“Fucking is when you don’t really care about the person, or maybe it’s when you do it really hard, fast and dirty,” I explain, though I feel like an idiot explaining it to him, because I know that he knows exactly what I’m saying.
“Sex. I have never heard this. I must admit, I like the description of fucking.” He grins.
Rolling my eyes, I bring them back to meet his. “Of course you would.”
His hand wraps around my waist before he hauls me against his chest. He lowers his face, his eyes bright and shining with humor before he speaks so softly that I barely hear him.
“This fucking, hard, fast, and dirty. This is what we will do after we dine this evening. Tomorrow morning, I will make love to you, Sybilla. To end a long day, fucking you hard sounds too delightful to resist.”
“Fuck,” I breathe.
He hums. “Yes, Sybilla. Your King will fuck you.”
My entire body shivers and I think a second orgasm rolls through me at his words. I don’t know why, but the way he says it, the way the words wash through me, I want that. I want him to do just that. He is so matter of fact that it should be a turnoff, but it’s not, not in the slightest.
He’s my captor, he’s probably going to murder me at some point.
He’s delusional and he thinks I’m a witch, but damn, the man is sexy and good.
He’s so good. And like the glutton that I am—I want more.
I. Want. So. Much. More.
ELIAS
It’s as if I’m possessed by this siren. Her voice, her face, her deep golden hair. It’s her body, that is what has me bewitched. Leaving her alone in my chamber, calling for the three maids that I’ve assigned to her, is the wrong move.
I have tarnished her reputation, there is no way around it. Tongues will wag, undoubtedly. If she is, like she says from another land which it seems that she is, then she will not mind, nor care if she is the topic of gossip.
However, it isn’t very gentlemanly of me to tarnish her this way, but I cannot seem to find the scruples inside of me to give a gods damn. Leaving her in naught but her chemise, I make my way toward my chancery.
The hallways are quiet, a little too quiet and I know that the servants are more than likely spreading the news, and gossip, of Sybilla throughout the house and more than likely the kingdom.
Cornwall is standing next to the chancery door, his head tipped down, his face turned to the side and his angry gaze focused on me as I make my way toward him. Briskly, I walk past him, my shoulder brushing his as I head directly for my leather chair behind my desk.
“Your Majesty, I request an audience,” he formally, yet apprehensively, requests for the second time today.
Closing my eyes for a moment, my postcoital calm completely vanishing. “Speak freely Cornwall, for I do not have the patience or inclination to deal with formalities for the rest of this day,” I sigh.
He clears his throat, closing the door behind him, slowly slipping one of his hands into the pocket of his tunic as he shifts from side to side in front of my desk. “It is about Aleida, the witch,” he whispers as if he’s speaking a curse.
“Yes, I have spoken with her. She lies in the dungeon for the time being, speak your concerns, Cornwall.”
“Your father, Your Highness, he did not care for the witch.”
“But my mother did,” I finish, wondering what point he’s trying to make with this conversation.
Cornwall nods his head. “Your mother cared deeply for her, Your Highness. Once she was revered in this land, she was treasured. I would like to see her position reinstated.”
I’m unable to hide my surprise at Cornwall’s request. Leaning back, I look at him, really look at him. My eyes scan him from the floor to his face, taking in every inch of the man.
“What does she mean to you, Cornwall?”
He continues to shift from foot to foot, side to side, obviously very nervous to admit exactly who this woman is and I am intrigued. He closes his eyes, inhaling a deep breath before reopening them and lifting them to meet my own gaze.
“She is a powerful witch, Your Majesty, she is also my mother.”
I am, fortunately, a master at hiding my expressions. These words shock me, though I do not show my surprise. Lifting a brow, I cup my chin and move my hand along my jawline, feeling the whiskers there as I think about what I will say next. Merek enters the room, he doesn’t speak, nor do I greet him as I continue to take in Cornwall.
“How loyal were you to my father?”
