The Emerald Prince (6 page)

“Storm’s Edge?” Blaine’s stomach clenched at the name. He never wanted to go back to that place again.

Zariya grasped his hand tighter. “That’s not a problem is it?”

Blaine shook his head. “No, I’ll go with him.”

“He’s resistant to the idea though. You’ll have to insist on following him. After all, it’s your right as his husband.”

“Yes, I will demand he let me go with him.”

Zariya turned to Blaine’s father. “You need to go too. Back home to Raven’s Flight.”

“But I…”

Zariya gripped Lord Rynden’s hand. “You’ve done all that you can. Trust in your son. Return home.”

“Of course, you’re right. I’ll head back to Raven’s Flight today.”

The princess looked from father to son, offering a comforting smile. “Worry not. Everything will be as it should.”

Chapter Eleven

Victoria sat at her desk staring out the window at the gardens. She had everything she needed in her chambers: a bed, baths, her library filled with books. Even a private garden so she could get fresh air and exercise. No need for her to go out in public ever again. Maybe in a few years, after the gossip had quieted, her father could find her another husband. Who was she kidding? She’d probably end up second wife to some low ranking noble. How could her life have gone so wrong? She had remained chaste and pure and now had little more to look forward to than to be sold off as some married man’s mistress.

There was a time when most men took second wives. That way they could cheat on their wives in a socially acceptable manner and offer their mistresses some level of security, though the union was neither legal nor supported by the High Priestess. The practice was devastating for women, especially noble women who had to publicly endure the shame of their husband’s actions.

Victoria’s great-grandmother abhorred the practice after being forced to plan the ceremony for her husband and his second wife. Her son was too young to take the throne when he died, so she ruled for ten years, and during that time, she passed a law stating that no man could take a second wife until a year after his true marriage. She gave women one year to win their husband’s hearts. One year to elicit vows of fidelity, promises that would cost them in the afterlife if they broke them. This queen was Victoria’s namesake and her idol. To become a second wife would go against everything she stood for and believed in. But who would have her now?

The door to her chambers opened. Victoria assumed it was her servants bringing her midday meal, but Marla walked in instead. Her demeanor was unusually animated as she asked, “Did you hear?”

Victoria raised her hand in a weak attempt to block Marla’s words. “If this is about Sir Rynden or my brother, then I don’t want to know.” How much bad news could a person take in one lifetime?

Ignoring Victoria’s protest Marla continued, “They never consummated the marriage. Sir Rynden refused His Highness!”

Victoria’s head snapped up. What that beast had done to her was unforgivable, but what he’d done to her brother made even less sense. Was he insane? Why go through so much trouble to marry someone then refuse to consummate it?

Victoria grabbed her shawl and headed for the door.

Marla stepped out of the doorway, allowing her to pass. “Where are you going?”

“To see my brother.”

She found Elliot in his chambers. His eyes grew wide at the sight of her. She rushed over to him and hugged him tightly. Their pain was easier carried if they shared the burden.

“So you’re not mad at me?” Elliot asked, his chin resting on her shoulder.

“Why would I be angry with you? I know what you had to give up. I’m actually very proud of you. Sir Rynden, on the other hand, could catch on fire and I wouldn’t spit to put him out.”

Elliot laughed.

Victoria pulled away from her brother so she could look into his eyes as she asked, “What happened last night?”

“I started thinking about Zariya, which brought tears to my eyes. He saw them and refused to continue until I told him what was wrong.”

Victoria’s eyes fell to the floor. She had convinced herself Blaine was nothing less than a villain, but then he acts with great consideration towards her brother. She couldn’t understand what motivated him. “So what are you going to do?”

Elliot shrugged. “What can I do if he refuses me?”

“After all of this, we may end up going to war anyway.”

“I don’t think anyone could accuse us of having done less than our best to avoid it.”

There was a knock at the door.

“Enter,” said Elliot.

Blaine pushed open the door, freezing in his tracks when he saw Victoria, “Pardon me, I didn’t realize you were with your sister, I can come back later.”

