Loving War : The Eighth Son, page 14
“Your Grace, I would like you to stay,” she looked down and smiled, “and by the look of it, you do too.”
Tavian swallowed.
“Do not think about any of it. Leave all the lies, betrayal, and hurt out there,” she pointed to the door. “Do not think about the people who have hurt you time and again .” She moved closer to him, her mouth inches from his. “Just be in this moment with the person you know in your heart loves you more than anything.” She met his eyes with hers. “I would take a blade to my heart for you.”
Ursula took his hand and walked toward her bed. She looked back at him as they walked. She pushed on his shoulders, and he fell to his back, a smile playing on her lips as she lowered her mouth onto him, working him over as he clutched her head, pulling her hair.
She looked up, climbing up his body, “Your Grace, I would like to fuck you now.”
Tavian nodded, sliding his hands up her thighs as she climbed up his body, their eyes locking. She slid down on him, letting out a moan that filled the bedroom. Tavian closed his eyes and let his mind go free, living in this moment and how much he needed this.
Ursula leaned forward into him, kissing his neck as she rocked her hips. Tavian grabbed her, pushing her into him, their motions matching.
He let out a moan as the pressure in his body built up.
Ursula called out to him as her body released, her voice echoing through the castle. She moaned again as her body relaxed; Tavian grabbed her back and flipped her over. He moved on top of her, plunging inside her, making her cry out.
“Oh, Tavian. Tavian.”
Her gut tightened again as he moved; the more his body built up, the faster he drove inside her. He was driven not only by his desire for Ursula but also by his anger toward Charlotte and himself for giving in.
Ursula clawed at his back, “Oh God, Tavian, do not stop. I am going to cum again.”
Tavian looked at her as he thrusted his hips again and again. There was nothing gentle about the way he was treating her body.
Their moans filled the castle hallways until Tavian gave one last jerk, holding her shoulders from underneath her body. He spilled inside her and went still.
After he rolled off of her, his breath heavy, Ursula, with her eyes closed, laughed, “Oh, Octavian, my God.”
Tavian turned his head and smiled at her.
“Did I hurt you?” He asked.
She propped up on her elbow and chuckled, “Not at all.”
She ran her fingers over his chest, “It was,” she paused and smiled again, “I can’t begin to put it into words.”
Tavian turned his head and closed his eyes as his breath settled.
“Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?”Ursula asked, snuggling up against him.
“Of course,” he said, regardless of how much he wanted to escape and be alone with his miserable self and thoughts. He knew he owed it to Ursula to hold her.
She slid under the blanket and closed her eyes; Tavian blew out the candles in the room and put his cotton underpants on, laying next to her.
“Good night, Your Grace,” she whispered.
“Good night.” He kissed her forehead.
“I love you so much, Octavian,” she murmured as she drifted off, nestled next to the King.
Who Knows
The following day, Tavian stood out on the sunroom balcony sipping on coffee, watching the sea as the soothing sound of the waves washed over him.
The weather finally changed, and sunshine blessed the kingdom. The ocean was calm, and the blue waters matched the morning sky.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” Daniel said, walking out with hot tea.
“Is it?” he mumbled.
“What’s that?” Daniel asked.
Tavian shook his head, the guilt crawling through him for how much he had enjoyed his evening with Ursula.
His thoughts were so conflicted, though his heart was still only Charlotte’s; he could not help himself when it came to Ursula; she was like a new toy he could not resist. He knew how wrong it was and how, in the end, everyone would be hurt.
“Well, it is safe to say I am no longer the loyal and faithful king everyone adored,” he said, staring straight ahead, focusing on the water below.
He raised his mug to his lips as he admired a flock of dolphins not far offshore, jumping together in a steady rhythm.
Daniel sighed, his eyes on the King, “Ah, well. If only that were your biggest concern. Besides, the Queen is healing and will return before you know it. ”
Octavian did not bother to tell Daniel it was too late; even if Charlotte’s mind healed, Tavian was sure her heart would not. He knew by sleeping with Ursula, he essentially ripped her heart clean out of her chest, a tear just as deep as the one she gave him. Only his betrayal was much more personal, and he knew it. Instead of burdening him with these thoughts, he turned to him and forced a smile.
“Yes. You are right; my sleeping arrangements are the least of my worries or should be,” he turned to Daniel, “What of Helen’s family?”
Daniel nodded, “Yes. The reason I am here so early.”
“I figured as much. How can I help?”
“Helen’s brother left behind a wife who is an excellent seamstress, but she would never make enough to pay off the debt. So, unfortunately, the house paid off the debt.”
Tavian nodded. “I will find her employment, perhaps here.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Daniel hesitated, then continued, “There is another matter.”
“Such as?”
“They have a daughter. She is seventeen and lacks the proper education and training for a lady who would be at court, perhaps a chambermaid.”
“No.” Tavian interrupted him. “She will undergo schooling and receive training. Even if it takes an entire year, we will get her to court by the time she is eighteen.”
