Jewel in the Crown - Valentine's Special

I’m meant to spend the night in the Royal Tower. It’s a tradition dating back to the very first rulers.

I was the one to insist on it, and as I make my way there without Kaldan, I regret each step I take.

The maids have been in already. They made a fire and warmed the bed, ensuring it is comfortable enough for me.

I sigh, gently taking my latest gift from Kaldan off my head. I place it down on the dressing table. I don’t bother to fold my dress and leave it crumpled in a heap on the floor.

I drank too much. I drank far more than I intended, but it seemed like a good way to calm my nerves.

When I get into bed, I lie there, staring at the ceiling, knowing that by the time the next night comes, I will be coronated and recognized by the entire Council.

Kaldan will make good on his final promise. On the one thing he’s stated from the start.

Tomorrow, I will be crowned. I will be a queen in my own right.

My stomach flutters at the notion, at the thought of standing before so many people, not only our own people but the entire Council, every other king and queen consort.

But then this is what I am born to be, what my destiny is.

What Kaldan decided from that moment he laid eyes on me in that orchard.

Being in bed feels strange without him. I feel strange.

As I let out a sigh, I hear the creaking of the door, and I sit up, my heart suddenly thumping in my chest. Someone is here. Someone is in the tower.

They’d have to have gotten past the guards, which means they’ve come with force.

My mind runs wild, thinking over who it might be, who from the Council might take this chance to strike at us, at Kaldan.

I lean over, trying to find my dagger in the darkness, and as my hands grasp the hilt, a body presses into mine.

I don’t hesitate. I move quickly, ramming it into their throat, making sure they know I am not some weak, little girl anymore.

“I warned you before about playing with knives, Arbella.”

The sound of his voice makes me let out a gasp of relief. “Kaldan.”

“Did you think I was an assassin?” he teases.

“You bastard,” I reply. “I thought you were here to kill me.”

He lets out a chuckle, brushing my hair from my face. “I was lying in bed, thinking of my wife all alone in this dark tower…”

I roll my eyes, already knowing where he’s headed.

“So, what? You thought you’d come rescue me from my boredom?” I reply.

“Are you bored?” he says. “Do you need rescuing?”

I smirk. “Not from you.”

He leans in, kissing me so greedily that I all but drop the knife, and it clangs as it hits the floor.

His hands yank at the covers, pulling them off, and I gasp as the cold air makes my skin erupt with goosebumps.

“Is this why you came?” I ask him.

He nods. “I couldn’t bear the thought of my wife all alone in this cold tower.”

I let out a laugh.

“And I knew you couldn’t come to me.”

“You are such a good husband,” I tease.

I can just make out his grin through the darkness. “Let me show you how good a husband I can be.”

His hands reach down. He pulls my legs apart, though I don’t put up any semblance of a fight, and then, he slides his body down till I can feel the heat of his breath on me.

Since Kalad’s birth, he’s been so gentle with me.

My body took almost two months for the swelling to go, and, though the cut they made to get Kalad out has healed, Kaldan is still so careful, as if he fears any rough manhandling might cause the wound to reopen.

He plants a kiss right where my scar is, and then he lowers his mouth to between my thighs.

I hold my breath, knowing exactly what is coming. I’m already desperate for it.

The first sweep of his tongue makes my eyes roll back in my head. I let out a moan of ecstasy and expectation. Through the limited light, I can see him grinning.

He licks me again, and those tiny pinpricks of his tongue send another wave of pleasure right to my core.

“Kaldan,” I gasp.

I love being vocal with him now. I love that I don’t have to pretend. That I don’t have to fight myself. That I can enjoy every minute and show him exactly how good he is.

“My queen is enjoying herself,” Kaldan murmurs.

“Your queen wants you to continue,” I state.

He lets out a chuckle. “I think I have allowed you to grow too bold, Arbella. You’re far too vocal—”

I nudge him with my thigh, all but forcing his face to my pussy. “I know what I want,” I state. “And now I’m not afraid to ask for it.”

His reply is to suck my clit between his lips.

I jerk, letting out a moan as I feel my body grow wetter.

“Such a needy queen,” he murmurs. “But you’re my needy queen.”

I nod. “So meet those needs.”

He grins more before swirling his tongue, teasing me by flicking at my most sensitive spot to the extent that I have to grab the sheets to stop myself from writhing.

“Oh fuck,” I gasp as he brings me closer and closer to my climax.

He doesn’t reply. He just keeps all his attention where I need it most, and as I fall apart, he stays there, ensuring I ride it out for as long as possible, writhing, screaming, half-rolling around the bed.

