Chapter 16
Sixteen
STILL MINE
The spacious council chambers held a round table of polished oak, anchoring the room. Afternoon sunlight filtered through tall, narrow windows, spilling in pale gold across maps, scrolls, and the measured stillness of men and women seated in counsel.
I stood, half-hidden by the carved stone arch in the shadow of a doorway, watching the proceedings from the hall. I didn’t want to press my luck in case I wasn’t allowed to watch.
I was curious, of course, but more than that, I needed to find a way to assess other threats. If any of Lucerne’s royal council secretly bore ill will toward Gregory or the king, I was the only one who would be able to tell.
As expected, the king had refused to join the meeting.
Gregory was left to relay the situation to his advisors. Standing at the head of the table, one hand resting against the wood, his posture composed, he spoke assuredly without arrogance.
I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but the cadence of his voice carried—steady, deliberate, inviting thought rather than demanding obedience. Around him, the advisors listened with focused attention.
On occasion, a few voices broke the stillness. An older man leaned forward, his brow furrowed. A woman with silver threaded through her hair spoke, her responses firm yet measured. A third person, younger, but no less certain, seemed to offer counterpoints, shifting the current of the discussion.
Gregory did not interrupt. His gaze moved from one speaker to the next, seemingly absorbing each perspective, before lowering himself back into his seat as he considered their input. There was no tension in the room, no fear of reprisal.
When Gregory finally spoke again, his manner was softer, but firmer in presence. One by one, they nodded as understanding rippled around the table, a seamless consensus with each voice aligned beneath a shared purpose.
The harmony of power and trust was almost tangible. It was a form of leadership that did not crush but instead gathered.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Gregory stood and shook hands with some of the elders. Nobody could mistake his sincerity, his authority. His kind smile warmed his handsome face, the light in his gray eyes inviting, soothing—
“Are you spying on him?”
I jumped at the deep voice by my ear. Looking up, my gaze collided with the king’s stormy blue eyes, their corners crinkled in amusement beneath one raised eyebrow.
I willed my breathing to steady. “No, I was merely—”
“Spying?”
I shot him a suffering look before turning to stalk down the empty hallway. “I wasn’t spying. I was…curious.”
He fell into step beside me, his long strides easily matching my fast walking. He peered at my face. “Is he impressive to you? He commands the respect of his royal council without fear. He is kind, gentle, hardworking, and brave enough to stand up to danger and protect his people.”
My cheeks warmed. Gregory was indeed impressive, but there was no way I was going to tell the king that. No doubt he would only use it to mock me.
At the end of the hall, I veered toward a narrow, winding staircase. I wasn’t familiar with this castle. I wasn’t sure where I was headed. All I knew was that I needed to get away. If not from him, at least from Gregory and the council.
But the king would not relent. “Gregory runs this kingdom efficiently and amiably.” His smirk tilted with mischief. “And don’t tell me you didn’t notice the cut of his robes. That pleasant face, his glistening blond hair, those smoldering eyes.”
“What of it?” I tried to dismiss him with a wave as I took up the steps. “Stop following me.”
His grin widened suggestively. “I know he has noticed you too. I am sure with a bit of prodding, you can entice him to your bed.”
I scoffed as if he had said the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard. I wanted to scream in frustration. What was he trying to do? He couldn’t torture the people of Lucerne, so instead, he was torturing me?
“Why? Would you order me to do so if it worked out to your advantage?”
The king had made it clear I was no more than a tool for him to use. It was entirely possible that he thought if I could get closer to the prince, I might be able to extract more information from him.
He growled. “How’s another man in your bed going to work to my advantage?”
“You’re the one who brought it up!” I was nearly shaking with fury.
“If you wanted someone to spy on Lucerne, perhaps you should take Princess Sophie to bed. She certainly seemed more than enamored with you. I am sure it would be an easy task.” I clicked my tongue.
“Though I am quite certain I wouldn’t wish such a thing on such a lovely, amiable girl.
I’d almost forgotten that you’d mentioned on your ball invite that you were currently seeking a bride. ”
“Is that what you think?”
“Yes.” I gave an emphatic nod. “Unless that was merely part of the trap too?”
“The scandal of a royal marriage is always the best bait, but you obviously don’t know anything.”
“I know Sophie is intelligent, astute, capable. I know she would make a very good match for you. I know if you build an alliance with Lucerne, it would do Wünder very well. That’s what I know.”
He peered at my face. “Are you jealous?”
“No.”
His eyes darkened. “You are.”
“No! I’m simply—”
“Why should I settle for that slip of a princess? My taste in women is not quite so basic.” He scoffed in derision.
“Though I imagine there are multitudes of advantages if you wished to pursue the arrogant prince.” His eyebrows rose in suggestion.
“With that soldier’s physique, he ought to have enough stamina to satisfy you.
I am sure you would do very well as a princess of this kingdom too. ”
Squeezing my eyes shut for a moment, I let out a groan. “For the last time, I desire no such thing. I am not interested in Gregory that way. Not his body. Not his kingdom. I told you I do not want him.”
Jumping ahead a few steps to a landing, the king blocked my way. “Then who do you want? Is it me?”
“No.”
“That na?ve princess seems to think you care a great deal for me.”
“Oh, so you were eavesdropping on us before?”
“So you do want me?”
“No, I—” I tried to push away, but he caught my hands.
