Curiosity gets the better of me and I stalk forward to turn the golden knobs of the door. They give way and the door pushes open with a terrifyingly loud creak. But what the two doors hide is so much more amazing.It is a library. Books line the walls, and a great swirling staircase leads up to the second floor of it. Two large windows let the moonlight in as the torches do not lead on into the library. I shut one door behind me, leaving the other open in case the doors were to lock behind me.The place is huge and mysterious. My people had called the barbarians an unintelligent race with no interest whatsoever in edification; an unclean, uneducated species. But judging by the books and paintings hung on the walls, these peopledo not live up to the stereotypes from Bellechester.My fingers scrape across the spines of the books, a thick layer of dust coming off my skin. These books and parchment scrolls and paintings haven't been touched in years. I wonder why no one's been in here fo
. "What are you doing up here?"Amusement mixed with anger flash in his eyes. "I could ask you the same exact thing."Red Fox was supposed to be at the meeting with Ceaser. After all, he is one of Cesar's men. I don't want to talk to that low life so I try to leave, but he pushes me against one of the bookshelves and pins my arms above my head. "Let me go You, Bastard!" I scream at him. He sighs and tilts his head as if contemplating whether or not he should let me go. "Hmm, let me think. How about No!" He laughswhen I growl at him. "So, whose side are you really on, Tiger Claw?"When his face draws closer to mine, I struggle more. "Is this some kind of sick joke?"He's so close to me that I can feel his lips turn upwards into a smile on my skin. "I am not afraid."I decide not to provoke him. He's got the upper hand on me and Cesar can't protect me while he's at the other end of the castle. He is also unaware that i roam around here...."I am on your side. Why do you think I gave
Marudulla~~~I stand behind him in the chilly morning breeze, my fingers entwined in his hair, weaving it into a braid for him.It seems like forever since I'd touched those glorious, silky black stands. It's unseasonably cold this morning, but Prince Edmund insists on having the windows left open. The people are upearly this morning as well, for I can hear them bustling about the villages. I tie the end of Prince Edmund's braid with a strip of cowhide leatherand let it fall down his back. He turns around slightly and flashes me a brilliant white smile. "Thank you, Princess," he says in that deep, husky accent that I've come to treasure. I nod myhead and smile at him. He wears a fur vest that shows teasing glimpses of his bronze, muscled chest and deerskin pants that will keep his bulky legs warm.I am wearing spotted deerskin pants with fluffy sheepskin boots to warm my feet. I also wear a cozy deerskin top, with my hair intricately braided on either side of my head. He looks at m
"So that's it?" I cry. I'm blinded by my anger and can't really control what comes out of my mouth—or what I say to the king. "You wish to keep me as your mistress for the rest of my lowly life?" My bad habit comes around again. I'd beenso good about not scratching myself because I hadn't been unhappy or stressed in a very long time, but alas, my nails find my skin and draw blood.His eyes widen and he wrestles my arms to my side, growling when my blood drips onto his hands. "You didn't let me finish!" he roars at me. I instantly quiet down. "You will never marry, Elizabella…you will never marry anyone but me. And that child in your stomach will be my heir!"The pain from scratching my skin comes as blood rolls down my arms, but I don't acknowledge it. He is clutching my hands, kneeling at my sides, submitting to me. Yes…me. I remember what Cassandra said on my first day in Stauckana."If a warrior wants to marry a harem girl, she cannot refuse."But this was him demanding my hand
I lean closer to him, kissing his lips tenderly with my own. As I am about to pull away, he grabs my face tighter and pulls me back in for a more satisfying kiss, one with plenty of tongue and saliva, and passion. He tastes wine and rabbitstew. I pull away finally, laughter dying on my lips.It doesn't take long to notice the stares from the people at the table around us. Some smile, some blush, and some look away in embarrassment from being caught. Cesar just keeps eating his soup, his abnormally hot hand resting onmine. He has no sense of embarrassment. He only takes pride in the things he has conquered. And he has, undoubtedly, conquered me."Na yi ta na da kyau, ma'am," Cesar speaks up in his native tongue. It sounds so rough and manly when he says the words. "Amma idan wants Daga gare ku kiyaye staring an inda zan mace kamar cewa, shi ke cabbage take cewa ba za kaso a sakamakon. (I realize she is a beauty, yes. But if any of you keep staring at my woman like that, it's guarant
"All this talk of war is making me ratherunsettled."The ladies all nod their heads in agreement. Marudula: "I am afraid for Iron Coyote's life. He is the one to lead the armies into battle, and the enemies always want to take down the captains first," Marudula whines to the group, but no one seems to care. They have all been at the brunt of the aggressive prince's wrath and have no positive feelings towards him. Camellia nods. "All of our men will be joining the war. There is an equal risk that we might lose our lovers." She chews her lip and looks down at her knees. "Nobody likes a war. But if it's necessary, then I suppose we must prepare ourselves the best we can for the worst. Because now we all are in love with one particular person"I frown. All this talk of war makes me feel quite sullen. Michelle is cradling her stomach as she tries to focus on her knitting but I can see that she's trying to hide the fact that she's feeling rather ill.I think the weight of baby is now ti
My breathing is rapid and my heart beats uncontrollably in my chest. This is the first time I've ever been afraid of the Barbarian Prince after I have known him and become his lover. I was a little angry too from this reaction when I only tried to give him one single suggestion. I turn around slowly and make my way over to the door. As soon as I place my hand on the doorknob, deep down thinking he would stop me, and yes he did actually, he clears his throat."You Know I love you more than anything," he whispers brokenly and painfully."I didn't mean to snap at you like that. But I am not in the mood to play along with you. Men have temper issues"I turn my head so that he's only visible through my peripheral vision. "I know. I love you too. I am sorry for telling you what to do! You know things better than me" And I slip out of the room, the events from just a few seconds ago stillhaunting my mind.I am very worried since I heard about war and here he is injured before it has started
"You have caught quite the animal," I tell him, stroking the smooth fur of the deceased bear. He looks at me with uneasiness in his eyes before glancing towards Cesar, who isn't even paying attention. "It is all right," I whisper. "We are friends, remember? And I have King's permission to speak with you"He swallows thickly before cracking a small smile. "Yes. I remember." He takes the pelt off and places it over my shoulders. "You look…cold." His assumption is true, but I could never accept this gift.I shake my head and pull the pelt off of my back. "You are Black Bear. This was your calling. I could never have this." I smile at him a little. He shrugs, placing the pelt back onto his back.We stand in silence for a few moments. He looks at his feet as if he does not know what to say. "You will come to the wedding, right?" I ask him.He still doesn't look at me. "Everyone comes to wedding,"he whispers in his thick accent.I roll my eyes slightly. "I'm not worried about everyone. I'm