by Robin Danner
He took her hard, and she responded with soft moans of excitement that grew louder the longer he pumped. Then he couldn’t wait any longer. “God, Rowena!”
He twisted his hand in her hair and turned her face up to his for a kiss.
His lips took hers furiously. His tongue demanded entrance, and she opened her mouth. It was all lips and teeth and tongue. They both battled for control of the kiss as their bodies sought release.
“More,” Rowena breathed. Her hips surged upwards as he sank into her.
His fingertips dug into the soft skin of her thighs as he changed the angle of his motion. He groaned with delight. “So good, Rowena. It feels so damn good.”
He came violently, his body wracked with shudders as he groaned her name again. He sank onto her body, and she curved into him, her hands gripping his waist and clinging to him.
It took Talin several moments to recover. When he regained his breath, he turned on his side and propped up on his elbow to gaze at Rowena. She gave him a shy smile as he twisted a lock of her golden hair around his finger.
He pulled her close enough to kiss. “I have to go.”
Rowena’s lips formed a pout.
He kissed her until she moaned. “I really do have to go.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. “When will I see you again?”
Talin ran his palm over her hip and down to her still exposed legs. His fingers tickled her labia. “Tonight?” He nipped her neck and earlobe with his teeth. “I will come to you.”
“Promise?” Her eyes twinkled with good humor. It was a welcome change from the shadows in her gaze when she first arrived.
If he stayed longer, he would never leave. There was still much to do until he could hold her in his arms for the night.
Talin forced himself to pull away from her. “I promise. We have much to talk about.”
Rowena’s brows drew together. “We do?”
“We do,” he confirmed. “A royal wedding, for example.”
Her mouth fell open, but he hushed her with a final kiss. “I will see you tonight.”
* * * *
Sara plucked a dead rose from the bush and tossed it teasingly near Rowena’s lap. “You are very quiet.”
Rowena lifted the rose and plucked its withered petals to make a small pile in her lap. “I am just thinking.”
“Of your handsome prince, no doubt.” Sara made a loud kissing noise.
Rowena scooped up the petals and flung them toward her sister.
Sara giggled as they fluttered to her feet. “Someone is in love.”
Rowena’s heart fluttered. “No.”
She could deny it all she wanted, but the truth was there for all to see. She had fallen in love with Talin.
She looked back at her sister. “Yes. I am in love.”
Sara’s face grew serious as she sat next to Rowena on the bench. “All my life, you have protected me. It’s my turn to help you. Marry him, Rowena. The prince adores you. He can give you everything we never had.” She took Rowena’s hand and pressed it to her cheek. “He is not like our father.”
In her heart, she knew that, but it was difficult to convince her mind. “I am frightened.”
Sara’s eyes were wise beyond her years as she nodded. “It is frightening to fall in love for the first time. But he is a good man. Trust him.”
Rowena laughed, and the seriousness of the moment passed. “What do you know of love and men, dear sister?”
Sara flushed to the roots of her honey blond hair. “Nothing, really.”
“Good.” Rowena pinched her sister’s pert little chin. “You are much too young.”
Sara stuck out her tongue, and Rowena’s mood lifted.
Things were better at N’ior than at home. Laughter rang freely here. They did not have to cower in doorways and hope to escape the notice of their father’s drunken rages. Even with the cloud of the rebellion hanging over their heads, the people of Noventia were in general a happy, contented lot. It was difficult to live here and not experience happiness as well.
That night, she waited for Talin in her chambers.
As the hour grew late, she feared he had changed his mind. Expectation turned into concern. Concern turned into disappointment. It was well after midnight when she gave up waiting and went to bed.
Rowena awakened several hours later to find him beside her.
His dark head rested on a snow white pillow, which brought his beautiful face into stark relief. He was turned toward her, one arm around her waist and her bottom cupped in his hand. His lips were parted and his breath rushed past them in a slow, even rhythm.
She traced his features, his strong eyebrows and royal nose. She caressed the outline of his bottom lip and giggled when it formed a pout. He was gorgeous, and he could be hers. Her stomach gave a lurch.
Talin stirred, and she jerked her hand away as he opened his eyes. He blinked sleepily and smiled. “Good morning.”
She returned his greeting. “I waited for you.”
He stretched in a lazy arch, and the sheet shifted to reveal his bare chest. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t get away. Come here.”
Talin crooked a finger, and she rushed to do his bidding. Would this fascination with his body ever go away?
She straddled him and laid her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her bottom and held her as his voice rumbled against her ear. “We must marry soon.”
Rowena rubbed tiny circles around his nipple until he placed a hand over hers and stilled the motion. She heaved a huge sigh.
“Why so soon? Someone almost killed you at our last wedding.” She again felt the terror of that day, the guilt that her father was possibly behind the assassination plot.
