Chapter 10

"Take this off?" he said trying to get out of his robe.
The royal robes were heavy and uncomfortable to sleep in. Grabbing the robe I helped him get out of it.
"And this too." He said pointing at his shirt. I could see he was wearing nothing underneath.
"You are going to be cold." I said.
"No, it's too hot. "
Opening the buttons on his shirt I helped him take it off as well.
"Now let me help you." Grabbing my waist he pulled me down on the bed.
"Help me with what?" I panicked.
"Taking your clothes off." He stated simply tugging at my robe.
"No!" I tried to get up but he pinned me down with his body.
"I am sorry wife, but I won't take no for an answer today."
"Lucian! You are not in a right state of mind. You will regret this, now let me go." I urged.
"I already regret it. I regret everything and I keep regretting." He said and went back to trying to take my robe off looking both angry and sad. I was confused.
"Do you regret getting married me?" I asked. How could I worry about this now when he was trying to strip me. He stopped in his tracks and looked at me for a while, then he leaned closer and I thought he was going to kiss me but he collapsed on my body
"Lucian? Lucian?" When I got no answer I carefully pushed him away.
He landed on his back, he had already fallen asleep.
I let my eyes sweep over his half-n.a.k.e.d body before grabbing the sheets and covering him. I just hoped his answer would be no.
Lucian woke up, his head throbbing in pain. So this is how it felt like to have a headache, then he was glad he never had one before. Sitting up he removed the sheets and realized he was wearing nothing on his upper body. Wait! How did he even come here?
Slowly pieces of his memory came back. He remembered drinking too much, Hazel trying to push him away but him telling her he would not take no for an answer.
What had he done to her? His heart started to pound in fear and he became afraid to remember the rest. What if he had hurt her? Just what had he done to her? This time he tried to remember but he couldn't. He didn't know if he should be relieved or more worried now.
Hazel. Where was she? He had to find her and make sure she was alright.
Making his way to the bathroom he threw the door open. There she was, bathing in flower-scented water while some maids rubbed scented oils into her hair and skin.
Gasping they pulled themselves away as he neared.
"Your Highness." They said and bowed.
Hazel turned around, her eyes widening as she saw him.
"Leave us." He ordered and the maids hurried away.
Hazel pulled her legs to her chest to cover herself as her cheeks flushed red.
"Lucian? What are you doing here?"
He walked closer as his eyes carefully scanned her body to see if she was hurt. She pulled her legs even closer to her chest and shyly covered her shoulder with her wet hair.
"Are..are you alright?" He asked.
"Huh?" She looked confused. "Yeah, if you could only stop staring." She said as she made an attempt to cover herself once again.
She didn't look hurt and listening to her heartbeat she wasn't scared of him either. He sighed in relief.
"Turn around." She said "I need to get dressed."
"I have already seen you n.a.k.e.d." Her cheeks flushed a bright red. He tried hard not to remember her n.a.k.e.d body, he didn't want to wake his demon.
"Still..." She said stubbornly.
Usually, he would enjoy teasing her at moments like this but he decided not to this time.
"I'll wait for you outside." He said and left her. At least she wasn't angry with him anymore.



Lucian paced back and forth in the room as he waited for Hazel. He needed to speak to her today, be honest with her and tell her about the situation with Klara. That would be the right thing to do he thought.
The smell of food interrupted his thought. He couldn't remember the last time he enjoyed food or s.e.x. No wonder his demon was hungry to come out.
A few maids came in with the breakfast and started serving. Now and then they would look his way and blush. He was used to maids ogling at him but this time something was off.
"Your Highness the breakfast is ready." A maid informed looking down as her cheeks turned red.
Really what was wrong with these maids?
"Yes, you may leave."
They bowed and left giggling. Lucian continued with his pacing not giving a thought to why the behaved like that until Hazel came into the room. She was wearing a simple light pink gown and her reddish-brown hair was still wet from the bath. Oh, how he wanted to run his fingers through her hair.
He quickly put his hands behind his back to prevent himself from doing anything stupid.
"Lucian?"
"Yes." He shook his head. He was probably staring.
"Why are you still half-n.a.k.e.d?" She smiled. What? Looking down at his body he realized he hadn't gotten dressed yet. He now understood why the maids behaved strangely.
