But now their hopes of having ties to the royal family were gone. And with Serran long dead, they had no one in the employ of the palace. His mother had always been able to count on invites to the best parties and receiving preferential treatment at stores and restaurants due to their status. But their status had plummeted with the disappearance of Whimsy.
She wasn’t the only one feeling the cold shoulder. Many of his friends weren’t returning his calls. He wasn’t being invited to events as he once was. But he was coping and he wished his mother would, too. They were plenty wealthy. They lived comfortably. As he saw it, she had nothing to complain about.
Dari smirked at him before sitting in the spot he had vacated. Bastard had been their mother’s favorite since the day he was born. He was even more so now. If the youngest of King Raul’s daughters Princess Veracity weren’t already betrothed, he was sure his mother would have been pressing a pairing between her and Dari.
Suddenly the screen popped back on. It could only mean a very important news event. Had they somehow found Whimsy? Had she made her way back home? She was sullied goods at this point. They could no longer expect him to marry her. She would be an outcast, royalty or not.
He sat stiffly as he awaited the announcer appear. The breaking news banner ran and then a stony faced reporter filled the screen. “It has just been confirmed that Prince True was involved in a fatal cruiser crash during an unauthorized race outside of C9. Prince True was helming the vehicle when he lost control of it in a particularly sharp turn and collided with the cruiser of a friend. Both died instantly. The royal family has issued no statement at this time. Here is a reenactment of the accident.”
Amarelle used the remote to snap off the footage. She was literally shaking. “Young fool!”
Serri couldn’t agree more. What would have provoked him to do something so stupid? Why had his father allowed it? This was a double blow to the Featherstones.
“Do you realize what this means?” His mother’s dark gaze bored into him. At his continued silence, she grew impatient. She stood and slapped him on the back of his head. “Think. Whimsy will be the heiress. You could be king. All you have to do is find her.”
His eyes widened. She was right. Fortunately, he knew exactly where to look. He could count on King Raul for manpower and funding to rescue Whimsy. But he had to plan carefully, and finesse the old man just right. One poorly chosen phrase and his dreams could crumble around him.
King Serri. He liked the sound of it. The crown was as good as his.
Chapter Fifteen
Gaedrian woke her with a kiss. She naturally arched into his touch. He groaned. “You make it so difficult to leave you. I have many matters that I need to attend to. It may be quite late before I see you again. If you need to leave, you may summon Dark to be your guard.”
“Do I need a guard? I’m not going anywhere.” It was true. She’d made her decision. Her place was by Gaedrian’s side.
“You might want to go out to shop or to see more of the castle. I do not wish you to become lost or hurt. You are still as yet unaware of many of our customs and ways. He will protect you from any unpleasantness.”
She stretched. “I’ll bathe and then I’ll seek him out. Where does he stay?”
“You may summon him by calling his name. I have already asked him to become your guard.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’d rather he not just pop up in front of me.”
He kissed her. “You grow accustomed to it.”
“I’d rather not.”
He sighed and gave her directions to find his rooms within the castle. “I wish I could linger for your bath. It is my favorite part of the day. Unfortunately, I have been unavailable for such a long time that I am much in need.” He brushed her hair back from her face with the back of his hand and kissed her again. “Tonight, will you bathe for me again? I will be your bath attendant.”
She laughed at the idea and agreed.
She was brought clothing and jewelry by servants. They offered to help her bathe but she insisted she could handle it on her own. She accepted their assistance in getting dressed because she didn’t want to do anything to embarrass Gaedrian before he formally proposed to her. From what she understood, because fate had chosen her, she would be his wife and rule at his side. They had not discussed any plans as yet, but when they did, she would also request that they visit her parents so that he might meet her family. There might be some difficulty gaining her parents’ approval due to her betrothal to Serri. Whimsy was certain Serri would agree to let her out of that arrangement, as the two of them were not a love match. Since she was no longer a virgin, he would be under no obligation to marry her. Indeed, he would be insulted if it were even suggested that he honor the arrangement.
One of the servants volunteered to take her to Dark’s rooms. Whimsy had barely knocked when he opened the door bare-chested. He was surprisingly muscular. Through the open doorway, the rustling of sheets could be heard. Peeking around him, she could see one woman in his bed, naked except for a sheet hastily pulled up over her chest and another scantily-clad woman lounging on a couch near the window. Whimsy’s mouth dropped open and her gaze swung back to Dark. His expression was inscrutable. He merely arched a brow in question.
“Um, good morning. I wanted to go shopping, and Gaedrian said I should…that you were to be my guard.”
“You could have summoned me.” He stepped out into the hall. For a brief moment, a pale blue glow surrounded him. When it disappeared, Whimsy saw he was wearing a black shirt.
“Believe me, next time I will. Aren’t you a little young to be...um…”
“Things are different here, Gaedriana.”
She wrinkled her brow at the name. She’d never asked Gaedrian about introducing her as Gaedriana. It was not unheard of for kings to rename their spouses as a show of possession, but she’d never really thought of Gaedrian as being so vain to want to do so. “I know that.”
“There is no shame in enjoying sex.”
