A Heart's Chance

by Paula Calloway

  Mikeli shifted into a seated position. “I turned down numerous offers from lords, knights, kings, princes, you name it, because I didn’t find them suitable for my lovely ladies. Your sisters agreed to the husbands I offered, but never were they forced. The man your oldest sister married wasn’t even titled, but they loved each other and such meant much to me. I gave him some land, titled him then proposed the marriage. They were happy. Never were any of their husbands asked to join the battles for their loss would be detrimental.”

  He rubbed his eyes for a moment. “Juris sought an alliance with me numerous times, Marija. I just never thought he would pursue the one I would never agree with since his firm hand would undoubtedly break your spirit. I won’t risk that even to save all I own. When Prince Cáel asked permission to court you, I saw no harm in such. I did not think your mother could poison you so fast. I saw the marriage contract. The document offers you and I everything, but he takes nothing for himself.”

  “Except me.” Marija averted her gaze. “I’m afraid.” She shifted to stand, but her father’s warm hand on her shoulder stopped her movement.

  Mikeli leaned forward and searched her troubled face. “The lies of a man’s touch. Damn it, Ilona! She did the same thing to each of your sisters and it’s taken me and their husbands much time to undo some of the damage. No, Marija, a man’s touch doesn’t hurt if there’s a bond. Cáel will never hurt you. If he does, I will settle the issue.”

  “Mother never confessed loving you?” His sigh of acknowledgment earned her frown. She thought of what it might feel like if her father never professed such to her. “I can’t imagine never hearing you’re loved.”

  “Don’t let her hate and anger bury the gentle and loving child I helped raise. Please.”

  Marija squeezed his hand. “I won’t.”

  “Come, my lady, Lord Mikeli still needs rest.” Cáel captured her unoccupied hand.

  She kissed her father’s cheek. “I’ll visit later.”

  He escorted her from the room and directed her into her bedchamber. “I will leave you to do as you need.”

  “Wait.” Marija gripped his hand and dragged the prince to the chaise in front of the fireplace. She tugged him to sit at her side. “Tell me of you.”

  Cáel complied with her physical request, but struggled with her verbal. “My realm is like most others with four seasons, animals and people. My belief in love is steadfast, my desire for truth is powerful and my heart holds its course for life. I stand on honor and despise lies.”

  Her unoccupied hand traced the back of his hand with the tips of her fingers and his voice coated her like warm honey. She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent of musk and sandalwood mixed with cedar and bergamot. Drawn to him in a way she didn’t understand, she met his silver gaze. “What do I feel, Cáel?”

  “I cannot answer that, but I know what I feel, Marija.” Awareness of his heart undeniable, he bent his head. “Let me kiss you again.” He claimed her divine mouth with his and melted at the lack of her objection. His tongue slid between her parted lips and delivered a silken caress that lured her tongue into a torrid duel. Starved, he bound her against his body and fed from her luscious lips a sweet wine only his angel offered.

  Coaxed by the gentle cup of his hand on the back of her head, Marija yielded with both fear and eagerness. Heat from his other palm slid up her side and rested on the swell of her supple breast. The caress of his thumb garnered an instant reaction from her responsive nipple. His return stroke hardened the small bud. She pressed into his touch and shivered with delight.

  Cáel scooped her up, drew her into his lap and clutched her close. He leaned even more into their sultry kiss and plunged his tongue deep in satiation of hunger denied too long. His palm skated down her shapely side, over her curvaceous hip and along her sinuous leg then slipped under her dress to travel over her ankle and along her calf. Shivers coursed through him as his exploring touch reveled in the caress of her seductive thigh while his tongue worshipped the sweet taste of his angel.

  She pushed him back and broke their oral embrace. “Cáel…”

  “Forgive.” His hand withdrawn, he pulled her close. “Just let me hold you. Nothing more, I promise. Nothing more without your permission.” He rubbed her back.

  Marija laid her head on his shoulder and snuggled against his warmth. The fact the prince granted her any rights consoled her fear of possible force. “This feels nice.”

