Though her tone suggested she merely teased him, he wouldn’t let it go by. “Never. My thoughts are consumed with securing our future so that we can always be together.”
“You worry too much, dear husband. We’ll figure it out as we go.”
Despite himself, his spirits lifted at her words. House Van Laven had been legally bound to House Hrollaugr, such a match couldn’t have hoped to have been made for at least three generations. And yet here he was, sitting across the table from his new bride, Emperor Sorren Hrollaugr’s daughter.
“As your husband, it is my duty to worry about you and see to your well-being.”
The sparkle in her hazel eyes quickened his heart.
“Lord Van Laven, are you always like this when you’re in love?”
His expression fell. “I’ve no means for comparison as this is the first time I’ve been in love.”
She laughed. “No, seriously. Your flame burns so brightly, I just hope it doesn’t burn out anytime soon.”
He couldn’t ever imagine a time when his passion wouldn’t burn for Vaush. It seemed a constant, something that had always existed within him, just beneath the surface.
“Will yours?” he asked and set down his beverage.
Her manner changed a degree, turning more introspective. “I know that we took our vows in haste, but I meant every word of them, Comron. I will be yours until I draw my last breath.”
Even after you learn that you are Emperor Hrollaugr’s daughter, and that I withheld that information from you prior to my proposal? He grew anxious at the thought. Would the sense of betrayal overshadow the love she felt for him? Would she forget that he loved her long before he knew her true identity?
“What is it, darling?” she asked. “Does the prospect sadden you so?
“You know that I have loved you since Patheis, don’t you?” he asked grieved.
“Yes, of course, I do,” she said and leaned across the table, taking his hand. “Tell me what’s troubling you.”
“Regardless of what happens next, I need you to remember that, and trust the sincerity and depth of the love between us.”
“Comron, what could ever make me forget that?”
He lowered his eyes to the table, wavering in his plan to keep the truth concealed until after he informed Crausin. But if she learned the truth now, she’d likely insist upon confronting Larrs to hear it from his lips. Letting her return to Ti-Laros where she’d fall back into Larrs’ clutches was simply out of the question. No, he would stick to the original plan.
Vaush squeezed his hand. “Our marriage has rendered your betrothal contract void, so you won’t have to go through with the wedding to Spira, will you?”
His brow furrowed in abhorrence. “Oh, gods, no. You are the only bride I ever intend to have.”
“Then there is nothing in this world that would ever make me doubt your love for me.”
“Because you know in the deepest parts of your heart that it is real and the most powerful thing I’ve ever experienced, yes?” he asked.
She beamed at him. “Yes, because it mirrors exactly what I feel for you. It’s almost as if we’ve loved each other forever, like ….”
“Like it’s a constant that has always existed, since the beginning of time?”
“Precisely.”
His confidence soared high with the knowledge that this was no ordinary love that could be easily derailed, even after he told her the truth. They would weather the storm together and come through stronger for it.
CHAPTER 35
An hour had passed since breakfast and Vaush had finished getting dressed and was brushing her long dark hair. With no dressing droids about in this technologically forsaken place, the young maidservant, Frieda, had offered her services. Vaush politely declined, believing that once someone reached the age of ten, requiring assistance in putting on one’s clothing was rather absurd and needy. Unless it was a particularly complicated gown, she was perfectly content to fend for herself.
Vaush glanced at the mirror and saw Comron leaning against the doorframe, watching her brush her hair. Her lips curved into the hint of a smile as she kept her eyes forward. “I’ll just be a moment, dearest,” she said, as she set down the brush and applied a bit of color to her lips.
“I could stand here all day watching you, sweet wife.”
She rose and smoothed the skirts of her green silk and lace day gown. “That wouldn’t be a very productive use of your time, now would it?”
He grinned mischievously. “Depends on what I’m trying to produce.”
As he approached, she greeted him with a chaste kiss. “And what shall we do this dreary day?” she asked, glancing out the window. “I don’t think it’s stopped raining since we arrived last night.”
“I’m sorry this place isn’t more to your liking.”
She shrugged. “I could be in a Brovargh dungeon and think it heaven as long as you were there with me.” She adored the way the formidable Lord of Nethic blushed just then. “I have absolutely no objection to remaining indoors with you. In fact, if I had it my way … we would never have left that bed.”
The look in his eyes sent a fiery blaze through her. Here was the man who had ravaged her all night, giving her body no rest until he had fully sated his desire, and now she could see it building again, matching her own unrelenting need for him.
He pulled her to him roughly, kissing her passionately, devouring her as if she were the final meal of a condemned man. She clung to him and playfully bit his neck, before peeling off his coat as he worked the closure of her bodice. She laughed to herself, wondering why they’d bothered going through the trouble of dressing when all they could think of now was getting naked.
They dropped onto the bed, and she slapped his hand away and unfastened her skirt latch before he could tear it open. As she shimmied out of it, he tossed his waistcoat aside, but something about it caught his attention and, just as quickly, the ardent passion in his eyes was replaced by apprehension.
