To Wed A King

Broken Petals

Lucan woke up slowly, his lashes lightly fluttering, his lips lightly parting. He looked up, and Claude was still here,very fingers in his hair, her eyes tender as she watched him.

"Youŕ Majesty."

He swallowed, then slowly stood up, his eyes closing as he massaged his forehead. "Were you here all night?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I could not leave you alone."

He slowly stood up, then grabbed his hanged robe. "I would like a hot bath. Do it alone."

She broke into a smile. "Yes, Your Majesty."

He bit down on his lips. "Claude."

She stopped. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Ask Princess Adeline to join me in my bath."

Claude blinked, her heart shattering into pieces. "I... I thought I would be joining you im your bath, Your Majesty."

He slowly shook his head. "You are excused for the day. You should sleep. I will send you compensation for staying with me."

"But I do not want compensation, Your Majesty! I want love. Or at least, pity. I want you."

He met her eyes, his cold and unmoving. "Claude. If I do not at least pity you, I would not give you a chance to comfort me. Do as I say."

She swallowed, tears filling her eyes. "Your Majesty. Will I ever be the woman you look at? Will I ever be precious to you?"

Lucan swallowed. His body felt weak, and he sighed, then turned away. She stayed there, tears blurring her sight of him, her chest heaving. His answer never came, and resigning to her fate, she slowly walked away, leaving him alone.

Claude ran the bath, then added the scents and flowers before walking back to Princess Adeline's chamber.

Princess Adeline had just woken up, a satisfied smile on her lips. She could feel the tingles of her kisses with Evander, the feel of his hand on her neck, his heat close to her.

She sighed, closing her eyes, just as Claude's voice came behind the door.

"My lady. His Majesty has requested that you join him in his bath."

Adeline's brows furrowed. A bath? How could he ask her that when...

She swallowed. He was, after all, preparing to marry her. Her fists clenched hard, and she got out of bed.

She opened the door, and Claude stood there, her eyes cold.

"What?"

"His Majesty has requested..."

"How am I to join in his bath?"

Claude swallowed, then slowly met Adeline's eyes. "My lady. Please do as he says. Because of you, he had a rough night. I have never seen His Majesty as vulnerable."

Adeline's brows furrowed, and her mind reeled. Did he hear everything with Evander? The kisses? The letter? Did he know everything?

She swallowed, her chest heaving. If he did, Evander would be in trouble. She had to find out and alert him.

"I will be there," she said, then closed the door again, her lips parting.

Last night had been risky and too audacious on their part. Lucan did look vulnerable, but knowing him, he was like a wounded savage animal. He would only become even more dangerous.

Without waiting for a servant, she changed into the slim dress that was used to bathe and a robe, then walked towards the large bath house.

She stopped by the door, her breath held in her throat, her chest lightly heaving. Slowly, she opened it. There were no servants, and she walked in further, her eyes taking the place in.

Lucan was lying in the bath, his head thrown back over the edge, his eyes closed, his hands spread out on either side of the bath.

She swallowed, then closed the door and walked around to him. His eyes slowly opened, and he turned to her, his eyes thin. His eyes were a little reddish, and Adeline could not help but wonder if he could have cried. Why would he? He always knew she loved Evander.

"You sent for me?"

He nodded slowly. "Come in."

She bit down on her lips. "Do I have to?"

He sighed, his eyes slowly blinking. "Not this morning, Adeline."

She contemplated her options. If she continued to rebel, she could probably leave, but then she would not know if he knew about their conspiracy.

Slowly, she dropped the robe and got into the water. She went to the far edge, opposite Lucan, her eyes resting on anything but him.

He said nothing to her for the longest time, and he just leaned back, his eyes closed.

She swallowed, biting down on her lips. "I... I heard you had a rough night."

He leaned forward, his eyes meeting hers. "Hm."

She swallowed. "Is it because of..."

"No. You kissing my servant does not quite affect me."

Her lips parted, and she swallowed. "You are going to hurt him, are you not?"

"Not necessarily. I am preparing to be a groom."

"What?"

"If you are doing this to stop me from marrying you, you are only making me want to. I will continue with the wedding. Despite everything you did last night."

"Lucan."

"But I will not forgive you if you ever dress the way you did, again. I will have Evander's head if I need to."

She could tell there was no humour or even his usual teasing mirth. Just pure darkness in his eyes.

"Once you are done, come take a ride with me, and we shall hunt. Do not be late."

Without waiting for her to say a word, he grabbed his robe and walked out of the bath, his slacks clinging to his skin, his hair dampened by the water, flower petals resting on his skin.