  Cáel rested his cheek on the top of her head. “Yes it is and I will treasure this moment as I do each precious one with you.”

  Their day spent together, Cáel adored her touch and remained focused on her every word as Marija opened up with her deepest fears and the secrets her mother poisoned her with.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Friday brought a cloudy sky, but failed to damper the planned activity. His white shirt and vest a sharp contrast against his black boots and pants, Cáel decided the gala far too small for his new wife so he avowed to give her one more appropriate her status when she desired. Marija disliked the brocade ivory gown in its entire splendor due to its lack of comfort. The elegant gown paled in comparison to the hustle and bustle of the elaborate feast. Cáel failed to keep his mind off her and Marija feared the impending wedding night.

  His steps slow for her pace, Cáel led her to her chamber for the night. He opened the door, ushered her inside and shut the door with a soft click.

  Marija fought for her breath and fear devoured her wits. “Cáel…”

  Touched by the tears in her voice, he stepped behind her, wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “I will do nothing you do not wish, Marija, but I promise not to hurt you on purpose.” Her shiver surged a tremor through his veins. The stronghold mistress’s damage deep and powerful, he knew it would take much for him to open his wife’s closed heart and remove her barriers piece-by-piece to prove him her ally, not her enemy. He stood ready to face the battle for his natural self granted him the knowledge of the truth while her human side spent too many years blinded by lies.

  She shivered. “As my husband you hold the right to take…”

  “As my wife, you hold the right to say no.” Cáel bent his head and kissed her cheek.

  Marija turned and met his warm gaze. “Does this mean you don’t want me?”

  Choked by disbelief, he stared. “Nothing is farther from the truth. Given permission, I will spend the night wrapped around you, but the decision remains yours. We may have shared a short time, but my heart is yours.”

  Her mother’s words flooded her mind. “My mother said there was no enjoyment in a man’s touch, but my father’s words seem truer.”

  Cáel stepped so close her breath warmed his chest. “I wish simply to pleasure you. Give me the word to go or stay where I am, my love.”

  Marija swallowed hard. “Kiss me.”

  He bent his head, slipped his arm around her waist and drew her into his embrace. His lips brushed across her mouth. Soft as velvet, smooth as silk and gentle as possible, he closed his mouth over hers in a kiss. Urged on by the part of her lips, he slid his tongue over her lower lip, into her mouth and along her tongue in an oral caress of pure adoration.

  Intensified hunger worked his jaw in calculative measures and long and deep strokes while he held her head and bound their mouths together. His angel tasted of mortality, of sinful delight, of denied pleasures, of heaven untold. He wanted her more than any words might express, but her heart held his concern.

  Marija leaned into his hold. A small whimper escaped. Unlike anything she knew, even in her dreams, this prince tasted like the sweetness of a fresh sprig of garden mint and of unforetold wonder. His warmth crept through her like the blood in her veins and his touch stirred something in her. Heat pooled in her lower belly and she jumped at the glide of his unoccupied hand down her side. She pushed back and broke their connection.

  Cáel reined in his fiery need and clasped his hands behind his back. “I will retrieve your handmaid
to help you dress for bed, but please do not deny me the right to sleep in the chair near the fire.”

  “I have no right.”

  “Wrong. You have every right for I give you such.” His stride carried him to open the door. “Miss, my lady wishes to retire for the night. Please summon me after she is in bed.” He stepped into the corridor and waited.

  * * * *

  “His kisses certainly don’t hurt.” Marija shivered as the door clicked shut.

  Zuzanna moved behind her mistress and unlaced her dress. “Pardon, miss?”

  “My mother warned me being with a man hurt.”

  “Oh, my lady, such is not always true. I’ve never heard Lady Ilona speak once, nor have I ever heard tale, of Lord Mikeli hurting her.”

  Marija stepped from the dress. “What else?”

