18. Chapter 18

JULIETTE

"I will not allow this union," my father states as I stand in the very same lounge where I met my three suitors yesterday. Duchess Evie stands to my right, her mates—the king and queen of Mubraulia—resting on a lounge seat in the background. As they are not Kusovania royalty, they have no say in this discussion but Duchess Evie was kind enough to be a stand-in for Queen Daniela and her wife. After all, she is also on the Kusovnian royal council.

Duchess Evie clicks her tongue, smiling at my father in a way that is both disrespectful and intrigued by his stubbornness. "King William, unfortunately for you, the terms of your deal were met. You can not take back a promise that was willingly given, even if in anger."

I wring my hands in front of me, twisting uncomfortably. I don't want to be here but in order to cement this union, someone must ensure that my father follows the rules. Kusovania does not outrank the surrounding countries but it is one that helps keep the peace. My father wouldn't do anything to ruin it, even if that means giving up his selfish plight.

Blaise and Artemis stand a few steps behind me, their presence giving me strength when all I want to do is curl up beside Ophelia and wait for her to wake.

Ophelia hasn't woken up since she passed out after the royal physician attended her. Everyone keeps saying she'll be fine but the bruises littered across her face and her labored breathing worries me. Blaise and Artemis, however, continue to boast about how strong she is and how she'll make it through now that she has someone to protect.

That statement brought a blush to my cheeks that I couldn't hide, both of them laughing at my expense. I love it though, feeling like I'm gaining more than just a wife—but two brothers as well, if they'll come with me. Am I even allowed to ask?

My father twists toward me, pointing in my face. Instinctively, the two guards at my back step closer and I hold my head high to show my father I'm not afraid of him. He can't hurt me here. He can't demand my submission. He can't demand who I choose, either. "You have disgraced me and your kingdom."

"No, I haven't," I throw back at him, tired of the same lines he has always tried to guilt me with. "Mother would never have allowed this."

"She is not here."

"Smunia would be appalled that you are forcing me to find someone I do not love for your gain. Our country doesn't need the money or the power. Soon, that throne will be mine and it will be for me to do as I please. I will not spend my reign fighting for my freedom against someone who should be ruling beside me rather than for me." I slap my hands over my face in horror at the words I've just spoken. I mean every single one but I've never spoken out against my father and I'm not sure what actions he will try to take against me for it.

My father's expression darkens as his hands curl into fists at his side. In a flurry of movement, Blaise and Artemis are standing in front of me, the king of Mubraulia at Duchess Evie's side. It's the first time I've ever seen anyone stand up to my father and I'm loving every minute of his disbelief. The king of Mubraulia clears his throat, drawing our attention to him.

"You will not threaten anyone here but most certainly not my duchess and definitely not your daughter. Kusovania's rules are clear and your reign shall end in six month's time to prepare for the new one." His gaze is unforgiving, his arm around Duchess Evie's shoulder showing that he is her protection while she is his equal. Blaise and Artemis return to standing behind me but a few inches closer than before.

My father doesn't seem like he wants to accept this but he will. Kusovania will enforce it. So will my country. "This should have never happened!" He barks.

Duchess Evie nods. "And it wouldn't have had you never made that deal. What's done is done. Queen Daniela gave her ruling. Juliette, the princess of Smunia, will wed Ophelia Havemeyer and within six months they will ascend the throne of Smunia. King William, you will be in charge of collecting the guards from that room as well as ensuring that it is left in the condition you found it." It's evident in her tone that the men who perished in the room weren't my fathers. It does to show just how dishonest my father is. She turns to me and I feel validated for everything I've been through in the last three days. "You are dismissed, Juliette. Take care of your mate. She'll need your strength and love more than you know."

I don't wait any longer, scurrying out of the room and down the hall. Attendees of the gala smirk and whisper at my unkempt dash but I don't care. The only thing that matters is Ophelia at this moment. I burst into the room, my heart dropping into my stomach when I see her arm thrown over her stomach and the other bent behind her head.

She's been changed out of her green gown, a simple black shirt and pants covering her. Her long auburn hair is splayed across the pillows and mattress and the ashen shade of her skin reminds me of death. A sob tears from my throat as I approach, crawling onto the bed to see my woman.

"Stop staring, sunshine. You'll wear a hole in my face."

I stare at Ophelia, shocked to find that she's awake. Half-lidded green eyes peer up at me, a tight smile on those beautiful lips. I scramble to her side, wanting to touch but not sure if I can without hurting her. "Romeo!" She grins at my nickname for her. "How are you feeling? Your brothers said you needed to rest but-"

"Never better," she croaks out. "Shouldn't you be meeting with your father to smooth things over?"

