in every way possible.”
His lips brushed against the nape of my neck with his whispered promises. His lips trailed down my jawline, causing me to
suck in a breath of cold night air. I was sure to become undone by him in that moment if he hadn’t let go of me.
“We will now attend the dinner I have prepared for you, in celebration of your arrival. You will meet with my sisters and
then tomorrow, your training will begin. There is much history you must learn of my lands before we are to marry.”
He stood suddenly then, holding out his hand to me and pulling me up to link my arm into his. The sudden coldness where
his hands left my thighs sunk deep into my body. How was he able to make me feel these things? My mind flashed to Lord
Cole’s face when we had been so close in the carriage ride, to this moment with Nicholas. I wanted his lips on me. I needed
them.
We headed back into the castle to a grand hall where many were already chatting and waiting to be seated. Where the court
waited for their king.
S itting at the head of the rather large dining table that was much larger than the one back home, my nerves refused to settle.
Instead of eating, I watched others eat around me. Including Nicholas.
No one addressed their questions to me, all seemingly to stay quiet. Some would talk amongst themselves, while others
would avoid Nicholas’s eye contact completely. He threatened his sister right in front of everyone earlier and I pondered more
on that.
How comfortable was he to do that in front of someone new to his court? What did she even mean about starting a war?
Surely, this was out of my own choice and my family would see and understand that. Plus, when we were married, they
couldn’t do anything about it as lawfully I would be wed in the eyes of the Goddess.
“How is your food?” Nicholas whispered in my ear.
I felt eyes drift towards me, watching our encounter closely.
“Lovely, thank you.”
He nodded in acceptance and went back to finish his last mouthful. When he did, everyone around us seemed to stop eating.
A footman ushered towards the table, stopping as Nicholas raised his hand.
“My guest has not finished her food. So until then, we are not to clear the table.”
All eyes turned to me, making my nerves go even more crazy under my skin. There was no way I would be able to eat while
everyone watched. Laughing it off, I finished my mouthful and put my cutlery down, even if my plate was half full, I had lost my
appetite.
“That’s quite alright, thank you.”
Nicholas nodded again and the footman came back, clearing the table quickly. Many looked to Nicholas to see what he
