Nefarious (A Completed Steamy First Book To A Series)

Deartháir (Brother)

Liam

She asked me some tough questions but I survived.  Yes, Daniel was a distant relative and I understand Anna has a large amount of French and Irish ancestry so the idea is strange to her but there's nothing I can change about my own lineage. 

"I know what you are wondering," I said.

"You're a mind reader now?" She asked.

I gave her an odd stare and she laughed.  Her laugh is like beautiful music to my ears.

"You're wondering if we share any ancestors," I said and she nodded with a curious smile.

"None I am aware of, your mother is Irish, correct?" She nodded.

"My other grandmother is French." She answered.

"Great, my wife is a Frenchy.  I've heard some wild tales of the French ladies." I teased and she threw a piece of bread at me. 

"I did not inherit those genes.  After what I saw the other night I'll stand down from any French traditions." She scrunched her nose and I laughed.

"There may be one or two you might partake." I teased.

"You're inappropriate." She said.

"You're beautiful." I let it slip and her smile faded. 

"I'm sure you already know but you are certainly the most beautiful woman I've ever known." I said.

She blushed.

"I little vanity does no harm," I said but she just looked the other way.  She is fully aware of her beauty but must have been taught to be modest.

"Are your sisters as beautiful as you?" I asked.

"Of course they are, they look just like me." She said.

"Are they promised to any certain men?"

She nodded.  "Claire will go to Ireland, Shannon to France and Fiona is too young and not yet promised.  I was promised upon birth and so was Claire but Shannon's is still new as she will marry for love to a man she met in Paris."

"You said your dream is to visit Paris.  Why has she gone but not you?" I asked?

"She studies art." She answered.

"The man is of no Royal blood?"

She nodded.  "Yes, of Prussian actually but his family resides in France."

The small talk lasted only as long as time would allow and I'm more relaxed than I have felt in ages as she spoke of her family. 

"It's time my lord." One of my knights informed me.

"I dread a ride in that carriage a moment longer." She said as I stood. 

"Do you prefer some other ride?" I joked and she gave me a funny smile before she took off running and I chased her until I finally caught her waist.  "What type of ride are you looking for, Princess." She giggled as I tickled her sides.

"None." She laughed.

"I'll give you a ride." I picked her up and she let out a scream of laughter when I threw her over my shoulder and walked toward the carriage. 

"I prefer the carriage!" She laughed.  "This scenery isn't so great!"

I stopped.  "Are you speaking of my arse?"

She laughed so hard I could tell she couldn't breathe so I placed her in the carriage. 

"Apologies, I couldn't resist." We both laughed as she spoke between bouts of laughter. 

"You'll find no better arse on this side this island or any other." I defended my backside and her joyous laughter graced my ears. 

We both got in a few shots as we made our way toward home.  I am flirting with my princess but she's just being innocent and fun.  Building a friendship will be vital for our marriage so I am now thankful for the unexpected weather we faced last night.

All was great but then we arrived home where  I was approached before I even stepped out of the carriage.

"Your Majesty, your brother has arrived and is extremely unhappy about his mother's exile.  He has torn apart his quarters in his anger." My personal secretary said as I helped my princess from the carriage.

"Let him destroy it, only he will reside there and he can clean it up once he finishes," I said.

"He is screaming something about deartháir."

"Of course he is, he is angry with me.  Have him guarded at all times and he is not to be around the princess.  Any word on the wedding?" I asked as Anna walked beside me.

"The only court to attend will be those who agree to dress appropriately.  The whores will be shifted out of the palace and families will attend.  The Bishop will perform the ceremony and the royal dressmaker already has measurements and has started the dress." He said.

"What of the invitations?" I asked.

"They have already been messaged out after Mr. Baird approved them." He said.

"She will wear my mothers crown and veil," I said. 

"Yes, and your finest is being pressed." He said.

"Make sure the chapel is cleaned, painted freshly and flowers are chosen," I said.

"That has already been started." He said.

"Make up all spare rooms for our guests and have the construction and cleaning crews work around the clock.  This palace needs to look like an actual palace."

I looked at Anna and back toward my secretary.  "I want scouts to search for any possible intruders.  Nothing is to interfere with our wedding "

Anna is especially quiet. 

"Do you have any requests?" I asked and she shook her head no.  Of course she wouldn't since its a marriage of necessity.

My guards and I walked Anna to her room.  "Thank you for the most precious day.  We will dine alone in my chambers every evening this week and that starts tonight."

I need to keep building this friendship before the exchange of vows and especially the bedding ritual.

She gave me a curtsy and smiled.  "I'll see you this evening your majesty."

When she went into her room and I walked past my brother's chambers and stopped.  The doors were opened as the guards looked on to witness his tantrum.

"You are still a mere child and it shows in your behavior," I said and he charged for me but the guards held him back.

"You exiled my mother!" He screamed.

"Your mother tried to murder the Princess that will soon be my wife." I stood calmly. "You are still young and its not too late to save your soul.  That cannot be accomplished with your mother in present company." I said.

"You sent for me!" He screamed.

"I cannot risk any kind of collusion with Cruálacht.  You're safest at home after fathers death." I said and he calmed.

"Father warned me about Cruálacht.  I would never betray his wishes."

I shook my head.  "Your dear mother would do no such thing in return."

"What do you want from me?" He asked.

My brother is a young lad at only 14 at the present time.  There is no doubt of his naivety. 

"Either pledge your loyalty to the crown under my rule or abdicate.  Take away your mothers opportunity for power." I said and walked away.  There's no reason to prolong the conversation.

"Never!" He screamed but I went along.  I will not allow him to sour my mood.

"Keep him guarded and he is not to leave his quarters until I say." I gave my orders.