Malachi took a step back, unsure what the swirling of emotion meant, and cleared his throat. “My pleasure.”
Jessabelle hurried away from him, grabbing her bag as she went toward the door to the bathroom.
He inhaled and exhaled slowly before going into the closet to change his own clothes. A pair of loose cotton pants with the Mevendian flag along with a t-shirt that was probably a bit too small given his recent work outs, but no way around that at the moment. When Jessabelle reemerged from the bathroom a moment later, she’d pulled her hair back into a ponytail and changed into a soft gray outfit covered with cupcakes.
“Feel better?” he asked, keeping a respectable distance.
“Much. Thank you.”
“Then shall we get back to our dinner?” He held the seat for her then took his own. Malachi picked up his wine glass and held it out. “To my lovely bride. May today be just the first day of many we spend together, always getting to know each other better, being honest with each other, and, hopefully, learning to love each other.”
Jessabelle smiled, just a bit, as they clinked their glasses. Dinner passed quickly as they mostly ate without talking. When they finished, Malachi poured both of them a bit more wine and held out his hand. She took it and he led her to a large, comfortable chair, big enough for the two of them. He sat down and tugged on her hand. It only took once for her to sit next to him.
Because she wanted to or because she felt she had to?
Malachi didn’t know but he put his arm around her shoulders, silently urging her to lean in toward him. The fire snapped, crackled, and popped in front of them as dusk turned to night outside.
“So this is our wedding night,” he mused. “Not quite what either of us imagined, I expect.”
“No.” She took a sip of her wine then stared into the maroon liquid. “Would you like it to be different?”
How to answer that without coming off as a cad? “Do I wish things were different? Of course. I wish we’d been given the chance to get to know each other even if we didn’t have any possibility of changing the eventual outcome.” He ran a finger up and down her arm as he took a sip from his own glass. “I do think I’d like to kiss you tonight. If that’s okay with you.”
“Yes.”
She agreed instantly, but some hesitation colored her voice. “Are you sure?”
Jessabelle nodded. Malachi set his glass of wine on the side table and reached for her, turning her chin up a bit toward him with one finger. He could see something in her eyes, but he couldn’t tell what it was before they fluttered closed. Her lips parted slightly as he leaned in, covering them with his own.
The kiss was soft, gentle, barely more than a brush. His every sense heightened as he returned to press his lips more firmly against hers. She responded to him, hesitant at first, then with more enthusiasm. One distracted side of his mind remembered she still held her wine glass, but the rest urged him to wrap his other hand around to the back of her neck to keep her close.
Malachi wanted to deepen the kiss, to press further, but forced himself to keep it light. When he knew he could do so no longer, he backed away, giving her one soft final kiss. “That was nice,” he whispered, never taking his eyes off her delectably kissable lips.
She nodded but didn’t speak, blinking rapidly a few times before turning to face the fire again. If only he could find more chances to do that.
Chapter 6
Prince Malachi had taken a phone call from his security team, leaving Jessabelle alone. She remained where she’d been sitting, next to his empty space, staring into the flames. The kiss had caught her off-guard. It didn’t surprise her that he would want to, but it did surprise her that she’d been so intensely affected.
And in a few minutes, she would be sharing a bed with him. On one level, she’d expected it for days, but she’d also thought he would expect much more than sleep. As tired as she was, she didn’t know if it was time for bed yet.
At that moment, Prince Malachi returned from the outer room, his face a study in nonchalance. “Is everything okay?”
He shrugged. “My father isn’t happy we left. He’ll survive. There’s nothing that says we had to stay at the palace tonight, just tradition and the traditional breakfast with him and my mother in the morning.”
Great. The king’s daughter-in-law for less than twelve hours, and she’d already irritated him again.
Prince Malachi smiled softly at her. “I bet you’re pretty wiped out, aren’t you? You probably haven’t slept well in a while.”
Jessabelle twisted her new wedding band around and around as she gave a slight nod. She hadn’t slept well since the day her father came home and announced that he’d signed a marriage contract with the king, giving her to Prince Malachi.
“Why don’t you go ahead and get some rest then?” His eyes were probably the kindest eyes she’d ever seen. He moved toward her holding out his hand. She took it and let him help her up. “I think I’m going to read for a little while, if that’s okay with you.
Another brief nod.
Prince Malachi leaned over and brushed a kiss against her cheek before whispering, “You can sleep under the sheets. I’ll sleep on top.”
Jessabelle felt her eyes widen slightly but she blinked and nodded before heading to the bathroom. With her teeth brushed and face washed, it was time to slip into bed. Prince Malachi sat in the same spot as before. All but one light was off though the fire still burned. She took a deep breath for courage. “Good night.”
He glanced up and smiled, two perfect rows of teeth visible in the dim lighting. “Good night. Sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Sleep well.” She sat on the side of the bed, ready to get in when she realized something. “Um, is there a side you prefer?” Jessabelle had seldom slept in anything bigger than her single bed at home.
The prince looked up at her again. “No. Pick a side. If either one of us would like to trade in a few days or even later on, we can talk about it.”
