Staring into his dark emerald eyes, I see a dangerous man determined to achieve his goals. A man who will soon become a King to a neighboring territory, and at this moment, my answer will determine our fate, making him an ally or an enemy.
“You’ve given me a lot to think about. With a decision as impactful as my future and the future of Anauka, I’m sure you understand I need time to come to an answer.”
“Of course.”
When he steps closer, my skin prickles with goosebumps. Placing a hand at the nape of my neck, he leans in to say something private.
“I always get what I want, and I want you, Fiora. Give me your hand in marriage, and I can guarantee you pleasure like no man can. I can show your body that pleasure has no bounds.” Lowering his hand, he caresses my neck, his thumb grazing the top of my cleavage. “Between you and me, I believe you’re a woman who craves that kind of satisfaction.”
Blushing uncomfortably, I pull my gaze from his. Meeting Matheas’s furious eyes, I keep the contact. He approaches with quick steps, and I shake my head, stopping him. Returning my attention to Belore, I force a smile. Taking his hand in mine, I lower it.
“Careful, Belore. It’s not wise to assume what satisfies me.”
Raising one brow, he admires me, licking his lower lip. “I’d take great pleasure in discovering what you can and cannot handle.”
Discomfort at the thought whips up the back of my spine, squaring my shoulders in response.
“It’s time I return for the Royal lunch. I’ll consider your proposal. Enjoy the trials, Prince Belore.”
Feeling his eyes on my back, I don’t need to look to confirm it. Matheas puts his arm out for me to take it. Slipping my arm in his, I keep my gaze forward, my posture straight, regardless of the rapid beating below my chest.
“If he touches me again, hurt him.”
“You have my promise.”
Matheas moves his arm, placing it behind my back, comforting me with his touch as he guides me into the tent. Everyone’s conversations stop when I arrive. I know they’re worried, wondering what the Prince had to say.
“Thank you for your patience. Please do not concern yourself with the conversation between the Prince and me. Everything continues as planned.”
That satisfies the crowd. Chatter picks up again, and I take a seat to enjoy the meal prepared. At the end of the lunch, Kellan comes to my chair.
“Princess, could we walk together?”
“Of course.”
Giving him my hand, I stand from the chair. Outside of the tent, he leads me toward the pergola overlooking the pond. Intertwined through the white wood is a plethora of hanging purple wisteria. Beyond the pergola is a teal blue pond with two flawless swans swimming in the center.
“To me, this is the most romantic place in the palace,” I share. “It’s where I would want to get married.”
Kellan leans against the post, looking out over the water, admiring the swans as I am.
“It is a special place.” Letting out a deep sigh, he meets my gaze. “Thank you for not sharing my secret.”
“I never will,” I assure him. “It’s not my secret to tell.”
“I appreciate your point of view more than I can express.”
“Let your heart settle. You’re safe here. I won’t let anything happen to you. You just have to tolerate kissing me every once in a while.”
With a wink from me, his expression relaxes, and he smiles. The kind of smile that lifts a heavy heart and brightens the darkest days. The kind of smile that would likely flutter any other woman’s heart
“Can I have your loyalty, Kellan? In my world, I need all the allies I can get.”
Stepping closer, he takes my hand, rubbing it in his.
“You have it. I don’t have many people I can truly be myself with or even trust. I need you as much as you need me.”
Leaning in, I hug him. It takes him by surprise. For a moment, he stands still, arms in place. Relaxing, he wraps his arms around me, holding me close against him.
“If I didn’t prefer men, I believe I’d fall for you. You have a beautiful soul, Fiora.”
Releasing one another, I smile up at him.
“I have a feeling once I get to know you better, I’ll feel the same.”
Tapping my nose playfully, he grins.
“Just as long as you don’t go falling for me.”
“I think we both know that won’t be happening.”
“It’s true. If I’m correct, your heart already belongs to someone else.”
Nibbling my lip, I look away at the two picturesque swans. Kellan gently brings my face back to his.
“Your secret is safe with me, Princess. I guarantee it.”
“Thank you.”
Looping my arm in his, I gesture toward the Royal tent.
“We better get back. I have the next trial to prepare for.”
“Speaking of that. I got Riorrick talking. The trial is some kind of physical obstacle course. He wouldn’t go into detail, only said it will be the most challenging trial of all, and it will be harrowing.”
“I’m beginning to believe these men want to kill me so they can usurp the crown.”
“They’re trying to impress you by challenging you. We all heard great tales about you before arriving.”
“They were exaggerated.”
“No, they weren’t,” he winks.
Approaching the tent, he stops us, placing his hands on my face.
“Time to put on a show.”
Before I have time to react, he sweeps my lips with his. Keeping his tongue inside his mouth, he kisses me sweetly. Around us, people of Anauka watch and whistle. No doubt the display is drawing the attention of the other suitors. When his kiss ends, I grin up at him.
“Well played, Kellan, well played.”
Taking my hand, he gives it a friendly squeeze.
“Best to keep up appearances.”
“Agreed.”