Victoria turned to leave. “No. If you wish to speak to my brother, I can go.”

“How about we all stay?” Elliot said. “What was it that you wanted, Blaine?”

The knight gave a furtive glance at Victoria. “I spoke to my father and then the king, and they think I should go with you to Storm’s Edge. It is their hope that time alone will allow us to become closer.”

“Thank you, but this is something I need to do alone.”

Blaine took a step closer to them. “I don’t think you understand. I’m a commander, and you’re headed towards Storm’s Edge during a crisis. You can’t stop me from coming with you.”

Elliot folded his arms across his chest. “I might be your husband but I am also your prince, and I order you to remain here.”

Blaine flinched. “Forgive my impertinence, Your Highness, but your father,
the king
, ordered that I escort you.” The knight bowed and then headed for the door. “See you at dawn.”

Victoria rested her head on her brother’s shoulder and sighed. “You know, I think I liked the Ryndens better when they were trying to kill us.”

Chapter Twelve

Blaine stomped down the hall away from Elliot’s room. He had no desire to go to Storm’s Edge. The place was full of nothing but heartbreak and painful memories. Yet, he was willing to endure that for Elliot. And what does the prince do? Order him to stay home.
Orders him!

He got enough of that from his father. There was no way he’d take it from his husband too! Before Blaine knew it, he was outside of his mother’s chambers.

She was in the room packing her belongings back into the trunk. “We come and go, come and go. I don’t know why I even bother anymore.” She froze when she gazed at her son. “Blaine, what’s wrong?”

“Elliot! That’s what’s wrong!”

“What did he do?” Lines of worry streaked across her vibrant face.

“He ordered me to stay here while he went to Storm’s Edge alone. As if I’m not a military commander. As if I’m not perfectly capable of protecting both him and myself. I just can’t believe the nerve of him. Father would have never spoken to you like that.”

Blaine’s mother remained silent. Her lips pressed tightly together, but still her cheeks rose as she struggled not to smile.

“What is it?”

“You love him!” Her body relaxed the moment the words passed her lips.

“Have you been listening to a word I’ve said? He infuriates me!”

“Exactly!” His mother sat down the shirt she was folding and walked over to him. “For so long, I’ve watched you do as you were told with little care what your orders were. I fought harder against your marriage to the Kalsen girl than you did. You just accepted it like every ugly thing your Father has expected you to do. But look at you. All the prince did was tell you not to follow him and you’re furious. For him, you fight. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen you stand up for yourself against your father. Don’t get me wrong, I love your father, but his obsessions will destroy you if you let them. You’re finally listening to your heart. And I am overjoyed.”

What if she’s right? What if this overwhelming desire to strangle him
is
love?

Chapter Thirteen

Elliot slouched in his seat, staring out the window as the scenery crawled by at a languid pace. He could feel Blaine’s eyes boring into the back of his neck, just as they had been for the past hour and the hour before that.

He braced himself for that stupidly satisfied smile the knight would be wearing and turned to ask him, “What?”

Blaine’s smile grew, becoming even more irritating than before. “You’re sulking.”

“I am not!” Elliot snapped.

“Yes you are. I’ve never seen anyone sulk before. I thought it was one of those things that only happened in books. But you’re really doing it. You’re sulking. It’s adorable.”

“Stop saying that.”

“Then stop sulking, and I won’t be able to say it anymore.”

“All I wanted was a little space. How hard is that to understand?”

“I understood you perfectly. But a fort under attack and in need of reinforcements isn’t exactly a place to clear your mind.”

“Why couldn’t you have just waited in at the palace for me to return?”

“You already know the answer to that.”

Even while refusing to consummate the marriage, Blaine seemed to be latched onto him like a rabid dog. The more Elliot tried to push him away, the harder Blaine fought to close the gap. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s just that your bottom lip pokes out when you’re sulking. And it’s very cute.”

