Page 19 of The Time Of Kings (An Afterlife Story #1)

18

A FINE MESS

KEIRA

W ell, that couldn’t have gone any worse!

I scowled at myself for practically every minute of it, wondering if it had always been destined to be like this. That no matter what the year, it was always going to be a turbulent experience when meeting for the first time.

In all honesty, I had changed a lot since that na?ve girl who met Draven in the forest that day. I was a long way from the shy little waitress that had been too scared to even look at him most days, let alone speak freely the way I did now.

Which meant that there was no getting away from the fact that I was no longer dealing with the King of Kings, ruler of the Supernatural world. No, I was dealing with my stubborn, likes to get what he wants, sometimes arrogant husband, who I would always love and adore.

Yet despite this, I knew this version of Draven wasn’t the one I fell in love with. Meaning that, in this time period, I needed to handle the situation with more care. But after thirty years together, I had to confess, it was hard to keep up the act that I wasn’t yet considered his equal. No, to him, I was the long awaited Fated mortal. One said to be prophesied like some gift bestowed on him as he had been promised thousands of years ago.

But he didn’t know me.

And really, how could he ever get to that point when everything I ever told him would have to be a lie?

I knew there was only so far I could take this evasive game I was playing. Draven would only allow me to get away with it for so long. Because, even now, thinking back to the time we first met, I remember the shock I felt when being told how much he knew about my past.

But what he told me had been nothing compared to the amount Draven actually knew. Something he only confessed to me much later on in our relationship. Honestly, it had been astonishing. The depth of research he had done in trying to discover all there was to know about my tragic past. And I couldn’t really blame him for having the means to do it. Because wouldn’t I have done the same, had I the same resources that he had?

After all… he hadn’t been the only one obsessed.

I knew that if I had to remain here until I could find a way home, then I would have to give him something. The problem with that was I wasn’t exactly known as the best liar in the world, and it was already more than obvious that I wasn’t from around here. Plus, Draven wasn’t stupid, and trying to pull the wool over his eyes had never been a simple thing. Not when my husband was like a dog with a bone in getting what he wanted.

I knew that he would stop at nothing.

The moment he finally left the room, I deflated into a chair and asked myself aloud,

“How the hell am I gonna get out of this one?”

Of course, no one answered me… no one but the sound of my stomach rumbling.

“Well at least this is one problem I can solve,” I said, pulling the tray of food closer and deciding there was nothing better to do than fill my belly and wait for the next round with Draven. One that, at this rate, would end up with me walking down the aisle before I knew it.

A short time after eating, I stood by the window watching the flurry of activity below. Carriage after carriage arrived with people in all their wealth and finery. No doubt all looking forward to whatever Draven had planned for the evening. I had to wonder if these people were of our kind or mortal.

“Not our kind anymore, Keira,” I muttered painfully. And with the exhaustion my body felt, it was enough of a reminder that it was no longer ‘our’ world but back to being ‘his’ world once more. Hence why I couldn’t help but feel the bitter sting of that realisation. Because I had spent so long when we first got together as a couple feeling out of place in his world. And now here I was, right back to the start.

I did, at least, feel as though I had some advantage when it came to finding myself in this time with Draven. For one, he knew instantly who I was to him and well, he wasn’t exactly keeping me at arm’s length. Not like he had done back in my own time for fear of me getting hurt. Although, granted, if he didn’t know who I was to him, it would have made things easier to get away. So, yeah, not actually that helpful after all.

Yet, I supposed one thing could definitely be classed as a benefit, and that was that I knew all about his world and, therefore, I knew how to navigate my way around it. And from the looks of all these people that would be here tonight, then I would definitely say that I would be needing all those skills I had learned. Especially after thirty years of being presented as Queen.

But even I had to confess that, after all this time playing the part, I still wasn’t the best at it. Not when it came to the formalities that surrounded the title. And well, as for whatever time period this was, I doubt it was going to be anything like I was used to. No, at this point, all I could hope for was that my time spent here was short and less bitter than it had been so far.

That being said, the kissing part had definitely made it easier. The moment Draven had touched me, my body lit up like it usually did and my mind was fooled enough to not give a damn about the time difference.

And well, Draven had certainly proved that, no matter the year, it had to be said…

He certainly had a talented mouth.

I didn’t know how long had passed by the time someone finally walked through the door, and I confess to stupidly being disappointed when it wasn’t Draven. But then, deep down, I knew this was a good thing, as I wasn’t sure I was ready for our next sparring match. Of course, in the end, it turned out I wasn’t ready for the team of maids that walked in either.

