His Highness's Second Wife
His Highness’s Second Wife Chapter 44

Raena leaned back in her chair, bringing the cup to her lips and inhaling the sweet, calming aroma of the tea. The room was dark and quiet, with the only light coming from the windows by her side. She had drawn the curtains open to stare at the sky as it changed from pale blue to inky black, dotted with stars and the bright waning moon.

Goosebumps covered her legs as the wind from the open terrace made its way into the room and for a moment she regretted asking Kara to make her shorter nightgowns. Her current one reached just below the knees and it was so thin, she almost felt naked. But it was damn comfortable to sleep in now that the weather was getting hotter.

Raena took another long sip from the tea, closing her eyes and stretching her legs on the cushioned chair across from her.

The past few days were difficult. Not counting seeing the dead girl in her dreams, she had to deal with her own maids and servants who stared at her like she was a zombie that had come back from the dead. Kara had also told her that the third prince basically barged into her bedroom while she was sleeping and left just as fast. Not to mention that her every move was now being watched – from every bite she took and every sip she drank, to everywhere she went, she was never alone. Either there would be a maid checking on her to see if she needed anything or Kara would fussing around, pretending to be doing something unnecessary.

She also had to attend the third prince’s birthday banquet tomorrow, and she honestly wasn’t in the mood for it. The fear and shock had worn off, but she still felt bad for the dead girl. She had also decided that she’d distance herself from Kassian, but she still hadn’t figured out how to act in front of him. With his interest in her growing, especially after the latest events, she was running out of time.

Someone knocked on the door, and she opened her eyes, turning over her shoulder. It was pretty, late, so it was probably Kara coming to check in on her before she went to bed.

“Enter,” Raena said, bringing the cup back to her lips. Just as she was about to drink, a voice called from behind her.

“Stop!”

She froze by instinct, turning around to look at Zen, who was standing at the door with his hand raised as if to stop her with his mind powers. His expression was one of surprise and panic. Raena slowly took a sip, then lowered the cup.

“It’s fine. Elene made it in front of me earlier and even tested it,” Raena said, putting the cup back on the table and letting her legs drop to the ground. “What is it, Zen?”

“May I enter?” he asked, still standing at the door. Raena nodded, turning in her chair so she could face him as he closed the door. A moment later, it occurred to her that she was wearing nothing but her nightdress, with most of her legs exposed. She had spent a lot of time alone with Zen, but never this scarcely dressed – at least not when his eyes were open. He looked back at her, but instead of staring at her exposed skin, she found his eyes locked on her face.

He took a few more steps into the room, watching her as if expecting her to start foaming at the mouth. When a minute passed and nothing happened, he let out a relieved sigh, running a hand through his hair.

You guys seem to be more scared than me!” Raena chuckled, leaning her head on her hand. “So what’s the matter? Why are you not sleeping?”

“I have something to say,” he announced in a serious tone. Raena raised an eyebrow.

“I’m all ears.”

For some time he stayed silent, then suddenly dropped to his knees right in front of her. It was such an unexpected and abrupt movement that it made her jump. Her eyes studied his slumped shoulders, his lowered head, the deep wrinkle running over his forehead.

“Zen, what is go..”

“I know it was my fault we got caught by the concubine and the third prince. I know it was my fault you are locked here and watched so closely and that I am being sent on stupid errands just so I am away from the North Palace. But I won’t let that happen anymore. I need to be by your side protect you and make sure what happened the other day never happens again.”

“Zen, it’s fine! It wasn’t really your fault, you did warn me that we can’t keep slipping everyone forever.” Raena smiled. He raised his head and stared into her eyes, so Raena licked her lips awkwardly, wondering if she should look away. It felt strange looking at him kneeling with that expression on his face. “As | said, it’s fine. We’ll figure..”

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of leaving your side, even if you order me,” he stated, his eyes hardening. “Even if you don’t let me come with you, I’ll follow from a distance to make sure you’re safe.”

“You can’t do that! There are places you can’t go in!” Raena sighed. “Alright, let’s do this. When l am going out of the North Palace for business, you can come with me. I’ll leave the residence alone and we’ll meet outside. But when I go to the banquet tomorrow, you can’t follow me there. Only servants from the third prince’s palace are allowed, even Kara is not coming. Do you understand? You must not sneak in!”

“I don’t like the idea of you being alone with him,” Zen said, his eyes burning dangerously. “I don’t like how he looks at you.”

“Who?”

“Don’t play dumb!” Zen snarled through gritted teeth, his voice harsher than usual. “I’m talking about your husband, the one you said you’re planning to divorce!”

