Meriall took her hands in hers and pressed them firmly. “Where have you been?” She asked vehemently. Her eyes were sprouting longing as if she was waiting for her like her son. “I was…I was gone,” Renai replied in a haze. Her heart was heavy remembering those painful days when she was disposed of by Lord Bancroft’s sword of honour.“But why?” Meriall scooted closer to her and cupped her one cheek as she had grown closer to her after the revelation. For years she yearned to meet the woman who had captured his heart at such a young age. “Why have you left when you knew my son was madly in love with you,” Meriall complained in a soft tone, but the hurt was evident in her every word. “I didn’t know that. I thought he would forget me as I was no good to him,” Renai revealed to her truthfully. It was the half-truth. “Nonsense. He destroyed himself in your loss. He would have been a different man today if you had stayed,” Renai stared at her as she openly accused her of something she was
36Zebian was in his own world during the whole journey back to Sebria. With his eyes glancing at the sky-blue clouds, he was lost in his bubble where only his rose lodged. His heart was fluttering with explosive love for her from the moment Lucian’s words got to his heart. She made him cookies. He least expected it but she proved him wrong. His little one did have a spot for him but she was stubborn enough to admit it. It’s okay…it’s alright by him. If she wanted to play cold, she could. He would give her time to settle back into their new journey but the second her mask of indifference would slip off, he would screw with this waiting and show her how much she belonged to him.Zebian closed his eyes and tipped his head back before sighing deeply. He thought he would never stop punishing her for the pain she had given him but now, it was becoming the hardest thing to do. His heart was melting for her. Asking him to blend in her madness again. Love her like there was no tomorrow and fo
She blinked twice at the ground before walking toward Renai. Renai sucked a breath, staying immobile. “Would you like to have a walk with me?” Meriall asked her. Renai’s eyes widened at the grass. “I would be a fool to say no, my queen,” Renai glanced up and replied courteously. Meriall gave her a pleased smile and shot her head to her right to clue. Renai smiled back and turned to begin walking beside her. For a few steps, both were quiet until Meriall felt the need to break the silence, “The weather seems nice,” She commented. “Yes, it is,” Renai agreed. “I see, you are kind with children, I suppose you cherish them,” Meriall stated, her eyes gleaming with adoration and contentment. Seeing her with that girl induced many wishes in her heart. Just if… Renai couldn’t reply as all of a sudden Meriall said. “May I ask you one question?” Renai felt a tug at heart but nodded her head. “Sure,” She fisted the sides of her peach dress.“Would you like to have children of your own one d
Zebian was witnessing the happening with his utmost interest. His eyes were closely following every move. His heart jolted by her kind gesture. From the way she was asking her if the little bird was okay to blowing air on legs. A glow of concern never left her face. His hands immediately balled into fists, he controlled himself for not tossing her on his shoulder and taking in his room already. This woman was doing him unimaginable things. “I think she would like to have a daughter first but she has to give birth to a son first,” Meriall commented as they both watched the duo. Zebian smiled and glanced at her narrowly. Meriall smiled back. “Your rose is back,” she stated, taking Zebian aback. “What? You thought I didn’t know that? I’m a mother, your majesty,” Zebian couldn’t mask his wide smile and pulled Meriall in a side hug. ”You shock me,” He replied. “I wish you well,” Meriall cherished his embrace with eyes closed. “And she loves kids,” Zebian chuckled and shook his head. H
37The shock was diffused all over the king’s face. His eyes were locked on the woman whose head was bowed in both; respect and tremor. He swallowed down the hard pill and bewilderingly blinked at her. Renai let out a shaky breath and straightened her posture, her eyes were never daring to lift up. Whereas Arlet was still reeling from the shock she witnessed a moment ago. Being the king's concubine, she was privileged to enter his room without seeking his permission. When she heard of the incident she couldn’t hold herself from not visiting him, but now her audacity had caused her a ticket of handful trouble. Glancing at the king’s reaction, she was certain her death was looming around. He would snap her head any time. “I..I shall be leaving,” Renai babbled and stepped ahead to leave but Zebian held her wrist, stopping her feet right away. She let out a stifled breath and tilted her head over her shoulder to glance at their hand contact. Her glossy eyes trailed up from their skins
“Rose, what is this?” Zebian glanced at her face and back to the splinter that was near her wrist. “Put it down, it’s not really brave of you,” Zebian warned her with his finger pointing at the wrist as he stepped ahead. “I will hurt myself if you hurt her,” Renai stepped back when Zebian tried to step ahead. “No, stay where you are, I said I will hurt myself,” She neared the splinter to her skin. Zebian stepped back.“Okay, stop, this is not funny and I am not liking it,” Zebian gritted out, downbeat. “Let her go and I will stop,” Renai demanded. Zebian gave her a stern eye with his head tilting. “If you won’t then I will die with her,” A tear streamed down her eyes. “What do you think you are doing?” Zebian wasn’t liking her defiance. She was definitely trying to coax him into manipulation but both of them knew it wouldn’t finish well for her in the end.“What I should have done long before,” She pressed the piece against her skin and blood started to seep out. His soul jumped o
