Page 54

The morning sun bursts through the windows of my chamber and I stretch languorously along the silken sheets of my bed.

The prince murmurs appreciatively behind me as my naked curves connect like flashpoints to his flesh.

The palm of his hand travels eagerly from my thigh, over my hip, into the curve of my waist and up to my breast where his fingers curl around it in a proprietary grip.

“Mmmm…” he growls into my shoulder, “good morning wife, how do you fare this fine morning?”

I place my fingers over his and release a contented sigh.

My body still feels the effects of our vigorous lovemaking from the night before and there’s no doubt our union is well and truly sealed.

However, as I feel his manhood grow and harden against my buttocks, that doesn’t mean we couldn’t seal it a little bit more.

I turn my head and kiss him. “I fare well, my husband,” I reply as I reach down and stroke him. “However, I feel our marriage is not yet thoroughly sealed.”

He laughs into my shoulder as the fingers of his other hand move to my womanhood. “I fear I’ve created a monster,” he whispers into my ear as his fingers start their dangerous caress. “Perhaps, I need to go a little deeper,” he growls as he pulls my buttocks against his manhood.

“Kneel for me,” he demands as he positions himself behind me.

A frisson of excitement pulses through me at the commanding tone of his voice and the possibility of what he has planned.

I kneel and my core burns with liquid heat as his hand trails seductively from my shoulder, along my spine and over my buttocks.

Then both his hands come around and caress my breasts.

I moan with need as he places kisses of fire along my spine.

“Place your head on your pillow,” he commands, and I immediately do as he asks, excitement and desire fusing deliciously together in my veins.

He pulls my buttocks higher and towards him as the fingers of his right hand leave my breast and start a slow massage of that tight bud of desire at the apex of my womanhood.

I writhe with need, but he places both his hands on my buttocks and stills me before plunging into me.

Before I can register what is happening, he withdraws and plunges into me again, so deep I feel him press against my core and it tips me over yet another edge I didn’t know I had.

He plunges into me over and over again, faster and harder, and I lift my buttocks to meet him, lost in a frenzy of need.

An overwhelming pressure builds inside me and I move faster, keeping up with him as he rides me with unbridled passion.

His seed bursts forth from him as he roars my name and as I feel it fill me I let out a cry of my own before collapsing back onto my pillow.

He falls onto the pillow beside me and enfolds me gently into his arms. “It brings me great joy to see you embracing your sexual side with such enthusiasm,” he says in a low voice.

“My sexual side is bringing me quite a lot of joy.” I chuckle as I relish the feel of his naked flesh pressed upon my own.

He doesn’t reply and even though he seems content to lie here in the early morning light and hold me in his arms, I get the feeling he’s thinking about something.

My suspicions are confirmed when he next speaks.

“Back in that strange place, the night you were looking for me with Barra and Aaran, something happened between you and them, didn’t it? ”

My breath catches in my throat at his question and I have no idea how to reply.

He maneuvers me in his arms and turns me to face him.

“Elinor, remember we said we had honesty between us? It’s important to preserve that.

I know something happened. It’s fine. You can tell me.

They’re good men and I encouraged you to embrace your awakening.

” He stops and looks deeply into my eyes, searching for an answer.

Seeking the truth. He smiles a gentle smile.

“And I still do. They’re two of the finest men I know.

You know my story now and you’ve seen firsthand how broken I am.

It’s going to take some time before I’m fully present for you.

Fulfil your desires with Aaran and Barra.

Lean on them and draw strength from them, especially when I’m absent from you. ”

He averts his eyes then as it’s obvious he is yet again overcome with shame from his breakdown the other night.

I tighten my embrace, glad of the reprieve from his gaze.

“Yes, something happened,” I admit in a hoarse whisper, “and I enjoyed it, but I’m not accustomed to these types of relationships.

Hell, I’m not accustomed to any kind of relationship and I’m confused and unsure as to how to navigate it all. ”

He lets out a soft laugh. “Don’t try and rationalise it, Elinor.

Passion and desire don’t play by the rules.