But he was so cold. Could he really enjoy making love like other humans? The thought occurred to her before she could stop it. Too late she recalled that he could read minds.
“I enjoy it,” he affirmed.
She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to––“
“Let’s go to the market before you turn any redder.”
The market was amazing, with a dizzying variety of foods, clothing and jewelry available. She only wished she had thought to ask Gaedrian how she was to pay for any goods she wished to purchase.
As she looked about, Whimsy became aware that people seemed to be in awe of her. Many kept their distance, however, after a glance in Dark’s direction. He was but one boy, but Whimsy could see he had not exaggerated when he’d told her he was feared.
Being bathed by Gaedrian was the most sensual experience of her life. He disrobed and slid into the water with her. She didn’t think she’d ever grow tired of his big, beautiful body. Gaedrian picked a rose scented soap and used his hands to lather her up.
He started at her shoulders and worked his way down her arms. She laughed as he lathered her armpits, his fingers wiggling a mad tattoo on the sensitive flesh there. He continued until she begged him to stop. He kissed her briefly before washing her sides. He pulled her into his embrace and washed her back and buttocks. She moaned as her nipples grazed his chest. She braced herself by gripping his thick forearms as his palms swept down the backs of her thighs and up again. She tensed when he neared the damp heat of her womanhood, but he didn’t touch her there. She bit her lip in growing frustration.
The grin upon his full lips was positively wicked and knowing. He kissed her again before turning her so she faced away from him. He placed her palms on the pool’s cool stone edge and used his cupped hands to pour water over her outstretched arms and her back.
Next he soaped her abdomen, one of his digits dipping into her belly button. His large hands encompassed her entire waist. The top of his pointer fingers
skimmed the lower half of her breasts repeatedly. Impatience had her practically twisting in his hands before he finally lifted the passion-swollen globes. Still, he didn’t touch the tingling peaks. “Please, Gaedrian,” she whispered. She wiggled and could feel his rigid erection against her bottom.
“What was that?”
“Please touch me.”
“Touch you where?”
She wasn’t afraid to ask. “Touch my nipples.” She arched her back to press herself more fully into his grasp. He complied immediately, but kept his contact light and teasing. Whimsy tried to push herself into his hands, but he pulled back. Her breasts bounced as she shimmied to create the most friction. “Pinch my nipples. Tug them, please.” She gasped as he did so. She didn’t miss his groan.
Gaedrian molded his front to her back. Apparently he’d had enough of toying with her. He rocked against her while his hands, slick with soap and water, parted her thighs. Her cleft was hot and wet, and welcomed his fingers easily. He teased the bud of her desire before thrusting inside her. “Oh, yes,” she gasped. She wrapped her hand over his and undulated her hips into his hand.
Gaedrian rained kisses over her ears, neck and shoulders. “You have no idea how good you feel to me.”
His erection jumped behind her. She had some idea. Whimsy rubbed herself purposefully into that thick bar. With a growl, he withdrew his fingers and shifted her back for his penetration. The broad head of his penis pushed at her entrance. She moaned as he took his time entering her, stretching her sheath one inch at a time. They both groaned when he was fully seated. Her muscles seized over him involuntarily. Gaedrian growled, pulled back and slammed home again.
“I want to be gentle with you,” he whispered into her neck, his voice deep and thick with passion. His hands closed over her hips, holding her still for another hard thrust. She cried out as he glided over that sensitive spot inside her pussy. “But your pussy is so fucking perfect. I never want to pull out, but I feel like I will explode every second I am inside you.”
She reached back and filled her hands with his hair. “Please, Gaedrian. I need you.” She spread her legs wider to give him better access. Whimsy knew in that second she had finally broken whatever control he had been exerting over his lust, because he surged into her savagely.
The water churned around them as he forged deeper with each thrust. The pleasure was so intense she couldn’t think beyond it, beyond this moment of his cock possessing her pussy. She loved it and wanted it to go on forever, but it was over all too soon. Gaedrian pressed one finger against her clit. “Come for me,” he growled. “Squeeze my cock with your sweet pussy.” It was an order she couldn’t disobey. Her climax tightened her belly and spread outward until her toes were curling. Whimsy’s scream was followed by Gaedrian’s bellow. He swelled within her, shooting hot cum deep inside her walls.
Chapter Sixteen
Whimsy was hopelessly lost. She’d wanted to spend some time in the gardens again but had become distracted when she’d come upon a library. Thinking it would be nice to have reading material while in the garden, she’d lingered longer than originally intended. She found a book on Spectra history that seemed interesting. While history had never been her favorite topic, she felt it might help her understand the people’s customs.
After leaving the library she found she could not find her way to the garden. Nor could she find her way back to their rooms. Gaedrian was still occupied with his royal responsibilities. He’d promised that the two of them would go away to be alone as soon as it was possible.
With a frustrated sigh she did what she should have done to begin with, “Dark, please help me.”
“How might I assist you?”
She whipped around. He’d appeared behind her. Whimsy clutched her chest. “You could have popped up in front of me.”
He shrugged. “You were expecting me. What difference does it make?”