He had been thinking too much about Hazel that he had even forgotten about his own clothes.
"Ah...yes.." what was he supposed to say ?" I was about to get dressed."
She just smiled at him. That smile, it was his weakness.
He quickly put something on then went to the breakfast table where Hazel was already sitting.
Usually the husband sits first then the wife, but he didn't mind Hazel sitting down before him. He never understood those stupid rules anyways.
Hazel stood up and poured some tea for him.
"It will help with your headache." She said.
He picked the cup, from the scent he could tell it was ginger tea. He took a sip, he didn't like the taste but if it really would help with his headache then he would drink it all.
"About last night...I hope I didn't do anything to upset you." He said carefully.
She took a sip of her tea.
"Well... you just pushed me down on the bed and tried to take my clothes off and you told me you danced with Klara."
He remembered the part where he was trying to take her clothes off but not the other one.
"I am sorry."
Lately, he had been apologizing too much. Actually twice but it was a lot for him.
"I am sorry too... for saying that I almost got r.a.p.ed because of you."
Why? Why did she have to apologize for that? Why was she suddenly nice and not fighting with him anymore? It only made him feel more guilty for what happened and for what might happen.
"Hazel...Rasmus wants me to marry his sister." He said it quickly before he could change his mind then he looked down afraid to see Hazel's hurt or disappointed expression.
I knew it. I knew the bloodthirsty king would ask for something in return and that it probably would be something like this. We shouldn't have come here but where would we go? As soon as we step out of this castle I knew we wouldn't be safe.
I looked at Lucian. He wasn't looking at me for some reason.
"So what did you tell him?" I asked trying to keep my calm.
"I haven't given him an answer yet."
"Why?" He could have said yes. It was a very common and normal thing for men to have many wives and now when he was in a difficult situation were his marriage could save his life I wondered why he hadn't said yes.
He looked at me confused.
"Aren't you angry?" he asked.
Angry? No I wasn't angry. I was feeling as if my heart was being squeezed. The thought of sharing Lucian with another woman, with Klara felt like a knife in the heart, twisting.
Really, what was I expecting? I knew I was marrying a prince and that it is not only common but a must for princes to have many wives. Wives meant allies and more power.
"No." Was all I could think of saying when I actually wanted to say a lot of things. But what could I say? I couldn't tell him not to marry Klara because that would get us both killed, even though that is exactly what I wanted to say.
Lucian looked troubled. He didn't even touch his breakfast. I haven't seen him eat once these last few days.
"How is Oliver?" I asked trying to change the conversation.
He finally lift his head to look at me.
"He is fine."
"I should go and see him."
"You don't have to. I will ask Lincoln to send him to you." He said standing up. "I should get dressed and leave, I have things to take care of."
"But you haven't eaten anything."
"I am not hungry." He said and went to the bathroom.
As I was left alone everything started to sink in.
Klara, Lucian was going to marry Klara. I was going to share my husband with someone else and I couldn't do anything about it. I knew this day would come I just didn't know it would come this soon. I thought I could have Lucian to myself at least a few years.
Lucian walked out of the bathroom fully dressed but his hair still messy.
"I can brush your hair." I suggested standing up.
He looked at me confused.
"If you like."
He went to the dresser and sat in front of the mirror, then he watched my every movement in silence.
Picking the brush from the dresser I began to brush his hair. So soft, so smooth, I wanted to make a pillow of it.
"I think it's enough." He said after a while and stood up. Turning around he gazed into my eyes before leaning down and giving me a quick kiss.
"Thank you." He smiled and then left quickly.
I just stood there, surprised by the kiss. Why was I behaving like a little girl? It wasn't the first time we kissed but it still gave me a tingling feeling in my stomach.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." I called and shortly after Oliver walked in.
"Oliver."
"Your Highness," he greeted looking down.
"I am glad you are alright," I said walking closer but he quickly dropped to his knees.
"I am sorry, I failed to protect you."
"What are you doing?" I said shocked. "Stand up."
He slowly lift his head looking ashamed.
"It's not your fault, I was the one who insisted you take me out. I should apologize." I explained.