Go with the flow. Embrace your power and your needs.

” He places a soft kiss on my forehead. “Perhaps one day our feelings for each other will deepen to the extent it will just be you and me. Perhaps you’ll always want the three of us.

Who knows? What I do know is to deny your desires now, during your awakening, will only intensify them down the line.

I prefer you get whatever you need out of your system now than at some point in the future when there is the distinct possibility I will feel more deeply for you. ”

I place the palm of my hand on the side of his face and caress his chiseled features.

I’m just about to respond to his words when I hear a noise in my outer chamber and realise the secret door to the passageway leading to the Khaleeni camp is opening.

Only one person is allowed unannounced access to my chambers and she wouldn’t be calling on me this morning unless it was something urgent.

I pull my chambergown around me and make my way to the outer chamber where I find Kes waiting for me.

“My Queen, sincerest apologies,” she declares in a tense voice.

“I would not disturb you, especially this morning of all mornings, but I’m afraid I need to ask you to come with me.

We have a bit of a situation back at camp that needs your attention. ”

I can see from her demeanour something is wrong. “Of course, Kes,” I reply. “I’ll just get dressed and be with you presently.”

She nods. “Good.” Then she looks beyond me to the bedchamber. “But you must come alone.”

I nod as I turn to make my way to my dressing room. “Fine. I understand.”

I’m ready as the first morning bell begins to chime in the Great Cathedral and I bend down to kiss the prince, my husband, farewell. “Are you sure you don’t need me to accompany you?” he asks.

“I’m sure,” I reply with a smile. “It’s simply Khaleeni business. You just need to get your handsome backside out of my bed before my chambermaids arrive. I think they might never recover from the shock of finding such a fine specimen as you naked in my bed.”

He chuckles. “I kind of like the idea of shocking a few chambermaids. It would make for a rather fun start to the day.”

I affect a false frown. “You can have that type of fun as much as you like once our marriage has been announced,” I chide him, “but until then you need to keep a low profile.”

He leans up and places a swift kiss on my lips. “Go and attend to your business, I shall see you later.”

***

The scene that awaits me back at the Khaleeni camp is one I can hardly believe.

Aaran is in the centre of the practice arena and six Khaleeni surround him, their spears drawn and pointed at his chest. Kes explained on our way here that he had been discovered in the armory, helping himself to a number of arms. When challenged as to his purpose, he had merely informed the two Khaleeni who had found him to step aside and allow him on his way.

They hadn’t and a skirmish had occurred which had resulted in him being surrounded and detained here in the practice arena.

Kes had been summoned and he had refused to tell her what was wrong, simply demanding that she release him.

When she refused, he demanded to see me.

His expression is strained and his eyes are two blue flames of fury.

He brandishes a sword in each hand and snarls at the Khaleeni surrounding him.

“Let me go. The only reason I haven’t harmed you is out of respect for the queen, but I’m fast losing patience.

” His eyes blaze and a wild energy emanates from him, much like a caged beast.

“Sire, whatever is the matter?” I ask and he swirls around to face me.

“Queen Elinor, tell your Khaleeni to release me. I need to speak with Barra and the prince and we must leave Valensia on urgent business.”

My eyes go wide with shock. This is the last thing I expected to hear from him and I can’t imagine what reason he has to suddenly leave Valensia.

“Pray, sire, on what business do you wish to leave the city?”

He fixes me with eyes of blue ice and even though they burn with rage I also see a shadow of misgiving as he looks at me. “It really is a matter I need to discuss with the prince and Barra.”

I take a few steps towards him and indicate for the Khaleeni to lower their spears. I place my hand on his chest, over his heart and in a low voice ask, “Aaran, what is it that vexes you so?”

His breathing slows and he looks to my hand on his chest. I can feel the frantic beating of his heart and wonder what it could be that has caused him such upset. I’m almost afraid to find out.

He lowers his head and his voice. “Queen Elinor, I would speak with you in private,” he asks, and something in his eyes tells me whatever it is that bothers him means a great deal to him.