Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 342: Epilogue: An Ending, A Beginning
William grinned down at his daughter, then tapped his cheek to request another kiss. Annika complied as he repeatedly asked her for kisses. He looked at her little face, already so perfectly shaped.
There was no doubt in his mind that she’d grow up to be an exceptional beauty. Bards would sing her praises and write poems in her honour. She’d soon have dozens of suitors from across the continents vying for her hand.
But the thought of her one day leaving his side for the sake of a husband, started making William’s chest ache. No wonder Leo was in such a foul mood these days, he mused. All he does is rub his beard and growl at everyone.
The more William thought about it, the more convinced he became that little Henry Devon might be a good match for his precious girl after all. At least Annika would then remain at the Islian court, and would also be blessed with the sweet natured Blanche as her mother-in-marriage.
He resolved to discuss the matter further with Henry’s father, confident he and James could reach an agreement.
William leaned in closer to his beloved wife, breathing in her delicious scent as he gave her a quick kiss on her neck. She sat straight and poised in her chair, always looking like a flawless lady.
He knew better. When Camilla’s bare skin was flushed, when her eyes were half closed with desire and her back arched for his touch, his wife was no demure lady at all and William loved her fiercely for it. He could feel the arousal starting to throb in his belly at the thought of having her in his arms.
After almost a decade of marriage, she was still a source of excruciating temptation and he couldn’t believe how long the goddamn farewell banquet for Celia was dragging on.
"Did the baby settle down in the nursery?" William finally asked as he let his fingertips slowly drift over the beautiful curve of her waist and along her thigh. Camilla nodded, then gave him a look of warning. He decided to blithely ignore it.
Their fourth child was on the verge of learning to walk, another adorable golden haired cherub to match with the rest of the Devons.
So of course his wife had insisted on naming him Daniel, just to rankle William’s temper.
Little Will piped up. "I’m glad he’s not here. Daniel always fusses. And why does he have to drool on everything? I don’t like it."
Camilla tried to give him a serious look but couldn’t completely hide her smile. "You must be patient with your brother, my love. All little ones drool when they’re cutting their first teeth. You did too."
Little Will squeaked in disbelief. "I did not, Mama. That’s gross."
"Are there any more sugared plums I can eat?" Robin called out.
With a laugh and a shake of his head, William dipped his linen napkin in a bowl of lemon water next to him. He passed it to Camilla, who started using it to scrub clean the boy’s sticky hands and face.
- - -
The banquet was still in full swing well after midnight. Only once all the children had been sent away with their nursemaids to be put to bed, including a very grumpy Malcolm, did Camilla let herself be pulled onto the dance floor by her husband.
She looked up into his devastatingly handsome face as he pressed her up against him. It made her think of the times she’d found herself dancing with William during her first year in Islia. Back then, he was always scowling and had gone out of his way to touch her as little as possible. He’d made her feel like the most hideous creature alive.
"What are you thinking about, wife, that’s making you smile that way?" William’s own eyes were full of amusement. "Happy memories? Or are you just remembering something silly thing I once did?"
Camilla let him twirl her and then pull her close again. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "A little bit of both. And you have to admit, you’ve given me a lot of silly material to choose from over the years, haven’t you?"
William scowled. "What a mean thing to say. I don’t know why I still put up with your cruelty."
"Hmm. I can think of a few reasons." she purred, feeling his arousal pressing hard against her lower belly. It was irresistible fun to string him along a little. Mimicking Annika’s actions earlier, she placed her palms on either side of his jaw and reached up to kiss the tip of his nose. "Here you go then, a kiss from your second favourite girl."
William had to laugh. "I love you both equally but in very different ways. And if this tedious fucking banquet ever ends, I’ll be happy to demonstrate the differences to you. Everyone will wonder tomorrow morning why your voice is hoarse."
Camilla laughed again as anticipation trilled in her chest. She’d never thought a life of such excruciating joy was possible. What had she done to deserve it?
She closed her eyes as she felt William’s forehead against hers as they swayed to the ballad. He pressed her hand against his chest, where she could feel the steady thud of his heart under her palm.
"You make me far too happy, you arrogant son of a bitch." she whispered and heard him chuckle.
When there was a lull in the music, King Edward stood up at the centre of the high table to speak. The hall turned quiet and all the guests returned to their seats as a mark of respect.
The years hadn’t dimmed the old king’s cunning nature, nor his volatile anger. He walked with a stoop now though, and rarely ventured on horseback. His genuine smiles were far and few between.
Sitting back at the high table, Camilla wondered if King Edward had ever been truly joyful or if it was simply impossible due to his station in life.
Her thoughts then turned to her own indomitable father. He would’ve been only a few years younger than the Islian king, had he lived. Perhaps it was better he’d gone before he’d suffered the indignity of becoming bent and frail. Duke Robert would’ve hated no longer being able to ride.
King Edward now stood with his ermine cape draped around his shoulders and smiled grimly as he made a short speech. He talked about young Celia’s marriage harkening a golden era of peace and fraternity between Islia and Havietten.
"Well, holy fuck. I swear I’ve heard this speech before. Didn’t my uncle say the same thing about Islia and Moraigth the night he announced our betrothal?" William smirked under his breath. "And remind me, how long did that golden era of peace last?"
"All of a few months. I think we got one quiet winter out of it." Camilla bit her lip to stop laughing out loud. "But it all worked out well enough in the end, wouldn’t you say?"
"Not for Kenneth it didn’t." William replied gleefully. "The faithless bastard has had the worst of luck since then. And he’s earned every last bit of it."
Camilla agreed with a tiny smile. Her uncle’s grasp on his crown was more precarious with every passing year. With only two surviving daughters and a wife at the end of her childbearing years, all he could do now was play his lords off against each other so they couldn’t unite in rebellion. He was constantly dangling the young princesses in an offer of marriage first to one noble house, and then to another.
Meanwhile, the man who should follow him on the throne was instead far away and enjoying the quiet life of a Biscayan gentleman. It had been two summers since Camilla had last visited her brother in Al Biscay. Their two families had spent weeks together enjoying the sunny climate.
"Do you still have no regrets about running away from the throne?" She remembered how William had once asked Malcolm during that visit.
"Oh, fuck no! None whatsoever." Malcolm had roared with laughter as he’d bounced his small son on his knee. "Running was by far was the wisest decision I ever made. A crown is too heavy a burden for a mere man to bear."
There was a smattering of applause in the grand hall, interrupting her thoughts and jolting her back to the present. Camilla forced herself to focus on the king, who was finishing his speech.
"All hail the might and wealth of the House of Devon." Edward boomed, his voice almost as gruff and strong as it had been a dozen years ago. Almost.
The courtiers all raised their goblets in a toast and repeated obediently.
"Indeed and amen." William murmured, then bent his head down to whisper in the shell of her ear. He explained exactly what he intended to do to her once they were back in their bedchamber and he’d pulled off all her clothes.
Camilla could feel her face growing warm again as he watched in satisfaction.
- - - END - - -
