by Genia Avers
She sat straight up and covered her mouth. She’d bitten him.
Mother of Bockle. She’d bitten him.
And he’d seen her ears.
Flopping back against the pillow, she pounded her fists into the mattress. She’d shamed her people. And herself.
She wondered for the thousandth time, why did she have pointed ears? Her people had evolved—they weren’t nasty sprites who practiced evil. Except Uncle Eustin, no Mydrian had sported anything but round ears for centuries.
She placed her hands beneath her hair. The points were back. Calling upon her ancient magic, she cast the spell to hide them. It didn’t work.
Bockle. She couldn’t let her mother see the pointed horrors. Instead of being a heroine, she’d be reviled in Mydrias.
Crap. Kamber would talk. The piece of dung had been so elated that she’d gone primitive, he’d actually laughed about her ears. Out loud. And instead of delivering a well deserved insult, she’d acted like a floozy. Her body flamed with renewed awkwardness as she remembered her brazen behavior.
Every part of her hurt, but one look or one touch would turn her into a whimpering sex slave again. The only way she could ensure there would be no encore was to put some distance between her and her new spouse.
Thank goodness the big imbecile was gone. Where was he anyway?
Something nagged at her brain. What?
She tried to isolate the evasive thought, but her mind splintered into a thousand directions. The last time Kamber entered her body, her senses had leaped over the crest into paradise. She’d clung to him and screamed, stopping just short of calling his name. There was something important about that moment—something other than it being the most beautiful sensation she’d ever experienced.
What? She couldn’t isolate the memory her subconscious wanted her to see.
She got out of bed and paced, ignoring the sore muscles and her nudity. She knew what she needed to remember. During her planet-spinning climax, she’d seen it. It was at that moment she noticed the birthmark on his chest. Small. Very small. And shaped like a jagged diamond.
“Not possible.” He could not be the one.
Nothing good ever came from her visions. She picked up a book from the night table and hurled it into the bureau.
The door flew open. She yanked her hair over her ears and lifted her chin. Subena whirled, ready to snap at Kamber.
Instead of confronting her husband’s glorious body, Subena stared at her mother. Great. Just elvin great.
“What was that racket?” Annika asked.
Subena wrapped her body in the sheet and started the search for her clothing.
“Never mind the racket, you must hurry, Bena. The caravan is waiting for you.” The empress stopped dead in her tracks. “Oh great Bockle!”
Subena looked at the bed, feeling her body blush so hot her skin burned. The covers looked like fighting ferrets nested in the mattress. Feathers floated from one comforter when she moved and covered most of the bed. One sheet was ripped and at least two pillows were missing. “Eh, sorry. I’ll get some new bedding.”
She wondered if she looked as sheepish as she felt. She chanced a glance at her mother but Annika didn’t look at the bed. The empress stared at the wall.
Following her gaze, Subena gasped. She didn’t remember what color the room had been, but she did remember a solid hue. In the glimmer of the morning light, the room shimmered. More brilliant than the Sun-Star. A fresco of a water scene enhanced the area above the bed and the remaining walls looked like a vat of precious jewels had exploded, creating the most beautiful abstract she’d ever imagined.
Had Kamber painted the room for her? He must have some amazing magic to finish the painting in so little time. They’d been awake—and otherwise occupied—until past dawn.
“Oh my lord,” Annika whispered.
“Don’t be mad, Mom. I’ll get it repainted.” Subena stared at the walls again, hoping her mother would let the color remain. “The room looks rather nice, though.” What an understatement. Beautiful, stunning, stupendous were more apt descriptions.
Annika stared at her, eyes wide. “You don’t understand, do you?”
“Understand what?”
The empress shook her head. “Never mind. This is just...unexpected. That’s all.” Suddenly, tears streamed down Annika’s cheeks. “Oh, sweetness.”
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
The empress shook her head again. “Nothing. I just fear you’ll never return.”
“What? Why?”
