by Nora Cobb
I was truly affecting him.
The ride back to the stables was far too short but as we skirted around the polo fields and toward the barn, there were two lone people in the moonlight in one of the enclosures. The sound of swords clashing drew my attention.
As we approached, the sounds stopped and one of them stepped out of the enclosure, holding up our horse.
It was Royce, shirtless and wearing only a pair of tight pants that moved like a second skin. He held up the sword, causing Arthur to swear and draw up the horse.
“What are you doing, Royce?”
Royce’s sword leveled with me. “Why is she there?”
Arthur kicked out, knocking Royce’s sword to the side. “Don’t point that thing at her.”
Though my heart was already in my throat at Royce’s appearance, I was warmed by Arthur’s reaction and that he was not handing me off to the next king that showed up.
Royce didn’t heed Arthur’s warning though and stepped closer, until the sword was only a few inches from my face. I could see his angry stare down the length of the shiny sword, the twisted smile on his handsome face as he leered at me.
“So, this is how it’s going to be?” he asked softly, his eyes never leaving mine.
“I’m not talking about this in front of her,” Arthur growled, his arm tightening around my waist. “Let us pass, Royce, before I get off my horse.”
“I’d like to see you try.” Royce laughed harshly, the sword never wavering. I didn’t think he would run me through with it, but the look in his eyes was terrifying. “Sweet little pauper, do you know which one of us is the better swordsman? Would you like to see?”
“No thanks,” I forced out. “I don’t care to know.”
Royce stared at me for a moment longer before lowering the sword. “Fine, get the bloody hell out of here. I’ve wasted enough time of my practice.”
Arthur spurred the horse past him, and we galloped toward the castle, completely bypassing the barn. “Don’t worry about him,” Arthur finally said in my ear. “I can handle Royce. He’s not going to hurt you.”
I didn’t answer, biting my lip instead. I wasn’t worried about Royce hurting me. I was more concerned about my growing feelings for the king behind me, the one that had me thinking that I might be looking at something between us.
Johanna was asleep when I made it to our room, shutting the door behind me softly so I wouldn’t wake her. I didn’t have any words for what happened tonight, from the sudden shift in Arthur’s behavior to the sword-pointing Royce.
One thing was for sure; tomorrow was going to be a different day for me. I had been kissed by one of the most powerful guys on campus and eventually everyone else would find out.
Then, maybe the tables would turn.
Chapter 8
“Do you know he took her out on horseback? If that isn’t romantic, I don’t know what is.”
“I heard that he even picked her up from the front steps. It’s clear that he favors her, and I doubt Arthur is one to share. Maybe it wasn’t true after all.”
“Maybe it was the other kings making the false accusations then. Either way, there’s something about her that’s making them all act this way. She’s just an American and I’m third in line to the throne.”
I smirked as I walked past the group, hugging the books to my chest as I did so. I hadn’t told anyone, not even Johanna, what had happened last night between me and Arthur, but someone had seen us and now the news was spreading again like wildfire through the academy. More than once I saw the curious looks of the others as I passed—the same ones that had given me looks of disdain just days before.
Even the professors had seemed to change their tune this morning. I had gone from the bottom of the barrel to an accepted member of the academy overnight.
All thanks to Arthur.
Sighing, I turned down the hallway that connected the main one to the freshman dorms, my head in the clouds.
But my short-lived happiness vanished as I saw Royce at the end of the empty hallway, a sneer on his handsome face.
Swallowing, I turned the other way, to head back the way I came and blend in with the other students but found Max waiting on the other end, lounging against the wall. My heart jammed in my throat as I felt Royce’s presence behind me, so close I could smell his aftershave. “Well, well,” he said, his voice low. “Look what we found.”
Furious that he was trying to scare me, I turned to face him, surprised to see that damn sword in my face once more. “What? Are you going to run me through with it?”
Surprise registered in his eyes before he covered it up, advancing the sword toward me. “What were you doing with Arthur last night?”
I backed up quickly, afraid that he might actually stab me accidentally, and ran into a solid wall.
“Easy, gutter rat,” a German-laden voice breathed into my ear.
“Here I thought you had no voice,” I shot back nervously as his hands settled on my shoulders. The warmth of his touch sizzled through my thin shirt and I heard him suck in a breath along with mine.
Oh no.
But my thoughts about the German were short-lived as the cool steel of Royce’s sword tapped against my cheek. I froze as I felt the faintest prick on my skin, realizing that the sword that he was holding was not a practice sword but a very real blade that could do some damage if he really wanted to.
“So,” he said softly. “There can be fear in your eyes. I was wondering what would get you riled up, sweet Anna.”
“Why are you doing this?” I asked nervously, trying to focus on Max’s heavy hold on my shoulders and not the sword against my skin.
