“Yes, very. And you?”
His eyes twinkled. “Never been hungrier.”
32
GRIFFIN WAS ALREADY seated in the dining hall when Aiden walked in with Mariselle on his arm. It was hard to believe that she could look any more ravishing, but she pulled it off. Of course, he still couldn’t get the image of her in the tub out of his mind. And to know that she’d been fantasizing about him?
God, help him…
Everyone stood up and waited as the couple walked over and sat down at the royal table.
“Big turnout,” Griffin said, motioning toward the other filled tables. He knew that many of the guests were advisors or part of Aiden’s inner circle of friends.
Watching a busty server pour wine into his goblet, Aiden shrugged. “I figured your arrival was cause for celebration.” He winked at the girl when she was done. “Thank you, Lass.”
“You’re welcome, Your Majesty,” she said with a little smile. “I’ll make sure to keep your cup filled.”
His eyes drifted back to her chest. He grinned wickedly. “I’ll keep an eye on yours, too. They seem to runneth over quite nicely now, though.”
She giggled and walked away.
“My brother, ever-the-charmer,” Griffin drawled.
“So, I’ve noticed,” Mariselle replied.
“You look stunning, Mariselle,” Griffin said, his eyes moving below her neck. “Funny, though. I don’t remember purchasing that particular gown.”
Aiden spoke up. “Lady Veronica ordered the dress upon her last visit. She left without it; I thought it would be a shame to let it go to waste.”
“Indeed. It fits Mariselle perfectly,” he replied.
“I knew it would. I have a good eye when it comes to a woman’s body,” Aiden said, looking proud of himself.
“That’s because it’s all you ever focus on,” Griffin said with a grin.
“Good point,” he replied.
“Who is Lady Veronica?” Mariselle asked.
Aiden smiled. “A friend.”
“Ah,” she replied. “It’s good to have friends.”
“Especially pretty ones,” he said and looked down at her empty cup. “Would you care for some wine?”
“Yes, please, Your Majesty,” she replied.
“Oh, we’re back to that. Very well, as king… I order you to not only drink and be merry, but allow us to spoil the hell out of you tonight,” he said, waving the busty server back over.
“Your wish is my command,” she replied, looking at him and then Griffin. “Both of yours, of course.”
“Be careful, Mariselle,” Griffin said. “Aiden’s wishes can sometimes be… lecherous.”
“I’ve found that most men’s wishes are. It’s acting upon them that separates the courageous ones from the dreamers,” she replied.
“Courageous? What if it’s a dirty, old man?” Griffin asked. “Wouldn’t that be revolting?”
“Yes but I don’t see any here tonight at this table,” she replied with a small smile.
Griffin didn’t know what to say to that.
“She’s a little imp, isn’t she? Just like when she was young,” Aiden said, taking the wine jug away from the server. “Thanks, Lass.” He reached over and began filling Mariselle’s goblet himself.
“Not too much,” she said, her eyes wide as she watched him keep pouring.
“Afraid of getting too tipsy?” Aiden asked smiling wickedly. “Don’t worry. We’ll take care of you.”
She giggled. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
33
MARISELLE DRANK, ATE, and laughed so much during supper, she didn’t pay much attention to the amount of wine she’d been consuming, until she stood up to dance.
“Oh, my,” she said, grabbing onto the table.
“Are you okay?” Griffin asked, staring up at her with concern.
“Yes. Just a little too much wine, I think,” she said and then hiccupped. Embarrassed, she giggled and put a hand to her chest. “Excuse me.”
“If you’re dizzy, you might want to sit back down,” Griffin said, touching her elbow
“I’ll be fine. Besides, I want to dance,” she said gaily and then quickly stepped away from the table to join the other women lining up in the center of the room. Mariselle found a place to stand and soon the music started.
AIDEN, WHO WAS feeling pretty good himself, watched as the ladies danced and smiled at each other as they moved around the room. This was his favorite part of the evening, especially when there were beautiful women taking part in the dancing Tonight, he had to admit that Mariselle outshined them all and although he’d vowed to let his brother have a go at her, he was starting to wonder if he’d been too hasty.
Taking another swig of wine, he watched as she laughed at herself for making a wrong step in the dance. She was definitely enjoying herself and seeing her happy warmed him. She’d always held a special place in his heart and although he’d never thought of her sexually in the past, seeing her all grown up and more beautiful than ever was having an effect on him.
It’s Mariselle, he reminded himself, taking another swig of the bitter wine.
Besides, he’d seen the way his brother had been panting after her. Griffin might not want to admit it, but he was obviously mad about her himself. Aiden couldn’t blame him for wanting the lass either. Not with what he was living with now. He could still remember the last time he’d visited his older brother’s castle. Queen Georgina had turned her nose up at him, especially when she’d found out that he’d brought two female ‘friends’ with him and that they were sharing the same room.
The next song began; Mariselle left the group and headed back to their table. He noticed that her face seemed flushed.
“I’m very hot,” she said, fanning herself. “Would someone care to walk me to the courtyard for some fresh air?”
Aiden and Griffin stood up at the same time and then looked at each other.
“Go ahead, Brother,” Aiden said, ready to sit back down.
Griffin stared at him for a second and then sighed. “I’m feeling a bit tired, actually. I think I’m going to turn in early. Please, show her around the castle.” He turned to Mariselle. “Goodnight, Mariselle.”
“Good night, Your Majesty,” she replied, curtsying.
He turned to Aiden. “Take good care of her.”
“I will,” he said. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like a bit of fresh air yourself?”
“No. Just a good night’s sleep,” he replied.
Aiden nodded.
Griffin left the table and he stood up. “Ready, Lass?”
She nodded.
He held out his arm and walked her out of the busy dining hall.
When they arrived in the courtyard, they noticed it was snowing and had been for quite some time. The trees were coated in white and everything sparkled around them.
“This is kind of early in the season for snow,” Aiden said, although the weather tended to be cooler in North and West Haven. Especially in October.
Mariselle squealed in delight. “Isn’t it beautiful, Aiden?” she said, raising her face to the sky. She stuck her tongue out to catch snowflakes.
“Yes.” He smiled at her childlike innocence. It reminded him of when they were young. She used to love the snow, even back then. He stepped closer. “Aren’t you cold?” Unlike Aiden, she wore only the gown where his fur-lined robe kept the chill out.
“Not really,” she said, twirling around. “I was warm from dancing and, of course, the wine. To me this feels nice.”
He chuckled. “I noticed that you were enjoying yourself back there. You always did love to dance,” he said, leaning down to grab a handful of snow while she wasn’t looking. It was too fluffy to form a ball, but he knew it would still do the trick.
“You should try it sometime,” she said, trying to catch more snowflakes.
“You know me. I never was one for that kind of thing.” Smiling wickedly, he threw the snow, hitting her in the neck and chest.
She gasped and brushed what she could off of her. “Aiden!”
He threw his head back and laughed.
“That’s it.” Bending down, she grabbed two handfuls of snow and began pelting him with it.
Laughing, the two went back and forth, until he could see that her face was red and she was starting to shiver.
“Truce,” he said, holding up his hands, which were also getting cold.