Chapter 3

The anger that thudded with every loud footfall in the corridor meant only one thing. Darius had returned.

Angeline walked calmly to the fireplace and splayed her fingers to warm them. Though no other kingdom could rival the beauty of her realm, she wished snow was not so frigid. It blanketed everything and never melted, and no matter the power of the flames before her, their heat diminished within feet of the hearth.

The great hall should not have been constructed quite so large, making it almost impossible to heat. However, her ancestors had insisted that all aspects of the castle in Thanwine exceeded the grandness of any other king’s domain.

After a lifetime of residing in the cold Thanwinian Mountains, she should be accustomed to the lack of warmth. Yet, she despised it. And now that her plans had been thwarted, she would have to remain here longer than she had intended.

She put her back to the fire and waited, dreading the details of her cousin’s report.

Darius strode across the floor and stood within inches of her. His scowl pushed through his thick beard, but he said nothing.

“Dear, cousin.” She folded her arms over her bosom. “Shall I assume you saw her?”

“Yes.” He huffed a breath “She is nothing compared to you. Sebastian is a fool. No one will accept that poor-blooded Crenian as queen.”

“Tell me all you know.” She took hold of his rough-skinned hand and led him to the window seat. One of her favorite places in the castle.

Darius lifted an always-present blanket from the edge of the seat and wrapped it around her shoulders, then she enfolded herself within it. Even though icy air crept in through the small spaces in the wood shutters, the cushioned velvet seat pleased her backside. And whenever she needed to be reminded of the magnificence of her realm, she merely opened the slatted window coverings and took in her surroundings. Snow-covered and cold, but spectacular.

Darius cast his eyes toward Shireen, Angeline’s housemaid, and pulled his hand to himself.

The girl had come in with a tray holding mugs of warmed cider and inched slowly toward them.

Angeline inhaled the pleasant scent of apples. “Thank you, Shireen. Put the drinks there.” She gestured to the small table beside her. “Once you add more wood to the fire, leave us. I shall call for you if I require anything more.”

Expressionless, the girl placed the tray where Angeline had indicated, then curtsied and hurried off. She set two large logs into the center of the flames, then scurried down the hall.

It humored Angeline the way Darius had eyed the girl until she vanished from sight.

He grabbed a mug and handed it to Angeline, then took one for himself and sat. “Do you expect any further interruptions?”

She pursed her lips. “No.” Unable to help herself, she let out a laugh. “Worry not. Even if someone in my service suspects the truth about us, they know better than to speak it.” She sipped the hot liquid, then cradled the warm mug in her grasp. “Now, tell me what you know.”

He scooted closer and rested a hand on her leg. “The rite of marriage has already been performed.”

“What?” She studied his face, praying he jested, yet no playfulness lay in his eyes. “No future high king has ever been wed without the presence of every royal in the realms.”

A sly smile lifted Darius’ lips. “Your prince must have been eager to bed her. They waited not for the formality of a ceremony that would have taken months to arrange.”

“My prince?” She threaded her fingers into his beard, then tightened her grasp and twisted. “Do not speak of him so. He shall never be mine. That Crenian woman destroyed my plans.” Disgusted, she released him and turned away.

“Are you so easily defeated?” His hand slid along her back, creating chills quite different from those brought on by cold. “It is unlike you, cousin.”

She set down her drink and faced him. “I am far from defeated.” Her eyes penetrated his. “I will not be cast aside. I am meant to sit on the high throne, and I shall.” She once again took hold of his hand and this time brought it to her lips. “Will you aid me?” She took one of his fingers into her mouth, swirled her tongue around its length, then slowly withdrew it.

He trembled. “I always do.” Breathing hard, he wrapped his arms around her and yanked her close. “Do I not?” He nuzzled his bushy face into her neck, then kissed his way to her lips.

“Mmm . . .” She deepened the kiss, craving much more. However, having infinite questions, she stopped herself from becoming enraptured. Darius and she had all night to satiate their needs in her bedchamber.

She pressed her hands to his chest, breaking their bond. “Is this, Olivia, the beauty I have heard her to be?”

His head drew back and his chest heaved.

It might have been unfair to spark his need, then douse it. Yet she loved playing games. Toying with him now would enhance their time together later.

He licked his lips. “I will not deny she is fair. But, she is a mere child. I doubt she will satisfy Sebastian.”

Angeline danced her fingertips across his chest. “The chaste boy knows not of satisfaction. How could he be aware of lacking something of which he has no knowledge?”

“I am well aware.” He chuckled and grasped her breast. “At least now, you will not have to endure the healer’s needle. Though Denali is capable at his craft, I never wanted you to suffer that kind of pain.”

She closed her eyes, savoring his touch. “Your concern warms me.” Lifting her lids, she stared at him, wondering how he would react to her plan. “Yet, I will still require Denali’s services. Once my plan comes into fruition, you and I will have to cease our activities—at least for a while—so he can sew me nearly shut, allowing only for my flow.”

Darius’ eyes formed into slits, and he firmly crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Why? You have no further need to feign virtue. Every worthy prince has been spoken for, with the exception of Tesher from Oros, who is but fifteen.”

She giggled. Entertaining that particular idea tickled her. “I am not willing to wait for that boy to mature. Besides, his older brother, Eural, is destined to take King Callum’s place, and even if he were not an issue, I desire the high throne. Not one in Oros.” She retrieved her mug and casually sipped.

Darius watched her every move, his confusion adding to her pleasure. With every passing moment, he breathed harder. “Damn you! Tell me your plan.”

She tipped her head to one side, then sensually pursed her lips. “I love to hear you riled.” Once again, she set her drink on the table, then took her cousin’s hands in her own. “We shall bring unrest to every kingdom and plant seeds of doubt in the minds of every king. We will remind them of the terms agreed upon by every realm and insist they be upheld.” She caressed the backs of his hands with her thumbs. “Pressure to act will weigh heavy on King Roland’s shoulders, and he shall be forced to name Frederick his heir.”