Matheas is leaning against one of the tent poles, watching us with a light-hearted smile. As we near, he pats Kellan on the back as if giving a stamp of approval. Others see this, and I know it gives the impression Matheas likes Kellan as a choice for me. These two are playing the crowd very well.
CHAPTER NINE
—
FIORA
Inside the preparation room, I fist Matheas’s hair as his mouth kisses between my legs, my orgasm coming to a blissful and satisfying end. Dropping my leg off his shoulder, he stands, wiping his mouth before sealing mine with his.
“Do you know what you taste like, Fi?” Looking at him he gives me a salacious grin. “Mine. Whenever, wherever I want you.”
“How does it feel to have the Princess of Anauka at the mercy of your touch?”
“Dangerous.” Lifting my legs, he wraps them around his pant covered waist, pushing his erection against my core. “But you and I never have liked things easy, have we?”
Pulling his shirt, I bring his lips an inch from mine.
“No, we haven’t.”
Crashing my lips to his, I smother his moan as I thrust my center over his cock. With a growl slipping from his lips, he stops pushing against me.
“Fi, we need to stop before I take your purity here and now.” Lowering my legs, he puts his hands on each side of me, palms flat on the wall as he takes deep breaths. “Get dressed. I need to get you ready.”
Pinching his eyes closed, I can see the struggle on his face as he controls his desire. Putting two of my fingers to his lips, he kisses them. Opening his eyes, the feverish need I saw moments ago has gone.
“It’s agony not being able to lay with you every way I want.”
“I know. It is for me too. Soon though, every part of me will belong to you.”
Just as Matheas finished fastening my top, Ria enters the room. Usually, her sweet round face has a smile on it. Now, her face is tight with worry.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry, Princess,” she utter
s, fussing with the hair products on the vanity. “Nothing for you to worry about. How would you like your hair done for the Fire and Water trial?”
Touching her chin, I bring her face to meet mine. Tears are welling in her eyes.
“You can tell me.”
“No, I can’t.”
Brows pinching inward with worry, I attempt to read her body language.
“Did someone hurt you?”
“I was given a firm warning is all.”
“By who?” I nearly growl.
“I was tending to your guest. I made a mistake and angered him. It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“You mean Prince Belore?”
She nods, more tears threatening to escape.
“What happened?”
“I was tending to him and his men in his room. They were discussing things, things that made me uncomfortable and nervous. When I heard your name mentioned, I dropped a glass of ale. Some of it splashed on him. His eyes grew dark. He grabbed my arm, forced me over his knee, and swatted me, calling me incompetent and weak. The men around him laughed. He released me, and I ran out of there as fast as I could. I was horrified. No one’s ever done something like that to me.”
The tears finally fall, cascading down her sweet face. Anger surges up through my chest, burning my cheeks with heat.
“Matheas, have the staff that tends to our guests changed. Only men now.”
“Done,” he replies, his tone clipped and serious.
“As for what he did to you, I’ll handle that. I’m sorry he inappropriately touched you and embarrassed you. You shouldn’t have been treated like that.”
“Please, Princess, there is no need to defend me. I would never want to cause you trouble.”
“You’re not the trouble, Ria. He is. He’s an insult to men.”
Wiping at her tears, she falls forward into my chest, wrapping her arms around me.
“I know you’re still a Princess, but you’re already my Queen.”
“That means a lot to me.” Rubbing her back with one hand, I stroke her hair with the other.
Pulling back from me, her usual smile is almost returned, half-tilted and working its way to fully brightening her face.
“How would you like your hair done for this trial?”
“In a tight ponytail, then wind fabric bands into it to keep it controlled. I need it out of my face and out of my way.”
“Got it.”
Behind us, I can see Matheas in the mirror, making phone calls and giving orders. When he’s finished, he sets out my fingerless gloves, boots, a knife, and a small bundle of rope that is easily hidden and secured on the back of my top.
Meeting my eyes through the mirror, I feel the intensity of his stare even through the glass. So many emotions are visible to me—worry, desire, anger, love. To anyone else, they see the calm, controlled Matheas, but no one knows him as well as I do.
Ria finishes and watches with interest as Matheas secures the rope to my back, and I put on the rest.
“Are you nervous?” she asks.
“Yes.”
“It’s not obvious. You hide it well.”
“It’s how Matheas and the arms men have trained me. I can’t ever show fear—even when I’m feeling it.”
“What do you think the Fire and Water trial will include?”
“A lot of risks for very little reward.”
“What do you mean?” she asks, confused.
“I’m going to get hurt and risk my life for everyone else’s amusement and approval,” I explain, tying the last of my bootstraps.
“Oh,” she replies, frowning. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“It’s okay, no one does.”
When I stand, Matheas comes to me, kissing my cheek.
“Last one. You got this. I’ll be there at the end, ready to catch you again if you need me.”
Ria stands and slips between us, hugging me.
“I know you’ll succeed.”
Leaving Matheas and me alone in the room, the door closes behind her. With it sealing shut, Matheas pulls me to him, kissing me fiercely. Putting his head to mine, he rubs my arms with comforting strokes.
“I love you.”
“Stop worrying. It’s making me worry.”
With a chuckle, he meets my gaze.
“I’ll walk you to the entrance room.”
