Chapter 25

The great hall of Thanwine had emptied of everyone but Frederick.

He sat in a large cushioned chair, facing a crackling fire, unable to move. He stared at the flames, hypnotized by their dance, but the emptiness he felt had him overcome.

King Callum had taken Marni’s body, along with that of his son, to be placed in a tomb in Oros. Frederick had offered up no complaints. Why should he? His wife and child could do nothing more for him.

He dug his fingernails into the arm of the chair.

Sebastian is to blame.

No other man at the masquerade had worn a mask like Sebastian’s. The woman who had seen him pass the cup to Marni seemed to be fully reputable. She had no reason to lie about what she had witnessed.

Hatred fueled Frederick’s anger. He would find a way to make Sebastian pay for what he had done.

“Frederick?”

He lifted his head to find Angeline staring down on him with pity. “Leave me alone. I care not to see anyone. Especially you.”

“Me?” Her mouth dropped open like that of a dying fish. “I have done you no harm. I helped you—”

“Silence!” He held up his hand. “You allowed Sebastian to leave without prosecution. King Callum had every right to spill his blood.”

Angeline sat in the chair beside him. “I witnessed enough shed blood in my own bedchamber. The vision will haunt me forever.”

“And yet you dismissed Sebastian with the wave of your hand.” Glaring, he mimicked the act. “I cannot forgive that.”

She lifted her head arrogantly high. “I did you a kindness by letting him go.”

Frederick faced the flames, no longer caring to see her wretched face. “Do me no more favors. They might end me.”

“Do you not wish to hear what I have learned since their departure?”

Two days of wallowing had passed. Frederick could do little else. He had chosen not to return to Basilia with the others in the royal family, and instead remained where the cold matched his dismal mood. “What could you know in such a short expanse of time? Did a new witness come forth?” He cut his eyes toward her, only to find her smiling. “Do not patronize me with that blasted look of yours.”

She pursed her lips. “Fine. I will do all I can to be dour, but I am certain what I have to say will cheer you.”

“Unlikely. However, you had best speak of it before I lose my temper.”

She scooted to the edge of her chair. “I appreciate a man who does not shy from displaying his feelings. No matter how harsh they might be.” She ran her fingers across her bubbies, drawing his eyes.

The senseless female had damnable timing.

“Say why you came to me, woman.”

She smiled slyly. “After Sebastian’s departure, I accompanied my healer to the bedchamber Sebastian shared with Olivia.” Her smile broadened. “Are you familiar with tannin root?”

“Vaguely. Why? Did your healer determine it to be the cause of Marni’s death?”

“Yes, I am sad to say. It grows not in our terrain, but thrives elsewhere. Mostly in Black Wood, and yet I learned from Olivia, it grows in Padrida as well. She shared a tale of a man who had plotted to overthrow her kingdom. His name was Donovan, I believe. From what she said, he had intended to poison her father using that very plant.”

“What does this have to do with Sebastian and Olivia’s bedchamber? Were they growing it there?” He spoke sarcastically and let out a disgusted grunt.

“Silly man. Even in grief, you jest.”

“Tell me, damn you! I have no patience for games!”

She showed no reaction to his outburst and leaned back casually in her chair. “We found bits of tannin root under their bed. As you well know, it does not grow there.” She giggled in a manner that sparked the strange feeling of familiarity he had with her.

“That is our proof!” He leaned toward her. “I will have Sebastian’s head on a spike by month’s end.”

“Hmm. Not a pretty sight. Are you certain this is what you want?” She sat upright and inched closer.

“Of course, I want it! He killed my family!”

“True.” She nonchalantly folded her hands on her lap, then tipped her head to one side. “Your people, as well as those in Oros, want justice, but killing the high king’s son will not set well with him. King Roland loves Sebastian, and he himself is loved by all Basilians, regardless of Sebastian’s failings. There is a better way to settle this.”

“How?” He swallowed the lump in his dry throat.

“Tell your people the truth and be certain they are aware of Olivia’s involvement. After all, I am sure it was she who told Sebastian of the poison. Just as she revealed it to me.”

“And then . . .?”

“Show him mercy.”

“Mercy?” Frederick jumped to his feet, then paced in front of the fire. “I will not!”

Angeline stood and followed on his heels. “Claim he was swayed by his Crenian bride. If you display mercy, your people will see your kind heart. They need that now more than ever before.”

“But he must be punished!”

“Punish him by banishment. Take away his kingdom and his land. He claims his love for Olivia is all that matters to him, but I know otherwise. If you take everything he holds dear, he will eventually break. And you . . .” She laid a hand on his arm and stopped him from pacing. “. . .you will be able to watch him suffer for years to come. Will that not be more pleasurable than a quick death?”

