Alex pulled away and started placing delicate kisses up her neck towards her ear. Eddie unconsciously tilted her head to allow him more access. His right hand lightly grasped her neck, his thumb rubbing small circles at the base of her throat.
“I can be very convincing,” he breathed into her ear, ending the sentence with a sensual lick. She shivered.
His hand moved from her throat, down towards her breasts. His thumb circled her nipple over the fabric of her dress.
“Alex,” she tensed, “What if someone walks in.”
“I only hire the best of the best,” he places kisses on her collarbone, his traced a path from her breast to her stomach, “They won’t bother newlyweds behind closed doors.”
“But-”
He silenced her with a kiss, his tongue slipping inside her mouth. He swallowed her moan, his talented tongue wearing down her defenses. His free hand continued its descent, now g
Despite Alex’s objections, Eddie returned to work three weeks earlier than planned. While she enjoyed her time with Alex, her passion for work remained fervent. But now, she was still weeks ahead of schedule and had a home to return to.On her first day back, she had returned to the estate at a normal time, much like the King’s other advisors. Alex praised her extensively, showering her with gifts and attention in the bedroom, saying he needed to reward his “dutiful wife.”The trend had continued, and Eddie never stayed later than necessary for work anymore. Remi found this change liberating. The constant dark circles under his eyes faded away, his oily skin cleared up and he even had time to get a haircut. His messy and rumpled look that used to match Eddie disappeared. He was even making fewer mistakes, no longer did Eddie have to point out small typos and misspellings in his work. Eddie was pleased with his improvement.Remi and Eddie&
She hurried to her carriage, ignoring waves from other advisors and nods from the usual guards. She climbed into her carriage and slammed the door behind her. The driver didn’t hesitate and started off.Eddie continued to chew on her nails.Alex had opened up to her these past few weeks. He told her stories about his childhood and his hatred for his father. He told her about starting his businesses, about his disdain for the Grand Peerage.He told her about their academy days and his infatuation with her. He told her about how he loved her hair, her eyes, and her nose. How he loved how she couldn’t seem to keep her clothes from getting wrinkled. How he loved her work ethic and her intelligence. He told her about dreams for their future. They’d even discussed children!He couldn’t be planning a coup.But maybe he was fooling her. She’d been fooled before.She believed that Johannes loved her and now she believed
The next week passed by in a blink of an eye. Eddie left for the palace early in the morning and returned early to the estate in the evening. She and Alex would eat dinner together and then go for a walk.They would spend the evenings locked in the bedroom, reading, cuddling and getting frisky.Eddie realized she was happy. She felt healthy, motivated and loved. The memories of Thackeray’s suspicions faded away.Until the letter appeared.Eddie hadn’t noticed it at first. It was on top of some important paperwork and without checking it, she had tossed it to the side. There were more important matters at hand and she didn’t recognize the seal.But when a second letter appeared the next day with the same seal, she grew curious.“Remi,” she called.“Yes, Duchess,” Remi stumbled into her room.“Do you recognize this seal?” She held up the letter for Remi to view.Remi ap
“It’s been a long time, Johannes.”Eddie looked over the man she had once loved and inwardly shuddered. Even if he had looked like the dapper Johannes she remembered, she still would have realized how little she cared for the man.He didn’t look anything like she remembered.Johannes was a mess, his clothes in tatters. His face was smeared with dirt, and he smelt. The stench was revolting, a deadly combination of alcohol, mud, and excrement. Johannes was sweating profusely as if he was on or coming down from some sort of drug. His hands shook as he dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief.The hostess had been expecting her, and Eddie had noticed her nervousness immediately. She originally thought it had to do with Johannes’ status as a prince, or ex-prince according to Lily. But now she realized the waiter was scared of Johannes’ appearance.Languine’s, where he asked to meet, seemed to be a respectable est
(WARNING: This chapter contains violent themes including assault.)She left Languine’s and started her walk back to the palace. She felt exhilarated, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She never imagined she could be so bold!She put him in his place! She pumped her fist in the air. Victory coursing through her.She had channeled the best of Lily and Alex. She didn’t let him irk her in any way just like Alex, and she even poured tea on him, something so crazy and bold, it would have made more sense for Lily to be the culprit.Would they be proud of her? Both of them constantly told her she needed to stand up for herself more. Here she was taking a stand and it felt amazing. She couldn’t wait to tell Lily and Alex.The fear of her past melted away, Eddie wanted to run to Alex right now and tell him everything. She would tell him about her feelings. How deeply she loved him. She would tell him about Johannes, too.
