Prince Charming [Mischievous Fairy Tales 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Read online

  Cindy smiled and nodded. Her eyes closed, she allowed her mind to wander and then drifted off and into sleep. Rest called to her and she accepted it freely.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Rotating his arm slowly Randulf cracked his neck. It had been a long afternoon. Apparently Cinderella’s father wanted to know if his father had been bragging. He also wanted to ensure that Randulf would be able to take care of his daughter and God help him he’d been dealing with one knight after another from Harold’s army to ensure that he was man enough to take care of such a precious treasure as Cinderella was. They were very good, but thankfully his own father had insisted on him being trained and gaining experience on the field of battle.

  Cinderella’s father didn’t make it easy by any accounts, and now was all the harder because Cedric and Cinderella had come to watch him and she was proving a distraction. Not so great yet, thankfully, but he worried. One mistake could be deadly when fighting without armor and with battle ready blades. Wiping his brow with the towel a page handed him, he passed it off and moved up to meet his next opponent. Seeing who it was he nearly whimpered. Fucker was the head of Harold’s army, his right hand and commandant. He was so screwed.

  * * * *

  Cinderella moved to her father’s side and shook her head. “Enough, Father.” She placed her hand on her father’s arm and tugged him close. “End this, Father. Enough is enough. It’s horrible that you are demanding that Randulf take on one combatant after another when you keep throwing fully refreshed combatants against him. It ends now.”

  “Sit, daughter, and watch,” Harold told her taking her hand and tugging her to sit at his side. “I have a feeling and I just want to see if it proves correct.” Lifting a hand he smiled slightly. “I would say your young man knows my game, he’s been toying with most of those I’ve sent up against him. But we both know that my right hand is no mere knight. This contest shall show me very well what his thought process is to challenges.”

  * * * *

  Cracking his neck Randulf put the tip of his sword into the dirt and leaned on it. “Hello, Lorn, long time no see,” he said casually.

  “Your Highness.” The knight tipped his head differentially to him. “You do realize Harold is testing you, yes?” he asked. Smiling at the nod he swung his sword around. “You do realize that I won’t make it as easy on you as the others have, yes?”

  “Oh, I know it, Lorn, but that’s all right, I have a plan,” Randulf said. Staying where he was, he waited until Lorn was ready and yawned. “Shall we already, I do have plans today.” When the larger knight shrugged and came at him, Randulf left his sword, spun out and, using the man’s own leg, gave himself a boost. Drawing his fist back, he slammed it down into the spot between shoulder and neck and Lorn went down like a sack of rocks.

  * * * *

  Cinderella looked at what occurred and was completely and fully shocked when she saw Lorn go down. Her eyes wide, she stood along with all the others and shook her head. “How?” She looked to her father and then laughed. “That is so bad, Father, you doing that to him.”

  Clapping Harold got to his feet and shrugged at his daughter. “I thought he might switch it up when he had an opponent he knew would beat him since he was exhausted. I just wasn’t sure what he would do with someone as large as Lorn. Very interesting tactic,” he said that to Randulf who had collected his sword and moved over to them.

  “I’ve seen him fight and didn’t feel like being pulverized.” Randulf shrugged slipping an arm around Cinderella’s waist. “He will have a headache and likely want my head on a platter but it was the most efficient way to end the fight, mainly for my own hide.” Leaning in he kissed her cheek. “You look well rested.”

  “I am.” Cinderella looked up at him with a smile and hugged him close as she did so. “I am very well rested, thank you for asking,” she told him with a smile. “I was scared to death when you had to face off against Lorn,” she admitted. “So I would really appreciate you not doing that again please.”

  “Not in this bloody lifetime, he scares the bejesus out of me,” he murmured hugging her to him gently. Resting his forehead to hers, he smiled down at her. “I ended it quickly mainly so you didn’t have to watch me running out of here screaming at the top of my lungs.”

  “And I appreciate that.” Cinderella laughed and shook her head. “You wouldn’t ever run from a fight, we both know that. You wouldn’t ever allow anyone to see you as weak because you aren’t weak.”

  “Tell that to the arm I have that is limp and feeling boneless,” he muttered. “I should go and find myself a bath, love. I need a good soak. Hopefully I regain enough sensation so that I can actually eat dinner without making a mess of myself.”

  “I will be there to help you should you need it,” Cinderella told him with a smile. “No matter what I will forever be walking at your side, helping you when you need and you will help me when I need it as well.”

  “Mm.” He smiled. “I like that idea,” he murmured. Dipping his chin he kissed her lightly on the lips. “I need to go and bathe, love. Would you mind terribly seeing if you can get someone to draw me a bath. I may make it there while it’s still hot if I start moving now.”