“We have not been careful, Rowena. You could be with child.”
She reared back and gave him a cool look. “Is that the only reason you want to marry me?”
He pinned her with a stern glare. “Do not be ridiculous. I told you weeks ago I would marry you.”
“And I repeatedly told you no,” she pointed out.
He put his hands on her waist and lifted her off him. He set her aside and climbed from the bed. He ignored her puzzled frown and jerked on his breeches.
“Where are you going?”
His jaw was tense and his eyes were full of fire when he turned. “There are only so many times you can deny me before I start to believe you are serious.”
She was serious. Or at least, she had been. Now … she didn’t know.
“Talin, stay.” She held out her hand, and her eyes pleaded with him to come back to bed.
“No.”
The single terse word cut through her confusion. She stumbled to her feet and ran to him. “I will marry you.”
Talin laughed, but the sound was devoid of mirth. “Are you that desperate to keep me in your bed, my lady?”
“Yes, but also because I love you.” She clapped a hand over her mouth, but it was too late.
He advanced on her, intent visible in his every move. “What did you say?”
She darted away from him and put a chair between the two of them. “Nothing.” She hated that her voice squeaked.
Talin lifted the chair and tossed it carelessly aside. “You definitely said something.”
Rowena was trapped and might as well admit it. “I said I love you, you stubborn man!”
He didn’t speak at first, but then he reached out and tugged her against his hard length. His jaw was tight with emotion, but she couldn’t tell what kind.
“Marry me,” he whispered. “I know it was not your desire when you first came here, but I’m asking you now. Will you marry me?”
His eyes were twin pools of desire and trepidation. How could she say no?
“Yes, Talin. I will marry you.”
He scooped her into his arms and took her back to bed. Her shift disappeared and so did his breeches. Naked, he slid onto the mattress and gathered her into his arms. “In that case, I will
come back to bed.”
She noticed he did not mention love. Rowena knew it was too soon, but disappointment rose in her breast. He desired her and wanted to marry her. That would suffice for now.
Chapter 7
“Your Highness, there is a message from Isis.”
Talin accepted the folded piece of vellum a servant handed him and thanked him with a nod. He broke the seal of wax and scanned the few sentences penned in his brother’s hand.
He gave a whoop of joy and handed the note over to Collin, who walked at his side. “Congratulations, my friend. You are to be a grandfather again.”
Collin read the note and beamed. “Imagine. My sweet Nadia is to be a mother.”
“And I am to be an uncle,” Talin boasted. “Come, let us go celebrate.”
The atmosphere was festive that night as Noventia celebrated the joint good news of the official engagement of its prince to Lady Rowena of Bevelaire and the announcement of Princess Nadia’s pregnancy. The Noventians had grown fond of the lovely Rowena now that her father was gone.
Talin slid his glance to the lady at his side, and his gaze softened. Tonight she was dressed in gold, which suited her perfectly. Her ears and wrists sparkled in the diamonds he had bestowed upon her as a betrothal gift. She wore his mother’s ruby ring on her left hand, yet she continued to twist it around her finger as he’d noticed she only did when she was nervous.
He stilled her fingers with a touch to her hand. “What is it, my lady?”
Her eyes flew to his face, and she shook her head. “It is nothing, Your Highness.”
He would have liked to question her further, but he didn’t want to upset her on what should be a special night for them both.
He stood and lifted his wineglass, and the dining hall immediately quieted. “To my brother and his wife!”
Cheers erupted in response to his toast. He smiled down at Rowena. “And to my lovely bride, Rowena. I cannot wait to make you my princess.”
Rowena sipped from her wineglass, but the smile she gave him was tight-lipped. Talin reclaimed his seat and sensed the unhappiness that poured off her in waves.
Finally, he’d had enough.
He grabbed her hand and motioned for her to come with him. She hesitated, but he bent down to speak for her ears only. “Either you come with me now, or our guests will have quite the scene.”
Her eyes blazed with anger, but she tossed down her napkin and followed him from the room. Talin tugged her the short distance down the hall and entered the first room they came to. He slammed the door behind them, grateful for the moonlight that streamed through the numerous windows of the library.
“Do you want to marry me?”
Her eyes rounded with surprise. “Of course I do.”
He waved his hand impatiently in the direction of the dining hall they’d just left. “Then would you care to explain why you sit in front of our guests as if being with me is the last thing you’d rather do?”
Her determined chin lifted as she steadily returned his regard. “I am sorry if you feel I am being an unpleasant hostess.”
He slammed his hands into the door, trapping her between his arms. “I don’t give a damn what sort of hostess you are. What I do care about is whether you are happy with me!”
She tried to slip under his arm, but he blocked her escape.
