THE FEUD #1

CHAPTER 8

NOVENA

The halls of the palace are teeming with guards, more than I’d ever seen before. The additional palace guards had arrived, hours before Prince Pallas and his three warriors, from our largest military base in the Three Sister. Prince Pallas had arrived four days prior and within the narrow time frame the palace had undergone an appearance change. I’ve never seen it so clean, and the fresh decoration did much to liven the place up. But with Ragnar’s union to Alma fast approaching…

The changes are to be expected.

Whether Pallas’s presence motivated the over-the-top extravaganza is very possible. Regardless I like the changes I see as I head for the greeting hall. Ragnar had practically begged me to welcome Alma’s visit to the palace and so I agreed. Although Ragnar has agreed, rather reluctantly, to the marriage but as time has neared to the date, Ragnar has become increasingly unhappy. Instead of being open about his evident dislike of her to our father, he simply becomes scarce whenever she comes to visit, spending as little time as possible with her. As I lay eyes on the unfortunate bride-to-be, I can’t seem to understand why he is so opposed to the match. And if it is her personality, well he honestly hadn’t spent enough time with her to know whether or not he wouldn’t get along with her. She is wearing an ankle length deep blue summer dress with buttons down the front and dark brown sandals, her warm mousy brown hair loose. I see the disappointment in her light grey eyes as they lock onto me instead of my brother, which I hate being party to, but who am I to break the news to her that this would probably be her life if she marries Ragnar. Then again maybe not, maybe he will warm up to her.

“Hi Alma,” I say warmly, wishing to ease the slight frown and sad grey eyes, “My brother has sent me in his place to welcome you.”

She smiles, taking my outstretched hand and dipping into a bow.

I pause to indicate Alma bags to the servants that followed me in, “Won’t you see to it that Miss Blacksmith's luggage is waiting for her in her allocated suit.” They hurry to do as I ask while I take her arm in mine and lead her through the French doors into the palace gardens.

“I am happy to see you again princess, are you well?” she asks, yet I sense her mind elsewhere.

“I am in good spirits. How was your travel?”

“We would have arrived sooner had our men and hospitality not been required to see Prince Pallas through. How does his stay go?” she asks curiously.

“So far so good, although I have only seen him once, the night he got here, however there is another dinner being made in honour of your arrival tonight which I’m sure he will be invited to.” I say, flattening my short soft-pink dress as a light breeze fills the palace grounds. “I thought you might like some lunch in the garden?” After all it is a lovely day, and this warm weather won’t last now that the Continere is in autumn.

Alma lifts her creamy toned face to the sunny sky, feeling the light warm breeze play across her skin, “I think that’s a lovely idea, thank you for being so thoughtful.”

The garden dining area is a personal favourite of mine, with its hanging vines on the dark wood beams running overhead and water features playing their own sort of music. It is the smallest of the dining areas, place enough only for around ten people. Due to its size, it is also used the least which in my opinion makes it very special. We take our lunch of sandwiches and biscuits with tea as we make light conversation.

“I can’t believe the wedding is so close and that your dress is already here waiting for you! Ag… it’s almost enough to make me want to get married.”

Not really. But it seemed to lighten her mood as Alma’s thoughts turn to her approaching day. We could only hope Ragnar actually shows up.

“It has been a lot of work, especially since I have had to make all the decisions – Ragnar, as I’m sure you know, has more pressing priorities.”

“Nonsense, he should have taken some time.” A little evil plan pops into my head as I consider putting Ragnar through hours of her company. “Maybe I can arrange an hour or two for you to discuss and finalise all the necessary details with him this afternoon?”

“Oh, I would very much like that! I feel as if I never get enough time with him.” She clamps her hands in front of her chest expressing her excitement with a wide full smile.

I felt my heart breaking for her. If only she knew how he, only this morning, begged me to deal with her so that he wouldn’t have to. This will serve him right. It’s only fair that if he doesn’t feel for her as she does for him that he should break the engagement. I have a servant discreetly find out where Ragnar is and what he is up to. As we wait, I have Alma describe her wedding dress as I slip my tea.

