His Highness's Second Wife
His Highness’s Second Wife Chapter 37

Lara screamed into the pillow, her fingers digging into the sheets as Kassian thrust even harder into her. Sweat was glistening over her back and he could feel her legs shaking from holding out for so long. Usually, he would have finished by now, but for some reason, every time he was close to getting his release, his brain would bring unwanted images of a certain blonde woman and her bodyguard, throwing his mind into disarray.

Kassian pulled back, turning Lara on her back and thrusting into her again. She gasped, arching her body, her hand sliding behind his neck and pulling him down for a k!ss. She tasted of bitter tea and lemon, her tongue trying to wrestle with his, but quickly surrendering to his rhythm. She moved exactly the way he wanted; her hands touched everywhere he liked. She knew exactly how to k!ss, how to touch, how to react to him. After all that time together, they probably knew each other’s bodies better than their own. Then why couldn’t he get into it? He even considered stopping a few times.

Kassian broke the k!ss, leaning his forehead on her shoulder and focusing on the movements of his h!ps instead. Closing his eyes, he felt her fingernails dig into his back, heard her soft m***s tickle his ear. The tension in his body rose even higher, and he felt his skin bristle, despite the fire burning inside of him. And then the image of her appeared in front of his eyes, her blue eyes glaring at him as she tightened her delicate arms around another man, who took her further and further away.

Kassian pulled out abruptly, finishing with a grunt. He propped his hands on the bed, giving his body time to catch up as he panted heavily. When his strength returned, he rolled over onto his back and covered his face with his hand. He sensed Lara move next to him, but she didn’t say anything or touched him – she knew he didn’t like to be touched right after s*x.

A couple of minutes passed in complete silence until finally, Kassian’s heartbeat calmed down. He let his hand fall by his side, staring at the ceiling angrily.

He didn’t feel relaxed or relieved at all. If anything, he felt even more strung up.

“Is something bothering you?” Lara asked, her voice slightly hoarse and much quieter than usual. “Today was.. different.”

He was glad she phrased it that way since he felt like he might pour his anger on her if she had just told him directly he did a poor job. He was already feeling pathetic about not being able to get that silly girl out of his head. What was he, some kind of l**t-driven knucklehead who had nothing else to do with his time? Lara was lying right next to him – beautiful, intelligent, eager. Raena couldn’t hold a candle to her.

“Is it that you were thinking about another woman, my love? Your eyes were closed the entire time,” Lara asked and Kassian tensed. “You visited Lady Vega a few times in the past weeks. Maybe you’re not satisfied with me anymore?” Kassian turned to look at her, only to find her examining her own naked body. “Have l gained weight?” she murmured, running a hand over her flat stomach and lean legs. “Or maybe you don’t like howl leave my hair down lately?

“There’s nothing wrong with you,” Kassian sighed, sitting up. He felt her move, her warm body pressing against his back.

“Then why do you not visit me, my love? l am lonely without you!” she whispered, gliding her arms over his shoulders.

“I have something to do,” Kassian said, catching her wrists and gently breaking her hold.

He got to his feet, striding to where he dropped his pants and quickly put them on. He gathered the rest of his clothes while she watched him from the bed.

“What?” he sighed at the end, finally looking at her.

She gave him a sad smile, pulling the sheet to cover her body.

“Nothing,” she said, ” love you, Your Highness. Please rest well.”

Kassian threw her another glance, then left her bedroom without another word. The maids standing outside looked startled as he passed by them, then they hurried to their mistress’ room.

Kassian stepped into the clear night, taking a big gulp of fresh air. He made his way back to his mansion, trying to keep his mind empty and his ears open. Apart from the occasional cry of a bird and creaking of branches, the night was completely silent.

He wasn’t sure he could fall asleep any time soon, so he decided to go to the office and do some of the work Blaine had been piling up for him. Even going through boring papers sounded like an excellent distraction.

When he stepped into the office, he stopped, surprised to see a second desk standing next to his. Blaine sat hunched back behind it, half-hidden by two neat piles of scrolls. When his aide didn’t notice his arrival, Kassian cleared his throat. Blaine lifted his head, blinking in confusion before slowly getting up.

“Your Highness? I didn’t expect you to be back until much later!” he said, frowning. “Is everything alright?”

“Everything is fine,” Kassian sighed, making his way to his own desk. “What is all that?” He nodded oward the papers.

