"But- why?"
"How could I be happy to be bringing a bastard into this world? Knowing you will marry and another woman will bear your true heir? I'm sorry. I can't be glad about doing that to a child!"
He stood and walked across the room. He leant on the mantel, facing away from her. She braced herself. She knew that her life was forfeit if she displeased him.
"Kill me if you must but please don't punish my family for my honesty. You owe me that much."
He turned back to her, his eyes narrowed in disbelief.
"Kill you? Are you insane?"
She stood up, feeling unsteady on her feet.
"I disobeyed you. I know what the punishment is. I should not have mentioned your marriage."
He crossed the room and grabbed her tightly, slamming her into his chest.
"You stupid woman. I won't be marrying for political reasons. I'll be marrying for love."
"I don't care what you do to me. Just please, if you care for me at all, you won't make me force a child to watch their mother be your whore."
He grabbed her shoulders, spinning her. She screamed, fearing the worst.
"Be still! I'm just trying to take your collar off."
She held perfectly still while he unlatched the heavy collar from around her neck. She stood while he traced the faint impression of the collar in her skin.
"We'll get you a new one. A smaller one."
She spun to face him, outraged. He would choke her? That was to be her punishment!
He was laughing. He leaned in and kissed her.
"But this one will be for your finger."
Her eyes opened very wide.
"Will you marry me Jillian?"
She opened her mouth and closed it again, like a fish.
"Say yes, Jillian."
"Yes. Oh, yes!"
The Royal Wedding
The Prince
The Prince smiled, going through the arduous grooming procedure required for formal events without a word of complaint. Usually he squirmed and sighed during the endless shaving and polishing, but today he was preoccupied.
Today he would be married.
He grinned at his reflection. He knew he had done the right thing by releasing Jillian from her position as his pleasure slave. Her happiness alone had made it worth it.
He would miss seeing her in those outfits though... perhaps she'd wear them for him in private now and then. He wouldn't command her to do so though, he would ask.
Jillian had put him through his paces after agreeing to wed him. She'd grilled him with questions, the main one being centered upon her free will. Yes, she could refuse him and question him now. She had bit her lip adorably. He had decided not to mention that as her husband he did have certain rights. He sighed. All that mattered was that she was happy.
It was time before he knew it. He walked through the castle to the Chapel, where his parents and half the nobles in the country were waiting.
He stood at the front of the church with the Priest and waited. The minutes ticked by and he started to get nervous.
Where was she? Had she changed her mind? Perhaps he shouldn't have given her her freedom in advance. Perhaps-
The doors opened as the music began. Before him, in a dress of silver and white, was his bride.
Jillian.
She was resplendant. Her beautiful hair was caught up in ornate twists under her heavy diamond crown. Her neck sparkled with a necklace. It was the first time he'd seen her without her collar. It was the first time he'd seen her in weeks.
His mother had insisted on the separation for propriety's sake. Now that Jillian was a free woman, her rank and reputation must be considered. He had happily agreed, knowing he was getting what he ultimately wanted, sure he wouldn't mind the wait.
He had minded. A lot.
He'd spent the past two weeks craning his neck and skulking around, hoping to see her. Now he inhaled deeply, knowing it had been worth the separation.
She shone like the sun, her beauty overwhelming him. But it was the look of love in her eyes that nearly brought him to his knees.
She was here because she wanted him. Not because she had to be there. He'd given her the choice, risking everything. But he'd had to. He couldn't hurt her for one moment longer. She deserved to be free.
He smiled at the stunning creature walking towards him and held out his hand.
Jillian and the Prince
Jillian sat on the edge of the Prince's bed in her silk underthings. No, it was their bed. Her possessions had been moved out of the Sophriquette's chamber above. The Prince had sent her a message about the move, asking that she forgo having her own chambers.
She had decided immediately that his request was reasonable. But she had waited three hours to respond. She smiled. Perhaps that had been a little cruel...
The door opened and he stepped inside. He looked glorious in his formal garb. She smiled at him and stood, crossing the room to him.
He stared down at her hungrily as she slid her hands up his chest, pushing his jacket aside. He barely spoke as she undressed him, revelling in the knowledge that she wanted him Judging from the look in her eyes, she wanted him now.
"Get on the bed."
His eyes snapped open. Was she commanding him?
He grinned down at her. His bride. He decided to play along.
"Yes Princess."
She forced a stern look on her face, following him over.
"You will give me pleasure tonight."
He fluttered his eyelashes at her, laying nude on the center of the bed.
"As you wish your Highness. What would you like me to do first?"
She frowned and chewed her lip, unsure of what move to make next in their little game. He growled and pounced on her, pulling her carefully onto the bed.
"Oh!"
He grinned down at her, caressing her body. His hand lingered over the soft swell of her belly. It was just beginning to round.
"I will serve you well your Highness. For many years to come."
He lowered his head to hers and took her mouth in a drugging kiss. Her back arched, pressing her body into his. He pulled back and teasingly pulled her silk slip up her body, casting it aside.
He grinned at her wolfishly. Her eyes widened, realizing the tables had been turned.
"Starting right now."
CHAPTER ONE
Backmatter
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