RAGNAR

Axel sleeps peacefully on his side, an arm tucked under his head and pillow, his upper body visible above the thin blanket that covers us. His lovely face is youthful and relaxed while he sleeps, a view that even the most talented painter or the newest of the range camera could never hope to capture. I run my hand down his naked creamy back, over the muscles relaxed in sleep. I grit my teeth in anger as I run my fingers over skin still coloured by the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father. Although it’s significantly lighter and less swollen than it had been a day ago. Loving the feeling of his warm ripped muscle against my palm, I realise, looking at the tone of his skin, that it’s why I hate the completion of Alma. She had the same tone of skin as Axel. I had only just gotten Axel back from Smithberg when I had received news of Alma’s arrival. She always had a way of ruining my time with Axel.

Well ever since we got engaged two months ago.

Axel refuses to see me privately when she is here, it’s why I haven’t told him that she arrived this morning. That and because Axel is still so frail despite the treatment. I press myself into his back as he slowly wakes up, his shiny clean blonde hair slightly longer than his usual look – curly, chin length – that he liked lies messily, like honey on my fresh sheets. I trailed my fingers over his narrow bare hip and lower still before he snatches it away, pulling me over him as he rolls onto his back. I smile as I watch him wince at the reminder of his injuries – grunting in obvious discomfort. I watch the way he inhales sharply, his sculpted lips parting.

It’s enough to make me want to press my lips against every hurt and ache until they are no more.

Relaxing, he releases my wrist, running his own ringed fingers over my chest and lower, over my hard abdomen as a sleepy smile plays on his stunning face. I stare into his hazel coloured eyes before I press my lips to his, tasting how sweet they are before pushing my tongue deep into his mouth. His hands are in my dark hair, deepening the kiss, pressing me harder against him as we get high on the feel of skin on skin.

Axel pulls back, releasing me from his embrace, “I can’t do this Rag, the doctors described rest and you are not helping.” He moves to get up – slowly.

Pressing him down, my heart thumping in my chest, I give him a small smile as he pears up at me suspiciously, “Can’t you just stay here with me for just a little longer?” I plead as his eyes seem to search my face for something.

He knows something is up.

What was it? What gave it away?

“I’ve been here since this morning, why are you trying to keep me here?”

My heart beats quicker, hating this feeling, “I just want more time, Axel.”

He huffs aggregately, “You’re such an ass,” he fumes as he pushes me off him and moves to collect his clothes. “I should have known sooner why you’ve been acting so strangely,” he spits out, “It's cause your fiancée is here.”

“Or because you got drugged and beaten by your father’s men and you’re refusing to speak against him?” Wrong thing to say.

I sigh, following after him as he storms off, collecting my clothes and pulling them on hurriedly before I pull Axel to a stop.

“And you know I feel nothing for her? Why are you acting like this? Why are you ruining our time together?”

He narrows his hazel eyes at me angrily, “I won’t touch you again if you marry her!” Losing some of his heat, he cups my face, his bulky rings cold against my smooth face, “Why won’t you just tell your father the truth, we can do it together. You would risk stealing me away in the night to keep me safe but not risk angering your father so that we can be together?”

“I just can't, okay!” I shove him away – gently. Sighing, I run my tanned hand over my face, “but I will break the engagement. I will never marry her.”

Axel chuckles to himself, shaking his head before he levels his eyes to mine again, “I’m not going to wait forever for you, I’ve already hidden long enough to protect you when all I get is broken promises.”

I follow slowly as he marches to the door, missing the feel of him already. I can’t help that I am not ready for the speech with my father. And maybe I am a coward - maybe I’m scared that people won’t show me the same respect. So instead of showing him how much he means to me I let him leave. I watch as he pulls the door open to walk away from me – and right into Novena and Alma. I mentally curse as I hurry to the door.

Alma seems lost for words as Axel stands in front of her, “Oh I’m so sorry Lord Axel. I didn’t know you were here.” She speaks.

I turn my face away in shame when Axel’s eyes meet mine.

Axel gives her a smile that doesn’t reach his hazel eyes, “No need to worry Lady Alma I was just leaving, he’s all yours now. I’ll see you two love birds tonight.” Axel says, his bright smile playing on his face as he gives me a wink.

