Claimed Royalty: (Crowned and Claimed Series, Book 1)

by Betty Shreffler

  Nina accepts his instruction and leaves us.

  “Better get to work. There're thousands of Anaukins waiting to see their Princess successfully complete her trials.”

  With a growl of annoyance, I settle back in the tub and reach for a sponge.

  “When we’re practicing our fights, do you let me win like you did when we were kids?”

  Arm resting on the edge of the tub, his fingers tap the frame.

  “No, when you use your speed and wits, you best me. Make sure to use that during the combat trial.”

  “Do you know how many Anaukin arms men I have to fight?”

  “I did do some recon. You’ll have a choice. Two women or one man.”

  “What should I choose?”

  “The man. It’ll make you look stronger, braver to choose a man as your opponent.”

  “Do you think I can beat him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you think the Royals will be happy with me as their Queen?”

  Touching my cheek, he caresses gently.

  “I do. Everyone adores you—even when you’re rebellious. It’s part of your charm.”

  Lifting my leg out of the water, I soap up and down, and Matheas watches contently.

  “Why don’t you want the Royals to see me naked?”

  Attention swiftly brought to my face, his eyes darken.

  “It’s a crude ritual. They just want to see how beautiful your body is. I don’t like you being treated as an ornament for their viewing.”

  “Thankfully, it doesn’t last long, and it’s only the Royal suitors.”

  “Who’ll be gawking at you, imagining what it would be like to lay with you.”

  “Too bad for them, they’ll never find out.”

  Matheas’s smile raises the corner of his mouth. “You still plan to never take a husband?”

  “Yes. You’ll be stuck protecting a virgin Queen.”

  Waving my hand over the sensor, the tub latch switches and the water drains. Standing, Matheas reaches out his hand, helping me out of the bath. He gathers a towel from the nearby stand and wraps it around me. Below my feet, the soft carpet slides between my toes. Wiggling them, I enjoy the sensation. Matheas laughs, pulls me to him, and kisses my hair.

  “I’ll let the women in to fuss over your hair and outfits. I’ll be outside. I have some calls to make.”

  “All right.”

  As he walks out, I watch his ass and enjoy the view. In a soldier’s uniform, he’s covered from head to toe in black and brown with metal lined fabric intertwined in the garments. The technology is connected to his soul band and is strong enough to deflect most weapons. Once out the door, it’s only moments before Nina and the two women join me. After choosing my outfits for the trials, they spend an uncomfortably long-time putting fancy braids and loose waves in my hair before adorning it with dainty flowers. When they reach for the makeup, I give them a warning glance.

  “Keep it subtle.”

  They follow my instructions well and barely coat my face with makeup, just enough to keep to the tradition of the trials. My first outfit is a long, white dress with a slit up my leg, revealing my muscular thigh. The front is a halter top design, the back open with a plunging V. My other two outfits are placed in a bag carried by Ria.

  “You look breathtaking,” Ria smiles genuinely.

  Pulling her in, I give her a hug.

  “Thank you for getting me prepared.”

  Turning to Alayna, she gives me a brief hug before quickly distancing herself. Noticing the change in her demeanor since the last time I hugged her, I tilt my head in curiosity, wondering the cause. Making a mental note, I decide to come back to it later.

  Nearing my bedroom door, the automated door slides open, and I step out into the hall. Matheas verbally ends his call and looks at me. Coming close, he takes my hand in his, raising it to his lips.

  “You’re stunning, Fi. No other woman compares.”

  Blushing, I raise on my toes and kiss his cheek.

  “Thank you.”

  Next to me, Alayna looks irritated. Glaring at Matheas, several emotions cross her face—anger, lust, hope. He never looks at her, and it seems to vex her even more. The body language she displays tells me she has a crush on him. Jealousy courses through me briefly. She’s free to lay with him if she pleases, and I hate her for it.

