He nodded.
Mariselle had a feeling that the king wasn’t happy at all with their union. She didn’t dare ask him about it, although she was dying to.
“Tell me about your brothers,” she said, changing the subject. “I haven’t seen them in so many years. Did they all grow up handsome, like you?”
Griffin gave her an arrogant grin. “Of course not.”
She laughed. “You goof. Still as cocky as ever. Tell me about Aiden. Does he still have a short temper?”
He nodded. “It’s worse than ever. He still spins those tall tales of his and exaggerates like never before, too.”
“Tall tales? If I remember correctly, many of his stories turned out to be true,” she replied.
He grunted. “That was then. This is now. Sometimes I think he gets confused on what is real and what isn’t.”
“Maybe he just needs a good woman to turn him the right way?”
“From what I hear, he has more than he knows what to do with,” he said dryly.
“What do you mean?”
He sighed. “Forget it. I shouldn’t be telling you all of this.”
“I won’t tell if you won’t,” Mariselle whispered with a grin.
Griffin was silent for several seconds and then relented. “Fine. Ever since moving into his castle, he’s had a harem of women, willing and ready to do his bidding.”
“An entire harem, huh?” Mariselle laughed. “I guess I can relate to that. I remember when I was really little and had crushes on all of you boys.”
“You did, huh?”
“Yes. What little girl wouldn’t?” Mariselle stared ahead, smiling wistfully. “All I know is that I always jumped at the chance to visit the castle whenever Father offered to take me. Tell me, you must have known why I was always following you and the others around?”
His eyes sparkled. “Maybe.”
“Oh, of course you did,” she said, slapping his shoulder playfully. “Anyway, I used to pretend that you were all mine. I guess kind of like my own little harem, although… back then, my thoughts were strictly innocent.”
“And now?” Griffin asked in a low voice.
Their eyes met and in that instant, Mariselle knew the king was thinking dirty thoughts. It gave her a secret thrill, one that she felt all the way down to her pelvis. “Truthfully? I think it’s better to keep those things to myself. They could get me in trouble.”
27
GRIFFIN DREW IN a shaky breath.
This is wrong.
The wicked thoughts he was having about Mariselle was driving him crazy with desire. If she knew how badly he wanted her, she’d probably slap him.
And yet, he also knew the little imp was flirting with him again.
“So, what do you plan on doing with me when we get to North Haven?” Mariselle asked with a small smile.
What he ached to do was take her someplace private, tear off her clothes, run his hands over her soft curves, and bury himself deep inside of her heat, monthly or not.
“I’m not sure yet,” he said hoarsely, looking away.
“I take it the curse has affected the queen and she’s unable to bear you a child?”
Her brazen question should have surprised him, but it was Mariselle. He was used to it. “No. Unfortunately, she has not.”
“Yours is supposed to become the next monarch, right?”
He sighed. “Yes. That’s what was supposed to happen. I’m hoping that the curse has been lifted, seeing that you…”
“Have my period?”
Griffin nodded.
“I hope for your sake, it’s true,” she said, looking ahead.
“Me, too.”
She was silent for several seconds. “However, if it’s not the case, I could very well be the only woman in the land who could give you what you desire,” she whispered.
“The queen would never allow it,” he murmured, unable to believe that they were actually having such a conversation. “Anyway, if you can provide an heir to the throne, it would probably be with Aiden, since he’s next in line. And not married.”
“Would we get married then?”
“That’s something we’d need to discuss.”
“So, he would take my virginity away from me and if I don’t give him a son, I will be tossed away?” she said, and edge to her voice. “I don’t think that’s what my father had in mind. It’s certainly not in my best interest.”
“Your best interest is going to definitely be taken into consideration. I promise you,” he said, relieved to hear that she was still a virgin.
“I should hope so,” she replied, crossing her arms under her chest. “To be totally honest, this wasn’t my idea, anyway. It was my father’s.”
Griffin had figured as much.
“Mariselle,” he said, reaching over and taking her hand. “I promise that whatever happens, you will not be tossed away… like a whore. Trust me, okay?”
She stared into his eyes and nodded. “I trust you, Griffin.”
Feeling her small hand in his palm, he wondered if he could trust himself.
28
IT TOOK FOUR days to reach North Haven. Fortunately, they’d passed through several towns on the way, so Mariselle was able to purchase items she needed, all paid for by King Griffin. Most of the things he bought for her were of necessity and he promised to send for a seamstress as soon they reached the castle.
“What do I need a seamstress for?” she asked.
His eyes swept over her figure. “For the gowns you’ll need of course.”
Bursting with excitement, Mariselle threw her arms around Griffin and hugged him. “I’ve never had anyone do that for me before. Thank you, Griffin.
He hugged her back stiffly. “You’re welcome.”
Remembering that he was now the king and not someone a girl could hug whenever she wanted to, Mariselle suddenly felt foolish. She released him and stepped back. “I’m sorry. Thank you, Your Majesty. I’ve forgotten my place.”
“It’s okay, Mariselle,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “Old habits die hard.”
“Indeed they do,” she replied softly.
Upon arrival at North Haven, they were greeted ceremoniously by many of the town’s people, who cheered and followed the convoy to the castle entrance. When Mariselle finally saw Aiden, on the other side of the gate, she was pleasantly surprised to find that he recognized her.
“Mariselle?” he gasped, looking down into her face with a warm smile.
“Yes. It’s me, Your Majesty,” she said, staring back at the red-bearded Rothhaven shyly. As a young boy, he’d been tall and lanky, now he was muscular and looked as strong as an ox. His boyish face had also changed considerably. Unlike his older brother, who could almost be called beautiful with his sculpted cheekbones and cleft chin, Aiden’s features were sharp and his nose looked like it had taken a beating or two. But, he was still very handsome, in rugged kind of way.
He picked her up in a bear hug and swung her around, making her laugh. “It’s so good to see you. And don’t be a stranger. Call me Aiden.”
“If you insist,” she replied.
He set her down and turned to his brother. “Let me guess - the queen didn’t feel like making the trip?” he asked with a dark smile.
“No,” he said and smiled. “Thank God.”
Aiden laughed. “And I used to be jealous that you were the eldest.”
Griffin’s eyes twinkled. Not anymore, huh?”
“Hell no,” he replied. “Life has never been better, to be honest.”
“I’m happy for you. There are times when I’d give anything to…” Griffin’s voice trailed off.
Aiden’s smile widened. “Be in my shoes?”
“Honestly, yes.” Griffin sighed. “Anyway, it’s good to see you and there is much to discuss.”
Aiden glanced back toward Mariselle. “I imagine it has something to do with your traveling companion?”
“You imagine correct,” he replied.