“Okay, Princess Eden. Settle down.” His tone mocks me and I want to strangle him with his condescension. A frown creases his face. “I was only referring to keeping your virginal skin out of the harsh elements…like the sun. I’m also happy to eat your meat—at lunch and otherwise—as long as you promise to eventually eat mine.” He checks to see if I’m paying attention to his innuendos then smirks. “And I stand corrected about you being delicate…” He leans close to my ear and whispers, “But I will not let Thaddeus or any other bastard touch one inch of you, even if that means escorting you to lunch when I could be fucking Nadia.”
Mistress Oleander chokes back a cough to remind us of her presence, but we both ignore her.
Luka leans back and smiles, the color in his eyes exploding in hues of green and blue and making me sick in the process. “Watching your skin flush like this…” He runs a finger across the exposed skin on my chest and my mouth drops open. I hurriedly shut it. “—I’d say it’s almost worth it.”
Mistress Oleander clears her throat and gathers her things. I wait until she’s out of the room before I speak. I lean up to whisper in his ear the way he keeps doing with me. “So you don’t want me, but you want to make sure no one else has me? You’re such a cliché.”
“Never said I didn’t want you,” he says, turning so his lips touch my cheek when he speaks. My skin feels like it’s on fire where his lips have been. “We could probably have some fun together, if you let loose a little bit. I can think of a few ways we could pass the time when your nipples pebble against your dress like they’re doing right now…”
I gasp and step back, feeling an instant rush between my legs. “Not happening.”
He shrugs. “Oh, it’ll happen. It’s just a matter of when—before we’re chained to each other for the rest of our lives…or after.”
I shudder and he laughs, pulling my hand back through his arm.
“Come along, Princess.”
“Stop calling me that,” I snap, but I don’t pull my hand away. His shoulder against mine feels nice.
His laugh echoes down the ancient corridor and just before we enter the Grand Hall, he lifts my hand and gives it an open-mouth kiss. I swallow hard. “You’re turning out to be more entertaining than I expected.”
In the next moment, he’s gone. One minute I’m looking at his lips touching my skin and feeling the flush of heat throughout my body, and the next I’m watching his back as he stalks toward a group of guys at a nearby table.
If this is the constant state of confusion he’s going to leave me in, I’m not sure how I’ll keep up. I’m momentarily frozen but then straighten my shoulders and ignore Nadia’s table. She’s surrounded by the girls from the first night. They all turn and look at me first then search for Luka, Nadia’s shoulders relaxing when she sees him. She turns to me again and smiles and it almost looks genuine—but I know better.
I bypass the Beef Wellington and ask for the salad, cringing when I see how much dressing is on it. I miss Henri, our chef at home. He prepared all my meals and each was a masterpiece, so colorful and flavorful.
Jasmine waves me over and I’m sitting down before I realize Thaddeus is across from me. He smiles when I look up, and I dig into my salad to avoid conversation. It feels like asking for unnecessary trouble to have his attention. I’m two bites in when I feel Luka’s eyes on me. He squeezes between Jasmine and me, glaring at Thaddeus.
“Are we gonna have a problem?” he asks.
I shake my head and forget about my plate, hurrying out of the room. Luka rushes after me, grabbing my elbow before I reach the exit. His eyes are flashing, as if he’s angry with me. I scoff and he drops his hand.
“Where are you going?” he asks, his voice softer than this eyes.
“None of your business.”
“Ahh, you’re going to act like a child now. Why am I not surprised?”
I shake my head and walk out.
And this time he lets me.
* * *
Classes that afternoon consist of me ignoring Luka and not hearing a word the professors say. Luka sits by me and is quiet, which is almost more distracting than if he was being his normally obnoxious self. When the last class of the day ends, I hurry out of there and go to my room. Brienne is there, cleaning my bathroom that doesn’t need cleaning.
“How did your day go?” she asks dutifully.
“It’s been quite the day. I feel like I could sleep for years. I’m exhausted.”
She sets down her cloth and picks up the container that holds all the cleaning supplies. “I’ll let you rest. If you need anything—”
“I’ll be sure to message you.”
She nods and leaves the room, shutting the door behind her. I lock the door and lean against it, feeling the weight of the day on my shoulders.
How will I do this?
This marriage is a mistake.
I can’t spend my life with a man that I can’t stand. We’ll kill each other in the process of trying to do good for our countries…
My room suddenly feels stifling and when I walk toward my balcony, I stop, images of Luka and Nadia rushing to mind. Instead, I open my door and look down the hall, and when I don’t see anyone, I slip out.
The castle is still bustling with professors leaving for the day, the rest of the staff who takes care of the place, and students getting to know each other in the charming alcoves set up for such things. I skirt along the side of the room and when I reach the door, I’m relieved when no one stops me. It’s not like I’m a prisoner here, but I’m not given much freedom at home, so I’d expect it to be the same.
I step outside and inhale the salty air, taking only a moment to let it soak in that I’m here before hurriedly walking toward the long plankway to Pravia. It feels like another world on the other side. The closer I get to the city, the louder it gets: cars honking, music playing in the distance. People are walking everywhere; some in a hurry to get to the next place, and others tossing balls on the beach and walking their dogs. When I step into the city, I go the opposite way I’d been with my mother, wanting to explore something different this time.
