Following pleasant cheers among the men, the group moves onto other subjects, being diligent in their efforts to update me on trade and business, social and agricultural welfare, and the condition of the capital. The change in topics helps calm my anger and frayed nerves, my rapid heartbeat finally steadying.
“How is the memorial coming along?” I ask Pollo.
“It’ll be finished in a few weeks.”
“I’m pleased to hear it. I’d like to plan a memorial service as soon as it is complete.”
“I’ll add that to our calendar.”
“Gentlemen.” I ensure to glance at them all, my gaze lingering over Lucian the longest. “This week, I will be busy with travel to Iowan, business with neighboring territories, and preparations for the Anaukin Spirit Festival. If there is anything that needs my attention, please contact Pollo or Ria. As for our next meeting, we’ll plan for the formal transition of Royal Faction members. Thank you for your time today. You’re dismissed.”
As the men exit the room, Luther lingers behind, waiting for us to be alone. Lucian walks out with Marcus, and I notate how agitated he is in their conversation. Pollo and Matheas exchange words before Matheas follows Lucian and Marcus. Pollo stands near the exit, keeping a watchful eye on Luther as he approaches me.
In a fine gray suit displaying our territory emblem and a yellow button-down shirt beneath, he looks as sharp as he is attractive. Coming close, he takes my hand, giving it the customary kiss of respect. Watching my reaction, he must be pleased as his pupils dilate, his blue irises sparkling brighter.
“I’m still adjusting to how I should properly address you, my Queen. Not long ago, I believed we would address each other much less formally.”
Caressing his thumb over my hand, he ignites a brief flutter of butterflies. I can’t deny the connection and attraction is still there, but it would never compare to the way Matheas and Ryker hold my heart. Gently pulling my hand from his, a frown draws my lips down.
“I’ll never forgive myself for hurting you.”
“Please, don’t be upset. That isn’t my intention. I stayed behind to apologize for my father’s behavior. I don’t condone his actions. I do not want to be your Royal Proxy of Iowan.”
Surprise tingles over my shoulders as they straighten.
“You don’t?”
“No, I don’t want to leave Anauka and live in Iowan, nor do I want the daily fear of what ruler might be planning my demise with intentions of conquering Iowan. I was willing to be King of Anauka because I love our territory and would do what’s necessary to protect our home. Having been raised to be an Anaukin King, I have no love for Iowan or its people. I wouldn’t be the right choice for them. I support your decision to have Matheas as your Royal Proxy. I admittedly never felt the other suitors were capable of being an Anaukin King. I don’t believe them anymore capable of being an Iowan ruler either.”
“Not even Kellan?”
Luther shakes his head. “Not even Kellan. His skills are best suited for politics. He’ll make an excellent political advisor for you.”
“Do you believe the rest of my choices were astute?”
“I do. Had I been chosen as your King, I would’ve agreed with your decisions so far, especially sending Matheas to Iowan.” He winks, and I chuckle at his flirtatious jab.
“Do you want to remain on the Royal Faction and replace your father’s position?”
Tucking his hands in his suit pockets, he looks off, momentarily thinking over my question. When his gaze returns to me, there’s a hint of pain in them.
“I’d like to, but it’s difficult for me to be close to you and not have the relationship with you I wanted.”
My head lowers, a sting of guilt whipping me in the gut.
“I understand.”
The tender touch of his thumb and index finger graze my chin, lifting it, so I look at him.
“I can’t trust myself around you. With Matheas away, I’ll want to find excuses to see you with hopes you’ll change your mind about us. I thought I had accepted I’ll never have you, but now that you’ve returned, it’s brought back all the hopes and feelings I had.”
Seeing the desire in his eyes knots an awkward tension in my gut. When I step back, his hand drops, his tongue sweeping over his bottom lip as if he thought to kiss me. Pollo clears his throat in the distance, and Luther’s mouth tightens. The two men exchange glances, Pollo giving a warning stare.
