DANIKA’S DILEMMAD
anika’s bladder woke her several times in the night. She had to untangle from the king and use the bathroom every time, and when she returned, he took her right back into his arms—even with his eyes closed.
They overslept. When they woke the next morning, the brightness of the day was harsh inside the king’s chambers. As she stirred, his eyes opened too. They looked at each other in the light of the day. It was one of those moments in life when time stands still. Danika’s mind was filled with uncertainty.
What would happen now in the day’s light? Would he go back to being so cold to her? Try to forget the events of the night before?
“Good morning, my king,” she whispered.
“Good morning, Danika.” His voice was anything but cold—just the voice of a man who woke up after a good night’s sleep.
Then he leaned closer and took her lips into a searing kiss that was sweet, ravishing, and breathtaking at the same time. Her worries disappeared like the wind and were replaced by her love for this man.
She’d almost lost him last time. To the past. To the demons that hovered in his sleep and haunted his waking moment. Her hand tightened on his shoulder, and she kissed him back as thoroughly as he kissed her.
A long time passed before he pulled back. King Lucien wanted nothing more than to spread her again, bury himself to the hilt and sate his hunger in a way he knew only her body could give him. But in the light of the day, he saw the faint bruises, red skin and grab marks he’d inflicted on her the night before, so he let her go because he knew she would be sore from it all.
“I have so much to do today. A case to settle in court, according to my royal adviser, Lord Dumbleton, and shooting with the new recruits of the department of security,” he said as he got up from the floor.
Danika nodded, pleased that he was confiding in her about the activities of his day. She bit her lips. “Then you must get ready, my lord. I’m so sorry. I think I made you oversleep.”
“And I feel most grateful to you for it.” He walked to his wardrobe and took out a robe he tied around his waist.
Danika watched him with lazy, appreciative eyes. He was large and powerful. Not fat—never fat. His presence commanded so much respect, even from strangers who had never met him. She watched as he wrapped the robe efficiently and without hurry. He rarely did anything in a rush. His steps were steady and regal. He walked into the inner bedroom.
Alone, she got up from the floor, wincing as her body protested. Her movements. Every part of her—especially her inner body—felt the intensity of his passion the night before. She stood up and began putting on her robes. She didn’t bother asking permission to use his bathroom because she knew he had greater need for it as he had to get ready for the day.
As she finished putting on her robes, it surprised her to see him leaning against the door of the library, watching her.
A blush spread over her face. He slept inside her the night before. The blush only intensified.
The king would have laughed at her struggle if he had been a laughing man. But he was not. So, he simply kept watching her like a man would watch his favourite meal.
She turned towards him and bowed to him. “I have to go now, my king.”
A pause. He pulled away from the door and walked closer to her. “Do not forget anything we talked about last night. Do not forget the promises you made me.”
Her heart fluttered. “How can I ever forget?”
“Never forget. I will mostly restrain myself because of the courting week, but once it is over, I will keep you close. I will not let go.” Blue eyes slid over her face as he repeated what he had said to her the night before.
She wished that before that time came, she’d be able to tell him that she was in a family way. “I am yours, my king.”
His hand palmed her cheek and tilted her chin, making her eyes meet his chiseled face. What would it feel like to see this man smile? The thought, so unexpected, made her heart constrict. What would it take for him to smile? A heartfelt, full-blown smile?
“Meet Baski the instant you leave here. Let her examine you and use her medicinal herbs on you. I…” he paused. “I apologize for being so rough with you.”
Knowing that apology was difficult for a man like him melted her inside. She searched his face, but it was hard to read. Was he feeling guilty for the way he handled her?
“Do not feel guilty, Your Highness. I will meet Madam Baski, but I feel perfectly fine,” she reassured him. And it was no lie.
She had never felt better.
Later in the day, cleaned up, and after another round of sleep, Danika went in search of Baski. She found her in the woods with Remeta, picking a basket full of herbs.
They all walked together to the palace and back into Baski’s bedroom. The older woman was livid and worried, but Danika explained what had happened in the king’s chamber. She gave her the general reason, skipping the intimate memories she had made with the king. Those were private and hers alone to cherish.