Cornwall flinches and it’s then, for the first time, that I wonder if I can indeed trust this man. “I upheld the position in which I was asked to do so, Your Majesty. Though, I must admit that I did not always agree with his policies.”
Nodding, I lean back in my chair, my gaze never leaving his. “For the moment, since I’ve just learned of her existence only this day, she is in a cell. Though, I must admit I have had every intention of keeping her comfortable during her stay.
“As soon as I know more about this new witch that has appeared, and what your mother can discover about her, then she will be allowed to reside in the castle, comfortably in her own chambers.”
Cornwall’s head jerks, his eyes widening in surprise. “You are a gracious and just king, Your Highness.”
I snort, unable to hold the laugh inside. “You may visit her as you wish, Cornwall,” I say, lifting my hand and waving him off.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” he says with a flourished bow then before I can excuse him, he hurries off, no doubt to visit his mother, Aleida, the witch.
“We need to talk,” Merek booms as soon as Cornwell is gone.
Crossing my hands on the top of my scarred wooden desk, I lace my fingers and lift my chin, waiting for his words.
“First, the Queen’s chambers, then your own. Are you mad?” he demands.
My lips twitch as I look at my old friend, my cousin, my brother. The gossip did not take long to make its rounds and I should be worried about the reputation that I am setting up for Sybilla, but I enjoyed her too much to overly care.
“I feel as though I am, indeed, mad.”
“Explain this, what has happened in the mere hours I have left you?”
Clearing my throat, I stand, turning my back to him and walk over to the window. I stare at the Elephant birds that roam the grounds, animals that Sybilla has never seen before. Birds that are in great abundance here, and in the neighboring countries.
“She is not of this land, Merek. She has never seen an Elephant Bird, in fact, she panicked when she looked out this window. She passed out, cold. I had to loosen her ribbons just so that she could catch her breath again.
“She uses words and expressions that I have never encountered before. She speaks of lands named Portland, Oregon, and United States. All of these insane words and phrases aside, I am drawn to her, cousin. Drawn to her like no other I have ever met.”
Merek stays silent, he does this for so long that I have no choice but to turn around and look at him. Tilting my head to the side, I arch a brow and wait for him to speak.
“Do you think that she could hold magic that is so strong that it is not breakable by Aleida’s powers?” he asks.
Pressing my lips together, I lean back against the wall. “It’s possible, cousin. It’s probable. And yet, I do not sense she is the conniving sort.”
“Perhaps she only shows you what she wants you to see. Perhaps she hides her true self from you.”
I still at his words. He could be correct. I debate telling him, but decide that he must know. “She used her mouth on me, cousin. Never… a lady?” I shake my head before I continue. “Never has a maid offered that, not unless visiting a frauenhaus and even then, you know as I do, that not every woman performs this.”
Merek clears his throat, taking a step back, most likely in surprise. “This she offered, cousin?”
“Freely, Merek.”
He frowns, his eyes searching mine.
“We n
eed another witch, maybe one more powerful than Aleida, just to ensure that this woman, is indeed, human. I have heard tales of a woman of the crystal with extreme powers in Kelna.
“Also, find a geographer. I want to know if anyone has heard of these places she’s mentioned. I am very intrigued by her, extremely so.”
Merek chuckles, his lips turning up into a smirk. “I bet you are.”
“She joins us for sup, you’ll not mention this conversation.”
“Indeed, I will not.” He grins.
“Rowan and Henry will guard her until I feel she is not here with ill-intent.”
“And you will guard her evenings, I assume?”
It’s my turn to smirk. “I will. Though, I must admit with how drawn I am to her, it will be naught but my pleasure to entertain her.”
Merek and I both chuckle before I dismiss him to find not only a geographer, but also a powerful witch, in the neighboring town, only half a day’s ride from Aerilon. He’ll be back by the morrow, hopefully with the witch at his back.
