The sun leaked through the cracks in the curtains. Serenity woke, her body feeling heavy. A blush crept up her face as she realized the thing weighing her down was Melromarc’s arm. Her body was sore from the previous night's exertions and she was tempted to snuggle up for more sleep. However, there was a knock at the door. She rolled over to get out of bed but Melromarc pulled her into his chest.
“Stay,” he whispered. He began stroking the fur on her tail. She sighed at the touch.
“Admiral Melromarc, sir! The king wishes to see you!” a voice behind the door called out.
“Tell Talamaar I’ll see him later,” Hraesvelgr said, nuzzling his face into Serenity’s neck.
“But sir, the king insisted-”
“I’m busy!” the admiral growled.
There was a moment of silence. “Yes, sir.”
“And what are you so busy doing that you would defy your king’s direct orders?” Serenity asked.
“I thought it was obvious,” Melromarc teased. “I’m sleeping with a princess.”
“Well, this princess isn’t sleeping anymore.” Serenity stood up and began searching the room for her clothes. “If the king is looking for you, then Acanthus is most likely looking for me. I’m going to head back to the palace.”
“How are you going to get in, dressed as a commoner?” Melromarc asked, sitting up.
Serenity resisted the urge to touch his bare chest. She put her hand under his chin instead. “I’m a pirate, Admiral. I can be sneaky when I want to be.” She kissed him. He made to grab her but she pulled away. She dressed quickly and left the room. Hraesvelgr ran his hand through his hair and slouched back against the headboard. What was this woman doing to his head?
A few days later, Melromarc had Serenity pinned against a library shelf. One of her legs was hooked over his hip while he kissed her passionately. “Talamaar is going to kill me,” he mumbled between kisses.
Serenity laughed. “He’ll have to get in line,” she teased. “Though I’m sure he would be less angry if you weren’t jumping me in his library.”
“I can’t help it,” he replied, kissing her neck and collarbone, “you’re addictive.”
“Your lust is insatiable, Admiral. You can hardly blame that on me.”
“Hush,” he snarled, kissing her lips again.
“I have to go,” Serenity said. “I’m having lunch with Acanthus.”
“Now?” Hraesvelgr asked.
“Yes, now. You’ll have to read a book or something to pass the time.”
He groaned and placed his forehead against the tomes. “Do you really have to go now? Can’t you be five minutes late?”
“Has anyone told you you’re spoiled?” She tried to wiggle out from under him. “Waiting for me will do you some good.”
“I always get what I want,” Admiral growled then sighed. “So if that means I have to wait, then I’ll wait.”
“If you can’t wait, go to the brothel. I’m sure they’d love to see your face again,” she teased. She gathered up her things.
“I want you, Sassy.” He smirked. “Go get your lunch and I’ll find you later.”
Serenity opened the door to her rooms after her lunch with Acanthus and blinked rapidly. She stepped back in the hall to confirm she had the correct room and went back inside. The room was full of red roses. Vases lined every surface and petals littered the floors. Stunned, she went into the bedroom to find even the bed was covered in flower petals.
“Oh forgive me, Your Highness,” one of the chambermaids said. “I was simply placing the last vase.”
“What’s going on?” Serenity asked, dumbfounded.
“The admiral asked us to place these for you.” The chambermaid sighed dreamily. “He’s so romantic.”
Serenity blushed. “You don’t think this is a little over the top?”
“Not at all!” the maid gushed. “He must love you very much, my lady. I can’t think of a single woman in this kingdom that isn’t longing to be in your shoes.” Serenity’s heart was pounding. Was that what she was feeling? Love? The thought made her feel giddy. Was that what he meant by he always gets what he wants?
She shook her head, chasing away the thought. “If you’re done, I’d like to have some privacy, please.”
“Of course, my lady.” The maid bowed and left her. Serenity couldn’t help going to the nearest vase and smelling the roses. She blushed thinking about Hraesvelgr again. She went to the bed and found an embossed card on her pillow.
Have dinner with me around dusk on the balcony?
Wear something nice.
-Melromarc
At least he signed his name, she thought. A giggle escaped her lips as she pondered what he had planned and she started going through her outfits to see what she could wear. A few hours later, she was dolled up for her date with Hraesvelgr and searching for the specific balcony.
“Welcome, my lady,” Hraesvelgr greeted her, standing up from the table. “Wow, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself,” she said, sitting in the chair he pulled out for her.
“I hope you like steak and lobster. I assumed you weren’t adverse to seafood since you spend so much time at sea.” Hraesvelgr motioned for a servant to bring out their domed trays.
“I’m not a picky eater,” Serenity replied, as the servant placed her meal in front of her and removed the dome. “You’ve really outdone yourself. Why the fancy meal instead of our usual tavern fair?”
Melromarc waved away the servant and poured the wine himself. “Just wanted a change is all. Something more romantic than the tavern.”
“You definitely achieved that. This all looks amazing.” She looked up at him, her eyes gleaming with happiness. “Thank you, Hraesvelgr.”
“Let’s eat. I’m starving.” Melromarc dug into his steak with gusto. Serenity laughed and followed suit. “Serenity,” he said after a few minutes, “I wanted to ask you how you feel about me.” He watched her take a sip of wine and dab her mouth with a napkin.
“What do you mean?” Serenity replied, obviously startled by the question.
Admiral took a deep breath. “I mean, I want us to be official. I want the world to know we’re together. Well, not the world because I don’t want to put you in danger but I want to stop sneaking out to the tavern and hiding in empty rooms just so I can be around you.”
“A-admiral,” Serenity breathed, her face turning crimson. “I want that, too,” she admitted quietly.
“Sassy…” Melromarc murmured. He stood up and took her in his arms, pulling her in for a passionate kiss. “You’re not just saying that because of the roses are you?”
“Did you see the roses? They most definitely had an influence on my answer,” Serenity teased.
“Hmm, maybe I should see them so I know how much they influenced you.”
“What about our dinner?”
“I’ll have them bring it to us later. Show me those flowers.”
Serenity laughed and led him down to her rose filled rooms. “Damn,” Hraesvelgr said, walking into the rooms. “They did a good job.”
“So how much do you think they affected my decision?” she asked, walking to the bedroom and gesturing for him to follow.
“They are pretty romantic.” He saw the bedroom. “I’m glad they worked.”
“Were you bribing me to say yes to you?” Serenity hit him in the chest.
Melromarc grabbed her wrist and pulled her into him. “Maybe, but I know my pirate princess. She can’t refuse a good deal.” He kissed her. She kissed him back and soon they were on top of the rose covered mattress.
Comments