Convenient Bride for the King

by Kelly Hunter

  ‘I love it here.’ It wasn’t like the palace she’d grown up in, heavy on grey stone and small, defensible windows. This palace had been built for openness and sensual delight and showing off its beauty. It made her feel wide open to possibilities in a way that her home palace never had.

  Or maybe it was the man currently pulling her dining chair out for her who was doing that.

  His loose weave shirt was a dove-grey colour and unstarched. His trousers were khakis and he hadn’t got around to putting on shoes.

  * * *

  ‘I got your meal preferences from the Lady Aury and took the liberty of sending them to my kitchen staff,’ he said. ‘We have our own regional specialities, of course, and tonight I thought we could try a mix of both your preferences and mine. See how well they mesh. The serving staff will come to the door. We can take it from there.’

  A soft ping of a bell prevented her from answering. Theo went to the door and came back with a trolley laden with dome-covered dishes. There were scallops, fish stew or soup of some sort, duck salad with a pomegranate dressing—one of her favourites—and there was Mediterranean salad, heavy on the olives—which was perhaps a favourite of his. There was baked bread and lots of it.

  ‘Fish stew and sourdough. Messy but worth it,’ he said.

  She took the bowl of stew he handed her and passed him the bread basket in return. ‘Do you dine in here often?’ she asked.

  ‘More often than I should,’ he answered. ‘There’s a family dining room, of course. It hasn’t been used for years. Not since my uncle’s rule.’

  ‘Where did your family dine? You know—before.’

  Before the helicopter crash that had cost them their lives. ‘My mother used to enjoy dining on the west terrace on warm summer nights. In winter there was a modest dining room with a large fireplace that we used a lot. I don’t use either any more. Too many ghosts and there are so many other rooms to choose from.’

  ‘Do you ever get lonely here?’

  ‘There are people everywhere,’ he said by way of an answer and, yes, they were his people but they weren’t family or loved ones; they were employees. He’d lost two families, she realised. One in a terrible accident and the other when he’d taken the throne and stripped his uncle of power. No wonder he kept to himself and found it hard to contemplate having loved ones he could rely on.

  ‘I took your advice. Benedict and my uncle will be arriving tomorrow or the next day, depending on my uncle’s condition,’ he said. ‘It may not be fun. I’m considering sending you home until it’s done.’

  Moriana put her fork down and her hands in her lap. Hands were revealing. And she was suddenly nervous. The food she’d been enjoying suddenly sat heavy in her stomach. She didn’t have the right clothes on for a farewell speech. More to the point, she’d only just got here and didn’t want to go. They’d been making progress, of a sort. Working each other out, learning each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and she wanted that to continue because it was challenging and fun and the sex was flat-out fantastic, and did he really expect her to get a taste of that and then just leave? Because that was inhumane.

  ‘Of course.’ She couldn’t look at him.

  And then she did look at him, and it wasn’t just lust she felt. She also had the strong desire to comfort him and be with him so he didn’t have to go through this alone. ‘Unless, of course, you think I might be of use to you here. I could stay if you thought that. I’ve been through the death of a family member before. I know how it goes and what to do. Of course, so do you.’

  ‘I’m trying to spare you, not push you away.’ His voice was soft and deep and utterly compelling. ‘Would you rather stay?’

  ‘If you—’

  ‘No,’ he said gently. ‘Moriana First, remember? You’re turning over a new leaf. What do you want to do?’

  ‘I want to stay and be of use,’ she said, and meant it. She wanted to be with him, stand by him.

  ‘And would you like the lessons and the romance and my awkward moments of oversharing to continue?’ he asked, and there was no more denying that he was turning her into a believer of all things Theo.

  ‘Yes.’ She nodded, and reached for more bread so she wouldn’t reach for him. ‘Yes, I would.’

  * * *

  Benedict and his father arrived the following morning. They were put in the west wing, out of the way, no visitors allowed, and Moriana stayed out of their way. Benedict did not dine with them—she didn’t see him for two days—but on the morning of the third day he ventured into the garden and when he saw her he headed her way.

