Obsession (Royally Hot 3)

Snatching Galen’s sword from his now limp grip, Maksim swiveled in a wide circle and I saw a moment of absolute clarity pass over Galen’s face. He knew this was the end, and a look of almost serene acceptance fell over his features. The blade landed with a thwack; all other sound extinguished as it cleanly severed his head from his shoulders. He stood for a moment longer, then crumpled in a heap, his head rolling to a stop a few feet away.

I scrambled over the low knee wall that separated the risers from the field of play. I tore across the dirt footing, desperate to get to Maksim, throwing my arms around his neck and jumping up against him, letting him take my weight. After I’d kissed him deeply, I met his eyes and asked, “What did you say to him? What made him turn like that?”

A grin lifted one corner of Maksim’s mouth, and he sighed deeply, the effort of the fight finally starting to register in his face. “I told him,” he said, “that his mother was a whore and that I’d heard rumors they didn’t know whether his father was the king of his lands or one of the many young soldiers that had tasted her pussy.”

My mouth dropped wide in shock. “Why would you say something like that?”

He laughed. “I had to do something to get him angry. I promised Aidan I’d kill the fucker.”

“Then why let him yield in the first place?”

“In front of all his people, he relinquished his claim on you and promised compensation to Nicolette. They’ll honor his word, or they’ll dishonor their whole kingdom. Plus, it was good to hear him beg.”

I couldn’t help myself. I kissed him deeply in front of everyone and I didn’t care.

But if we thought it was all over, we were wrong.

CHAPTER 28

Maksim

“Enough!” my uncle shouted from the stands. “I will not allow this. I am king of Estana, not Maksim, son of my brother. My word is law and I say you cannot marry her.”

The crowd murmured, and I grinned, looking up at him.

“I think your subjects might have a different opinion on that, uncle,” Maksim said.

“Arrest him!” he cried. “He’s a murderer! He was arrested last night.” He turned to his guardsmen. “You all know. You all heard the charges against him. You…”

He fell silent when he realized he was being ignored. The guards had moved to the edge of the fighting ground, forming a defensive line, but there was confusion among all their ranks. I knew what they were seeing, and I knew why they were unsure.

Heading our way were ranks of Estanian troops. Bearing the banner of King Robert. My father.

“My queen,” I said quickly, meeting Anika’s mother’s gaze. “You have one chance, and one chance only. Denounce my uncle. Be the mother Anika needs. My uncle is doomed and all…” I raised my voice. “All who stand with him will share his fate. Right now, ten score of men loyal to me, loyal to the true royal line, are heading this way. Estana is not prepared to face them, the army has been devastated by my uncle’s mismanagement.”

“Stand down!” came a cry from the center of the King’s guards. “Stand down now. Put down your arms and all will be spared.”

It was Aidan’s voice, and I grinned when he met my eyes. He hadn’t know about this plan, but he was backing me up. As I knew he would.

“What do you say?” I asked the queen. “Whose side are you on?”

There were tears in her eyes as she turned to face Anika. She shook her head. “Can you ever forgive me?”

In that moment, all tension fled Anika’s features. She was an innocent again, and it suited her. She ran to her mother, and the two of them embraced as the King’s guards put down their swords and stepped back.

My uncle turned my way, horror on his face. But there would be no mercy for him. He deserved none. I pointedly glanced at the beheaded corpse that had been Prince Galen, sniffed, and turned my back, heading for Anika and her mother.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” I turned to Aidan and Maria. “You two too. Others can clean up this mess.”

CHAPTER 29

Maksim

A Month Later

It was our wedding day, and I started it by doing what I’d done damn near every morning since the first time I saw her: watching her get dressed, without her knowing that I was spying on her. But this time, she wasn’t putting on a dress that I had bought for her, or trying to hide her sexy femininity under boy britches and a cap. This time she was in white and lace, pearls and diamonds. This time she was in her wedding dress.

Though I fucking loved spying on her, I knew that when we were officially married, I’d actually get to be with her every time she changed. I’d make fucking sure of it. So, this might be the last time I got to watch her like this. And I decided it was high time to blow my cover. With one eye against the knot hole, I told her, “You look fucking beautiful.”