Fated - Book 1 (Completed)

Chapter 15

He marched up and down, muttering incoherent words under his breath. I was happily curled up on the large chair in his study, watching his every movement. As per our usual late-night talks, he was shirtless, his pants clinging to his hips.A thick finger ran through his hair as he drew in a sharp breath. He turned on his heels and marched back across the room, his eyes never leaving the imaginary images he saw on the walls.I had been forced to stay in bed for another three days, and tonight was the first time that he allowed me to climb out of bed and stretch my legs. The pain I felt had reduced immensely, but it still lingered, making me feel uneasy.To keep me sedated and happy while stuck in bed, he would work in the room where I was stuck. He made me read the letters from Aziel as he paced up and down, humming his thoughts out, and when I got bored, he graced me with his fingers and tongue.The healers were ushered in this morning to remove my bandages and tend to any sensitive flesh. They worked delicately as his bright blue eyes watched them. A growl left his lips every time I winced or cried from the sudden pain."Lord Crastil? Read that passage again."My eyes lazily left the flickering fire in the room and moved back to the brown sheet of paper in my hands. It was a letter from Aziel, who had been running an investigation in the shadows of the dragon's castle.I cleared my throat and tried to refocus my eyes on the passage he wanted."In my findings, Lord Crastil is the most likely suspect. The Lord was the one who gifted you, Prince Artemis, with the tainted honey whisky on the day of the event. The plants Salvia and Ayahuasca were used to create a powerful hallucinogen; they are only grown within the Lord's garden."A growl rolled off his lips as he continued with his pacing. The letter in my hands was the last one that Aziel had sent us. The other letters were findings related to how Artemis was poisoned, which led to him harming me, and this is the final letter, the conclusion we have been waiting for.The plants used were rare and hard to come by; they only grew in the greenhouses of the vampires, a commonly known fact. The plants were used by healers, but never together in this manner. Aziel, however, did find someone who did.An old mage in the east used it to help with his pain from the wars; he informed the general that the mixture was bitter unless mixed with something stronger in taste and smell. The mage used the drug to help ease his aching body and troubled mind."Why the fuck would Lord Crastil want to poison my drink?"He was leaning over the fireplace, his fingers digging into its stone frame as he gently bounced up and down. The bright light under him seemed to dance with his movements; the red flames flickered as they shifted to a bright blue.I slipped off his seat and quietly danced over to him. The cold stone under my feet warmed up the closer I approached him. My hands started at his hips and slowly glided up his body. He tensed but didn't push me away.Since the night of me cuffing his wrists together, he has allowed me to touch him whenever I felt fit. He never fought against my touches; instead, he welcomed my hands. There were moments when I slept beside him while he was reading, and he would actively pull my hand to rest it on his body."What reason could he have to do this?"His words were a mutter in my ears; his curved back was smooth as I rested my forehead against his. I wanted to give him answers, but while his mind was in a stutter, I learned that he doesn't hear me, so it was best to leave him muttering."Is it over the roads? No, that matter was settled peacefully, and the running project is running smoothly."I hummed against him in response. He was right; the roads being built were going smoothly. I frowned at my thoughts—too smoothly."Is it about my father's decision to step down? No, the changes to the dragon's throne have no impact on the vampires."I nodded this time in response; he just drew in a deep breath as he moved on to his next thought, but nothing left his lips."The throne, my lord."I spun around to face Aziel, who snaked his way into the study. He was helping himself to the fresh wine that sat on Artemis' table. He filled the copper cup and began to chug it down in one breath."That agreement was eliminated centuries ago; they no longer have a claim to the throne.""Yes.""But?"They shared a strange connection. I stood between them and kept to myself as they shared words within a heartbeat."Rumours, my lord."I watched as Aziel poured two glasses of wine. One for him and the other for the prince?"Princess, why not take a seat and sip on this? It's going to be a while."Aziel handed me the second copper cup and nodded towards the single-seater that was nestled in the corner of the room. I took the cup from the smiling man; he was dressed in similar clothing to what he was wearing the first time I met him.The shifter watched me with a warm smile and grey eyes; his shoulders eased as I slipped into my seat, a perfect position for me to sit, listen, and watch the men share their thoughts."The rumours are just that rumours.""Ah, if you think that way, Artemis, how do you ever expect to step out of your father's shadow?"The liquid was cool on my lips, and it was just what I needed as the air around us grew thick and heated. Artemis was holding down an obvious growl. My eyes danced from