Annika continued to stare at the vibrant walls. “I’m guessing you had a good night.”
“Mother.” Subena felt another blush all the way down to her toes. Gads. She felt wanton enough without her mother asking for details.
The empress laughed heartily. Subena’s reddish hue darkened.
“There’s nothing wrong with pleasure, luv. Even with a creature like him. His physical body’s quite glorious.”
Subena wanted to crawl back under the sheet. And never come out.
Her mother placed the garments she carried on the bed but suddenly clutched the clothing against her chest. Her gaze flicked across the room before settling on the rumpled covers. After a heavy sigh, the empress laid a velvet gown across a nearby chair. “A gift from your prince, daughter. I hate to admit it, but the fabrics are exquisite.”
Subena grumbled. Despite their lofty ideals, Mydrians could be seduced with well woven cloth.
The bodice was made of the softest orchid velvet; amethyst jewels surrounded a princess neckline. More jewels embellished the dropped waist and a deep purple skirt fell in silken folds. The fabric felt as if it would melt in her hand. The gown was a work of art.
She jerked her hand away. She didn’t want anything belonging to Kamber to touch her skin. The man controlled too much of her body already. “I’d rather not wear it.”
“Subena.” Her mother’s normally serene face furrowed at the brow. “Don’t be childish. Why would you refuse a beautiful dress?”
“Because I…” She stopped just short of saying she hated Kamber. Nothing childish about that remark. Worse, it wasn’t true. She hated that he made her lose control. “I’d just rather not wear the gown, okay?”
The empress whitened and made a croaking noise. She sat down on the bed and wrapped her arms around her daughter. “Sweetie, I’m sorry. I thought…well, I thought…did he hurt you?”
“No.”
Her mother leaned back to look at her face. The scrutiny made Subena feel worse. “Did he force you?”
“No.” Subena curled and uncurled her fists.
How could she explain? She’d experienced the single most amazing pleasure imaginable but she wished it had never happened. The logic sounded deranged.
Kamber might’ve been the man of her dreams in the dimly lit room, but in the light of the Sun-Star, he was still an ass. And he probably still thought she was a frigid lump of coal.
She tried to brush her mother’s question aside. “He didn’t force me. I just don’t like him.”
“I see.”
Her mother clearly did not see. She disliked the smug expression. The empress thought sex could solve anything.
She started to protest but her mother spoke first. “Sweetie, don’t despair. You don’t have to go to Gatsle if you don’t want to. I think…I think Rothart might just give us the quartz anyway. Did you notice that none of the Gatslians wore crystals?”
She had. The observation had piqued her curiosity, making her determined to understand the reasons.
Still, her mother’s suggestion to remain in Mydrias was oh so tempting. But she was no quitter. She’d made a commitment and intended to stay the entire year. But not a day more.
And she just didn’t intend to have a repeat performance of her wedding night. Ever.
“I’m going to Gatsle.”
Her mother studied her for a few seconds before she nodded. “All right, but if you plan to go to Gatsle today, yo
u’d best hurry. Oh.” Her mother paused and looked over her shoulder. “That silly priest is here. Said he wants to say goodbye to you. I can’t believe he had the nerve to show his face after standing us up on your wedding day.”
“What happened to him?”
“They found him passed out near the Rosetta Garden. Silly man said he’d been drugged. I suppose he was too stupid to remove the empty ale bottle from his cloak.” The empress shook her head and hurried from the room.
“Mother, wait.” Annika had already gone. “Father Hisem doesn’t drink,” she said to no one in particular.
* * * *
Kamber watched Subena walk down the steps—gliding was a more apt description for her movement. He had to look at his feet to keep from staring. A fat braid restrained the hair that had ensnared his fingers during the night, but tendrils escaped around her face. It seemed even her own hair could not resist the urge to touch her. Too bad her ears were rounded.
He grinned. He’d fix that.
