Page 20 of The Time Of Kings (An Afterlife Story #1)

19

A ROYAL DECREE

T he moment he growled as our kiss deepened, I swear I felt my toes curl. My fingers were near aching from how tightly I had them gripped in his jacket at his biceps. The bulging muscles beneath were just begging to be used to toss me up over his shoulder and throw me to the bed… as let’s just say that I knew my husband well.

“Gods, woman, you test my will like no other,” he said after placing his forehead to mine, now taking in deep breaths as he tried to control himself.

Ninety-nine percent of me wished that he wouldn’t even bother trying. However, it was the one percent that seemed to be rooted the deepest into my consciousness. As I knew that I was once again faced with a moral dilemma. Because despite knowing that the man whose arms I stood in belonged to my Fated King. The same man at the core who I had already fallen in love with and more than once at that.

But none of this truly mattered as… he wasn’t my husband.

No, he was at home.

Waiting for me to return .

The thought broke my heart and therefore managed to cool my libido enough that I released a shuddering sigh. One that Draven took for another reason entirely, as he tugged me even closer and growled a fervent promise.

“Soon… soon I will have you, my beautiful little thief… soon I will claim you. But as for now…” His hold on me only relaxed after he had made this vow, now giving me space enough that he cupped my face with both hands. His dark eyes smiled at whatever he saw in my expression.

“…It is time to introduce you to my world.” He finished making my breath hitch and not just at the declaration he made, but at the blindingly handsome smile he gifted me. The sight tugged at my soul enough to do something he would no doubt consider to be an odd reaction. As suddenly, I threw my arms around him and hugged him tight. The sound of surprise was easy to detect, as well as the feel of him going tense. But then this didn’t last long, as after a few moments he relaxed, asking me,

“Come now, what is this, little thief?” His tender tone was tinged with confusion. And without knowing how to lie about it, I told him the truth.

“You have a very handsome smile,” I said, feeling his chuckle as well as hearing it, as it rumbled through him. This before pulling back enough so he could see my face once more.

“Is that so?”

“I think we both know the power of your charms and, with that, a disarming smile… well…” I said, shaking my head, making him toss his head back and laugh… Jesus, I had no hope.

“Then I am afraid to inform you of your mistake in telling me such.”

“Mistake?” I asked, making him smirk.

“For now I know your weakness, it is one I will use often to disarm you.”

I blushed at this, especially when he proved his point by grinning down at me.

“Then I would say you have an unfair advantage, Sir.” To which he took a step back so he could scan the full length of me, his eyes heating before telling me,

“Gifting me the sight of such beauty all night long only holds weight to your own unfair advantage, for I do believe I would gift you my castle should you ask it of me when wearing such a dress.”

My blush deepened at this and I couldn’t help but tease.

“And if I was standing here naked…? Pray tell, what would that get me?”

He seemed utterly shocked, even going so far as to pull back a step. But then something in my face must have told him it was safe enough to play along with our sexual game. One that was most likely very out of character for this era. And no doubt why he looked pleased as he was free to react in kind. Now framing my hips with his big hands and tugging me to him, enticing a small gasp from me. Then with a burning need making his eyes heat up demonically, he told me,

“For that pleasure, I would lay my entire kingdom at your feet as well as having its King drop to his knees.” He followed this with a low growl, making me bite my bottom lip before answering the way I knew I had to.

“Ah, but I was unaware that I stole from a King?” I winked at him, surprising him once again.

“So, you finally admit that you’re a thief?” he teased, making me smirk up at him before gripping his lapel and bringing him closer to my lips. Then I told him on a breathy whisper,

“That depends on how many more times I can steal your breath, My Lord.”

A statement that ended with me kissing him, this time, and I did indeed…

Steal his breath.

Well, if I thought I had been nervous before, now I only felt foolish. Because the moment we stepped into his ballroom, I gasped, squeezing his arm before falling back a step. He paused to look down at me, frowning in question. But then his eyes took note of the panic written all over my face, prompting him to cover my hand that was positioned in the crook of his arm.

“Catherine, look at me,” he demanded softly, and I did just that, tearing my eyes from the opulent room. One that had me feeling vulnerable, like I was an outsider once again. Because this had been my fear for so long during our first years together. A turbulent whirlwind of push and pull. Of feeling as though I belonged one moment and then the next as if being cast aside.

It had taken me so long to get over what Draven had done to me. Even long after we were married. Of course, I understood the reasons he had cast me aside believing he could save my life this way, no matter how flawed by fate they seemed to be.

It had been as foolish as it had been selflessly heroic. I knew all that. But nothing could stop the fear of being cast out again. Of suddenly waking up one day and finding myself old and aged. My years passed by with the memory of Draven being by my side as nothing but a life-long dream I had been suspended in. Like Dorian Grey, I would one day find a picture of myself, of how I should be. And realize that my life of immortality was but a blade in Draven’s hand. One ready to be snatched away as he slashed at the picture of the woman he once loved. It was one of the nightmares I had suffered with for quite a while after our wedding.

Even on our honeymoon, I had seen what could happen should malevolent means think to intervene once more in our life. Just like that hand of the devil that had played puppeteer. What if he, or anyone else for that matter, ever thought to do so again? To try and turn Draven’s Demon against me?

To make him walk away.

Being here was too close to that nightmare, as here in his world I was back to square one. And no matter how lavish a dress I wore, or which throne I sat upon, it did not make me a worthy queen. But as for Draven, well I knew that, in his mind, just my being on his arm made me his queen, as clearly this night gave him the opportunity to claim me as such. Which was why I felt so apprehensive now. Because like I said, he didn’t know me. Not the real me. We’d had no time and nor should we, as everything about this felt wrong and time was on neither of our sides.

I was just the only one who knew it.