Frederick stared at her hand, choosing not to make her remove it. “Sebastian truly hurt you. I see before me a scorned woman.”

“Yes, he did. And when his wife feigned friendship, it cut deeper than any knife. She used me to gain trust, then slipped into my home and plotted such evil I can scarcely speak of it.”

Frederick moved closer to her, drawn in by a magnetism he had never felt before. “You know I loved my wife.”

“Of course. I saw your grief. How you are standing here before me is a mystery. Your heart surely must be shattered.”

“It is.” However, it beat harder with every passing second. “Losing my son caused me the most devastation. He was so perfect.” He clenched his teeth and shook his fist. “Now, I have no wife and no heir.”

“And yet, you will be high king. There is much to be said for that.”

He took another step forward, leaving almost no space between them. The air grew warmer, but not from the flames of the fire. “Has Tesher claimed you?”

She blinked slowly, and her bosom heaved. “He has spoken words of admiration, but has not formally made a claim. Why do you ask?”

Her essence overwhelmed him, bringing out his most basic need. He ran a trembling hand down her arm.

Her eyes closed to his touch, and she quivered.

“You need not ask why.” He put his mouth to her ear. “You felt something for me in Oros, did you not?”

“Yes.” The word slipped from her lips in a puff of air. “It was wrong of me, but I could not help myself.”

“We are both at fault, for I felt it, too.” He cupped his hand to her cheek. “My wife is dead . . . but I am not.”

He kissed her thoroughly, and she made no attempt to stop him. The rush of blood through his loins brought about discomfort, but a form in which he reveled. He wanted his hands all over her, but he knew full well he had to go about this in a proper fashion. His throne depended on it.

He peered deeply into her eyes. “You kiss as if you have kissed before. Has your maidenhead been taken as well?”

Her face fell. “You wound me, Frederick. I confess to having been recently kissed, but nothing further.”

“Recently?” He studied her closely and saw no sign of falsehood. “Tesher?”

“Yes.” She looked away as if embarrassed.

He chuckled. “Then I am comforted in knowing your virtue remains. That boy would not know how to bed you. Even so, it was my right to ask.” He threaded his hands into her hair, held her head firmly, then kissed her again. Harder and deeper.

She put her arms around him and pressed her body into his, whimpering as if she craved much more. Perhaps she did. At her age, she was overdue for a decent bedding.

He slid his hand up her waist, then cupped one of her bubbies, allowing himself a feel of her. Again, she made no objections. If he were fortunate, she would be the kind of woman who would allow him to do anything he wanted to her.

She breathed harder. “Do you wish to have me?”

“More than you know. But we must be wise.” Blast the fabric between my hand and her skin! “Be my queen and help me bring Sebastian to his knees.”

“Do not tease me, Frederick. I cannot bear to be hurt again.”

Even the way she said his name heightened his excitement. The glory of uniting with her made more sense than anything he had chosen to do in his past. She could possibly be as ruthless as he, but it remained to be seen. And since his choices for a princess bride were limited, Angeline suited him. More so than Pasha ever would. He cared not to be aligned any longer with the house of Oros. Soon, Basilia might be warring with them, and it would make his life simpler not having to choose sides.

He caressed her rounded mound. “I do not jest, nor am I toying with you. I want you.”

“But we cannot. Not now.”

“True. We must take our time. Allow me to grieve, and in the meanwhile, bring out all the evidence you have against Sebastian.” He buried his face into her neck. She smelled as if she had bathed in honey and wildflowers. “Will your healer testify against him?”

“Yes. He is loyal to me.” She tipped her head back, allowing him more access.

“Good.” The heat radiating off her skin set him on fire. Before the night’s end, he would have to find some manner of relief. “We have much to do, and even more to anticipate.” Anticipation had always brought him pleasure. He loved to envision himself inside his conquest, long before he made it happen.

“I never imagined a man as fine as yourself would want me.”

“Oh, yes.” He suckled her earlobe, and she rasped heavy breaths, quivering all the while. “You respond incredibly well to my touch,” he whispered in her ear, then swirled his tongue around it.

If only she was not wearing such a heavy gown, he could arouse her more proficiently.

“I have never experienced such sensations. Yes, I confessed to having kissed Tesher, but it felt nothing like this.”

Frederick reveled in hearing it. She had no comprehension as to the extent of what he could accomplish with her. “I actually pity young Tesher. Without a doubt he is fantasizing for himself all I shall do to you.”

“He is a boy with many other admirers. I need a man.” She boldly kissed his neck, clinging to him with such intensity, he had to step away to keep from ravishing her.

Everything she said and did enticed him further, and the sultry look she gave him screamed she was not finished. He had unleashed an ungodly fire in her, and he longed to set her fully aflame.

And yet, since he was supposed to be grieving, he held up both hands and stopped her. “You intrigue me to no end, among other things. However, I must leave Thanwine and return home.”