Inside the entrance room is a man from the Royal House Tuller, recognizable by the emblem on his jacket.
“Princess, I’m here to explain the beginning of your trial. Once the door opens, there will be a platform with the only available option to ascend a set of metal stairs. At the top will be another platform. From that platform, your trial begins. This trial is a matter of complete or fail. All you have to do is reach the final platform on the opposite side.”
“If only it was as easy as you just made it sound.”
The man’s mouth twists awkwardly, giving away the truth—it’s not easy at all.
“Thank you.”
“Fare well on your trial, Princess.”
The man departs, and I instinctively turn my attention to the light above the door that will soon turn green.
“I’ll see you at the end,” I tell Matheas. “Time to go.”
Approaching my back, he hugs me from behind, kissing me softly on the cheek.
“I’ll be there.”
Removing his arms leaves me with a cold, lonely feeling, leaving room for my nerves to take residence. Staring up at the light, I wait in agony. The light flashes, and I take a breath.
Stepping onto the platform, I look up at the tall, daunting stairway. Each step takes me closer to the source of my internal suffering. Reaching the top, my gaze sweeps the horizon, and my eyes widen in distress.
In front of me is an obstacle course suspended from metal poles and pillars above. Along the metal ceiling are burning logs. Wood that once burned long enough will drop through the openings and have the chance to hit me, scald me, and chuck me into the water below the suspended course. Standing on the platform, I view every detail of the course and notice the distance to the other platform.
Starting out, I step forward onto a narrow beam, beginning my first obstacle. Keeping my balance, I cross it with minimal effort. A small piece of wood cracks above me, dropping, and bouncing off my left shoulder. Dusting off the ashes, I move onto the next obstacle. A rope with a flat, black bottom, just enough for me to put the front of my feet on, dangles in front of me, awaiting me to grab it and swing like a pendulum to the next platform. Taking a calming breath, I reach out for the rope, ensuring I don’t miss and drop into the pool of water below.
Gripped in my hand, I pull it back, bend my knees and launch. One foot stays on the flat bottom while I extend the other to the platform I’m aiming for. Throwing my body at it, I land, rolling onto my back. Pulling my feet toward my chest, I barely dodge a chunk of burning wood dropping from the ceiling.
Standing, I gather my composure and prepare for the next obstacle. Looking down, there’s a platform shelf I’m meant to stand on. With my weight, gravity will cause it to descend to the next platform. What makes it challenging is keeping my balance on this small shelf as it falls downward—at what speed I don’t know.
As soon as I step forward, I lower myself, placing my hands on both sides of the shelf as it rapidly descends to the platform below. At a ten-foot drop, I know it’s going to slam. Before it does, I leap to the next platform. Landing on all fours, I glance up, making sure no other chunks of wood are about to give me a concussion and burn my scalp while it’s at it.
Around me, I hear the sound of fire being snuffed out as chunks of wood splash into the water. The wood is burning fast which will make the last obstacles the most dangerous and challenging. Moving onto the next, I look up at the wall, ten to fifteen feet back up, climbing with my hands and feet, using small slits in the metal wall as my only method of climbing.
Moving at a steady pace, I climb, reaching
the middle of the wall sooner than I expected. Reaching for the next slit in the metal, I hiss and withdraw my hand as a chunk of wood hits my wrist, scorching my skin.
Grimacing, I clench my teeth through the pain. The rest of the climb goes slower as my wrist and hand continue to throb. When I finally reach the next platform, I sit and take a break. Raising my wrist in front of me, I press the button to call Matheas.
“You okay?”
“Taking a moment. My right wrist is scorched, it’s going to make the rest of this difficult.”
“Don’t move!”
Another chunk drops right next to the platform I’m resting on. Ashes drift in the air, slowly falling to the water behind it. This isn’t a trial—it’s a suspended and burning death trap.
“If I die today, will you kill the entire Tuller House for me?”
“You should know you don’t have to ask. The entire Royal line will be erased.”
Chuckling, I smile amidst the rising danger around me.
“Time to get back to my performance. See you at the end.”
“Stay aware of your surroundings.”
“Will do.”
Disconnecting, I rise to my feet. The next obstacle is hollow metal rings suspended in a row, but not evenly. Some are suspended higher or lower than the one it’s next to. Reaching out, I take the first one, dangling from it. Swinging my legs, I get momentum going. Getting closer to the next loop, I release and fly through the air, grabbing the next loop. Pain tugs at my shoulders, but I ignore it. Swinging again, I fly through the air to the next lower loop in front of me. Gripping it, my right hand slips, and I dangle desperately from one hand. Swinging my body up, I get a firm grip with both hands. Another swing and another loop successfully reached.
Swinging to the next, I grip it just when a small chunk of wood drops, slamming into my right shoulder, loosening my grip, and drawing a deep guttural cry of pain from me. Dangling from one hand, I feel the tension pulling my muscles to their limit, my grip losing its strength. Looking down, I debate letting go, dropping into the water and ending this, but inside me, I hear Matheas’s voice shouting at me not to give up.
Claimed Royalty: (Crowned and Claimed Series, Book 1) Page 10