“Oh, Your Grace, I do not expect…”
Tavian tossed up his hand. “It will be done. Bring them to the castle when they arrive.”
Daniel bowed, “Thank you, Your Grace.”
Tavian nodded, eyeing Judd as he crossed the room, holding a letter.
“Your Grace, this arrived moments ago.”
Tavian took the letter and saw it was Millie’s seal. “Thank you, “ he said, his hands breaking the seal with urgency.
He popped it open, his heart jumping to his throat. It was the first he had heard from anyone in the last three months.
Dear King Octavian,
Your wife has arrived safely, though by the time you read this, she will have been here for three months already.
I will do all I can to return her to you as the woman you once knew. Lemma and I have many plans for her, though it will require some work, and she will need solitude. As requested, and unbeknownst to Charlotte, we will send the children back within the month. Ambrose assures me there is no war, so it is safe for them to come home. I have enjoyed my time with them, but we must focus on Charlotte.
I wish you all the best and hope you remember that she is the only Queen of Ivoca.
With great respect,
The Queen of Malan
Mildred Ambrose
Tavian grinned and slapped the letter against his thigh in happiness.
“Good news,” Daniel asked.
“Yes,” he nodded, “My children are on their way home.”
Mary approached the two men as Tavian spoke, and her eyes met Daniel’s.
“Do you think that is wise?” she asked her son.
“Wise?” Tavian scowled, “They are my children.”
Daniel knew what Mary was referring to. No one wanted to bring up a sensitive subject to the King. So Daniel thought of another reason the children should stay in Malan.
“With the threat of war still lurking is all she means.”
Mary nodded, “Yes.”
“Nonsense,” Tavian said, furrowing his brow.
“Is there intel I do not know about?” he asked, looking them over.
“No, nothing.”
He walked into the sunroom, poured himself more coffee, and said, “Well then, my children can return.”
“Perhaps it is time we speak with our King about her,” Daniel whispered as he watched the King walk away.
“Not yet. It has only been a few months. He is still grappling with all that has happened.”
“Very well, but I do not think it will be good for the children to see their father waltzing around with another woman, especially while their mother is across the ocean trying to heal.”
“Since when are you a fan of the Queen?” Mary hissed under her breath.
“It is not the Queen I am worried about; it is my grandchildren,” Daniel snapped.
Tavian eyed the pair as he sipped his coffee across the room. “Something you want to share with me?”
Daniel and Mary answered in unison, “No.”
“Very well then, let us get down to business. We need to get the betrothal ceremony planned and underway.”
“Of course,” Mary replied, shooting a look at Daniel.
“Mother, if you could get that taken care of, I have some business to attend to.” The King turned and said, “Daniel, please fetch Helen’s sister and niece and have them here as soon as you can.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Tavian walked out of the room and met Ursula, who was coming down the hall.
“Perfect timing,” he smiled at her.
She grinned and raised her brows. “Is it?”
Tavian took her hand. “Yes.” He inhaled and said, “Ursula, it is time we told him.”
Ursula’s eyes grew wide. “You mean?”
Tavian nodded, “Yes.”
“You told me never to tell.”
“The circumstances are different. Though he will have no royal claim and must always remain the late duke’s son, I want him to know the truth.”
Ursula wrapped her arms around his neck, buried her face, and responded, “Me too.”
Tavian returned her embrace and kissed her head, “Come then, let us do it together.”
Tavian took her hand and walked down the castle steps toward the training circle, where they knew they would find their son.
Alexander swung his practice sword around, hitting the target with efficiency.
Ursula looked at the King and smiled. “How one does not know he is your son still baffles me.”
“Perhaps they do but decide to keep their usual wagging tongues silent about it,” he sighed, glancing down at her.
“Let us hope.”
Tavian inhaled and then shouted, “Alexander!”
“The dark-haired young man lowered his blade and looked toward the King.
“Go on then. We will pick it back up tomorrow,” Norman said.
Alexander jogged across the circle toward his mother and the King.
“Your Grace.” He bowed as he came to the fence.
“You look good out there,” Tavian said.
“Thank you, Your Grace. My mother often tells me I have my father’s sword skills.” Alexander paused, adding, “I am not sure that is a good thing, though.”
Tavian’s brow furrowed as he watched the boy’s face fall.
“Why?”
“Well, Your Grace, I need to be better than my father.”
“Why is that?” Tavian inquired, genuinely curious about where this was going.
“My father died in battle; his sword skill was not efficient.”
Ursula bit her bottom lip and glanced at Tavian.
Tavian nodded. “Yes, I can see why that would be bothersome.”
“So, if you don’t mind, Your Grace, may I return to my lesson?”
“Alexander,” Ursula said, shooting her son a disapproving look.
Octavian chuckled in amusement at the boy’s eagerness.
“Perhaps I can put your mind at ease.”
“How?”
Tavian tilted his head, glancing at Ursula and then at his son. “This may come as a shock, and for that, I am sorry, but I feel it is important for you to know the truth.”
