chapter 4-The art of war and love.

Celeste

“You look beautiful,’ my now husband and fated mate whispered as we swayed to the music in the middle of the reception hall.

I hated every minute of it. The people, the women openly gawking at me like I had two heads.

The men were no different. There stared were more discreet but it was still obvious to the eyes of a trained general like me.

But what I hated the most was the realization that I had come to the altar. He was my mate. My fated mate.

“You don't have to lie to save your ego, Your majesty.” I gritted. “I know you hate my new hairstyle.”

He spun me around and brought me back so that I was only an inch from his face.

He chuckled, his chest rumbling like an earthquake.

“If I was upset, you'll not be standing in the middle of the dance floor with me as my wife.” His voice was filled with amusement. He didn't take anything seriously and it irked me but I didn't let my distaste for him show.

“I expected this level of rebellion from you. In the end you are still a woman no matter how powerful you think you are.”

I stiffened at the insult, anger and hate radiating through me. But I didn't let it show. I couldn't. This was a game to him. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

I still had to extract information from him.

A tight smile snuck its way to my lips. I decided then and then that I was going to kill him but first I would take his kingdom.

The dance ended and the entire room of royalty clapped.

We both sat down on the throne. I felt out of place and out of touch while he seemed like the master of his universe

He was smiling and laughing, charismatic.

We watched as dancers performed. He seemed entertained, drinking from his goblet and laughing like he wasn't a stone cold killer.

“Good evening, general” A young beautiful elegant woman sat by my side and I gave her a bored look. I already didn't like her.

I could feel something strange about her.

“I am Gloria, a lady in court.”

“Nice to meet you, Gloria.” I said and looked away immediately, wanting this party to end.

“You don't look too happy about your wedding, most brides would be smiling ear to ear.”

“I am not like most brides.” I said with an air of disinterest.

Why did anyone here think it was a good idea to talk to me?

“Indeed. Well, I am sure it is absolutely humiliating for a war general to be reduced to a Queen.” Her words were sarcastic, I caught that but I also caught a subtle tinge of resentment.

I glanced at her and took her in. She was beautiful, dark hair and breasts bigger than I had ever seen.

“What do you want?” I asked sharply.

“Just to congratulate you on being Queen, your Grace. I look forward to sharing your husband's bed with you.” With that she stood, gave me a fake plastic smile and walked off.

I stared at her with daggers in my eyes and then glanced at Edgar. Of course he was fucking every maiden wolf here. He was a tyrant after all.

The ceremony ended and I was quickly taken to my chambers by a few maids

They washed me in a hot bath and dressed me up in a less than demure night gown

I dismissed them as soon as I was done. There was no way I was going to Edgar and sleeping with him. I had agreed to marry him not to sleep with him.

A knock at the door came and Selene walked to the door to open it.

“Your Grace, it's Maverick.” she said.

“Tell him I'll be out when I am ready. I am sure the king does not lack for women or sex.” I snapped

She turned to him but I didn't listen to the rest of the conversation.

I made my way to the mirror and couldn't help but despise my reflection.

This was not the way I envisioned getting married or my wedding night.

Not with my enemy

Not with a tyrant but here I was. Forced to be with a tyrannical beast and barbarian.

I had a feeling Edgar was going to force himself on me. No, I knew he was. As far as a tyrant like him was concerned, I was his property.

I sucked in a breath and suddenly began to tear my night gown.

If he wanted my body so bad, he'd have to go through my armor.

“Selena!” I beckoned on my maid.

“Yes, your Grace!” she ran towards me, concern written all over her.

“Get me my armor and sword.”

She blinked at me.

“Hurry!” I snapped and she scurried over to my box.

It was one of the few belongings I had brought with me to remind me of who I am and what I came here for.

To destroy King Edgar.

Selene emerged from my dressing room, dragging the box that contained my armor, breathing heavily.

I opened it and smiled at the shiny plate.

Twenty five minutes later, I was in front of Edgar’s Chambers.

The guards in front pushed it open and I walked in, ignoring the largeness of the place.

Edgar was nowhere around the room. I walked in, noting the large king size bed covered in red sheets and the red roses. The entire room was lit with scented candles too.

I heard footsteps coming up from beside me and as soon as I turned, I found Edgar, tall and towering frame walking towards me.

He paused all of a sudden as if taken aback. His eyes raked over my body.

Silence and then he burst out into fits of laughter. He was genuinely amused.

He didn't stop laughing for one minute straight. I looked away. I was not going to let him affect me.

He sauntered towards me, his strides lazy.

He circled me, touching my armor in both curiosity and amusement.

Before he came to stand in front of me.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, caressing my face.

I slapped his hands off and he laughed and then turned away from me almost abruptly, walking towards his bed.

“It is clear you don't want to consummate this marriage. All you had to do was say so, there was no reason to come here dressed up like my executioner. This isn't war. I want you but it's clear you're not quite ready yet and that's fine. I am no rapist.”

He said. “Besides, it's much more enjoyable when two people want each other.”

I blinked, surprised. I didn't think a tyrant like him had a single honorable quality

I wasn't sure what to think. All I could do was stare in disbelief.

“Guards!” He suddenly barked, his voice vibrating through the room.

One guard walked in.

“Get Magdalene and Gloria here. It seems my new bride is repulsed by me.” He said, staring directly at me.

Barely two minutes later, the guard was back with two beautiful women. One unfamiliar and the other very familiar. She smiled as she walked past me, her eyes glistening with mischief.

She ran over to Edgar and immediately kissed him. The other woman was on the bed already kissing down her neck.

“Take the queen to the adjoining room, Rufus.’ He said as he came up for air to the guard.

I stared at him in disbelief.

“Wait. What about my cousins? You are supposed to release them after our wedding.”

“Yes but until we consummate the marriage, the wedding is not yet complete.” The way he said it made me feel stupid.

“What are you saying?” I asked, my voice cracking.

“I am saying…untill you become mine fully in holy matrimony, there's nothing I can do for your cousins, they remain in the dungeons.”

He said, his voice carrying a tone of finality. He soon went back to the women, kissing and caressing them like I wasn't standing right there in the room.

“What?” I exclaimed, my hands turning into fists around my sword.

He didn't say anything which pissed me off more. He just stared at me as the women started to get more made love to every part of him. I felt like I was being dared with the way he was staring deep into my eyes.

The humiliation… I couldn't take it,

The anger flowed through my blood to my sword and without thinking, I ran straight at him with my sword and pierced his chest.