by D. R. Grady
After a few fits and starts within the drawer, the maid withdrew a gown of exquisite silk and lace. It formed a long column, with thin straps, and the lingerie draped Raene’s figure to perfection. She had never worn this confection because in the back of her mind, it was best suited to be seen in.
Her respiration upped at the thought of Vidar admiring her.
“Yes, that’s the one I wish to don this eve.”
The maid carried it to the bed where she spread it reverently. “It’s more suited to a bride, isn’t it?”
“That’s what I am, Anneke.” There wouldn’t be any way to hide her married state from this woman.
Anneke gasped. “You’re wed?”
“I am. Vidar and I married in private this afternoon. Tonight is my wedding night.”
The maid clutched her chest as she dropped beside Raene onto the bed. “Already? You’re married.” She blinked a few times before surging to her feet. “Then we must prepare you.”
“Have you any idea what that entails?”
“No. Never been married myself, but you pick up things among the other servants.” Anneke became all business as she helped Raene bathe and perfumed her with a lovely lotion that wasn’t strong in scent, but softened her skin to match the silken texture of her gorgeous nightwear.
After tugging the gown over her head, it did indeed drape her to perfection and made her look like a scared young queen. A becoming picture, except for the scared part.
“Your new husband isn’t going to be able to catch his breath.” Anneke beamed at Raene as they both admired her in the mirror. “Of course, your new husband isn’t a stupid youngin, either. That will help.”
“Help?” She gulped.
“Young men aren’t as capable as they think they are. I’ve heard older men are more patient and more willing to see to their lady. Your new king should make this wonderful for you.”
“Oh, I hope I make it wonderful for him.”
“You won’t need to worry about that, from what I hear. Men are supposedly capable of seeing to themselves. But we women, we’re a little different.”
“I see.” Although she didn’t.
Anneke patted her shoulder. “Don’t you worry about a thing but enjoying your new husband.”
“He is my husband.” Raene found her slippers, because the stone floor was frigid, despite the plush rug. Next she shrugged into a wrapper because the air also carried a chill. Montequirst enjoyed glimpses of spring, but winter temperatures abounded.
“No one other than you knows we’re officially wed, and we must keep it that way. We shall marry formally in two weeks time.”
“I shall keep your secret. Today was emotional for you.” Anneke pursed her lips. “Seems that with all your privileges, you do lack things that are just yours. I completely understand.” With this said, her maid sailed from the room with a majestic wave.
Raene spun to inspect the room before digging out her handheld crystal to inform Vidar she was alone.
Did you tell her we’re married? He inquired.
Yes. There didn’t seem any way to keep it a secret from her.
It would have been a challenge. Better for her to know than to walk in on us tomorrow morning.
Oh no. She hadn’t mentioned the morning to Anneke. Her maid knew they were married, and she was a sensible woman. Anneke would stall coming to them. Plenty of married women had maids, and they figured this out.
Raene’s eyes strayed to the crystal signal system. Of course. Once she and Vidar awakened, she’d tap the appropriate crystal and alert Anneke. It would send a signal directly to her crystal. Sending off a quick note to her maid, she was heartened to read Anneke’s approval of that plan. Probably she had been wondering as well.
The secret door opened and Vidar ducked through.
Her heart beat faster as her breath suspended. Whenever she had seen him before he wore the garb all warriors favored. A loose fitting cotton shirt under a leather tunic paired with protective, heavier trousers.
Now, he arrived wearing the trousers most men only wore in the comfort of their homes and a white shirt that revealed part of his impressive chest. He had left his leather shields behind, and while he carried his sword, it remained sheathed.
A single white rose graced his other hand.
This he handed to her with a bow.
“Oh Vidar.”
His smile was sweet and tender as he gazed upon her, then his eyes widened before narrowing. “You are beautiful.” His voice roughened.
He set his sword aside, near enough to grab should he need it.
“So are you.” She placed the flower on the nightstand and then faced him.
In a heartbeat their lips connected as he clasped her tight against him. She looped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss. This one wasn’t sweet.
It showed his intent and she answered his with her own. Their tongues dueled as she shed the wrapper because her temperature rose.
Vidar helped her remove the garment and she heard his breath catch in his throat. “Again, you are the most beautiful woman to live.”
His eyes darkened and his chest expanded. His respiration quickened. As did hers.
Their lips merged again and then they were falling, tumbling onto the bed behind them. He made certain to land first with her on top.
Any fear she’d had fled as his heat enveloped her, his scent enticed her, and the promise in his eyes enslaved her.
She framed his face in her hands.
“If you expect to change your mind . . .”
“I won’t. I need this. I need you.”
Chapter 20
He awoke to the unusual sensation of well-being accompanied by an unfamiliar comforting heat. Blinking in the morning sunlight, Vidar rolled and nearly crushed Raene. Arms snapping around her, he positioned her so she half lay on him.
Gazing into the face of the woman who had blessed him by becoming his wife, Vidar couldn’t believe he was married. This amazing woman who he had woken once during the night and who had woken him one time earlier this morning.
