TheRedKing (8 page)

“It’s been a long day,” Rain said, covering his mouth as he
yawned. “I’ll be heading back to Travelle in the morning to inform Mahir of the
situation here and let him know you can use our help. I’m sure he’ll be
supportive, especially when he learns that Hypatios is involved. Not long ago
the bastard destroyed a small village, including several of our Knights who
were stationed there. Most of us were busy defending Tanek at the time. We thought
he might send for Hypatios to claim Tanek, but he was too far south. This time
we won’t be so lucky. If Hypatios comes, the battle won’t be as easy as the one
in Tanek.”

“You call that easy?” Areus had taken part in that final battle.
When the Knights had come to him, he’d hesitated. At the time, his father had
been dying and Lortia was in a state of unrest. The last thing they needed was
to engage in another battle with Zaltana, but Tanek was so close to the border
of Lortia that Areus couldn’t refuse. By the time his army had arrived, many
lives had been lost. It had taken much effort and many resources to rebuild Tanek.
Now the village belonged to Lortia.

“You know what they say about Hypatios. He’s a madman and a
formidable warrior. They say he commands the beasts and speaks to the dead.
That’s why I’m requesting that Mahir send us a very special Knight, a man I
love like a brother, a man many consider mad as well. I pray that he comes. He
might be the only one who can advise us on how to defeat Hypatios.”

“His name?”

“Blaze.”

“He was with you at Tanek. I remember him.”

Rain smiled fondly. “He’s difficult to forget.”

“And difficult to understand, from what I recall.”

“But that’s what we’ll need to outthink Hypatios.”

At that moment, Areus’s gaze drifted toward the stairs and a
feeling of happiness overtook him. Delia’s gaze met his as she strolled to the
table.

“Good evening, Rain.” She smiled at the Knight, then turned
to Areus. “Sir.”

Areus nodded to her and a servant pulled out her chair. She
sat and the meal began.

“Alexa and the guards gave me a riding lesson today,” Delia
said.

Areus raised an eyebrow. “You don’t know how to ride?”

“Not very well. I’ve barely had any experience.”

“A princess who never had a horse?”

“I was reared at the convent. There was no royal stable.
Only a barn with two mules who never went quicker than a walk.”

“Then I’m glad you’re enjoying our horses.” He smiled
faintly and their gazes met.

“I got to visit a great deal of the city during our ride.
There’s so much to see and do here.”

“I’ll have to make time so we can tour it together,” Areus
said. “Right now—”

“You’re far too busy. I understand. Keeping Lortia safe is
your priority. It has to be.”

He held her gaze and smiled slightly. “Is my fiery queen
mellowing already?”

“Fiery but realistic.”

“True.” He nodded and they continued eating in silence for a
moment, then she engaged Rain in conversation. Areus joined in and the meal
passed pleasantly. Rain excused himself soon after he’d finished since he
wanted to retire early, as he would leave for Travelle at dawn.

Areus offered Delia his hand and said, “Walk with me. It’s
good for digestion.”

She smiled and accepted. His long fingers closed around
hers. When the couple stood, so did everyone else.

Areus led her out of the great hall and as they disappeared
down a corridor, she heard conversations resume.

They ambled a short distance to a small, arched door where a
young page stood at watch. The boy opened the door so the king and queen could
step into the courtyard.

The section they’d entered was filled with trees, shrubs and
flowers.

“After our walk, there’s something I want to show you in my
chamber,” she said.

“We could go now, if you like.”

She shook her head. “A walk will be nice.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed the city,” Areus told her. “And it’s
good that you’ve found projects to interest you. Alexa said you liked the
community house.”

“Very much. Every city should have one.”

“My thoughts exactly, which is why I’ve set them up in most
of our major cities. If you have any suggestions for improvement, I’d love to
hear them.”

She glanced at him with a questioning look.

“What?” he asked.

“I just wanted to see if you meant that sincerely.”

“Why wouldn’t I? Delia, what is it about me that provokes
you?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted.

