To Wed A King

The Offer

Lucan sank lower into the bath, his eyes closed, the women around him pouring the hot water all over his skin. He slowly opened his eyes, his fists lightly clenching, his eyes thin.

"Where is Claude?" He asked, his voice low, his eyes fixed in a burning incense stick in the far corner of the bath house

"I will bring her, Your Majesty."

He gave a small sigh, then sat up, a small breath escaping him.

"Your Majesty. You called for me?"

He dismissed all the rest, then slowly turned to her. "Wash my hair."

Claude nodded, then walked around, getting all of the oils and soaps for his hair. She soon set them down close to him, then gently brought his shoulders a little lower, so his hair was more accessible. She sank her fingers into his hair, then daringly leaned forward to place a small kiss on his forehead.

If he noticed, he did not say a word about it as he gave a small sigh.

"What do I do with the princess?" His voice was low, and Claude looked up.

She cleared her throat as she tried to mask the jealousy that filled her up. "What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

"She refuses to accept me. I intend to wed her and..."

"Wed?" Claude blurted, then immediately moved backwards. "I apologize. Continue, Your Majesty."

Lucan moved his hair, so he was looking at her. "Keep your feelings in a place that does not allow you to disrespect me, Claude. I have no use for them."

Claude nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty. You were talking about something."

Lucan let his mind drift back to Adeline. He let his eyes narrow, his mind reeling. He had never thought of marriage before. He never saw the need to bind himself to one woman. Neither did he see the need for marriage in order to produce an heir. If he wanted an heir, he would have one immediately.

He rubbed his forehead lightly as Claude went back to washing his hair.

"Dress her up. Adorn her room. I am spending the night with her."

Claude swallowed, then nodded slowly. "I will, Your Majesty. Does this mean that my night will be shifted to tomorrow?"

Lucan gave a small chuckle. "I do not believe I will spend any more nights with you once I get married."

"But Your Majesty... what shall I do if I do not spend any more nights with you?"

Lucan gave a shrug. "Get married. Or something. I do not quite care."

He reached for the robe, then wrapped it around him as he left the bath. Without another word, he walked away from the bath house, leaving Claude sitting on the floor, tears filling her eyes.

Adeline stared at the large torch as the women fixed the room around her. It was becoming increasingly clear that she would not be able to escape Lucan. He was far stronger and faster, and his desire burned more than she could ever hope to destroy in her bid to get away from him.

A single tear drop left her eyes as the women led her to the steaming bath. She closed her eyes as they washed her hair and scrubbed her skin, applied scents into it, then dried her hair.

They braided her hair into beautiful artworks and dressed her in a beautiful white dress adorned with red diamonds.

Adeline's head tilted upwards as they finished working on her face, then backed away, leaving her alone. The room was filled with scent and candles, and she wished she could burn it all down.

She was not sure how long she sat there for, but a small knock came on the door. She did not turn to it or bother ushering him in. He had not asked for her permission when he had barged into her life either.

The door opened, and Lucan was standing behind it. He was wearing a dark red robe, one that was, although, long sleeved, open fully in the middle. The contours of his stomach and the hard ripped muscles that adorned it were on show, down to the masculine curve of his waist.

Adeline slowly turned to him, and her lips parted, her chest heaving. He gave a small smile and moved away from the door, then closed it behind him.

"Do you like wine?"

She swallowed. "If it is served in your skull, I might have a tolerance for it."

Lucan chuckled, then dropped the cup to the floor, the intricate glass design inside the gild casing broke into pieces, leaving the shell of gold lying around.

He walked slowly towards her. He slowly leaned, his fingers wrapping around her neck, his eyes wide. "You are making me want to force you."

Adeline swallowed, then slowly brought her hand to cup his face. Lucan raised a brow, his eyes turning so he could see the slow movement of her fingers on his face.

"What are you doing?"

"I could give you tonight, Your Majesty. I could give you pleasure in all of the ways that you want me to. You will not have to force me."

He pulled her further, his eyes taking her in, his lips lightly parting. She was so close, and the scent of her skin, of her hair, it was trouble to his mind.

"Is this the bargain you spoke of?"

"Yes. And..."

"You are one stubborn little vixen, are you not?"

She swallowed. "I shall give you what you want. Give me what I want, too."

"What? For you to meet your old lover?"

She shook her head. "I do not wish to see him. Just treat him, Your Majesty. Have him taken to a physician and..."

"So for his well-being, you will lay with a man you hate."

She nodded slowly. "If that is what it takes."

Lucan let his eyes dart against both of hers. Slowly, he let her go, his eyes thinning.

"I refuse."

"Lucan."

"I refuse to give you the liberty to use your body against me. I have some control, Princess. And hatred, too. I shall not heed your request."

He turned away, but Adeline held his hand back. "What do you want? Tell me what else to offer you."

"Let the wedding proceed. If you keep delaying it, I shall starve him every single day. Once the wedding is done, I shall treat him and give him a place with the slaves."

Adeline swallowed. "Is that the best you can do for my hand in marriage?"

"Of course, I can do more, but I will not. I shall spend the night alone."

She let go of his hand, his ring pulling away with her fingers. Her head lowered, and she swallowed, her chest heaving.

"Lest I forget, Princess. I shall formally introduce you tomorrow itself. I will send an appropriate dress for you to wear."

She did not reply, and he walked away, seething.