by Jeanne Hardt
“I see.” Carmela covered her mouth with one hand, likely to hide a grin. “Riding in the open air will suit you. If you get on your way now, as long as you are able to ride at a fast pace, you may arrive in Basilia by nightfall.”
“Wonderful!” Shireen mounted Carmela’s horse. Carmela barely had time to retrieve her possessions before Shireen sped off.
Tesher quickly untied his cloth sack from his mare’s back, knowing Darius would follow after her.
The man shook his fists. “That bothersome girl! I have a good mind to turn her over my knee!” He took hold of the rein on Tesher’s horse, then nodded to the driver. “Perrin. Take care of the princess and her…” He looked at Tesher and smirked. “Betrothed.”
“I shall, my lord. They will safely arrive in Thanwine.”
“Safely?” Troubled by the word, Tesher eyed Darius. “Why would the roads be anything but safe?”
“You are naïve, boy. Thieves abound and they do not think twice before taking what is not theirs. In addition…” He firmly smacked Tesher’s back. “There are those in the realms who take delight in harming royals.”
His hard-handed action caused Tesher to waver, but he immediately righted himself. “I know of no such people.”
“Darius,” Carmela scolded. “Why do you torment him?”
“Torment? The boy needs to act like a man. You may say you fear your sister taking him from you, but I believe there is more to your tale.” He faced Tesher. “I thought you wanted Angeline, and yet now, when you could claim her, you allow Carmela to whisk you off to Thanwine?” He pushed a stiff finger into Tesher’s chest. “I think you are running away. What are you afraid of, Tesher of Oros?”
Tesher gulped. “My…” He took a deep breath. “My feelings have changed. I do love Carmela, not Angeline. So, when Carmela expressed her concerns, I willingly agreed to leave with her.”
Darius looked from him to Carmela and back again. “Perhaps.” He put his foot into the stirrup and mounted the mare. “I had best get on my way and follow that blasted servant girl. Angeline’s despair would deepen further if something happened to her.” He locked his eyes onto Tesher’s. “Is there anything you wish me to say to your former beloved?”
“Reaffirm my condolences in the loss of her husband.” This time, Tesher did not falter, not even for a moment.
Darius chuckled and shook his head. “You will find food in the carriage. Shireen ate little, so there should be enough to satisfy your hunger until you reach Thanwine.” He turned to Carmela. “Dear cousin, I pray you fully comprehend what you are undertaking.”
“I am following my heart.” She moistened her lips, then jutted her chin. “Tell my sister, I forgive her.”
The confusion on Darius’ face was undeniable. “Very well.” He shrugged and clicked to his horse.
Tesher and Carmela stood firm until Darius had gone some distance down the road. Perhaps she felt just as numb as he.
The idea of hiding out in Thanwine had been ridiculous. A prince could not hide, unless he wanted to venture into Black Wood—which was out of the question. Having grown up on the ocean’s shore, he despised the constraints of the dense forest. Thanwine would be bad enough, but at least he would have the luxury of life in a castle. Even so, he had no idea how long he would stay—or be welcome for that matter. And once his parents sought him out, his freedoms would be taken away completely.
No!
Darius was right. He needed to start acting like a man. If his parents sent for him, he would stand up to them and refuse to go.
“Tesher?” Carmela snapped him from his thoughts. “Perrin is waiting.” She gestured to the driver.
Tesher looked up at the man, who smiled and dipped his head.
Though full of uncertainty and doubts, Tesher followed Carmela into the carriage and took the seat facing her.
She eyed him strangely, as if waiting for something, then pulled the door shut. He had neglected to close it.
The carriage jerked and moved, and he grabbed hold of the seat’s edge to steady himself. Within moments, the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves pounded in rhythm with his aching head.
As much as he had longed to grow up, being an immature boy had had its advantages. He had lived under the protection of his parents and had no cares. The life of an Orosian prince was one of bliss and privilege.
