With a chuckle, I bring the next bite to my mouth more slowly.
“You know how much I love this cake.”
Touching the charm dangling from the necklace he gave me, his expression switches to one of appreciation.
“I’m glad to see you like it.”
“You know my tastes well.”
He points to the new bracelet on my hand.
“Did Malark give you that as a gift?”
Raising it, I let him examine it.
“He offered for me to choose any piece from Mallory’s jewels. I personally picked it out. He and his house paid for it as a gift. With the horse race from his house, I thought it’d be respectful of me to wear it.”
“It is. It was a good choice to wear it today. Even though you don’t plan on taking a suitor, you still need the houses to respect and be loyal to you. These men could be a part of the Royal Faction when you’re Queen.”
“It’s strange knowing soon I’ll have to make decisions for all of these people. It scares me sometimes.”
“You won’t be alone. You’ll have me, your father, and mother to advise you.”
“I’m thankful I’ll have each of you.”
A familiar soldier’s garb comes into view. Behind him, I see my brother, Leon walking with Malark.
“Look who’s making alliances.”
Gesturing their direction, Matheas sees what I’m talking about, a small laugh escaping him.
“I can’t blame the guy for trying.”
Pushing my empty plate away, I huff. “What does he think my teenage brother can offer him?”
“Information. Anything your brother knows about you.”
“Let’s join them. I want to know what they’re talking about. Let’s approach from behind.”
“Well planned, Princess.”
Going around a vendor tent, we approach from the rear and listen.
“Do you know what her favorite food is?”
“Seared steak and vegetables. She loves Anaukin cake.”
“What about activities? Anything she enjoys that hasn’t been shared with us?”
“Mmm, I don’t know. My sister likes to try everything. If you tell her she can’t do something, it’s an invitation for her to do it.”
Biting my lip, I bite back a laugh. Despite the fact the man is a horrible kisser, I’m impressed with his homework efforts.
“Little brother.”
Malark and Leon turn toward my voice.
“Princess Fiora, good morning.”
“Good morning, Malark. I see you’re getting to know my brother, Leon.”
“He’s a nice young man. I ran into him this morning while he was assisting the stadium staff. He’s quite generous to his people.”
“He is. Leon is a philanthropist. With his training in social welfare, he’ll serve me well in the Royal Faction. He’s going to be my choice to represent my house once he’s ready.”
Leon’s cerulean blue eyes light up with joy. With swollen cheeks and a wide smile, he steps up to me, places his hands on both sides of my face and kisses just to the side of my mouth.
“Isn’t she wonderful?” Arm around my waist, he looks to Malark.
“She is.” Glancing at my wrist, his expression displays his approval. “I’m so glad to see it on you,” he says, pointing to the bracelet.
“Of course. I appreciate my gift.”
My attention is pulled toward Leon’s and Matheas’s conversation.
“Where are your brothers, Matheas? I’d like to have them join me during the race.”
“Dante is likely with the other arms men. Corey, best to call him. They’re both busy these days in training.”
“Are your younger brothers both arms men?” Malark asks him.
“Dante has recently joined. Corey is eligible to join in two years, but he won’t. He’s undergoing training for soul band technology. He has a way with technology.”
“Fascinating. Princess, would you mind joining me for a walk alone?”
Frowning, I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Malark, I have to go back to the stables. I need to warm-up Artax before the race. I never let anyone else ride him.”
“Of course. I understand. See you at the race, Princess. I wish you good speed.”
“Thank you.”
Taking our leave, Matheas waits until we’re out of earshot.
“He’s smitten with you and definitely doesn’t like me.”
“I noticed. You know every time I see him now, I can only think of that awful kiss. I’m afraid of his tongue.”
Laughing, Matheas puts an arm at my back, caressing me as we walk.
“Lucky for you, every one of them gets the chance to kiss you.”
“I know. Don’t remind me. Do all men kiss differently?”
“I wouldn’t know, Fi, I’m not going around kissing men.”
Laughter puts my hand at my stomach as it tightens with the ticklish sensation. Matheas’s mouth quirks and he laughs too.
“We all probably have our own technique. Watching him kiss you was a mixture of entertainment and rage. You looked so horrified when he was done, I was waiting for you to hurl on him.”
“You don’t know how glad I am I didn’t. I hope the rest of them get their kisses over quickly too. I’d rather they all be done.”
“You might like some of them.”
“I wouldn’t be disappointed if that was the case. I’d rather them not be like Malark’s kiss. You seem much calmer about the suitors. What changed?”
“My perspective.”
Reaching the stables, we enter to the Vet and a stableman bringing Artax out of his stall.
“He’s clear to race,” the Vet informs me.
“Wonderful.”
Beneath my hand, Artax’s hair is soft. Petting his neck, I nuzzle against his muzzle, and he lets out a happy snort and pushes back against me.
“We have a race today. All that matters is we do our best. Place doesn’t matter.”
Artax huffs and pushes his weight toward me as if to say he understands. Kissing his muzzle, I stroke his forehead.
“Okay, boy. Let’s do an easy warm-up.”
