The Duty of a Queen Read Online Free

mist from the waters cool her.
How long she stood, she did not know, only that she felt a presence behind her
a moment before a familiar cloak was draped over her shoulders, bringing with
it the smell of home.
    “Your dress is soaked.” Jonas's voice was low. “Unless my princess
wishes for the crew to see her body, a covering would be wise.”
    She looked down and saw how the wet fabric clung to her curves. Heat
rose to her cheeks and she pulled the cloak more tightly around her. That was
foolish of her. She turned towards Jonas and found him standing just beyond her
reach. A mixture of pain and guilt went through her though she knew she had
lied to no one, committed no true betrayal. She had pledged herself to the
prince, but they knew this for the arrangement it was. She did not allow her
thoughts to turn to how her body had reacted to the prince's touch.
    “Has he hurt you?” Jonas asked, his hands clenching at his sides, as
if that were the only way to keep from touching her.
    She shook her head. “No. He is a kind man. There are many tales in
his life that brought him to our shores. He may yet prove to be more honorable
than I had dared hope.”
    For a long moment, Jonas said nothing, his eyes black and
unreadable. Finally, he spoke. “I hope that he is such a man, my princess.”
    Astrid shivered, the chill of her wet clothes suddenly reaching her.
    “You must return to your chambers, my princess. It would not do for
you to fall ill on your wedding night.” Jonas extended his arm with a little
bow. “After you.”
    Just as Astrid took a step, the boat lurched, throwing her off
balance. She stumbled and Jonas caught her. She looked up, their faces so close
together she could distinguish between the two shades of black in his eyes. She
could feel his heart beneath her palms, pounding as wildly as her own. He
uttered a low oath and stepped back quickly, almost causing her to fall.
Neither spoke as he followed her back to her quarters. This, Astrid feared,
would be more difficult than either of them had anticipated.
    ***
    The sun was directly overhead when Oliver approached Astrid as she
stood at the railing, looking towards the west. Her hand-maidens fell silent as
he approached. They had been talking around her, hoping to distract her and
themselves from their circumstances.
    “A word alone, my princess?” He asked politely, if a bit stiffly.
    “Of course, my prince.” Astrid glanced at her trio of childhood
friends. “All of you are dismissed.” She flicked her eyes to Jonas and motioned
for him to step out of earshot. His face remained impassive as he moved back.
She turned her attention to the prince.
    “Astrid,” he began. “If I inquire of something will you answer in
truth?”
    She considered the question carefully before answering. “Yes, Oliver.
I will be truthful with you. I pledge, always.”
    “Did you bring a guard because you feared for your life?”
    “No,” Astrid answered. “I trust you, my prince, and my husband, to
honor your pledge to protect me.”
    “Did you bring him to be your lover?” There was no anger in Oliver's
eyes, only a sadness that caused Astrid a pang.
    She shook her head. “No, Oliver, I speak truly. It is true that
Jonas had been my lover, but we would not dishonor you, on my life. He asked a
boon of me, to accompany me, to watch over me when you could not.”
    “Do you love him still?”
    Astrid knew she had a choice to make. She could break her pledge and
lie, betraying Jonas and possibly saving both of their lives, or she could risk
all on her belief that Oliver was a good man. She chose the latter. “I have
loved Jonas since I was a girl and he saved my life. Had you not come to the
island, he would have been my chosen. But, my prince, I will honor my pledge to
be yours always. You are a strong, kind and honorable man. I truly believe that,
in time, I could love you.”
    Oliver looked at her as if searching for an answer. When he spoke,
she could not