When I finally slump back into the pillows, he moves up, cradling my body against his. I can feel how hard he is, how much he wants me in this moment, and I roll on top of him, sliding him inside me.

He groans as I do it, and I take the moment to steal a kiss. He’s always the more dominant—he always will be—but I like it when I can show with my body how much I need him.

I push myself up, straddling him, and start gyrating my hips slowly as I find a rhythm that we both will enjoy. His hands run down my side, and he grabs my ass, clearly reveling in the way I’m making him feel.

“Arbella,” he growls.

I lean in, brushing my lips against his, and he’s quick to wrap his hand around my head, to hold me there, to deepen this kiss as we fuck each other.

I can feel his sweat on me. I can feel every place where we are connected. I moan against him, not wanting this to end.

His thumb comes down and slides between my thighs once more, and he begins circling my bundle of nerves.

I throw my head back and arch my back, letting out an almost animalistic sound. Somehow, Kaldan has always known how to manipulate my body, how to touch me in a way that makes me feel so alive.

“Cum, my queen,” he says.

And I do. I fall apart once more as my insides grip him so tightly that I fear I might break him in half.

He growls out his own release, and we fall back into each other’s arms.

I can hear his heart thumping from the way I’m lying on his chest. I can feel my own mirroring the heart rate.

“I love you,” I say.

He lifts his hand and sweeps my hair off my face. “I love you too, Arbella. I’ve always loved you.”

“I’m nervous about tomorrow,” I whisper.

“You have nothing to be nervous about.”

I knew he would say that. But it’s easy for him; he was a warlord who made himself king. I doubt he’s ever lacked confidence in his abilities.

“What were you speaking to Helos about?” he asks.

I pause, biting my lip. “Princess Raegan,” I admit.

He frowns, propping himself up on one elbow. “What exactly did you say?”

I wince. “I didn’t mean to bring her up; it’s just he was saying how much safer he’s made this world. That the likes of my brother wouldn’t be able to operate now without consequences.”

He doesn’t reply. I can tell he’s waiting for me to continue.

“I said that everyone was talking about her, and that I didn’t want her to suffer the same way I did.”

He lets out a low breath. “Is that your concern?”

I nod.

“And what did Helos say?”

I shrug because what did he say? “He said he would send an envoy, but that anything more would result in war.”

“It would result in war,” Kaldan says.

“Why?”

“Because Törin is not part of the Great Council. And we cannot be seen to be interfering in other countries’ affairs.”

“But—”

He shakes his head, all but silencing me. “I know you meant well, but you are not astute enough in politics to understand the finer details.”

I scowl. I know it’s true, but that doesn’t mean I like my shortcomings pointed out like that.

“I will guide you,” he states. “I will teach you—I mean it when I say we are equals because that is what I want, not a trophy bride as you were signed over, but a fierce queen who is as wise and shrewd as I am.”

I nod before letting out a little laugh.

“Why is that funny?” he asks.

“You think you are wise and shrewd?” I tease.

He grins before planting a kiss on my lips. “Wiser than you, but soon, very soon, I expect you will be teaching me things, making me see power plays.”

“You think that?”

He nods. “Yes, you are not stupid. You are smarter than you realize.”

“How do you always have such faith in me?” I ask.

“That’s easy,” he replies. “Because I love you.”

I roll my eyes. He’s definitely gotten softer with me in private, especially since Kalad was born, but I don’t mind it.

In fact, I’ve started to love both sides of him: the soft side only I see, only I cherish when we are alone, and that fierce, merciless side he presents to everyone else around us as a king.

“You should go back,” I murmur.

“Why? Kalad is with the nursemaids; he is safe.”

“You can’t sleep here,” I say.

He frowns. “Why not?”

I open my mouth to reply, and he places a finger across my lips.

“If you are sleeping here, then I am too. I will not leave your side unless I have to, and we are certainly not sleeping in the same castle in separate beds, ever.”

“Fine, but you have to leave at first light. Before the maids get here.”

He chuckles at that. “Do you not want them to know how much you needed your husband, is that it?” he teases. “Would you rather they think you spent the night bravely all alone in this dark tower? That you didn’t sneak me in?”

“I didn’t sneak you in,” I reply. “You let yourself in.”

He laughs at that. “You didn’t put up much of a fight, princess.”

“I seem to recall I held a knife to your throat.”

“And you dropped it the minute my mouth was on your needy cunt.”

I let out a gasp of shock, smacking him across the shoulder.

He wraps his arms around me, holding my body against his.

“I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you. I brought you into this castle, held in my very arms, and you will spend your last night as uncoronated here, right where you belong.”

“With you,” I say.

He nods, planting a kiss on my shoulder. “With me,” he repeats.