Whoever and whatever this Sybilla is, I want it discovered. I will not be my father and make the same mistakes, being a traitor to my people for my own selfish gains. I am a knight, a warrior, and naught has, nor ever will, best me.
Chapter Six
SYBILLA
Jasmine enters a few moments after Elias has left me in nothing but the paper-thin undergarment in the middle of his bed. To her credit, Jasmine doesn’t show even an ounce of surprise at the way that I’ve been found.
Instead, she snaps her fingers to the other women and they begin to put me all back together again. My breath hitches as they tighten the dress and I debate asking them some questions, and decide to just go ahead and ask.
“Whose dress is this?”
Jasmine freezes behind me. Ellyn makes a noise in the back of her throat, at the same time Katrina’s hands freeze in my hair. None of them answer me and it causes my heart rate to pick up and my body starts to feel hot.
I’m imagining it’s the woman who was kidnapped before me and Elias probably killed her or something, needless to say, my imagination runs completely wild as they freeze without saying a single damn word.
“Girls?” I whisper.
Jasmine, as obviously the woman in charge, is the first to snap herself out of her shock. She jerks her body, her eyes lifting to mine in the small mirror’s reflection.
“This was the dress, as are the others that have been placed in the Queen’s quarters, of the previous king’s paramour.”
Blinking, it takes me a moment to register the word that she’s just used. “Do you mean his mistress?” I hiss.
Jasmine’s eyes shift to the side, then come back to meet mine. “Yes, madam.”
“But not Elias’?”
Ellyn is the one who answers me. “Oh no, Miss Sybilla. King Elias is not the same sort as his father. Well… at least we didn’t think he was.” She realizes her words and immediately lifts her hand to cover her gasp.
Pressing my lips together, I realize that she thinks of me as the same. As some kind of mistress and I bite the inside of my cheek.
“Is Elias married?” I almost demand.
“Nay, madam, he is not. Ellyn has spoken out of turn. I can have her whipped if you would like,” Jasmine offers, her face appears as though she would like anything but that to happen.
Shaking my head, I release my pressed lips. “No, I would not like that. I wish that the three of you would please speak candidly with me. I don’t know anyone here. I also don’t know the rules, what’s normal and what isn’t. I’m completely lost,” I admit on a whisper.
Even if this is some kind of cosplay kidnapping thing, no matter how I got here, I am indeed completely lost.
“Will you do that for me, please?” I ask, pleading, almost begging.
Jasmine looks from one woman to the other, they both look at her and then something passes between them. They all three turn to me, their gazes finding mine in the small reflection.
“We can do that, madam,” Jasmine murmurs.
“What was his father like and how does Elias differ, why do you think that he could share some attributes?” I ramble.
My hair is finished, I’m in my dress, and all three women step back from me so I take the opportunity to stand and turn to face them.
Katrina is wringing her fingers together in front of her lap. Ellyn is frowning as she stares at the stone flooring and Jasmine’s eyes have shifted from me and are looking out of the window.
“Well he, um, that is to say that King Elias’ father, he well…” Katrina stumbles.
“He was nothing short of a cad, madam,” Jasmine states abruptly. “He kept his paramour while his wife was sick, then moved her into the Queen’s chambers the day after her passing. King Elias was a small boy at the time. The paramour took over the Queen’s duties and yet he never married her.”
“How awful for Elias,” I breathe.
The three women dip their chins in matching nods. “There was no love lost between the men. Elias left at the age of ten to train and only came home when demanded by his father. Otherwise he spent his time as he saw fit, as a warrior,” Jasmine continues.
“As a revered knight,” Ellyn chimes in. “The best in the land.”
I know now where he received the scar on his face, in battle, and something about that makes my stomach clench. I don’t know if it’s all real, but the man that held me in his arms, he was almost sweet.
To imagine that he is some hardened warrior, it does something to me. It makes me feel, and I’m not sure that I want to feel any of these emotions for him.
