Arianna & Finn (Royals of Valleria #3)

by Knightly, Marianne

  Alex was holding Rebecca close, both with ridiculous grins on their faces. They were clearly very much in love. The King and Queen, having raised nine children and spent forty years together, were also clearly in love but slightly more reserved about it in public. It was an interesting dichotomy to witness: new lovers and established lovers, side-by-side. Finn wondered if he would ever make it to forty years as a married man. There was only one woman he could ever consider for that position.

  As if she sensed he needed to see her, Arianna came into view. She, too, was dancing, but Finn didn’t feel threatened by the man holding her, as he knew it was one of her brothers. Finn had told Henry he wouldn’t embarrass him, but seeing Arianna so beautiful and seemingly unattainable, made him want to claim her right then and there.

  Finn gulped down the rest of his water and slowly made his way through the crowd. Most of the guests were Vallerian or related to the royal family in some way; there were only a few dignitaries from other countries, as he was, so he didn’t really know anybody or need to stop and chat along the way.

  His mind and his focus was on her. She was like a beacon calling out to him, saving him. Could he save her, too?

  “Your Highnesses,” he said formally when he approached them and bowed for form’s sake. “Prince Lorenzo, allow me to introduce myself. I am Prince Finn de Bara of Brazenbourg.”

  “Of course,” Lorenzo said as he held out his hand and Finn shook it. From the side of his eye, he noticed Arianna blush, but she was otherwise composed. “We are happy you could join us for such a happy occasion.”

  “We are honored to receive an invitation, thank you. Princess Arianna, I wanted to claim you for a dance this evening, at your earliest convenience.”

  She smiled. “Of course. I’m afraid the next dance is spoken for, but please find me after that.”

  Finn bowed again, hating the formality that went with being a royal sometimes. “Thank you, Princess,” he said and saw her blush deepen. “Prince Lorenzo.” Finn shook his hand and walked away. He’d have Arianna in his arms in maybe ten minutes, and that was all that mattered.

  As Finn strode away from the dance floor, he caught Alex’s eye. Finn nodded and headed toward a darker corner of the room to bide his time. It didn’t surprise him when Alex found him barely a minute later.

  “We’ll have to make this quick,” Alex said, after they, too, had bowed to each other for form’s sake. “I plan to hold my fiancée all night long and this is interfering with those plans.”

  “You seem to be quite in love, Alex. Rebecca is a lovely woman, and you’re both very popular with the crowd, it seems.”

  The pride on Alex’s face couldn’t be hidden, and neither could his broad smile. “I’m a damn lucky man, I know. I found the perfect woman for me and my country.” Finn wondered if he had, too, in Arianna.

  “Well, this shouldn’t take long,” Finn said, and proceeded to tell Alex about his initial findings.

  “One of our allies?” Alex said, his eyes narrowing. “How can you be sure?”

  “I trust this source with my life, and I don’t trust easily. It doesn’t look good for you. My contact is searching for more proof now before confirming who it is.”

  “Even if they have proof, how will they prove it to the world? I can’t think of any of our allies who would want us dead or destroyed this much.”

  “Neither can I, but you’d know best. My advice is to go and enjoy the night with your pretty fiancée, and leave the worrying to the rest of us.”

  “Will you be dancing with Arianna later?”

  “As soon as the next dance is done.”

  Alex nodded. “Give her a discreet update, if you can. There are a number of ears listening and nothing is safe.”

  “Not even this conversation?”

  Alex’s face spread into a smug smile. “I’m not worried about this conversation, as we’re standing far enough away from other people. Besides that, I’ve got a jammer in my pocket which disables any electronic devices nearby. We finished testing it a week ago, and it came through with flying colors.”

  “Top secret stuff. Why are you telling me?”

  “So you won’t worry next time we speak. None of the others, save Marcello and my father, have a jammer on them most of the time.”

  “I’ll remember that.”

  The next song started and they turned towards the dance floor. Finn knew Alex was searching for Rebecca, but Finn’s breath caught when he saw Arianna’s dance partner: Henry. How had Henry found her so quickly?

  “Ah, there’s Rebecca,” Alex said, sounding almost relieved.

  “Afraid someone else will want to dance with her?”

  Alex pursed his lips. “Of course not. I just want to ensure we have plenty of time together, that’s all.”

  Finn laughed and slapped Alex on the shoulder. “Well, what are you waiting for? Don’t let me hold you up. I’ll find you if something comes up.”

  Alex nodded and shook Finn’s hand before walking back towards a smiling woman who seemed as eager to be in his arms as he was in hers.

  Finn spent the rest of the song analyzing - overanalyzing, really - every movement Arianna and Henry made. Was her smile at him real or forced? Did she keep her distance from him for propriety’s sake, or because she didn’t want to be near him? He just didn’t know.

