A Royal Marriage

Page 5

"It's alright. I just wasn't expecting it."

"I hope you realize that I tease you because I am happy to have you as my fiance'. I'll be more discreet the rest of the night. Perhaps we should take a turn around the room. Trust me stuffy air, people wearing too much perfume, and inane chatter will calm your body right down. I would just be careful about hugging. Though I'd prefer you not hug any woman, they should know better but then a woman whose been drinking isn't always smart."

"If we stick together I think I'll be alright." with his hand in mine we go inside and start a slow route around the room. We talk and pretty soon I see he's relaxed and having fun somewhat. Every so often I notice him give a little start. After a few times I see him frown at me.

"What's wrong?" I finally ask getting a moment to the side with him.

"I just... I thought you weren't going to tease me anymore." I frown.

"I've been trying to be very good. Didn't even make that veiled comment about seeing a man's ass better in pants when lady Warren mentioned our outfits."

"Then why do you keep pinching my bottom." my eyebrows went up.

"I haven't been." I say my voice dipping low. He stared.

"But no one else would dare knowing I'm engaged to you. Especially at our engagement party."

"Well I haven't been doing it. I didn't want to upset you again. I think we should find some food and sit a while." he nodded and I pushed him ahead of me as we walked. Someone or multiple someone's had been touching my fiance' and I was a little ticked. We sat and ate and then took some wine and began to mingle again but this time I kept him close to my side and my arm around his waist so that should anyone try again I can catch them. As we walked I felt him jump again. We walked on and again I felt him jump but this time I caught a hand and jerked the same little blond that I'd seen wandering around behind us the last time he'd jumped. I carefully pulled her close to me.

"Lose something?" I ask. She glared.

"Yes. Efren to you."

"I sincerely doubt he ever was yours in any way. He is however mine and if I catch you touching him again I'll make sure that this pretty robe you are wearing gets blood on it." I shoved her away but she came up with a dagger from her robes. i pushed Efren away from us and a wide area cleared around us. I saw a guard come up to stand with Efren to protect him.

"His mother and my own have been friends for many years. I had asked for his hand more than once but his mother refused me. But now he is engaged to you. If I draw first blood he will be mine. So says tradition." I snorted.

"The only thing you could draw is a bath." I said, insulting her. she snarled at me.

"Efren is the most perfect of men, far to gentle and handsome to be saddled with a woman who is known to spread her favor to any man who pleases her." okay so I had been a little free with my kisses and caresses. I glanced at Efren to see him frowning, but at the fight going to take place or what he'd just heard I wasn't sure.

"At least I can please a man." I tell her. It does it's job and goads her into making the first move. I jump back as she swings her dagger. She'd drawn only a dagger so I was limited to mine though I carried my sword as well. She wasn't just trying for blood I realized she was trying to kill me. The swing at my throat told me that. I was going to have to end this. I sighed stepped back dropped to my knee rolled forward into her making her fall and lose her dagger. I was quick to get up and straddle her waist, my dagger at her throat. She stays still under me.

"By tradition I could take your life if I wanted too. After all those aims weren't meant to draw my blood but to slit my throat. But I don't want your life, why take the life a woman whose name I don't even know or care too. I suggest that you take the mercy I'm going to show and leave early tonight. Another hand on my Fiance', or another threat to me and I'll finish this, permanently." I stand up and wave to two guards who help her up and then escort her from the room. Efren hurries toward me.

"Are you alright?" he asks looking me over. I see fear on his face.

"I'm fine. Though I'm tired now. But something tells me leaving is not going to happen. I'm sure someone is running to tell mother what happened." I smile at him trying for reassuring. "how about this time, instead of me taking you for air you take me out on the balcony for air." he nods tucking his arm through mine escorting me out. I sit on the rail again.

"Are you sure you are alright?" he asks. I chuckle.

"Yes. Not a scratch on me. Though she did get my robes once." I say lifting one of the panels and spreading a slit in it. He fingered the hole.

"I don't understand her."

"Did you know that she wanted you that bad?"

"I knew that she'd asked mother for my hand more than once. But I really didn't think she'd attempt something like this."

"Lets hope that she's the only one that will try that particular avenue. While I'd do it, I'd prefer not to kill for you."

"You'd kill for me?" he asks shocked.

"Yes. You are worth it." that really seemed to to shock him. I let him soak that in and looked out over the back garden.

"Ramana..." I look over at him, he's frowning.

"Yes?"

"What she said... about spreading your favor..." so he had paid attention to that. "I sort of knew that you must have had a lover given how, knowledgeable, you are but..." he tucked his hands under the panels of his robe and looked away.

"But what?" i prompted him.