The Bed Wife

Chapter Four

She walked across the room and out onto the balcony to look down on the villages below the mountain. Many women might take comfort in knowing their child would have the opportunity to become the next in line to rule this great land. However, Luana could only see a cage—a loveless, lifeless existence for herself. Once the Prince was ready, he would take a real wife—a Queen—from one of the other Kingdoms and bear legitimate heirs to his throne.

Luana felt a deep, hollow sadness in her heart. She could not help but long for one of the great loves that she had read about in her books. She was completely lost in thought when she heard the sound of a footstep behind her. She turned to see Prince Baylin standing at the opening of the balcony.

Even in her anxious hatred, she could not help but admit he was still very handsome. He was certainly not the little boy who had fallen from the tree more than ten years ago. His dark raven hair tumbled loose past his bare shoulders and he wore only a pair of black leather trousers and the silver royal medallion around his neck on a black leather cord. The moonlight danced across his skin, painting shadows within the curves of his muscular physique.

"Hello," he spoke softly, taking a few steps toward her. "It's me... I mean... I'm Baylin."

His words snapped Luana out of her admiration for him. Suddenly she only felt anger.

"And I am to be your bed wife," she spat at him. "Shall we get to it then?"

As he walked toward her, she refused to meet his eyes. She knew she had spoken out of turn and was sure to pay the price for it.

His rough hand cupped her chin, forcing her gaze to fall on him. His eyes were like that of the Crystal Water in Rivermouth, crisp and blue, but so deep you knew you could drown in them. And sad, they had such sadness to them. Had the venom in her words actually wounded him?

"Do you not remember me, Luana?" he asked in a soft tone. "Have you forgotten?"

She felt a pang of guilt for her harsh tone. He does remember, she thought. She felt so awkward standing before him in this state. They had not spoken in such familiar tones since they were children. She had watched him grow into a handsome Prince and had secretly hoped he would one day come back for her. But I never wanted this.

"I do, Your Grace," she spoke with a broken voice. "We are grown now."

"Yes, we are," he said as he dropped her chin, stepping back to look at her fully. The moon created a silhouette of her body within the translucent white robe.

He reached out and ran his hand down the curve of her waist then gently pulled the knot of the jeweled sash. Without it to keep the robe taut around her body, the silky sheer material simply slid off and pooled at her feet. She stood before him, frozen in fear at her nakedness as he placed a hand at her hip.

The moon, in its fullness, reflected down on her alabaster skin, allowing Baylin to admire the curves of her figure.

An icy breeze traveled through the air, swirling around Luana's body. The coolness touched her nipples, setting them hard and tingling.

Baylin pulled her in closer and caressed her breast with his hot, rough hand. The heat of his touch sent goose bumps running all over her body. He leaned in and kissed the curve of her neck lightly, slowly kissing his way down over her shoulder and collarbone.

He allowed his lips to graze the curve of her breast as he slowly knelt down to his knees and gently ran his lips against the soft skin of her thighs and hips. His beard was bristly but only seemed to add to the sensation.

It wasn't until he began delicately kissing her along her stomach that she realized she was actually feeling aroused.

What are you doing? she thought. You're nothing more than a slave to him. He takes no value in your pleasure.