Elliot grinned unable to hide his amusement at Blaine adoration. “You know, legally, you have the same rights as a wife, and I can whip you for the way you speak to me.”

“Hmmmm, I hadn’t really thought of that. Shall we use your belt or mine?” Blaine asked as he fumbled with his buckle.

Elliot stilled his hand. “You’re incorrigible,” he said smiling.

“So I’ve been told.”

The carriage stopped. Nightfall was approaching, and the convoy had to make camp. Blaine and Elliot shared evening meal in their tent, and soon after, it was time for sleep. A pile of furs served as their bed while they traveled. Blaine was already naked beneath them as Elliot undressed to join him.

After taking off his shirt, Elliot grabbed his arm and rotated his shoulder.

“Is something wrong?” Blaine asked.

“I’m just sore from the ride. It’s been awhile since I’ve traveled.”

“I understand. Come here.”

Elliot laid down between the furs on his stomach, and Blaine got up and sat on the back of Elliot’s thighs. He grabbed the prince’s shoulders and began to knead them with his thick, strong hands. Elliot couldn’t help but purr under his ministrations.

“You’re very good with your hands.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Blaine’s hands moved down his back, pressing his thumbs into Elliot’s flesh.

“Makes me think you’ve had many lovers.”

“I have. But I forget their faces when I look at you.”

Elliot raised an eyebrow. “And how many people have you said that to?”

“Just one.”

The prince shivered. Everything about Blaine was alluring. His touch, his words, his physique. “If you want to…you know…complete the wedding ceremony. I’m fine with that.”

“Will you tell me why you were crying the first time?”

Elliot’s body tensed. “It’s not something I really want to talk about.”

Blaine leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Elliot’s shoulder, then whispered in his ear. “Every part of me aches for every part of you, and it’s because of that, that I can’t do what you ask. Not until you really want me to.”

Elliot was about to object, to argue he really did want Blaine to make love to him. But the words caught in his throat. The knight was right. There was a part he couldn’t hand over. If Elliot admitted to Blaine about Zariya, and tell him that he planned to take Zariya as his second wife as soon as possible, Blaine might never consummate the marriage. If that happened, it could be dissolved and everyone would be back where they started, at each other’s throats.

Blaine climbed between the furs which made Elliot miss the warmth of his body. He squirmed in Blaine’s direction. The knight pulled Elliot against his chest, entwining their legs together, holding him close. Without meaning to, Elliot sighed with contentment. In the darkness, Blaine whispered to him, “There is nothing I have that I wouldn’t happily give to you.”

Elliot stayed silent, knowing if he said anything Blaine would hear the tears in his voice.
Why do you love me this much? I’ve done nothing to deserve it.

Chapter Fourteen

With her brother gone for over a week, things had already quieted down at the palace. Victoria was amazed at how much easier it was to walk around when she didn’t risk a chance encounter with the man that had scorned her. Victoria had just gone for a long ride with Marla. The fresh air and sunshine made her feel almost normal again.

She opened the door to her chambers and with a yelp, slammed it shut.

Marla’s eyes narrowed with concern. “What is it?”

“There is a…there’s a man in my room.”

Marla grabbed the hilt of her sword and pushed Victoria out of the way, ready to deal with any threat to the princess. She slowly opened the door, her eyes grew wide, and she too slammed the door shut.

“What are you doing?” Victoria snapped.

“The same thing you are. Hiding from the naked man in your room.”

“Go in there and get rid of him!”

“I don’t believe he’s waiting for me, Your Highness.”

“You must have some training on how to deal with this.”

A light flashed in Marla’s eyes. With a short nod, she started down the hall.

“Where are you going?” Victoria asked with desperation in her voice.

“My training teaches me to avoid naked men in that… ‘condition’ at all costs.” She gave a deep bow. “May the gods keep you and yours, Your Highness.”

Victoria turned back towards the door. She should have asked for a different protector as a child. Clearly, she had picked the runt of the litter. Scared off by one naked slave boy. Such cowardice.