Alex returned home that day with a pep in his step. Tonight was Eddie’s and his anniversary. Well, not a true one year anniversary. Tonight, they had officially been married for three months, an achievement worth celebrating.Three months with the only person he ever cared about. All day throughout work his men shivered in his presence. He wondered why they all seemed so off-put until he realized he was smiling. The Duke of Ice smiling!This feeling of happiness was so strange. Alex never truly felt happiness before. Even his stolen moments with his mother weren’t true happiness. Fear of his father and sadness over his mother’s health always plagued those interactions.But with his little scholar, he’d finally found true happiness.Eddie was a blooming flower, becoming prettier and prettier every day. It’s a wonder how proper care can truly change a woman. Her skin now carried the healthiest glow, her hair shined, and she con
Lily was welcomed into the manor by a sober-looking butler. He opened the door but did not gesture for her to come inside.“Welcome, Duchess,” the butler bowed, “How can I help you today?”“Where is he?” she asked, pushing past him to enter the manor. She handed her hat and gloves to a maid who appeared at her side. The butler cast a searing look at the maid. He clearly didn’t expect Lily to stay.“He’s not taking any visitors currently, my lady,” the butler scrambled to intercept her as she made her way deeper into the manor.“I don’t care,” Lily shoved past him, and further into the estate, “He will see me.”The butler and maid hesitated, worried about getting scolded, fired, or in some sort of trouble with their master. Lily sniffed. If they were fired she’d compensate them accordingly. There were bigger things at stake than their jobs right now.
“Tell me about it,” Claiborne took another swig of his drink, “I mean how could I lose to that piece of garbage. I gave her everything she could ever want.” Lily felt no sympathy for Claiborne’s pity party. The sight was absolutely revolting. It did confirm Claiborne’s feelings, however. He must really love Eddie. If Claiborne found this letter, it could only mean one thing. Eddie did meet with Johannes and that bastard must have done something to her. Why would Eddie meet with him? The why wasn't it important right now. Lily knew in her gut that Johannes had done something to her friend. They needed to find out what happened to her. Maybe she needed to go to Thackery for help? Thackeray wasn’t the most subtle person. He never even knew about Eddie’s relationship with Johannes. Eddie was always afraid he would blab. This incident couldn’t reach society’s ears. A married woman disappearing from her husband’s estate and a suspicious letter. Even
Eddie readied for bed, but remained awake. She left a lamp on and pulled out a book, snuggled under the blankets she waited until Alex returned. The door opened just after midnight, and her husband snuck into the room. “You’re still awake? You should be asleep by now,” “I wanted to wait for you,” “Is something wrong?” “No, you look tired. What kept you?” “A client at the casino wanted to meet with me, and I couldn’t refuse. I made sure he wouldn’t hold me up again.” Alex’s eyes darkened. Eddie shuddered, her mind pondering all the ways the Duke of Ice could prove a point. Alex sauntered to the bathroom, and in less than fifteen minutes he returned. His hair was still wet, a towel wrapped around his hips. Water sluiced down his muscles and Eddie watched him, her gaze turning heated. Alex grinned mischievously and crossed the bedroom quickly. He drew her lips in for a kiss. Eddie closed her eyes, savoring the tast
(1 month later)"Well that was certainly exciting,” Lily took a sip of her tea. She looked stunning today, wearing her signature purple. Her dark hair was braided to the side of her head, with small flowers and crystals decorating the braid. Her makeup was perfect, her long lashes enhanced with mascara, and her complexion warm with a hint of blush.“I can’t thank you enough Lily. If it weren’t for you I don’t know what would have happened,” Eddie grabbed her friend’s hand. This was their first visit since Eddie’s kidnapping, and she was overjoyed to see her friend.The past month with Alex had been equal parts happy and frustrating. She loved Alex’s endless attention, but his overprotectiveness had reached new levels. Even though she was able to get out of bed a week after her attack, he refused to allow her to leave the bedroom for an extra week. He wanted to forbid visitors for two months, but Eddi
After a moment's pause, she asked “What happened to him?”She needed to know. Eddie didn’t want to think of Johannes after this and if she didn’t know what happened to him, she might spend her entire life glancing over her shoulder. Worried that he could be there, waiting to pounce and kidnap her again.Eddie didn’t want this incident to stay with her. She already knew she would flinch at men now, afraid that they might hit or harm her. She’d never had that fear before, but she would conquer it.Alex placed her hand back down on the comfort and retrieved another glass of water for her, “Alistair took him back to Arendel with him. It’s up to their King and Alistair to deal with him now.”“Alistair is their Crown Prince right? How do you know him?” She asked. Alex handed her the glass of water and waited for her to take a sip. Once she’d taken a few gulps he answered her question.
