Chapter Two #4
Every child in Vale had heard the legend of the winter faerie fruit, and William knew it was more than a story.
Once a century, when the power of the Winter Court was at its height, an apple ripened in the Winter King’s garden.
When a human ate it, they received great strength—the strength of a fae—and the ability to withstand the coldest temperatures.
If William consumed the apple, he’d be nearly invincible.
He’d be stronger than any human. Fae wouldn’t be able to harm him.
It was the ultimate protection. He’d not only be secure behind the wards of the Winter Court with its troops at his command, but he’d also be the strongest man in Vale.
When William drank again, he took his time to savor the wine’s rich flavor. “I accept.”
“I knew you would.”
William raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t used to people speaking to him like that.
“I have one more stipulation,” Iver said. “A faerie wedding creates a soulbond between the mates. It’s a strong emotional connection, and I will keep ours closed.”
“You’re powerful enough to do that?” William had heard of the fae’s soulbond, but he hadn’t known it could be controlled. Once a couple was married and the bond created, emotion flowed freely between them.
“I am the only fae alive capable of it. My father kept his connection with my mother closed. Once the bond is open, it can never be blocked again. If it has the chance to develop, it takes over. I’ll never allow it to take root in our souls.”
Suspicion nagged at William. “Why do you want the bond to stay muted?”
Iver tilted his head. “Because this is a political marriage. Do you want to constantly get flooded by my emotions? I think not. You’ll want to be alone in your head, and so do I.”
Iver was right. It was a terrible idea for them to become emotionally entangled. If Iver had a way to prevent that, it would be for the best.
“Sure,” William said, even though he didn’t feel it.
“Now for the ceremonial side of the wedding.”
The ceremonial side? Oh… It dawned on William. There’d have to be a faerie wedding as well as a human one. And during the latter, it was tradition for the lower-ranking spouse to kneel for the higher-ranking one. They were both kings. “I’m not going to kneel for you.”
“I thought you might say that.” The smirk on Iver’s face widened, and William sensed another trap. “It’s fine, I can kneel for you. But during our faerie wedding, you’ll be mine.”
William narrowed his eyes. “What does that entail?”
“At the Winter Court, we practice an ancient ritual of domination and submission.”
“During the wedding?”
“Oh yes. It’s part of it.”
Unease settled in William’s stomach, but Iver continued unperturbed. “The lower-ranking spouse is ravished by the higher-ranking one in front of the court.”
“What?”
“Don’t look so surprised. I’m a dark fae.
Did you think it’d be flowers and softly spoken vows?
No, I’m going to take you in front of the court, then you’ll be placed on an altar as an offering to me.
This is the way of the winter fae. I’m going to kneel at your human ceremony, and you’ll let me mount you during our faerie wedding. ”
William couldn’t believe Iver was brash enough to suggest it.
His cheeks warmed. “You’re out of your mind.
” He raked his eyes over Iver, those broad shoulders, the firm muscles wrapped in tight leather and the sizable bulge between his legs.
William swallowed. He’d never been taken by a man.
He’d had men suck his cock, he’d claimed them, but he’d never spread his legs and allowed a man to penetrate him.
It was unbecoming of a king. And yet, Iver was the most splendid specimen William had ever seen.
“We can exclude your court from the ceremony,” Iver said diplomatically. “Only fae will watch. But watch they will. And I will have you.”
William crossed his arms. “I don’t think so.”
“I conceded the human wedding. I’m going to kneel for you in front of both humans and fae. It’s only fair.”
“It’s not comparable to getting fucked in front of an audience,” William snapped. If being vulgar was the only way Iver would see reason, he’d be vulgar.
“How about this?” Iver said. “I’ll let you wrestle for it.
This is sometimes done if spouses are of equal rank.
I’ll give you the winter faerie fruit beforehand to level the odds…
a bit. Make no mistake, I’ll win. I’ll pin you down, invade you and make you come.
Then you’ll lie on the altar and offer yourself to me. If you agree to marry me, that is.”
Heat engulfed William. Ever since Iver had put his hands on him, his cock had been hard.
Now, he was throbbing in his breeches. His mind rebelled against the notion of Iver publicly taking him, but his body was another matter.
William bit his bottom lip, sucking it into his mouth.
Part of him craved submission. Iver taking him for the Winter Court to see was scandalous, humiliating and deeply arousing.
William would have to swear to honor and obey him…
What were the words Iver had to say in return?
Honor and protect, he recalled. That felt warm and fuzzy.
It wouldn’t be so bad if Iver took him. Once, a servant had walked in on William and a couple of his concubines. The poor man had rushed from the room red-faced, while the incident had left William unbothered.
This was something new and exciting to try.
He wanted this marriage. Iver was beyond gorgeous.
Being bedded by him would be no hardship.
There was also the chance the wrestling match would go the other way.
William would’ve eaten the winter faerie fruit.
Who said he couldn’t wrestle down Iver and take him?
Then, Iver would vow to honor and obey him—and being a fae, he was incapable of lying or breaking his word, forever bound by his oath.
“I’ll take my chances,” William said with a smile. “Perhaps it’ll be you who ends up under me.”
“Perhaps.” Iver’s self-assured expression said otherwise.
They set the human wedding for the first day of Twelvetide, the season leading up to midwinter, and the faerie ceremony for the following evening. Iver and his court would move into Silverlight Castle, shrouding it in snow and ice.
A pink-cheeked servant wrote up a contract which William signed, witnessed by the duchess and her husband. Iver, bound by his words, verbally repeated and agreed to each clause.
In the end, William left Winterbourne satisfied. The protection of the Winter Court was his. Iver had made demands, but the last word hadn’t been spoken. William couldn’t wait to put this presumptuous prick in his place.