Her face fell, and every trace of sensuality vanished. Such a sad shame, but he felt confident he could easily reignite her at the appropriate time.

“Must you leave so soon? I long to know you better.”

He patted her cheek as he would a child. “I have things to tend in Basilia. If my uncle stays true to his word, I will be allowed in his castle.”

“Has he not permitted entry in the past?”

“That is a long story. One which I shall not trouble you with.”

She pouted, but even that enticed him.

“In time, perhaps,” he said. “We will have many years to share an abundance of tales. But I need you to vow to me now, you will do as I say and not question me or my judgment. As high king, my word will be law.”

“Will you allow my opinion?”

“Only if you give it in the privacy of our chamber.” He jerked her body into his. “Do you vow?”

She gingerly glided her hand over his chest, then stepped back and bowed at the waist. “My king. I swear allegiance. I will be yours to do with as you please.”

He licked his lips, simply contemplating all her pledge would entail. “I want a son.”

“Then allow me to be your vessel.”

All the anger that had him stewing such a short while ago had vanished. In Angeline, he found hope. Not to mention a perfect new plaything.

Angeline hastened down the hallway and rapped on Denali’s door.

It inched open. “Well?” His eyes widened and he waved her in.

“Frederick left this morning.”

“Are you still a maid?”

“Shame on you,” she scoffed. “I would not go to all the trouble of having you stitch me, only to throw it all away on a whimsical romp.” She perched on the edge of his bed. “He wishes to marry me.”

“Exactly as you planned. I can see you are pleased, but do you not fear this has happened too rapidly?” He sat beside her, then eased her head down onto his lap and stroked her hair.

They had done this so often, it felt more like a ritual than a sensual act. Even so, it satisfied her in a way coupling never did. “He intends to wait months before registering his claim with the scribes. He must grieve first.” She shifted onto her back and stared up at him. “And in the meantime, he pines for me.” She tittered, thinking about his pronounced arousal when they embraced. Far greater than that of Tesher’s. “I believe the man is insatiable. I cannot wait to discover whether or not I am right.”

“You are the insatiable one. Poor Darius has been moping about. It is all I can do to keep from slapping him. Does his wife not lay with him?”

“He told me Lydia is frigid. She merely lays there and allows him his pleasure. Darius needs a woman who participates.” Angeline shut her eyes, enjoying the sensation Denali was creating. His touch, that of an angel. “I have decided to free Darius from his vow and allow him to return to Issa for pleasure. Since he can have me no longer, I feel badly for him.”

“A generous gesture.” His hand stopped moving.

Angeline opened her eyes and peered upward. “What troubles you?”

“What will become of me when you wed Frederick? I know he does not care for me. Truthfully, I feel he sees me as a failure for not saving his wife and child.”

Hearing the worry in Denali’s voice brought an ache to Angeline’s heart. She sat up and put her arm around him. “I know how capable you are, and you will remain with me wherever I go. Frederick might think he has the upper hand, but you know me well. I will not stand by and allow a man to tell me what to do.”

She pushed aside his tunic at his shoulder, and dotted kisses on his skin. “I require a healer I can trust. If I am to bear his son, I may need your help.” She drew her head back and studied his handsome face. “Could Marni’s son have lived?”

“Yes.” He stared straight forward, expressionless. “But I knew what had to be done. Infants’ necks are pliable and delicate. It took but one firm twist.”

“You poor dear. Forgive me for putting you through such an ordeal.” Again, she planted tiny kisses on his flesh.

“I hope Frederick is aware how fortunate he is. You will bring him pleasure I doubt he has experienced before. At least, for a short while.” Denali’s head slowly pivoted. He grinned and locked eyes with her.

Her heart thrummed stronger for him than any other man. She scooted across the bed and lay back against the pillows, then bade Denali near with the bend of a finger.

He lay beside her on his back and laced his hands behind his head.

Angeline propped herself up on one elbow and toyed with his deliciously unusual beard. “I told Shireen I did not want to be disturbed. She believes I am in my bedchamber. No one will search for me anytime soon.” She laughed. “Especially Talman. Since he has seemingly mastered himself in the art of bedding, I fear poor Becca is being molested by the hour.”

“If that is so, he will soon produce an heir.”

“Yes. But we know how to overcome that, do we not?”

Denali slowly nodded.

“We have time, Denali.” She loosened his tunic strings and slipped her hand under the fabric, then glided her fingers across his chest. “Unlock those healing hands from behind your head and remind me what you can do with them.”

Smiling, he rolled her onto her back and kissed her with urgency.

Their unusual form of love suited her. Nothing about Angeline had ever been considered normal. She found pleasure any way she could.

Yet, this was different. Denali held her heart and much more.