Crowned & Claimed Collection - Betty Shreffler Page 0,3

arms around his neck, I partially rise out of the tub, my bare chest visible. One arm goes around my back, the other lost in my hair, holding the back of my neck. Like an uncontrollable force keeping me tied to him, I hang on as the kiss continues, his tongue dancing with mine, feeding my rising desire.

When he pulls back, my face is hot, my cheeks flush. Tingling lips and an ache between my legs leave me wanting more. There’s a moment of silence, his eyes staring into mine, his breathing slightly elevated.

“You won’t disappoint any man, Fi. Your kiss is like a smooth liquor. It touches in all the right places.”

A giggle escapes me, and I lower my arms from his neck. Gaze lowering to my chest, I notice his pupils expand before he returns his attention back to my face.

“Will you kiss me again?”

“Yes, but not now.”

“Why?”

The automated door opens, and he winks.

“What are you two chattering about? You should be bathing, darling.”

Matheas gently swipes his finger under my chin and grins.

“My fault, Nina. I was giving her a lesson.”

“Mm-hmm, what kind of lesson?”

Nina examines me with scrutinizing eyes, but her smile is playful.

“Nothing that ruins her purity.” I notice the playful wink he gives Nina. “Are Alayna and Ria still waiting outside?”

“They are.”

“They’ll have to wait longer. Fiora isn’t ready for them. Give her another ten minutes.”

Nina accepts his instruction and leaves us.

“Better get to work. There're thousands of Anaukins waiting to see their Princess successfully complete her trials.”

With a growl of annoyance, I settle back in the tub and reach for a sponge.

“When we’re practicing our fights, do you let me win like you did when we were kids?”

Arm resting on the edge of the tub, his fingers tap the frame.

“No, when you use your speed and wits, you best me. Make sure to use that during the combat trial.”

“Do you know how many Anaukin arms men I have to fight?”

“I did do some recon. You’ll have a choice. Two women or one man.”

“What should I choose?”

“The man. It’ll make you look stronger, braver to choose a man as your opponent.”

“Do you think I can beat him?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think the Royals will be happy with me as their Queen?”

Touching my cheek, he caresses gently.

“I do. Everyone adores you—even when you’re rebellious. It’s part of your charm.”

Lifting my leg out of the water, I soap up and down, and Matheas watches contently.

“Why don’t you want the Royals to see me naked?”

Attention swiftly brought to my face, his eyes darken.

“It’s a crude ritual. They just want to see how beautiful your body is. I don’t like you being treated as an ornament for their viewing.”

“Thankfully, it doesn’t last long, and it’s only the Royal suitors.”

“Who’ll be gawking at you, imagining what it would be like to lay with you.”

“Too bad for them, they’ll never find out.”

Matheas’s smile raises the corner of his mouth. “You still plan to never take a husband?”

“Yes. You’ll be stuck protecting a virgin Queen.”

Waving my hand over the sensor, the tub latch switches and the water drains. Standing, Matheas reaches out his hand, helping me out of the bath. He gathers a towel from the nearby stand and wraps it around me. Below my feet, the soft carpet slides between my toes. Wiggling them, I enjoy the sensation. Matheas laughs, pulls me to him, and kisses my hair.

“I’ll let the women in to fuss over your hair and outfits. I’ll be outside. I have some calls to make.”

“All right.”

As he walks out, I watch his ass and enjoy the view. In a soldier’s uniform, he’s covered from head to toe in black and brown with metal lined fabric intertwined in the garments. The technology is connected to his soul band and is strong enough to deflect most weapons. Once out the door, it’s only moments before Nina and the two women join me. After choosing my outfits for the trials, they spend an uncomfortably long-time putting fancy braids and loose waves in my hair before adorning it with dainty flowers. When they reach for the makeup, I give them a warning glance.

“Keep it subtle.”

They follow my instructions well and barely coat my face with makeup, just enough to keep to the tradition of the trials. My first outfit is a long, white dress with a slit up my leg, revealing my muscular thigh. The front is a halter top design, the back open with a plunging V. My other two outfits are placed