“What do you mean, to be yours?” Selma asked.

She didn’t want to be locked away in the bedroom again, or bored out of her mind. For as long as she could remember, she had always been busy. She’d always been active, much to her babysitters’ and tutors’ annoyance.

It had been a long time since she’d been so bored. She loved reading books, but they had always been something for her to do at the end of the night, to fall asleep to.

Drago looked at her. “What do you think it means?”

“Well, technically, I already belong to you. I mean, if that’s what you think marriage is all about.”

“I want you to be mine, Selma. I’m not looking for a marriage on paper. I want us to be together. I want to fuck you, make love to you, and share everything with you. I want to explore your body and spend hours with you screaming my name.”

Selma’s mouth fell open. She never had anyone speak to her so boldly. This was insane.

“I’m a virgin!” She didn’t know why she had blurted that out. “How am I supposed to do any of that when I don’t know how?”

She dropped her fork and slapped her hand across her mouth. How could she have been so foolish as to tell him the truth?

Since her father was a feared man with guards around all the time, and she was shy, there had been no boyfriends, no lovers, no nothing. All she had were books, and yes, some of them might have been a little steamy or even be described as erotic, but they were still hot. They certainly made her a little hot under the collar.

Now, though, she didn’t know what to do. The only kiss she had shared with a man was the one she had with Drago, after the priest declared them husband and wife. That was all.

Drago got to his feet and moved to step behind her. She gasped as his fingers stroked her hair back from her face and neck. He teased the strands beneath his fingers, and then caressed her neck. Before she could ask him what he was doing, his lips were on her neck, and he kissed her, hard.

She whimpered as she tensed up, but then she felt the pleasure rush through her body. Her nipples tightened and a flush of arousal seeped between her thighs.

Drago used his teeth to nibble on her neck, and then suck on the flesh. She couldn’t help but close her eyes. This felt so good. It was even better than it was described in the books. She didn’t want it to stop, but then, like all good things, it did … stop.

“Then how about you trust me and I show you?” Drago said.

Selma turned her head and was once again struck by his eyes. They were so perfect and blue, sharp, and light. She couldn’t stop looking at him.

“You’d teach me?”

“Yes. I would teach you everything you wanted to know and more.”

The temptation was too strong.

You’re married to him.

He is your husband.

“Will you kill me?” she asked.

As questions go, it felt like a foolish one. Who asked their husbands if they intended to kill them. Selma had never considered herself to be foolish, but she had always asked questions, even when she didn’t want the true answers. She looked at him, waiting.

Drago reached out. She didn’t know if she should flinch away from his touch, but why would she? Drago had never hurt her. He’d never raised his hand. He’d been kind and considerate to her, apart from threatening her father with death if she didn’t marry him, but that was all in the past.

Her father had been more than willing to hand her over to his enemy to save his own life. She didn’t know the full details, but she knew it wasn’t complicated. George had opted for his daughter to take his place. And so she paid his price.

Did she hate him for it? She wasn’t sure. Right now, she didn’t have the best feelings when it came to her father. She had nothing.

But, she was living with Drago. He was her husband, she was his wife. Did she want to spend her time alone in a bedroom, or try to make a go of it with this man? She didn’t have the answers, but who did?

He cupped her cheek and she looked into his eyes, not wanting to look away. What was it about his eyes that she found so magical?

“I will never kill you. I will never hurt you. I will always take care of you,” he said.