Climbing into the saddle, I lead Artax out to the exercise track. With a light breeze blowing his hair, he finds his rhythm in an easy trot. Looking over at the fence, I see Matheas standing and watching. Behind him, Leon and Malark approach.
—MATHEAS—
“She’s stunning in the saddle.”
Controlling my smirk, I greet Malark.
“She is.”
Placing his arms on the fence, he relaxes next to me, watching Fiora with interest.
“Having grown up alongside her and the person who probably knows her better than anyone, I thought it best we speak with one another.”
“What would you like to know?”
“How to win her love.”
My jaw ticks, but I keep my composure otherwise.
“Fiora isn’t the kind of woman you win her affections, you have to earn them.”
“Have you earned it?”
“As her friend and loyal advisor, yes. I’ve been alongside her since we were children.”
“I’m familiar with the details. Do you love her?”
“Is this an interrogation, or did you want to get to know Fiora better?”
“That many years together, as beautiful as she is, it’s a simple equation. I’m not here to question your intentions, Matheas. I’m aware she relies on you greatly. I’d like to be friends, you and me. I’ve never seen a woman as fascinating and beautiful. I genuinely want Fiora, not the throne.”
“Lucky for you, the throne comes with her.”
“I mean it. Throne or not, I want her.”
Looking at him, I fight the urge to clock him in the jaw.
“We should have a drink together tonight. I’d like to talk with you more. How does that sound?”
“I’ll see if I can make that work.”
“How often do you
leave her side?”
“Not often.”
“If I’m chosen, I want you to know, you’d have more freedom. I’d be able to protect her.”
“That’s comforting.”
Malark’s attention stays focused on Fiora.
“Is there anything she can’t do?”
“Mechanical engineering.”
“That was specific.”
“She can do a lot of things, Malark. Cooking, sewing, painting, riding, piloting, hunting, trapping, fighting. She can identify an array of flora and fauna. She’s trained in politics, geography, social welfare, battle strategies. The list goes on, but she can’t do mechanical engineering or advanced technology, and she likely won’t. They both bore her.”
“Thank you, Matheas, that was helpful.”
“I do what I can.”
Tapping me on the shoulder, he looks at me.
“Let’s have that drink tonight.”
Expression serious, he nods at me as if to confirm our plans.
“There’s no guarantee I can make it, but I’ll try to.”
“I think she’ll be all right without you for a while.” Mouth titled into a half-smile he pats my shoulder before leaving. “See you at the race.”
—FIORA—
Guiding Artax, he trots to the fence, stopping in front of Matheas.
“What was that about?”
“He’s schmoozing me to get to you.”
Scrunching my nose, I roll my eyes.
“Ah, well don’t tell him all the good stuff.”
With a chuckle, Matheas pats Artax on the neck.
“If I tell him all the bad, there won’t be much to say.”
“Oooh, that was a good line.”
“It’s my way with words.”
“They do woo me.”
With a wink, I lead Artax back to the stable. Matheas arrives as I’m telling the stableman to bathe Artax and muzzle him, so he doesn’t consume any more feed after his bath. Handing the reins to the stableman, I join Matheas.
“It’s time I head to the stadium to meet and greet with the Royal Houses before the races. For the bow and arrow trial this afternoon, I now know I have to shoot at targets that could be as small as a cat’s eye, with no scope. And the best part, some of the targets have people standing within the target. The Nevari house is insane.”
“How did you find out?”
“Father is good friends with Turi Nevari. He was bragging about how creative they got with the targets and how thrilled they are to see me perform. I’m a freaking entertainment show to these people.”
“It’s true, you are. They’ve all come to see you perform each trial.”
“Well let me hippity-hop on over to the stadium to start my next one. Although, honestly, I am going to enjoy this race.”
“You’re going to dominate it.”
“If you keep that up, you’re going to inflate my ego.”
“I’d still think you’re pretty.”
Turning to face him, I make the shape of a heart with my fingers.
“You complete me.”
Running off, I laugh, and Matheas chases after me, following me inside the stadium corridor. Inside my preparation room, he catches up to me, pinning me to the wall as the automated door closes behind us. Mouth crashing into mine, he presses up against me, and I push back, grinding against him. Hands held above my head, he dominates me with his mouth and body, and I moan, succumbing to the desire rising to the surface.
Letting go of my arms, I place them around his neck, and he lifts my legs, wrapping them around his waist. With his erection centered on my core, he thrusts against me as our mouths and tongues lash at one another with aggressive need.
“I want you to take me tonight,” I breathe between kisses.
“I will.”
He thrusts again, and I cry out as my body hums with pleasure. Arms around my back, he turns us, putting my ass on the table and uses it as leverage to thrust harder.
“The things I want to do to you, Fi. My mind is wild with want.” Hand slipping up my shirt, he massages my breast, adding to the raging need coursing through me. “I can’t pull away from you.”
My soul band vibrates, and I grip his arm.
“I have my purity scan before the race. I have to go.”
Matheas drops his head and groans.
“As much as I hate the purity scans, they do keep me an honorable man.” Lifting my chin, he kisses me. “See you out there.”
