The Bound Prince

by Michelle M. Pillow

  “Wait,” Sam whispered.

  Jarek paused, turned around and bowed gallantly to her. Then, without saying a word, he left. Sam hesitated before knocking quietly. There was no answer. She tried several more times before testing the knob. Opening it, she poked her head inside.

  The room was dim as she stepped in. From what she understood, she was in a living area. The furniture was dark and difficult to make out. She thought she saw a fireplace mantel and the outline of a banner. The only light source drifted in from a bathroom. It had a large oval whirlpool tub and a gigantic shower.

  The kitchen was small and orderly, from what she could tell in the dark. Seeing two doors on the other side of the house, she made her way across the living area. One led to a workout area decorated with swords and other various weaponry.

  Sam stopped at the last door, knowing it had to be Falke’s bedroom. She knocked softly and received no answer. Pushing the door open, she made out the outline of Falke’s body on the bed. She crept forward. When she drew near, she saw he slept on his side, facing away from her. His naked muscular chest rose and fell in even breath.

  Without stopping to consider if it was a mistake, she kicked off her boots and slid into the covers beside him. The cool sheet whispered over her arms and bare feet. She loosened the ties at her outer thighs for comfort and lay next to him.

  His flesh was warm when she touched it, gliding over his smooth, hard planes. He felt so familiar. She sighed, snuggling closer to wrap her body along his, not at all surprised to discover he slept naked. Sam curled her legs to the back of his thighs and rested her hand above his beating heart.

  His heat washed over her, and she started to tremble with need. Drawing back quietly, she stripped from her clothing and moved around to press her body to him once more. His naked butt hit her stomach, and her small leg slid up over his thigh as his top leg fell slightly forward. She pressed her breasts to his strong back, gasping lightly as they budded into firm erect peaks.

  Her fingers whispered over his stomach, moving over defined abs to discover a hard, full erection. Sam purred in pleasure, moving her hand around him. Pulling back, she grabbed his shoulder and pushed him down on the bed. His dark, sleepy eyes met hers and she instantly kissed him.

  Falke moaned into her mouth, and she thrust her tongue inside him. Her body glided on top of his, straddling his hips. She let her fingers have full reign of his chest, touching him everywhere, relearning his solid muscles. Her body grew moist as she worked her hips in slow circles along his waist. She slid back, feeling his hot length pressed next to her cleft. Leaning over, she rocked herself against him while plying little kisses to his chest.

  Sam moaned. Jolts of intense, raw pleasure racked her body with need wherever his skin met hers. His hands moved over her sides, working up and down, up and down, in lazy massaging caresses.

  Her mouth claimed his briefly and her hands took his wrists. Lifting his hands over his head, she kissed his neck and ears. Her fingers glided down his large arms, moving to his shoulders as she kissed one manly nipple and then the other. His erection lurched against her, and his hips moved, making small thrusts up into the air.

  Sam kissed a trail down his stomach, moaning when his hands came back down to tangle in her hair. Her tongue flicked over his navel. Before she could kiss lower, Falke pulled her up, moving her as if she was a feather. Seated again on his waist, he took her hips, lifting her above him.

  Sam helped guide her body to his. It was agonizingly sweet warmth that filled her as she slowly lowered herself onto him. Falke groaned, a primal and raw sound from the back of his throat. Sam took him in, loving the way he pried her body open to accept his thick shaft. Fitting him to the hilt, she moved in shallow thrusts, slowly working him in her moist depths.

  Falke arched his back, pushing himself deeper. He let her set the pace of their lovemaking, not forcing her to speed up. His hands found a hold on her breasts, rubbing them, teasing the tips.

  “Ahh,” he moaned, pushing higher than before.

  “Mm,” she answered him, breathing rapidly.

  His hand moved to find the sweet spot of her folds, encircling her clit with his finger. Sam’s thighs spasmed hard, as delightful sensations ran a rampant course throughout her body. Instantly, she rocked harder, driven to build the friction between them.

  “Falke, oh yes,” she panted, feeling the tension grow.