My look sours as my shoulders fall. "I just did and he tried to deny the union but Duchess Evie was there to smooth it over. I'm sure they are still discussing or rather she is trying to make him see reason but-" I suck in a large breath, Ophelia smiling at my dump of information but I haven't told her everything yet. The way she stares into my eyes, holding my attention, shows that she's listening and it's more than the other suitors ever did. "He has no stance anymore. You weren't there but Queen Daniela spoke with the council and countries must abide by Kusovania's rules while for the gala."

"Mmm."

"Ophelia, my father's reign has been cut short. Royals who find their mates are to take the throne within six months if they are older than 25. I'm going to be queen this time next year."

She blinks several times, her forehead creasing. It takes me a few minutes to realize the reason for her confusion.

I crawl a little closer, giggling as I press a finger to her forehead to smooth out the lines. "You do realize now that you'll also be queen, right?"

"That's not…" Ophelia humphs and I can't help the laughter that spills from my lips. I've never seen her speechless before but I can't wait to make it happen again as I steal a quick kiss. I love that Ophelia was never after my crown or my country's riches. She merely wanted me, which is more than can be said of the other suitors. She seems to melt into the mattress and I hold my breath, waiting to find out whatever she needs. "We can figure that out later. Do I at least get a reward for fighting my way to you?"

The smirk on her lips makes me laugh and I bend down to kiss her, my fingers tangling in her hair. When I pull back, those tired green eyes are dancing with mischief.

"I thought that I might at least get to taste you, sunshine."

My face heats and I shake my head. "You're hurt and you're not supposed to be moving." Tears gather in my eyes at the thought of her ruining her bandage again. I caught the tail end of the royal physician listing Ophelia's injuries and while I didn't understand everything, I know that I have to be careful.

"Then spread yourself across my face."

My entire body stills at her request but one look into her eyes and I see that it's a demand. A soft one, but a demand nonetheless. "Romeo—I…"

"You would deny your soldier this? I am on my deathbed, breaths away from my last and you would not-"

I smack her chest playfully at her antics and then start apologizing profusely when she groans in pain. "I'm sorry! No, I didn't mean to hurt you. Goddess, Romeo—Ophelia, no dying. There will be no dying."

Ophelia grins and weakly tugs at my dress, trying to pull me closer. This is a terrible idea but I'm also desperate to feel her lips on me again. Carefully, I crawl up her side after discarding my panties, confused on how to position myself.

"Hands on the headboard, sunshine. Throw a leg over my head. There you go." Her words become softer as my dress covers her face, her good hand grasping my thigh and urging me to sit down. "Come here, let me taste you."

I hold onto the headboard and slowly lower myself onto Ophelia's face, my head falling back at the first swipe of her tongue through my folds. It's just as pleasurable as the first time she tasted me, maybe more now that I know this woman is mine. "I'm not too heavy? I-"

"Sit," Ophelia growls, the sound vibrating through my pussy as she pinches my thigh. I do as she asks, crying out when her tongue reaches a new spot. My hips grind against her face, seeking the right friction and a release that I know will be both powerful and needed.

This time, I also don't need to be quiet.

I hold on as my hips find their own rhythm, Ophelia nipping, sucking, and plunging into my sex until I'm screaming for more. I want her to make love to me again. I want her to truly take me apart. I want her to hear me scream her name.

And so I let her hear every whimper and every moan, my breath coming in small pants as my orgasm throws me over the edge.

"Ophelia!" I cry out, my head thrown back, my hips grinding down on her perfect lips. My entire body shudders with my release as I coat my soldier's face, Ophelia continuing to drink my release until I roll off of her, needing relief. "I wasn't expecting that when I came in here. I just wanted to check on you and-"

"Sunshine, I will always want you. Maybe it's too soon to say that it's love but I feel that's what this is. We have forever to figure it out but know this, I will always want you—heart, body, mind, and soul. Now that I know you're mine," she taps my arm to get me to twist to face her, "I will find it very hard not to touch you."

I giggle at her admission, butterflies flitting through my stomach as I drape myself over her good side and kiss her, tasting myself on her lips. "We do have forever, don't we?" Snuggling into Ophelia's side, I cherish this moment. I can't wait to spend an eternity with this woman and see where life takes us. There will be ups and downs as I learn just who I've fallen in love with but I'm ready.

Ophelia sees me. She treats me like more than a princess. She treats me like a woman and she fought for my choice, nearly losing her life in the process. There's nothing more precious than that.