Make Me Beg for It Read Online Free

Silks, red and blue, ruffles and gold threads wove through the fabric giving a rich glow. A set of rubies hung around his throat and Freawine admired his reflection in the mirror held before him. If I’ve got to die , he thought, let it be as a queen . A knock came at the door, which opened to reveal his prince. Eadwine looked him up and down with obvious surprise.
    “One might think you were born to this life,” he muttered, walking around Freawine to assess the clothing. “My mother will be pleased.”
    “Your mother, Highness?” A new rush of panic overwhelmed Freawine.
    “Indeed,” he said, straightening a ribbon of red silk, which lay across the skirts. “You would not expect me to marry without her approval?”
    Freawine had no time to think. The prince marched him down the corridor once more until the reached what had to be the throne room. Prince Eadwine led Freawine forth and bowed low before the queen. Freawine tried to employ a curtsey without much success. The queen looked at him with interest and leaned over to a counselor who stood next to her chair. “A bit unusual, this one. Not least because she spins straw into gold. A very good accomplishment for a young woman,” she added, looking at Freawine. Though haughty in demeanor, her face seemed kind and Freawine took comfort from her wise eyes.
    “Do you approve, Mother?” the prince asked with another slight bow.
    She smiled at her son. “I am perfectly happy for you to choose a bride who will knit the land more firmly to your cause. We have had far too many brides from beyond these lands in recent years.” The queen looked at Freawine. “What is your name, child?”
    “Frea, Your Majesty.” He hastily attempted another curtsey.
    “Welcome, Frea. Call the bishop, Earl Alfric. We shall have a wedding.”
    The ceremony happened so fast, Freawine could hardly believe the experience to have been anything but a dream. The feast afterward with the nobles was far too confusing and the little wine he drank only made his head ache. He breathed a thankful sigh when the prince suggested they withdraw, though the assembly laughed and offered riotous suggestions for how the wedding night ought to be carried out.
    Once they reached his chambers, the prince turned to Freawine with a solemn look. Here comes my undoing , Freawine thought. Mother, watch over me .
    “Did you enjoy your supper?” the prince inquired, running a hand through his tumble of black hair. He brought his face so close Freawine could see every white scar in minute detail, could see the creases in the skin by his eyes no doubt caused by all those days spent on horseback in the bright sun. Frea inhaled the scent of him, rich and smoky . . . intoxicating.
    “Yes, very much,” he answered at last. “It was lovely.”
    “Come, let us sit,” the prince said, his voice a bit gruff though his manner remained gentle yet. They sat on a low settee beside the bed and the prince took Freawine’s hand. Though frightened by the peril he found himself in, Frea could not help the sense of excitement that filled him as those strong hands took his. The sensation approached the fevered recollection of his reveries and his heart hammered a faster beat that had nothing to do with fear.
    “There are many good things about our marriage,” the prince said, then hesitated. “The village will rejoice to see that I am wed at last and to one of their own.” He smiled.
    Freawine thought of the envious stares he had received in the market place when his linens were sought out by travelers and suspected the prince might be proven wrong, but he kept his thoughts to himself.
    “But I am afraid that I . . . . I’m afraid that I am unable to pay my marriage debt, you see.” Once the prince started speaking, the words seemed to rush out in a torrent. “Silly thing really, stupid injury, but there it is, I cannot be a husband to you, but I will keep you as my queen and allow you to live as my friend within these