  He looked haggard and sleep-deprived, but the reason for it was obvious. His father was dying. Theo was ignoring him. This family was a fractured one, and she didn’t know what to make of it.

  ‘You were right about the artwork here,’ she said when he reached her. ‘It really is extraordinary.’

  ‘I know. My ancestors have done us proud. This place. These gardens.’ He smiled faintly and looked around. ‘There’s nothing quite like them.’

  ‘How’s your father?’

  ‘Asleep. That’s the easy word for what he’s doing. Better than unconscious or comatose. The journey here knocked him around, but he knew he was home. He recognised it.’

  ‘Does your father ask for anyone?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Has Theo seen him yet?’

  ‘No.’ Benedict smiled grimly. ‘I doubt that’s going to happen.’

  ‘Have you caught up with Theo yet?’

  ‘Briefly.’ Benedict shoved his hands in his pockets as they started walking and she fell into step beside him. ‘Not that there was a lot of catching up involved. We haven’t been close for years.’

  ‘I heard that.’

  ‘Theo wasn’t always like he is now,’ said Benedict. ‘He was more open as a child. More inclined to let people in. Then his family died, and that dimmed him a lot but he was still accessible. Still him. It was a couple of months after his twenty-third birthday that everything changed between him and me—between him and everyone—and it was like a wall went up overnight and it was twenty feet high and made of obsidian and there was no way to scale it.’

  Moriana said nothing.

  ‘God knows I’m not without flaws,’ Benedict muttered. ‘But they’d never bothered him before. These days I like to think I’ve got a better handle on those flaws.’

  ‘Do you care for him?’ she asked quietly.

  ‘I used to. He was like a brother to me. Now he’s a stranger and I’m here under sufferance. Once my father is dead and buried I’ll choose a new life and walk away from this one. It’s time.’

  She’d voiced a similar sentiment only days ago. The circumstances were different but the dream to simply walk away from a life of royal duty was a vivid one at times. Hard to say how it would work in reality. No one she knew had ever been bold enough or weary enough to try.

  ‘You’re his closest blood relative. Second in line to the throne. He could use your support.’

  Benedict snorted softly. ‘Theo doesn’t want my support. I’ve already offered it too many times to count. By the way, this State Dinner tomorrow night that I can no longer avoid—I’m bringing a date. One of the Cordova twins.’

  She narrowed her gaze and shot him a sideways glance. ‘Why would you do that? To make Theo uncomfortable or to make me uncomfortable?’

  ‘Two birds, one stone,’ he said, and then shrugged as if in half-hearted apology. ‘Would you believe it wasn’t my idea? I owe the Cordovas a favour. They called it in.’ Benedict held her gaze. ‘Don’t be jealous, Moriana. Theo’s Theo. He has history with half a dozen women who’ll be there tomorrow night, none of whom he ever wanted for his Queen. That list only ever had your name on it. You win. You both win.’

  ‘He...had a list?’

  ‘He had a wish. Why is this news
to you? My cousin has never been able to take his eyes off you, even as a kid. He’s yours. He always has been.’

  ‘But...’

  ‘Let me guess. His marriage proposal was framed as pure politics.’

  ‘His marriage proposal was a form letter with my name filled in at the top and his signature at the bottom.’

  Benedict laughed long and hard.

  Moriana glared, until a reluctant tug lifted her lips. ‘I hate humour. I’m a serious soul and why can’t people just tell me things?’ she muttered, and set Benedict off all over again.

  ‘Seriously, go easy on my date,’ Benedict said when finally he caught his breath. ‘You’re hard to compete with.’

  ‘You mean I’m the perfect Ice Princess? Because, you’ve probably been too preoccupied to read the papers but that particular image is swiftly becoming tarnished. This morning I’m apparently intent on blackmailing Theo into marrying me by being pregnant with his triplets.’

  Benedict’s gaze skidded to her flat stomach. ‘Congratulations?’

  ‘Oh, shut it. It’s pure fabrication.’

  ‘You don’t say.’ And then he was grinning again. ‘Tomorrow you should tell them they’re mine.’