"No! Don't.!" He almost yelled. "It's my duty to protect you and I failed."
There was no point in arguing with him I thought.
"Alright," I said. "It's your fault but I forgive you if you help me."
He looked up surprised but then stood quickly up to his feet.
"Anything you need, I will do it for you."
"First I want you to be my person." His eyes widened. Him being my person meant that he would serve me before Lucian.
"Your Highness," he looked slightly confused.
"I am not telling you to betray His Highness, I am just saying you should serve me first. Didn't you say you would do anything for me?" He seemed to think for a while but then nodded.
"How may I help you?" He asked.
"I want you to help me stop His highness from marrying Klara."



His highness is going to marry Klara?" He asked surprised. I guess he didn't know about that.
"Yes. The king wants him to marry his sister in exchange for help."
"Oh...but how can I help you?" he asked.
I wasn't sure how either but I wanted to stop this.
"Your highness I just want to tell you that if you stop this we could all die."
"I know" I said quickly. "I want to stop this without us dying, that's why I need your help."
I hoped he could come up with something.
"There is only one way to stop this. It is to change Klaras mind about the marriage."
I knew that was the safest way but I knew it wouldn't be easy because Klara would do anything to get Lucian.
"How can we change her mind?"
"That...we will have to think about." He said thoughtful.
"What about other allies? Is there someone else who can help his highness?" I asked.
"No. You know prince Lucian has a reputation." He said. I knew what he meant.
Speaking of reputation, I still had to figure out what Lucian was. He couldn't be the devil's son because from what I learned when I was little the devil had no children. On the other hand when speaking spiritually if someone put their faith in Satan instead of God they become the children of the devil.
"Has his highness ever gone to church?" I asked. He was surprised by the sudden change of subject.
"I really don't know." He said.
"Alright. For now keep an eye on Klara. We might find something that can help us."
"I will." He said and left.
After he left I went to the mirror. The bruises on my face were still visible which meant I still couldn't leave the room. Sighing I sat down. I wanted to go out so badly, there was nothing I could do in here.
I tried to read for a while, looked outside the window, ate lunch, tried on different dresses, brushed my hair, tried to read again, ate dinner, wondered around the room, thought about Lucian for a while and now I was sitting on the bed sighing now and then while doing nothing. What a day? Totally wasted.
I fell back on the bed and stared at the Ceiling. What if Lucian was spending time with Klara while I was bored to death in here. Why could he never spend the day with me?
"Lucian where are you?" I whispered for some odd reason.
"Did you miss me wife?"
Startled I sat up on the bed. Lucian was standing next to the bed a smirk on his face.
"How did you come in?" I asked.
"Through the door." He said with an expression that said where else?
"I didn't hear you come in."
"That's because you were thinking about me." I tried not to blush.
"That's because you were gone the whole day and I was locked in here." I said.
"Not because you miss me?" He added. I could see he was enjoying this. Fine with me if he wanted to play.
"Did you miss me?" I asked.
His expression became serious as he walked to my side of the bed. Then he offered me his hand. As if my body controlled itself I grabbed it and he helped me up and pulled me closer gazing into my eyes . I did the same thing unable to looked away, his eyes were hypnotizing.
"I miss you even when you are this close." He said pulling me even closer. I could hear the sincerity in his voice but there was a sadness there too.
"So, now answer my question. Did you miss me or not?" He asked. So he wasn't giving up?
"Hmm...I don't know." I said teasingly. "I need to think."
He smiled devilishly. "Let me help you." He said as he slowly brushed the hair away from my neck. I instantly knew what he was going to do and I waited in anticipation, then he slowly leaned in and brushed his lips against my neck sending shivers down my spine.
"Now.." He breathed against my neck "Did you miss me now?"
How was this helping me think? It was doing the exact opposite. When I didn't respond because I could barely breath he kissed my neck gently slowly moving down to my shoulders and back up to my neck again.
I bit my lip to suppress a m.o.a.n and grabbed his shoulders to hold myself up as I became weak in the knees.
"Now?" he asked once again. "Did you miss me or not?"
"Yes" I breathed. "I miss you."
