Page 5 of Bride of the King
I pressed my lips together and reached up to brush loose hair off my shoulder. Whether or not I wanted it, my life had changed unexpectedly. I had to stop being shy and passive. Like I’d done earlier that day, I had to take control of my destiny, even though my stomach twisted in knots. If this was my life now, I had to know what to expect and why he’d bought me. “It has been a trying day,” I told him.
Stepping closer, until I was forced to look up at him, he twirled a strand of my hair around his fingertips. His actions were intimate, but his words sent a thrill of dread through me. “A celebration of marriage should be a happy time.” His face twisted into a frown.
Displeasure?
I dropped my eyes and my heart thudded while I struggled to find words. “It’s not that I’m ungrateful, but this day. . .this celebration has been unexpected.”
I couldn’t find the words to say marriage, and my pulse quickened as he froze. Deep inside, I fought with myself. I wanted him to like me, needed him to smile at me again and assuage my doubts. But I wouldn’t be dragged to his bed unwillingly, without knowing why I was here, why he was forced to choose me. I had to ask in a way that avoided his anger, because my step-mother reacted with violence when I questioned her. I stilled myself as his fingers left my hair and slid up the slope of my bare shoulder, guiding my chin up to meet his gaze. This time I saw a flash of irritation behind his eyes and couldn’t help the shiver of fear that went through me. I blinked hard to keep tears from welling up, determined not to anger him further. If I pleased him tonight, perhaps he would be gentle with me.
“Unexpected?” His brows knitted together like storm clouds. “She did not tell you? Is that why you fainted?”
My eyes widened, but speech forsook me. I shook my head instead.
“That explains,” he growled, letting go of me to rake his hand through his hair. “She never breathed a word to you? Did she? I thought something was off, I should have trusted my intuition but I thought. . .”
My stomach clenched. This had been aplan? I needed his confirmation. “My step-mother?”
“Yes.” He waved his hand, frustration evident in his jerky movements.
My stomach clenched further as I waited for him to explain. Would this have happened if I hadn’t summoned the river goddess? Was this incident the result of magic? Or the normal course of my life. I desperately wanted to know, and right now Zander was the only one who could give me answers. Except he didn’t. He stood, hands by his side, gazing off into the darkness.
Although his face was shadowed, my heart gave a little at his stillness. He’d thought I was aware of the marriage and looked forward to this day. Instead, we both stood in the wood, confused. Bitterness toward my step-mother rose like ash in my mouth. She’d been privy to my marriage to Zander and might have allowed us to get to know each other before our wedding day. Instead, she’d kept me hidden. When had she known? Had the last few weeks of abuse been her one last revenge?
“Why me?” I blurted out, trying and failing to understand. Naomi’s word:forced, floated to the center of my thoughts. “She has other daughters.”
Zander angled his body toward me and held out his hand. “Because you know the lore of herbs and potions. You are your father’s daughter, are you not?”
My heart leaped at his words. “You want me to create potions? Using herbs?”
His fingers closed around mine, and we resumed our walk. “Yes. I need the lore of nature on my side to help keep away my enemies. You can help.”
Ah. So it was nothing more than a trade. Another question hung on my lips. I held it back, then took a deep breath, reminded of my new mantra. No more passiveness. No more giving in without a fight. “And what do I get out of it?”
Zander’s hand tightened in mine. Was he insulted by my question? “I am aware of what your step-mother did to you after your father passed. No longer will you endure her unkindness, and I am sorry I could not return sooner.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Did you know my father?”
He nodded. “I was one of his customers, but my tribe travels frequently, we are Rovers. I was away for a few years when he passed, and I returned to make a deal with your step-mother. You seemed unhappy when I met you in the forest this spring. I’m not sure if you remember but—”
“Of course I remember,” I interrupted. Thoughts of fleeing drifted away. He was a friend of my father’s and he returned to free me from my step-mother’s control. To save me. Perhaps living with him and the Rovers wouldn’t be so bad. If I could get through the night, he’d give me my heart’s desire. To study the lore of herbs and take up the work my father did. My fingers itched, longing to begin straight away, and the knot of tension within melted away.
Zander led me to a circle of tents, the very ones I’d seen flapping in the breeze when I first arrived. He lifted a hand to wave. Men slipped out of the shadows, armed to the teeth. One of them waved back before sliding away as smoothly as the shadows. A shiver went through me. Was this real? I was queen of the Rovers now. It made sense we would be guarded at all times. I swallowed hard as Zander held open the tent flap for me, and we were inside.
I gasped. In my ignorance, I assumed all tents were mere flaps of cloth over the ground, to give one privacy and some shade from the sun. But this tent was unlike the one I’d bathed and dressed in. Furs carpeted the ground, white silk hung down in banners from the pole in the middle. On one side were trunks, overflowing with fine cloth and jewelry. On the other was a table with two chairs, a jug, and cups upon it. Toward the back of the tent was a bed, raised up so that the top of it reached my knees. It was wide enough for three or four to sleep upon and covered with bright red blankets and plump pillows. My mouth went dry at the sight of that bed, noting the sheer curtains that were pulled back from it, ready to give one privacy, if need be.
My eyes darted back to the trunks, the mirror, and a table that sat beside them, and realized those were for me. This was my home now. A light hung from the middle of the tent, encased in crystals that spread the soft light throughout the tent. I glanced toward it and couldn’t help but let my gaze flicker back to the opening. But there was no escape, even if I wanted. I had no doubt my husband was much stronger than me, and guards surrounded us.
“This is ours,” Zander spread his hand, stating the obvious. “But you will have a covered wagon, just as luxurious, when we travel. I’m not sure what you will need for potions, but tomorrow we can discuss. For now, sleep.”
Sleep. I had to speak up before he took my silence as acceptance. I twisted my fingers together, unsure how to tell him what I wanted, and what Ididn’twant. Turning me to face the bed, he touched the small of my back where the laces were tied. He pulled a string, and the tight fit of the gown loosened. My breath hitched as though he’d pulled it tighter. When he tugged again, I pressed a hand to my chest to keep the dress from sliding off and whirled to face him. “Zander.” I held out my hand as I stumbled away, unable to look at him. Heat flamed my cheeks as I whispered, “I’ve never been with a man.”
Closing the space between us, he peeled one of my hands away from the sagging dress and kissed it. His feather-light breath sent shivers through me, a mix of arousal and fear. I wanted to be embraced, loved, cared for, but Zander was an utter stranger. I did not understand how to care for him, nor what kind of man he might be. King of the Rovers and yet, perhaps something more? I’d heard of marriages where hearts warmed toward each other, and in giving myself to him, I’d be showing him I was willing to take a step. I’d made three wishes, and one after the other they were coming through. Perhaps this was my fresh beginning.
“You need not feel shame, I will be gentle with you,” he promised. “But not tonight.”
I gasped. “But. . .”
“But what?”
