TheRedKing

Kate
Hill

Part of the Knights of the Ruby Order series.

Torn from her beloved convent home, Delia is forced to marry
Areus of Lortia. The contract states she must deliver an heir within a year or the
marriage can be annulled. Delia vows to control her fate by ensuring there will
be no child—until she is mesmerized by Areus, the proud, virile warrior king.

Areus agrees to marry Delia to gain her father’s army to
continue his fight against Hypatios, the mad prince of Zaltana. He doesn’t
expect to fall in love with a convent-reared mouse, but from the first, Delia
rouses his lust and touches his heart.

Their life together hangs in the balance as the war with
Zaltana advances and Areus discovers Hypatios is far more than just his sworn
enemy.

Reader Advisory: This story has graphic sexual language and
scenes—no closed bedroom doors (or other rooms) here!

A
Romantica®
fantasy erotic romance
from Ellora’s Cave

Delia had dreaded her marriage to Areus from the moment it
had been arranged. The second daughter of Urion, a minor king in the Western
Continent, she had been sent to the convent at an early age and had expected to
spend the rest of her life there. At that time, she had been pleased with the
arrangement, feeling blessed to avoid marriage to a pig like her father or older
brother.

To her parents’ dismay, Leon had been killed in battle
before impregnating his unhappy wife. Carrying on the family bloodline, if not
their name, had fallen to her older sister, but she had shamed the family by
coupling with a farm boy. The two had run off before Father tried to kill them.
Though Delia was secretly happy for her sister for having the courage to make
her own choices, her fall from grace now left Delia as the only offspring left to
marry and protect the future of their small kingdom. Though Delia was well past
the traditional marrying age, Father had somehow arranged for her to marry Areus,
the fiercest warrior king on the Western Continent. Like his father and
grandfather, Areus had managed to keep the vast and violent kingdom of Zaltana
from passing his borders.

Delia’s kingdom of Prem was located on a peninsula behind Areus’s
kingdom of Lortia. Areus had gained control of some of the smaller kingdoms and
villages not yet taken by Zaltana. Not long ago, he had joined the Knights of
the Ruby Order in driving Zaltana out of the long-suffering village of Tanek.
Afterward he had, with the consent of the Ruby Order and to the relief of the
villagers, integrated Tanek with Lortia. Since then, Tanek had been thriving
and well protected.

Her father knew that without Lortia as a buffer, Prem would
fall to Zaltana. He also knew that being leader of the second strongest force
in the Western Continent, Areus would eventually seek more land and power. For
Urion to keep his kingdom, he needed an alliance with Lortia. The only
bargaining piece he had left was the promise of a wife and heirs to the yet
unwed Areus.

“Not that you’re much of a prize,” her father had said upon
her arrival from the convent. “However Areus agreed to the union. It seems he
hasn’t the time or the inclination to court potential wives. He has far too much
to worry about with Zaltana looming in the south. There are stipulations to
this alliance, however. If you don’t produce an heir within a year, there will
be an annulment.”

Delia wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or relieved. Truly
she was both. If she loathed Areus so much that she couldn’t bear the thought
of a lifetime with him, she would see to it that there wasn’t a child. If the
marriage was annulled, then she could return to the convent—the only real home
she had ever known.

Standing in the chapel in her father’s castle, she had at
first felt angry and rebellious. She experienced a hint of fear and curiosity.
She had expected to hate being married to the brutal beast who held off one of
the largest, strongest armies in the world. What she hadn’t expected was to be
insulted.

Deeply, frustratingly insulted.

She needn’t have worried about the wedding, for it appeared
there would not be one.

Though the candles in the chapel burned low, the roasted
boar grew dry on its spit and outside the sun set, Areus had yet to appear to
take his vows.

Hours ago her father’s usually miserable expression had
become absolutely stony and her mother had taken to twisting her hands in her
lap.

As she waited, feeling more and more foolish sitting in the
chapel wearing the expensive white-and-gold wedding gown that in reality was
far more beautiful than she was, Delia’s anger grew. Scarcely moving, she cast
down her gaze to her folded hands. Other than faint whispers, occasional coughs
and shuffling of feet, the guests seated in the pews remained silent.

“My lord, it’s getting late,” ventured the priest, but his
voice faded as Delia’s father glared at him.

Finally King Urion said, “It seems something has kept King Areus
from—”

“Your Majesty.” A panting servant, middle-aged and smooth
scalped, jogged toward Urion. “King Areus and his entourage are approaching the
gate.”

