The Gilded Bride

Chapter 17: Home

The moon still hung high above the palace when King Demitri escorted Queen Elowen back toward her chambers from their garden walk.

The midnight gardens had long fallen silent behind them, silver fountains glimmering faintly beneath the night sky while cold winds whispered through the rose hedges.

Elowen walked beside him quietly, fingers clasped tightly together beneath her cloak.

She had agreed.

God.

She had actually agreed to move into the king’s chambers.

The realization made her entire body warm with nervousness.

Beside her, Demitri looked far too pleased with himself.

“You are smiling,” Elowen accused softly.

“I am not.”

“You are.”

“I simply enjoy winning.”

She looked scandalized.

“So this was a competition?”

“With you? Always.”

Elowen tried not to smile.

Failed miserably.

Demitri noticed immediately.

His gaze softened dangerously.

God.

That smile would ruin him eventually.

When they finally reached her chamber doors, Elowen paused.

“I would like one last night here.”

Demitri looked mildly offended.

“You make it sound as though I am relocating you across kingdoms.”

“It is still my room.”

“For a few more hours.”

Elowen sighed.

“You are impossible.”

“And yet you married me.”

“I did not exactly have a choice.”

Demitri smirked faintly.

“Perhaps not initially.”

The implication behind those words sent heat rushing immediately to her face.

Demitri stepped closer slowly.

Too close.

Always too close lately.

“Tomorrow,” he said softly, “all your things will be moved.”

Elowen swallowed.

“You already decided?”

“You agreed.”

“That does not explain why you move faster than a military invasion.”

Demitri looked deeply unashamed.

Then without another word, he followed her directly into the chambers.

Elowen blinked.

“You are still here.”

“Yes.”

“You have your own room.”

“I prefer this one.”

Her face turned pink immediately.

Demitri closed the chamber doors behind him leisurely while Elowen attempted gathering what remained of her composure.

This was dangerous.

Ever since the kiss in his chambers, something between them had shifted entirely.

The king no longer pretended distance.

And worse,

Elowen no longer wanted him to.

Demitri removed his gloves slowly before settling onto the edge of her bed with entirely too much familiarity.

“You are staring,” he observed.

“You are sitting on my bed.”

“Our bed soon.”

Elowen looked away immediately.

Hopeless.

Absolutely hopeless.

Demitri watched her quietly for several moments.

She was shy tonight.

More than usual.

The realization pleased him immensely.

Because it meant she was thinking about him too.

“Come here.”

The command came low and soft.

Elowen hesitated briefly before slowly approaching him.

The moment she stood close enough, Demitri’s hands found her waist effortlessly, pulling her gently between his knees.

Her breath caught immediately.

“Demitri,”

“You blush every time I touch you.”

“That is your fault.”

A dangerous smile appeared.

“I am beginning to enjoy that.”

Elowen glared weakly at him.

It lost effectiveness when she looked flustered beyond reason.

Demitri tilted his head slightly while studying her face.

God.

She was beautiful.

Not just physically.

Though the sight of her alone tested every shred of restraint he possessed.

No,

it was the innocence beneath her reactions.

The way every touch still startled her.

The way she trusted him despite trying not to.

Demitri lifted one hand slowly and brushed his thumb across her lower lip.

Elowen’s breath faltered.

There.

That tiny reaction again.

He was becoming addicted to them.

“You think too loudly,” he murmured.

“I do not.”

“You looked ready to flee.”

“Perhaps I should.”

His hand tightened slightly at her waist.

“You will not.”

The certainty in his voice sent warmth curling low inside her stomach.

Demitri leaned forward slowly until his lips brushed lightly against the side of her neck.

Elowen inhaled sharply.

Not a kiss.

Not yet.

Just warmth.

Just breath.

But somehow it felt worse.

More intimate.

Demitri smiled faintly against her skin.

Sensitive.

Interesting.

His lips touched her neck softly then.

Once.

Twice.

Slow lingering kisses that made her knees weaken embarrassingly fast.

“Demitri…”

He hummed quietly against her throat.

“You say my name beautifully.”

Elowen’s face burned hotter.

This man truly enjoyed tormenting her.

