Reborn Deceit

CHAPTER TEN

Rose

The sun was shining brightly, covering me in a warmth that reminded me of my childhood summers, where I'd lay upon the vast gardens of the castle grounds and find shapes among the clouds. A soft breeze blew across the lake, flying past and sending my hair floating behind my head, the curls bouncing in the wind. Birds sang from what seemed to be every limb of every tree nearby, and I couldn't help but smile at the sound. Summer was truly my favorite time of the year. Yes, snow is beautiful, spring brings with it beautiful flowers, and fall offers the artful foliage changes, but nothing could beat the heat of summer.

"My dear, are you just going to stand there all day, or are we to swim?"

The small smile on my face grew wide as the voice behind me grew nearer. I stayed rooted in place however, keeping my gaze focused on the clear blue water of the lake ahead.

"I'm afraid I am not wearing the appropriate apparel to swim." I retort, keeping my voice level and my back to him, as to avoid him catching a glimpse at the joyous smile on my face.

Suddenly, strong arms wrap around my stomach, causing me to jump. My smile only grew larger as the familiar hard chest came into contact with my back. Even through the many layers of my dress, I could feel his touch. It burned me to the bone, stirring a frenzy in my stomach and heart. Just his presence made my blood pump wildly.

"That has never stopped you before." His voice was deep and low, making something deep in my lower belly stir. He rested his chin on my right shoulder, planting a soft kiss to the delicate skin on my neck. "If I do recall, we have swam before with nothing but the water wrapped around our bodies."

My cheeks flushed, but I kept my eyes glued to the lake in front of me. I desperately flicked my gaze to everything around me, the cloudless sky, the bright green grass, the dense woods around them, focusing on everything and anything to keep my mind straight. His words were my undoing, they always have been.

"It is highly inappropriate for a lady to be seen naked in front of anyone except her husband." My voice was level, and for that I was proud of myself.

A low chuckle escaped his lips, his warm breath brushing across my exposed skin, raising goose bumps in its travel. My heart continued to hammer in my chest, something that always happened, and probably always would happen, every time he was around. I had known this man for years, and it seems my body would never quite be accustomed to his presence.

"My sweet, sweet, queen. Shall I remind you of how our previous swimming sessions have gone?" His question was open ended, and for a brief couple seconds, nothing happened. Then, he let go of my waist and stepped back, breaking our contact.

I had to stop myself from running back into his arms. I felt naked and cold without his touch, and it was a feeling I did not find welcoming. But before I could make a move, I felt the corset of my dress loosen. He was undressing me.

This was so wrong. So very wrong. Oh, but it felt so right.

We were to be married in just under a few years, so what was the harm in our intimate relationship starting a bit early? This wasn't the first time we had broken the sacred rule, and it surely wasn't going to be the last. It was an unmeasurable disgrace for a woman to do this with a man she was not wed to, but it was on a completely different level when that woman was the heir to the throne.

The feeling of my dress slipping off my shoulders, followed by his strong hands sliding across my bare skin, pulled me from my thoughts.

Screw the rules.