There’s an older section of town that has cobblestone streets. There are the touristy horse carriages and quaint shops. Flowers climb up the stone archways, and on some pathways, I have to bend to avoid the blooms overhead. I step into a candle shop and feel eyes on me. I turn around, but no one is paying any attention to me—it’s all in my head. I breathe deeply and tell myself to relax. I smell candle after candle and love one so much, I buy it. It’s heavy, but the clerk gives me a sturdy bag to carry it in. I leave the shop and still feel strange. There’s a huge man I hadn’t seen before I went into the shop, standing outside when I come out. When I walk away, he follows. I stop in mid-step and he does too, looking away like he isn’t following me. I turn and start running and feel him close behind me. When I start getting winded, I stop and step in a doorway. He walks forward slowly, stopping in front of me. He’s huge and I don’t think, I knee him in the groin and stomp on his foot with my heavy boot. He yelps and grabs my arm when I try to run. I maneuver out of his hold, grateful that my training has come back, but just when I think I’m free, his grip gets stronger.
“Miss, I’m not going to hurt you,” he says.
I try to get away and realize it’s futile. The man is a giant and all muscle. I’ll have to choose the right moment to escape. God, this can’t be happening.
“I swear, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m here to protect you.”
I stop struggling and look at him.
“Let her go,” Luka says.
The man lets go of my arm and stands taller. I rub my arm where his hands were and shoot daggers up at him.
“My apologies for any pain I caused, Miss.” He lowers his head and backs away as Luka steps forward.
He’s furious, but so am I.
“What are you doing out here?” He steps closer and so do I, our chests nearly touching.
“Are you seriously having me followed?”
“Your girl was too slow and she can’t protect you. Look at her—she missed the part where you kneed his balls because she was so far behind.”
I look past him and Brienne is now glaring at the man, knife in hand.
“I can take a walk by myself. I don’t need anyone tailing me. I need to breathe.” My voice raises with each word and Luka rolls his eyes.
“It doesn’t work that way in my family.”
“I’m not in your family yet, as you so clearly let me know the first night. This town is safe. What I do is not your concern. I don’t want to be followed, so get your guy off of me from here on. Are we clear?”
“We are so far from clear,” he says, taking that final step that makes the heat of his chest hit mine.
We stand there staring at each other, chests rising and falling, and when he puts his hand on my waist and pulls me even closer, I get a rush of adrenaline.
My breath shallows and his eyes fall to my mouth. There’s not enough air. He leans his forehead against mine and his words, as always, catch me by surprise.
“Have you saved yourself for me?” he asks, his voice low and raw.
I try to step away, but his hand at my waist tugs me closer, the hardness of his body nearly making my eyes roll back.
“When do you think I would have had a chance to do anything?”
“So that means yes,” he says.
I sputter out my frustration. “Why are we having this conversation right now?”
“Mostly just curiosity.” He grins and I groan, which makes him grin wider. He drops his hands then and my body feels cold when he steps away. He sobers and again I’m on the roller coaster of his constantly changing moods. “My family’s enemies would love nothing more than to snatch you up and defile you in every way, making it impossible for us to marry. When we marry, our countries become allies and strong ones at that. There will be eyes on you at all times. I’d say I don’t want any harm to come to you, but we both know I’m not the caring type. If you step outside of Kings Passage, you bring Brienne, and I will have Franco following you both.” He lifts his hand when I start to argue. “This is not open to discussion. I will not have you get hurt on my time.” And then he adds under his breath, “Too much money is riding on this.”
“You really are a bastard, aren’t you,” I whisper.
“Yes. I really am a bastard.”
Chapter Five
Brienne and I walk back to the university with Luka and Franco following. She tries to make conversation several times but gives up when I don’t give more than one-word answers. I’m getting madder with each step back to the castle.
I won’t live like this.
Not until I have to.
I walk faster, and when I reach the doors to the castle, Brienne opens them and I step through with resolution. I don’t look back as I head to my room with her on my heels and Facetime my dad.
He picks up on the third ring, his smiling face filling the screen. “Let me step out of this meeting.” He’s quiet for a moment, walking out of the room and stepping into his office. “My beautiful Eden. How are you?”
“Not great,” I tell him, eyebrows lifted.
His eyes widen. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“You didn’t tell me I’d have to be followed here. I thought the whole purpose of this was so I could have a little freedom before being tied down to Luka Catano.”
“Whoa, your tone, Cherie, dial it back. What has caused you to be so upset?”
“Luka is awful, for one. How could you force me to marry such a jerk? I don’t think I can do it. He’s insufferable and loves to antagonize me.”
“Does he now?” My father sits down. His face is tight and I want to backtrack, knowing he won’t put up with my sassiness. “What has he done?”
“He had someone follow me tonight. I didn’t realize it was his guy and I attacked him.”
My dad chokes back a laugh. “That’s my girl. But really, Luka was just trying to protect you. What is the harm in that?”
