Something very evil flashed in Duke Tedric’s eyes, and for a moment, Mina couldn’t breathe because of the fear she felt. Mina regretted accepting Jayden’s marriage proposal. Not because she hated being his wife, but because of Rosalyn’s curse and her uncle. While Jayden didn’t believe in curses, Mina knew they were real and impossible to break. As for her uncle—
Duke Tedric said nothing more as he turned on his heels and left.
“Before calling a lawyer, speak with King Baswein. Uncle Adinet had been an intimate friend of the King,” Hugo advised Mina. “My father will have to listen to the King.”
—he was a dangerous man. Jayden had said he was not afraid of Duke Tedric, but Mina was. And she was not the only one.
King Baswein had been a friend of her father, but he was also a friend of Duke Tedric, and Rosalyn was married to Prince Liam. The King would do anything to avoid a public scandal.
Hugo went after Duke Tedric, and Mina moved closer to the bookshelf, studying some titles while she thought. She might regret marrying Jayden, but it was too late to do anything about it. Her fingers brushed the spine of a book: Addanos, the Water God. It had not been Inoss, the Fire God, to bless her marriage, but the God of Equilibrium.
Aksel and Caesar left Jayden and Mina alone in the Drawing Room. When Jayden went to Mina and put a hand on her shoulder, she knew what she had to do. She wasn’t used to asking for help. She had learned from an early age that the only one who could help her was herself.
Mina turned on her heels. “While I still want what my parents left me, I think we should wait. My uncle is an influential man. While you are the hero of our kingdom, remember Rosalyn married Prince Liam, making my uncle a relative of the King.”
Jayden folded his arms. “I am not afraid of your uncle! We are going to fight for what’s yours!”
Mina tucked a strand of hair behind her ear while wondering if all men were so bull-headed. “This is not about being afraid or not; it’s about being smart. My money isn’t going anywhere. Let’s prove to my uncle you married me because—” she shrugged, and Jayden narrowed his eyes,"—I don’t know what for. I will talk to him before we move to Ora Dorei. That should be enough time to make him see you are not after my inheritance."
“Let’s make one thing clear, little lamb. I married you because I have seen something in you, and I want to know what it is. But you already know this!”
For a moment, Mina wondered if Jayden would ever learn to love her. Or she him. “When you finally realize there’s nothing special about me, what will happen to our marriage? Will we learn to love each other?”
Jayden clenched his jaw. “I already told you I wouldn’t love you because that slut broke my heart, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to make you happy. If you want to wait until you receive your money, then we will wait.”
Mina had seen many loveless marriages and what they did to people. “What about you, Jayden? Will you be happy beside a woman you refuse to love?”
Jayden ran his knuckles up and down her left cheek. “When I went to war, I was still a poor scribe, trying to reach ends each month. Now I have everything I ever wanted—money, a house, a family name, and most importantly, I have a mate.”
“But you are not happy,” Mina said what Jayden wouldn’t admit. “Is it me? Are you unhappy with me?”
Jayden lifted her left hand and kissed the top of it. “You and my men are the only ones that make me feel content with my life. And it’s not that I refuse to love you, Mina. I can’t. For a long time, I have been in love with Rosalyn. Everything I did in the war, how hard I fought, and all the tasks the Lady gave me and passed, had been for her. She had been the love of my life, and her betrayal had shattered my heart, leaving a wound so deep in my soul that I don’t think it will ever heal. Besides, you are in love with Prince Liam.” He laughed bitterly. “Do you think of him when I touch you?” His eyes turned golden.
Mina fisted her hands. For a moment, she debated how she should react or respond to his question. But there was something about the way he asked her that maybe made her think before replying. “When I am with you,” Mina said, her tone gentle as a summer breeze, “I can only think of you because you make me forget everything. I may not love you, but I am trying to learn how to do it!”
