“You believe that, don’t you?” Her face turned sympathetic. “Being foolish isn’t such a bad thing.”
“You said your father never allowed you to do anything, either.”
“He didn’t. But I learned how to entertain myself in all circumstances.” She sat down next to the hearth, tracing her finger across the cool ashes that lay just beyond it. “Sometimes, I would draw pictures of houses by the sea. I dreamed of places I wanted to visit and imagined a quiet holiday from the palace with just me, my sister, and my mother.” She drew lines within the ash, and then ventured, “What about you?”
He sat beside her. “I spent all of my time learning to rule the kingdom.” He hadn’t played, for he had no friends or siblings. His father had forbidden him any contact with other boys when he was growing up. And as for Queen Astri…after years of her madness, they had locked her away. Nothing he’d achieved had ever pleased them.
The memory of the lonely boy he’d been gave rise to a cold frustration. What reason was there to seek their approval, when they’d disinherited him and turned their backs? He owed them nothing. The stony emptiness inside hardened into resolve. He would gain his own kingdom to rule, and prove his worth as a ruler.
He didn’t need them. Or anyone else.
Karl glanced over at Serena, and in her eyes, he saw sympathy. It wasn’t right for her to pity him. He was using her for her kingdom, and he didn’t deserve anything at all. “It’s growing late. You should get some sleep.”
She came closer, her hair in wet strands against her shoulders. The gown clung to her, the water droplets glistening upon her skin. “Not yet.” With a sigh, she moved beside the fire, turning to dry herself.
“Going out in the rain wasn’t a wise idea,” he pointed out. “It won’t be easy for you to sleep.”
Her gaze softened. “No, but it felt good to do something I wasn’t supposed to do.”
The hint of rebellion in her voice sent a flare of interest through him. He moved to stand beside her. With a hand, he reached out to touch her damp hair. The wet strands slid through his fingers as he saw her expression transform into apprehension.
“Why do you want to marry me?” she whispered. “It would be far easier to find another princess.”
He stared at her, drinking in her soft features. The buttons gaped across her breasts, and he longed to cross the room and unfasten them, one by one. He wanted to peel away the fabric, revealing her bare skin. “I have my reasons.”
Leaning in, he took her mouth in a kiss. Her soft lips were damp, and he tasted the rain upon them. Against her mouth, he ordered, “Kiss me back, Princess.”
“This wasn’t part of our agreement,” she breathed, resting her hands against his chest. He moved his mouth to her temple, feeling her body shudder at his attention. When he took her earlobe into his mouth, Serena gasped, her hands grasping the back of his head. She wasn’t fighting his advances, but instead held him to her. He tasted the skin of her throat, his hands pulling her flush against him.
She aroused him, and he palmed her hips, letting her feel his desire. “If we were married, I’d take you upstairs,“ he murmured. “I’d remove this gown and touch you everywhere.”
She emitted a shaky breath, still holding on to him. In her eyes, he saw the haze of her own forbidden desires. “I’d take your breast into my mouth, using my tongue to make you ready.” His hand moved to the curve beneath her breast, his thumb close to her nipple, but not touching it. Her face flushed, and against the damp dress, he could see the taut buds.
He claimed her mouth again, kissing her hard until she returned the kiss. Her mouth moved against him, her hands touching his shoulders as she lost herself in the abandonment. With his knee, he parted her legs, his mouth hovering against hers. “You’d feel wet for me here,” he said. “And I’d fill you, moving inside you, until you cried out with release.”
Serena’s mouth was swollen, her eyes filled with needs she didn’t understand. But when he drew his hands down her bruised arm, she inhaled sharply.
“It still hurts a little,” she admitted, closing her eyes. The physical reminder of her abuse made him stop. Though he wanted her badly, she wasn’t ready for this.
“I’ll show you to your room.” Serena followed him as he led the way up the stairs. Karl brought her into the smallest bedchamber, and she grimaced at the sight of the straw mattress upon the floor.
“Must I sleep upon that?”
“Like an ordinary woman, remember?” Karl moved forward to stoke the fire he’d lit in the hearth earlier. It was still cold within the room, and she shivered.
“Get some sleep.”
Before the door could close behind him, she interrupted, “Fürst Karl?”
“What is it?” He turned back and saw her standing by the fire. In the dim light, her skin glowed, the droplets of water making him want to lean down to taste them.
“Today wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It was rather nice, actually.”
Karl closed the distance between them and pulled her back into his arms. He could feel the quickening of her breath, the soft chills that ran over her skin. “There are two days left.”
“And nights,” she added in a tremulous voice.
“You don’t have to spend them alone,” he murmured. He moved his hands down her spine, drawing her closer.