  He growled, taking her hips and helping to guide her body on him. He pulled and pushed, speeding her rhythm until she rode him fast and deep. The smell of him surrounded her, cocooning her senses. She was so close, so close, so...

  “Ahh,” Sam screamed, coming hard. Her body clenched tightly around his shaft.

  He kept moving, and she could hear that he was holding back by the sounds he made, keeping himself from the edge until he’d milked the last ripple from her flesh. The orgasm calmed only to be built up to a screaming pitch yet again. She screamed once more, leaning forward to support herself on his chest. Falke wasn’t done. He slowed, letting her body start to fall into numbness before rocking into her for one last climax.

  “Falke, oh,” she breathed, panting his name like a plea. To her amazement, she came again, and he finally broke loose, filling her up with his seed as he cried out in fulfillment. She felt his body jerk so violently that he jolted her on top of him. “Falke.”

  When his tremors stopped, she fell forward, feeling completely sated. She sprinkled light kisses on his chest. His hand found her hair, stroking it back.

  Sam lay on top of him, feeling his heartbeat, so steady compared to her racing pulse. Her arms and legs were numb from the pleasure. A sigh of contentment filtered past her lips.

  “Why won’t you tell me about the child?” he asked, his voice soft.

  “I...” Sam froze. He knew? What could she say?

  “I know you don’t want the child,” he said, sounding so pained that it tore her up inside. Falke lifted her off him and gently set her down on the mattress before pushing up. He sat on the edge of the bed, his head down, his back toward her.

  “You...know?” Sam whispered. Her heart beat a thunderous rhythm in her chest. “How long have you known?”

  “Since the baby was made,” he answered. “I could feel my son in you, and you are trying to kill it by banishing me from you.”

  “It’s not like that,” Sam defended.

  “It is like that,” Falke growled. “You wanted to ship me back here without so much as a ‘see you later, have a nice life, by the way, I’m pregnant’!”

  “No,” Sam whimpered. He was yelling at her, really yelling. She’d never seen him like this. “No, Falke, I—”

  “Do not lie to me, Samantha. I know. I heard you. I heard you with your crew. You told them there was nothing between us. You said as soon as you got the prize money you were going to send me home. You knew about the baby, knew it wouldn’t survive if I were out of the picture, and yet you still were going to banish me.”

  By the time he finished, he was whispering. Sam shook, speechless. Tears built in her eyes, and she tried to keep them from falling. Her mouth opened but trembled so badly she couldn’t make a sound.

  “I won’t let you go, Sam,” Falke whispered. Sam felt a tentative pleasure build in her chest. “Not until you have the baby. I will raise my son. As soon as he is born, you are free to leave.”

  Sam’s heart fell. He only wanted the baby. He didn’t want her. He wasn’t asking for her.

  “How often do we have to be together for the sake of the child?” Falke asked.

  Sam wanted to cry but held strong. Lying, she said, “At least twice a week, but more is better. The baby will be healthier if we’re together more.”

  “Very well,” Falke sighed. “I’ll move you to my quarters. I thought I’d give you space by letting you have your own suite because I know you don’t care for me.”

  “Falke, I—”

  “No, stop,” Falke said, sounding very weary. “I want you t
o have the baby. Don’t make me force you into it, because I will if I have to. Your life, traveling from adventure to adventure will be yours again soon enough. For now, I’m going to make sure you take care of yourself and our son, even if I have to force you.”

  Sam felt hot tears slip down her face. “You don’t have to force me.”

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Falke said. He stood. His naked body was glorious in the dim bedroom light. “You may have the bed from now on. I’ll stay on the couch.”

  With that, he left her. Sam started to cry, not caring if he heard her. Pain rolled through her. It was as she’d always feared. He wanted the baby, not her. Hitting the pillow, she lay down and cried herself to sleep.

  Falke listened to Sam crying in the next room. His body was relaxed, sated from her lovemaking. He’d been surprised to feel her come into his room, but even more surprised when she’d started to touch him.

  He couldn’t resist her. She was his weakness, his only weakness. The woman could bring him to his knees with one look. He’d lay down his life for her if she commanded it of him. He’d conquer worlds. He’d do anything. But, she didn’t want anything from him, not even his heart.