“Darling?” Vaush sat up as Comron retrieved an envelope from his waistcoat pocket and moved off the bed. “Whatever it is, surely it can wait until afterward,” she said, patting the bed.
He handed the envelope to her, but refused the offer to return to bed.
She glanced at it and back to him. The anxiety and agitation in his eyes made her fearful … what exactly was in the envelope?
“Open it, please,” he said.
Taking a deep breath, she broke the seal and read the letter. Her eyes narrowed as she turned to him. “What have you done? Is this real?”
He nodded.
“You purchased the largest resort on Seneyla Island and have put it in my name? I own it?”
“Yes, as soon as I returned to Nethic, I made arrangements to acquire it for you as a gift. I wanted to show you how much I admired the work that you do and how I could support your endeavors in a practical, monetary way.”
“Comron!” she said and then screamed ecstatically as if it was the only appropriate response to such a generous gift. It had to be worth a hundred million credits easily. She remembered seeing the property listed as part of the appraisal report when she’d scraped together seven million credits to purchase the smallest of the resorts. She jumped out of the bed and ran to him. “I don’t care what they say,” she laughed. “You’re an angel!” she said, pelting him with kisses. “Thank you, thank you, darling. The people of Seneyla thank you. Do you have any idea how great of an impact this will have on their local economy?” She laughed again and clasped her hands. “You’re a financier savant, of course you do. You wonderfully brilliant man.”
He stood there wearing an apologetic smile that seemed to say ‘hold that thought.’
“Vaush, love,” he said quietly. “I’m afraid I have to return to Nethic … immediately.”
She grinned as she closed in on him. “You’ll do no such thing, dear husband of mine. At least not until I’ve had the opportunity to properly thank you,”
she said, working the closure of his pants.
He groaned. “Vaush … stop, please.” He firmly removed her hand. “There is nothing I want more than to carry you back to that bed. But if I do, I’ll never leave, and I must go to take care of this matter.”
A little offended, Vaush took a step back. “You’re serious, you’re really leaving.”
“Vaush—”
“We haven’t been married twenty-four hours and you’re leaving?”
“I’ll be back soon, no more than two days.”
“I moved heaven and earth to spend this time with you,” she said with hurt feelings. “Why can’t you stay … please.”
He cradled her face. “I don’t want to go. Please believe me.”
“I will if you give me one good reason why you’re breaking both of our hearts by leaving so abruptly.”
“I have to go tell Crausin about us. It can’t wait a moment longer.”
“What?” Her eyes went wide with alarm. “Are you mad?”
“How else will I break the betrothal?”
“But do you have to tell him who you married?”
“He’s not a fool, Vaush. He’d figure it out easily enough.”
“Telling him is as good as telling Larrs, and I’m not ready to deal with that fallout just yet.”
“I know that, love. That’s why I brought you here so you wouldn’t have to deal with any of it.”
Vaush stared at him in disbelief as the pieces fell together. “You had this planned all along, the proposal, whisking me off to this place, and then blowing our worlds apart by dropping this bomb on them.” She backed away when he tried to calm her. “Did you ever stop to think about how I felt about any of this, or that I’m not prepared to have my world shattered so quickly?”
“My wedding is scheduled to take place in one week,” he said defensively. “When did you expect me to make the announcement? On the way down the aisle?”
“I never had a chance to think any of this through,” she retorted. “How could I when you just sprang this all on me and expected me to take it all in stride?”
“Look, you’re scared. I understand that, but we both knew this moment was inevitable.”
“Not this soon.”
Anger flashed in his green eyes. “You demanded that I end my betrothal to be with you, and now I’ll make my demands. We’re going public with our marriage, and we’re doing it today.”
“Great! That is just bleeding great!” She turned away, clasping her hands over her face. “Shite, this can’t be happening now. It can’t.” She could just imagine her father learning of it, followed by the royal household, and then Laney! What an unmitigated disaster. Larrs would split an organ before having her thrashed within an inch of her life. The worst of it is that he would have to hear the news from the man he loathed fiercely. It was enough to plunge the blade but another to twist it. She could at least spare Larrs that humiliation.
“I’ll pack my things,” she said resentfully.
“No!” Comron objected. “You can’t go back to Ti-Laros yet. Larrs will imprison you there and never allow us to see each other again.”
“You don’t know that and besides he deserves to hear the news from his daughter. Perhaps if I have the chance to explain how—”
“Explain how what? How you’ve been spreading your legs for Van Laven cock?”
Her mouth dropped open in mortification.
“I’m sorry, but that’s all he’s going to hear no matter how you try to convince him of our love.”
She groaned in frustration. “This is all my fault. I had to insist on you ending your betrothal, and now look where it’s landed us.”
“As husband and wife, just as it should be,” he said as he approached. “I’m not going to lie, the road ahead is going to be difficult, but we’ll get through this together.” He gathered her into his arms. “I promise.”
She let him hold her. The pounding of his heart matched her own; they were both terrified about what lay ahead. What the hell had she been thinking believing that somehow this would have a fairytale ending? Clearly, her love for Comron demanded she sacrifice all ties to Ti-Laros, at least for the near future.