His gaze went lower and he forgot about her ears. The purple gown trimmed with jewels his mother had selected fit perfectly. Modest by Gatsle standards, the dress revealed too much of her breasts and clung too enticingly to her hips. He barely resisted the urge to take her back to the room and ravish her again.
He turned to tell Remington to take charge of his mount, but his old pal gaped at Subena.
Damnation. His new bride would have to wear her own clothes—the Gatslian dress he’d brought revealed too much. He flung the reins at Remington.
“Close your mouth.” His friend ignored him and stepped forward to offer his arm to Subena.
“Thank you.” She smiled at the giant, ignoring Kamber completely. He felt like a cold breeze had blown through his ears and frozen his brain.
What’s bitten her on the butt?
Best if he didn’t think about her butt. After last night, he’d hoped she’d be more pliable but damned if she didn’t seem even more distant than she had during the wedding banquet.
She leaned forward and hissed in his ear. “If you mention my ears, I’ll drive a hot poker through your balls.”
His jaw twitched, but he contained his grin. Unlike Rekita’s harridan antics, Subena’s temper enticed him.
She swept past, still holding Remington’s arm. The smile she flashed at the big guy would make honey seem sour. “What a beautiful creature,” she purred, rubbing her slender hand over Pollo’s head.
He’d heard she was an excellent rider but doubted the poor creatures he’d seen in the Mydrian stables could even manage a trot. Maybe if he let her ride a real equestor, she’d thaw a bit. Hell, he’d give her his steed if she’d smile at him like that.
He started to make the offer when he remembered the romp they had in the honeymoon bed. No, riding might not be a good idea. Not today. The memory made his pants feel tighter.
His princess glared at him, almost as if she’d heard his thoughts. He longed to pull her into his arms and kiss her hand.
A tall man bowed before her, marring his fantasy. “Dear Subena,” the buffoon said. “I am at your service.”
Kamber snapped, “Who are you?”
The man ignored him and continued to stare at his wife. Subena’s expression of pleasure fueled more anger.
“Taslin, why are you here?” she asked. His wife didn’t seem displeased.
He watched his new bride closely as the sinister man replied, “I am to be your escort, my lady.”
“What about your fiancée?” Subena asked, lowering her gaze. Did his wife flirt with the creep? Kamber cleared his throat.
“Forgive me,” she said. “Duke Taslin, allow me to present Kamber, Prince of Gatsle. Taslin is resident of Reklaw, but he’s a frequent visitor to Mydrias and a dear family friend.”
I’ll just bet he is. Kamber smiled, gritting his teeth beneath his faux friendliness. His new wife was no doubt well versed in protocol. She knew a duke should be presented to a prince, not the other way around. He’d never been concerned about matters of etiquette and was equally sure he wouldn’t care about any other introduction. He’d formed an instant dislike for the scoundrel.
“A pleasure.” Kamber cut off the Duke’s response. “The guard escorting us to Gatsle is the most elite on the planet. I assure you, my wife requires no additional escort.”
“I could not agree more, Prince.” The duke made his title into a slur. “My little minister can indeed take care of herself. However, Annika insisted, and I’ve always found the empress to be an unmovable force.”
Kamber wanted to remove the grin from the duke’s face. Taslin turned his back to him, facing Subena. “To answer your question, Bena, I have no fiancée since I’ve lost you.”
My little minister? Bena? Kamber raged at the familiarity.
Kamber spotted the empress walking toward them and stifled his harsh retort. Annika had tears streaming down her face. He wouldn’t make Subena’s departure more difficult for the empress by protesting something as petty as an escort. He’d take care of the scalawag later.
He pivoted, positioning himself between Annika and Taslin. “Subena, we must go. I’m sure you wish to say goodbye to your mother and sisters.”
She hesitated long enough to glare at him before hurrying to her mother’s side. Annika clutched her daughter, sobbing as if her daughter were going to the gallows instead of Gatsle. After several seconds, the quiet weeping got to him. He had to get away. “I’m sorry, Empress. We must depart.”
Great. He sounded like an even bigger ass.