“You see,” Royce started. “The three of us were best friends, inseparable. We shared everything, but for some reason, Arthur is keeping you for himself.”
They shared women? Was this about being jealous of Arthur or more about them pouting because he wasn’t sharing? “You disgust me.”
“Maybe,” he shrugged, sliding the sword carefully down to my shoulder. I was glad that he was keeping the tip away from my skin, the cold steel causing me to shiver involuntarily. “But that means you have something that is keeping Arthur in check and I want to know what it is.”
“I don’t have anything,” I stammered.
Royce arched a perfect brow. “Well why don’t we take a look then?”
I gasped as the sword connected with a button on my shirt, severing the threads holding it in place. I didn’t dare move though, Max’s hands held me in place as Royce removed another button. Cold air rushing into my open shirt and I fought to keep myself from shivering.
“Black,” Royce whispered as he stared at my lacy bra underneath, slipping his sword until the edge rested on the bridge. “My favorite color.”
“Like your soul,” I whispered, earning a harsh laugh from him.
He leaned forward, holding the sword steady between us, the tip away from anything vital. “You have no idea how black I can be, Anna, though I think I would like for you to find out.”
“What is the meaning of this!”
I sagged against Max’s hold as Arthur’s angry voice filled the hallway, forcing Royce to take a few steps back and give me air. Max released me immediately and I grabbed my shirt, pulling it tightly across my chest to hide my bra and exposed skin.
Arthur pushed at Royce, who thankfully had sheathed his sword, his expression furious. “What are you two doing?”
Royce’s smug grin appeared. “I was just trying to get a look at your new plaything. Max and I feel left out.”
Arthur’s eyes swung to me and grew dark when he saw my shirt. Shrugging out of his jacket, he placed it over my shoulders, enveloping me with his smell. “She’s not my plaything, nor is she yours,” he growled, looking at his friends. “Touch her again, and I will kill you.”
Max stepped forward, standing beside Royce and effectively pitting two against one. “Careful now, Arthur,” he stated, giving me an once-over. “Remember what
you are, whose blood runs through your veins, and who she is—a rat that fished a crown from the gutter.”
Arthur let out a harsh laugh. “Is this a joke? You dare remind me of my blood? Have you forgotten how far your family has fallen, Max? Do I need to remind you the story of the frog who still thinks himself a prince?”
Max’s face grew red with anger and for a moment, I thought that he was going to hit Arthur. Clearly it wasn’t all roses and sunshine with these guys and some true hard feelings existed between them.
And it wasn’t all about me either.
“Go on,” Arthur taunted his friend, his own fists clenched at his sides. “Try it. I’ve always wanted to see if you can live up to your family’s reputation.”
Max sniffed and walked off, leaving Royce to follow in his steps. I blew out a breath as they disappeared around the corner, feeling some of the adrenaline wearing off from the encounter. Had that really happened?
Arthur turned toward me, his jaw still clenched as he took in the tiny cut on my cheek. “Are you all right? Did they hurt you?”
I shook my head, not even wanting to explain this to anyone. Heck, I didn’t even know if I could explain it. “Just take me to my room, please.”
He nodded, throwing an arm around my waist and guiding me to the freshman hall. I inserted the key into the door and pushed it open, walking inside without a word to Arthur. He followed close behind me and shut the door, grasping at my shoulders. “I’m sorry, Anna.”
I whirled around, throwing his jacket at him. “I don’t want to hear that! What the hell is going on? Why would they do something like that to me? Is it because we are, well, because of last night?”
“They’re jealous,” he stated, setting his jacket on the chair. “God, Anna, I don’t know what to say. I’m just as blown away as you are by their actions, but they will not get away with it. I swear.”
My shoulders slumped and I rubbed my face with my hand, scrubbing away any last touches of Royce’s sword on my skin. “It doesn’t matter. I’m so done with this place.”
Arthur’s hands grasped my upper arms gently, his gaze tender, far more than I had ever seen from him. “Please don’t say that.”
“I thought this was going to be a new future for me,” I continued, my expression bleak. “But it’s turned into my personal hell, Arthur. You can’t possibly understand what I’m going through, what I have suffered in my first week here. It’s not fair and I don’t have to put up with it.”
“No, you don’t,” he said firmly, sliding his hands up to my shoulders. “I will protect you. You have a king’s protection.”
“Some protection.” I sighed, stepping away from his touch. I couldn’t think right when he touched me at all, much less kissed me.
Arthur looked forlorn as he stood there, finally raking a hand through his hair. “I can go if you want me to.”
“No,” I stated, reaching for his hand and wrapping mine around his. “I’m sorry. Thank you for what you did back there, Arthur. You saved me. But no.”
His expression shifted and he tugged on my hand until I was in his arms, trapped against his chest. I hugged him tightly, grateful for the warmth of his arms around me, holding me like I was something special, something precious. “Don’t go,” I whispered, not wanting to break this connection with him right now.