Now her eyelids fluttered and he loved the smile forming on her lips as she nestled closer.
“Are you awake?” Her voice rasped.
“I’m warm.”
She made to roll away, but he caught her. “Don’t go. I like it.”
Sleepy—but still dazzling—blue eyes met his. “I like it too.”
He threaded his hand through her sleep-tousled hair. “You’re my wife.”
“Yes, I am. And you’re my husband.”
“Not doubting your choices this morning?”
“Not in the least.” She levered herself by placing both forearms on his chest as she peered into his face.
“I’m not doubting either.”
She played with the hair dusting his chest. “The only thing I’m unhappy about is that we have to wait a fortnight to announce our marriage.”
“I understand. However, it is still for the best.”
Raene’s face clouded. “You believe we’re going to run into trouble?”
It took him a moment to choose his words. “Your position of queen is very tempting for those who would like to improve their rank. It is better for them to believe there is still a chance. They will make their move on our official wedding day.”
“You never thought you’d be king.”
“It never entered my mind.”
“That’s yet another reason why you’re the perfect choice for me.”
One of his eyebrows rose. “Oh?” Where was she going with this?
“You’ve already put in the time and effort to be the best. There isn’t a better man to be king.”
“I’m happy you feel this way.” He only wanted her. This magical creature who had given him life again.
She leaned down to press a sweet kiss on his lips and distracted him. Soft, feminine lips caressed his and his heart expanded in his chest until there couldn’t possibly be any room left. Headiness swirled through him.
Their lips lingered over each other. The alarm clock beside her bed dinged with the hour. Both of them started and gaped at the timepiece.
“It can’t possibly be that time.” Horror, and what might be embarrassment, tinged her voice.
“We were busy last night.” He slid out of the bed, then assisted her. “Now we need to shower.”
“Together?”
“Isn’t that what married couples do? To conserve water?”
One elegant little shoulder lifted. “I don’t know. I’ve never been married before.”
He swatted her backside, enjoying her laughter, then scooped her up to carry her into the bathroom. Upon entry into the room, he immediately spotted a problem.
“Uh oh.” She surveyed the ceiling in her shower.
“I now understand why we needed to select our bridal suite.”
“You’re not going to fit in my shower.” They both eyed the low ceiling that worked fine for her, but wouldn’t allow him to stand upright.
“No. Change of plans.” He set her on her feet, then leaned down to kiss her.
“You aren’t going to shower with me?”
“Not until after our formal ceremony.”
She looked stricken. “But you’ll continue to sleep with me here, right?”
“Oh yes.” He glanced around the low ceilinged room. “But there’s no way I can bathe in your bathroom. This will offer us something to look forward to when we move into our suite.”
“I am already looking forward to that. Only it’s going to take so long to come.”
“It won’t, you know. We’re likely to be so busy we won’t have time to catch our breath, much less have time to worry about this ceremony.”
No sooner had Vidar left her than Anneke arrived to help her dress. The maid came with a long list from Raene’s new assistant, who had assisted Queen Margina, but had been on maternity leave. The list had grown overnight.
“Are you certain this is for me?” Seeing the length made her stomach clench. And she hadn’t even had breakfast yet.
Then Raene sighed because she would have enjoyed breaking her fast with Vidar. However, the ticks of the clock reminded her the time to eat in the dining hall this morning had passed.
How she longed to . . .
“Anneke, can you please ask the kitchens to send breakfast for me and Vidar to the library?”
“I’ve already arranged for that, your majesty.”
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness.” She darted a censorious look at the maid. “Anneke, please don’t go on with that royal nonsense. As I stated last evening, I’m still Raene. I’ll always be Raene. Especially when we’re in the privacy of my rooms.”
“Fine. I’ll continue to call you Raene, but it’s not right, you know.” Anneke frowned at her as she dressed Raene’s hair.
“It is. I’m the queen, yes,” and her heart somersaulted, “but that doesn’t change who I am. I didn’t all of a sudden wake up a different person.” Then she bit her lip.
She was a different woman.
Anneke’s eyebrows soared. “So you awoke still a maiden?”
Cheeks flaming, Raene met Anneke’s eyes in the mirror. “No, I did not. I’m a married lady now.” And she didn’t even try to hide the huge grin that spread across her face. “I highly recommend marriage, by the way.”
“You might wish to give it a few more days. Just in case.” The maid finished Raene’s hair with a jeweled comb.
Raene chose a becoming gown and after donning it, she slid her feet into comfortable castle slippers before she checked that everything was in place.
Her naked ring finger caught her attention, and she frowned at it. After yesterday’s announcement, everyone knew she was betrothed, at least. Still, it would be wonderful to have a symbol to flash in the faces of those who didn’t take her engagement seriously.
Oh how I wish I could just tell them I’m married.
However, Vidar was right. If those who coveted the kingship believed she was still available, they’d likely show their hand two weeks from hence. Better to weed them out now, early, before they could cause trouble in the future, however distant.
