Queen of Secrets

16

I claimed her mouth again just as the orgasm shook through her, making her body clench up around me like she needed to be as close to me as possible. Her free hand grasped my back, her nails digging into my skin, and that slight pain pushed me past the point of no return. I let myself go, pounding wildly into her, giving her everything I had.

When the last throes of pleasure lost their grip, I rolled onto my back and cradled her in my arms, stroking her dark hair. She traced her fingers across my chest, gazing up at me with her intense blue eyes. I took her chin and kissed her softly, feeling content for the first time in years.

“I love you,” I said, as I stared into her eyes.

“I love you too,” she said, as she ran her fingers along my rough jaw. “When I thought I had lost you...”

My arms tightened around her. “You’ll never lose me.”

“Prince Nial confessed. My engagement is broken.” She caught my face in her hands. “And I want to be yours. No matter what it takes. I’ll find a way for us to be together.”

“I never should have let you go. I should have fought for you before. I was a fool.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I came to the castle to tell you to break off your engagement and run away with me.” I let out a dark laugh. “I was even more foolish back then, and ridiculously selfish too. But I ran into your brother and he convinced me that you had to do this for your kingdom and your family, and that I could never take you away from here. He made me see that you and I were simply not meant to be, and that by continuing our relationship in secret I would only hurt you more.”

She pushed herself up to a sitting position, her face darkening with anger. “My brother said all that?”

“He did, but he was only trying to protect you. And you know he was right.” I pulled her back down to me and pressed a kiss to her lips. “None of that has changed, but I don’t know that I can give you up this time.”

“You won’t have to give me up,” she said with a sly smile. “I have an idea.”

I chuckled softly. “Of course you do.”

I brought her close for another kiss, my hand moving to her hip, my c**k already getting hard again. But then a sharp rap sounded on her door.

One of the guards called out, “I beg your pardon, your highness, but the King has demanded your presence immediately.”

“What is it?” she asked, with a groan.

“Prince Nial has escaped.”

Eleven

Dahlia

G

aron and I quickly donned our clothes and returned to the castle to find my brother. Though the sky was already dark and the moon high, Balsam was still in his study, tension making his forehead wrinkle.

He looked up at us as we entered. “Garon? What are you doing here?”

Garon opened his mouth to answer but I held up a hand. “I’ll get to that in a moment,” I said. “Where is Prince Nial?”

Balsam’s face turned even more grim. “He vanished from the dungeon. All the guards were knocked out by some kind of sleep spell. We assume a wizard teleported him away.” He paused to let those words sink in. “Queen Elsap is gone too.”

“She must have freed him with her wizard. What should we do—send an assassin?” I asked, glancing at Garon.

Balsam shook his head. “No, we don’t want to start another war, not when we’re already busy enough with Ilidan. I’ll send a letter to the king of Mesner to warn him of their plans and to try to arrange an alliance between us. I believe he has a son who is unwed and would be suitable for you.”

I glanced at Garon, bolstered by his presence. “A fine idea, brother. But I’m afraid you will have to form this alliance without me.”

“What do you mean?” Balsam asked.

I drew in a breath and took Garon’s hand. “I wish to propose a new alliance—with the Ravens.”

“The Ravens tried to assassinate you.” His eyes narrowed at Garon. “Did you have something to do with that?”

Garon faced my brother without flinching. “I stopped the men responsible for the attack and challenged the Raven Master in ritual combat. And I won.”

“Garon is the new Raven Master,” I said. “By marrying him, we will gain all of the Ravens as our allies.” Balsam leaned back in his chair. “Why should I trust the Ravens? I had a deal with them before, which they betrayed.”

“The Ravens once served the royal family of Talador as spies, thieves, and assassins. I wish to offer our services again…and our loyalty.” Garon kneeled before Balsam, his head bowed.

“And in return, you want my sister’s hand in marriage?”

“Exactly.”

Balsam pinched his forehead. “I should have known I could never keep the two of you apart. But truly Dahlia, you cannot expect to marry the son of a servant. Or worse, an assassin. It simply isn’t done.”

“You married Fellina for love,” I pleaded, unable to stop the desperation from entering my voice. “Could you not let me do the same?” Balsam moved to the windows and gazed out at the dark forest for some time. Garon got to his feet as we waited for my brother’s response. If Balsam said no, we would have to flee the kingdom together, something neither of us wanted—but it would be worth it to be together.

My brother finally turned toward me with a sigh. “I’m sorry.”

“Whatever for?” I asked.