“Well, those needed immediate attention. Since you were really busy, I tried to handle the ones which are nonessential, but I’ve barely started. As I said, I didn’t expect…

“I’ll take over from here,” Kassian said, taking a seat in his chair. “Did you find anything else about that restaurant or that woman?”

“I’m afraid not.” Blaine shook his head, moving one of the piles from his desk to Kassian’s. “I suspect that somebody at the bureau has been bribed to misplace the documents in the main office. They said they will search in the archives for them, but it may take a week or two.”

“The more we dig, the more suspicious it looks,” Kassian murmured, watching as his aide moved the second pile in front of him. He could barely see the door over them and his determination to busy his mind with work abruptly decreased. He was just reaching for one of the papers on the top when his picked upa low whistling sound. It repeated three times, then it disappeared.

He shot Blaine a glance and his aide nodded that he had heard it as well.

“Follow me,” Kassian whispered, hurrying through the door that connected his office to the rest of his living quarters. Their steps were the only sound in the quiet corridor until they reached the bedroom. Kassian picked up one of the lit candelabras and headed toward the back room, raising the light higher. A figure shifted in the other corner, stepping forward.

Kassian handed Blaine the candelabra and he set it up on the small table in the center so its light spread almost to every corner of the room. The shadow didn’t move until Kassian closed the door and joined them by the table.

“Speak,” Kassian commanded, crossing his arms. He had already received a report last night, which meant that another wasn’t due for two more days. Having a Shadow appear out of the arranged time could mean only one thing.

“There has been another uprising in Craidal,” the man in black said in a hoarse, almost hissing tone. “It started seven days ago, so l traveled as fast as I could to bring you the news.” Kassian felt his anger return. Another one? This was the fourth this year and every time they got squashed without mercy. Why were they stubborn?

“What’s the latest status?” he asked.

“There had been a few skirmishes with the forces staged there and a lot of casualties on the Resistance’s side. It looks like our troops might be able to put it down without the need for reinforcements,” the Shadow continued his report. Kassian frowned, wondering why if everything going their way, his spy was so eager to get to him quickly to report. “Our soldiers captured two of the insurgents alive and they are keeping watch on them around the clock to prevent suicide and assassination attempts.”

“Good. Did they interrogate them?” Kassian asked impatiently, running his hand over his chin. It had been a long while since they had caught one of them alive – all rebels, especially the ones from Craidal, were thoroughly devoted and often ended their own lives before they could be made to speak.

Those who faltered at death’s door always ended up dead at the hands of their comrades or a bribed soldier.

“Yes.” The Shadow nodded impassively, his dark eyes meeting Kassian’s for a moment before he looked away. “One of them isn’t talking while the other one boasted about how they have already infiltrated the Empire deeper than we think, and the day when they will destroy the Imperial family is near. After that, he refused to talk, no matter what kind of torture they put him through.”

“Infiltrated the Empire?” Blaine frowned. “Why would he reveal that if they really do plan to do something? Are they that confident they would succeed?”

“If his words are to be believed, their goal is no longer to secure Craidal’s separation from the Empire, but to take down the Imperial family.” Kassian said thoughtfully. “This changes things.

We’re not talking about troublesome rebels on the outskirts of the Empire. We are talking about an enemy in our own house.” He looked back up at Shadow, who stood perfectly still on his spot. Anything else?”

“This is all the information I had gathered before I left” he replied.

“You can go back.” Kassian nodded and the Shadow moved past them without delay. disappearing through the door. Kassian turned to Blaine, who was staring after the spy with a thoughtful expression. “I’m leaving for Craidal. I need to interrogate those two if they are still alive.”

“But Your Highness’s, your birthday celebration…” Blaine argued, following him as Kassian strode into his bedroom, puling his shirt off to change.

“I’ll be back before it.”

“When would you like to leave?”

“I’m leaving after I dress. Have someone prepare provisions for the journey.” Kassian strode to one of his wardrobes, staring at the clothes inside before grabbing one of the shirts and slipping it on. “I’ll be traveling by horse, so tell Gerrin to get ready to leave in half an hour with his squad.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Blaine replied from the door. “Shall I tell lady Lara to prepare to leave as well?” Kassian paused, staring inside the wardrobe for a moment before closing it.

“No, I’m leaving alone,” he replied, turning to look at his aide. “Craidal is no place for a woman, she’ll only be a hindrance.”