  “Not at all.” Cinderella gave him one last squeeze and then parted from him so that she could order a bath to be taken up to their rooms for him.

  Feeling a fist hit his shoulder, Randulf groaned and shot his friend a look. “Really? You felt the need to do that?”

  Chuckling, Cedric shrugged. “Figured I should get my shots in while I have the chance. You’re much too good for me on the training fields after all. Now’s my chance to get in a few for all you’ve put me through the last years.”

  “I will remember that, dearest friend.” Randulf grinned slowly. “Just wait until next you find yourself on the fields with me.”

  Laughing he shook his head. “I’m afraid I will be ill for a lengthy time and unable to attend. But shall send you my regards of course,” he teased moving toward the palace. “You coming, old friend?” he asked with an impish grin.

  “Oh, I’m coming,” Randulf grumbled already planning a little payback for his friend.

  “Well I truly hope that one day you will be coming,” Cindy said after she entered the room and closed the heavy door behind her. “If not tonight then at least tomorrow.” She moved to him and lay her hand on his cheek lovingly. “Are you truly all right, my lord?”

  Nodding he leaned into her touch. “Sore but I’ll survive. I may end up sleeping like the dead, though, so you may want to come check on me after a time to ensure I haven’t drowned.” Catching her hand he turned his head and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Unless you want to stay and help scrub my back. I don’t think I can reach it myself and don’t really want a maid in here to assist.”

  “I would rather a maid not assist you as well.” Cinderella found herself very protective of her men. “I will stay, my lord,” she promised him. “And once we have you clean I will assist you into bed and then go for food for you. How does that sound?”

  “Promising.” He smiled at her. Heaving a breath he stepped back and set to work on his shirt but had to give up. “Would you be a darling and give me an assist here, Cinderella? I seem to have very little coordination in my fingers all of a sudden. I fear all that swordplay has left me rather exhausted.”

  With his help Cinderella very quickly had him undressed and sitting in the hot water. Lifting the sponge she gently cleaned the dirt from his body. “You are going to have bruises, my lord,” Cindy said softly and leaned in to kiss one such bruise that was forming.

  “Oh trust me, I know,” he told her, leaning forward in the tub so she could wash his back. “I can feel each and every blow I got from those hamfisted males in your fathers employ. By tomorrow I will likely be a black and blue mess.” Randulf turned in the tub to look at her and smiled. “You’ll still love me won’t you?”

  “I will love you no matter what, Randulf, you are after a
ll my prince Charming.” She carefully washed him as she spoke. “We can only hope that after father has had drink, food, and sleep he will be less inclined to want your head. We can just pray he doesn’t go to speak to my stepmother before the morrow.”

  “I dunno, darling, he might get some answers out of her,” he murmured. Shifting he rested his cheek to the side of the tub. “Especially if he’s into his cups. He’s less likely to believe her crap. Though he won’t get far, father’s guards are still on watch down there. The only place they’ve been replaced mostly is on the walls and grounds.”

  “That’s very brilliant on your father’s part. Otherwise my father’s men would allow father to kill that wretched woman and while he may think she deserves it, I truly feel that it would be best to simply push her to the side. She’s a woman and father would regret that death one day.”

  “Mm.” He lifted his head and blinked at her. “She’ll likely be put to death after all she did to you and his kingdom I wouldn’t be surprised. But he does need to be calm when he makes the decision. And it’s his call, Cinderella,” he reminded her leaning back so she could wash his front. “He is king so he has to do what he thinks will be best for all involved.”

  “I just don’t want him to regret putting her to death later.” Cinderella rose as she spoke to Randulf and grabbed the bathing sheet. Unfolding it she held it out. “Come now, my lord. Time to get you out of the bath before you fall asleep.”

  Groaning he squinted up at her, “Can’t you just leave me here? I’m actually quite comfortable.” He smiled faintly. When she cleared her throat and shook the sheet again he heaved himself up. Stumbling out of the tub he moaned. “Oh good lord I’m tired.”

  “I know you are, Randulf, but very shortly you will be in the bed and if you wish I will even curl up with you for a bit. I do however need to go down to have dinner with my father. Would you like for me to have a tray made for you for later when you wake?”

  “That is just so sweet of you, Cinderella-la-la-la.” He snickered and shook his head. Wiping a hand to his face he grinned. “Sorry, feeling a little loopy right now. Bed is best before I say something that has you deciding you don’t wish to wed me any longer.”

  “I think that would be rather hard for you to do, Randulf, especially since you have been taking every opportunity available to spill your seed into my womb. Who knows, even now the creation of life could be occurring and we could soon have the next generation, which reminds me, we must ensure that father knows that we want to be wed as soon as the banns can be read.”