Darius grunted. “Frederick? I assumed you wished to pursue Sebastian—have me slit his new bride’s throat, or something of that nature.”

“No. I am done with Sebastian. He had every opportunity and chose to shun me. I deserve someone who will appreciate me. A man who is more like-minded.”

Darius studied her face, all the while grimacing. “Frederick. He is your plan? Have you forgotten he has a wife who is with child?”

Angeline cupped her hand to Darius’ cheek. “I forget nothing. What better way to ease myself into his affections, than by comforting him over the loss of his family?”

“Loss?” He stared at her for several moments, then smirked. “You are wicked. How will you see it done?”

She slid her hand up his leg, then rested it where she had always been able to control him. “You said you would help me.” She gently squeezed. “I believe I can devise a way to accomplish the task without shedding blood.”

“Tell me.” His eyes shut, then he moaned and tipped his head back as she intensified her touch.

“All in good time. For now . . .” Her own need surged. “Come with me to my chamber and remind me why you are my favorite relative.” She dug her fingers into his thick hair and fervently kissed him.

When they separated, he stood and lifted her into his arms. “My pleasure.”

They said nothing more, all the way to her room.

At times, she scolded herself for her poor decision to behave unintelligent and giddy in Sebastian’s presence. He might have been the kind of man who appreciated a cunning woman. At the time, acting innocent and pure seemed appropriate.

How could she have known another princess existed who would stake claim to him? Until Olivia, Angeline had wrapped the Basilians around her little finger. Especially Queen Helen. Angeline had assured the woman she would be the perfect wife for her precious son.

Angeline vowed never again to giggle like an inexperienced girl. She would use her womanly wiles to worm her way into Frederick’s heart and bed. Chaste or not. A widowed prince was allowed a new princess, as long as she could prove herself virtuous. With the help of her skilled healer, Frederick would be none-the-wiser, and Angeline would display genuine pain on their wedding night.

Darius hurried along the lengthy hallway to her chamber. Icy air that somehow managed to seep through the stone walls stung her cheeks. Soon, the cold would be forgotten.

She laughed as her eager cousin fumbled with the door latch. With a swat to his hand, she opened it herself.

In two swift strides, he crossed her chamber floor and flung her onto the bed. The soft down embraced her, then his heavy weight nearly crushed her.

“You drive me to madness,” he mumbled against her cheek.

Before she could utter a sound, his mouth covered hers, devouring her with insatiable hunger. A trait she had admired since they had first discovered the joy of coupling with each other.

Now at the age of three and twenty, she had lost count of the numerous times they had entwined. Seven years of secrecy had allowed them many satisfying romps.

Ten years her senior, he had been bestowed with beneficial experience from dalliances in the brothels of Issa. However, once he bed her, she forbade him from going there again.

His wife, Lydia, had no knowledge of their activity. She proved to be a fine deterrent for anyone who might have questioned him, had he remained a bachelor. Aside from his wife, Darius was bound to Angeline alone, and if Angeline discovered otherwise, she would see to it he died in the most horrendous manner possible.

Her activities with Darius had brought about a scant amount of heartache, and Denali had proven his worth more than once. Though it pained her in a way no one but a woman could understand, she had required the man’s skills to remove a child. He had assured her she could conceive when the need arose, but she feared him mistaken. Since Denali’s procedure, even when Darius mistakenly spilled his seed within her, no child had formed. And yet, Darius and Lydia had produced a son and daughter. Reminders of what Angeline had given up.

No matter. As long as she became high queen, she cared not whether she produced an heir.

She threw aside all ill thoughts and focused instead on her lover. Panting hard, he pushed her skirt high above her waist, then stripped her of her undergarments.

Another giggle escaped her—one utterly unlike those she had readily tossed about in Basilia. This form of laughter was meant to fuel Darius’ fire.

He tugged off his trousers and forcefully took her. A man willing to display his power excited her beyond measure.

She shut her eyes tight and concentrated on every sensation. The intensity of his thrusts, the heat radiating from his skin, his guttural moans, and his musky scent.

“Tell me you will do all I ask,” she rasped, drawing her hips downward to further entice him.

“Whatever you desire.” His words came out in puffs of air, and he did not once stop his movement.

She worked her hands under his tunic, then scraped her fingernails along his back, digging them deep enough to rouse painful pleasure. “Good. And for your loyalty, I shall not have you withdraw this time.”

His eyes widened and his mouth formed into a sinister smile. He kissed her hard and deep, then held himself above her and slowed his pace. “Then I shall do my best to please you first.”

Exactly what she wanted. She locked eyes with him, licked her lips, and allowed herself the greatest pleasure in the kingdom. She could not comprehend what it would be like to have another lover. Darius had spoiled her.

Perhaps Frederick would bring something new and exciting to her bed. From what she knew of him, he was devious in his own right. Together, they would become unchallenged rulers who could change ridiculous laws that benefited no one.

She had prayed for divine intervention to give her the means to have Sebastian. However, it may have been God’s will for her to be with Frederick all the while. Who, but God, would know best?

She laughed. “I would,” she whispered.

Darius thrust harder. “You would what?”

“Do this all night, if I had no other responsibilities.”

He grunted. “Stop speaking. We have little time.”

She narrowed her eyes, tempted to give him a piece of her mind for telling her what to do. Instead, she smacked his bare rump and sealed her lips.

He was right. She needed to enjoy herself and set aside her plans. Truthfully, thinking about them brought her even more pleasure.

From the moment she had heard the great prophecy, she knew she was destined to fulfill it. Nothing would prevent her from making it happen.