  With my hand in his, Matheas escorts me down the grand staircase. The palace is empty now that everyone has gone to the festival. They’ll shop, eat, and enjoy the light entertainment until I arrive. Outside the palace doors, my horse, Artax has a wreath of white roses around his neck along with festival paint on his hind end displaying the Anaukin emblem. It’s the same branding I bear on my left hip—a circle with a twisted tree inside and above the tree is a compass. The only difference between Artax’s paint and my tattoo is mine permanently marks me as an Anaukin soul.

  Matheas stops before Artax and puts his hands together, letting me step into them and onto Artax. Doing so, I sit like a lady with my legs off to the side as Matheas takes the reins and guides us to the festival. Behind us, Nina, Alayna, and Ria follow.

  Entering the festival, I observe the hundreds of flowers decorating the curved metal double arch. Inside, the Anaukin people stop what they’re doing, smiling and waving, hoping to catch my attention. I attempt to make eye contact and wave to as many as I can. Flowers fly through the air in front of us, making a path of white roses as Matheas leads us to the center of the festival.

  Reaching the center, I’m now in the open stadium. Helping me off my horse, Matheas follows behind as I step up to the center stage. With a thin microphone, I speak to the waiting public.

  “Thank you, citizens of Anauka for coming to view my trials. I feel blessed to be your Princess and hope at the end of my trials, I will have made you proud. I’m honored to be the future monarch of our beautiful and prosperous Anaukin territory. I promise to honor our way of life and to continue to serve you as well as my father and mother have.”

  Straight out in front of me, I can see my father, mother, and younger brother sitting under the Royal tent. With an expression of satisfaction, my father smiles at me. Raising his hand, which I know has a tiny microphone in it, he speaks to the public.

  “Let the trials begin.”

  The stadium erupts into cheers and whistles. Matheas escorts me off the stage and stays by my side as I do the customary walk around the stadium, greeting and acknowledging each Royal family in attendance. This is their opportunity to briefly introduce me to their sons who will become my suitors for the next several weeks. After introductions and schmoozing are complete, Matheas leads me out of the stadium to my preparation room. Inside, Alayna and Ria are waiting with my battle outfit. Behind me, Matheas unclasps the part of my dress around my neck, and the dress falls to my feet landing on the soft carpet. Ria hands me my pants and I slide them on. As I’m finishing, she’s already handing me the top. Matheas steps out of the way so Ria can tie the corset back. Gathering my leather jacket, Matheas helps me into it and pulls my hair out from beneath it. A light kiss feathers my cheek before he moves to face me and fastens the metal clasps on the front of my jacket.

  “Do you know who I’m fighting for the premiere trial?”

  “I don’t. They kept that information secure. My guesses are either Pollo, Demerick, or Sederick. They’re of equal age and won’t go easy on you.”

  “What weapons should I choose?”

  “Two shortswords or the trident laser gun. Both match your fighting style. Fi…”

  “Yes?”

  Matheas takes my trembling hands in his and kisses my fingers.

  “Don’t be nervous. Remember your training, stay calm, breathe, use your wits. And if it’s Demerick, he won’t hesitate to hit you in the face. He’ll show no mercy, so go for his tender spots immediately.”

  “What if I fail?”

  Nodding to Alayna and Ria, he gestures for them to leave. Once out, he lifts my chin, gently
pulling me to him. With his kiss, my body relaxes, and I forget the multitude of thoughts rushing through my mind. Raising on my toes, I move in closer, wanting more. Pulling away, he brushes his hand over my cheek, caressing me as he stares into my eyes.

  “What was that for?”

  “To distract you and calm you. You need your head clear to think about battle strategies.”

  “I’m not sure that helped. Now I’m thinking how much I want you to kiss me again.”

  Licking his lips, his cheeks swell with his smile.

  “You’re a dangerous beauty.”

  “Have I ever told you, you have a way with words?”

  “A few times. It’s part of my charm.”

  “It is. All right. I need to put my boots on and go out there. Wish me luck, I’m going to need it.”

  Sitting on a chair, I tie the laces and stand, visibly ready for battle, but inside, I’m anxious. Picking up a hair band from the vanity, I pull my loose hair into a ponytail. A few dainty flowers fall to the floor as I whip my hair through the band.