Jayden fisted her hair with his right hand, smashing his mouth on top of hers while his left hand squeezed her ass. Mina clung to Jayden as he kissed her as if he was claiming her heart, her soul, her everything. “I will take you away from this awful city and give you the life you deserve, little mate. When we move to Ora Dorei, we will have our ten days, or as many as you would like, in our bed. Then things I want to do to you, Mina,” Jayden said, his tone, his breath dancing on her skin. He nibbled her neck, soft moans escaping Mina’s lips. “Fuck Lord Ferry! I have to go!” Jayden said, lifting his head. “I will ask Caesar and Aksel to stay home. If you have to go out, take Aksel with you!” Jayden said before kissing Mina again. “I am not sure when I will return home, but it will probably be late, and you will be asleep by then. Some nights, I will probably have to patrol the streets. Until the thieves are caught and Lord Ferry doesn’t need me anymore, I am afraid I won’t spend a lot of time home. I will probably come by to clean myself, change my clothes, and sleep a few hours before going out again. In our room, in the nightstand’s top drawer, there are some satchels with gold coins. Use the money to buy whatever you need.”
Mina shook her head. “I still have some savings, so you don’t need to worry about me. Besides, once I finish the pillowcases, I will receive more money.”
“This is the last time we talk about this! You either stop being stubborn and understand that from the moment we became husband and wife, everything I have is yours, or you keep refusing to use my money, our money, and you leave me with no choice but to fight for your inheritance!” Jayden said, his fingers still fisting Mina’s hair, forcing her to hold his gaze. “And trust me, little lamb, when it comes to you, my promises are not empty!”
Mina never expected Jayden to share everything he had with her. In the beginning, she thought he only wanted to marry her because he wanted her to fill the hollow Rosalyn left in his life. As days passed and Jayden mentioned nothing about Rosalyn, Mina started to believe that maybe Jayden liked her. After all, he spent many hours with her in bed. Mina stood on her tiptoes and said against his lips, “When you come home, no matter how late, wake me! And I will use the money if I need it!” Mina brushed her lips against his.
Jayden growled. “Fuck! I am staying home to take care of your needs! I will make you come on my tongue all day long!”
Under Mina’s bewildered gaze, Jayden seemed to get taller and stronger; his eyes turned black with lust. His hands went to the buttons of her dress. Mina wanted to say something, but his lips silenced her. His tongue entered her mouth, and he kissed her for a long time.
“Jayden!” Mina breathed when he kissed her neck, his left hand cupping a breast. She grabbed his shirt while shivers went down her spine. Her breath hitched. His touch ignited something in her. Something she could not understand. Not just desire, but…more. His lips descended on her breasts.
Jayden lifted his eyes. “If I could, I would spend my days kissing and touching you all the time, little mate,” Jayden said. His eyes were like liquid gold.
The door opened, and Mina pushed Jayden away from her. “Commander—!” Caesar said in a loud tone. “Damn! You need to stop doing that in the Drawing Room!” he muttered.
Jayden started helping Mina arrange her dress. “I will kill Caesar if he enters one more time in a room when I am alone with you!” he muttered. “What is it now, Caesar?” Jayden sounded as angry as he looked.
“Princess Rosalyn is here to see Lady Mina!” Caesar said.
Mina wondered who gave Rosalyn the address of Jayden’s house and why she was there—to see Mina or Jayden. Once the buttons from Mina’s dress were fixed, she sat on the sofa, picked up the hoop, and started stitching.
“Who’s next? The King?” Jayden asked sarcastically.
Caesar shrugged before letting Rosalyn enter. She looked around the Drawing Room before her gaze fell on Jayden. “I will bring some tea,” Caesar said before retiring.
Jayden moved behind the sofa and put a hand on Mina’s shoulder. “What are you doing here? And how did you find out where I live?” His tone was cold as ice.
Mina stopped stitching and looked as Rosalyn sat on an armchair. “Can I not visit my cousin and her husband?” she asked while she straightened some creases in her skirt. Her tone was as sweet as the deadliest poison. “My father told me where you live right after telling me you got married to Jayden, even when he told you he found a suitable husband for you,” Rosalyn said, and Mina stopped stitching.