“It’s not just that—it’s the way he acts. He’s rude and inconsiderate and I hate him.” My eyes fill with tears and they roll down my face. “I didn’t realize he was such a terrible person.”
“Give him some time. He’s young. He’s probably putting up a bit of an act, not sure how to be himself. I wasn’t the nicest to your mother either, you know.”
“She mentioned something like that. Doesn’t make it right though.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
The tears keep falling. “Dad, can we get out of this? Please?”
He’s quiet for so long, I wipe my face and start to feel hopeful.
“Dad?”
“I’m afraid not, Cherie.” He clears his throat. “Too much is at stake. Our countries need this. Give him a chance. Get to know him. Go to the counseling.”
“So it’s true? You did set up the counseling? This is crazy,” I yell.
“Eden, you have always known the cost and you have always been willing. Don’t lose your head over there. Your temper cannot get the best of you. We are in contract with his family and you know it. Break that and we will have a war on our hands.”
“But I thought I had a father who—before anything or anyone else—would fight for me,” I say quietly.
“You’re completely out of line,” he says sternly. “You’re thinking selfishly here. You’ve come such a long way. Don’t regress into selfishness.”
“Goodnight, Father.”
And for the first time in my life, I hang up on my father and despise the position I was born into.
* * *
I stay out of Luka’s way as much as possible and he also stays at a distance—there but not vocal. Maybe he knows I can’t be pushed right now because he doesn’t even smirk my way. He looks at me; we make lingering eye contact, but neither of us seems up for a fight. After the last class, I fall into step with Jasmine.
“I’m heading to the library. Wanna come?” she asks.
“Sure. I haven’t been there since the tour.”
“It looks the same.” She shrugs, smirking. “The second floor is perfect for watching all the sex just waiting to happen—”
“People are having sex in the library?” I stop walking and look at her.
Her laugh is so loud, heads turn to see where it’s coming from.
“You are so cute.” She shakes her head. I know she didn’t mean it as a compliment, but she’s not being hateful either. “People are not having sex in the library…unfortunately. God, wouldn’t that be a kick. No, it’s where it all begins. The flirtations start—fluttering eyes, the brush of a hand here and there, and the occasional dry hump hidden behind the bookshelves.”
“Dry hump?” I ask, frowning.
We turn the corner and enter the library, my mind full of images of couples and books. Jasmine motions for me to sit at the table and pulls out a chair across from me.
“How do you not know what dry humping is?” she whispers.
I tilt my head and she leans in closer.
“It’s when people come as close to fucking as they can with their clothes on…”
My face heats up and I look around to see if anyone could’ve possibly heard her. She laughs, eyes closing as she covers her mouth to be quiet.
“Ahhh, you should see your face. What hole have you been hiding in? I can see how you wouldn’t have much chance to misbehave, being the sweet princess of the north, but seriously? No movies? Nothing?”
“I watch movies,” I tell her. I don’t add that the home theatre is stocked with movies that have been screened prior to me watching them. “I’ve seen things…” I add, rolling my eyes when she laughs harder.
“This is going to be so much fun,” she says. “We need to find someone you can dry hum—” She cuts off when a loud clang sounds behind me.
We both turn around and see Ned Davenhall getting pushed down. I haven’t met Ned yet,
but he seems scared of his own shadow, and being nearly a foot shorter than even me, he appears to be at a disadvantage against the guy looming over him. I get up to see if Ned’s okay just as the huge guy is pushed to the side. Luka is holding him up by the shirt, his feet lifted an inch from the floor.
“Pick on someone your own size,” he tells the guy.
The librarian scuttles over to us and Luka backs away. He leans down and holds his hand out to help Ned up. Ned takes it and gives him a nod before scurrying away.
The librarian whisper-shouts to the guys and they both go sit in their respective seats. I can’t help but watch Luka as he sits down, still breathing hard. That was decent. The guy has a temper that isn’t pretty, but that was decent.
“Well, look at you, going all soft already. Is he getting to you?” Jasmine asks quietly.
I flush again and she laughs. “No, I am not going soft. Just glad to see under all that Neanderthal, he has a heart.”
Her lips pinch together and she nods like she can see right through me. “Mm-hmm,” is all she says.
“Are we doing homework or what?” I ask.
“I’d rather pick the guy you’re going to dry hump for the first time, but I think you’ve already chosen him,” she says under her breath.
I roll up a piece of paper and throw it at her, laughing when it hits her between the eyes.
The librarian clears her throat and gives me a disapproving look. I fold my lips together and try to look busy. I didn’t realize the library could be so exciting.
I glance over at Luka and my eyes narrow when he scoots his chair closer to the girl next to him. I don’t recognize her. She’s beautiful. Of course she is. I look around and don’t see Nadia anywhere. I wonder how she’d feel about this and then feel ridiculous for thinking it a second later. It doesn’t matter what Nadia thinks—I am his fiancé.
He catches me looking at him then, almost as if he can hear my anger ratcheting up.
His look is almost a dare…as if he wants me to confront him, as if he looks forward to it.
Downfall: Kingdoms of Sin, Book #1 Page 3
