Chapter Twelve

There was a feast that night and Aidan insisted I sit next to him. He introduced me to the men, the ones that were always out training, on missions, 'doing what needed to be done in this war' as he said. I hadn't met any of them yet but I wondered what type of men they might be.

"She is to be your Queen, Britania's Queen, and my wife." He said and I gulped. Did I look elegant enough? I had seen royalty at their worst and even when they thought no one was watching, because there I was no one.

I looked down at what I was wearing - it was one of the new dresses the tailor had made for me so it was nice, very nice. The jewelry the maid put on me Aidan had picked out himself for me to go with the fabric. I at least looked the part with my attire.

I took a deep breath and tried not to think about it too much. I looked over at Aidan as he spoke and that seemed to ease my anxiety a little bit.

"I expect you all to show her the reverence and respect befitting a future Queen." His body language and his tone of voice conveyed that he was serious. I smiled then looked back at the room. The men seemed uncertain, each waiting for another to make the first move.

"To the future Queen of Britania!" One finally said and raised his glass so I could breathe again.

"Aye!" The room shouted in agreement. Aidan sat down, I followed suit, and the festivities commenced.

I actually engaged with several of the men around me, I wanted to talk philosophy to understand their struggle but instead they wanted to talk war stories – so I just smiled and nodded along and drank ever more wine until I was well past tipsy.

"If you'll excuse us gentlemen," Aidan said and stood up, "my betrothed and I will be heading to our room."

A roar erupted in the room as some cheered, some jeered, and some chanted.

"Ai-Aidan." I said but was interrupted by the men that started slamming their fists on the table and chanting.

"That's enough." Aidan whisked me away, out of the dining hall before I could say or do anything more. He took me down the hall and to the back hallway where we were alone. He pushed me up against the wall and hovered over me.

I recognized the look on his face – a mixture of jealousy and lust. The latter I could understand, I was feeling it too especially with the alcohol, but the first I couldn't figure out. It didn't help that my brain was just a big, jumbled mess at the moment.

"Ai-Aidan." I say and reach up to touch his face.

"Don't do that." He says and I pull my hand back.

"Did I…do something wrong?"

He let out a groan and moved in closer. "I can't stand it when you look at another man. I know it's irrational but it overwhelmed me with anger, you sitting there smiling and laughing at them."

"I-I wasn't even listening."

"It doesn't matter, you were giving them attention and I…couldn't handle it anymore."

"You…were jealous." I say with a smile.

"You're…smiling. Does my anger and intense desire to destroy men I've known for years amuse you?"

I bit my lower lip and looked up at him.

"As if I needed a reason to want you more." He said. He leaned in as close as he could, so close our lips were almost touching. I could feel his hot breath on me, beckoning me to move just the slightest bit so they could connect.

"Ai-Aidan." I say and reach up to touch his face.

"I said-"

"I know."

"I don't have the self-control to stop myself Ari." He said in a husky voice.

His voice sent a chill down my spine. I leaned forward, just that tiniest bit, and kissed him. His arms made their way down to my sides and pulled my body to morph to his. I put my arms around his neck and embraced every part of him.

He tightened his grip around my waist and leaned into me until my back was against the wall again. I was so lonely, the last time I had contact was with Aidan six years ago when we had met. I hadn't realized how lonely I truly was, it wasn't just the lack of contact or the lack of interest but I couldn't put it into words. My heart just ached and Aidan made it all go away.

He slipped his tongue in my mouth and explored every inch of it. His hands wondered and landed on my bottom to pick me up. I let out a little squeal and looked down at him.

He looked at me like I was the only woman in the world, like I was all that mattered. I leaned down and tightened my arms around his neck. What was I doing here? Exactly what I wanted even if I shouldn't be doing it.

My head was so fuzzy, unable to focus – my body hot from the kisses he placed on my neck, my shoulders, and my collarbone as he slowly carried me up the stairs to my room. I was worried about falling so I clung to him which only served to turn him on further.

Once we got into the room he shut the door behind us and set me down on the bed. He leaned down and put his hands of either side of me on the bed.

"If you're having doubts…" he said as he looked down at me, full of lust and desire, "you need to say now Ari because…I won't be able to control myself from here on out."