you have to watch out for, though. She’s the biggest meddler of all.”
She looks away from me. “I’m not sure I’m Sophia’s favorite person at the moment.”
“Are you kidding? Sophia loves you. She might not be happy about what happened in Berlin, but… Trust me. She was the one who convinced me there was hope for us in the first place.”
Justine’s eyes meet mine again. “Really?”
I laugh. “Yes—after I made an ass of myself at your conference, Sophia talked some sense into me. I know she’s a little…spirited, but don’t worry—you’ll get used to her honesty. She doesn’t hide her emotions, and that’s exactly why you can trust her.” I gently brush my finger along her cheek. “She also desperately wants her brothers to be happy, so don’t be surprised if she shows up here with some ridiculous plan to get us back together again.”
Justine smiles. “Your sister is wonderful. Your whole family is, honestly.”
“They’re your family too, now,” I remind her. “We’re in this together.”
I dip my head again, kissing her slowly and sweetly. But my restraint doesn’t last very long. Heat surges through me again, and the desire I managed to suppress these last few minutes comes rushing forward, drowning out everything else.
Justine’s fingers tangle in my hair, tugging at the strands as I twist my tongue around hers. A groan vibrates through her mouth as I gently grind my hips against hers.
The time for talking is past. It feels like we’ve been apart for a lifetime, even though it’s only been a day. I tug at her clothes, and she grabs at mine. In no time at all, we’re half naked and tangled together, and I sink deep into her, drawing groans from both of us.
I almost can’t remember a time when I didn’t know the pleasure of joining with her. Now, my body can’t seem to ima
gine anything else. This was always how it was supposed to feel—a pure, hot, agonizing connection. Now I’ll never be satisfied with anything less.
I move against her, thrusting into her again and again until I know nothing but heat and hunger. This woman has completely intoxicated me, awakened an animal hunger that I didn’t know I possessed.
Suddenly, my knee slips off the edge of the sofa, sending me tumbling toward the floor. I grab desperately for the cushions, but I only succeed in grabbing Justine—and pulling her down to the ground on top of me.
For a moment, neither of us moves. We just lie there, frozen and out of breath, as if neither of us knows what to do.
And then Justine laughs. It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful that sound is, and the way her entire face lights up fills me with a deep joy. Before I can comment on her beauty, though, she leans her face down close to mine.
“My turn to be in control,” she whispers to me.
She doesn’t wait for me to respond. She sits up and straddles me, her eyes never leaving mine the entire time. Something dark and wicked flickers in their depths as she sinks onto me, and her lips curl into a seductive smile as I groan at the feeling of being inside her again.
I reach up and grab her hips, but though she doesn’t move my hands, she gives a small shake of her head.
“I’m in control,” she reminds me.
Then she begins to move. And I swear, stars flash across my vision. The sight of her on top of me brings out my most feral instincts, and it takes all of my restraint to obey her wish and remain still. My blood is boiling in my veins, and my cock is so hard it aches as she rides it.
I don’t last long. Within minutes, I lose complete control, erupting with pleasure. She follows just behind me, suddenly crying out and gripping my shoulders as she falls over the edge. I wrap my arms around her and thrust my hips upwards, yanking her down against my body as we both drown in the pleasure of each other.
We stay like that for a long time afterward, tangled and clinging to each other. I could stay like this all night, right here on the floor, but as Justine’s heartbeat slows against my chest, I realize how much I want her to get some proper sleep. I still can’t get the vision of her having that allergic reaction out of my head.
“Come on,” I say gently. “Let’s get you to bed. You need to rest before I take you again.”
“I think I took you that time,” she teases sleepily.
“Yes, you did,” I murmur. “And I hope that won’t be the last time.”
Slowly, I help her to her feet, then scoop her up in my arms, carrying her into the bedroom.
“You know,” I say, “we never had a proper wedding night with me carrying you over the threshold and all that.” Of course, at the time, she never thought she’d be married to me for more than a hundred days, but I don’t think that’s worth bringing up now. Right now she’s here, in my arms, and I don’t plan on ever letting her go—no matter what her father has planned.
“Let’s change that,” she says, looking up at me.
“Yes,” I say. “Let’s.”
Justine
While we may have finally allowed ourselves the wedding night we deserved, it’s over all too soon.
William probably thinks I’m asleep, but I watch him as he slides off the bed and tiptoes back into the sitting room.
I follow him. I’m not certain of what to say or if he’ll even listen, but I’m not ready for him to leave me again.
He’s pulling on his clothes when I enter the room, and he looks up at me. His eyes widen with what almost looks like panic before his expression softens into something else as his eyes roam over my naked body.
I want to say something to him, but I’m not certain what. Begging him to stay is the only thing that comes to mind.
He lets out a low growl before he shakes his head and pulls his pants up. “You should return to bed before I do something we’ll regret.”