Subena pulled out of her mother’s embrace and flashed him a look that made him want to crawl under the carriage. Gads. Would he ever do anything right in her eyes? Outside the bedroom anyway?
After hugging her sisters, Subena rolled back her shoulders and walked past him. The tears streaming down her face caressed her skin like tender diamonds. Even in sadness, her beauty stunned him.
Without a word, she climbed into the carriage. Kamber reached for the empress’s hand but she pushed his arm aside and embraced him. The twins clung to him so tightly he thought he might topple over from the force of their affection.
His throat constricted. “I’m sorry we have to leave. The borders are treacherous and we must pass them before nightfall. I hope you’ll visit as soon as it’s safe.”
Kamber climbed into the carriage, completely ignoring the duke, and put his arm around Subena. She stiffened and leaned forward to avoid his touch.
When the carriage door closed, he whispered in her ear, “Whatever issues you have with me, pretend we’re the happy couple for your family’s sake. And for the crowds that have gathered at the gate to wish you farewell. I hope you can keep the bug that’s crawled up your beautiful little arse from stinging your admirers.”
He regretted his words as soon as he’d uttered them.
Chapter Thirteen
“I’m sorry.” Kamber said, meaning it.
“I know,” Subena replied.
He closed his mouth—his only option. Unless sex was involved, his wife brought out the worst in him.
Sex was involved. Remembering the night, he sighed. He hoped her icy countenance didn’t preclude a repeat session. He gazed at her breast, barely hidden beneath her velvet bodice. Before he realized what he was doing, he ran a finger down the cleavage.
She slapped his hand away. “Don’t.”
Cheering erupted outside the carriage. Seeing a way to avoid her withering tongue, Kamber grabbed her hand and raised it. “Wave!”
He hadn’t meant to sound domineering. She surprised him when she acquiesced.
“I can’t believe they came to see me off.”
“Why wouldn’t they?”
Kamber stared at her, amazed that she seemed genuinely surprised. He made a note to explore the source of her insecurity. Later.
When the carriage moved past the crowds, the dazed look left her face. She slugged him with more force than a female her size should have. He resisted the urge to ru
b his arm. He also resisted the urge to twist her arm behind her back and kiss her senseless.
“What did you do that for? I said I was sorry.”
“I have a multitude of reasons.”
Maybe he deserved that. He had been a bit of a cad. Of course, she’d have heard about his reputation. He should have wooed her, seduced her. Her body had been willing but her mind hadn’t. If he’d had an ounce of sense, he’d have noticed that last night.
What was he saying? No sane man would have been able to talk after seeing her in that skimpy nightgown.
He needed to make things right, but he was in unfamiliar territory. He specialized in the clean getaway, so he reacted from instinct and retreated to the opposite side of the carriage. He stared out the window, past the mass of fern green foliage to the distant mountains. There had to be some way to make peace with his new bride. When he turned to talk, Subena was asleep.
Not a hint of a snore escaped her luscious lips and her face looked so peaceful she could easily be mistaken for an angel. Had he not watched her sleep the night before, he would suspect she faked her slumber. As gently as he could, he lowered her upper body onto the seat and placed his cloak underneath her head.
After several kilometers, she sat up. Kamber hurried his words. “It’s going to be a long ride. Can we declare a truce? Please.”
Distrust flashed in her silvery eyes. His charm had never failed with any female before, especially when he was sincere. And he was very sincere.
“Look,” he said, wishing he had a more eloquent opening. “I’ve never lied to you. I suspect we’re both incapable of lying.” The truth of his statement surprised him, but he needed to address the current situation before pondering the meaning. “I mean it when I say I want to start over.”
“Do you?” She didn’t look like she believed him, but how could he tell? He knew so little about her.
“I do. I know you love your country as I love mine. Let’s make this marriage work so the treaty can work.”
When her face softened, he pushed his advantage. “I’d like to give you a real wedding gift. Would you like a necklace to match the dress you wear so beautifully?”