Urion stood and swept out of the chapel, the servant
following several paces behind.

Delia hoped her father would call off the wedding, but that
was a dream. He was desperate for this alliance. Obviously Areus was not.

“I can’t believe this,” Delia whispered to her mother.

“Shh. Areus must have a good explanation for this.”

Delia smiled humorlessly. “I’m sure he could show up three
days late and Father would still welcome him with open arms.”

It was bad enough her father had promised her to arguably
the most fearsome warrior in the Western Continent—a man who kept Zaltana at
bay. At the very least, Urion should demand some respect, if not for her then
for himself. Areus had left her and their guests standing in the chapel,
proving how little she and her kingdom meant to him.

“I think it’s pathetic,” Delia whispered. “I wish I was back
at the convent and—”

“Silence!” Her mother grasped her hand and squeezed it,
nodding toward the entrance through which her father stepped.

He quickly rejoined them and no sooner had he taken his seat
than a group of warriors in leather and mail entered the chapel. At the head of
the group stood a tall man draped in a black cloak lined with red. He removed
the hood, revealing an angular face that was more compelling than handsome. His
trimmed beard was the color of cinnamon and his eyes a startling green. One
sharp cheekbone was scraped raw and a faint bruise tinged the corner of one
eye. His cloak, boots and the black breeches clinging to his long, muscular
legs were dusty from travel. On his head, atop his curly reddish-blond hair,
rested a black circlet with three gems—a bloodstone, an emerald and a diamond.

Areus.

Delia studied him with interest as he removed his cloak and
handed it to a dark-haired, rough-looking warrior beside him. A black leather
shirt ornamented by silver studs around the collar covered Areus’s lean torso.
A sword hung at his hip, the hilt set with a bloodstone and emeralds.

So this was the man to whom she would be bound for at least
a year. Whether it would turn into a lifetime depended on him. So far he had
done nothing to endear himself to her and by the look of him, she doubted he
would. If possible, his expression was even stonier than her father’s. Her
stomach clenched and she drew what she hoped to be a calming breath.

His men stood at the back of the chapel and Areus approached
the altar.

“Delia, rise,” her mother whispered, but Delia refused to
move.

As Areus neared, she looked down, not wanting to meet his
gaze for she doubted she could keep the anger from her eyes.

Urion grasped her arm so hard she was certain she’d bruise
and tugged her to her feet. Not wishing to draw even more attention to an
already embarrassing situation, she didn’t struggle.

“Princess Delia, we meet at last,” Areus said in a voice
that managed to be both soft yet a bit raspy. The sound of it sent an odd
little thrill through her and she finally lifted her gaze to his. He was quite
tall and though lean, he exuded raw strength that extended beyond physical. He
reminded her of a magical whipcord—strong, pliant but unyielding. At that
moment she understood why even the savage Zaltanians had backed down from him
in battle.

The priest cleared his throat. “Yes, well. Shall we begin?”

All gazes shifted to Areus and he gestured with a
black-gloved hand that was surprisingly long-fingered and graceful.

Once started, the ceremony flowed swiftly. Even as she heard
Areus take his vows and she spoke hers in return, she could scarcely believe it
was happening. She should be back at the convent with the sisters who had
become her family and her friend Katerina who had also been sent to live there
by her guardian.

Katerina would be far better suited to marriage than Delia.
She adored men. The way she talked about them was shameless. She had provided Delia
with an education about human relations that she never would have received from
the sisters. For the first time, Delia was grateful for her friend’s loose
tongue and wild spirit. Katerina had provided her with a salve that would make
the wedding night easier, should her new husband prove unwilling or unable to make
the experience painless, if not pleasant.

Looking at Areus, she doubted his priority was making life pleasant
for anyone. The characteristics that made a great warrior and a worthy king
were often at odds with what made a decent man.

When the ceremony ended, everyone went to the great hall
where even more guests had been waiting patiently.

When the men who had accompanied Areus removed their cloaks,
she was surprised to see that one was a Knight of the Ruby Order. Reputed to be
among the finest warriors and healers in the world, Knights of the Ruby Order
fought for just causes, never for profit. They resided on the island of
Travelle, where they were led by a wise and experienced old warrior, Sir Mahir.

It was no secret Areus had ties to the Ruby Order, but she
hadn’t been aware that Knights were currently in Lortia.

