Evangelina POV
I laid in our wedding bed, in my home sleepless and confused. 'Why did Caruso not bed me? He probably does not think me a beauty.' I admitted bitterly to myself, even though I was extremely nervous. I was ready and willing to fulfill my marital duty. I am to produce Caruso an heir. I stared at the canopy over our bed confused and beguiled. I turned on my side and faced my husband. I watched him sleeping shirtless in the dim moonlight, he was beautiful. I studied his features; his shoulder length dark curls were tussled and spread out over his silk pillow. His pale skin seemed to glisten in the starlight and his muscles looked as though they were sculpted out of marble. I felt my body get hot and my face blushed ridiculously, I truly wish I could control that. His lips were a full shade of mauve, his prominent brow was his best feature. He constantly seemed broody and mysterious. 'How could all the stories of his family be true? He seemed angelic almost, not monstrous at all. Perhaps that was the trick, demons are always tempting.' I was tempted to touch his bicep but hesitated because I did not want to wake him. I gave in to my urge and stroked his muscles. I liked that he caressed me a few times during our wedding ceremony. When he stroked my shoulder before bed it made me shiver all over with a strange want.
"Hmmm...." he uttered in his sleep while I caressed his warm skin.
I decided to stop so I wouldn't disturb his sleep. I turned over to my side and tried to fall sleep. I felt him shift in our bed then his strong arm reached over and brought me to his chest. He felt warm and comfortable but my body stiffened when he spoke.
"Why did you turn away from me. You should come closer not move away from me. After all you are my wife, I do not mind at all."
'He was awake!' I thought to myself, petrified that I was caught touching him. Though I was happy with his response, it proved he wasn't repulsed by me.
"I'm sorry I woke you." Is all I was able to whisper.
"I'm not."
His response made me smile. After a moment I decided I'd ask him what had bothered me the whole evening."
"Caruso?"
"Yes." He said barely conscience.
"Why didn't we kiss to seal our marriage? It was rather strange to break my family tradition."
"Our family tradition is to keep our first kiss between the bride and groom in their private quarters."
This confused me, if that is true, why didn't he kiss me when we were alone at bedtime?
"Why didn't you..?" I was cut off.
"I did not kiss you because you seemed nervous and scared of me. I did not want to force myself on you Evy."
I nodded to myself and was grateful but I also felt a bit rejected.
"Evy, turn around." Caruso commanded softly.
I turned and faced him, his gray eyes studied mine and I felt flushed again.
He inched closer and lifted my chin I closed my eyes. I could feel his breath on my lips.
"May I kiss you dear wife?"
I tingled all over and parted my lips.
"Yes." I whispered.
His lips captured mine instantly and passion erupted inside of me. I followed his movements and he placed himself on top of me. I felt his chiseled body tighten as he grasped my body and thrusted me against him. I liked being this close to him, I could feel everything. Sensations I had never felt before began emerging, making me want more. His mouth tasted of wine and his scent drove me over the top. His groans made me wild, I grasped a fist full of his curls and instinctively wrapped my legs around him. He groaned again at the contact of our sexes. His hands slid my silk white night gown above my thighs and I moaned at his rough hands grasping my bottom with need. I could feel his pulsating member beneath his trousers yearning for escape. I wanted to feel him so I tempted him with my tongue, caressing and sucking on his. He moaned into my mouth and we continued to kiss passionately then he pulled away.
"Evangelina...I don't want to hurt you. I think we should wait on consummating."
"Shhh, no I want you to make me yours." I said breathlessly between kisses.
"Let's wait." Caruso said then he reluctantly pulled our lips apart.
I gave him a wounded look and he let out a small chuckle.
"Don't look at me like that, it's late and you need your rest. When we get to my castle tomorrow I will make up for this. I promise my beauty."
He laid on his back and opened his arm for me to lay beside him.
"Come, I want to hold you."
I smiled, closed my eyes and laid on his chest.
"That's why we wait to kiss our bride because Dracu men usually don't behave themselves."
I laughed at his cleverness. "I'll tame you Caruso." I gave him a sly grin and he winked at me.
"You can try my darling, you can try."
Is all he uttered and we both fell asleep.
****
Caruso POV
The bright morning sunlight pierced through the balcony, forcing me to wake up. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and scanned the chamber. Breakfast was on the small table along with a silver pitcher and two silver goblets. I glanced down and studied my beautiful wife's face. Her perfect nose, arched brows and full crimson lips. They were still swollen from our passionate rendezvous last night. Her straight brunette hair cascaded over my chest. I grasped a handful of her long locks and inhaled, her sweet vanilla scent drove mad. I stroked her alabaster skin and kissed her shoulder. I gently placed her on her pillow and arose from our bed before I let me inner demon have it's way with her.
I found my linen garments and fastened my leathers. I went over to the basin and washed the sleep completely from my face. While I fastened my belt and secured my sword in its hilt, I heard Evangelina.
"Why are you in such a hurry?"
I grabbed an apple from the table and faced her. "I need to go and speak to my father and yours before we leave. I also must speak to my soldiers that reside here now. I also need to make sure there is plenty of cattle and grain consistently arriving here for your people. That was our end of the bargain and it's my responsibility, as your husband to keep my promises."
She nodded her head in understanding, got out of bed and made her way to where I was. I bit into my apple and enjoyed the view.
"Was your father satisfied with all of the horses we sent over? After all that's the only reason you agreed to marry me, isn't it?"
I chuckled mid chew and lifted her chin.
"Darling, I had no choice in the matter I simply did as I was told. Just as you did and yes the stallions are beautiful, my father was thrilled."
I assumed she was still not pleased that I did not consummate our union. I placed the apple on the table and cupped her face into my hands.
