Queen of Two Hearts Page 3

With his lips pressed to mine, and his hands caressing my behind, he brings me forward on his lap, urging me on. Gazing into his blue eyes, as we both hold our breaths, I impale myself slowly on his thick shaft, feeling the head of his cock stretch me open, driving forward with an uneasy tension. When he strikes the barrier within me, I freeze and shudder against him.

  “I’m sorry, Elsa. Let me make you feel good.” Whispering, I feel his hot breath against my skin as his lips graze my earlobe and shivers descend my spine. Nodding, I rest my chin on his shoulder and caress his long, muscular back, relishing his form, his scent and trying to enjoy the hardness inside me. I ache for him, for both, but as much pleasure as I derive, the pain is still great.

  Craving more, I allow him to break through, shattering my innocence with one thrust then cry out as he buries himself deep inside me.

  “Did I hurt you?” His concern is genuine, but he continues to drive slowly into me, too enthralled with the sensation to surrender so quickly.

  With a careless lust, I grind into him, pressing my mouth to his, clawing his back in revenge, but succumbing to the savage intensity of our union. As I struggle to catch my breath, I whimper for Ivo, but Ivar stifles my request with a kiss, hoping to silence me.

  “Don’t go to him, Elsa. Be mine.” For a moment, I melt in his arms, letting him lead me, and letting go. Wrapped in his warmth, I allow myself to believe, we’re alone in the room and I have but one husband, not two.

  Why should that be such a dream? Isn’t that what everyone else has?

  But it was only a moment. Kissing his jaw and trailing attention down his shoulders, I stop and lift myself off him. “I am yours, Ivar. I’ll always be yours. But I’m his, too.”

  Arms reach for me, gathering me back and I fall into Ivo’s arms. As his heat radiates through me, I whimper with an arousal that he promises to quench. Crying out with need, I beg him to end my torment. I’m desperate to feel him inside me. He doesn’t make me wait. Soothing me with kisses, and whispering words of love, he blankets me with his hard body and drives deep, sheathing himself in one stroke.

  “Elsa, I need you.” Overcome with an animalistic desire to fill me with his seed first, Ivo shields me from his brother and holds me tight, thrusting as our mouth fuse in a hot, blistering kiss. Although the pain is profound, the pleasure that sears through my walls as his thick cock stretches and molds my pussy to accommodate him, leaves me in a state of rapturous bliss. Writhing aimless in his arms, I’m in heaven, convulsing in sudden jerks as orgasm after orgasm, one overlapping the next overtakes my senses and my sanity.

  “Ivo! Make me yours. Make me your queen.”

  “You are my queen, my angel.”

  Before he can finish his task and find his release, Ivar yanks me away, pulling me into his lap and plunges his hard length into my quivering sex. I’m too dazed to understand what is happening, but when he seals his lips to my neck and holds me in his warm embrace, I submit to his desire. Guarding me fiercely from his brother, I feel him swell and slow his pace.

  “I love you, Elsa.” He growls and pants into my ear, lavishing hot kisses that lull me into a state of unimaginable bliss.

  “Please, Ivar, please.” I feel connected to him. There’s no reason I should, but it’s his eyes. No, the timbre of his voice. It’s different from his brother’s and I’ve heard it before. He’s spoken to me in dreams, begging me to love him. As I seal my lips over his, he whispers again how much he loves me and I feel him flinch, tensing his body, groaning as he empties himself, filling my womb with his seed.

  There is no time for moments of reflection or words of praise. Within seconds, Ivo lifts my aching body off him and carries me to a secluded corner of the room. In his embrace, braced against the wall, he spreads my thighs, wraps them around his waist and drives his cock into me.

  “You’re not his, Elsa. You’re mine.” His rabid jealousy awakens my arousal.

  Crashing his lips to mine, fusing them to me, his passion quickly overwhelms us both. Panting and moaning, we grind into one another, lost in mutual pleasure, alone in our world where Ivar no longer exists. In his arms, shuddering with desire, I cry against his shoulder, climbing another peak before I tumble from the dizzying heights of our shared release. With his lips on mine, his hard body trembles, as he erupts with a guttural groan, mumbling words of love.

