TheRedKing Read Free

about Areus’s mouth. He had
nice lips, neither too thin nor too thick. Would his beard be rough? Would it
tickle or scratch her? These were stupid thoughts. There were far worse things
to worry about, such as how would he take her? Fast? Hard? Would he care about
her comfort or should she use the salve Katerina had given her?
    “All will be well,” Echo whispered to Delia, though concern
shone in her blue eyes.
    Delia was so glad Echo would be accompanying her to Lortia.
She hated the thought of being completely alone in an unfamiliar land, but if Echo
was with her, there would be at least some joy in her new home.
    Queen Elissa said to the servants, “Go now. I want to speak
to my daughter.”
    The servants obeyed, hurrying out of the chamber.
    Elissa approached with a small clay container. She placed it
next to the pitcher of water and two mugs on the bedside table.
    “Mix a pinch of this with water and drink it,” she said. “It
will ease your discomfort. If he’s anything like your father was on our wedding
night, you’ll need it.”
    Over the past twenty years Delia had scarcely seen Queen
Elissa, only when she visited the convent once or twice a year. This was the
motherly advice she now offered—how to soothe the pain of a savage husband’s wedding
night rutting.
    “Thank you,” Delia said.
    “Is there anything I can—” Elissa shook her head. “If anyone
can keep you and our kingdom safe, it’s Areus. You’ll be taken care of.”
    “Only if I produce an heir.”
    “You will. The women in our family are fertile.”
    A wry smile tugged at Delia’s lips. “Wonderful.”
    “He’s rather handsome, your husband,” the queen said. “You
could have certainly done worse.”
    “I could be back in the convent, happy and safe.”
    “You would sacrifice the safety of your kingdom for your own
happiness?”
    “My sister did.”
    “She is a whore,” said the queen. Delia almost flinched at
the harsh words her mother used regarding her own daughter. If Delia failed to
produce an heir, if her marriage fell apart, what would her mother say about
her?
    “She brought shame to our family,” continued the queen.
“Your father will no longer speak of her. You’re our last hope, Delia. Make us
proud.”
    Elissa caressed Delia’s hair before she turned and left the
chamber.
    Truthfully, Delia didn’t care what her parents thought about
her. Now, more than ever, she realized that her sister had probably made the
best decision for herself, escaping this family while she could.
    Delia waited, her heart pounding.
    She dreaded the thought of Areus coming to her, but part of
her wanted him to hurry. She wanted this nightmare over.
    Or would it be a nightmare?
    Katerina said that if a man was considerate, coupling was an
exciting experience, bringing pleasure beyond words.
    Something told Delia that the arrogant king of Lortia
wouldn’t be considerate and despite his good looks, being bedded by him
wouldn’t bring such pleasure.
    She heard voices in the corridor. Laughing and shouting.
    The chamber door opened and Areus stepped inside. Urion and
several male guests crowded behind him, trying to force their way in.
    Impulsively, Delia pulled the sheet all the way up to her
neck. She tensed, waiting for the inevitable.
    “That’s enough,” Areus stated.
    “But it’s tradition to have witnesses for the consummation,”
someone shouted.
    Areus glanced at Delia who stared at him, her father and the
guests, not bothering to hide her rage and disgust.
    To her surprise, Areus said, “It’s an archaic practice and I
won’t have it.”
    “He’s right.” Urion chuckled. “His heir in my daughter’s
belly will be proof enough. The child will permanently join our kingdoms.”
    Urion was quite drunk. So were the other guests.
    Delia wished they would all just leave.
    “Out. I’m tired,” Areus said.
    “Everyone go!” roared Urion. He turned and winked at Areus.
“Enjoy your rest.”
    No sooner had Urion