The Prince's Bride

by Joanne Wadsworth

  “Did that feel better?” he asked around her breast, his mouth divine on her flesh.

  “Yes.”

  “Higher, Olivia. Go higher and expose more of me.”

  She exposed almost all of his shaft, only a fierce sense of loss flared through her and she sank back down on him, right to the hilt. No pain this time, only a fierce wave of pleasure as heat spiraled through her. “Oh my, this I like.”

  “You’re so responsive.” He dragged his mouth along her neck and nipped at her fluttering pulse point. “Maintain a rhythm, as if you were atop your horse and enjoying a ride.”

  “I love riding.” Back arched, she did as he instructed, her breath quickening.

  “Do you like being on top of me now?” His hands were everywhere, exploring her body, touching her breasts and her hips and sweeping around to her bottom. He squeezed her lower cheeks as she sank fully down on him.

  “Mmm, oh yes, and you feel incredible now inside of me.” Hands planted on the pillow either side of his head, she gave into the carnal pleasure flowing through her, his fingers returning to her nub as he caressed with an exquisite stroke. “Please, don’t stop touching me.” Happiness bubbled inside her, her smile no doubt wicked as she looked into his eyes. “I believe I shall enjoy riding you, Your Highness, as often as I possibly can.”

  “Santo Michele.” He suddenly gripped her hips, lifted her then dropped her back down on top of him even harder.

  With her breasts thrust out, she built her pace, rocking his cock deep inside her, then as she found her favored gait, she reached behind her and caressed his balls. He broke into a spiel of Italian, which made her grin. “I love it when you speak like that to me.”

  An anguished groan.

  “I’m about to fly.” A wave of heat blazed through her core and washed over her. Her channel tightened, her body shaking, and when he flicked her nub and thrust higher, his cock hammering into the heart of her, she rocketed to the stars.

  “You’re my angelo, always mine,” he muttered as he flipped her onto her back and thrust to the hilt, his seed jetting in hot pulses deep inside her.

  “Yes, and you’re my emir, always mine.” Pure joy consumed her.

  Chapter 21

  The next afternoon, following their visit to the port in Sicily where they unloaded their passengers and ensured Violet had safe passage to her palazzo, Anteros finally caught sight of Paradiso directly ahead. Standing at the bow of Adrestia’s ship with Olivia in front of him, he held her close as she pressed her back against his chest, her golden locks fluttering across his cheek. He was home, after being gone for far too long, his castello rising high on the blustery point ahead and the curve of sand before it shimmering a white-gold in the late afternoon sun. Waves splashed one rock wall and sprayed with a shimmering array of colors, the sky above a warm blue with only a smattering of cloud here and there. He hugged his woman closer, rubbed his chin over the top of her head.

  “It is a beautiful castle.” Olivia turned in his arms, her rose-colored gown matching the sweet flush of happiness in her cheeks, her smile tearing his heart in two. “A stronghold fit for a prince.”

  “Yes.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “We’re stronger together than we’ll ever be apart.”

  “Say that again.” A twinkle in her eyes. “Because it sounded suspiciously as if Captain Anteros Bourbon just consigned himself to the truth?”

  “You have strengths where I have weaknesses, and I have strengths where you have weaknesses. We balance each other.” He’d spent his entire life considering how to live it, never once envisioning a woman at his side, or at least not until she’d entered his life. Love. He’d been fighting that all-consuming emotion since the day he’d first met her. Ruthlessly, he’d tried to control his feelings, except Olivia kept busting down his walls and ensuring he couldn’t rebuild them. In the past, even setting sail so he could put a divide of distance between them hadn’t worked. He’d always returned to her. He’d tangled himself up in her life, wanting her, craving her. Kissing her sweet lips, he murmured, “You are my whole world.”

  “I love you,” she whispered back.

  “This land is my land, will be the land of our children in years to come, but first I must defend it and you against the one man who continues to stand in my way.” He kissed her softly, reverently, paying homage to his love for her. Slowly, he lowered to one knee, her hand still in his. “Lady Olivia Trentbury, will you do me the greatest honor of marrying me and becoming my wife? Tonight. With Adrestia and Giovani witnessing our vows. There is a priest on the island.”