“That’s not going to happen right away and I am not going to be alone with him,” Raena said, wondering why she felt compelled to give him an explanation. If anything, he was the one out of line, no matter what kind of relationship they had. Yet those dark gray eyes were holding her firmly in her seat, her body tensing as if expecting an attack. “I don’t like it when you get jealous.”

“Then give me something to shut up that jealous voice in my head!” Zen whispered, leaning forward. Raena’s hand flew toward his chest, pressing against it to stop his advances, but he caught her wrist and brought it to his lips. He put a soft k**s on her palm, then one on her knuckles before raising her hand and letting it drop on his shoulder while he continued to lean closer. “I like you,” he whispered, his lips inches away from hers.

Raena searched for a response, calling on her body to move and do something, but all she could do was stare at the smile that formed on his lips as his warm breath tickled her skin. “I like you, Raena,” he whispered again as his lips brushed against hers. “I like you so much I can barely control myself.” His teeth caught her lower l*p, pulling gently to make her open her mouth.

Caught up in the moment and the l**t in his eyes, she returned his k**s hesitantly. One of his hands slid behind her neck while the other one wrapped around her waist, pulling her to the edge of the chair. Even on his knees, his height allowed him to look her directly in the eyes and as she opened hers, she noticed he was doing just that.

She felt him smile as he deepened the k**s, stealing her breath away.

He slid even closer, his hard chest rubbing against the thin fabric of her nightgown. He broke the k**s, his mouth leaving a trail of eager k****s over her chin and down her neck. She could feel his hot tongue licking the bristling skin, his teeth biting teasingly. His hands tightened their hold on her as a m**n escaped her lips.

The pressure on her back disappeared as his fingers slid over her knee instead, gliding under the edge of her nightgown. He moved his hand slowly, his thumb running circles on the inside of her thigh.

As his touch crept higher on her leg, a flicker of clarity flashed in her mind. Raena opened her eyes.

“Zen, stop. We can’t..” His mouth covered hers and his tongue slipped in, stealing her words and making her dizzy. It had been so long since somebody had touched her like that or stared at her with such desire that even though she knew it was stupid to do it, she didn’t want to stop.

He broke the k**s again as if he knew he had won, his free hand catching her chin. He ran his thumb over her lower l*p and as Raena met his burning gaze, he smirked.

“l want you, Raena. I want to make you mine in every way possible. I think I’ve wanted it from the moment our eyes met that night” he whispered, his thumb sliding gently into her mouth just as the hand on her thigh reached its intended destination.

Raena gasped and his smile grew. “I don’t want anyone else to touch you. So be mine, alright? I’ll give you..”

A knock came from the door, breaking the spell of his intense gaze. She looked away from him and her.

A moment later, his fingers gripped her chin, turning her face toward him again.

“Don’t reply,” he ordered, leaning down to k**s

“It’s Kara. She’ll walk in anyway!” Raena said quickly, catching the hand that was still under her nightgown and trying to push it away. Zen didn’t budge. “Zen, stop!”

His eyes darkened with frustration, but he pulled away, getting to his feet. Raena cleared her throat, then called for Kara to enter. Her maid slid inside, freezing at the threshold as her eyes landed on Zen. She shot Raena a glance, then glanced out into the corridor.

“Has something happened?” Kara asked in a low voice.

“No, we’re just talking,” Raena said quickly, smiling at her. Kara gave her a long, thoughtful look before turning her eyes to Zen.

“It’s late. Leave the talking for tomorrow,” she said, opening the door in a silent command for him to leave. Raena glanced at him, but he didn’t even look at her before striding out of the room. “You probably don’t want my advice, but I’ll give it anyway. Not him, alright? I don’t trust him.”

“Is it because he is from Craidal?” Raena sighed. “Not everyone from there is a spy, you know. There are regular people that are just trying to survive.”

“I know. I might be prejudiced here, but I don’t trust him. I don’t trust his siblings either. There is just something off about them,” Kara said, her voice even quieter than before. Raena stared at her wary face, trying to think if Kara was indeed too paranoid or if Raena herself had been too trusting. It was true that apart from Elene, her brothers were not part of the story, so she assumed whatever supporting role they played, it wasn’t that important But she had been neglecting one important detail – she never finished reading the story.

“Why do you let them stay if you mistrust them so much?” Raena asked.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Kara frowned. “They already know too much. Besides, if they are here, it’s easier to keep an eye on them.” Kara licked her lips, sleeking the hair that had escaped her braid. “I do hope I’m just overly cautious. I don’t fancy myself a prejudiced person. But just in case, be careful and don’t open your heart to someone unless you’re absolutely sure you can trust them. With all the danger you’re already in, you don’t need to worry about betrayal coming from someone you love.