“Count Dickman was never worthy of Mina!” Jayden replied.
“And you think Mina is worthy of you?” Rosalyn asked in a mocking tone.
“Why are you really here, Rosalyn? To insult my wife?” Jayden asked.
Rosalyn smiled her smile the same as that of a viper. “Mina might be your wife, but I am still the one you love. She is just a cheap replacement because the one you truly want is me!” she purred.
Mina wondered if Rosalyn had any shame in coming to Jayden’s house, claiming he still wanted her.
“If I had wanted you, I would have taken you with me,” Jayden snarled. “I didn’t marry Mina to replace you! If I wanted that, I could have married any woman from a brothel! Mina became my wife because she is the only one I see as the mother of my children! You might be married to Prince Liam, but Mina would have been a splendid Queen! I should thank Inoss and Addanos that Mina married me because I will make her the goddess of my life!” he said as his thumb stroked Mina’s neck a few times before sitting next to her.
“This is the last time you insult me!” Rosalyn said. “Do that again, and I will make you regret it!”
“I wonder what your husband would say if he knew you are in my house suggesting I married Mina because I love you? I did, with all my heart, but not anymore! Now, I feel nothing for you. Not even hate. I only pity Prince Liam to be married to someone like you!”
Rosalyn looked amused. “I think you envy him.” Jayden snorted.
Caesar returned with tea and sandwiches. He served Rosalyn first before pouring tea for Mina and Jayden. “Someone came and brought another message from Lord Ferry. He is waiting in the kitchen.” Jayden cursed under his breath. Caesar frowned. “Are you sure you want to tell Lord Ferry he can go to Beliar together with the—?”
Jayden growled, startling Rosalyn. “The Yelante Festival is almost here. Don’t make me have you patrol the mansion when the others enjoy good food and company!” he said in a low tone. Caesar’s throat bobbed. “Tell the messenger I will be down at the Militia Headquarters soon!” Caesar left, and Jayden turned his attention to Mina. He cupped her cheeks and kissed her. “Don’t go into the garden during the night! Not until you wear my mark,” he said against her lips before kissing her again. “I will wake you when I return!” he promised before standing. “Do you want me to ask Caesar to show Rosalyn the way out before I grab my sword and go to Lord Ferry?”
Rosalyn drank from her tea while Mina studied her for a moment. “I will take care of Rosalyn. You should not keep Lord Ferry waiting much longer!” Mina said, and Jayden bent and kissed her forehead before leaving the Drawing Room.
Mina started embroidering a flower on the pillowcase. Rosalyn arched an eyebrow and said mockingly, “He only kissed you because I was here and wanted to make me jealous.”
“He kissed me before, and you weren’t here,” Mina replied and watched how Rosalyn’s eyes filled with hatred. “I don’t understand you, Rosalyn. You are married to Prince Liam, yet you come here to what? Make fun of me or imply my husband likes you when you are the one coming to his house!”
Rosalyn put her hands on her lap. “I am here because I wanted to talk to you about the wedding night.” She looked at the door nervously before her eyes found Mina. “I know we should have had this conversation before you got married, but you told no one a word. I hope Jayden didn’t hurt you much on your first night as husband and wife.”
Mina tilted her head to a side. “Why would Jayden hurt me?”
“Men use women only for their pleasure. It is always difficult for a woman to be in bed with her husband. Most of the time, it hurts a lot.”
“Jayden didn’t hurt me. Quite the contrary, he had been very gentle,” Mina replied, wondering why Rosalin wanted to talk about mating. Jayden already explained to her what happens between a man and a woman.
Rosalyn frowned. “He either didn’t do it right because he has no interest in you, or you are still a virgin. Did you bleed when he put his member inside you?”
“I haven’t,” Mina said flatly.
Rosalyn gasped. “Don’t tell me you had been with another man before you got married!”
“I haven’t bled because I am still a virgin!” Mina said in an angry tone. She bit her lip when she realized what she had said.
Rosalyn smiled. “I see.” She stood. “I have to return to the Palace. Nolan is waiting for me.”