“Take your time deciding,” I tell Luther, breaking the tension between the two men. “You’ll always be welcome in the Royal Faction.”
Luther takes my hand, raising it to his lips, his kiss slow and affectionate, tingling my skin.
“Thank you. I’ll speak with my father and do what I can to bring him to his senses.”
“I appreciate your support of the Crown. You truly are a good man.”
Leaning forward, he presses his lips to my cheek, lingering to whisper.
“Should you need me, for anything, I’ll be available to you.”
Luther walks away, and Pollo waits until the door auto-closes behind him to approach me.
“They’re a dangerous combination, my Queen. Lucian wants his son atop a throne and Luther wants you. Those are the kind of motivations that can lead a man to make treacherous mistakes.”
We step in sync toward the dining hall exit, his boots and my heals clinking across the hard floor.
“I’m well aware. Have a tracker placed on House Cindora, Levore, and Abiline’s rover crafts. I want to know where they are traveling until I can trust them.”
“We’re already on it. Matheas took two arms men with him. He’ll return tonight once the job is complete.”
The dining hall door opens for us, and I grin at Pollo.
“It’s as if our three minds think as one.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
FIORA
Above Iowan, my royal rover craft rises as I peer out the window, watching the Iowan palace become smaller in the distance. Taking a breath of relief, I turn to Matheas.
“That meeting went far better than I expected.”
Caressing his fingers along my arm, he warms me with the slightest touch.
“I agree. I expected Richter and the Iowan arms men to reject your proposal.”
Sliding my arm back, I place my fingers under his, intertwining them.
“I believe it helped when you told them you wouldn’t be moving into the palace right away or demanding anything from them but instead, want to take the time to learn what goals are important to them.”
Rubbing his thumb over my hand adds to the warm sensation spreading over my skin, relaxing me after the tension I harbored concerning the Iowan meeting.
“Richter was pleased with that announcement. He’ll be sending me a report with the current improvements they’ve made and what issues are in dire need of attention.”
“Excellent. I’ll leave you to make the necessary decisions, but please send them to me for review before finalization.”
“Of course.”
Matheas lifts my hand to his lips, kissing my fingertips, the familiar gesture easing the last of my tight muscles. Turning toward him, I lean forward, and he meets me in the middle of our seats, sweeping his tongue across mine, mingling our desire in a heated kiss. Touching my face, he caresses his hand over my cheek, neck, and into my hair.
Having come to Iowan with three rover crafts, I chose to ride alone with Matheas in mine. I’m thankful I did as our kiss increases in intensity, our hands roaming the other’s body. Matheas pulls back, a salacious glimmer in his eyes. Glancing at my dress, he slides a hand under my thigh, lifting me from my seat and bringing me to his lap, my legs dangling over the side of his.
“There’s somewhere I’ve never had you.”
Touching between my legs, he caresses his hand up the inside of my thigh, teasing my body with want, inch by delicate inch. Finding my center, he massages two fingers over my opening. Spreading my legs farther apart, I we
lcome his touch. Closing my eyes, my head falls back into his free hand as I take pleasure in his strokes. In and out, he works me into a needy frenzy.
Cool air shocks me when he withdraws his hand, my eyes whipping to his. Raising my dress up my thigh, he adjusts my legs, straddling them over his lap. As I pull at the fastening of his pants, he slips his fingers into me, returning my body to the high it was climbing.
Pulling his erection free from his pants, I lean forward, claiming his mouth as I raise my hips and slide his hard cock into me. Hands on my ass cheeks, he pulls me forward and back, rocking me over him in a rhythmic and blissful motion.
Sliding a single strap off my shoulder, he exposes my breast, kissing its round shape before sucking my nipple into his mouth, releasing it with a pop. My other strap is lowered, my right breast given the same attention as my head falls back.