“You cannot have me.” Despite his words, he spun us around so my back was to the stone wall.
Perhaps he couldn’t help it. He pressed me back, caging me with his body, hands braced on the windowsill behind me.
Light filtering in from the stained-glass window filled his eyes.
One hand settled against my hip, kneading, stroking.
Those blue eyes were pinned on me, intently studying me. The hunger in them was unmistakable.
His words kept conflicting with his actions.
It was driving me mad.
Frustrated rage burned in my chest. I challenged his gaze with a defiant fire of my own. “Are you sure?”
His jaw clenched. I couldn’t tell if it was anger or desire. “Were you under the illusion that I was in love with you before? None of that was real.”
I let out a breath, steeling myself against his blunt words.
Was this how he really felt? Was everything in our past nothing but a lie? Or was he only saying all this to hurt me? And if so, why?
“If it eases your mind, Your Majesty—” I kept my tone thick, brusque.
“I have long decided to no longer dwell on things that happened in the past. Neither am I looking for any potential alliance with anyone at the moment.” I met his gaze.
“I am not interested in Prince Gregory. And I do not want you—not in the future, and if you so will it, not in the past either.”
Staring into my eyes, his chest rose and fell. A low growl rumbled out of him. I wasn’t even sure if he noticed it himself, but a thrill shot right through me anyway—nearly strong enough to wipe away all my convictions.
His confident, imposing presence filled the enclosed space of the stairway landing. His familiar warmth and scent making me dizzy.
Leaning closer, he tilted his head. “But…I could have you anytime I want.”
“What?” I couldn’t help the breathiness in my puzzled question. My gaze dropped to his mouth—so full, so tempting, not even inches away.
His hand slid further down my hips, rustling the fabric. I stiffened when it slipped beneath my skirts. With his searing gaze still pinned on me, a knowing smirk ghosted across his face as his fingers trailed up along my thigh, brushing between my legs.
I gasped as his torment slipped closer to my core, fingertips circling around my entrance. I tried my best to keep from squirming even as heat and electric longing raced through every nerve in my body.
His tongue lapped at my earlobe.
My skin pebbling, I gripped his arm. “Wait.”
His eyes flashed with desire.
Wait.
Not stop.
Without warning, both hands grasped my hips. The next thing I knew, I was propped against the windowsill. He found the hem of my dress and tossed it out of his way.
The king dropped to his knees. He shifted my legs apart, his eyes blackening with lust. Caressing the sensitive skin of my inner thighs, his gaze traveled up and down my body, seeing all of me—I thought I heard his breath catch—then his eyes darted up to meet mine.
“Tell me you want me,” he commanded.
My body was quickly becoming liquid. The sight of this powerful man on the floor before me, desiring me, was fogging my mind. I strained to focus. “That’s irrelevant.”
“Everything’s irrelevant.” His grin tilted up, a glint appearing in his eyes as his warm touch moved higher, bracing me open.
Wide eyes darting around in alarm, I tried to catch my breath. “You can’t do this here. Someone could see.”
His response was entirely arrogant. “Why should I care if someone sees me taking ownership of what’s mine?” He cracked a smirk, then dipped his head to press his lips between my legs.
“I’m not—oh god—”
He gave a slow lick before pushing his tongue as deep as he could go, his groan of delight vibrating inside me as he explored my innermost core.
With a groan, I covered my face with one hand.
What if someone came up these stairs? It was too narrow for anyone to go around us. I didn’t even know where they led. I only hoped that this was an abandoned stairway that was rarely used by anyone.
The king suckled on the tightened bud at my center. I couldn’t help but let out a long, keening moan, my ragged breaths seeming to excite him more.
My fingernails scraped desperately against the wooden window frame behind me as I dragged in another trembling, shuddering breath. If I even let myself touch him back… It would expose more than I was willing to concede.
Not ceasing his attentions, the king eased one finger inside and withdrew slowly, before adding another. He pressed deeper into my space.
My heart pounded in my chest, in my ears. I squeezed my eyes shut at the intensity of the overwhelming sensations continuously washing over me, at the searing knot of heat in my lower belly. “Oh, god—”
“Look at you, Allie,” he coaxed, tone dripping with pleasure and triumph. “You are so sweet. So sweet everywhere.”
Every touch made me shiver. He knew exactly where to touch me, how to move, and what I needed. He was precision and expertise—taking me to heights I knew I could never reach without him.
How could he possibly think I would want any other man? I couldn’t stop my brain from flooding with the memories of being with him. Everything felt so familiar. The way he held me, his whispered words, the intense pleasure that kept building and building.
“Rabb, please—”
Another deep groan pulled from his chest. “Yes. I never want anyone else to say my name, Allie. Just you. Never does it sound as lovely as when you moan it out loud, as when I devour all of you. You are mine.”
He moved his fingers in a set rhythm as his mouth and tongue kept moving within me.
With one more stroke, I let out a strangled cry. Heat crashed down on me like a wave, leaving me breathless, trembling—absolutely shattered.
With a satisfied smirk, he watched as I rode the cresting wave of unbridled ecstasy, visible pride on his face. I was sure my entire body was flushed red, eyes half-closed, my mouth open in a soundless scream.
He tugged my skirts back down. With the most nonchalant air, he straightened up. “Fix yourself. I hear the prince has formulated a plan.”