the growling man to the slightly flushed Aziel."The rumours are the answers to those questions bouncing in that thick head of yours."My eyes never left Aziel's face; his skin was darker than Artemis', he was taller than the prince, and he held a similar sleek build. This was the first time that I noticed how attractive the shifter was.He was usually drunk and a frustration to those around him when we were in the same room together, or he was too busy tending to my husband's mood swings. Right now, under the dim lights, I could study him without interruption."And what are those rumours exactly?"Artemis never took his eyes off the dancing flames under him; his voice was a low, gravelled whisper as he spoke, making Aziel blush slightly."That the vampires still hold a torch for the throne taken from them.""The vampires used to hold the dragon's throne."Aziel's eyes darted to me at my question, his thick brows pulled into a tight brow, and his expression was utter confusion aimed towards me as if it were common knowledge amongst those in the room."Only for a few months, while the first king had fallen ill, Lord Crastil was the son of the man who held the dragon's throne for that time."Artemis filled me in on this lost history of the dragon's keep. He pushed himself off the fireplace and turned to face us both, his hands shoved into the loose pockets of his hanging pants. Both Aziel and I ran our eyes over his bare chest."The rumours have never panned out to be true; due to the relationships we have built over the years with them, we have kept the peace, protected them from dangers, and even kept them a seat within the council."His blue eyes were lazily locked on Aziel, who suddenly chugged down his glass of wine. The general turned back to the jug of wine and refilled his cup, finishing the red liquid in the jug.I sat there and watched the general. He started to sip on his drink and avoided eye contact with his prince."True, but how many times have we proven a rumour to be true with some of the other lords? What makes the vampire any different? You have seen how he lurks and slips in his lies to your father."Artemis hummed in response as his mind buzzed with Aziel's words."And we have both seen how he lingers in the throne room, staring at the seat his father used to sit in."Aziel sipped at his drink; his grey eyes suddenly danced over me, making me jump in my seat. I was staring at the man."My apologies, my princess, but unfortunately I prefer to bed men. Well, maybe I can make an exception for you."The shifter winked at me, making my legs pull tight and my cheeks flush with a bright red. His words confirmed that he adored his prince beyond his title. A chuckle left his lips as I darted my attention to a spot in the room that wasn't near him or my husband, who eyed me from the corner of his eye."Alright, say he did it; why target me? With my father still on the throne? Why not wait to drive me insane once I have taken the throne?""The only way to know is to ask him, my lord."His blue eyes pulled shut as he scrunched his face. Aziel and I both simply watched as he pinched the bridge between his nose."Ok, bring him in with a rouse about his current project, then slip the questions in discretely. Once you feel confident in his response, we'll let the king know and take matters into our own hands."Aziel finished the wine in his copper cup and made a rough bow towards Artemis."And Aziel, this time, make sure you're not the only witness, and make sure you clue at least one of the lords in with your questions.""Yes, yes, my lord, I'll do all of that."The man left with a toothy grin and a waving hand as he left the study with a heavy chuckle. I wondered as to what they went on about, but at this hour, I doubt I'll get some answers."Ready for bed?"Dark blue eyes were on me; the light from the fireplace was dimming as his anger seemed to settle. I turned in my seat so that I could face the brooding man as I chugged down my wine. It was still cool as it made its way down my throat."I am now."The corners of his lips curled slightly before he took a heavy step towards me. Without a word or grumble, he scooped me up into his arms. I left the cup behind on a side table, alone, as I was carried to our bed.Our silk sheets were cool as he placed me down gently. My body sank into the welcoming bed, pulling me in deep. A small moan left my lips as my body melted over the curves of the bed."Not tonight, my princess."A warm kiss was placed on my head."I'm too exhausted.""Oh, what a pity, and here I was hoping to scream your name again today."He only hummed as he slipped onto the bed beside me. His warm hands rolled my body, turning me to face him as he guided my body easily to curl up on his chest, allowing me to listen to his light breathing.The arm under me traced my side as he curled slightly around me, and his free hand traced my fingers that were splayed out over his chest. The man was distracted as we lay there in a warm silence, his fingers tracing me, which made my eyes feel heavy.While he held me, my throat suddenly pulled tight as my chest pulled. I had been aching to say something to him, but I felt sick at the thought of those words."I can't do this."I muttered as I pushed at his hands and straddled his hips. Warm hands lazily found my hips and found their resting place. Scrunched-up brows and dull blue eyes were looking up at me. I needed a distraction from the words