  “I love you more than him. I’ll prove it.” He holds my tired limbs, rocking me like a child as he carries me to bed. Ivar is waiting, but I’m so exhausted, I fall into a heavy sleep. With my task completed, the spell has worn away.

  I have nothing left to give.

  Hours later, I feel someone lift me. Arms extract me from between my sleeping husbands. I’m too tired to question their motives but I know where I’m going.

  Alecto needs to see me.

  Chapter 9

  ELSA

  My body aches and my mind floods with thoughts so unfathomable I can hardly believe them. How could I have done those things? How could I have said such things?

  With two men? I behaved like the village strumpet!

  I take some measure of comfort knowing they are my lawful husbands, but the heavy shame of my filthy behavior haunts me like a bad dream. Sitting in a bath of medicinal tonics, surrounded by Alecto’s apprentices, I regret my husbands have not yet met the real me.

  Either sensing my fears or having read my mind, Alecto answers my thoughts.

  “You do not know them either, Elsa. You’ll learn more about one another today. I apologize for the charm, but both needed to consummate the marriage and they are not typically cooperative with one another.” She hands me a tea.

  “No more potions.” I bat it away.

  “It’s not a potion. You’re unwell from multiple couplings and at least one of your husbands will want to be with you today. “It’s medicinal.” She hands it to me, and I sniff it, as if I can detect the difference.

  “If I wasn’t myself, how different were they?” I stare at her, fearing the men I meet today will no longer care for me.

  “I’ll allow you to discover their personalities on your own, but I would set your expectations much lower for Ivar. He needs you to give him heirs, but he does not want to share a woman with his brother. He is a possessive and jealous man. Ivo is different. He will want you to be his wife in every way.” She takes my finished cup and instructs her attendants to dress me for the day.

  “Open your heart to both, Elsa. Ivar may take longer, but he will try to win your love... in his own way.”

  My heart wrenches as I think back to Ivar. He has been in the forefront of my mind and the one who first told me he loved me. Although I knew his words were not entirely his own, a part of me wanted to believe he had meant it in some small way.

  It makes no difference. We are all strangers. Shaking the thought from my head and steeling my resolve, I allow the girls to dress me in an outfit fit for my new role as queen. I have a date to meet my husbands for a late breakfast in the garden and the day dress I’m wearing is more elegant than ball gowns I’ve worn in the past. There is no time to brood over love and romance. This is my life. I have a job to do.

  While we walk towards the courtyard, Alecto stops to reach for my hand. Petting it with motherly affection, she softens her gaze and offers a few words of advice.

  “You must not allow what I said to upset you. It is my belief you are already carrying one of the future kings. This is now your most important task, not satisfying their needs. I will not allow them to upset you. The health of the baby and your comfort comes first. Do you understand me?”

  She grins and winks, squeezing my hand before releasing it.

  “You have a good heart, Elsa. I will not abandon you.”

  Chapter 10

  IVAR

  In the morning, she’s gone. I reach out for her but recoil in horror when my hands graze Ivo’s naked torso. My eyes search the room, but there is no sign of her, only her discarded robe and wedding dress, hung over a chair. />
  I miss her already.

  All evening, even under the influence of Alecto’s enchantment, my desire for her was coupled with a growing, uncontainable rage for Ivo. This relationship is not normal. I’m fighting a losing battle that will only end in my heart withering and dying in the shadow of her neglect. I won’t be like my father. All my life, I’ve dreaded loving my queen the way he loved my mother, chasing her love only to have her push him away. Only coupling with him out of pure obligation. Every ounce of affection and adoration she saved for our uncle. Not even the love she felt for us, made her love our father.

  Elsa will destroy me. I feel it in my soul.

  Dressing for the day, I reconsider staying for our breakfast. Ivo will be there, and he will surely seize the opportunity to take her attention from me. If she will not love me, I don’t want to love her either. I can’t sit idly by and watch her fall in love with my brother. Last night was enough.