  “Yes.” She sank to her knees and kissed him.

  “You taste of freedom, of purity, and innocence. You taste of all my hopes and dreams fused together into one. I finally feel as if I’ve left the dark behind and entered into the light,” he admitted, his heart overflowing with the love he held for her.

  Boom!

  A cannon ball shot through the air and sailed over the bow. It slammed into the water and sent seawater washing over them.

  He shoved to his feet, pushed Olivia behind him and pulled his telescope from the sheath at his side and lifted the brass tube to his eye. Father sailed his vessel toward them, coming between him and Paradiso, his father’s own scope raised to his eye. “Father has seen you. He appears a little angry over the discovery.”

  “Well, he’ll just need to accept that I’m now a part of your life.” She seized his arm from behind. “Make sure you tell him that.”

  “I will.” He’d make sure he hammered the truth home.

  “What’s your order?” Giovani bellowed as he brought The Cobra closer to the bow of The Decadence.

  “My father wants a fight, which means we battle this day.” To his men on board both warships, he shouted, “Feed the cannons.” Slotting his scope away at his hip, he raised one hand and roared, “Fire!”

  Cannon fire soared through the air, smoke puffing from the artillery.

  “Come with me.” He scooped Olivia into his arms and bounded to the upper deck, set her down next to Adrestia at the wheel, and kissed his sister’s cheek. “Take me close enough to board.”

  “Stay alive, Fratello.”

  “I always do, Sorella. I have much more to live for now than ever before.” He bounded over the rail and thumped onto the foredeck amongst his crew. “Fire!” he ordered again.

  Their cannons rocked the vessel and balls of fire shot across the sea and joined The Cobra’s fire which hit Father’s deck. Father’s ship lurched under the impact of his dual attack.

  Fight fair but fight well. Shira’s final words to him shimmered through his head.

  “Hold,” he yelled. Their position was far too close for another bombardment. “Trim the sails! We’re boarding.”

  His sails got roped in as they glided into position. He tossed a grappling hook which caught on a crossbeam along Father’s mizzenmast, gave it a jerk to make certain it wouldn’t budge then he heaved back and swung out, his white tunic billowing, his crew whistling across and landing with a thump next to him.

  “It appears Captain Bourbon has arrived.” Tossing his gold embroidered black jacket aside, Father slid his saber free then bounded in, the red sash at his waist flying.

  “You fired upon me first. Don’t forget that.” He swung, their swords clashing, his men bounding into battle against Father’s men. Steel rang out loud against steel.

  “Where is Bruno?” Father demanded with a jab.

  “Buried at sea.” He met each of Father’s strikes, blow for blow. “You instructed him to kidnap Lady Olivia, then to bring her directly to you here at Paradiso. He told me not to expect Olivia to remain alive for long. Olivia’s death was assured if I didn’t bow to your wishes and marry Clementina.”

  “Bruno didn’t tell you the full truth.” Father swore, a storm of Italian curses ringing from him. “Yes, I told him to bring Lady Olivia to me, but that he wasn’t to harm a hair on her head. The imbecile. I needed her only as bait. When we
last spoke, I sensed your feelings for her ran deep. I would never hurt someone you loved. Doing so would only push you farther away from me, which has never, and will never, be my intention.”

  “I will never allow another of your men to tail me as Bruno did, or to lay a hand on Olivia.” With one strategic strike after another, he pushed Father toward the side of the ship nearest Olivia and Adrestia, right where their ships bumped together. No others fought in that spot, which would afford them far more privacy for their current argument.

  “Anteros,” Father muttered as he slashed. “You’re my son, and I want the best for you. You carry my blood, are a Prince of Naples and Sicily, and as such you should be marrying a woman of equal footing. The Archduchess Clementina’s father is the Holy Roman Emperor of Austria. He is the King of Hungary and Croatia and Bohemia. Must I go on about her revered parentage?”