All had changed.
Chapter 5
Angeline had remained in her bedchamber for much of the day. It kept her from having to encounter King Callum.
Queen Leda had knocked on her door more than once, offering a listening ear for Angeline’s woes. Angeline tearfully refused each proposal. Mourning aided her desire to be alone.
Denali had made his way briefly to her bed in the middle of the night, but after a bit of satisfying play, she cautioned him to keep his distance and sent him away. If anyone suspected their involvement with one another, it would put a large, painful notch into their plans. Until she overturned the morality laws, she had to be discreet with all intimate activity in which she chose to engage.
By tomorrow, King Imran would likely arrive, along with his wives and many children. The castle would no longer be peaceful, yet she marveled in watching how the man behaved with his family. He displayed love to all of them, and Angeline had never witnessed even a hint of jealousy from his three wives. They doted on him and each other. It had been rumored they often shared a bed—all four of them together.
Angeline’s insides fluttered, contemplating the blessed idea. So much bare flesh in one place would surely set the night on fire. She sat on her bed and ran her hand atop the coverlet, wondering how many men could comfortably fit between her satiny sheets.
First things first. She had to dispose of the remaining kings, so no one would challenge her new laws. It seemed a shame to kill Imran, since she would be modeling the rules of the realm after those in Issa. Surely, he would not protest her modifications. Yet, the prophecy stated plainly that the professed high queen could not rule supreme until all kings lay dead. She had no choice but to end him.
“My queen?” Kendor called out, then lightly rapped on her door. Quite the change from his former pounding. They had spent several hours together earlier in the day, discussing arrangements for Frederick’s funeral. It would be carried out as soon as all the kings arrived.
She stood and hastened across the floor, but did not open the door. “I am readying myself for bed. What do you require?” If only she could invite him in.
“Your cousin, Darius, has arrived from Thanwine. He asked to speak with you.”
Her heart pattered harder. “Can it not wait until morning?”
“He claims urgency.”
No doubt he needed to satiate himself in her arms after such a long journey. The idea suited her, yet she had to make Kendor believe Darius’ arrival had inconvenienced her. “Very well. Though I am extremely weary, I will see him. Give me a moment to dress, then send him to my chamber. Make him aware of my fatigue, and tell him he must be quick about his business.”
“Yes, my queen.”
She pressed her ear to the door and could have sworn he released a loud sigh. Surely, he was thinking about the degree of her current state of undress. He would be sorely disappointed to find her completely clothed, but she thoroughly enjoyed toying with his thoughts.
Smiling, she dismissed contemplations of Kendor and put her mind on Darius.
Denali would be unhappy to learn of his return, then again, he had told her to spend more hours in training with him. Lessons in swordplay would eventually be his purpose, but not tonight.
Her emotions were spent, and she craved release.
A heavier hand pounded on her door. She had assumed Kendor would bring Darius to her, but perhaps he had come alone.
She lowered her veil and solemnly opened the door.
“My queen.” Darius bowed. “How grieved you must be. I pray my being here will aid you in your time of suffering.”
She
peered beyond him, pleased to find the hallway empty. “Thank you for coming, dear cousin.” In the event someone was listening, she wanted to be certain she proficiently played her part. “Please, come in, so we might sit and speak to one another.”
He bowed even lower, then stepped into her chamber.
She pushed the door tightly shut and locked it. Being alone with him warmed her to her core and heated the air around them.
He stepped close and fingered her veil. “Black becomes you, my queen.”
Chills cascaded along her skin as he lifted the sheer fabric from her face. She said nothing, yet felt the same surging need grow within her as it had since they were youthful. No one knew how to please her like Darius. Although Denali sparked a great deal of feeling, the man was lacking in one very important area.
Darius made no attempt to kiss her, but stared longingly at her lips, while licking his own. “Your guard said you were weary and utterly heartbroken. Shall I assume neither are true?” He traced around her face with his fingertip.
