A Crown For The Taking

Truth

Akin didn't miss the bulge in Ulrics pants ,

"What happened?" He asks, still calm. Whatever had soothed him, she'd wanted to stock it in the thousands.

"Rumors were saying the Princess was unfit and was being unfit with the Royal Guard. We needed the Queen to see it so she wouldn't kick me out thinking I was here for her son." Maël explained as she stripped into the washroom. Akin followed her, but not to join. He leaned against the sink and watched her, the animal only dancing in his eyes.

"That's smart, but I thought the Royal Guard of Rhawon's Prince enjoyed men's company." He crossed his arms over his massive chest. She sank into the hot water, he'd had a bath prepared for her. She smiled at him,

"He's flexible, It was an accident anyway. He doesn't like me all that much for some reason." She shrugged like she didn't know it was because he hunted her for a living. Like she didn't kill his first lover, like he hadn't put his sword against her throat the first night he saw her.

Akin laughed and brought her a glass of wine, "Here, sorry about last night." She took the glass and took in the rigid face that looked honestly sorry. She knew the cycle. Knew this would only last a little bit longer before his beast came back up and wanted her body to bend ways it couldn't.

She sipped the bitter red liquid, "Thank you." He left her alone then. She heard him rustle through her closet. Knowing this Akin, he was grabbing her clothes to change into. The last time he'd been this calm he asked her to marry him, then gave her an entire night about her body. She swore his lips pressed into every part of her, whispering sweet nothings after each one. That was a year ago. She'd relished the entire week he'd given her, until one night he slammed into their room and busted the frame over their bed.

She left the water and dried off before leaving the room and seeing the nightgown on the bed. It was short, black, and new. Erin had dropped off more clothes. It made her uneasy as she pulled the silk gown, the note pinned the the thin sleeve fluttered to the ground. Erin was always one for stupid little notes. She lifted the thick parchment,

My love,
It would seem her Majesty still walks, breathing the same air as you. If you can find time to do your job between wrapping those pretty lips around the Crown Prince's endless piece, I'd appreciate it. Also, it seems you've put the beast in his place again. Please don't unleash him until after you've finished the job.
P.S. ~ There is another Prince in the castle that wants a piece of your tight fruit.

She shuddered at the vulgarity and the greasy feeling it gave her. Erin had tried once to get her in bed, but she hadn't even given herself to Akin then. After that he's just said things like the letter she tossed into the fire.

Another Prince, Alene's brother must have come with her to the Castle. The Crown Prince of Harrow. Tomorrow she'd find out who he was. Tonight, she'd sleep. She climbed into bed, into Akins arms as he dimmed the lamp so he could barely read the page. She slept against his chest, her finger tracing on of the many scars across his torso. She knew the story of each one, had given him one herself.

Before Akin ever looked sidelong at her, he'd hated her. She'd hated him as well, Akin was raised at the Manor, but Maël came from The Sands. The Sands were a brutal place to grow up, especially as a girl. So she'd hated men, she'd started her living by killing them for free. She'd see broken women on the street, ask them who'd done it, and then return the next day with a souvenir. To help the women sleep. Once they started offering her money for it, she realized she could make a living. Make a living doing what she felt was right and keeping men off of her. She'd come to Rhawon once The Sands became too dangerous for her to stay, everyone either hiding from her or hunting for her. She'd only been here for three years and already her name was on every tavern door. The King didn't know how many of his people wanted revenge, wanted someone in his court dead for damages they'd done. The King thought his hands were clean, but she had seen the blood and gore that covered them in her short time here.