  ‘Tomorrow I’ll probably be brawling in public with a Cordova twin. I don’t share well.’ She chewed on her lip. ‘You might want to forewarn her that I’m not feeling merciful.’

  ‘If I do that her twin will want to come along as back-up. Not to mention their brother.’

  ‘I’ll see to it that two more places are set for you and your friends. I may as well deal with them all at once.’

  ‘You’re fearless.’

  ‘So I’m told.’

  ‘Also slightly scary.’

  ‘Spread that thought,’ she said encouragingly.

  They walked some more in companionable silence, and then Benedict spoke again. ‘Moriana, a favour, if you please. If you do mean to invite all the Cordovas to dinner, seat Enrique next to me—as my partner. Because he is. In every sense.’

  Oh. ‘Oh, I see.’ No wonder Benedict didn’t want the throne. The fight required to accommodate his partner of choice would be enormous. ‘Does Theo know?’

  ‘He knows I enjoy both men and women, yes. I doubt he knows that I’ve finally made my choice. It’s been made for years. Hidden for years.’

  Oh, again. ‘Does your father know?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘And yet you still want the Cordova brother at your side tomorrow night rather than wait until your father’s dead? Why?’

  ‘Because I’m burning bridges. I’ve no wish to be King and this is the strongest message I can send to those who might be inclined to rally around me after my father’s death. Because Enrique thinks I’m ashamed of him and I’m sick of being that man. I don’t care any more what anyone thinks. I love Enrique. I can’t imagine my life without him in it. End of story.’

  ‘Well, in that case, an invitation for Enrique and his sisters can be with them this afternoon,’ she murmured. ‘I’m game if you’re sure.’

  ‘I’m sure.’

  ‘You realise you should be having this conversation with Theo rather than me?’ she asked him.

  ‘I can’t talk to a wall.’ He turned on a smile that nearly blew Moriana away with its wattage. ‘I’ve decided I like you, Princess. You’re easy to talk to, you’re smart and I suspect you’re very kind. You’re also very beautiful. Theo chose well for Liesendaach.’ He stopped in front of her, heels together, and reached for her hand before bowing low and brushing her knuckles with his lips. ‘A favour for me; now it’s my turn to do a favour for you. Never forget—no matter who comes at you from Theo’s past and tries to make you doubt him—never forget that he chose you. He even seems willing to change his ways for you.’

  ‘You don’t know that,’ she said raggedly, no matter how much she suddenly longed to believe it. ‘You don’t know him any more.’

  ‘I have my sources. Besides, I still have eyes. He still watches you as if there’s no one but you in the room. He’s watching you now.’

  She looked around the garden and back towards the palace, where the guards stood stationed. Theo stood with them, hands in the pockets of his trousers. ‘How long has he been there?’

  ‘A few minutes, maybe a few more,’ Benedict answered obligingly. ‘I don’t think he likes you walking with me. Hence the kiss.’

  ‘What are you, five years old? How is annoying him going to help your cause?’

  ‘It won’t. But it does amuse me. Shall I walk you back to him?’

  ‘Only if you’re going to play nice.’

  ‘Ah, well.’ Benedict’s amusement hadn’t dimmed. ‘I was heading to the stables anyway. Your Highness.’ He bowed again. ‘The pleasure was all mine.’

  ‘You’re a rogue.’

  ‘Runs in the blood.’

  ‘You realise I’ll more than likely relay our conversation to Theo, word for word.’

  ‘I never would have guessed.’

  Benedict smiled as he walked away and she knew that look, even if she’d never seen it on this particular face before.

  Do try and keep up, Moriana. You’re my conduit to my cousin.

  That was the point.

  * * *

  ‘What did he want?’ asked Theo when she joined him. His eyes were flinty and his jaw was hard, and if he thought she was going to be their messenger girl he could think again.

  ‘He wanted to talk to you. Apparently I’m the next best thing. The Cordovas are coming to the State Dinner tomorrow night. All of them, and it’s going to be interesting.’ She snaked her hand around his neck, with every intention of drawing his lips down towards hers. ‘Are you angry with him for waylaying me?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Are you angry with me for letting myself be waylaid?’