“You know me well, Cousin.” She closed her eyes, savoring his touch as his hand moved from her cheek and freely roamed. “Before we…”
He drew her close and buried his face into her neck, then gently sucked, silencing her.
She whimpered. He had not lost his ability to put her mind on one thing alone.
Lightly chuckling, he raised his head. “What is it you wanted to say, my queen?”
She took a deep breath. “Before we go further, tell me, did you bring Shireen as I requested?”
“That I did. She has already settled herself in a bedchamber down the hall.”
“Good. I imagine she is weary after such a long journey.”
Darius grunted and curled his lip, keeping his arms firmly around her.
She found his behavior odd. “Did I say something to upset you, Cousin?”
“No. But in regard to Shireen, I do not understand why you care for her. She complained incessantly and showed me little regard. In all honesty, she treated me rudely—as if she had the upper hand.”
Angeline eased from his hold. “Did you attempt to compromise her?”
“What?” He turned his head and waved his hand in dismissal. “She is a child.”
“No, she is not. She is seventeen and has a fully matured form. I do not believe that in the five days you traveled with her alone in a carriage, you did not attempt even a simple kiss.”
He roughly cleared his throat. “Truthfully, we traveled by carriage for only four days.”
“Four? Your driver must have whipped the horses to make them travel so rapidly.”
Darius strutted toward the window and peered out into darkness. “The final portion of our journey was on horseback.” He looked over his shoulder. “We came upon your sister and her beloved Tesher. I saw fit to exchange rides. Since they were on their way to Thanwine, I did not want them to freeze themselves in the mountains.”
He may have evaded the issue with Shireen, but this particular subject interested her even more. She moved to his side. “Why did you not tell me immediately?”
“Forgive me. My mind was elsewhere.” He boldly cupped her breast and squeezed.
“Shame, Darius.” She pushed him away. “We have no time for that now. You must tell me everything. What did they say to you?”
He huffed, gazed upward, and rubbed his jaw. “Hmm…give me a moment to put my thoughts where you wish them to be.”
She glared at him.
“Ah, yes.” He turned fully around and faced her, then folded his arms over his chest. “Your sister said she forgives you, and Tesher restated his condolences on the loss of your husband.” He shook a finger. “My dear, Angeline. You played them well.”
His praise reignited her fire. She grabbed onto his tunic, yanked him close, and eagerly kissed him.
He returned her affection with such strength, she nearly tumbled.
“I must have you,” he mumbled against her cheek, then kissed her again. “It has been far too long since our last tryst.”
“I could not agree more.” She breathed heavily to accommodate her racing heart. “Yet, you must tell me more, so when we do join, my pleasure will be tenfold.” His strong hands once again roamed her body, but her mind would not rest and allow herself to fully appreciate his actions. “What reason did they give for leaving Basilia?”
He fumbled with the strings of her gown. “Carmela claimed she feared you would take Tesher from her, now that you are widowed.” He slyly grinned. “And Tesher bumbled his words, yet vowed love for your sister.” His eyes searched hers and his hands stilled. “He was exceptionally out of sorts. Did he carry out the task as you had planned? Was it Tesher who killed Frederick?”
“Of course. My hands are clean, but those of the young prince are quite stained.” She took over the task of unbinding herself, slowly shed her clothes, and moved onto the bed.
Oddly, Darius stood without moving. “Did Tesher not come to you after, expecting you to fulfill your vow and be with him?”
“Yes. Just as I knew he would, but I told him to leave and never return.” She laughed, recalling they boy’s shock. “I delighted in telling him how I had used him to rid myself of Frederick. I stomped on Tesher as I would a nasty bug, and he scampered away with his tail between his legs, with no more maturity than the pup that he is. He and Carmela deserve each other, and I hope they will be utterly miserable for the rest of their days.”
“Why did you not continue your ruse? After all, you told me you wanted him for yourself. At least for a bit of play. Do you not fear he will tell of your scheme?”
