“Is this true?” Ari gasped as she hung on his words.
“Yes; now listen,” he said before kissing her nose. “The prince was in horrific pain, but the sound of her voice gave him something else to focus on. They spoke the entire night, and he fell deeply in love with her without knowing his father had plans already in place for their union. When the morning light came, search parties found both of them, safely pulling them from the ravine. They were only fourteen at the time, but that was nearly marrying age back then.”
“That’s horrible,” Ari said, shocked at even thinking of a fourteen-year-old marrying.
“It was the way things were back then. It was a different time. They weren’t scheduled to wed for three years, though. Over the next three years, they spent much time together, falling even more deeply in love. The day of their wedding, the prince held the necklace in his hand, anticipating placing it on her neck and finally making love to his bride. It wasn’t often that royalty married for love, and he felt truly blessed that he would get to have it all.”
“Oh, this is special,” Ari sighed, running her fingers along the necklace.
“So they wed, and he was even more in love than ever.”
“Is there more?” Ari asked, almost afraid to know. She didn’t want her necklace marred.
“The rest of the story doesn’t matter,” he hedged.
“Now, I must know,” she insisted.
“She grew pregnant almost immediately, and their marriage was happy even when war broke out within their country. The prince went to defend his land, and she was so afraid he wouldn’t return, but he did the night she went into labor. He was filled with joy to be there for the birth of their first child.”
Rafe turned for a moment, and Ari’s stomach tightened, knowing she didn’t want to hear the rest. Let the story just end on a happy note, she prayed silently.
“She didn’t live through the birth, but a healthy baby girl was born. The prince was devastated by the loss of his wife, and at first refused to even hold his child, blaming the baby for taking his beautiful wife. Then his daughter cried out, and as he looked down at his wife, at her flawless skin, a slight smile on her lips, he knew he would love their daughter as much as he would always love his wife.”
“Breaking the tradition of passing the necklace down to the oldest son of the family, the prince gave their daughter the necklace when she reached the age of fourteen, the same age he’d met her mother. He told her the story of their love, though he was now remarried and had sons. He told her to pass it down to her oldest daughter and never to forget the story of their love, never to let his princess die. She would live forever through this token of his love for her. The owner of the antique jewelry store received the necklace from the last heir, along with the story, which was written down. The final woman in the line had not married, had not produced a daughter to pass the necklace down to. The only stipulation she’d given the woman I purchased the necklace from was that it go only to someone truly in love. It must be a wedding gift, and the story must live on, she told me.”
Tears streamed down Ari’s cheeks as she touched the precious gift around her neck. She felt connected to the princess who’d died far too young. Nothing would ever compare to this present.
Yes, there had been tragedy connected with the necklace, but there had also been great love. The love is what she would focus on — what she needed to focus on.
Her relationship with Rafe was similar. There had been heartbreak and pain, but also pleasure and love. The love — the passion — the comfort she felt in Rafe’s arms was what was important. If she thought back to the pain, her heart would tear open.
As she looked in her lover’s eyes, she pulled him close. “Now, where were we?” she whispered.
“Mmm, I think right about here,” Rafe said. His fingers drifted across the priceless necklace around her beautiful neck and then he slowly sank into her body. As he brought her to completion, he watched the glimmer in her eyes outshine the sparkle in the necklace.
Chapter Ten
No more stress, she thought with a sigh.
Rachel drifted in and out of sleep in the scented bath. In this luxurious prison, she could almost forget she was being held against her will.
Yes, this tub could take her to another world, a place where tyrants didn’t exist and she wasn’t facing the toughest of choices. While she soaked her tired body, Adriane became nothing more than an inconsequential figment of her imagination.
After some time, she reluctantly climbed from the tub and stood for a few moments in the room-sized shower, rinsing the bath oils from her skin. She’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be spoiled, and being here was a clear reminder that it was OK to take care of herself — to pamper herself emotionally and physically.
Since she was trapped in Adriane’s castle, she might as well take full advantage of what he had to offer. That didn’t mean, however, that she wasn’t going to seek her freedom. No. She’d just let him think she was being compliant, as much as her temper would allow her to pretend.
As she wrapped herself in the satin robe, a rumble sounded from her stomach, reminding her she hadn’t eaten in hours. Her nausea was gone and she was ready to do what the doctor told her — eat her fill. A nice meal and then a full night’s rest and she would be back to herself, ready to take on Adriane, and ready to find her way from this hideaway.
As she opened the door to her room, a divine aroma accosted her nose, unleashing more vicious growling from her stomach. At least Adriane wasn’t planning on making her seek out his dining room in the vast castle. She might never find her way back to her room if she left it tonight.
In the morning, when she was ready to escape, she didn’t care if she couldn’t find it. She had no intention of sleeping in this bedroom for more than a single night. Whatever Adriane’s plans were, he’d just have to learn to adjust his expectations.
“I was wondering if you’d gotten lost in the bathroom.”
Rachel froze for a moment, then turned in the direction of his voice. Her hand reached up, automatically gripping the lapels of her robe, ensuring that the front stayed closed. She should have known he wouldn’t just go away and leave her in peace.
That would be too kind of him. Too un-self-centered.
“You aren’t welcome in here, Adriane,” she said when her voice returned. Looking down her nose at him, she stiffly approached the set table in the corner of the room, doing her best to freeze him out.
It didn’t help that at just the sound of his voice her body heated. She was also very aware that she had nothing on beneath the thin fabric of her robe, and it wouldn’t take him long to see how easily he affected her.
She crossed her arms against her chest and sent him a withering stare, daring him to argue with her. Of course, he wasn’t able to resist the challenge. She would do better to freeze him out, not challenge him — even unconsciously.
“I’m welcome in every room of my castle, Rachel. Why don’t we put aside our differences for the night and enjoy the meal my chef has prepared?”
Oh, the arrogance in his tone, the expectation that she would just roll over and do as he commanded without thought. He truly didn’t know her if he expected easy compliance.
“I don’t care if this is your home, or at least your castle. You forced me to be here, so for this night, at least, this room is mine. I get to choose who I want to join me in it,” she informed him, wanting desperately to unfold her arms, sit and lift her fork. The food looked exquisite and her stomach’s incessant protesting would become apparent to Adriane soon enough with its ever-growing volume.
“I wish to have a nice meal with my fiancee.
“You’re either incredibly dense or unbelievably arrogant. From what I know about you, I would say both. I told you earlier that I’m done being with you tonight. Do you have so little pride that you always show up where
