King Thane tilted his head to the side. “You don’t say.” He cleared his throat. “Well, that’s a different matter entirely.”
* * * *
The voices softened considerably, and Celine smiled. Apparently Ian knew exactly what buttons to push with her father. She hoped he could do the same with her sister.
* * * *
The week passed in a haze. Kyra didn’t leave her room. It simply wasn’t worth it. And when her parents came to her, she sent them away with no explanation.
Celine came to offer comfort, but Kyra needed time. She stayed on her terrace the first five days. Ate there. She could see the entire road to the compound from there. But after the fifth day and no word, she simply gave up and retired to her room.
The seventh night she made a decision to travel away from her homeland. She couldn’t stay so near to Ian and not be with him. Kyra packed her bag and waited until nightfall. As soon as the moon rose high in the sky, she opened her door slowly and peered down the hall.
“What are you running from, Kyra?”
She spun and held her hand out, shining light with a mere thought.
Ian lounged against the side of the exterior wall.
“You are here,” she said faintly.
“Aye. I am here.” He walked toward her slowly, bathed in her light. He wore tan breeches and a white, short-sleeved shirt.
Kyra’s heart thumped painfully. “Have you come to tell me how I do not suit you?”
“Sweet, Kyra.” His hand brushed through her hair. “We have made a mess of things.”
She stepped back, dearly holding onto her pride.
“Ah.” Ian’s hand dropped to his waist.
“I am leaving.” Kyra motioned to her bag. “We need time and space.”
“We need to wed.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “What did you just say?”
Ian sank to his knees in front of her. He rested his head against her stomach and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.
Kyra rested her hand lightly against his shorn hair. And then squealed as he stood and tossed her over his shoulder.
“What are you doing?” She pounded on his back and kicked her feet fruitlessly.
He patted her ass and chuckled. “I am taking you to our bed. Where I plan to convince you to marry me.”
Kyra landed with a thump and glared up at Ian. “You overestimate you charms.”
“You underestimate yours.” Ian pulled off his shirt and shrugged out of his pants. He stood nude before her.
Kyra’s mouth ran dry as she took in every inch of the man she loved. “Come here.” She patted her bed. “Perhaps we could work something out.”
“Aye. We will work it out. To my satisfaction.” He lowered himself onto the bed and looked into her eyes. “You prick a man’s pride with your careless words.”
She bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do.” Kyra trailed a hand slowly down his bare chest. “I’ve missed you.”
“I have been busy handling details, woman.” His silver eyes glowed. “I’ve asked permission of your father to wed you.”
Kyra blinked. “It matters not whether my parents accept you or not. I accept you.”
“I haven’t asked, woman.”
She glared at him. “Honestly, Ian. If I have to wait for you to do everything, I will lose my mind.”
“Impatient woman!” Ian slid up her body slowly. He kissed her lips gently and traced them with his tongue. “And yes. You will wait for me.” His bare chest rubbed against her breasts, and she arched her back reveling in the sensations.
Kyra wound her arms around his neck and kissed his ear. “Maybe we could work something out. But I’m not marrying you.”
Ian pulled back and arched his eyebrow. “I can barely keep up with your moods, woman. And pray tell. Why will you not marry me?”
Kyra’s eye glowed dangerously. “There’s this little wager between my parents.”
* * * *
Celine and Kyra married on the same day. Their grooms were extremely understanding about their competitive nature and the wager between their parents.
King Thane and Queen Ara beamed throughout the entire proceedings. When the last vows were recited, and the couples left for their honeymoons, the royal parents retired to their bedroom.
Thane took his gold crown off and set it on the dresser. He shot a glance to his wife and grinned. “Kyra said her vows first. Therefore I win the wager, wife. Shall we discuss terms?”
“Husband.” Ara patted her hair and slid her cobalt royal robe from her shoulders. “Technically, Celine was engaged first. Therefore, I believe we’ll simply call this one a tie.” She shot her husband a look. “Unless you care to go double or nothing.”
Thane’s eyebrows shot up. “Double or nothing?” He grinned. “Do tell.”
“Well.” Ara smiled. “There are always the grandchildren.”
About the Author
C’ann Inman is an Oklahoma author who loves to spin wild and wicked stories for her readers. She realizes that romance can be found in many places and many ways. Her stories celebrate the sensuality of relationships. She has the number one bestselling Torrid Title of 2006 in her Paranormal Romance, What He Wants. And she also has several short stories available. Please feel free to drop by her website at [email protected]
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Torrid Teasers Volume 33 Page 5