  “No, I understand Clementina’s lineage is strong, but I am in love with Lady Olivia and you will love her too when you meet her. She is the only one who will ever hold my heart, who will be my future wife, and the woman who will bear my children. Mark my words, Father, she is mine and I am hers.”

  “You are so frustrating, and blast it, so damned like me it is incredibly annoying.” Father spluttered and retreated. He sheathed his saber, bellowed to his men, “Cease the fighting and leave me to speak to Captain Bourbon alone. There shall be no more battling this day.”

  All went quiet on deck, swords lowered, men heaving as they grasped their knees and caught their breath. Anteros nodded at his own men, that they cease and retreat. The men slowly drifted toward the bow, righting overturned barrels and clearing the debris as they afforded them the privacy they needed. A quick look at Adrestia and Olivia clutching the rail. He gave them both a firm nod, then faced Father once more. “Olivia and I shall be speaking vows this night, so if you’d like to attend our wedding ceremony, then you may.”

  “I wish you were my firstborn, Anteros.” Father paced back and forth, looking aggravated and aggrieved. “You would have ousted Napoleon’s brother-in-law from Naples and sent Joachim Murat to his grave by now.”

  “Murat won’t be able to hold his position for long. You’ll ascend to the throne of Naples again, and provided you accept Olivia and don’t force me to raise arms against you once more, I will be fighting by your side when you go into battle. Do I have your agreement?”

  A slow nod, then firmer. “Yes, you do. Fighting against you hasn’t been pleasant, and I’d rather never do so again. Introduce me to your lady so I might apologize for Bruno’s dishonorable behavior. I wish to know this woman who has captured your heart. She has certainly done what no other woman before her has achieved.”

  Olivia and Adrestia squealed at hearing Father’s words, their excitement bubbling over and making him grin too. Grasping Father’s shoulder, he drew him to the rail and gestured to Olivia. “Father, meet your future daughter-in-law, the divine and angelic Lady Olivia Trentbury. Lady Olivia, meet my father, King Ferdinand III of the Kingdom of Sicily.”

  “Your Majesty.” Olivia dipped into an elegant curtsy, then when she rose, added, “In witnessing this battle, I can see exactly whom your son received his fierce and stubborn nature from.”

  “Unfortunately, I’d say he’s even more stubborn than I am.” Father dipped his head in acknowledgement. “I truly do wish to apologize for any harm Bruno brought upon you. He wasn’t acting under my orders in that regard. Your safety should never have been brought into question during the kidnapping.”

  “Bruno has already paid for his crimes.” Olivia caught Adrestia’s hand on the rail and squeezed, his sister quickly squeezing back as she offered his bride-to-be her full support.

  “Which is as it should be.” Father reached across the gap where the ships rubbed, placed his hand over both Olivia and Adrestia’s, his voice low as he continued, “Welcome to the family, Lady Olivia. There are secrets galore for you to keep, but hopefully not for too much longer. Give me plenty of grandchildren and I shall be happy.”

  “That I will gladly do.” She offered his father an endearing smile, then she burst into conversation, as if there hadn’t just been an immense battle raging. He didn’t doubt his father would soon fall prey to his angel’s sweet form of charm, just as he’d done from the very first day he’d met her.

  As the sun began to lower over the horizon, he couldn’t help but smile. Today was the first day of the rest of his life. It was time to celebrate a new beginning with the woman he loved, with the woman who had always been his. It wasn’t a fanciful notion at all. She belonged to him, and he belonged to her.

  Love. It had struck even his hardened heart.

  Chapter 22

  Eight weeks later, Olivia stood high on the grassy hills overlooking La Rocca Dinastia, the clear blue waters of the bay sparkling in the afternoon sunshine, a number of her husband’s ships moored in the bay. Exquisite joy and contentment thrummed through her, the man at her back having brought her that immense joy and so much more. Their love had grown from strength to strength these past two months as they’d roamed the island together, her prince having shown her all of his favorite childhood places so she could experience the beauty and magic of his ancestral home just as he had as a child. They’d even sailed with Adrestia to Sicily to attend the Duchess of Genoa’s ball at the Royal Palace of Palermo. Violet had been in attendance too, she and Anteros having collected her from her home.