Gradually coming to terms with it, she considered her next steps. She would contact Laney to inform her that her plans had changed and that she would not be returning to Ti-Laros anytime soon. “Well, if you’re leaving and I can’t go home, I suppose I’ll go spend some time in Senelya and inspect my new property.”
She felt his body tense at the suggestion.
“Vaush, please, I need you to remain here at Ketherton Sound until I return.”
She disengaged from him. “Whatever for? This place will be unbearable without you here.”
“But it’s safe. Neither Larrs nor Crausin would ever think to search for you here.”
“Why would your father be searching for me?”
He looked away and shook his head. “I just don’t want to take any chances where your safety is concerned. I need to know that you’re out of harm’s way.”
“I appreciate the concern, but I know how to take care of myself. You’d be surprised at how many scrapes Laney and I have managed through.”
“All the same,” he said testily. “You’re my wife now. From this point onward, it’s my duty to see to your safety. Laney’s valued service will no longer be required.”
Vaush stared incredulously at him. “Laney’s service? She’s also my best friend and confidante and, therefore, I’ll always have need of her.”
“In that capacity, yes,” he said dismissively. “Once this is all sorted, you can resume your communication with her. But for now, I need you to remain here at Ketherton Sound and contact no one until I return.”
Vaush chafed at his controlling manner. “I may have taken the Van Laven name, but I still value my sense of independence. You seem bent on robbing me of it.”
If his look of derision became any more condescending, Vaush would scream.
“Oh, this is not the time to launch into some feminist bullshite rant,” he said. “I’m simply asking you to cooperate with me for two days. Afterward, you can call the shots as you see fit.”
Maybe so, but her ire had been sufficiently raised after being repeatedly blindsided and ordered about. It was time to restore her equilibrium. “Very well.” She slipped back into her skirt and headed for the door. “I’ll give careful consideration to all that you’ve said, and I’ll let you know what I decide is the best course for me.”
“Where are you going?”
“I need some fresh air. It’s a bit stuffy in here.”
“We’re not finished discussing this. I’d prefer you didn’t leave.”
She turned the handle and opened the door. “Comron, I’m through talking, and now I need some time alone to consider my options.”
He charged toward her and slammed the door shut, blocking her exit. “Why are you making this so bloody difficult?” he shouted, backing her against the door. “The matter is settled. You’re not going anywhere until I return!”
Alarmed by the sudden outburst, Vaush was a moment summoning her courage. “Now you listen to me and get this through that thick Nethicaen skull of yours. You don’t own me, and you sure as hell won’t control me.” The vein pulsing at his temple and the feral look in his eyes warned her to stop there, but she was determined to drive home the point. “Now, you open that damned door, or I’ll have Larrs annul this marriage so fast it’ll—”
Vaush jumped as Comron’s fist slammed into the door next to her head, splintering the wood. “I’m trying to save your damned life!” he roared, his face looming large and angry before her. “But you dare threaten me? Siding with Larrs against me!”
“No, Comron!” she said frightened by his explosive temper. “I’d never do that.”
He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her hard. “Our marriage means nothing to you. You would betray Nethic!”
“No, that’s not true,” she cr
ied as he thrust her back hard against the door.
“Death is all that awaits you out there,” his voice thundered in her ears. “But does it come at the hand of a stranger or my own?”
“Comron, stop this!” His hands moved to her collarbone, restraining her so she couldn’t move.
“Do you know how simple a thing it would be to rid Nethic of its greatest threat?” he shouted madly. “How simple a thing it would be to defeat Larrs!”
Even as he held her immobile, screaming violent threats at her, she refused to believe that this man was truly capable of harming her. But with such intense hatred for Ti-Laros and an all-consuming need to crush her father, how could he ever truly love her? Was she really just some pawn in his plan to hurt Larrs?
“Nethic will fall, because I lacked the strength to do what I must,” Comron yelled maniacally as he pressed down on her collarbone. “Don’t you see I have no choice?”
When she saw him trembling with tears brimming in his eyes and a distant madness staring back, she knew that he had come unhinged and might be prepared to do the unthinkable.
“Comron,” she gasped with mounting fear. “You know I’d never betray you. I’d rather die than do anything to hurt you.” The tears streamed down her cheeks as she stared into his soulless eyes. “Je su … nusea, mao … getem,” she said, quoting the words of a beloved Nethicaen poet.
As if the words possessed the power to break the mad spell he was under, Comron released his grip on her, and she crumpled to the floor in shock from the ordeal.
He fell to his knees before her with hands trembling. “Vaush, my gods. Forgive me, please.” He bowed his head in supplication. “I-I’m so sorry. Please tell me you forgive me. I would sooner kill myself, than ever hurt you. There is no life in me without you.” When he lifted his eyes to hers, his face was stained with his tears, his skin blotchy from his deep distress.
This more than anything frightened Vaush. Witnessing such dramatic mood swings in such a short timespan was terribly unnerving. Was he losing his mind? Or was this all an act to manipulate and control her with intimidation and then emotional blackmail? After all, hadn’t he achieved his objective? She was still in the room.