The King and the Coquette

by Tilly Hart

  I held her hand as I signalled for the girls to come out. Simone's face was a picture of sheer delight as Ava and Flora ran into her legs, smothering her with tight squeezes and big kisses.

  'Oh my loves, I'd hoped you could all make it for the wedding!' Her voice was high with glee as she cuddled her little sisters.

  'You look like a princess!' Flora declared, admiring Simone's exquisite gown and jewel encrusted crown.

  'She's not like a princess, Flora, she isthe queen.' Ava nudged her younger sister and smiled.

  'You both look like princesses today too.'

  'We have another surprise for you. Do you want to tell her girls?'

  They nodded excitedly and bounced at Simone's feet. 'Daddy had said we can move here with you and see you every day!’

  Her eyes darted to my face and a warmth spread in my chest. 'It's true. I have made rooms available to your whole family, though your father and Maria will only come for a few months of the year.'

  And then she was in my arms, in a very un-royal display of affection. We'd work on that, though I can't say I didn't enjoy having her still a little unrefined. I much preferred her open affection and emotion than that of the very proper nobility I was used to. It was what made her shine.

  Falling in love had released me from my avoidance of being like my father. In some ways I could see why he reacted the way he had at my mother's death. The passion which had driven him in love had had nowhere to escape from, leaving him in a slew of violence and anger. I may feel that deep love for Simone, but I didn't think I had that violent streak in me. God willing we'd live love, happy lives until we grew wrinkled and old together.

  'Simone, meet me inside in a few minutes, I need to speak with Aurora and then I want you alone.'

  She raised her eyebrows and grinned. 'Yes your majesty, I'll be waiting.'

  I cornered my younger sister on her own.

  'Aurora, an offer has come through for your hand. Did you still want to accept a helpful marriage over a love match?'

  'Yes.' She was as stoic as ever.

  'Are you sure? To be in love is more amazing than I ever thought possible. While it is my duty to further our kingdom, if you'd rather wait I'd honour that, knowing what I know now.' I didn't want a life of mediocrity for her, I wanted her to experience the highs of having someone you love by your side. But ultimately, it was her choice.

  'I am sure, Dante. I am not like all of you, you all inherited mother and father’s passion, I don't think I did. I don't yearn for another or pine for what could be. Marry me to whoever will be decent and whoever will bring the best trade to Latania.'

  'The offer is... unusual.'

  She cocked her head to one side and waited.

  'The Kings of Lemeth are looking for a wife.'

  'Georgia isn't old enough--'

  'Not a wife each, they are looking for one wife. To share.' A sweep of emotions crossed her face, puzzlement and surprise primarily.

  'Why?'

  'It is the way they rule. The eldest son from the royal family, and the eldest son of the head of the army grow up together, taught to share everything. They believe that it makes the royal bloodline stronger by the influence of the son who comes from a long line of fierce warriors.' It was an interesting concept, but one I was glad we did not have in Latania. The thought of sharing Simone made my blood boil.

  'And why me?' Her not responding with outrage was exactly the reason, she was analytical enough to go at the unusual circumstance with her head over her heart.

  'It's not a position that everyone would desire, most are looking for far more traditional marriage. I think you have the foresight to weather it with grace. And hopefully, with two men at your side, you'd eventually find some happiness with at least one of them. I want you to have that.'

  She tapped her fingers on her hip and stared over my shoulder, rolling the thought around her head for a moment.

  'It's not a no, but how long do I have to decide?'

  'Until the end of the summer, they have requested that you come to meet them in the autumn to see if you all find each other acceptable. After your trip to see Alessandra and meet her babe, I can arrange for you to head onward to Lameth.'

  'And what does Latania gain?'

  'Lameth control the trade route to the east, they are rich in spices and silk, in gold and diamonds. They also have vast armies of exquisitely trained soldiers. They are a formidable foe, but would make a powerful ally.'

  'I will think on it.' She hugged me quickly before brushing her dress down and blushing at the outward display of emotion. 'I do not find the thought wholly unappealing...'

  She drifted back into the gathered crowds of people who stood in the sun drinking wine and eating a feast of fine food. I wasn't sure if I liked two husbands for my sister, but she was a woman grown, and the choice was hers to make, as I had made my own.

  I sought Simone and spotted her in the viewing gallery, surveying the vast tapestries which adorned one wall. She had paused before one particularly raunchy tapestry and I couldn't help the wolfish grin which stole over my lips.

  I crept slowly up to her and wrapped my arms around her, slipping one hand down the front of her gown and capturing a nipple between my fingers. She gasped most pleasingly, and I caressed her neck with my lips.

  'Enjoying the view my love?'

  'This picture, it's — Oh...' I pinched her nipple lightly, and she squirmed in my arms. 'It's, uh, most distracting.'

  It was sewn many years ago, depicting the debauched city of Avantia in Moriel. I'd spent many an hour studying is glassy-eyed as a boy. There wasn't a sexual exploit I could think of which wasn't depicted somewhere in its vast array of naked bodies.

  'Is there anything which has caught your eye?'

  She cleared her throat, and a blush warmed against my cheek as it crept up to her face. I loved how readily she blushed for me.

  'There are many things which catch my eye.' Her voice was soft and full of yearning as she spoke, and instantly I hardened behind her.

  My sweet, dirty, Simone.

  'Then we shall work our way through them all.'

  I lifted her skirts and settled my hand over her already moist folds, rubbing in slow circles as she grasped at my wrist. 'Dante. Anyone could come in.'

  'We are the king and queen, my love, they wouldn't dare.'

  Her shoulders relaxed against me as I pressed her back into my hardness and continued to tease her from behind. I kissed her silken neck as sighed happily.

  If this was happy ever after, I was all in.

  A THANK YOU

  Thank you so much for reading ‘The King and the Coquette’, The second book in my Royal Hearts Series. I hope that you enjoyed Dante and Simone’s love story. For the longest time I’ve thought of writing a love story set loosely in medieval times, but without the strict historical constraints that history often holds us too. So when the idea of setting the series in an alternate world, based upon medieval Europe took me, I felt the need to explore it.

  If you’d like to keep up with new releases, cover reveals and giveaways, please join my mailing list, facebook and instagram. I promise I won’t email you nonsense!

  Thanks a bunch,

  Tilly

  Next up?

  THE WICKED PRINCE

  He is a broken man, a shell of his former self.

  Prince Diego is being held for attempted regicide. He sought to have his brother killed and now lays broken in chains as he awaits his punishment. Diego claims a curse had blackened his heart against the king, but King Dante is desperately seeking a way to cure Diego, rather than see him beheaded for treason.

  She is desperate to help her people.

  Elliana is one of the elusive people who live in the deep forests of Myr. Dante seeks her help to avail Diego of what ails him, and she needs money to feed her starving people. When Diego and Ellania meet, a burning desire erupt between them. Will it engulf them both and bring their forbidden union to an end befor
e Ellania can help Diego, or can they weather the tense situation, and come out of it having gained more than gold and healing, gaining someone to love instead?