  When the song ended, Finn made a beeline for her. Henry would see them dancing anyway, so there was no need to try to hide it.

  Arianna’s lips were in a thin line. “Thank you for the dance, Henry.”

  “Let’s dance again. We’re to be married soon, anyhow,” Henry said.

  “She hasn’t agreed to that,” Finn said as he stepped up to them. “And you should learn how to hold your tongue,” he said in a low voice. “If anyone had heard you, the Vallerian royal family would have been most displeased with you.” Henry’s eyes glittered with anger, but he didn’t respond.

  Finn took hold of Arianna’s slim hand. “Besides, she’s dancing with me next.”

  “Is this true, Arianna?”

  “Yes. Prince Finn asked me and it would be inconsiderate considering the current negotiations between our countries.”

  “Yes, yes. Of course,” Henry said quickly, not wanting to offend her or her family. “Please, by all means. Dance together.”

  Finn saw annoyance flash in her expression and completely understood; Henry made it seem as though he’d given her permission to dance with Finn, when she didn’t need his permission at all.

  “Come, Princess,” Finn said, leading her deeper onto the dance floor.

  He twirled her once and then settled her in his arms, in a loose but close grip. They were certainly closer than she and Henry had been, but Arianna never complained. While they stared into each other’s eyes, Finn could feel Henry’s eyes fixed upon them, even from his perch some distance away.

  There was tension in her body he didn’t quite like. Was that because of Henry? Or him? “What’s wrong, Princess?”

  She was quiet for a moment before she spoke. “I don’t think Henry likes you very much.”

  “I don’t, either. Did he say something to you?”

  “I won’t repeat it, but he seemed to think that you weren’t very loyal to Brazenbourg.”

  That bastard. “It’s not true.”

  “Of course it isn’t. I told him so.”

  Finn’s eyebrows went up. “You told him he was wrong? About me? I would have loved to have seen that.”

  Arianna bristled. “Yes, well, it wasn’t true. I had to defend you.”

  Hope budded in his chest, along with an emotion he’d rarely felt before: love. No one had ever defended him to Henry since his parents had died. “Thank you, Arianna.”

  Her eyes were soft. “You’re welcome, Finn.”

  He seemed to remember they were on a public dance floor and cleared his throat. “How are you otherwise this evening?”

  “I’m very well, thank you. How are you?”

/>   Finn didn’t like the proper mask she’d just slid into place again. “You’re being very polite.”

  “Shouldn’t I be polite to you?”

  “Well, I’ve been thinking about doing something to you that’s not polite at all.”

  She swallowed. “Oh?”

  “Oh, yes.” He leaned in closer and whispered in her ear. He remembered Alex’s comment about who may be listening in and revised what he originally thought to say. “Let’s just say there’s something very appealing about your lovely dress.”

  “Is there?”

  “Yes. The beautiful woman inside it is very tempting.” He held back the urge to bite her ear or kiss her throat.

  She cleared her throat and Finn put some small distance between them again. “Have you found out anything yet?” she asked, clearly changing the subject.

  “I have learned a great many things, but some knowledge still requires research.”

  “I see.”

  “Do you?”

  “You can’t say any more?”

  “Not here.”

  “Then I guess that’s that.” She sighed.

  “Are you done with me then?” Finn asked, irrational anger bubbling inside him. Did she want him gone so badly?

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t have the answers you need so you’re ready to push me aside.”

  “I’d rather push you inside me, is the thing.” She gasped at her brazen words and put a hand over her mouth. Realizing her gesture made a scene, she gave a few feeble coughs before her hand dropped away. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not,” Finn said with a smile. “That was one of the hottest things anyone’s ever said to me.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. I’d like to make it happen.”

  “We shouldn’t.”

  “Probably,” Finn conceded and leaned close again as the music slowed even more. “I can’t stop thinking about you, Arianna. I can’t stop dreaming of you, and tasting you. You haunt me.”

  “Finn.”

  “Couldn’t we have tonight? All hell could break loose tomorrow, but we have tonight.”

  “Yes, we do,” she said softly. After another minute of dancing, she spoke again. “Where is your room?”

  “Not in the Royal Wing.”

  “Then you’ll be in the North Wing. It’s where we usually house foreign dignitaries who don’t stay in our section of the palace.”

  “Is there a way to you?”

  “I’ll find you this time. Don’t worry. Tonight, after the ball.”

  “Keep your dress on when you come.”

  He almost laughed at her startled expression. “I can try, but I can’t make promises.”

  Finn nodded. “Just so you know, I’m leaving the ball right after this dance. I couldn’t bear to see you dancing with other men all night.”

  “I wish I could dance with just you,” she whispered.