Demitri’s hands moved carefully along her waist, never rushing, never forcing, simply holding her close enough that she could feel the warmth of him beneath layers of clothing.

Safe.

Desired.

Wanted.

The feeling overwhelmed her.

Especially when his mouth returned to her neck again.

This time lingering longer.

Kissing slowly beneath her jaw while Elowen gripped weakly at his shoulders just to steady herself.

Every touch felt deliberate.

Calculated.

Like he enjoyed discovering exactly what unraveled her.

And perhaps he did.

Because when she tilted her head instinctively to give him better access,

Demitri nearly lost what remained of his self-control entirely.

God.

He wanted her so badly.

But not like this.

Not rushed.

Not frightened.

Elowen was still learning how to be wanted gently.

And Demitri intended to ruin every cruel memory she carried before taking anything more from her.

Still,

he could indulge a little.

His lips brushed slowly over sensitive skin again before his teeth grazed lightly against her neck.

Elowen gasped softly.

Demitri closed his eyes briefly at the sound.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

“You make the prettiest sounds,” he murmured.

“That is because you keep attacking me.”

“I am admiring you.”

“This is not admiration.”

“It absolutely is.”

Elowen tried stepping back.

Demitri immediately pulled her closer again.

“Where are you going?”

“To survive.”

“I dislike that plan.”

Elowen finally laughed breathlessly.

And god,

Demitri would burn kingdoms to hear that sound more often.

An hour passed like that somehow.

An hour of stolen kisses and teasing touches and Elowen discovering very quickly that the king of Delmatia enjoyed making her lose coherent thought entirely.

By the end of it, she sat flushed and breathless beside him while Demitri lazily traced circles against the inside of her wrist.

Elowen finally groaned softly.

“You are exhausting.”

Demitri looked deeply pleased.

“You are adorable.”

“That is not a proper response.”

“It is the truth.”

Elowen narrowed her eyes.

Then finally gathered enough courage to push lightly against his shoulder.

“You should leave.”

Demitri looked genuinely offended.

“You dismiss your king?”

“Yes.”

“How cruel.”

“You have spent the last hour tormenting me.”

“I recall you enjoying parts of it.”

Her face turned scarlet instantly.

Demitri laughed quietly beneath his breath.

God.

He loved this.

Her shyness.

Her growing boldness.

The way she slowly relaxed around him more every day.

Still,

he stood eventually.

Though clearly unwillingly.

At the door, he paused once more before looking back toward her.

“Tomorrow,” he reminded softly.

Elowen hugged a pillow dramatically.

“Yes, yes. Your chambers.”

“Our chambers.”

She threw another pillow at him.

Demitri caught it easily while smiling like a menace before finally leaving.

---

The next morning, Elowen woke embarrassingly late.

Sunlight already spilled warmly through the curtains while her body still felt pleasantly heavy from lack of sleep.

Or perhaps from Demitri.

The thought alone made her hide briefly beneath blankets again.

Hopeless.

Absolutely hopeless.

A knock sounded shortly afterward before Edna entered carrying fresh clothes and breakfast.

The servant froze instantly.

Then very slowly,

a wicked grin spread across her face.

Elowen immediately became suspicious.

“What?”

Edna set the tray down carefully.

“Your Majesty…”

“Yes?”

“There must be enormous mosquitoes inside this room.”

Elowen blinked.

“What?”

Edna pointed toward her neck dramatically.

“Terrible creatures. Very aggressive.”

Confused, Elowen frowned before turning toward the mirror nearby.

Then froze completely.

Red marks bloomed visibly across the side of her neck and collarbone.

Several of them.

Her entire face burst into flames instantly.

“Oh my god.”

Edna looked delighted beyond reason.

“The mosquitoes seem especially affectionate.”

Elowen covered her neck immediately.

“That man.”

Edna nearly collapsed laughing.

Elowen muttered furiously beneath her breath while trying desperately to cover the marks with her hair.

“Curse Demitri and his stupid face.”

“I heard that.”

Both women froze instantly.

Demitri stood casually near the doorway.

Apparently having entered unnoticed.

Of course he heard her.

Elowen looked ready to perish.

Demitri looked entirely too pleased with himself.

“You curse me first thing in the morning?”

“You attacked my neck.”

“You seemed receptive.”