  Watching me rush out of the house, Ivo follows me to the stables and looks on as I mount my stallion. Gazing with disapproval, he takes the reins and tries to stop me from leaving.

  “You’ll regret this brother. It’s difficult for me, but I would never dream of leaving her here alone for you to woo her without interruptions. You’re handing me a gift by leaving. Where should I tell her you’ve gone? Are you leaving to visit your mistress? Is that where you’re going?” He releases the reins and I charge forward.

  “Tell her whatever the hell you want. You want her? She’s yours.”

  I ride away. Not to Kathleen’s or any of the others. I can’t. Not after Elsa. But I want her to feel the sting of sharing me. I want her to know what this torment is like.

  Swallowing the ache in my heart, I ride to forget her eyes, her lips, the sweet call of her voice, but I can’t get far enough. The further I get, the stronger I feel her.

  What have I done?

  Chapter 11

  ELSA

  When I reach the garden, there is a beautiful breakfast laid out with champagne, strawberries and delicacies I’ve never seen or tasted. But only one husband waits for me, King Ivo. At the sight of us approaching, he stands with the enthusiasm of a young boy and scrambles to us, taking my hand the rest of the way.

  “Are you well? You were with us when I fell asleep then gone this morning.” Helping me sit, he gathers my dress then brings his chair in as close as possible.

  “Alecto is overprotective, but I’m fine.” He looks concerned, but I smile and lean closer, hoping he understands it was only a precaution. Smoothing his cheek with the palm of my hand, he moves it to his lips, lingering and shuddering when he inhales. His sky-blue eyes sparkle in the sunlight as he gazes at me with the sweetness of a child.

  “You’re so beautiful. You have the prettiest green eyes I’ve ever seen.” Ivo kisses the tip of my nose, then presses his lips to mine, caressing them more than kissing them. When he stops and leans his forehead against me, I’m left weak and confused. The potion should have worn off, yet my body feels startled with a new arousal.

  “Are we going to be alone for breakfast?” I whisper against his cheek.

  “Yes, Ivar is out in the country with Kathleen, his mistress. Does that disappoint you?” His voice shakes, betraying his confident demeanor.

  I shake my head, then smile and scrunch my nose. “Not at all. Your company is all that I require. It will allow us for a lovely morning, if you’re free.”

  “My day is entirely yours.” He leans in and his lips descend on mine. I feel transported by his touch as my senses crave his continued attentions. Rousing my passion, his own arousal overwhelms him until a group of attendants interrupt and stifle the desire that threatens to consume me.

  Holding hands under the table, we nibble on bits of food and stare longingly into each other’s eyes before Ivo finally asks if we can have a small basket packed for a picnic. While we wait, he pulls me to his lap and asks me if I am pleased.

  “That sounds excellent. Do you know somewhere quiet and secluded?” I run my fingers through his short wavy hair, trailing kisses down his earlobe.

  “I know a perfect place. It’s a secret garden within the maze. We can make love for hours under the sun and no one will see or find us.” He kisses my hand, takes the basket and a blanket, then quickly leads me into the maze.

  We kiss and laugh as he rushes through the hedges, never faltering in which direction to turn. Within a few minutes we’ve reached the center, and he pulls a small key from his waistcoat pocket.

  “Did you know you’d talk me into coming here?” I lean against his back, giggling as he opens the ivy-covered door.

  “No, but I hoped. This is your garden. It’s the Queen’s Garden.”

  It’s beautiful. Encased by the deep-hedged walls of the maze, it is a small intimate space that holds a small rose garden, a large shady tree and a perfect romantic spot to lie down on a blanket. Ivo spreads out our picnic, while I remove my shoes and stockings, enabling me to run around on the grass, excited to be in nature.

  “You are young, aren’t you?” Ivo mouth curves into a wicked grin as he slides off his jacket and unbuttons the top buttons on his shirt.

  “I’m 18. How old are you?” Throwing my arms in the air, I jump towards him and fall into his embrace.

  “I’m 30. We should know these things about one another. We’ve been married for a day and have already been intimate.” He curls his arms around my waist and gently eases me down on the blanket.