“I grew weary of him.” She patted the spot beside her on the bed. “I require someone with experience, not a toddling child.” Seductively smiling, she lay back and rubbed her hands over her bare stomach. “Besides, with my coming baby, I will have too much to do to concern myself with the sniveling of a boy.”
Finally, Darius undressed and joined her on the bed. He traced small circles around her abdomen, then bent down and lightly kissed it. “Another well-played ruse, my queen. Denali confirmed you are barren, did he not?”
“For a time, he led me to believe I could conceive. Eventually, he admitted to having damaged me after taking your child from my womb.” She threaded her fingers into his hair. “I should despise him for it, but I have no regrets. Not only does an empty womb give me freedom to fulfill my every desire, giving myself to you was the most rewarding thing I have done since my birth. You have taught me much.”
He sat up, then lay atop her. “We have learned from one another.”
She pursed her lips. “Teach me more, dear Darius.”
Although she had a great deal to discuss with him, for now, she set aside all issues, but one.
Their familiarity with one another dissolved away the time they had spent apart. Every move, every touch, and every breath they took in unison came back naturally. Hopefully, no one tarried anywhere near her bedchamber, or they would likely hear the deep groans coming from Darius, and her own moans of bliss.
She cast away all worries and allowed herself pleasure.
With every heated thrust from Darius, she prayed Frederick was looking down upon them with hatred. Then again, she doubted he was above. Her actions might be considered devious, but Frederick had been the epitome of evil, deserving to suffer in fire and brimstone.
Angeline woke from the most heavenly night of slumber she had had in days. She could have easily spent more than an hour tumbling about the bed with Darius. Fearing discovery, she had chosen to send him away, just as she had done with Denali.
It may have been foolish to frolic with Darius at all, but she could not restrain herself. Not when she knew how much she would enjoy having him. She intended to pay close attention to everyone around her and see if anyone showed signs of suspicion. If so, she would deal with them as she saw fit.
First and foremost, she needed to speak with her seamstress about fashioning several additional black
gowns. Angeline had tired of the same dress, and since she intended to stay cloaked in black indefinitely, she had to expand her wardrobe.
For now, she donned the same dark gown and fitted her veil, then headed for the great hall. Today, she had good reason to seek out King Callum. After all, the dear man needed to know every sordid detail in regard to his son.
“Angeline?” Leda stood upon seeing her, hastened to her side, and linked her arm into hers. “I am pleased to see you have come from your chamber. Yesterday, I felt dreadful for you.”
Angeline patted her hand. “You are a gracious woman. I hope you can excuse my desire to be alone. It helps me come to terms with my situation.”
“I understand.” Leda gestured to the dining table, laid out with excessive food. “You should attempt to eat. Sustenance is crucial.”
Mab had to have risen before dawn to create such a feast, and King Callum was enthusiastically partaking.
“I will try.” Angeline smiled dimly and allowed Leda to guide her to the table. She, too, must have been awake for hours. Her hair was perfectly entwined into a golden-brown braid atop her head, with a shimmering crown positioned upon it, and she showed no evidence of weariness. She wore an exquisite turquoise gown, matching her eyes. The same eyes Angeline had beheld in Tesher.
He truly was a beautiful boy, though a boy nonetheless. It would be intriguing to watch him grow into manhood, but heaven help him if he tried to ascend to a throne of his own.
Leda took the chair beside her husband, and Angeline sat across from them. The king briefly lifted his eyes, yet said nothing. Much anger lay in his gaze. No doubt, he had been stewing since their encounter two nights prior.
Angeline raised her veil, then speared a piece of roasted pork and put it on her plate. She gingerly added a slice of bread next to it. Although quite hungry, she barely nibbled the food.
Leda smiled at her, in a coddling fashion, making Angeline feel like a child. True, she savored sympathy, but she did not wish to be seen as incapable and weak.