Edna abruptly announced she needed to “check something elsewhere” before fleeing the room to avoid witnessing murder.

Coward.

Elowen glared at the king through the mirror.

Demitri approached slowly behind her.

Then deliberately moved her hair aside.

Elowen nearly combusted.

“You left marks!”

“I noticed.”

“You are impossible.”

“You liked it.”

Elowen opened her mouth.

Closed it.

Then narrowed her eyes furiously because unfortunately he was not entirely wrong.

Demitri smiled victoriously.

“Come with me.”

“Where?”

“I wish to show you Delmatia properly.”

---

Outside the palace walls, Delmatia felt entirely different from Norwasia.

Alive.

Not extravagantly wealthy.

But content.

Elowen noticed it immediately.

Markets bustled with laughter instead of desperation.

Children ran freely through streets without fear.

Even distant alleyways looked clean and safe.

No starving beggars hid beside buildings.

No nobles shoved commoners aside carelessly.

And most shocking of all,

she could barely distinguish wealthy merchants from lesser nobles.

Everyone dressed well.

Everyone looked cared for.

It stunned her.

As their carriage rolled deeper through the city, Elowen watched everything with quiet fascination.

“They look happy,” she whispered softly.

Demitri glanced toward her.

“They are.”

“How?”

He looked mildly amused.

“That is a broad question.”

“In Norwasia…” she hesitated softly. “Even wealthy districts hide suffering somewhere.”

Demitri watched her carefully.

“Delmatia taxes the wealthy heavily.”

Elowen blinked.

“What?”

“The wealthy despise me for it.”

That startled a laugh from her.

Demitri continued calmly.

“We redistribute resources. Education is free. Food prices are regulated during harsh winters.”

Elowen stared at the passing streets again slowly.

Understanding dawned across her face.

“This is why nobles from other kingdoms dislike Delmatia.”

“Yes.”

Her eyes softened.

And for some reason,

that look affected Demitri more than admiration from entire courts ever had.

The rest of the afternoon passed peacefully.

By the time they returned to the palace, Elowen spoke more openly than ever before, excitement warming every word while describing things she noticed.

The musicians near the riverside.

The flower markets.

The schools.

The laughter.

Demitri listened quietly the entire time.

Watching her instead of the scenery.

Because every day now,

she unfolded more.

Became brighter.

More alive.

And god,

he could not stop wanting more of it.

When they finally entered the king’s chambers again, Elowen stopped abruptly.

Her belongings had already been moved.

Books lined the shelves naturally beside his own.

Her dresses hung neatly among the royal wardrobes.

Blankets.

Candles.

Small belongings.

Everything arranged perfectly as though she had always lived there.

Elowen stared quietly.

Something warm settled unexpectedly inside her chest.

Home.

The thought terrified her.

Demitri stepped behind her slowly.

“Well?”

She looked toward him softly.

“You truly moved everything.”

“I told you I would. I am but a man if my word.”

Elowen laughed quietly beneath her breath.

Then turned,

only for Demitri to immediately pull her closer by the waist.

“Demitri,”

“You talk too much.”

“I am trying to process.”

“You can process later.”

His mouth found hers before she could answer.

Warm.

Hungry.

Far less restrained than before.

Elowen melted against him immediately despite herself while his hands tightened possessively at her waist.

God.

This man truly intended to destroy her entirely.

Demitri kissed her deeper slowly, backing her gently toward the edge of the desk,

Then suddenly,

a sharp knock interrupted everything.

Demitri froze.

Immediately irritated.

No one interrupted him here.

Ever.

Another knock sounded urgently.

Caion.

Demitri exhaled sharply before stepping away reluctantly.

“Enter.”

Caion entered quickly.

One look at his expression erased all warmth from the room instantly.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

Caion bowed briefly.

“Your Majesty.”

Demitri’s voice hardened immediately.

“What happened?”

Caion looked grim.

“The southern borders were attacked.”

Silence.

Then,

“By whom?”

Caion hesitated briefly.

And suddenly Elowen felt cold.

“The kingdom of Norwasia.”

The room changed instantly.

Demitri turned slowly toward Elowen.

And for the first time since she arrived in Delmatia,

she saw suspicion in his eyes.