Meaning that for the next couple of hours I was expected to act like some submissive doll as they dressed me in so many layers, I lost count. They also curled my hair with a dangerous looking rod they had heated in the fire. Making me eye that thing like it was going to burn my scalp off any second, or at least take off the tip of an ear.

However, I soon realised that these ladies must have not only been professionals, but they were also loyal too because none of them spoke a word to me and, no doubt, thanks to orders received from Draven. As for the professional side of things, the end result had me feeling more like a queen than ever before in my life.

In fact, I felt like I was about to walk right out onto a film set.

I also wasn’t surprised to find that the lavish dress was a deep purple colour. A low-cut neck, trimmed with delicate ivory lace, that also matched the ruffles that edged the half-length sleeves. The thick brocade material had large velvet roses and was almost like a jacket with the way it was put on me. Fitting over an ivory petticoat with its pale gold Fleur de Le pattern covering it.

This meant that this strip of pale material could be seen underneath, with the purple framing each side of the centre panel. The bodice of the gown was also filled in with a pretty, triangular piece known as a stomacher. It was pinned to the gown over the laces of the petticoat and matched the purple of the outer layers of the dress. A pair of ivory satin, elbow length gloves completed the look.

The outfit had a long train of ruffled purple material, making me feel as if I was about to get married in some gothic wedding…

Right on time, the would-be groom entered, and I swear the moment he did, he looked as if he had been struck down by the hands of the Gods. And well, he wasn’t the only one, as I couldn’t help but do as he did now. My eyes made the delicious journey of discovery up and down his body.

Holy shit, he was handsome! Unbelievably, it wasn’t ever a sight I was used to seeing, no matter how many years we had spent together. Because Draven often had the power to render me speechless and blushing. And it didn’t matter what he wore, a suit, jeans, loose lounge pants, or a tux. I was often left with my mouth watering and my mind asking the Gods what I ever did to deserve such perfection in my life.

And right now, was no exception.

In fact, he looked like something out of some damn fairytale. Like some gallant prince come to sweep me off my feet. But that’s where I was wrong, because he wasn’t the prince in this picture.

He was the King that owned me.

One that currently was staring at me like he was ten seconds away from tossing me back to the bed and ripping this dress off me. And he wouldn’t have been the only one trying to get the other naked. Not looking the way he did. His strong, wide shoulders were showcased in a knee-length purple and black jacket that matched the material of the outer part of my dress. It tapered down his muscular torso, the long waistcoat beneath moulded to the powerful body I knew lay under the layers of luxurious material. A black shirt, cravat, and knee breeches became the only contrast to the deep purple colour he wore on his body. A colour currently flashing in his eyes.

He looked dark, sexy, and foreboding.

“Leave us… Now.” The word now came out as more of a growl. As up until then, the maids had still been fussing around me and only just realised their Lord had entered the room. Of course, it didn’t take long after this spoken command for them to move. They quickly went bustling out of the room with their skirts raised high enough so as they could practically run.

Not that Draven would have noticed as he couldn’t take his eyes off me, and that intense gaze of his was starting to make me squirm. Well, as much as you could squirm in a corset that felt like it was one pull away from cutting off air supply. But because I was starting to feel self-conscious being intensely stared at, I decided to break the moment by speaking.

“I didn’t steal it, before you ask.”

His lips twitched as if fighting a grin before he answered.

“No, but that doesn’t mean you are free from the title of thief…” My wide eyes must have asked for more. “…For you certainly stole my breath when being greeted by such beauty and perfection.”

I couldn’t help but blush and look down as I whispered an embarrassed,

“Thank you.”

“I am in no need for thanks, not for speaking the truth, for you are truly a vision and, therefore, your presence is thanks enough.”

I swallowed hard, biting my lip before telling him,

“Then I will say you’re too kind, My Lord.”

“You would not say such if you knew what the sight of you invokes within me and of what I wish to do to you,” he replied with a scoff, and dear God, I think he was trying to burn me alive with those smouldering looks enhanced by the sexual nature of his words. But this was when I decided to be bold and say,

“How do you know…? Perhaps I would thank you for acting upon them.”

Oh yeah, now that got his attention alright. His eyes heated enough that the barest hint of purple was seen once more. This before he kicked the door closed and was suddenly striding his long legs towards me, cutting the distance between us in seconds.

A blink was all it took before I was looking up at him as he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me swiftly into his frame. Meaning that when he dipped his head to mine, at the same time cupping my cheek, my gasp died in his mouth when he kissed me.

I melted into him and closed my eyes as I basked in the feeling of my husband’s kiss, sighing against him as if I was coming home. Because there was nothing in this world like kissing Draven, and it didn’t matter how many years spanned between us, the kiss always remained the same…

Breathtaking