Heat curls in my stomach and an insistent, pulsing rhythm settles between my legs, making me ache. Oh to be touched liked that!
Soon, Ada, soon…
“Do you like what you see?” a smooth voice murmurs behind me.
I do not need to turn to know who is there.
“I was not—I mean, I was, my lord, but I have noknowledge of what is transpiring up there,” I babble too loudly.
Charles chuckles.
“That is a shame. But of course it’s only proper for the blushing bride to be innocent in all matters.”
I was imagining my death to be dramatic and violent, but it turns out I might just die of shame.
I stare ahead, trying to look anywhere but at the couple, who have since started moving toward the staircase.
“Turn around, Fastrada.”
It’s a command, clipped and direct, yet without any malice.
I press my hand to my heart.
And turn.
This is the first time I am truly looking at him up close.
I have to crane my neck to be able to take him in.
His hair is dark and slightly mussed, the crown Charles was wearing during the ceremony is gone. His gray eyes are alight with amusement, the faint lines around them indicating that he is a good bit older than me. His mouth is relaxed, the beard neatly trimmed back. There is kindness in his gaze, but also something else I cannot quite place yet.
I lower my eyes to my hands, suddenly self-conscious about how I must look. I have been dancing all night.
Charles reaches out and places his finger underneath my chin, tilting my head up.
“No looking away, Fastrada. You are a queen now. A wolf never breaks eye contact.”
He releases my chin and offers me his elbow. I nod and hook my hand into the crook of his arm. There are so many things I want to ask him, so much I don’t know. And yet, in this moment, I am utterly speechless.
“Have you eaten, my Queen?” Charles asks as we walk alongthe columned rows to take a turn around the room.
“Yes, thank you my Lord. It was excellent.”
He hums. “I hunted the deer myself, did you know that?”
“I did not. I have heard of your love for hunting, but I was not aware that the King takes it upon himself to hunt for such an occasion.” Devil’s mercy, I sound like my mother.
“There are only few things more liberating than a good hunt. After all, it is my duty to care for the people in my court, don’t you think?” I can see him looking at me from the corner of my eye.
“Indeed, my Lord, and we are all grateful for your protection and loyalty toward your kingdom.”
He stops and turns toward me, his eyes searching my face. I stare back at him, unsure of where to look or what to say.A wolf never breaks eye contact. So I stare.
His eyes fall to my lips and a small smile spreads across his face.
He leans in, so close that I can feel his breath on my skin.
“You are oh so polite and demure, my Queen. I cannot wait to see you transform into the passionate, outspoken woman I know you to be. I will delight in seeing you unravel, peeling away those polite manners one by one, until you forget how to whisper and must speak the truth with your whole body.”