He turned back to his tablet. Jessabelle pulled the covers back and slipped in. At least it was warm, not too cool like she’d feared. Regardless, she snuggled down into the comfortable bed with the sheet, blanket, and comforter pulled up to her ear.
For the first time in weeks, she slept well.
When she woke, she felt refreshed. Jessabelle knew she’d woken more than once during the night and sensed Prince Malachi’s presence next to her, though she didn’t remember feeling him.
Speaking of her husband, she realized he was no longer there. Rolling to the other side she saw him walk in from the other room. Already dressed in chinos and a dark green button down shirt, with a cup of coffee in one hand and a newspaper in the other.
He smiled at her. “Good morning.”
She could get used to that smile first thing every day. “Good morning.”
“Did you sleep well?”
Jessabelle nodded. “Yes, thank you. Did you?”
His smile turned into a full-fledged grin. “I slept next to a beautiful woman. What do you think?”:
Beautiful? Her? No one thought she was beautiful. Ever. Not even her father had ever told her that. A memory niggled at the back of her mind. Perhaps her mother had? Once upon a time.
Prince Malachi sat on her side of the bed. “What is it, Jessabelle? Is something wrong?”
She forced herself to tell the truth. “No one has ever called me beautiful before. Certainly not first thing in the morning.”
“Never?”
She shook her head.
* * *
Malachi reached out to brush a bit of hair off her face. No one had ever told her she was beautiful? Not even her father? He could see why few would. She would never be one of the world’s great beauties, but she was beautiful in her own way. His father had told him “don’t expect a stunner,” and Malachi had made up his mind at that moment to treat her as the most beautiful woman in the world, even if she looked like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Jessabelle didn’t look anything like that.
“Well, I think you’re beautiful,” he declared. He’d heard something when he was younger. Love is a verb. A choice. And if you act loving, often the feelings will follow. He didn’t go into this marriage thinking if things didn’t work out, there was always divorce. He wanted his wife to believe he thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world, and he would spend the rest of his life trying to prove it to her.
“Tell you what, Jessabelle.” First order of business…that nickname for her. “Why don’t you go take a shower and get dressed? Something comfortable, and we’ll find something to do around here. Do you know how to ride a horse?”
Jessabelle nodded. “It has been a few years, but my father and I used to ride sometimes.”
“How about a ride then?”
His wife nodded but seemed to be waiting for something. Like him to leave? He smiled and stood. “I’ll meet you in the living area when you’re ready. Your bag is in the closet.” She hadn’t packed much. Why? Because she expected to stay at the palace, and the rest of her things would be delivered? She could have expected to be somewhere warm and so packed shorts and tank tops which took up less room. Maybe she thought it would end up being a more typical honeymoon with very few activities outside the suite.
Or had she packed everything she had?
Her father was a relatively wealthy man, but did he give her the resources she needed or did he expect clothes and such would somehow appear?
All of these questions and more flew through his head at lightning speed. Regardless of the answers, Malachi decided at least one day would be spent shopping with his bride. He’d like to take her. To pamper and spoil her. Maybe he should have someone arrange for a spa day at the residence. Massage, mani-pedi, facial, whatever they did with seaweed.
He changed quickly in the closet as he heard the water start in the shower. After making a few phone calls, he pulled the paper back out to study the photos chosen to grace both the front page and the interior.
PRINCE MALACHI FULFILLS MARRIAGE CONTRACT
The photo on the front page showed them walking back up the aisle after the ceremony. Malachi wished they’d chosen a better photo of Jessabelle. There was a grin on his face but he knew he’d been faking it. Those who knew him well would know, too. But Jessabelle’s eyes were red, her face a bit blotchy, and her smile, which he knew she wore on her way back up the aisle, had slipped for just a moment. She looked supremely unhappy.
Frowning, he opened the paper to look at the coverage on the inside. The first photo of him and William standing at the front of the church was a good one. The next of Jessabelle and her father was fine - but her face couldn’t really be seen through her veil. The third was their backs as he helped her walk up the stairs. Another photo showed him taking off her veil followed by one of him placing the crown. You couldn’t really see her face very well in any of them except the one on the front page. He wondered if the press office would have something to say about portraying the newest princess in a less than flattering light. Or would his father even care?
Jessabelle chose that moment to come out of the bedroom. She wore sleek pants with a long tunic type shirt over the top and black boots. He stood and put the paper away. Originally, he’d thought to share it with her, look at the pictures and the story together. He hadn’t read the story but the pictures told him what to expect. He’d look at it more closely later, but choosing that photo for the front page...
Malachi did his best to draw her out as they walked to the stables. She insisted on saddling her own horse while he did the same. They rode for nearly half an hour before they reached a clearing. He asked question after question, but rarely got more than a one or two word answer. How was he supposed to get to know his wife if she wouldn’t talk to him?
His horse was walking ahead of hers on the way back toward the stables when he heard a small cry. Malachi shifted until he could look behind. Jessabelle had pulled her horse to a stop and was dismounting. He turned his horse and went back the few feet. “What happened?”