That and I didn’t want to be alone.
“What about Jo?” he asked softly, resting his chin on top of my head.
“She’s in class until dinner,” I answered, my breath hitching. “Just please stay for a little while.”
Arthur released me and I watched as he turned the lock on the door, kicking off his shoes in the process. “What are you doing?” I asked, my heart beating wildly in my chest.
He grinned. “Relax, Anna. I only want to hold you, but I want us to be comfortable as I do so. Is that okay?”
It was more than okay. I removed my flats and climbed on my bed, all too aware that my shirt was still gaping open and giving Arthur a full-on look at my lace-covered breasts. Should I change?
But when Arthur joined me on the bed, I found that I didn’t care. I just wanted his arms around me again.
Which was exactly what he did. I snuggled against his chest, my cheek resting where his heart was, and he pulled me close, pressing a kiss on the top of my head. “Are you sure you are all right?” he asked, his voice rumbling against my cheek.
“I’m fine,” I said. I really was. I wasn’t afraid any longer nor was the tiny scrape on my cheek anything to worry about.
But I was warmed by the fact that he had come to my rescue, acting completely different than he had at the party around his friends. What did this mean? I really didn’t know, but I wanted to spend more time with him, to be close to him.
I wanted him to love me. The thought came out of nowhere and I shoved it back into the hole it came from. I wasn’t ready for love. I wasn’t ready for the complicated mess that was a relationship yet here I was, with a sexy guy in my bed and my shirt open, just begging for him to touch my breasts.
If only the academy could see me now!
“What are you thinking, Anna?” Arthur asked me after a moment.
I pulled back, gazing up at his intense look. “I want you to kiss me, Arthur.”
To my surprise, he hesitated. “Are you sure? I mean you’ve been through a lot today and maybe I should leave.”
Was he panicking? I expected him to take full advantage, yet he was giving me a chance to kick him out.
He was going to make me lose my heart to him, no doubt about it. “Yes,” I breathed, reaching up to touch his jaw. “Please, Arthur, kiss me.”
He made a noise as his hand gripped my chin and his lips collided with mine in a frenzy, hot and heavy and completely unlike the kiss from last night. I whimpered under the assault, not because I was frightened but because I wanted so much more than just a kiss.
I wanted his hands on me.
I wanted him over me.
Arthur growled against my lips and his body slid over me, laying me down on the bed as his tongue slipped into my mouth. I gasped in his mouth as a new sensation fell over me, one of need and of heat, my hands grasping at his tense shoulders.
This kiss was hot and demanding, making me wish for more, so much more.
“Anna,” he whispered, pressing kisses along my jawline. “I should go.”
“No,” I whispered back, taking his face in my hands and forcing him to meet my eyes. “No.”
He looked indecisive and I smoothed my thumb over his lips, feeling the fullness there. “Please,” I said again. “I want you to stay.”
“If I do,” he finally said, clearing his throat, “I won’t stop Anna. Please tell me to leave. Kick me out of your room. It’s the right thing to do.”
My breath caught as I realized his meaning. Was I ready for this? I hadn’t expected for our relationship to turn so explosive so quickly, but after what he had done today and last night, I felt like the tide was turning.
That Arthur truly wanted to be with me.
And I knew he wanted me. I could feel his arousal pressed against my stomach, anxiously awaiting my decision that apparently was completely up to me. If I made him leave right now, he would walk back to his house without a second glance, I knew that. I didn’t anticipate him forcing me into anything I didn’t want to do.
Yet another curious thought came to my mind. I held one of the kings in the palm of my hand and the thought was glorious indeed. “I want that too,” I finally said, making up my mind. I wanted to experience what it was like to be wanted, to finally throw back the blinders on what I had always been curious about but never been brave enough to try.
Until now.
Arthur groaned, pressing his forehead to mine. “You can stop me at any time,” he finally said. “This isn’t a race; it’s a marathon.”
“I hate to run,” I giggled, causing him to chuckle as well. “I will be fine. I trust you, Arthur.”
The se
aring look he gave me in return heated me from the inside out. Oh my God, I thought as he pulled back, reaching for the hem of his shirt and pulling it over his head.
I was about to have sex with one of the kings and not just any king, my very own knight in shining armor.
Chapter 9
The smoldering look Arthur gave me was enough to curl my toes as he threw his shirt on the floor, his hand reaching for the rest of my buttons on my shirt. “Beautiful,” he said, flicking them open to reveal the lacy bra underneath. “You are simply gorgeous, Anna.”
I flushed as his hand palmed one of my breasts possessively, arching against his touch as his thumb rubbed over my already peaked nipple. Never had I allowed anyone to touch me in such a manner but with Arthur, it felt right.