  Zuzanna giggled. “I’ve heard the maids chatter. Why just the other day Bláthnat bragged about how wonderful it felt to lay with a man. I won’t tell you all the things she said they did, but she…”

  She stared at the handmaid’s blush. “So pain is not part of sex?”

  “It can be, my lady, but not if he’s a gentle soul.” She slid the chemise over her mistress’s head.

  Marija yanked on the gown the rest of the way. “Did you ever know my father to seek the company of a harlot?”

  Stunned, Zuzanna gasped and pulled back the covers. “Never! Oh, my lady, he loves your mother dearly and is a devoted man, but she denies him much. Even expressing her love for him.”

  She climbed into the cool bed. My mother lies. “Let my husband know I am in bed.”

  “Yes, miss.” She opened the door and dashed into the corridor. “The lady is in bed, my lord.”

  Cáel shut and locked the door. He crossed the floor and sat beside her hip. Ever gentle, he compelled her to lie down. “You have my word I will not sleep in your bed until after I give you my wedding gift tomorrow.” He leaned forward, kissed her forehead then straightened and tucked her in. “Sleep well, my wife.”

  Marija watched him stoke the fire, add a log then sit in the comfortable chair. The flicker of flames glinted off his silver eyes and platinum hair. His smile remained soft. She returned the gesture and closed her eyes.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Cáel spent the night with his gaze locked on the sleeping beauty he wanted so desperately to hold but refused to intrude upon. Sun brightened the gray sky and her eyes fluttered open, he smiled. “Good morning, my lady.”

  “You slept there?” Marija sat up and blinked at his slow nod and warm smile. “All night?”

  “I gave you my word.” He stood. “If you wish to dress, I’ll summon your handmaid.”

  “I’m in a debate of either you’re very much a gentleman or you don’t desire to see my body. Either way worries me.”

  Cáel crossed the floor in two strides and slowed his steps when her emerald green eyes widened in fear. He raised his hands and halted a few feet from the foot of the bed. “I didn’t mean to concern you. Call me a gentleman. In truth…” His gaze swept the length of her body outlined by the coverlet. “If I saw you naked, I cannot swear to keep my hands from you.” Warmed by her blush, he longed to tell her his heart, but feared her withdrawal.

  Marija ignored the flutter of her heart. “I wish to dress.”

  He crossed the floor, opened the door and motioned in the handmaid. “Unless you need me for something, I’ll wait out here.”

  She shook her head. “Nothing I can think of at the moment.”

  “Shame.” Cáel shut the door. He leaned his shoulder against the wall and folded his arms over his chest. What he wished to do was storm back into her chamber, embrace her body, overwhelm her senses and capture her heart, but what he needed to do was win her heart. The opening door garnered his attention.

  Marija smiled and accepted his proffered arm. “Where is this wedding gift?”

  “In the stable.” Attentive to her steps, he led her down the stairs. “Your magnificent stallion injured himself and—” The slap of her unoccupied hand on his forearm accompanied by a firm yank, pivoted his body and pressed his back against the wall. He grabbed her waist and pulled her against him as his foot dropped down another step to inhibit their fall.

  “Don’t get rid of him!”

  Cáel gazed down at her lovely face. The warmth of her body along his length ignited his inner fire. His deep breath inhaled her scent into his lungs and awakened an inherent need. He treasured the press of her full breasts against his chest, but even more so the hardening of her nipples. Her hips pushed against his groin and a tremor surged through him, but he refused to relinquish his hold. “He can no longer be ridden, but other than that is fine and will be kept as a stud. Such makes for a happy stallion.”

  The tone of his voice slid over Marija like a silken caress. She regretted the absence of his mouth and an unexpected moan escaped. “Thank you.”

  “I have too much respect for your father and too much love for you to take his gift from you.”

  She splayed her hands over his chest, but exerted no pressure. “I, uh…”

  His gaze held hers for a long moment while Cáel assessed the most perfect angel ever. Yes, she is my soul mate, my other half. She is who I spent an eternity seeking, she I cannot live without. She is the feminine to my masculine.