Entering the healing chamber, I nod to my father and the doctor sitting in front of the monitor plugged into the healing booth. Wasting no time, I step behind the changing partition. Undressed, I slide into the thin robe. Following the usual protocol, I enter the vertical healing booth. Disrobing, I await the green light to flash at the top. Once it does, a laser disperses from the wall at my belly button and scans down to my thighs and returns to my belly button.
Putting the robe on, I return to the changing partition and change back into my riding outfit. Meeting my father and doctor on the other side of the partition, I already know the answer by the pleased expressions on their faces.
“Her purity is intact, King Gregory.”
“Thank you. Publish the record, please.”
“Will do.”
The doctor leaves, and my father outstretches his long arms and hugs me briefly.
“I know the scans are an invasion of your privacy, and the law requiring your purity is frustrating as a grown woman, but it won’t be much longer, and you’ll be free to do as you please.”
“What if what I want is different from what everyone expects of me?”
“By then you’ll be Queen and it won’t matter. Are you ready for the race?”
“I am. This is one of the trials I’m looking forward to.”
“I knew you would. It’s time I return to the Royal tent. Good speed, my sweet.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Leaving the healing chamber, I stroll to the exit where the horses are being lined up in the stadium. Walking through the automated door, the sun beats down on me, blinding me from the view of the crowds, but I can hear their cheers as I walk to Artax’s race stall. The other racers have come out through a different door and are already atop their horses, waiting for me. Saddling Artax, I wave to the crowds, and the cheers grow louder.
Below me, Artax is huffing, ready to be released. It’s one thing we both love, to be set free, to run and ride without restraints. Lowering myself, I listen for the buzzer. The gates open, and we take off. Aiming for the inside, I avoid getting surrounded by the riders. We keep a steady pace and keep close to the wall. With what seems like ease, Artax passes horse after horse until he’s behind the two leading horses. Wind whipping my ponytail at my back, I listen to Artax’s rhythmic breaths as his hoofs pound the ground.
Glancing back, I see the distance between us three riders and the riders behind us has expanded. The race is just between us now. Reaching the halfway mark, I push Artax to take the second-place horse. Coming to his side, I push Artax toward him, forcing his horse and the rider out of their steady pace. Ahead of us is the black horse Malark warned me about. He’s right, the horse is powerful, intimidating.
Artax’s muzzle is at the horse’s back end, and neither of us are moving closer or farther in distance. In the last hundred meters, I push Artax harder, knowing he has the last sprint to give, but the black horse does too. Side by side, we sprint to the finish, the loud deep breaths of the horses, their hooves heavily pounding the ground, the wind whistling past my ears. We’re so close, my body tingles with excitement. Crossing the painted line it’s the black horse that’s taken first, Artax following within inches.
Slowing down, we ease into a trot. The crowd goes wild, and I wave, smiling with immense joy. It was never first-place that mattered to me. It’s the high of the race, the challenge of a talented rider I enjoy. The male rider on the black horse comes up beside us. Lowering his shaded glasses, I immediately notic
e the dark eyes.
“You’re not Anaukin.”
“No, Princess. I’m Dolorian from the Free Territory. That was one hell of a race you gave today.”
Mixed with my exhilaration, seeing someone who isn’t Anaukin adds to my excitement. The man is handsome, his dark eyes fascinating.
“Thank you. What’s your name?”
“Kendrick.”
“You live in Anauka?”
“I do.”
“For how long?”
“Several years, but I do return home often.”
“What brought you here?”
“Horse racing. Your territory is known for it, and I live and breathe it. The Anaukin horse is the best bred horse.”
“I’d agree, but my experience with the horses of other territories is unfortunately limited.”
“Then trust me, Princess. What I say is true.”
“Will you join us for lunch? I’d like to speak to you more about horses and the Free territory.”
“Of course, Princess. I’ll be there.”
“Kendrick…”
“Yes, Princess?”
“Thank you for not holding back today. I needed that.”
“I’ll race you anytime, anywhere, and I’ll never hold back.”
Tipping my head to him, I can’t help smiling. We ride together down the track as white roses are thrown onto our path.
“They adore you, Princess.”
“And I them.”
“The King of the Free territory doesn’t have a wife, so this is new for me to see a future monarch being worshipped as you are.”
“Do you think it’s strange?”
“No, I think there are qualities they love about you, and they believe you’ll continue to keep the territory peaceful and prosperous for them.”
“That is my very hope.”
Stopping at the center of the track in front of the Royal tent, we remain atop our horses as white and blue rose wreaths are carried to our horses and placed around their necks. Kendrick takes my hand and raises both our hands in the air. The crowd cheers and stomps their feet. For the moment, I cling to the lingering exhilaration.
From the race, Artax is taken by my stableman to be cared for while I’m obligated to go to the healing chamber for another purity scan. Finding my purity still intact, I escape the room quickly and head to the Royal tent outside the stadium for lunch. Standing outside the stadium door, Matheas grabs me. Brushing his hand over my hair, his grin is from ear to ear.
Claimed Royalty: (Crowned and Claimed Series, Book 1) Page 5