I was aching to tell him."What is your favourite fruit from the South?"His brow shot up at my question, and my hands found their home on his chest, moving up and down lazily with his slow breathing."My silly dragon, I know how to make you smile, I know how to piss you off, and I know how to make you cum, but I don't know you, so what is your favourite fruit from the South?"He held back his usual smirk at his words. His hips rolled under me as he adjusted my weight on him."Strawberries, what about you, princess?""Well, the North doesn't have much fresh fruit, so I'll have to say the cherries that the traders would bring with them."A childlike smile crossed my lips as memories of home flashed through my mind. I looked down at the man under me to find the man looking up at me with warm eyes and a small smile on his lips."Your first choice of literature, princess?"His voice was soft, but it vibrated through me, and my cheeks flushed at the strange feeling rolling up my body."The North doesn't have much space for books, but I have grown fond of the Tales of Anam.""The Tales of Soul? The first dragon?""Yes, my prince, I happen to enjoy the poetry."His lax face suddenly scrunched up into a deep frown."It took me years to read the books and understand the language; it has taken you how long?""A day, maybe two."The body under me groaned slightly at my words."So, my princess isn't just beautiful; she has a gift for languages and a sharp tongue."His mocking tone made me smile, but his words made my blush grow brighter."Weapon of choice?"He chuckled under me as I tried to distract myself with a new query."I'm well versed in all weapons, but I do prefer a long sword; it's more effective."I bounced with excitement at his response and for my own, but all he did was finish his thought and raise a brow as if the idea of me wielding a weapon was non-existent in his mind."And you, warrior princess?""Recurve bow, oh, and I'm very well versed in swordsmanship, but I prefer my bow and arrow."His small smile never faded; instead, it grew wider as I yammered on about my skills. There was a strange, soft glow in his eyes as he looked up at me."Well, my princess, we will have to one day see who the best swordsman is.""Really?""Yes, and should you win, I promise that you can tie me down for the whole night and do whatever you please to me."A mocking tone rolled with his words, and my inner Freyda was screaming at his insulting tone. My hands glided up his chest so that I could growl into his ear."I gladly accept that challenge, my prince, and I promise to go easy on you."The laughter that vibrated from his chest ran through my body. Heavy hands grasped at my cheeks and squeezed."My silly little princess, if I win, I get to fuck you into submission."My body shot up under his threatening tone. My cheeks burned brighter as I felt the sudden appearance of my unwanted arousal. The hands on my cheeks eased and found their way back to my hips."Well, I sure as hell know how to make you blush, scream, and cum on my command. Now tell me, my sweet little princess, what happened to cause you to take on the witches' magic?"I caught my bottom lip between my teeth and chewed on it as I thought about his question."How did you know?""How did I know that my bride rejected her mother's heritage? My uncles told me that the day I found out about our marriage, they attempted to calm me down."I began to suck on my lower lip as the memory came back to me. His eyes were filled with curiosity as he looked up at me."Ok, I'll tell you on one condition."His brow shot up as he waited for me to continue."You have to tell me about that month, yo-"My body was pushed and tugged on, my head was slammed into the soft pillows on my side of the large, silly bed, and his hands darted to my wrist so that he could pin my wiggling hands down.His breath was heavy, and he hissed a growl in my ear. The grip around my wrists tightened."You have no reason to know what happened; you have no right to ask for me to tell you; that is one story my bride will never hear from my lips; you don't deserve those nightmares."My body vibrated under his growling voice, and my body ached under the tight and wet sensation between my thighs. My legs were being pulled apart by his knees, keeping me trapped under him."I have the right to know, being your bride."I choked down my tears as those words fought to surface again."I said no, end of discussion."He bounced his weight onto my wrists before pulling away completely. His weight shifted off the bed, and for the first time, I could hear his bare feet hit the cold stone floor. A wet hiss followed each of his steps as he made his way to the balcony.I lay there with tears in my eyes. I was stiff from fear, which had me pinned in place for a few seconds. Not wanting to go to bed with him angry at me, I crawled off the bed and scurried my way to him.The path he took left footprints on what was supposed to be a cool stone floor. Like earlier, I studied his curved body before snaking my hands around his waist and holding onto him lightly. His breathing was heavy as he stood there, looking over the sleeping town below."Give me one damn good reason as to why I should tell you about that nightmare."I drew a sharp breath as I tried to word my thoughts in a way not to anger him."You talk in your sleep, my dragon; you talk to the high priestess; you beg sometimes; and on a rare occasion, you would cry."I lied.