"Evy, I am glad my father chose you to be my wife. I could careless about all the trades between our kingdoms but it is my duty to keep them validated. If not problems will arise and our families do not need to go to war with one another. So forgive me my dear, beautiful wife but I have matters of state to tend to. If I do not I could loose you and I do not want that. Do you? You can be honest, it won't wound me because you're already bound to me." I chuckled and placed my hands on her waist now. She blushed and her brown eyes locked with mine. "Fine, go and keep OUR promises I will call on my sister to have breakfast with me so I won't be alone. I'm just going to embarrass myself when she asks about our wedding night."
"Tell her the truth, I'm sure finding out I'm not a blood thirsty beast will disappoint her more. Everyone is always disappointed when they find that out." I chuckled slightly at the idiotic thought. Evangelina smiled and nodded her head. I kissed her lips gently and she returned my gesture. I pulled away slowly and caressed her head. I sighed out loud, not wanting to leave her side.
"I shall return in a few hours, have the belongings you want to bring ready by midday, that's when we depart for Inferno." I kissed her forehead and walked out of the chamber.
*****
Evangelina POV
After an eventful breakfast with my sister I summoned a few handmaidens to assist me with packing a few belongings. I was excited to see my new home, Inferno Kingdom was vast and had many stone structures. The castle also had a large library, I would ask Caruso permission to have access to it. I'm sure he will allow me, he seems kind. I was wrong for judging him so harshly. My imagination truly played tricks on me. I gathered a few dresses and jewelry pieces to take with me, Caruso's kingdom always has balls and events of state. I was going to need a few fine dresses and shoes. There was a knock on the door and one of the maids answered it. I knew it was Caruso because she was blushing and trying not to stare at him when he entered.
He had a broody look about him, I wondered what was the matter.
"Evangelina, are you ready for our departure? Your family is waiting in the courtyard to bid you farewell."
"Yes I am ready my Lord."
He told the maids to grab my belongings, take them to the hall and have the servants load them into our carriage. They did so without hesitation because the prince's tone was stern.
"Caruso, is something wrong?" I grasped his hand and he turned his attention to me.
He seemed to shake off his trance and met my concerned gaze.
"No...it's nothing really just some troubling information. I will speak to you in the carriage about it, when we are alone. Let's go and say good bye to your family. I know they will miss you."
My father said his farewells as expected, cold and quickly. Mother and I cried in each other's arms for a few moments. My brother Benjamin told me to send word if I was ever in need and he would rescue me. He then exchanged a few hostile stares with my husband and told him to 'take care of me'. Caruso reassured him he had every intention of doing just that. They shook hands roughly and Benjamin winched then let go. I moved on to Adriana, the tears welled up in my eyes and we embraced.
"If you ever want to come and visit me you are more than welcome." I told her but she chuckled. "I would like that very much Evy. But you know it's hard for me to leave when I have to stay by my husband's side as well. You will soon find that out, being a wife is a duty. Write me and think of me often, I love you little sister."
"I love you." We hugged again and then I took Caruso's hand and he guided me into our carriage. The Dracu's had departed after the meeting Caruso had in the morning with his father. The king and Caruso's mother departed on urgent circumstances back to their kingdom. I studied him while he peered out the small window, he was lost in his thoughts.
"Why so pensive?" I asked.
Caruso glanced over at me and sat upright shaking off his thoughts.
"My father is not feeling well and my mother is worried. He has been ill from his heart for a few years now, however, she believes it is worsening."
I didn't quite understand that phrase, so I pried.
"She believes it is worsening? How could she know that? Is she a physician as well as a Queen?"
Caruso shook his head.
"My mother is not a Queen she's my father's second wife and she's a witch. Or she used to be, that's what she tells me."
I was in shock from the present information.
"Second wife? Then how are you a prince if your mother is not the Queen?"
"In Inferno the Kings have always had more than one wife. This is acceptable because there are instances when a Queen is barren. Or if she only produces one child and cannot bare anymore. If she only bares females how will he get a crown prince? Therefore, the king can have more children with another wife or as many as he needs. As long as they are from a royal family or Lordly. Because their father is a king and their mother is his wife they are royal Prince's or princesses. My mother was a countess but she secretly practiced magic, not many people know this. My fathers' Queen is my eldest brother's mother Daphne. She was having dead babies for years until my half brother Alek was born. During that time my father met my mother Helga and when he impregnated her his Queen was pregnant with Alek. My father still married my mother. Daphne was a few months along already. Since she always gave birth to dead babies no one had any hope for her. When Alek was born it was a miracle and he was celebrated as the crown prince. Four months later my brother Merek was born. He and Alek are the same age and they do not get along. In fact once my father dies my brother wants to kill Alek. I was born five years later to my mother and my father the king. Queen Daphne only got to keep her title because she bore Alek first but she never could have living children after him. She died a few years ago delivering another dead child to my father. He said he will never name another Queen because he loved her. While I understand his choice I still don't like that he doesn't give my mother some luxuries. I was surprised when he allowed her to come to our wedding. It did not shock me that he didn't allow her to sit beside him. That's how my father is, he is cold and can be cruel. That's how he was raised and that's how he raised us. Never stray from traditions, win all wars and inflict fear. Hence why our kingdom is the largest and most feared."
Listening to the Dracu Queen's and his mother's story made me sad and upset. Learning all of this made me dislike my father by law. It also worried me. What if I couldn't bare Caruso a child? Or if I only bore daughters? He would have to marry another woman and he could name her Queen. I did not want to share my husband with another woman or women. This made my heart beat faster and I felt fearful. What did I marry into? Caruso was silent thinking of his father and the future, no doubt. I remained quiet as well, contemplating whether or not we were a good match after all.
*****