Speaking of which, it was like he could read my thoughts, as he captured my chin and lifted my face to his before telling me,

“You belong here.”

I swallowed hard and nodded, knowing there was no way to back out of this. Which meant there was only one option left for me, despite it weighing heavily on my soul…

To play along.

“Come, let’s get you seated,” he said after running the back of his fingers down my cheek in an affectionate gesture I was so used to. One that felt like a soothing balm to my ragged nerves as he pulled me further inside. I wished I could have simply focused on him. But with a dress this long I knew I had to, at least, make an attempt at getting through this without falling on my arse or face.

I took in the room and those that clearly belonged in it. This era’s social elite in all their finery. It was a sea of silk in every colour and it honestly took my breath away.

A stunning array of flowers filled the air with their natural perfume, as well as painting every edge with a gothic elegance. Red roses seemed to be the main theme, with tiny purple flowers intermixed with those that were ivory tones. Gold also seemed to be common theme to the room, along with the very obvious thrones situated at the end of that partition. They were raised up on a dais and, therefore, this meant the entire room stopped dead as we approached. Even the music ceased to announce our arrival.

No, not mine.

His.

Their King.

I couldn’t help but grip on to Draven tighter as soon as I heard the whispers start up. I remembered times like this from before. The uncertainty I would feel whenever I would see Draven’s kind staring at me. As if judging what made me so special. But after decades of being queen, a quiet confidence had followed years later.

But as for this… well this was transporting me right back to those uncertain, insecure times and needless to say … I didn’t like it.

So instead, I did what I always used to do in these situations, I focused back on the details of the room. On all the antique furniture, richly carved with its intricate details. The drapes of tasselled material, covering places I had no doubt the staff waited behind, at the ready to keep the platters of food and glasses of wine flowing.

And then there were the thrones. A pair carved so ornately they almost told a story. A scene of good versus evil, as winged warriors fought against a river of reaching souls, their hands rising up from the base. This chilling scene was carved into the backs of each throne, with the tips of the wings creating a fan of feathers at the top. Both were also cushioned with a deep-purple, buttoned velvet that matched what we both wore.

It made me wonder who the second throne had originally been for… was it Sophia or his brother Vincent? Both siblings I hadn’t yet seen in this time. It wasn’t a question that lingered for long as he walked me up the steps to stand before the seats intended for us. Then before sitting, he addressed the room, making me tense. I knew what was coming, as you could say that my husband was rather predictable in these circumstances.

“Good evening, honoured guests, for I welcome you into my home and in doing so, wish to take this opportunity to invite you to congratulate me. For this year I am blessed indeed to present to you all, my wife to be and soon to be named, Lady Catherine Draven.”

I couldn’t help but gasp, despite expecting it. Because he was so damn sure, and after only a day! It was bonkers, ludicrous, and all the insanity in between.

He hadn’t even had chance to fall in love with me!

All I could think was that, thank the gods we hadn’t started off our lives together this way. Because I would take the inner turmoil, the years of uncertain waters travelled through, and the heartbreaking moments, over this. Over the… ‘boom, there you are, you’re mine now, personality be damned!’. It made my head spin to even think about it, let alone being forced to live through it.

And strangely, the only sight that seemed to calm me in a sea of shocked, gossiping faces was someone who felt like the only friend I had in this moment. Despite the unrealistic expectation of this, as seeing him now raising a perfect blonde brow should have been enough of a clue to jar me from the fantasy. The one where I had an ally in all this, like all those years before.

Because it was not The Vampire King I knew.

It was Draven’s best friend and right-hand man.

Lucius.

Meaning I had no choice but to tear my face from his questioning expression and instead look up at my only salvation in this, despite him being the current cause of my internal battle. I looked to Draven for strength, the sound of applause becoming a distant echo I was quick to let go of. And there must have been something in my face that told him of my fears, as even in front of everyone, he damned the decorum of his time. Doing so by taking my face in his hands, framing my surprised expression as he lowered his lips to mine. My fears evaporated instantly. I closed my eyes and let the moment sooth all my worries. I let the comforting feeling of kissing my husband wash over me and take me home.

Unfortunately, it didn’t last as long as I would have hoped, as my reality came slamming back into me the second his lips left mine all too soon. Although, despite our very obvious audience, he didn’t pull away completely. Instead taking hold of my chin and lifting my face up for me to find his eyes smiling down at me.

“Exquisite, my soon to be wife.” He laughed when I narrowed my eyes at him, obviously not taking me seriously. After this he walked me backwards until I had no choice but to sit as soon as the back of my legs felt the seat. I fell into it with a small ‘umph’ sound, one he smirked at as he crowded around me, bracing his hand at the back of the throne.

“Now are you going to be a good girl for me?” he asked and, of course, I scoffed at this.

“Probably not.”

This response was one he grinned at, before informing me,

“Then let me offer you a word of warning, my little thief, I may be Lord here, but do not assume that I devote my life by living by the rules of propriety.”

“What?” I hissed with a shake of my head, making him lay it out in even plainer English, thank God!

“You run, I will chase you, is that clear enough for you?”

I gritted my teeth and snapped,

“Crystal.”

He chuckled, running his fingers along my jawline and practically humming,

“Adorable.” Then he gave my chin a little condescending shake before sitting down next to me.

The little growl I couldn’t help but contain only ended up giving him another reason to grin.

Draven jerked two of his fingers to the side, signalling for one of the servants to come over. He took two glasses off the tray and passed one to me, making me bite my tongue from asking if he had any tequila. Not that I think he would but, man, I could have done with some right about now.

Although when the crowd started to part to allow room for a woman to walk down the centre, I quickly downed the drink all in one go. Decorum be damned, as I remembered the last time I had gone back in time and come face to face with her.

And well…

The last time had nearly killed me.