BOOK ONE: ARTHUR

Two hearts that have been merged is marriage; two souls that have been merged is fate. – Unknown

Prologue

I shuddered slightly and took in a deep breath as he stepped closer. My eyes reeled at the aphrodisiacal scent of the myrrh. I did not know if it was my overactive mind, but it seemed as if the scent grew stronger as he took his cape off. Then, off came his circlet. All the while, his gaze was on me, those chaotic gray eyes taking on the appearance of a lion’s eyes, cool and calculating.

I tried my best to calm my body down. To cool the fire in my heart and in the place I didn’t know could burn.

My limbs went stiff with tension as he sat down at the edge of the bed. Under the pressure of his weight, the mattress stuffed with sweet straw sank. At the sudden decline of its height, I trembled and flew backwards. I felt his strong grip catch my wrist and before I could conceive my next thought, I was back to my former position. His soft chuckle met my ears and I could feel flame spread to my cheeks and burst through my entire body.

His laugh stopped short and he gazed at me, his head tilted slightly to the right and eyebrow majestically lifted, the amused look clear on his face. He lifted his hand and brushed it gently against my cheek.

I bit my honeyed lip hoping it would taste as sweet to him as it did to me.