Zebian was screwed to find any good in her words. It only evaluated his fury. Slamming his fists on either side of her head. He fanned out heavy breaths on her face while fixing his stare on her.Renai flinched poorly. “A whore like her can never be my woman,” His hand snaked to her neck and he wrapped his fingers around it. A fresh coat of sweat smeared against his fingerpads. “She can’t be called her grace, for it is only for a woman who I shall choose,” He pulled her close, bent to her level and joined his forehead with hers, inhaling her breaths. Their lips had a fraction of an inch gap. “Which I had chosen long before when I had sealed her lips with mine beside that tree. I chose her the moment I fell in love with her. I chose her to be my woman, be the queen of my heart and realm and produce me an heir for my throne who would run my legacy,” his hand trailed down her dress only to slip it beneath the fabric. His fingers precisely caressed her joined knees, gliding all the wa
38This all was too much for her. His hands everywhere on her body, his kisses all over her skin, his words threatening to spellbind her mind, his affection extracting sense out of her system. Everything was too much. His love and hatred were wrecking her whole existence.She couldn’t fight off the dilemma. Her tears silently vacating her eye-sockets as he skimmed down the bridge of his nose to her cheek and placed his soft lips on the track of her tears, line by line he drank all of them. His warm breath suffused tingles all over her upper-body. One moment she wanted to surrender but the next, her mind would reel off those vicious moments that she and others had borne because of him. He was the one who commanded that man Larford to trick her. He was the one who locked her up in that dark room and instructed Basina to whip her back just for his gratification, he was the one who kept those women as slaves because they resembled her and tortured them for something they were unknown of.
******All the royal children were present in the hall. The hall was echoing with chirping voices. Little birds were spread everywhere until the king and queen’s arrival was announced. The boys back-stepped on the left and the girls took to the right lane. Zebian and Renai treaded between them and took to the stage. They settled on their respective thrones. The instructors rushed close to the stage and bowed. Zebian nodded and permitted the class to begin. They explained the moves and coordination to the children and showed how to combine the steps. After that, they paired the couple. Zenia was paired with Aurelio and that happened on the king’s order. He wasn’t unaware of her daughter’s interest in his sword of honour’s son.Lucian glanced at Zebian and smirked. Zebian smirked back and watched the pair stepping closer. The instructor told Aurelio to place his hand on her waist and grab her hand. Zenia put her hand on his shoulder and began swaying along to the music. She was deeply
Stepping inside the hall, the announcer proclaimed their arrival and both of the kids stood from their seats in respect. Rebian, who turned fifteen last month, was on the right side of the table along with his sister. Zenia will turn ten next week. The youngest one watched her parents advancing close with blurry vision. She wiped her tears with the back of her hands and dashed toward them. Zebian stepped faster and kneeled with his arms open. Zenia hurriedly slammed into his chest and hugged him tightly. He lifted her in his arms and stroked the back of her head. Her soft muffling caught him cooing. “I missed you so much, papa,” She mumbled against his neck and wept. Zebian smiled and closed his eyes. “Papa missed his angel too. Now, why are you crying?” He asked as a tear smeared over his skin. He tried to pull her face away but he snuggled into him and shook her head. “You didn’t come to meet me last night,” Zenia grumbled. Renai smiled and watched Zebian grin. “I thought you w
Bonus Chapter “Oh…oh…oh..ss…s…stop it, you are…t…tickling m…” Renai held his head and tried to pull it away but her husband was keen on sucking her neck while tickling her belly with his unforgiving cold fingers. The queen was erratically wobbling underneath him and he was chuckling against her skin, making it more hard for her. Zebian undid his lips and pasted a mischievous smirk before glancing down at his artwork. It was raging bright and purple sitting on the side of her neck. He was proud of every mark he owned on her body. “Will you ignore me again?” He aligned himself outside her entrance and gritted contemptuously. The mushroom tip was massaging her clit. Renai bit her lip to press her smile and nodded her head, doing hard to keep an offensive frown on her forehead. Zebian lifted his brows and stared at her in amusement. “Are you sure, my queen?” He leaned closer to her face and locked her gaze with his stern one. “If it comes to our children, I shall be ignoring you f