  Falke covered his ears, but he couldn’t block out the sound of her sorrow. He knew he’d trapped her, forced her hand. There was no escape. She had nowhere to go where he couldn’t find her.

  He knew she didn’t like the idea of being compelled to stay with him for a few months and he regretted that it had come that. The pitiful sound of her grief was too much. Unable to sleep, he turned and marched into the shower. The sound of running water beat into him, drowning out her tears. He stayed in the shower for a long time, scrubbing his skin to rid himself of her torturous smell. The next eight months or so were going to be pure hell. He’d only fall more in love with her, and she’d only pull further away.

  He turned off the shower and listened. All was silent, and he guessed that Sam had fallen asleep. Drying off, he knew it was in the middle of the night. He slowly crept into his room, stopping to watch her chest fall in even breaths. He saw every detail of her face perfectly in the darkness. Her eyes and nose were red, evidence of her tears. His heart squeezed as he grabbed his clothes and left. Walking out of the front door toward the practice field, he had to get away from her.

  35

  When Sam awoke the next morning, she hesitantly made her way from the bedroom looking for Falke, hoping he was in a better mood so she could talk to him. After crying herself into a headache and stuffy nose, she had decided it was time to come clean.

  I thought I’d give you space by letting you have your own suite because I know you don’t care for me. I want you to have the baby.

  Falke thought she didn’t care about him. His words replayed over and over again in her head. Hadn’t Taura said Falke would hide his emotions? Who would know better than his mother what sort of man he was? Taking a good look at herself, Sam realized she was the same way. Her father was the shining example of only showing pure emotion when attached to his own personal greed. She felt guilty about the man’s death, for she wasn’t one to casually take lives, but to say she truly mourned and missed the man would have been a lie.

  Thinking of Falke, she swallowed nervously. She never told people she loved them, just assumed they knew. But with him, if he didn’t know how to show love, how would he recognize it in her?

  Sam explored his beautiful home, only to find that he was already gone. She cried anew until Tori and Ulyssa came to see why she wasn’t in the hall dining with them. They studied her red eyes and tear-stained face with dismay, before grabbing her and marching her out of Falke’s home.

  Sam was too weak to protest as they pushed her into the main hall where the palace was gathered to dine. All the tables were full. Falke was there with his brothers. All eyes turned to Sam in her pitiful state and the two women who stood angry and shaking next to her.

  “Everybody out,” Ulyssa yelled, her voice booming. “Now!”

  It took only a brief second before all of the stunned guards stood, grabbing handfuls of food as they trailed out the door. As a couple passed, she whispered orders to them. Sam couldn’t hear what the queen said, but when they pulled back, they were grinning and nodded eagerly. When all the guards were gone, Ulyssa and Tori hauled Sam toward the head table. Sam tried to smile at her crew, but it was a weak effort.

  “You as well,” the queen demanded, pointing at Sam’s crew. “Go on, before I have you beheaded.”

  “She’s pregnant and out of chocolate,” Tori warned. “You’d better listen.”

  The men stood and gave curious glances to Sam who nodded that it was all right. They too left the hall.

  “Now you men,” Ulyssa ordered.

  “Lyssa?” King Kirill questioned, standing. His brow furrowed with confusion.

  “Don’t you dare defy a pregnant lady, Kirill. So help me, if you don’t get your brothers out of here, I promise to have mood swings for the next fifty years. I’ll have you so scared of me you’ll be afraid to move without me exploding.”

  Kirill paled, instantly waving to his brothers. “You heard your queen, move it.”

  All of the men stood. Sam watched the queen in awe. Her stomach knotted as she met Falke’s gaze. He too stood and began to move off the platform. As he strode past, Ulyssa grabbed his arm.

  “Oh, no,” she growled. “Not you, Falke. You’re staying right here.”

  Falke looked down at her, his eyes narrowed, but she wasn’t intimidated by his size. Tori turned and took her husband’s offered arm. She smiled shyly at Quinn, motioning toward the door.