  My heart races as he guides me down on my back and unlaces my dress. I help him with my ribbons, his buttons, removing my corset and his trousers. I need to see him and I want to be seen. Caught in a frenzy of lust, we simultaneously undress one another, and when we’re through, we lie under the bright sun exposed.

  Gazing at me with the eyes of a besotted lover, he allows his hands to trace my body, outlining every curve until he has touched me everywhere, as if he is marking me as his own.

  “I hope you know how hard it is to share you.” Lowering his head, his lips recapture mine, but this time they demand more. Lost to this new pleasure, desire seizes me. Controls me. As his mouth devours mine, I surrender to his every whim, eager to give him whatever he craves.

  “I’m sorry you have to share me. I don’t want to be shared either.” I mumble under my breath, dreading the future.

  As his strong hands outline my breasts, my chest heaves, aching for his touch. He takes his time drawing me out, but I submit before he asks. I want to feel branded, marked, destroyed and revived. Sensing my need, he inhales a tight nipple and suckles with purpose. Tugging and pulling on my sensitive bud, he makes me moan and wail like a wanton woman until I have no choice but to beg for more.

  “Do you want me, my love?” He licks my cleavage and creeps lower before growling at the sight of my gushing sex.

  “This is what I want, Elsa.” I squeal as his tongue teases my slit, taunting as he latches firmly to my swollen pearl.

  “Ivo! Take it!” I arch my back, howling and panting as I watch my husband the king, pleasure me, devouring me like a wild animal.

  Licking and stroking my sweet spot with his talented tongue, he pushes me to greater heights while he holds my rocking hips in place. Awash with pleasure, my moans grow louder and louder, transforming to screams of desire, driven by a mad lust he promises to satisfy. I feel electrified by every touch, every kiss, and every word of praise he offers. He’s seducing me, enticing me to surrender my heart to him and the more I relinquish, the more his passion consumes me.

  “Tell me you love me Elsa. A queen should love her king. Tell me you love me or I’m not letting you come. I want to hear you say it, I’ll make you mean it soon.” He pulls away, strumming my clit with his finger, holding my climax hostage until I submit.

  “I love you, Ivo. Your queen loves you.” My release comes quick. The words have hardly moved past my lips when his mouth reclaims my sex, stroking my clit until my hips spasm out of control and waves of ecstasy wash ove
r me. While he watches me tremble with aftershocks of sweet bliss, he rises to his knees and thrust his length into my still quivering sex.

  Chapter 12

  IVO

  Elsa gasps and reaches out for me, as I plunge into her wetness. Grunting with lust, I spread her legs wider and lower my body over hers, thrusting deep and hard, but taking my time to savor every inch of my invasion. Caressing her breasts, I smother her with slow kisses and hold her in my embrace as we make love under the sun.

  “I love you, Elsa.” My breath grows ragged as each thrust becomes more powerful. She begs for more. I want to take it slow, but I cannot deny her anything. Rising, I push her knees to her shoulders and pummeling her heat in a lust-crazed frenzy that brings us both close to exploding in each other’s arms. On the verge of her release, her tight, slick walls eagerly welcome the intense friction of our union. Her pussy clenches, squeezing my shaft without mercy, as I drive harder and faster watching her hips convulse, shuddering in a frantic state from the shock of her second orgasm.

  “Ivo! I love you! You’re making me crazy. I love you!” Gripped by the fiery sensations coursing through her body, she weeps as I lift her into my lap and fill her with my release.

  She’s utterly amazing, and utterly mine.

  We stay in the garden most of the day. In between making love, we sleep, eat and find time to fall in love. In our seclusion, I almost forget she has another husband, and I dread bringing him up.

  “Please don’t think because I share you with my brother, I love you any less. I’ve known my entire life that I would not have my wife to myself. As much as I don’t like it, I’m prepared for it. It is much more foreign to you.” I bring her tighter, as we lay side by side on the blanket.

  “I don’t want to hurt you by being with Ivar. If he prefers his mistress maybe he will leave me alone.”