Bronwyn couldn't help but get fascinated with the prince as he told the Blackstone story. The seriousness in his eyes unnerved her. She clung onto his shoulders, adjusting where she sat, to face him, his face lit up and he managed a smile.
"The emperor used the lesser kings to his advantage, got them to strike a bargain with the netherworld king, and he helped them conquer their foes, but in the end, he tried to capture the blackheart king and usurp his powers. So, the blackheart king laid a curse on the emperor's lineage; every firstborn son must bear this curse and the Blackstone gem wedged itself in the palace, hence the name, Blackstone court."
She scrutinized him under her gaze, looking for any signs that he carried a curse. She scoffed, she had no clue of the others, if there were any more Blackstone offsprings. The palace was as quiet and devoid of life as it had been from the very moment she had stepped her feet on Narvan soil. All she could conclude was that the legend had been nothing but a nonsensical fallacy.
"Do you carry the Blackstone curse?" she wiggled her brows anxiously, but he merely responded with a chuckle.
"I am not the firstborn son, and even if there was indeed a curse, I am not the bearer."
"Apologies, my prince! I didn't think you weren't the only Blackstone offspring. Are there more?"
He nodded, helping her steady herself, clasping his arms around her waist carefully, so she could move freely under his hold. The mere gesture made her hot all over. She couldn't help but giggle,
"There is my elder brother, Nikolai. But he doesn't concern himself with politics and court affairs. He lives as he pleases, touring the country with an entourage of beauties while he tossed the crown to me. Then there is Elana, my baby sister, who enjoys theaters and operas. They never stay home, and it gets lonely without them around, but they will be home just in time for our Halivaraa."
", What's an Halivaraa?!"
He helped her up to her feet, leading her away from the library as they made their way back to the royal chambers. She fidgeted while she awaited his response.
"An Halivaraa is a Narvan ritual held between a crown prince and the to-be crown princess. It is to test her purity right in front of the court. You and I would,"
He paused, drawling his last words, biting his bottom lip and watching in amazement as she gasped when realization dawned on her.
"We would?!"
"Something like that. Your mother, the queen, personally requested that the Halivaraa be carried out. She claims you're as pure as the snow."
Her mother would be her death! Requesting for an Halivaraa on her behalf?! How foolish was her mother to think that she hadn't been in close relations with men?! She couldn't even begin to count the ones she had bedded before now!
They were both about to make a public display of embarrassment of themselves. She could begin to feel her palms get clammy as they journeyed back. How was she to tell the prince that she was no longer pure?!
When they got to the end of the hallway, and he pushed the door to her room open to help her inside, he could feel the anxiety rolling off her in waves. He arched his brow,
"Are you concerned about the Halivaraa?!"
"I am! I.."
Before she could say anything else, he cut her off. "I know. You've been with men. You were seeing a knight too, before our betrothal ceremony. I didn't mean to pry, but I just wanted to know the woman I was getting paired with, so I got very curious. That was why I tried to stop the Halivaraa."
Her steps faltered, and she blinked frantically when a grimace formed on her face. He knew?! He had taken his time to look into her and even though he knew she was no longer chaste, he still chose to marry her?! She couldn't help but think that she had gotten herself into some sort of trap.
"You knew? Why did you still carry on with the ceremony?"
He raked his fingers through his hair before he replied candidly, "At first, I was curious. That was just it. I was curious to know why my father chose you. Then, I found you very interesting and as time went by, I just wanted to get to know you and now,"
He did a quick maneuver as he pinned her against the wall, gripping her arms tight. She gasped when his hot breath fanned against her skin.
"Now, it is more than just fascination and curiosity. I think we're meant to be together. I think we're right for each other."
She swallowed hard. His words were thrilling and tempting, but at the same time, they were too good to be true. There had to be more to why he had chosen to marry her in the first place even though he knew so much about her, so much that had to stay hidden.
"That's it? You think we're the right match, and we're fitting? And that's why you want me to be your queen? I don't believe you, Lucien. I think there's more to this and trust me, whatever it is, I do not care.
I will marry even if you do not love me. I mean, this is a one-in-a-million chance! I'm not even close to you in social status, but you chose me. Whatever agreement your family had with mine, I do not care. The moment I stepped foot here, I was prepared to own you."
She watched his eyes grow wide as saucers when his jaws dropped wide open. Now it was her turn to think that he looked like a beautiful fish.
Before he could register what she was about to do, she pressed her lips to him, hearing him muffle a sound akin to a groan, taken aback by her abrupt movement and whatever happened next caught her by surprise.
He let go of her and, firmly holding on to her sides while he let her wrap her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. He took what she had to offer, biting and nipping at her bottom lip.
When he finally tore his lips away from hers, they panted, dragging in air through their now air-deprived lungs. His lips lifted back in a smirk,
"Okay, little minx. I want you to own me if you can."