  “I’ll be able to walk you to the weapons room and to the door leading to the stadium, then you’re on your own.”

  “Good, I want you with me as long as you can be.”

  “You’re far too nervous.”

  “A lot is riding on my success. I’ll be viewed as a weak monarch if I don’t win.”

  “You’re an Anaukin warrior Princess. It’s in your blood to be strong and lead. I have complete faith in you. It’s the other guy I’m worried about.”

  A smile tugs at my lips. “That was a good pep talk. Let’s go.”

  Through the corridor, monitors reveal the outside stadium. A few additions have been added, changing the terrain into a battle zone equipped with walls, barricades, rocks, and more.

  “What happens to the soldier I beat?”

  “He gets drunk and lays with a lot of women to make up for the blow to his ego. By the next day, he’s in enough pain from his hangover, he doesn’t remember the embarrassment, and no one mentions it, ever. Not unless they want to spend the night in a healing chamber.”

  “That’s something we’ve never spoken about.”

  “What?”

  “The women you’ve laid with.”

  “It’s not something I’ve wanted to share with you.”

  “Have there been many?”

  “We can talk about the subject later tonight when you’re resting.”

  Arriving at the weapons room, our mastery of weapons, Alic, ushers me inside.

  “Princess Fiora, that was a great speech. We’re all eager to see what you have in store for us during your House’s premiere trial. Your potential opponents have selected their weapons. Would you like to know what they chose?”

  “No, it’s better I don’t.”

  “All right, Princess. Two weapons, your choice.”

  Eyes roaming over the weapons showcased on the walls and tables, I find a shortsword and slide it into the sheath sewn into my pants. Matheas watches me with interest when I don’t take the second one. Walking around the room, I find the trident laser gun and lift it off the table.

  “My choices are complete.”

  “Excellent. May your trials be successful, Princess. I’ll be cheering you on from the stands.”

  “Thank you, Alic.”

  Looking to Matheas, I await what he has to say.

  “I expected two blades or two guns. Good choice taking one of each.”

  “Best to have short and long range.”

  “It is.”

  Leaving the room, we follow the corridor farther down toward the entry room. Stepping inside, Tether, my father’s right hand, holds a bag out for me.

  “Reach in and find out who your potential opponent is, Princess.”

  Nerves bunching in my chest, I slowly lower my hand into the bag. Finding a piece of paper, I pull it out and look at the writing on it.

  “Sederick,” I say aloud.

  Matheas seems to breathe a breath of relief it wasn’t Demerick. With Tether holding out a second bag, I reach inside. Pulling out another piece of paper, I read the names aloud,

  “Carla and Rose.”

  “Which opponent do you choose, Princess?”

  “I choose Sederick.”

  With a smile revealing his approval of my decision, he closes the bag and steps to the unit on the wall. Pressing the monitor, he speaks into a speaker for the stadium to hear.

  “Princess Fiora has selected Sederick as her opponent.”

  Through the walls, I can hear the cheers and foot stomps from the stadium.

  “From here,” he points to the door behind him, “you enter the stadium. You and Sederick will be released into the stadium at the same time in different areas. Good luck, Princess.”

  Matheas takes my free hand, raises it to his lips and kisses it.

  “I’ll be in the Royal tent during your fight. I’ll return to the preparation room as soon as you’re finished.”

  Both men leave the room, and I await the light above the door to the stadium to turn green. When it does, I take a breath and step forward. The automated door slides open to a cacophony of sounds and scents. Our Anaukin cake is popular, sweet with sugar, and very aromatic. The scent is heavy in the air. Stomps of feet and chants are a chorus around me, increasing the adrenaline rushing through me.

  Attention switching to the battlefield, I observe my terrain and search for a vantage point that offers cover and a good view. Spotting one, I bolt for it, moving between boulders for cover. A laser beam contacts my leg. I feel the heat of it burn through my pants, but thankfully it doesn’t reach my skin. Peering out from behind a boulder, I catch a glimpse of Sederick ducking behind a wooden wall. It was enough for me to see he’s carrying a blaster laser gun with a dual equipped scope laser for narrowing in on small targets. Our weapons have been modified to lower the intensity. Our battles aren’t life or death, and I’m thankful. Otherwise, his blaster could burn a hole right through me.