  His lips stopped mere centimetres from her own. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Scared I’ll like him?’

  Theo’s lips tightened. ‘He can be charming.’

  ‘I like you more.’ She closed the distance between their lips, not caring who saw them. She closed her eyes and stroked the seam of his lips until he opened for her. He was as ravenously hungry for her as she was for him and the thought soothed her soul even as it inflamed her senses. His arm was a steel band around her waist, the hardness between his legs all the encouragement she needed to continue.

  And then one of the nearby guards cleared his throat. ‘Photographers,’ he said, and Theo’s palm cupped her face protectively as he eased them out of the inferno of their kiss.

  ‘Sorry,’ she whispered, her confidence evaporating as he escorted her inside.

  ‘Don’t be. Think of the headlines. There’ll be a love triangle. That or Benedict and I will be sharing you. Either way, you can expect a stern talking-to from your brother. So can I, for that matter.’

  Moriana sighed. ‘Welcome to my world.’

  ‘I like your world, Princess. And I sure as hell like having you in mine. Don’t overthink it.’

  And he kissed her again to make sure she wouldn’t.

  * * *

  The papers the following morning did not disappoint. Claimed, one headline ran, with a trio of pictures directly below it. Theo and Moriana just before that kiss, lips close and tension in every line of their bodies. Then the kiss itself, and it made her hot just to look at because it was a kiss better kept for the bedroom. Her family would despair of her. The third picture had Theo in full protective mode, his hand on her face and her head turned towards his shoulder as he glared at whoever had taken the picture. Mine, mine and mine that glare said.

  That one she liked.

  ‘Oh, message received,’ Aury said when she saw the headline and the pictures. ‘That man is going to peel the skin off the flesh of anyone who tries to hurt you. It’s even better than the
picture of him butt naked. Your future king just bared his soul for you, and he did it for all to see.’

  ‘What do you see?’ Moriana snatched the paper back from the other woman. ‘What soul?’

  ‘It’s there in every line of his body. His focus, the want in that kiss, the protection. Oh, this one’s going on the fridge.’

  ‘What fridge?’ Moriana still couldn’t see past her own surrender. ‘What soul?’

  ‘That man is totally committed. I knew it!’ Aury was beaming. ‘This isn’t just the royal wedding of a generation...this is a love match.’

  ‘Wait! What wedding? No! I’m not in love. I barely know the man. This is a...a sex match, if we ever get around to having sex. And it’s convenient.’

  ‘To have a husband who is head over heels in love with you, yes, it’s very convenient.’ Aury was practically dancing around the room. ‘Henry, did you see this?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’

  ‘Henry, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Aury?’

  Henry smiled with his eyes but his face remained impassive. ‘Ma’am, I’m on duty. There are protocols.’

  ‘But we can still solicit your opinion on the headlines, yes? It’s a matter of state and safety and stuff.’ Aury waved her hand in the air, possibly to encapsulate all the stuff she wasn’t saying.

  ‘The King knows what he’s doing, ma’am.’

  ‘See?’ Aury whirled back around to face Moriana. ‘Henry thinks Theo’s in love.’

  ‘That wasn’t what he said.’ Moriana did a little hand waving of her own. ‘I need new guards. And I definitely need a new lady-in-waiting.’

  ‘You’re right. I’m not waiting any more,’ Aury declared. ‘You’re done. Gone. Claimed by a man who will move heaven and earth for you. It’s my turn now.’ She glanced at Henry from beneath her lashes.

  ‘Henry,’ said Moriana. ‘Run.’

  ‘Sorry, Your Highness, but I can’t.’ Henry looked anything but sorry. ‘I’m on duty.’

  * * *

  ‘Do you want her back?’ Theo asked Augustus, neighbouring King and brother of one Moriana of Arun. ‘Because she’s been here four days and I’ve lost control of my palace staff, my press coverage and the plot,’ said Theo into the phone. He was staring down at the paper and wondering if Moriana was going to speak to him any time soon. Claimed! was the headline, and then there were pictures. And the pictures were revealing. Theo wanted to find a hole in the ground and bury himself in it.