His arm slid behind my lower back, bringing my chest flush with his. His face lowered towards mine. He dipped his chin,
until I felt a feather light touch of his lips against my jaw. A small moan escaped my mouth, making another growl run through
his chest in response.
“You are and always will be mine, Ornella.”
He kissed me gently on the nip of my neck before moving his mouth back up until he hovered over my lips. Desperation and
lust filled the room.
I needed to know more. I wanted to know everything about him. I wanted to know about our past even more. What past his
family had with my own. Why did he insist on taking all of my memories? And why make me wait for weeks to figure out who
he was? If he was to be my husband, I had to know.
“Nicholas, you hurt my brother. I don’t know if I can believe you will never hurt me,” I admitted, fear creeping up into my
chest.
We stared at each other, the tension between us creating a physical barrier. I wanted to lean up just a touch more. To feel
those lips against mine again, even if I was frightened to move. It was unbearable being the age I was and unable to know truly
what a man’s touch was.
I tried to push back the flashback that fought its way towards me, reminding me that I was impure—filthy. A king deserved
better than me.
“I will promise you now, I will never purposely hurt you, Ornella. And your brother will be healed. I apologise for my
actions that caused you to come here.”
Did he really mean it though? That voice in the back of my head reminded me to be careful. To not be stupid and trust every
word he said to me. He’d already lied once, what’s to say he wouldn’t do it again?
“We should head downstairs for dinner.”
His words broke the tension between us. Letting go of me, he pulled back and put space between us. My face dropped at
the sudden change of mood, causing an ache to grow in my stomach. I wasn’t sure if I could walk just yet, already knowing he
made me a little weak at the knees.
“Thank you for your apology.”
He smiled a half smile at me, as he finished my glass of wine that I had yet to touch.
“Come along, princess, I am famished.”
He held out his hand to me, something I was slowly getting used to, and tugged me out of the seat towards the bedroom
door. Before opening it, his gaze dropped to my bare shoulders. He turned back, plucking up my shawl from the chaise. A small
gesture but gentle in itself. He placed the shawl back over my shoulders then wrapped my arm in his.