  An hour into the evening, Ferdinand had risen from his elevated throne chair within the glittering expanse of the ballroom, called for everyone’s attention, then promptly announced to the thousand elaborately attired guests in attendance that his son, Prince Anteros Carlo from the House of Bourbon, a Prince of Naples and Sicily, and his new daughter-in-law, would now be known as the Duke and Duchess of Paradiso, a new title he’d bestowed upon them.

  Shocked, she’d swayed in Anteros’s tight hold, her husband also openly staring at his father, all while the crowd around them had broken into thunderous applause. That applause had only died down when Ferdinand had raised a hand to quiet the assembled guests. He’d then quickly followed his first announcement by introducing his daughter, Princess Adrestia Maria, to all assembled.

  No longer could either brother or sister hide their true identity, but thankfully, they’d both only felt relief and not distress at the unveiling. After Anteros’s surprise had eased, her husband had graciously thanked his father for the honor of the title, then swept her into his arms and commandeered every dance of the night with her. Never had she enjoyed herself more. Such an unfolding of truths, the lies finally laid to rest.

  On their return to Paradiso, she’d immediately written to Mama and informed her about all that had happened, of which she’d received a response only a few days ago. Mama’s letter of reply had been fourteen pages long, each and every single page filled to the brim with Mama’s happiness for her.

  “You’re rather quiet. What are you thinking?” From behind her, Anteros nuzzled her neck, his teeth scraping sensuously over her pounding pulse point, his hands sliding underneath the hem of her cream blouse, his body surrounding hers with such a heavenly heat.

  “That this spot on the island is my favorite place of all.” The absolute truth.

  “Why is that?” Smiling wickedly, he caressed her middle, his fingers brushing along the undersides of her breasts.

  Leaning her head back against his shoulder, she swayed against him. “I’ve adored seeing all this island has to offer, from the beaches and coves to the cliffside caves and sparkling bays. The villagers are a delight, so friendly and caring, and I love riding across the fields and through the valleys, but this place is where you and I first stood as husband and wife as we spoke our marriage vows before the priest.”

  “I would never forget such a momentous moment.” He cupped her breasts, squeezed her nipples.

  She rubbed her bottom against the front of his tight-fitting sapphire breeches, right where his erect cock prodded her
backside. “Did I tell you that after we spoke our vows, your father whispered in my ear that I must be good to his son? He loves you, Anteros, no matter the difficult path the two of you have traversed over the years.”

  “He had you kidnapped.” A low growl, his chest rumbling against her back. Oh, it appeared her husband still had a few grievances with his father. Not surprising though. A lifetime of issues couldn’t be resolved in only two months. It would take time.

  “I didn’t say he was without fault.” Time to distract her husband. She turned and pushed him backward, toward the hidden hollow where they’d spent many afternoons rolling around in a tangle of entwined limbs.

  With a wicked grin, he lowered to his knees in the thick grass and beckoned her with one finger. “Carissima, come to me.”

  “Remove your clothing and I shall.”

  He stripped, exceedingly fast, his white cravat and shirt disposed of in a soft pile at his feet, his breeches and boots tossed behind him. Holding a make-believe bow and arrow, he winked at her as he drew the arrow back, then released it with a soft ping.

  “You truly are like the Greek god of love and passion you’re named after.” She joined him in the hollow, moving to her knees before him, her cream skirts flaring out behind her and sheer happiness overflowing her heart. “You and I were destined to be together, Amati.”

  “For always and forever, Amore.” He unbuttoned her blouse and slipped it over her shoulders, then he loosened the ties of her skirts and allowed the fabric to pool into a gloriously silken mass on the grass.

  He toppled her onto the nest of their clothes and the burning began, deep in her core, her need for him an unstoppable beat as it always would be. In a storm of passion and complete harmony, she held him deep inside her body as he joined with her in all ways, his fierce warmth spreading through each and every inch of her.

  Together, they’d confronted his father.

  Together, they’d won the battle.