Our heightened breaths and moans are a chorus as we ride the waves of pleasure, both nearing our climax, desperate for release. Harder, he tugs my hips, pounding into my cervix and massaging my G-spot with each thrust. Gripping the seat back, I shudder through my orgasm, letting him take control of my hips to reach his own.
Coming down from our high, we kiss between each breath, his hands stroking my hair and back, giving me loving affection.
“You make me question the decision to live in Iowan. I’ll miss you daily.”
“After what I saw today, I know you’re the right choice for Iowan, but I feel the same. My chest tightens at the thought of not seeing you every day.”
Rubbing my side, he matches my emotional stare, his eyes glossy, but his brows and lips tight.
“I could remain in the Anaukin palace with you and visit Iowan regularly.”
“That’s something we can consider later on. Iowan will need a ruler in their capital for some time before they’re stable.”
Matheas sighs, rubbing a hand down his cheek.
“This is harder than I thought. The last few days I’ve been in your bed, laying with you, holding you. Soon, I’ll have to give it up. I’ll never be ready to do that.”
Placing my head to his, I caress my fingers over his chest, then move to his shoulders, massaging them.
“I know. Neither will I.”
“Do you know why I’m willing to do it?” His eyes close briefly, indulging in my touch before opening, staring at me with powerful adoration. “Because once I’m King I’m going to have you as my Queen, and no one in this world will be able to stop me.”
My gut twists, the same guilt I’ve been feeling for days is like a snake squeezing around my waist. Each day I’ve gone without hearing from Ryker has been worse. Neither of us has announced the end of our engagement. Hanging on to a thread of hope, I’ve been waiting for his call or visit, unable to give up on what we had. While in front of me, I have a man I want and need just as much. A man I’m working to build a future with. Each day, the back and forth has taken its toll on me, tiring me greatly. I’m not ready to give up on what Ryker and I had, but it’s time I focus on what Matheas and I share.
“I love you.”
Taking hold of my wrists, he removes my hands, placing them in his as his beautiful blues give away the words he’s about to say.
“I love you more than anything in this world, Fi. I want a life with you. I want to declare to the world what is already in our hearts.”
With our kiss, his passion leaves me reeling, the sensation of his love lingering on my lips. Stroking my body, he’s reluctant to release me as I stand. With a wink, I lower my dress and walk to the bathroom at the backend of the rover craft. After cleaning up, I kiss him in passing as he heads to the bathroom to do the same. When he returns to the cabin, I hand him a glass of wine and return to my seat to enjoy mine.
“Are you and Artax ready for the race tomorrow?”
“Yes, he’s in the best shape I’ve ever seen him. The trainer has done a fantastic job. I’m looking forward to how he performs.”
“It’ll make for a good race. The riders should be settled in by now. I’m glad you agreed with Pollo and my decision to keep the guest wing sealed off from the main part of the palace.”
“It didn’t take any convincing. I’ve learned from the last experience not to trust visitors.”
Stroking my hand, he leans toward me and kisses it, his expression sympathetic.
“I know you miss her.”
Lowering my head, I take a breath as the memory of my mother’s smile appears in my mind.
“I do. Do you think she’d be proud of me?”
“Without hesitation. You’re more than what your parents hoped for. I know. I listened to them time and again discuss how much you impressed and challenged them.”
“She’d probably think I’m mad for making you my Royal Proxy.”
Matheas chuckles. “She would, but your father supported it, and I’m grateful.”
The rover craft shifts in air travel, initializing its descent. Looking out the window, I admire the colorful tents and crowds of people as they prepare for the Spirit Festival and horse race.
“I’m going to visit her grave before dinner. Can you check in with Pollo and Sederick to receive a report on House Cindora, Levore, and Abiline’s activities?”
“Yes. I’ll meet you at dinner after.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
RYKER
“What are you looking at?”
Kendrick joins me, and we stand shoulder-to-shoulder as I stare out the window at the most beautiful thing I’ve seen all week.