“One look at how you’re glowing and everyone is going to know you didn’t spend last night alone,” Anneke mused as she inspected Raene.
Heat warmed her cheeks, but there wasn’t an ounce of regret to accompany it. “I’m thrilled to have spent my wedding night with my husband.” Thoughts of him crowded out all others.
She and Anneke left the princess suite to make their way to the library. Once they arrived safely, Anneke peeled off to head to the linen closet while Raene unlocked the door to her office, stepping inside. Only a select few servants had access to this space, and few knew the identities of those who possessed that access.
The fireplace roared with a blazing fire and a breakfast tray sat at the ready. Her stomach grumbled its empty state.
She poured a cup of coffee and then another for Vidar, who knocked on the door and entered. He had access to every single area of the castle, and used this ability now. As the queen’s treasure protector and now king, no place in the entire realm was off limits to him or Aern.
Gliding into his arms, she savored his kiss and the masculine scent she had come to love.
“Aern sends his love.”
“How is he this morning?”
“He’s Aern. Happy we’re married.”
She suspected a few stalactites and stalagmites had met their demise upon Vidar’s revelation of their happy news this morning. “I didn’t imagine you’d be able to keep our nuptials a secret from him.”
“That dragon knows things no one else does.” Vidar shook his head. He followed her to where the breakfast tray sat and accepted the cup of coffee.
He gave thanks for the meal and they soon tucked in with hearty appetites. Their eyes met over the nearly empty plates and his heated.
“We don’t have time for what you’re thinking,” she warned but hoped she conveyed promises to him.
His eyelids grew heavy. “I’m aware of that. Still, it makes one wish for a lengthy holiday trip.”
She sat up. “Can we take one, do you think?”
“I’m not certain. I’ll have a better idea once I’ve familiarized myself with the king’s responsibilities.”
“Haines has been seeing to several of those.”
“I’ll make it a point to meet with him today.”
“He’ll be relieved to hand over to you.”
“I’ve heard he’s an excellent warrior in his own right.”
“He is. However, he has enough of his own ducal tasks that he doesn’t have as much time to concentrate on his warrior skills these days.”
“Do you believe he’ll marry again?”
“I hope so. However, his first wife was perfect for him. I don’t know how he can bear to replace her, even for the hope of children.”
“We’ll need to arrange for some eligible ladies to be introduced to him.”
“There is a woman one realm over. Rialta, the Princess of Oxland. I’ve been wondering about her.”
“I’ve heard of her.” He finished off the last of the protein on his plate. She shoved what remained of hers toward him.
“She and Haines don’t always see eye to eye. Rialta is headstrong and brave. Her brother, the current king, tried to marry her off.”
“Tried to?”
“Her groom-to-be died under mysterious circumstances.”
Vidar’s eyebrows rose. “I see. Best not to take on a woman like that.”
“I’ve always felt she’s been waiting for Haines to cease grieving.”
“Is he over his wife?”
“I don’t know. I doubt he ever will truly be over her, as theirs was a love match, but she’s gone. He can’t bring her back. No matter how much he’d like to.”
“Perhaps we should invite this princess for a visit.” A thoughtful look crossed Vidar’s face.
She leaned her ch
in on her raised fist. “Are you matchmaking?”
The thoughtful expression disappeared before a wry grin took its place. “Does it show?”
“Yes, but that’s okay. I’m really happy being married, too.”
Before he could comment, Stefana trailed into the library. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” Raene and Vidar echoed the greeting as Stefana helped herself to coffee.
There was a look in Stefana’s eyes Raene couldn’t read.
Stefana glanced at their intertwined hands and a wistful look crossed her face. Ah, Raene understood now. No woman wanted to be forced to marry, but if she found the right man at the right time, the married state appealed.
At least Raene surmised this based on her one day in the blissful state.
They finished breakfast and Vidar rose, kissed her heartily, and left for his new office.
“I’ve work to do.” He grimaced, but she picked up on his suppressed excitement. This new position was different from what he had ever done. It incorporated all of his skills, required his excellent brain, in addition to his ability to read intent.
His fighting skills wouldn’t go to waste either.
Watching him leave the room proved hard. Heaving a sigh, she focused on Stefana.
Who looked far too amused.
“What?”
“You’re so happy I’m surprised you’re not floating near the ceiling.”
“I’m not minding my circumstances in the least.”
“Of course you’re not. A gorgeous man plans to marry you.” Then Stefana turned assessing. “Or has already married you?” Her shrewd glance apprised Raene anew.
As with Anneke, it would be nearly impossible to keep her marriage a secret from Stefana. Besides, as the princess, she needed to know.
“We wed yesterday.”
Stefana didn’t squeal, being far too dignified for that, but her refined exclamation contained excitement. She hugged Raene tightly. “Fully married? As in you’ve experienced all the pleasures of marriage?”
Cheeks heating, Raene didn’t demure. “Yes. Fully married.”
Her friend’s second happy shriek was accompanied by another fierce squeeze. “So this is why you’re so happy today. I thought there was something different about you.”