“We’ve said too much,” Jasmine snaps.
Reaching for her, I take her hand in mine and give it a small squeeze. “No, please,” I beg. “I don’t know anybody. I’m scared,” I admit.
I can feel the pity pouring off of all three women and I should hate it, but I don’t. I am so terrified that I’ll gladly take their pity. Jasmine lifts her opposite hand and covers mine with it, her finger squeezing me gently.
“Elias is not his father, you have no need to be frightened, milady,” she murmurs. “We have other chores to see to. When it is time for dinner one of us, or one of his men will collect you.”
“What do I do until then?” I ask.
Jasmine’s brows rise and she shrugs a shoulder. “I do not know, milady, as I’ve never had the luxury of being a king’s guest.”
Without another word, all three women curtsy and turn away from me, leaving me alone, yet again. Turning away from the door, as soon as they close it behind them, I try to make my way to the window again.
I don’t know what I expect to see when I arrive, but I’m still as surprised as I was the first time that my eyes take in the bright-blue leaves of the trees in the distance.
Something is really wrong here, but maybe it’s exactly as Elias has been saying, maybe he’s not some cosplay guy that’s lost his mind, perhaps I am in some different world.
But how?
I stay staring out the window, watching the people walk around in the glittering snow as they do whatever it is they’re doing.
There are horses, carriages, those weird birds, along with people dressed like every other movie I’ve seen of medieval times. Women are in long brown and dark-colored dresses. Men are in tights much like Elias and his men, but instead of thick, deep-colored, long tunics, they have drab colored ones that match the women’s dresses.
After taking in my surroundings, I can tell that there is a stark difference between the rich and what I assume are, peasants.
There doesn’t seem to be much of a middle class. Maybe I’m just not seeing enough of the area. I decide not to hold any type of judgment, not until I’ve seen more of this… land.
“Milady, it is time for sup,” a deep voice calls out.
My spine straightens and I slowly turn around to see the door creaked open and one of the two hot guy soldiers from earlier peeking his head in. His eye
s are on me, but they are searching my face. His brows knit together in a frown as he watches me.
“Okay.” I nod as I begin to make my way toward him.
Without a word, the men flank me as I’m guided toward a dining room.
ELIAS
Merek walks into the dining room, his eyes focused on me. “The geographer has been found and he is researching the names of the lands that you mentioned to me. Though, he did not look as if he recognized any of them.”
Nodding my head, I lean back in my chair slightly, thinking. I’ve been doing naught but thinking this entire afternoon. After supper, I plan on making another visit to Aleida to see if she has conjured up any information for me. Other than that, there is naught all I can do but wait for news from Kelna.
“You leave for Kelna in the morning?” I ask.
“Sunrise,” he says with a dip of his chin.
Nodding, my body jerks when I hear Rowan clear his throat. Shifting my gaze from Merek to the entrance of the dining room, my breath is stolen from me at the sight of Sybilla. She’s wearing the same dress as earlier. It is a few sizes too small, her breasts spilling from the top, but she is a vision in the colors of my coat of arms.
Standing, I hear Merek do the same as Rowan and Henry guide her toward the chair at my side. “Good evening, Sybilla,” I say softly, lifting her hand to my lips as I bow slightly.
Tasting the skin of her knuckle, I hold back the groan at her scent. I want naught more than to be inside of her again, the moment cannot come soon enough.
“Good evening, Elias,” she breathes.
“Officially, this is my cousin, Merek,” I introduce.
Lifting my hand and waving toward Merek. He bows slightly and to her credit, Sybilla dips into a small curtsy, bowing her head toward him.
The three of us take our seats, Rowan and Henry do as well toward the end of the table, giving us our privacy if we need it, which I think that the three of us do about now. Clearing my throat, I lift my hand toward my butler, signaling that it is time for the first course, I’m starving.
Bride of the Traitor: A Prophecy of Sisters Novel Page 5