  With him behind the wooden wall, I take the opportunity to move through the boulders in his direction. After two, I duck, stay hidden, wait, then move again. Then another two, keeping to a pattern. On the third, I switch my pattern, move once more and see the laser shoot toward the boulder I would’ve hidden behind had I stuck to the pattern. I knew he’d catch the pattern and expect me to follow it, but Matheas is an incredible trainer and taught me how to fool my assailant.

  Whipping around the boulder, I press my trigger and blast three lasers at Sederick. One hits him in the leg, burning his pants and the top layer of his skin. Trained to take an increased amount of pain, he grimaces and shoots back. The laser beam of his gun contacts my side, and I hiss in a breath from the pain, quickly hiding behind the boulder. Taking two breaths, I collect myself, then get on the move, knowing he’ll head right for me.

  Continuing in the direction of my vantage point, I run fast and hard, rolling under the wooden platform. Stairs underneath give me access to the four walls above. Setting my gun on the edge of the wall facing the direction I believe Sederick to be, I quickly find him moving behind the boulders, coming toward my vantage point. Pulling the trigger, I release three beams in his direction. The advantage of the trident laser gun is for moving targets. At least one beam has a good chance of making contact and one does. His movement slows, and he buckles, touching his stomach.

  Above me, the heat of the sun is making my protective jacket uncomfortable. It’s a risk to remove it, but with it on, I’ll overheat. Removing it, I lay it up against the wall to fake my presence once I’m gone from the wooden platform. Checking to see where Sederick is, I see him racing toward the platform. Going down the stairs isn’t an option, he’d catch me at the bottom. Moving to the opposite wall, I climb atop the edge of the wall and jump. When I land, I bend my knees, go down, and roll, alleviating the pressure on my body. On my back, I aim the gun in Sederick’s direction and blast.

  Sederick dodges the beams by jumping t
o the stairs. A beam comes toward me, and I roll away from it. Sand bursts into the air, making a cloud from his blast. He’s no longer playing nice. Up and on my feet, I run toward the wooden wall where I first saw him. The heat of a laser scorches my back and I drop to my knees. That’s my fault for taking my jacket off. Matheas will have something to say about that, I know it.

  Spitting into the sand, I try to stand, but the pain is still debilitating. Laying on my back, I aim the gun toward Sederick. Dropping to the ground, he dodges my beams. Lowering it further, I hit his shoulder and see the anger form on his face. Aiming his gun at me, he rises to his feet.

  “If you shoot, I shoot, Princess, and my gun is much more painful as you’ve already tasted.”

  “I can’t argue that.”

  Lowering mine, I place it next to me. Sederick kicks it out of reach.

  “I’m sorry for defeating my future Queen. You battled well today. Everyone will be proud.”

  “You’re right, they will be.”

  Sweeping my leg, I knock his leg out from under him, and he drops to the ground, gun flying through the air. Leaping on top of him, I pull the blade from my sheath and hold it against his throat.

  “Never assume you’ve won before the battle is over. Surrender now and I won’t punish you later.”

  With thick brown hair and our shared cerulean blue eyes, he looks up at me, a grin pulling at his thin lips. “You truly are a woman fit to rule.”

  Sederick raises his arm, giving the signal of surrender.

  CHAPTER TWO

  —

  FIORA

  Returning to my preparation room, I hear voices just above a whisper and stop when I recognize them. Matheas and Alayna are inside arguing.

  “Did I mean anything to you?”

  “This isn’t the time to discuss this.” Tone harsh, Matheas’s heavy footsteps move across the room.

  “When will it be time? You’ve avoided me long enough. I want to know. Do I mean anything to you?”

  “Alayna, I’m sorry, I don’t care for you the way you want me to.”

  “Did you think of her when you laid with me?” Her tone cuts sharp with anger. “Tell me the truth.”