His wife didn’t look at him. “I’m not sure. She pulled up funny.”
After a few minutes of checking her out neither one of them could find anything wrong, but Malachi didn’t want to take any chances. “We have two choices.”
She finally glanced his way. “Two?”
“We can walk back. We’re not that far from the stables.” He hesitated.
“Or?” she finally prompted.
Maybe he hadn’t thought this all the way through. “You can ride double with me.”
She shivered, just a bit, and that settled the matter in his mind.
Malachi reached for her hand. “Come on. I’ll help you up.”
She hesitated then took his gloved hand in her own. He let go when they reached his horse. After swinging up, he reached back down, with his hand grasping her arm near her elbow. Once her foot was solidly in the stirrup, he counted to three as she bounced on the other. He pulled her up as she pushed off the ground. She swung up behind him and settled behind the saddle. He put his foot back in the stirrup as her arms wrapped around his waist.
A swirling feeling in the gut of his stomach caught Malachi off-guard. Could it be caused by his wife? The first smidgen of attraction?
Malachi put the thought out of his mind. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on that feeling. Now was time to get his wife, the woman he’d vowed to protect, somewhere warm.
Chapter 7
Jessabelle took Prince Malachi’s hand as he pulled her up behind him on his stallion. Despite the warm clothing that had waited for her in the stables, the cold had invaded her body. They weren’t very far from the large stone house, but for those long minutes, she’d have her arms wrapped around his waist and her cheek resting on his back.
Before long, he started humming, then singing softly. Amazing Grace. She’d always loved the old hymn. Her new husband had a nice voice. It didn’t take long for the residence to come into view. They hadn’t actually left the property so no security had gone with them.
Security was going to be a new part of her life. One she’d have to get used to once they returned to the palace. Jessabelle really wasn’t a social butterfly, so she would likely be an easy one to guard. That brought something else to mind. Would she be expected to be a patron of a bunch of different charities? Would she be required to make speeches? Her stomach churned at the thought.
“You all right back there?” Prince Malachi glanced over his shoulder.
She nodded against him.
“Good. We’ll be there in a minute.” True to his word, he pulled to a stop just a few minutes later, just outside one of the doors to the house. He swung a leg over the horse’s neck and hopped down. “Come here.” Prince Malachi grasped her waist as she swung her leg over, and he helped her slide to the ground. With his gloved hand, he brushed some hair off her face. “You look near frozen.” An apology crossed his features. “Do you know how to get to the suite?”
Jessabelle had paid attention when they left and told him she thought she could.
“If you get lost just ask whoever you see. They’ll be able to help you find it. The fires should be going by now. If you want to change clothes, go ahead. Grab a blanket and scoot one of the chairs closer. Breakfast should be about ready, as well.” He squeezed her hand. “If you want, use the phone in the living area. Press 0 and tell them you would like some coffee or hot chocolate. I’m just going to take the horses to the stables, but I’ll let the grooms take care of them this time.”
Prince Malachi took the reins of one horse in each hand and winked at her before he walked away. She gave him a small smile and turned to walk into the house. As she neared the suite where she and Prince Malachi were staying, she heard voices from inside. Odd. He’d told her they were the only ones here besides the staff.
Did she go in? Wait for her husband? Before she could decide, the door opened, and a maid scurried out. Jessabelle smiled at her,
but the woman’s eyes remained down. Through the open door, she saw a man and woman standing in front of the fireplace. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized the man when he turned.
Something flitted across his face before a smile settled in. Even Jessabelle, with her social awkwardness, knew it wasn’t sincere.
The king spoke first. “Good morning, Jessabelle. Do come in.”
Quite kind of him since it was her apartment for the next few days. She made up her mind that when they were in the palace, the privacy code would be used as often as possible. “Good morning,” she managed.
“Where’s Malachi?” he asked.
“We, um, went for a ride this morning. He’s taking the horses back to the stables.”
“And you did not go with him?” There was something condescending in his voice.
“I knew she was cold.” Prince Malachi’s voice surprised her, but she managed not to jump. His arm slid around her waist. The king’s eyes narrowed as it did. “I told her I’d take care of the horses, but one of the grooms met me on my way to the stables. Now, what can we do for you two the morning after our wedding?” He winked at her again. “I do hope you knocked before coming in. We may have been...occupied.”
The king cleared his throat. “Mal, I need to speak with you.” He glanced her way. “Privately.”
Prince Malachi kissed the side of her head. “I’ll be right back, love.”
Jessabelle couldn’t help but duck her head as her face warmed. And then she was alone with her mother-in-law. The queen didn’t smile, didn’t offer any warmth whatsoever. Instead, she sat in one of the wing back chairs and waited.
A single word crossed Jessabelle’s mind. Awkward.
* * *
Malachi followed his father into the conference room off one side of the living area. As soon as the door closed, he snapped, “Why are you here?”
The king crossed his arms over his chest. “We had breakfast plans.”
He mimicked his father’s stance. “No. You had breakfast plans. My wife was overwhelmed by it all, and we decided to come here early so she could relax.”
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