Alexander swallowed and looked at his mother, who remained silent, staring at him.
“Alexander, I am not sure if you have ever noticed or perhaps heard the talk about how much you look like me,” Octavian began.
Alexander nodded. “I heard my parents fighting about it a few times.”
Ursula winced and looked away, embarrassed.
Tavian sighed, “Yes, well, I am sure your mother is sorry for that. It was not an argument without merit, though.”
“What do you mean?”
“Alexander,” Ursula said, reaching through the fence to take her son’s hand.
“The King, Octavian, he is, well, he is-”
“I am your father,” Octavian finished for her.
Alexander blinked against the sun, which slowly crawled out from behind a small cloud.
“Alexander?” Ursula whispered.
“My father?” he said, looking up at Octavian.
“Yes,” Tavian concurred.
“But how can that be? You are my cousin?”
Tavian sighed as he looked at Ursula, who met his gaze.
“And what is wrong with that?” Ursula asked.
“Your mother is my third cousin, which is a relation, but far enough removed yet close enough to keep the bloodlines pure,” Tavian explained.
Ursula gazed at Tavian with all the love she held in her heart as he spoke. She had dreamed of this moment her whole life, perhaps even before she knew him.
“So I am a prince?” Alexander asked.
“Well, now that is where it is complicated,” Tavian answered. “Because I am not married to your mother, you can never be a prince.”
“Why?” Alexander asked, his voice strained.
Tavian sighed, “It is just the laws of royalty.”
Silence fell over the threesome as Tavian and Sula let their son digest this news.
“Alexander, is there anything you would like to ask us?” Ursula asked when she could bear the silence no longer.
He looked at Octavian. “You are my father?”
“Yes, son, I am.”
“I have been told I look like you.”
Tavian and Ursula both laughed.
“Yes,” Tavian agreed.
Alexander walked around the fence and approached the King. He looked up at him and said, “I don’t know what to say. I guess part of me already knew.”
“Really?” Tavian raised his brows.
“I guess. I am not shocked; if anything, I am relieved.”
“How so?” Ursula asked.
Alexander looked at his mother. “I am sorry, Mother, but I never understood father or got on with him. He seemed so different from me. I always thought I was doing something wrong, but,” he turned his attention to Octavian, “it was because I am so much like my real father.”
Tavian grinned and nodded, which gave Alexander the signal to wrap his arms around the man.
“Oh,” Tavian chuckled as he stumbled back from the forceful embrace.
He wrapped his arms around the boy and looked at Ursula, who swiped a tear from her face while smiling.
Fleeting Time
Ignatius sat at his desk, sealing the letter to his priest, to prepare the documents for Meredith and Charlie. He sat back and looked out the large window that overlooked the back of his castle. Land as far as the eye could see, covered in nothing but white. He was looking forward to the trip to Benediction. The warmer weather was kinder on his tired body. Though the snow lasted longer in Ignatius than in any other kingdom, this season was uncharacteristically long. The warm rain should wash over the land, making way for a new season. Instead, the snow hit them with yet another heavy downpour.
Catarina stood outside her father’s door, watching him. She cleared her throat before entering, causing him to look away from the window.
“What is it?” he barked at her.
His mood, as of late, was unpredictable.
Catarina entered the room.
“So you have promised my daughter’s hand to Charles McClen?” Catarina glowered at her father as she stood before his desk.
Ignatius sat with his hands folded in front of him. “I did.”
“And what of Henry? How could you desert him like that?” she spat.
Ignatius observed his daughter, “What is it about this Henry that worries you so much?” Ignatius stood. “Is it the baby? Or,” he paused, looking at Catarina, “is it something else?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Hmm,” Ignatius walked around his daughter with his hands behind his back, then said, “Henry chose to leave. He chose to take James and go elsewhere, which is his right. I got him his freedom; if it weren’t for me, Octavian would have Henry’s head on a spike, and his body would be a pile of ash.” Ignatius raised his voice at her.
“He had no choice but to leave, and you know it. How could he stay here and serve a king who breaks his word?”
“Watch your tongue,” he snapped, walking toward her.
“You went back on your word. You are a liar, and now-”
Catarina stopped speaking when she saw her father’s face. He was growing angry with her.
“I don’t care if you are my bloody daughter; you will not accuse me of things you know nothing about.”
“You took my happiness yet again,” she whispered, feeling defeated.
“What happiness? There is no happiness to be found for you. You chose that damn doctor condemning yourself to misery.”
“What are you talking about? You know that ended; he left me.”
Ignatius chuckled, nodding as he walked across the room to gaze out his window again. Two deer stood, burying their noses in the snow, hoping to find some grass.
“I don’t know what happened to you. You were so focused, ready to lead, and then..”
“You!” she shouted at him. “You happened to me.”
Ignatius turned his head, glaring at her in disbelief.
“I was everything to you until Meredith arrived; then, I could do nothing right, and she could do no wrong.”Catarina snapped.
Ignatius narrowed his eyes. “You are jealous of your daughter?”