“I can’t imagine I would regret anything you might do to me, Your Highness.” I suddenly feel very exposed, and I grab the blouse I was wearing last night from the floor and hold it to my breasts.
He chuckles. “Unfortunately, that doesn’t really do much to change my mind.” He takes a few steps toward me and pecks my cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Don’t…don’t go.”
He cocks his head, and his grin falls a bit. “If this plan of ours is to work, I can’t stay. The staff will be about in the halls at any moment. If someone were to see me leaving your room—”
“Then don’t leave my room.” I smile. “Stay for the day. If no one sees you, they won’t know you’re here.”
He seems to ponder this for a moment, his smile widening. “I do love the way you think, my Princess.” He lets out a long breath. “Unfortunately, I’ve already accepted an invitation—”
“You can unaccept it.” I frown. My heart is beating a little too quickly—I’m not sure if it’s because of the panic I feel at the thought of him leaving me alone for another day, or if it’s because of the thrill at the thought of him staying. “Please.”
He strides toward me again and reaches out to place a hand on my cheek. “Justine. We agreed—”
“I can’t do it. I don’t… I felt like a prisoner in my room yesterday. I—”
“You were ill. You really did need the rest.” His eyebrows draw together. “And you’re hardly a prisoner here. You may use the palace as you wish.” He pauses for a moment, considering his words before his grin slowly widens. “Unlike certain other palaces I’ve visited.”
“Very funny.” I’m not sure what’s come over me, but there are tears welling in my eyes. “Please don’t make me beg you, William.” I know this plan was at least mostly my idea, but I can’t believe how difficult it is to go through with now.
He frowns, but he holds fast to my cheek, finally bringing his lips to mine for a moment. “If there were another way, I’d be happy to—”
“We could leave. Like you suggested in Berlin—we could go somewhere else. Anywhere else. I…I…” I feel like an idiot, begging him like this. “Please.” Even though I know our staying apart—at least during the day—is the best option if we’re going to convince my father that we’re fighting, I can’t believe how painful the notion of not having William by my side is now.
He kisses me again, but it’s still only little more than a peck on the lips before he pulls himself completely away from me. “We do need to put on this charade for at least a few more days. And if we’re seen together doing anything but arguing, the entire plan falls apart. We agreed, Justine.”
He’s right, of course. I just hadn’t anticipated how difficult it was going to be. “I know… But I just want to be with you. With my husband. You can go to your father with what you know—we both can. I can’t imagine that he’s not already aware that my father is playing some sort of game with him. They’ve been doing this for years—”
“But wouldn’t it be nice to end this game our countries have been playing? Isn’t that the reason our marriage was arranged in the first place?”
I can’t argue with his logic, and I don’t know what it is about the emotional state I seem to find myself in, but I can’t even reason with myself. Everything I come up with is purely selfish. I know we need to do what’s right to save our marriage—to save our countries—I just hadn’t anticipated the longing I’m already feeling in my heart at our being separated.
“I say we stick with what we’ve agreed to. I know it’s difficult. It is for me, too.” His eyes roam over me once more. “Believe me, I’m not certain where my willpower is coming from. Particularly when you beg me.” He grins again. “I’m going to remember that when I return tonight, Princess. I do love it when you beg.”
My shoulders drop, and I let out something of a petulant whimper. It isn’t that I’m so used to getting my way that I’ll throw a fit if I don’t. I’m not sure I can even say what it is that’s come over me.
He grins
. “I promise. I’ll be back tonight as soon as I’m able. But Justine…”
“Yes?”
“Don’t come looking for me again. Don’t make it obvious that this is a ruse.” He shakes his head. “I’ll be out with my brother and Victoria today. You’ll have the palace to yourself. If you’ll make it obvious to everyone that I’ve gone out without you…” He lets out a long breath. “Well, I know you’ll know what to do.”
“Yes. I suppose I do.” Of course, it doesn’t make me hate this situation any less. “I’ll speak with my father today. I don’t think he’ll tell me anything, but I’ll try. I just… I really want this to be over. I want to live a normal life, William. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
He gazes at me for a long moment. I can’t read exactly what it is in his eyes, but it almost seems like pity. “I know.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. I don’t. But I don’t want to do this anymore. I don’t want to play games with my family. I don’t want to have to try to fool my father into believing something.” I let out a shaky breath. “I think… I think I’m done with this. It’s the only reason I agreed to marry you, William. He promised me what I wanted—that I could have the life I wanted to have. That I could return to America and lead a normal life.”
I know I sound ridiculous—and I know it’s the opposite of what I’ve been telling him. But maybe I’m finally being honest with him—and with myself. I know William is only trying to fight for our marriage—to fight for us. I know we need to stop my father. I know everything that we need to do—in my head, at any rate—but I can’t seem to reconcile any of it with what is going on in my heart. Perhaps if we just leave it all, it would be the best way. We wouldn’t have to fight any longer. We wouldn’t have to struggle and try to convince anyone.