Before taking their seats, Areus introduced Delia and her
family to two of the seven warriors who had accompanied him.

He gestured first to a brown-haired man with dark eyes.
Though of Areus’s height, he was more thickly built. He had a rugged face with
weathered skin and a scar down his cheek.

“Meet Etor, my friend and Captain of the Elite Guard.”

Etor nodded to the royal family.

Next, Areus motioned toward the Knight. He was very tall and
powerfully built. His curly black hair hung loose about his shoulders and like Areus,
he wore a beard.

“This is Sir Rain of the Ruby Order.”

“I’ve heard much about the warriors of your order,” Urion said.
“I didn’t know any were in Lortia.”

“Areus is a friend,” Rain said.

“How many other Knights are in Lortia?”

“This is our wedding night.” Areus leveled his cool gaze at Urion.
“It’s not the time to discuss politics or war.”

“Of course. We’ll have time for that later. Tomorrow
perhaps.”

“I’m afraid I can’t stay long. You know the situation
between Lortia and Zaltana. My presence is required at home.”

Delia glanced at him sharply. “We’re leaving in the morning?”

Areus turned to her. “I’m leaving in the morning. I don’t
expect you to travel hard with me. Sir Rain and four of my guards will accompany
you home at your leisure.”

This was surprising news. Delia had expected them to
celebrate the wedding for the traditional three days, then travel to Lortia
together.

“I apologize that I can’t stay longer or accompany you
myself, but with Zaltana always on the verge of attacking, I have no time for
such pleasures.”

“That’s understandable,” Urion said. “Now we should feast.”

Seated at the high table between her husband and her father,
Delia had never felt more angry or frightened. She had thought to escape this
fate.

She told herself that she still could. All she needed to do
was see that there was no heir. Katerina had again been helpful by providing an
herb that prevented pregnancy. Delia must be careful with that secret, however.
If Areus and her father found out—she didn’t want to think about it.

Yet she would be mistress of her fate. If they wanted to
treat her like a broodmare, then they deserved to be lied to and tricked. Areus
had already proved himself inconsiderate and disrespectful. He hadn’t even
spoken to her since the meal started. He and her father engaged in conversation
while Delia, like her mother, sat in silence.

Delia lifted her gaze to that of her maid, Echo, the only
person at the ceremony to whom she felt close. When Delia had been sent to the
convent, Echo had gone with her. To Delia, she was much more than a servant,
but her closest friend, despite a seven-year difference in their ages. The maid
offered an encouraging smile and Delia tried to return it, but didn’t quite
succeed.

Finally Areus said, “You haven’t asked why I was late, but
you deserve an explanation.”

He had spoken to her father. Not to Delia.

Urion waved his gnarled hand. “Not necessary. I’m sure you
had good reason.”

“I’d like to know,” Delia said in a loud, clear voice.

“Silence, girl,” Urion snapped. “If you don’t—”

Areus held up his hand and Urion stopped mid-sentence.

No one had ever silenced her father before and certainly not
with a mere gesture.

“My
wife
has the right to ask,” he said. His green
gaze held hers. “Before I left, a group of Zaltanian soldiers crossed our
border. There was a skirmish and I couldn’t leave until it was settled. I sent
a messenger to tell you, but his horse went lame halfway here. We found them on
our way. My apologies, Delia.”

“No. It seems I’m the one who should apologize,” she said,
hoping she didn’t look as taken aback as she felt. She had assumed the worst,
that their wedding meant so little to him that he hadn’t cared about showing up
on time. “I hope the casualties were minimal.”

He nodded. “No one on our side was killed. This time. We
were lucky. Zaltana pushes harder all the time, trying to wear us down.” He
turned back to her father. “Now that our kingdoms have allied, we can discuss strategy
against them.”

Urion looked rather surprised. “Strategy? You mean
defensive, of course.”

A slight but almost wicked smile tugged at Areus’s lips. “Now
isn’t the best time to discuss it.”

“Agreed,” Urion said. Despite his gruff demeanor, concern
shone in his eyes.

Strategy.

Did Areus plan to attack Zaltana? Doing so would be
suicidal, yet he couldn’t hold them off forever and two kingdoms united against
them were stronger than one. Not to mention Areus had connections to the
Knights of the Ruby Order. Still, during the battle for Tanek even the Knights
had suffered severe casualties and they were among the strongest warriors in
the world.