A sad smile touched his lips. “That was honest enough. I know.
You’re an honest woman.”

“Truly, Areus, I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I’m
waiting for you to turn into my father.”

He shook his head. “That won’t happen.”

“Why are you so different than other men?”

“Not all men are monsters. You must know that after meeting men
like Etor, Seth and Rain. Many men are good, if you give them the chance.”

“And just as many are evil.”

He sighed and gazed at their entwined fingers.
“Unfortunately, you’re right. Evil men do exist.”

“And evil women,” she admitted. “We can only try to be
decent and care about one another.”

“Did the sisters tell you that?”

“They told me many things that I rebelled against at first,
but the older I get the more I realize how right they are. Areus, tell me the
truth. Was there an attempt on your life?”

They paused beneath a willow tree and he stared at her
adorable face, illuminated by moonlight. He touched her cheek, enjoying the
softness of her skin. Her large eyes stared at him.

“A short time ago, while training with my personal guards
outside the castle walls, I was attacked by assassins. There were three. Two
were killed outright and the third I ordered taken below for questioning.”

Delia drew a deep breath. She turned away from him for a
moment, her fists clenched at her sides. When she turned back, she asked, “Did
you learn anything from him? Anything useful?”

“He revealed several interesting items, most of which
needn’t concern you.”

She laughed humorlessly. “Doesn’t it concern everyone?”

“Delia, I understand how you feel, but I can’t discuss
everything with you, no matter how much I’d like to. Know that I have this
under control. My advisors are wise. My army is strong and I will fight to the
death to protect you and Lortia.”

She stepped toward him and placed her hands to his chest.
Her fingers tightened on his shirt and she stared into his eyes. “I don’t want
you to die.”

Her burst of emotion took him aback, but touched him more
than he wanted to admit.

“Then you’ve decided I’m not so terrible after all, or am I
simply the lesser of two evils because even you can’t deny Hippolytos is worse
than me.” He smiled, hoping to lighten the moment.

She didn’t smile back, but continued staring at him. Was it
the beginning of affection shining in her beautiful hazel eyes?

“Have I left you speechless?” he pressed, then his smile
faded and he cupped her face. His thumb caressed her soft cheek. “Don’t look at
me like that.”

“Why not? I know you’re the king, but here in private can’t
I show some concern for you?”

“Is that what it is?”

“Of course. You can’t think I’d want to see you killed or
even hurt.”

He kissed her tenderly, chastely, perhaps in gratitude. He
hadn’t expected the good fortune of marrying a woman with whom love might be
possible.

When the kiss broke, he said, “Last night you wanted to tell
me something. What?”

A playful smile illuminated her face. “I’m glad you asked.
It’s part of what I want to show you in my room.”

He chuckled. “This sounds promising.”

Delia took his hand and tugged him toward the door.

In the castle, they climbed the stairs, strolled down the
hall and paused outside her chamber.

“Wait here a moment,” she said.

She opened the door a crack and slipped through, closing it
behind her.

Areus’s brow furrowed. What was she up to?

Moments passed and he started pacing. Areus hated to be kept
waiting.

“What are you doing in there?” he called.

“Another moment please!”

He shook his head. No longer completely full from dinner, he
was in the mood for stronger exercise than the pleasant walk they’d just taken.
He could hardly wait to join her in bed. His was bigger than hers, but if she
wanted a change of scenery, he wouldn’t argue. Maybe she was making herself
ready, having Echo undress her and prepare the bed.

He paused mid-step as a disturbing thought crossed his mind.
Despite his attraction to her, they didn’t really know each other. She had gone
from hating him to being almost familiarly affectionate tonight in the
courtyard. Why?

Could he trust her?

On their wedding night, she had said he had ripped her from
the home she loved. She seemed happy here, but it might be a farce. Though most
women couldn’t defeat men in physical combat, there were other ways to control,
even kill, with nary a blow.

Poison came to mind. If she knew how to mix and administer
medicine, then she would know about poison as well.