He pulled away and looked at me. I still felt dizzy from the kisses so I clutched on to him to hold myself up but even my arms felt numb. As if he knew he put his arm around my waist to help me stand on my feet but it only brought me closer to him. His warmth, his breath and most of all his scent, his spicy scent made me ache for more. I wanted more of his kisses.
"Remember you told me you wanted me for yourself?" He asked.
"Yes" I said as I tried to pull myself together.
"What if that doesn't happen?"
Then what? I really didn't know. I would live with a heartache for the rest of my life and probably die because of it.
I pulled myself away from his hold and tried to stand steadily.
"Did you say yes to the marriage?" I asked instead.
"No."
"But you will eventually say yes?"
He seemed to think for a while. I knew I was putting him in a difficult position. What man would want to die instead of having a second wife who was as beautiful as Klara.
"Never mind" I said sitting down on the bed.
I guess he wouldn't have given me an answer anyways because he quietly walked to his side of the bed and lay down.
I blew the candles out and went to sleep as well.
Lucian woke up and tried to blink a few times to see clearly but it was still dark. Strange. He had always been able to see clearly in darkness. He tried to move but realized he was tied to a chair. What was happening? Using his thoughts he tried to untie his hands but that didn't work either. Something was off.
"There is no need to try." A voice said that send chills down his spine. Lucian looked around trying to find who the voice belonged to but he saw no one.
"Who are you?" he hissed.
Slowly a figure appeared from the shadows. A tall man with long hair he could tell but he couldn't see his face.
"Tsk,tsk,tsk. I thought you were brave. I never thought you would hide somewhere instead of fighting." He said.
There was raw power in his voice. This person was clearly dangerous.
"I don't know what you are talking about. Who are you?" Lucian asked once again.
The man brought his hand up and seemed to look at his nails. They were sharp and long just like his, even longer.
"I am talking about the crown. You know you can't avoid to kill your brothers forever or they will kill you." He said.
Lucian tried to untie his hands again. He wasn't feeling safe with this man and how could he know all of this?
"Just who are..."
"That doesn't matter you fool." The man cut him off. No one had ever dared to call him fool, not even his own father.
The man laughed. What was he laughing about? Then he stopped abruptly.
"In times of danger you need to become the danger itself. Remember, fear... fear is the best way to control humans." He said. Was this man giving him advice? On what and why?
"What do you want?" Lucian said still confused how he got here and who this man could be.
"Hmm...will you give me what I want? That's nice of you. I will think about it then and tell you next time." He said turning around and walking away.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Lucian called but the man slowly disappeared in the darkness.



Yawning I rubbed my eyes as I woke up. Strangely I slept well after such a long time. Could it be because Lucian was sleeping next to me? I looked over at Lucian and found myself admiring his beauty and wondering how someone can look as sinfully beautiful as he did. As usual I could only admire his beauty while his hypnotizing eyes were closed and again my fingers itched to touch him. No, I wouldn't make the mistake of touching him again while he was asleep. I had embarrassed myself enough last time.
Only his hair. I would only touch his hair I convinced myself and slowly brought my fingers to touch his hair when he frowned. Was he waking up? His frowned got deeper and he mumbled something looking disturbed. Was he having a nightmare?
"Lucian?" I said carefully and tapped his shoulder but he didn't wake up.
"Who are you?" he hissed in his sleep.
"Lucian! Lucian! Wake up!" I said shaking him slightly.
His eyes shot open and he looked around confused.
"Lucian?"
"How?" he asked panting.
"How what?"
"How did I get here?" he asked sitting up.
"You never left. You were just having a nightmare"" I said softly. He shook his head as if he didn't believe me and then looked around confused again. He really needed to wake up.
I grabbed his face gentlyand made him look at me.
"Lucian... it was only a nightmare." I assured him. He considered what I said for a while then nodded like a lost child. I let go of his face and he lay back on bed with a sigh.
"Do you want to tell me about your dream?"
"No." he said.
I just nodded.
"Don't you have anywhere to go today?" I asked. He looked at me for a while.
"You want me to go?"
"No, it's just that you usually leave early." I said "and in a hurry."
Yes, he needed to leave and find Klara. Today he had to speak to her and solve the issue.
He wouldn't hurt Hazel, he didn't want to. He felt as if they bonded lately and he didn't want to break that bond.