She decided not to argue with him. Arguing with him was futile. He always believed himself to be right. And while she came away from their confrontations ruffled, he didn’t seem in the least perturbed. “Dark, I’m lost. I was trying to find my way to the gardens.”
“Follow me.”
“I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”
His pale eyes flicked over her face for a second before he replied. “You didn’t.”
She followed him to the gardens. She had been embarrassingly close when she’d given up and called him for help. Whimsy settled herself on a bench in the sun and studied the rich brown leather cover of the book she’d chosen. Dark hovered nearby. “You can leave me,” she said.
“It is my duty to protect you when Gaedrian is not by your side.”
“Is it really so dangerous here?”
“I’m not only protecting you from others but from yourself.”
She decided to ignore the insulting nature of his comment. She was older than he. “Suppose I was in trouble and there were two or more assailants, how would you protect me?”
“I would handle it,” he said with absolute confidence.
“That’s pretty vague.”
His eyes locked with hers. The gray of his irises appeared flinty. A winter wasteland held more warmth. “I would handle it,” he repeated.
“But how?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“You would kill them?”
Dark was silent, but he did not look away. “Read your book,” he said at last.
Whimsy wet her suddenly dry lips. She recalled the time Gaedrian had summoned Dark and Chaldor had seemed upset about the decision. “When Gaedrian asked you to handle––“
“Yes,” he answered shortly.
“I hadn’t finished my question.”
“You were going to ask me if I killed those men. There was no other solution.”
“How many?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “No more than seventeen or so.”
She was appalled that he could kill so many men on his own. That he could do it and seem to have no remorse for his actions also shocked her. It saddened her to think that Gaedrian would order a child to commit murder for him.
“Gaedriana, you truly are a novelty here. You still don’t understand me and what I am.”
She took a deep breath. “I’d like some time alone. I’ll summon you if I can’t find my way back to my chambers. Thank you for helping me earlier.” He nodded and disappeared.
She covered her mouth with her hand. Things were so different here. She loved Gaedrian, but she was beginning to have her doubts that she could adjust to his way of life. On C7, her father would have found a peaceful resolution to any conflict. Barring that, violators of their laws were jailed or exiled.
Gaedrian had yet to formally propose and for the first time, she was wondering if she should accept. Would she be an appropriate mate for a ruler of such a different world?
She was so deep in thought that it was some time before she noticed the rustling coming from the tall box hedges to her left. The garden was a part of the castle, and therefore safe. However, there were no guards posted on this side due to the steep terrain. Beyond the hedges, the ground dropped off dramatically.
Thinking it was probably a lost animal, Whimsy sighed and rose. She didn’t know much about the local fauna and didn’t want to risk an injury. She was turning away as a man’s head and then shoulders popped between two of the large green shrubs. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to summon Dark, when suddenly the man spoke.
“Princess Whimsical! Thank Myrna, we found you!”
Whimsy had immediately recognized the burgundy and gold uniform as the man burst through the greenery. Emri, she later learned was the envoy’s name, led her to the royal guard cruiser sent by her father. Small and swift, the carriage hovered just beyond Gaedrian’s castle home. Emri and another guard helped her navigate the treacherously steep terrain. Once they arrived at the cruiser, she was handed up to another guard. They were vigilant in making sure they were not fol
lowed.
Upon boarding the vessel the first thing Whimsy noticed was the sleek steel and glass styling of the interior. It was the décor that could be found throughout C7. The sight made her homesick. Suddenly, she was enveloped in strong masculine arms. She withdrew, disliking the touch of any man other than Gaedrian, and found herself eye to eye with Serri. “Serri,” she gasped in surprise. “What took…”
He covered her mouth in a kiss that was far more passionate than any he had ever given her. His usual greeting was a kiss to her hand or a kiss on her cheek. She practically gagged. She shoved at his chest. She’d previously thought of Serri as having a nice figure, but compared to Gaedrian, he was practically anemic.
He released her but held her hands tightly. “Oh, Whimsy, please forgive me for being so forward. We thought we’d never find you.”
She frowned at him. If he’d come for her directly, finding her should not have been an issue. She opened her mouth to say so when he spoke again.
“It couldn’t have happened in a timelier manner. You’re gravely needed at home. Prince True was killed in an accident.”
The breath left her lungs. “What? No.” She shook her head vehemently. “It’s not possible.”
“Whimsy, you know how reckless he could be. He was racing and he lost control of his cruiser.”
She didn’t want to believe it, but she knew it was true. Her brother was full of life and fun. And yes, he sometimes liked to live dangerously. As a child, their father had often scolded True for his rash actions, but everyone knew that he was proud of his son’s bravery.
Her parents had to be devastated. Her sister Veracity was young and would be of no help. More than likely she was moping around unintentionally drawing attention to herself. She was most concerned about her mother. Queen Faith would take everything onto her shoulders. While King Raul would have to face the people and behave as though all were normal, he would not do so at home. There he would rely heavily upon the strength and compassion of his wife. Faith would take care of him and the overly dramatic Veracity.
Whimsy Page 9
