“You’re awfully quiet tonight, Valare. Do I need to be concerned?” Eliasson, well technically King Eliasson, drawled as he shifted to the right and landed his ocean blue gaze straight on mine.
Feigning shock, I reach my left hand to run teasingly down Eliasson’s side, stopping at mid-thigh, “You say this like I’m not a demure, introverted, and compliant wife all the time, husband.”
“Because you’re not,” Eliasson shot back, pushing my hand away, “I can see that mind working and it can only mean you are devising a plan for God knows what. I’m not in the mood, Valare. Do not push me tonight.”
Funny that, I also am not in the mood tonight. But thanks for asking asshole. Shut your retort down, Valare. Shut it down.
“Let’s put my uncharacteristic nature for this evening down to the approaching new moon and beautiful wine, shall we?” Batting my eyelashes, I downed the glass of wine and in the next instance my glass was once again full. It pays to spend time training the attendants in what I deem a high priority service.
Reading my thoughts, Eliasson threw me an unimpressed, sidewards glance and a shake of the head and returned to his own meal without comment.
His judgement for my love of the fruit of the vine just added to my already sombre mood. He wasn’t wrong, my being quiet is cause for concern. Usually. But tonight, this mood had nothing to do with scheming and everything to do with a little thing called nostalgia.
After the last two years of being married to the King of Arlom, I could count on one hand the number of times I allowed myself to get lost in contemplation in his presence. I don’t usually allow him the luxury of seeing any part of my mental armour cracking.
But this day… this day, would always be one that slightly revealed those cracks.
Because this day, three years ago, the decree was received for my impending marriage to the King of Arlom.
This day, three years ago, my sister Queen Slaviya of the Queendom of Salistya ripped my world – and heart – apart when she called on me to uphold my royal duties and marry the King of Arlom. But most importantly, this union ceased the never-ending fight for the highly coveted Solista Isles which was under the Salistyan rule.
A deep yearning stirred in the core of my being as I thought of the Solista Isles. My home. My now forbidden love.
Shutting down those thoughts, I attempted to distract myself by looking up and around the intimate dining room in the royal quarters. Taking in the trademark blue walls of the Kingdom of Arlom, my attention turned to the attendants, half of those being my staff from the Solista Isles and the other half being Eliasson’s. The former were a dead giveaway, with their trademark mossy green eyes and olive skin, while the Arlomans were known for their ocean blue eyes and fair skin.
As I looked at my betrothed sitting at the intimate six-seater dining table finishing up his dinner, I had the thought for the millionth time in the last two years, that I really could’ve done far worse in the looks department. Any girl would be lucky to call a lean, six-foot man, with a heart-shaped youthful face, their husband. On top of that, Eliasson had sun-kissed blonde hair which normally sits a little higher than his shoulders but was currently tied at the nape of his neck. Knowing this was my favourite hairstyle on him, I would place a hefty amount of gold that he’d done this on purpose; with the purpose being to send a very loud message of ‘down to fuck’ to his wife.
Almost as if he heard my thoughts, Eliasson finished his dinner, pushed his chair slightly away from the table and placed his hands on his lap. His blue eyes met mine, an unwavering expectant look on his face. Yeah, definitely down to fuck.
Who was I to say no?
“Dinner was lovely as always, my King. I will take my leave to prepare for the rest of our evening,” I purred. Not one to miss an opportunity for the small delights of the world, I finished the rest of my wine before standing and making my way to the door behind Eliasson and into my private quarters.
Just before shutting the door, my name leaving his lips as a command made me stop.
Turning around, “Yes, Eliasson?”
“Wear something white. I want to relive our wedding night.” No room for argument. He didn’t even bother turning around to face me. He wasn’t kidding when he said he didn’t want to be pushed tonight.
In a perfect world I would snarkily remark ‘Sir, yes sir’ with an army salute. Instead, I settled for rolling my eyes as I stared at the back of his head. “As you wish, husband.”
Closing the door, I let a huge breath out before rushing to freshen up, my bath having already been fixed for the night. Bless Meredith.
Making quick work of bathing myself, I hurriedly made my way to the closet, not wanting to keep the King waiting. Patience was not his strong suit. Not when he was in this kind of mood.
I picked out a simple – yet sexy – silk white slip that fell to mid-thigh and had light lace detailing around the chest area. Sans bra and underwear. I aim to please.
Placing my long, dark brunette hair in a bun on top of my head, I gave myself a once over in the mirror. Having acquired the same skin tone native to the peoples of Salistya – and the Solista Isles – white was a complementary colour against my olive skin. Whilst in my younger years I had mossy green eyes, upon the inheritance of my physical gifts at the age of sixteen, my eyes turned a sharp lime green colour instantly. Having been the only known Solistan – or Salistyan, because there is a difference – to have this reaction raised a lot of eyebrows within the communities. I guess you could say I was deemed “exotic” in not only the Arlom Kingdom, but in the isles as well. Nevertheless, pairing my seemingly exotic looks with my hourglass figure, generous breasts and behind, I was looking quite tasty in this outfit. If I do say so myself.
Making my way out of my room, and across to the opposite side of the dining room, I lightly knocked on the door to Eliasson’s quarters.
“Come in.”
Before I could close the door, the King had me in his arms as he cupped my cheek and kissed me softly, a flash of approval in his eyes at the sight of my attire.
“Does my clothing choice please you, husband?” I breathed as I pulled away and spun slowly, calling upon my rigorous training in the art of seduction.
“You know it does, wife. Come here, I fancy making love to you tonight. Just like our wedding night two years ago.”
Ugh. Making love. If only he knew this wasn’t my favourite approach to sex, yet the most powerful in luring him into my façade of a devoted wife.
Sauntering past him and laying back on the bed, I sat up on my elbows smirking, and beckoned Eliasson forward. “As you wish, my King.”
Without missing a beat, he rushed to my side. The clear passion in his eyes almost made me feel bad. Almost.
Unfortunately for the King I had extensive training to ensure his love for me, which was critical to fulfilling my mission.
Unfortunately for the King this mission involved him, but not in his favour.
Unfortunately for the King I was sent to kill him.
To be continued…
Chapter Two will be released from the Fyriane Press on Tuesday the 30th of January.