Chapter 11 THE QUEEN'S TUTOR
Nerisa led Haven away from the tower and back to the king's wing. Haven couldn't stop her heart from pounding in her chest. The king was definitely going to get her severely punished for breaking the rule.
//Way to go, Haven. Falling in trouble just on your second day.//
Nerisa stopped before the king's room and knocked twice.
“Come in," came his gruff voice from within. Nerisa slowly pushed the door open and gestured for Haven to step inside.
With a deep breath, Haven crossed the threshold and stepped into the king's chambers. The door shut behind her and she inhaled, preparing herself for what was to come next.
" You shouldn't do things you know you will eventually get punished for.” She heard the king's voice before she actually spotted him.
Standing by the window, shirtless and hands in his pockets staring outside. Her eyes grew wide at the collection of tattoos on his torso.
There were a lot of them, in different shapes and patterns. There was a crow perched on a snake whose tail curled around his left arm. Another was of a dragon caught in mid flight. Her eyes traced another intricate pattern on his lower back. It looked like a map.
God! She had never seen someone with so many tattoos in her entire life.
“Like what you see, little flame?" He asked, turning around and walking towards her. His abdomen was no different from his back. Solid, muscular and covered in ink.
“You're tattoos…” She cleared her throat. "They look…beautiful. How long have you had them?"
A chuckle vibrated from within his chest as he stopped before her, his huge frame towering over hers. “Oh, darling." He leaned down so his lips brushed the shell of her ear. " I have tattoos decades older than you.”
His breath felt warm against her skin and she took a step back. She shook her head to get rid of the stray thoughts that were creeping into her mind.
“I'm your husband. It's not a crime to actually imagine me naked." He folded his arms, a smirk settling on his lips. “I'd gladly strip for you."
“Gross! Can't you just stay away from my thoughts?" Haven asked before she could think better of it. She didn't even have the privilege to think in peace anymore.
Auren chuckled. “Like I said, you have pretty interesting thoughts."
He turned around and moved to the dressing table. He pulled open a drawer and took out a velvet box. Turning around, he opened it and retrieved a stunning ruby necklace.
“What…” Haven couldn't form a proper sentence at the sight of the necklace. The necklace shone with a certain precision that made her tremble. Not forgetting the fact that it was the most expensive piece of jewelry she had ever seen.
" Turn around,” came his low command. She did so without protest and her wore the necklace around her neck, clasping it firmly at the back. He turned her back around to face him and let out a satisfied smile. " Perfect.”
Haven opened her mouth to protest but the words didn't make it past her lips.
Auren turned around and stepped into the dressing room. He picked up a shirt and wore it, all the while busying himself with listening to his wife's thoughts.
He almost lost it when he realized she went into the forbidden tower. He would have punished anyone who dared commit such an act. But with her, he couldn't bring himself to. Rather, he felt amused by the fact that she knew it would have consequences but still chose to do it anyway.
His little flame was definitely a brave little thing, with interesting thoughts. He couldn't find it in him to stay out of her head long enough.
‘Your Grace, Imogen is here,’ Draven's voice echoed in his mind, interrupting the string of Haven's thoughts he was so interested in. ‘Shall I have him wait for you?’
‘Of course he should wait for me. When did you think I was going to meet him?’ He replied
He buttoned up his shirt and stepped outside. Haven was standing by the window lost in thought. She had a faraway look in her eyes, the kind of look that stemmed from nostalgia.
Of course she would miss her home.
“Let's go," he said, calling her attention to him. “Your tutor is here."
“Tutor?" What the hell?
Auren didn't respond. He simply turned around and walked out of the room . Haven followed behind him not really liking the idea of a tutor.
By the time they got to the grand hall of the castle, Haven caught sight of a man with long blonde hair chatting with Amelyn, a beautiful smile on his face.
His blonde hair was tied in a ponytail, his eyes glowed pale amber and beautiful dimples formed on his cheeks each time he opened his mouth to speak.
Was that her tutor? Gosh, he sure was handsome. She surely wasn't going to mind him tutoring her.
'Careful with your thoughts, little flame,” Auren spoke in her mind. 'You don't get to admire other men to my hearing.’
Haven rolled her eyes. " You should stop listening to my thoughts then.”
'Careful how you speak to me, Haven. I have no problem disciplining you.’ He cleared his throat and approached the pair downstairs. " Imogen is back to bring a smile to Amy's face, I see.” His voice was flat yet amused.
A pink hue stained Amelyn's cheeks and Imogen laughed. He turned to Auren and bowed slightly. “Nice to see you, Your Grace."
“I wish the feelings were mutual," he replied, tucking his hands into his pocket. “The only reason you are here is because I need your services."
A smirk formed on Imogen's lips and he tucked his hands into his left pocket. “I'm guessing you got a new bride and she'll need tutoring." He stepped close to Haven, took her hand in his and placed a kiss on her knuckles, earning a glare from Auren.
Mission accomplished.
He stepped back, hands behind his back. “It's a pleasure to meet you, My lady. I'm Imogen and from what the king says, your new tutor."
“It's nice to meet you, Imogen. Please just call me, Haven."
“That will certainly not happen," Auren interrupted. “She is your queen and you will address her as such."
Haven shot him a glare, but Imogen laughed, seeming very unbothered.
Auren turned to Haven, not needing her around Imogen for any moment longer than it was necessary. “Go upstairs and have Nerisa show you the clothes she got from the market. See if you like it."
Haven nodded, turned around and headed back upstairs.
Imogen folded his arms and smiled. “You seem…attached.”
" Shut up and come with me,” Auren said, and turned around, heading to his private living chambers where he received guests.
“You know what you are expected to do," Auren said, taking a seat on one of the couches in the room.
Imogen nodded, also taking a seat, pulling Amelyn with him. “There's one thing I don't understand, your Grace. If you end up killing them, what is the use of hiring a tutor? It's just a waste of effort, and my precious time "
Auren sighed and fought the urge to roll his eyes. " You don't get to question your king, Imogen.”
Imogen chuckled. " Anyways, I have some interesting news. One you would definitely want to hear.” He reached into the breast pocket of his coat, pulled out a letter and handed it to Auren.
He unfolded the neatly folded paper, and the familiar handwriting told him who it was before he even read the contents.
Estelle had just one reason for writing him a letter, but as he read through the contents, his expression changed. The last line
especially caught his attention.
“They are coming for her, Auren. They won't stop till they get her."