Hippolytos wanted him dead. He had already sent assassins to
slay him on his own land. Why not send an irresistible women to murder him in
bed? He saw no evidence that Urion had contact with Hippolytos. Areus’s well-trained
spies kept careful watch over all the surrounding kingdoms, but what if they
had missed something? What if Hippolytos had bargained with Urion, promising to
spare Prem if he aided them in doing way with Areus? Maybe Delia herself was
the weapon intended to destroy him?

No.

He was becoming obsessed. The constant threats were chipping
away at him. He couldn’t allow that to happen.

He also couldn’t be foolish.

The door opened and his head snapped toward it.

Echo, looking shy as always, stepped out and curtsied to
him.

“She invites you to enter, sire.”

He inclined his head slightly and stepped past the maid into
the room. Echo closed the door behind her as she left the couple alone.

Areus glanced around the room. The beautiful scene was almost
ruined by his suspicions from a moment ago. Almost.

A bath filled with steamy water had been positioned not far
from the hearth where a welcoming fire blazed. The scent of flowers floated
throughout the room. On the table in front of the window rested a bottle of
wine, two goblets and a bowl of fat purple grapes. The covers on the bed had
been turned down and a glass container rested on the nightstand.

Where was she?

His gaze riveted to the dressing screen in the corner of the
room. It was painted pale blue and gold.

Delia stepped from behind it, wearing nothing except a
string of pearls that hung to just above her navel. The pearls brought out the
hint of pink in her smooth, pale skin. The nipples on her small, round breasts
were enticingly stiff. Her thick brown hair hung loose down her back and a
smile tugged at her dark-pink lips.

Areus’s cock twitched and his breeches felt far too tight.

“I thought you might enjoy a hot bath,” she said. “Then to
be covered with kisses.”

He couldn’t keep from laughing a bit at her unexpected
boldness. This was certainly different than her usual charade of lying still as
a corpse until he lured her into coupling.

Was that part of her plan?

What plan? He was being unreasonable, thinking this lovely,
honest woman—a virgin on their wedding night—was an assassin.

“I hope you’re laughing because you like the idea, not
because you actually find this funny.” She folded her arms across her breasts.
Her little toes curled in the fur rug on which she stood. The seductress faded
for a moment, replaced by a more familiar woman. Strangely, it was a relief.
Not that he didn’t like being seduced, but he wanted to know he could trust her
first.

“Of course I don’t think it’s funny,” he said. “It’s just
unexpected.”

“You told me last night our other game bored you, so I thought
I’d change it.”

He smiled and approached to place his hands on the luscious
curve of her hips. She was so soft and warm. He brushed her mouth with a kiss
and she stood on tiptoe, weaving her fingers through his hair.

“The water is hot,” she whispered against his lips. “Let me
help you undress.”

Delia tugged at his black tunic and he stepped back a bit,
since it was easier for him to pull it off. He wore a softer, billowy shirt
beneath. Delia slid her hands under it and caressed his stomach and chest. He
loved how she touched him.

He quickly removed his shirt and kissed her again.

Delia took his hand and guided him to the bed. She pushed
against his chest and though her strength meant little to him, he sat as she
clearly wanted him to.

She knelt between his legs and caressed his thighs. “You’re
so hard all over. So strong.”

“You have no idea how hard I am,” he said with another
playful grin.

“Shall I see?” She cupped the bulge in the front of his breeches,
then rubbed her cheek against it.

“Ah, Delia,” he murmured, caressing her silky hair.

“That’s quite a beast those breeches are holding back. I think
we should set it free.” She lowered her chin to her chest and tilted her gaze
up to his in a way that made his heart beat faster.

She grasped his boot and tugged it off, then removed the
other.

Areus stood and pulled off his breeches. Delia approached
the table while he finished undressing. His brow furrowed when she poured the wine
and plucked a fat grape.

She brought the goblet and the fruit to him and held the
grape to his lips.

He gently grasped her wrist and lowered her hand.

“Too soon after dinner for dessert?” she asked. “Would you
like some wine? It’s soothing and I did promise to help you relax.”