  “So do I,” he whispered back.

  For the rest of the dance, they stayed silent, just enjoying each other. Her full skirt bunched around his legs, the silk swishing as they moved ever so lightly. Her scent, soft and sweet, filled his senses, and her heels clicked lightly against the floor when she stepped. The connection of their intense gaze held throughout the next few minutes, neither of them able to break away. If they had, they would have noticed both King Gabriel and others watching them with curious expressions. They would also have noticed Henry watching them with anger in his eyes before striding away from the ball.

  ***

  Arianna huffed as she made her way down the narrow passages. She paused for must have been the twentieth time and readjusted her dress. It had been a stupid idea to wear it in the secret passages. The only way for her to maneuver was walking with her back against the wall, stepping side-to-side the entire way. Even though the secret passages were always clean and well lit, it didn’t help matters any.

  She’d thought about turning around and going back to the safety and comfort of her own room more than once. Each time she did, she also thought about the safety and comfort of Finn’s arms and kept going.

  Dancing with him had been almost as intense as their lovemaking was. The same connection she felt when he was buried inside her, was the same connection they’d made on the dance floor. It was like a drug, and she needed it.

  She needed Finn.

  When she finally saw Finn’s door, she let out a sigh of relief. She’d left the ball as early as she’d dared, but it was still fairly late. She wondered if Finn would even still be waiting for her.

  He was.

  The second the door opened and she stepped inside, Finn was there barely a moment later sweeping her into his arms. His lips claimed hers. His hands shut the secret door and pushed her against it. Hot need filled her in an instant.

  “Finn,” she breathed as he kneeled down and his hands delved under the dress and through the layers underneath.

  “I’ve spent hours waiting for you, wanting you. I thought I’d die from wanting you tonight, Princess,” he said just before his head disappeared. Her hands plastered themselves on the wall behind her looking for purchase, while her panties were ripped away and Finn’s mouth cover her folds below.

  She cried as the first orgasm came in a searing flash, quicker than any had ever come before, even their previous lovemaking. Finn didn’t stop, couldn’t stop it seemed, and sent her crashing a second time all too soon.

  She pawed at the dress, which was too hot, too fitted. She tore at her skirt, needing to feel the whole of Finn’s body against hers.

  His head eventually popped out from beneath her skirt. With his hair mussed and his eyes pools of dark moss green, he slowly stood.

  Both of them were breathing heavy. Unspoken communication and need traveled between them for several long moments. Then they reached for each other at the same time.

  Lips took and bruised where they went. They toppled backward, Finn taking the brunt of the fall, though his lips never stopped against hers. She tore at his shirt, sending buttons flying since he’d already removed his jacket, tie, and cummerbund. He undid the zipper on her dress, and a rush of air fell against her heated back.

  They rolled and she found herself against the floor. He pulled down her dress, leaving only her lacy bra remaining. He stood over her, kicked off his shoes and socks, and pulled off his pants and boxers in one swift move. His cock stood proud and erect against his stomach. She moaned and licked her lips at the sight of it.

  “Take off your bra.” His gruff voice sent goosebumps scattering along her skin as she did what he asked.

  He kneeled over her, his cock in his hand, and placed it between her full breasts. The feeling of it heavy against her had her growing wetter by the second. He thrust between her breasts a few times, slow and steady, their eyes locked with each other. She wanted to taste it. She needed to taste him.

  Her hands covered his firm ass and pushed him further up her body. When his cock was close enough, she took it in her hands and brought it to her mouth. She moaned as it slid inside. He shifted his hips, helping her along, and she couldn’t get enough. He pulled out all too soon.

  He moved back down her body and she spread her legs. His fingers teased her for mere moments, before he shifted away. Then, he pushed his cock inside her in one hard thrust. She sobbed at the wonderful feel of it.

  He began thrusting, hard but controlled. She could tell he was holding himself back, so that she wouldn’t be sore. Her heart tumbled a little more.

  “Now, Princess. Now.”

  Her body did his bidding, and her back arched as the orgasm washed over her, wave after wave of it milking him dry. They both cried out at the force of it, at the force of their eyes locked on each other, at the primitive way they’d just taken each other.

  Spent, Finn collapsed on top of her, then shifted positions so he was on the floor and Arianna was on top of him. He was still buried inside her, and didn’t want to let him go, not just yet.


  “Did I hurt you?” he asked as he idly rubbed her back.

  She shook her head as it nuzzled his chest. She had a sudden realization that she could nuzzle this chest for the rest of her life and it may not be enough.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” she said, her voice hoarser than expected. She cleared her throat.

  “You just stiffened up on me. I can’t fix it if I don’t know what’s wrong.”

  “Nothing’s wrong.”