"I'll Leave." He said standing up.
Hazel looked as if she was going to protest but didn't say anything.
Leaving the room he took a bath, quickly got dressed and was ready to leave when a few maids came in with breakfast.
"Won't you have breakfast?" asked Hazel as he was about to leave.
"No." He said and headed for the door when Hazel grabbed his wrist.
"Will you come early then tonight? I want to have dinner with you." All he heard was tonight, want and have. God, he was losing it.
He took a deep breath "Yes, I will." He said and tried to get away fast but she still held his wrist.
"What happened to your wrist?" she asked looking at it. He brought his arm up to take a look. There were red marks on both his wrist as if he had been tied.
Tied?
He instantly stiffened. It wasn't a dream, he knew it. He had been in that dark room with that strange man.
"Hazel? Are you sure I was here the whole night?" he asked.
"I think so, I never heard you go out. Why?" she asked worried.
"Nothing." He said and tried to smile. He didn't want her to worry.
"I'll see you tonight" He said and left.
"Lincoln?"
"Yes, Your highness."
"Did I ever leave my room last night?" Lucian asked.
"No Your highness. You never left."
Lucian stopped in his tracks. He was sure he had met that strange man but how without leaving the room?
"Is something wrong Your highness?"
"No." He said and continued walking.
"Your highness, have you decided about the marriage yet?"
"I am not going to marry Klara." Lucian said.
"But Your highness..."
"Don't .." He cut him off. He didn't want to hear about what would happen if he didn't marry Klara. He already knew the risks.
He went to the garden where he guessed she would be training but she was having tea with her sister instead.
"Good morning" he greeted as he neared their table.
"Good morning prince Lucian." Astrid replied with a joyful smile.
Klara put her teacup down and smiled at him as well.
"May I borrow you for a while?" He said reaching his hand toward her. He could hear her heart speeding up as she took his hand.
"Of course." She smiled then looked at her sister before she followed him.
He led her through the garden until he found a peaceful place where he could speak to her.
"The king suggested I take you as my wife." He began. She looked at him with a shy smile. "But I can't" he said.
The smile disappeared from her face and confusion appeared in her sapphire blue eyes.
"Why?" she asked.
"My wife won't like that." He said simply.
"And you?"
"I wouldn't like that either."
"Why? What is wrong with me?" She asked.
"There is nothing wrong with you. You are perfectly fine but I am happy with my wife and I don't want to change that."
"I don't want you to change that either. I just want to be next to you. Unlike your wife I can be a great support. I know how to fight and I know war strategies and my brother is a king."
He knew what she meant. Yes she would be a great help and he needed it know but Hazel was his priority. He wanted to make her happy.
"I know, but would you really be happy being a second wife?"
"I would be happy as long as I am your wife." She said.
" Lucian...I... I .." Her eyes darted around avoiding his. "I love you."
His eyes widened. That came as a surprised. He knew she liked him, desired him but loved him? He never thought she would use that word.
"I fell in love with you from the first time you held my hand in that battlefield instead of killing me and I loved you even more when you gave me your sword to protect myself and after that I just kept falling deeper and deeper." She said taking a few steps closer to him.
This wasn't going the way he hoped it would.
"Lucian..." she said taking his hand "I am not telling you to love me. Just have me, half of me, a piece of me, anything, but just have something."
If only Hazel had said so...
He pulled his hand away.
"I am sorry, but I can't." He said. Her eyes hardened.
"And I can't let you go." She said. This was bad. So bad, but he just turned around and walked away.
"My lady, Princess Klara is here to meet you."
Klara was here? Why? I looked myself in the mirror. I had put on some makeup with the help of a maid so the bruises were barely visible today.
"Let her come in?" I said. Shortly after Klara came into the room.
"Good afternoon, princess Hazel." She greeted without a smile.
"Good afternoon" I replied in the same manner. "Please have a seat." I said politely.
"No thank you. I will leave soon. I just came here to tell you that you are very selfish."
"Excuse me?" I said both shocked and confused that she said that to me.
"I know you want your husband for yourself, but if he dies you can't have him at all. It seems you don't care, you are putting him in danger for selfish reasons."