Once upon a time, a normal girl was transported into the fae world. Mated with the King, she is forced into marrying him and producing an heir. Terrified, Isla determines to find her way back home, but an evil witch has other plans. Will she prevail...
He's a good man. He loves me. He trusts me. He won't hurt me. He won't abandon me. I hope.
Isla woke up with a start, her brow covered with sweat. Glancing down at her stomach, she tenderly rubbed the place her bump would soon begin to form. "Did you have another nightmare?" her husband asked, his voice laced with concern. Reaching out and rubbing the stubble that had begun to form on his jaw, Isla smiled, though her heart panged painfully in her chest. Eos said that love was a choice, and it would take time. But how am I supposed to pretend to love someone I'm unworthy to have?
"I don't deserve you." Isla blurted out, mentally kicking herself. Paxton's eyebrows rose mischievously, "No, you don't. But you're stuck with me." She reached over and hit him playfully on the shoulder, "I'm serious, Pax. You're the guy every girl dreams to have. You're kind, smart, funny, caring...oh, and being a prince is a plus." He rolled his eyes, fluttering his fingers causing the canopy around their bed to close. "Don't forget the fact that I have powers, Mrs." She barely contained a snort, "What, like being an all-powerful faery lord is a big deal?" "No, I meant powers like this," he said, leaping on top of her. His eyes raked over her body, leaving behind trails of heat. Beginning at her navel, he began kissing a trail up to her neck, stopping to bite the side of her ear. Shivers raced down her spine and he grinned rakishly. Leaning down to whisper in her ear he breathed, "And love, that's just the beginning."
"How are you supposed to be a king when all you do as a Prince is stay in bed with me?" Resting his head on her bare chest, his eyes twinkled in amusement. "They didn't provide us with a honeymoon, so we're taking advantage of the time we would have had if we had been away." "Pax, we've been married for nearly three months now. I'm pretty sure we've used up all the 'honeymoon time' and then some." "I'm doing my royal duties, after all, our main goal is to produce a male heir." "I'm already pregnant, so it doesn't really count." "What they don't know won't hurt them." He said with a wink, rolling out of the bed to get ready for a day of listening to advisors squabble about various things, which he would later dramatically reenact for Isla in different voices. "If Crumpleton gets feisty about the forests again, remind him of the time that we conveniently forgot when he accidentally gave you his divorce letter instead of your itinerary for the month. And give Ashworth my regards." "I don't know why you don't come to the meetings with me, your ideas are always better than mine, and you know how to deal with my advisors." Kissing him on the cheek, she patted her stomach and smiled. "I can't get too involved in anything right now. The last thing you'd want is for me to end up giving birth seven months from now right in front of your council after a heated debate about pixie conservation." "That would liven things up." Paxton teased, pulling her to his side, hips rubbing against hers. Isla's cheeks flamed as she felt his desire express it's wish to stay with her.
Several hours later, she rolled over and stroked his face. Gently placing her hands on his shoulders, she pushed him off of the bed, laughing at his forlorn expression. "You've had enough. Now go! Do your princely duties!" "My 'princely duties' are to sit and listen to the council argue all day and fume because I don't have a say in the matter until I'm king." He muttered, beginning to dress. "Well," Isla said, skipping to his side, "Your chances of being coronated soon are much higher now that we've got a baby growing in here." patting her stomach and grinning at Paxton. He groaned and picked her up, kissing her deeply. "How am I supposed to concentrate on anything when I have such a radiant wife to distract me?" Isla's heart swelled with emotion, as she leaned her head into his chest and breathed in his musky scent.
So this is what it feels like to be loved. She thought as he left after one last kiss. Maybe love isn't all started by Cupid's arrow, maybe it starts with noticing the million little ways he shows me that he loves me. With every glance, he gives me from across the room. With every silly face he makes to hear me laugh. With every gentle kiss he presses on my lips. With every night he cuddles me to sleep.
Maybe Eos was right, and one day I'll be able to give him back all the love he deserves.
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Hello, everyone! I know this is a short chapter but I felt like this sweet scene deserved to be on its own! Thank you for all the support! I sent in my entry for the #wattys2019 today so I was able to sit down and think about where the story was headed. I hope you enjoy it!