  Her push light, Marija shivered. His grip withdrew. “My stallion is safe?”

  “Yes and the only person who can override my word is you, my lady. Come, Marija, I have something to show you.” He clasped her hand, proceeded toward the kitchen, draped his cloak around her shoulders and opened the door.

  “You won’t be cold?” His headshake accompanied by his hand on her lower back launched a jolt through her body.

  Cáel led her inside the stables where the scent of hay and leather greeted them. Steam rose from the myriad of magnificent horses. “Close your eyes, Marija.” At her compliance, he stepped inside the stall, collected the lead rope and led the mare to face the angel of his heart. “For you, my lady.”

  Marija opened her eyes and stared. She sucked in her breath. “M-mine?”

  “My gift to you.”

  She circled the white creature. “Does she have a name?”

  “Only from your lips.” Cáel longed to steal another kiss from those same luscious lips, but refrained to avoid spooking the angel he so desired to win. His angel.

  “She’s perfect.” Tears stung her eyes and Marija wiped them aside. “She’s as prefect as… a snowflake. Her name is Snowflake.” The mare’s whicker accompanied by the gentle shove of a soft muzzle into her hand earned a soft laugh. “Thank you.” She flung her arms around his neck and met his gaze. Mesmerized by the depth of his silver eyes, she closed the distance between their mouths.

  Soft feminine breath on his lips pushed him over the edge. Unable to abstain from her advance, he ended their gap with a gentle press of their lips. Her mouth opened and her tongue timidly slid out and tasted his lower lip. He mimicked her action and sampled her sweet flavor.

  The caress of his tongue along hers danced a shiver of heat down her spine. She squashed her full breasts against his chest and moaned her objection as his tongue withdrew from her mouth.

  Cáel pressed his palm on the small of her back and pushed her lower abdomen against his groin. His other hand slid up, cupped her jaw and positioned her head for his deeper exploration. He plunged his tongue inside her mouth, his unhurried examination dynamic, his every stroke measured, her decadent taste craved. Her whimper coaxed, and he teasingly invited her back inside his mouth to investigate for a lingered moment. When her sway compelled him to break their oral embrace, he relented.

  Lightheaded, Marija trailed her hands down his chest and clutched his shirt. “Cáel.”

  “Yes?”

  “Don’t ever do that again.”

  Cáel eyed the angel who troubled him in numerous ways. Tormented by the temptation to release the little tease and let her fall flitted across his mind. I
nstead, he stroked her back. “Why?”

  Overwhelmed by his scent and feel, Marija laid her cheek against his chest. “Because you undermine my wits and such wreaks havoc on my senses.” She collected herself and eased away. “Because next time… I might surrender.”

  Stiffened at the prospect, he peered deep into her lovely emerald eyes. “Is that an offer?” Her headshake sufficient, he pinned her with his gaze and debated if the delightful enticement deliberately teased or inadvertently tormented. “Tonight, wife.” He proffered her a slow wry grin as his angel pivoted and entered the stronghold’s main door.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cáel wanted the angel he married far more than any words expressed and he meant to keep his word and demonstrate his love in the physical tonight. Informed of her ready for bed, he climbed the stairs, grabbed the door handle and pushed.

  Marija looked up from her seat on the edge of her bed and met his gaze. The shut of the door held a definite click.

  “Marija, I cannot take much more of your torment. Let me show you how I feel about you.” With the door locked, he crossed the floor in two strides, dropped down on his knees and cupped her face. “Please.”

  The tenderness in his gaze wrapped around her very heart. Her forefinger traced his lower lip and she trembled at the soft warmth. She bent her head and pressed her lips against his in a soft kiss.

  Cáel accepted her offer with gentle eagerness. He hungered for her sweetness, craved her taste, adored her scent and failed to resist her in every way. With his hands on the bed beside her hips, he nudged his body between her knees. His mouth worked with hers while his palms rubbed her hips. Her flimsy chemise teased, but the heat of her body ignited his inner fire.