Alma beams after him and I mentally cringe at her attempt to befriend him. He turns his attention to Novena as he greets her cheerily, lifting her hand to his lips and placing a sweet grateful kiss to it. They say their goodbyes, Axel seemingly unbothered as he leaves Alma with me while he follows Novena down the passage. I reluctantly allow Alma into my suit, holding the door open for her as she walks in and presses a quick kiss to my cheek. I battle to keep my emotions from showing as she walks past. Walking into my sitting area, she plonks herself down on my sofa, smiling happily at me as I sit beside her. Her grey eyes showing, so clearly, her desire and affection for me as she waits for me to settle. I feel like an ass but honestly what am I supposed to do with my father breathing down my neck about this being the perfect match, with the whole of our society backing him. He would want a solid reason for me not wanting to marry her and ‘She’s not my type’ isn’t going to cut it.

“I’ve missed you!” she coos, basically climbing into my lap.

“Same here.” I smile at her as she presses her lips to mine, her little fingers gripping the sides of my face. I force my eyes closed as she presses herself into the curve of my body. She tastes nothing like Axel and her body feels all wrong this close to me. I turn my face away, breaking the kiss as she beams at me giddily.

“So, aren’t you going to ask how the preparations are coming along for our wedding?”

“Apologies. Please, do tell?” I tilt my head in her direction, faking interest.

She leans back into my arms as she runs her hand through my messy hair, “Really good, my mom has been such a huge help, I don’t know if I could have done it without her. Oh, and your sister also offered to help when she found out that you haven’t been able to do much with how busy you are.”

I frown at her, knowing that I haven’t been so busy that I couldn’t have done something – helped in some way but the very idea makes me want to run away and hide. I don’t plan on marrying her and yet she’s put all this effort into a perfect wedding.

“Sorry.” I offer guiltily, “I should have been more thoughtful and asked her if she could have helped a while ago, I just didn’t think.”

“Aw, that's okay. I’ve really had a good time with my mom. Besides, it was her idea to move the wedding up from the end of this year. She really thinks an autumn wedding would be much better than a summer one and after seeing my dress and the matching coat I couldn’t agree more. I just hope that you like it as much as we do. It’s your wedding too and I want you to enjoy it as much as I will.” She pauses to press another kiss to my lips before continuing, “I really want you to look over what I’ve done, with only a couple weeks left, we really need to finalise everything.”

A couple weeks, something else I neglected to tell Axel. It didn’t matter though, none of this did. Only that I find a way out of this engagement before it is too late.

Suddenly becoming shy, Alma lifts my chin, raising my eyes to meet hers, “There’s something else I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”

“Oh?” I ask warily, feeling the tension seeping into the air.

“I want to, you know,” she smiles shyly, “be with you before the wedding. Novena said that you have nothing happening this afternoon, so why don’t we?”

I gap at her, shocked by her forwardness, “I think we should wait for after our wedding.”

Hurt across her face, “Why? I know you have been with others, so… what does it matter?`` She is holding her breath. “We are going to be married after all, why wait?” Her eyes filled with so much eagerness that they offer a promise all of their own.

Why does it matter indeed? Maybe because I'm not planning on actually marrying her.

“I don’t know…” I say, trying to think of something… anything.

“You don’t want me?” She accuses, the hurt in her voice evident. Tears brimming in the eyes, “Why are we even getting married then?” Her voice hitches.

I can only imagine how I must look to a woman about to cry. “Of course, I want you.” I declare, breaking my cold attitude as I cup her face in my large hands. I wanted to scream, instead I smile. I can never stand a crying woman.

“Really?” she says, her voice breaking.

“Yes.” The words taste like sand in my mouth.

“Good.” She sounds relieved as she takes a deep breath that lifts her chest closer to me. “Then just go with it, okay?” she mutters as she presses her full lips to the side of my neck and her hand slides to my pants eager for her way. My mind is screaming at me but my traitorous body purrs under her touch. She presses her advantage, sliding her hand into my baggy sweatpants, her warm hand touching me knowingly as I groan, feeling her smile against my throat victoriously. It’s just s*x, I don’t love her, and Axel never has to find out. Maybe then I can get her off my back long enough to come clean to my dad. Determined that I would come clean in the next couple of days, I pull her closer, allowing my hands to roam over her soft small body.