  “Lyssa? What is this?” Kirill asked, looking almost scared to touch his wife. She gently patted his shoulder, before turning her anger once more to Falke. She glared at him and then Sam.

  “I’m too pregnant to watch this, or to deal with you pigheaded Var men any longer,” Ulyssa stated. Pointing at Falke, she said, “She loves you. Any fool can see that. Obviously, you are worse than a fool because you are a Var, but that’s no longer an excuse. Don’t forget, Falke, you’ve taught me the sword. It’ll only be a few months before I’m ready to kick your stubborn ass if you don’t straighten up. And believe me, I will do it the second this baby pops out if you make me.”

  Falke’s sharp gaze flickered to Sam. She was pale.

  “And you,” Ulyssa said to Sam, her lips tight. “I don’t know you well enough to know your excuse. Bad childhood? Unloving father? Bad breakup? Well, frankly, I don’t care. Falke is crazy about you. He loves you. You’re pregnant. You’re having a baby and, so help me, you are going to live happily ever after like the rest of us.”

  Sam couldn’t look away from Falke. Was it true? Did he love her or was Ulyssa just guessing as much?

  “Briallen,” Kirill began softly.

  “One second, my love,” Ulyssa said, her tone gentling for him. “I just have one more thing, alright?”

  “Fine,” he answered, smiling at her with love in his eyes. He waved for her to continue.

  “Where was I?” Ulyssa asked thoughtfully, turning. “Oh, yes, the happily ever after part.”

  Sam and Falke both glanced at her.

  “I’ve got palace guards waiting by each door. If you so much as try to escape, they have orders to shoot you in the legs.” Ulyssa turned to Falke and warned, “All of them.”

  Ulyssa glanced down at Falke’s midsection. He frowned, his stomach visibly tightening at the thought of losing his male pride. Kirill smirked behind her back.

  “Now, you two are going to stay in here until you’re both happy or until someone is dead,” Ulyssa decreed. “Work whatever nonsense you have out. I’ll be outside waiting for my happy couple so we can start planning that baby’s new nursery and other important things. Do not disappoint me. I am highly emotional.”

  Sam gave a weak nod.

  “Now I’m done, honey,” Ulyssa purred to her husband, taking his arm. As he led her out, she said, “I hope they hurry up. I’m r
eally hungry. Hey, have we received that shipment of chocolate yet?”

  The door shut behind them. Sam turned to Falke. The dining hall seemed so big and empty with only the two of them.

  “She sounded serious.” Sam gave a nervous chuckle. Falke stared at her, looking as he always did. She swallowed, deciding she’d start. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the baby. I was afraid you’d only stay with me because of it, and I didn’t want that. Then, I was afraid that you’d want to keep the baby and not me. I was right too, because last...night...”

  Sam got choked up and started crying. She buried her face in her hands and felt Falke’s arms slip around her shoulders pulling her to his chest. Sam pushed him away and stepped back. She couldn’t concentrate when he touched her, and she wanted to say this, needed to say it.

  “I’m sorry, Falke, I should’ve told you. But after I bound myself to you, and you didn’t seem bound to me, I didn’t know what to think. I was frightened you didn’t want me.” Sam sniffed. Her voice was loud and gasping over her sobs, but she kept going, needing to get it out, needing to get her conscience clear. She glanced at his arm, where the blue marking still was. “That’s why I went to my father. I’m sorry he tried to kill you, but I had to know for sure if...”

  Falke didn’t move. His whole body was stiffed, as he searched her face for the truth. His hands were shaking.

  “…if what I thought had happened, had actually happened. The first time, when I did...and you came... I didn’t just take your pain inside myself. I took you inside myself. I’ve always been able to heal, but never like that, never without willing my body to do it first. I didn’t think it was possible for it to happen like that. I’ve always felt more human than Ticara, but you awakened my energies when you touched me, my body just knew that you were the one to give it children. I tried to trap you to the bed to keep you away from me because I knew what would happen if we came together.”

  “So you admit, you didn’t want my child in you,” he stated. He no longer looked angry, just sad.