She sighed. “I am happy with you, Talin.”
“Then prove it.” He leaned close and put his lips next to hers. “Act as if you love me like you say.”
Rowena huffed and put her hands against his chest to shove him. “You’re a fine one to talk. Why must I act the besotted fool when you don’t even pretend to love me.”
He rocked back on his heels and gaped. “What are you talking about?”
She threw up her hands and growled. “It’s been two weeks since I told you I loved you. Not once in fourteen days have you given the least bit of indication you care for me other than in the bedroom.”
Tears formed in the corner of her eyes, and Talin’s heart softened.
“I want what Mathis and Nadia have. I want a husband who loves me and wants to have a family with me.”
“Oh.” He gazed down at the beautiful irritating woman who had gotten under his skin. “Is that all?”
Her eyes narrowed, and she balled up her fist to punch him lightly in the shoulder. “Yes, that is all.”
“Rowena, you silly woman, I adore you.”
She did not appear mollified. “Adoration is a start.”
He slid his hands to her shoulders, and then down to her hands to thread their fingers together. “You enchant me.”
She seemed thoughtful as she lifted her left brow. “That’s nice as well.”
Tired of the game, he finally gave in and said what he’d been dying to say for weeks. “I love you, Rowena.”
Her brown eyes grew limpid. “You don’t have to say it because I asked you to.”
Talin shook his head and kissed her. “I say it because I want to.” He yearned to kiss her again, but he knew their guests awaited their return, and if he kissed her, he would end up making love to her.
“Do you truly mean it?”
He gave in and kissed both corners of her mouth. “Yes. I love you and I want to marry you.”
She threw her arms around his neck and pressed frantic kisses to his lips. “I love you. Promise me you’ll never leave me.”
He grinned and drew back to lift a brow. “I think I should ask you to make that promise. I’ve given up counting the number of times you’ve tried to escape me.”
“I promise I won’t go anywhere unless it’s with you.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He sealed his promise with a kiss.
* * * *
One week later, Collin hurried to the prince’s study. In his hands he clutched a crude sketch the soldiers he’d sent to Arylen gave to him minutes before.
He knocked on the door and waited for his prince to bid him to enter. He heard rustling, and seconds later, the princess appeared with prettily flushed cheeks and mussed hair.
Despite his worry, he smiled fondly. “Good morning, Your Highness.”
Rowena blushed and gave him a quick nod. “Hello, Collin.”
“If I may be so bold, I have never seen a more beautiful bride.”
The newly married Rowena dimpled. “Thank you. We made it through without an assassination attempt this time.”
Collin smiled, but his mind was distracted by the information he needed to share with the prince. The wedding between Rowena and Talin had taken place two days before. Unlike the previous wedding celebration, this one was a small, intimate affair attended by only a few members of court. It was too risky to arrange a large ceremony, so the prince agreed to marry his bride in the small chapel at court.
Collin cleared his throat. “If you will excuse me, I must see the prince.”
Rowena’s clever, dark eyes roamed his face. She sensed his news was troubling him. “Of course. Have a good day.” She brushed past him and hurried down the hall.
Collin entered the room, hating that he must to be the one to deliver the news. “Your Highness, the soldiers we sent to gather information on the rebel leader have returned.”
Talin’s besotted expression, no doubt caused by his wife, faded as he reached for the sketch Collin held out. He unrolled the parchment, and his brows drew together in a frown.
His eyes flew to Collin’s face in shock moments later. “It can’t be!”
Collin gripped the back of a chair to remain standing. “I assure you it is so. I’ve questioned the soldiers, and there is no doubt.”
“But, how?”
Collin shrugged. He had not yet figured that out for himself. “I do not know, but I intend to find out.”
“Collin, I…”
He held up a hand to stop the prince from saying more. “Don’t, I beg you.”
He took the sketch from the prince’s lax fingers and carefully rolled it to hide it away. T
he less people knew about this, the better it would be.
* * * *
In a tiny hut near the edge of Arylen, a man sat alone at a table, furiously scribbling notes on a piece of parchment. His dark curly hair fell over his forehead, and he brushed it back with a careless hand. He traced the scar over his right eye, and his lips twisted into a cruel smile. He would make them pay—both of the princes who possessed what should’ve been his. For ten years, he had plotted and planned this down to the tiniest detail.
It was time. Time to wage war.
The End
About the Author
Robin Danner writes sweet and sexy historicals and lives in Alabama with her husband and three sons. When she is not writing, she enjoys watching reality television and singing karaoke … quite possibly off-key!
She is a graduate of Troy University and published her first novel not long after earning her degree in Biology. She currently works full-time as a billing clerk and shuffles her time between writing, work, and her family. Find out more about Robin at http://robindanner.webs.com.