Sleep came to him after two weeks. After bending fate in his favour, he finally had her sleeping in his arms. His eyelashes fluttered as he woke up to her sight. Her soft petals slightly parted, her nose twinkling in pink hues. She was breathing peacefully as if she knew she was safe and protected. His heart drummed quietly against her left shoulder as he brought the back of his fingers to trace the outer-rim of her jaw. He keenly swirled his route down to her chin, grazing it with his thumb. As if her body acknowledged his touch, her lips got closed. He softly smiled and danced his hand all the way down to her stomach, underneath the duvet. He placed his hand on the bare surface and drew circles on it. She was only wearing gauze on her shoulder, the rest was her skin. Closing his eyes, he imagined caressing their baby. How much he dreaded losing him when she was injured by the arrow. That time he thought he would lose everything. Him, her. Every single hope to live.His heart walls
******Renai was being taken to the king’s chamber which was also hers now. Her chambermaids had dressed her in a black nightie and a gown concealing her beauty. “Her Grace, the Queen,” the announcer said. It felt oddly good to the queen as the doors opened for her. The king who was no other than her husband was gazing out with his hands tugged back. He was wearing a silk black gown like her. She stepped inside and the door shut behind her. Her gaze fell on the envelopes. Was he planning to tease her again? She wondered.He turned around. “My queen,” He stepped toward her and curtsied. Renai smiled amusingly. “You may rise,” “With all pleasure,” He straightened, both of them grinned.“You are holding something?” She mentioned. “Your wedding gift,” He presented it to her. She frowned. Wedding gift? Was it really a wedding gift in an envelope?She took it from his hands and took note of his reaction. “Open it,” He jutted his chin. She inhaled deeply and opened it. It was a paper
*****She squeezed the nosegay in her hands. Her palms were sweaty and she was slightly shivering in nervousness. She lifted her anxious eyes and glanced at the children dressed in royal suits and gowns ahead of her. They would escort her to the altar where she was going to marry the most powerful man in the world; who also happened to be her childhood best friend. Then why was she feeling so nervous? She didn’t know it herself. “My lady, it’s time,” Evelyn put a hand on her arm. Renai glanced at her with tears filling her eyes. She didn’t know why she was feeling mawkish. This was the biggest day of her life, it was supposed to make her happy. “This is the last time we are calling her ‘my lady’,” Cora piped in. Renai chuckled out of the blue and a tear tripped down as she closed her eyes. Evelyn smiled warmly and pulled her in a sisterly hug. “He will love you with his life,” Evelyn whispered in her ear.“You think so?” Renai whispered back.“I believe so, we all have seen in hi
Three Months LaterRenai detached the baby’s mouth from her nipple. His tiny lip formed a pout as he rubbed the back of his fist over his right eye. She purred seeing his little move. Her eyes admired his round, chubby sleepy face as he perfectly snuggled in her embrace. She brought her fingers and moved his fist down before bringing them to his cheek and lightly grazing his skin to the chin. The baby sighed in peacefully, coaxing a smile on his mother’s lip. She leaned down and placed two pecks on his cheeks, settling him on the mattress after that. She shielded his body by stuffing pillows around him as she had to leave him to take a bath. A chambermaid would be here to take care of him but she still chose to keep them for the safer side.Renai stood straight and was about to turn around when she heard the indistinct voices swinging from afar, coming through the window. It was early morning but she had been hearing these voices since last night. She smiled and thought to glance out
Renai had seen Zenner killing people. She first saw it when he was taking her to Calmia on Gordian’s—Bancroft’s Sword of Honour—command. She woke up in a carriage after she passed out in her house, looking around she discovered she was not in Sebria anymore. They stopped in a market. A few minutes later, she heard a commotion, she glanced outside the window and saw Zenner stabbing an old man for not giving him the apples on the rate he demanded. It was her first time witnessing a murder. She never recovered from it. Neither had she the courage to see people getting butchered by him. She also didn’t want him to hurt Zebian. King or not, Zenner was close to him. He could have easily killed him. “He said if I told you anything, he would behead you and your people would turn up against you. I didn’t want that, I never want you to get hurt,” Renai flitted her misted gaze at him and snivelled. Zebian was over the moon. His insides were dancing in happiness. The effect her words had on him
She was staring at his face as he blew air on the hot soup. His eyes were swollen and he looked exhausted. Of course, the war and fighting had tired him out. Her heart was filled with pity for him. He lifted his lashes to her mouth as he fed her. “You c..cried?” She asked, gulping the brew. His eyes flicked to her eyes. If only he could tell how many sleepless nights he had spent beside her, praying for her, feeling dreadful whenever he thought she would give up on him. If only he could sob in her lap and tell her how powerless he felt in all these days of misery.“Did you make it?” She asked him to change the topic as he was only staring at her face, it was making her feel awkward. A soft smile crossed his lips as he forwarded the spoon. “Who else could make it with such fine perfection, my beautiful?” He sneered, keeping his gaze on her sparkless orbs that still held the whole world for him. She looked self-conscious. A small bubble of wrinkle sat between her brows.“I’m not beau