“Fiora.”
I point to her in the distance as she pulls up the length of her dress to sit in front of a tall, intricately designed headstone among large, colorful blossoms.
“You should go out there and tell her you’re here in Anauka. Talk to her.”
“Not now. That’s her mother’s grave.”
The longing I feel is begging me to go to her. Every breath I take is racked with anguish. The last few days have been agonizing, wondering what she’s feeling, what she’s doing, and hating myself for not being with her. My duties as King did not make it easier. My days were exhausted by tending to the existing issues and ensuring my territory would be secure while I was away. By nightfall, I dragged my feet to my bedroom, only to enter into a restless night of sleep, tossing and turning in my cold, empty bed. Tomorrow cannot come soon enough. I cannot bear another day without seeing her, touching her, or letting her know how much I love her.
“King Ryker?”
A voice calls from behind me, and I exhale a long breath, my thoughts of Fiora disrupted once again. Turning around, I find Prince Theore of Fillia standing tall and thin with short blond hair styled neatly. Golden hazel eyes return a gaze of admiration.
“I’m honored to meet you in person. Are you here to join Queen Fiora for the race and festival?”
Pausing, I take a moment, deciding how best to answer as I’ll be staying in the guest wing and not the main part of the palace.
“Yes,” Kendrick replies. “But it’s a surprise. She doesn’t know he’s here yet.”
“Oh,” Theore smiles, the movement thinning his eyes. “I’ll be sure to keep the secret. I’m sure she’ll be pleased to have you accompany her. Are you Prince Kendrick?”
With a smirk, Kendrick nods.
“The one and only.”
“Seeing you both here, does that mean you’ll be racing tomorrow?”
Kendrick grabs two glasses of Anaukin ale off the tray being passed around the parlor and hands me one. Before Kendrick can answer, I do.
“If we told you, that would defeat the purpose of the racers being a masked mystery. You’ll have to wait and find out like the others.”
Theore takes a glass off the tray and sips it slowly, his eye twitching as the flavor hits his tongue. Kendrick chuckles behind his glass, humored by the young man’s reaction to the bold Anaukin ale.
“Of course, of course. It’ll be worth the wait, I’m sure. I’ve heard you’re both excellent ri
ders. If either of you rides, it will make for an exciting competition.”
Theore sets his glass of ale on the next tray that comes by and gathers a wine glass to replace it. Taking a drink, he smacks his tongue against his mouth, showing favor toward the wine.
“Queen Fiora does have impeccable taste in wine. She ordered several crates from Fillia for her palace guests.” Watching Kendrick down the ale, Theore cringes. “Unfortunately, my palate doesn’t agree with the infamous Anaukin ale.”
Kendrick lowers his empty glass.
“Ale is for the more masculine types.”
Theore straightens his shoulders, his lips pursing. Whatever retort he comes up with is noise in the background when I see Matheas and an Anaukin arms men enter the parlor and take note of all the royals gathered in it.
A moment later, Matheas spots me, his stance becoming rigid. The man next to him, probably ten years his elder with a crooked nose, leans toward him, whispering something private. The older man enters information into his soul band screen, then the two separate, with Matheas walking toward me.
“King Ryker, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
In his navy-blue suit pants and button-down shirt, he looks healthy and strong and is wearing an expression of polite courtesy, but in his eyes, I see disappointment.
“I’m pleased to see you recovered so well.”
Matheas shrugs.
“It helps to be back with my Queen.”
The jab, whether intentional or not, stings.
“How is my fiancée?”
Matheas glances at Kendrick and Theore, a smile playing at his lips as if he’s holding back from saying what he’s really thinking.
“Well taken care of, I assure you.”
My lip twitches. It’s a reflex I can’t control, and Matheas notices, raising a brow.
“King Ryker wants to surprise Queen Fiora with his visit,” Theore blurts. “Make sure you don’t spoil the surprise.”
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