Eddie slept for two days. On the third day, she was able to stay up long enough to drink some broth and water. She promptly fell asleep afterward. Several doctors visited the estate to treat her wounds. There wasn’t much they could do besides disinfecting and bandaging her wounds. They prescribed some painkillers too, which Eddie took with breakfast and dinner.Alex barely left her room the entire time. He would pace frantically with worry. When the doctors came he would threaten and bully them, just to make sure they gave Eddie the best care they could. Eddie didn’t have the energy to scold him for his behavior, she merely watched loopy from her pain medicine, giggling at his antics before falling back to sleep.She woke up early in the morning on the fourth day, feeling well-rested and sore. She tried to sit up, but she felt a sharp pain in her arms and legs. Eddie slumped back into her pillows.Alex rushed to her side immediately. He gently lifted
She blinked at him in surprise. Eddie had no idea that Alex had any ties to the royal family of Arendel.She glanced up at Alex, his face serious, “Where was she, Alistair?”“A room in the basement, from the looks of it she’d been tied up there.”Alex’s grip on her arm tightened. She refused to look at him, her mind still reeling. She faintly heard Alex and Alistair discussing her, but her mind tuned them out as she took a look at her surroundings.She was in a seedy bar. The bar had been completely turned over. Broken plates, chairs, and tables littered the floor. In the center of the bar, several men were tied up, including Johannes.Eddie flinched when her eyes landed on him. She didn’t want him to have any more power over her, but the bruises and pain she felt were too fresh. Alex felt her flinch and he squeezed her gently, his arms still wrapped around her.“What happened?” she asked
He kept her there for days. She had no true idea how long she was there, no indicator of time other than his visits, each one more cruel and violent than the last. Johannes had gotten a taste of brutality and he reveled in it, finding new ways to taunt her and punish her.She never saw him leave, always fainted before he made his way out the door. Her legs and arms were bruised and battered, she was sure her face was a rainbow of color.She was grateful his hands never turned sexual. The thought of that brute’s hands made her want to retch.He left her on her side on the floor, during this time, but the last beating she received he’d propped her up, her chair finally back in an upright position. She smiled before her consciousness faded.The room was dark and she was alone when she woke up again. When she struggled the chair jostled a little. It was less stable than before. The left chair’s leg felt loose. She pulled against the chair le
Eddie’s consciousness returned suddenly. She gasped and her eyes popped open. Without thinking she began to struggle until she fell on the ground, knocking her head and disorienting her once again.She took deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. She looked around but saw nothing. She was in a dark room, with no light.She was seated in a chair, her legs tied to the chair legs, her hands tied behind the back. Splinters rubbed into her arms.She tried to let her eyes adjust, keeping them open even in the pitch darkness. Eventually, thanks to the light peeking around the door she was able to make out her surroundings.She was locked in a storeroom of some sort. Barrels of what she assumed were alcohol were stacked high up around her. A leaking drip-drip sounded in the corner of the room.She didn’t know how long she had been unconscious. It could have been hours or even days. The light from the door gave her no indication of time. It c
“Tell me about it,” Claiborne took another swig of his drink, “I mean how could I lose to that piece of garbage. I gave her everything she could ever want.” Lily felt no sympathy for Claiborne’s pity party. The sight was absolutely revolting. It did confirm Claiborne’s feelings, however. He must really love Eddie. If Claiborne found this letter, it could only mean one thing. Eddie did meet with Johannes and that bastard must have done something to her. Why would Eddie meet with him? The why wasn't it important right now. Lily knew in her gut that Johannes had done something to her friend. They needed to find out what happened to her. Maybe she needed to go to Thackery for help? Thackeray wasn’t the most subtle person. He never even knew about Eddie’s relationship with Johannes. Eddie was always afraid he would blab. This incident couldn’t reach society’s ears. A married woman disappearing from her husband’s estate and a suspicious letter. Even
Lily was welcomed into the manor by a sober-looking butler. He opened the door but did not gesture for her to come inside.“Welcome, Duchess,” the butler bowed, “How can I help you today?”“Where is he?” she asked, pushing past him to enter the manor. She handed her hat and gloves to a maid who appeared at her side. The butler cast a searing look at the maid. He clearly didn’t expect Lily to stay.“He’s not taking any visitors currently, my lady,” the butler scrambled to intercept her as she made her way deeper into the manor.“I don’t care,” Lily shoved past him, and further into the estate, “He will see me.”The butler and maid hesitated, worried about getting scolded, fired, or in some sort of trouble with their master. Lily sniffed. If they were fired she’d compensate them accordingly. There were bigger things at stake than their jobs right now.