  “Is that the only reason you’re marrying me?” he asked stumbling toward the bed. Collapsing on it with a groan, he huffed a couple of times before flipping to his back. “Not that I’m complaining or anything but you know I’d never force you to wed me, Princess. Even if you were with my child.”

  “No, you silly dolt. I’m marrying you because you are funny, intelligent, kind, and gentle. Yes, you are also a warrior but you show me the gentle side so that’s what I’m going with. I want to wed you because I love you, Randulf, that is all.”

  He put a hand on his chest. “Aw, that’s just so sweet.” He chuckled softly. “Good to know that you find me funny. You may need that laughter to get you through life. Not that I’m saying it’s going to be horrible so you’ll need to laugh, I’m just saying, ah hell I have no idea what I’m saying.”

  “I think that it’s past time for you to sleep. I believe that perhaps you may have been hit once or twice too hard, Randulf,” Cinderella said as she then climbed into bed with him. “Rest, my prince. Sleep. Let your body heal as best it can.”

  “You’ll stay until I slumber?” he asked, rolling his head so they were face-to-face. “And come back after the evening meal, too, yes? I know you want to be with your father since he has been gone so long. So if you can’t return until later I understand, love.”

  “Yes to both questions, my prince. I will remain until you are fast asleep and then I will return as soon as I can after dinner. Yes I do want to spend time with my father, but I will return to you all the same.”

  “Do not rush on my account, my adorable princess.” He smiled. Licking his lips he closed his eyes on a sigh. Yawning a moment later he scratched his chest. “Love you, Cinderella, my sweet princess, keeper of my heart and balm of my soul.” And then he was asleep, a slight snore coming from partially parted lips.

  Cinderella shook her head and patted his chest. “My poor prince. I believe that perhaps you were hit far too many times in the head.” With those words she moved from his side and slid from his bed. She would leave the bath until the next morning so that Randulf could rest uninterrupted. Giving him one last look, she was out the door and heading to the Grand Hall.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Waking with a groan Randulf stopped moving when a small hand touched his chest. Opening his eyes he smiled up into Cinderella’s face. “Is it morning yet?” he asked with a wide yawn. Drapes were pulled so the room was dark whether night or day.

  “Not quite.” Cinderella’s tone was sleep filled. “I only just crawled into bed with you perhaps an hour earlier so please, darling, go back to sleep? Cedric hasn’t even made it back to us as of yet.” Another sleepy yawn from her and she crawled in closer. “Do you need anything, my lord?”

  “Am I in trouble, Cinderella?” he asked with a frown of confusion on his face. Rolling into her he wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. “Because the way you are saying that ‘my lord’ has my balls drawing up and my ass clenching. Did I do or say something earlier to upset you, love?”

  “Not at all.” Cinderella’s hand moved to cup his face. “I’ve been worried about you all through the meal and sent Cedric many times to check on you. Never again are you allowed to do anything that asinine, or you will be sleeping with the dogs.”

  “I wasn’t exactly given much choice, Princess. Your father played low and dirty with my honor and the fact he wanted to send half his guards to watch you since I couldn’t prove I was capable. I will admit, I let pride get the best of me and maybe a bit of ego. But trust me when I say this, every part of my body hurts so both are seriously, if not mortally, wounded currently. Your father has a vindictive and evil side buried under that large and open smile of his.”

  “I am his only child, Randulf, of course he’s going to play dirty. Add to it that I’m his daughter, well consider this, my love.” Cinderella leaned in and brushed her lips to the side of Randulf’s neck lightly as she spoke. “If we had a daughter, would you not want to ensure that the man that took her to wife could take care of her completely and fully?”

  “As if I would ever let a man defile any daughter of ours. I know how they think.” Chuckling he gave her a squeeze. “But yes, I suppose I would want to test him to see if he could protect her as I would demand she be cared for.”

  “Exactly. And considering that he now knows that I’m sharing a bed with you as well.” Cinderella shrugged and blushed. “He wanted to come up and face you himself but I told him that the two of you could talk tomorrow, only talk, though.”

  “Oh by the Gods,” he let out a quiet breath of a sound when he whispered those words and put his face between her breasts. “Protect me from fathers who want to pummel me, Cinderella.” He drew back a moment later and narrowed a look on her. “How does he know we’re sharing a bed?”

  “He followed me,” Cinderella confessed. “He’s actually far stealthier than I would have given him credit for. He was able to follow me, and I was watching, and opened the door after I climbed in bed with you. Could be why you woke, sweetheart. He and I had a discussion and he left saying that he would talk to you on the morrow. Sorry, darling.”

  “Whatever did I do to him? Hell, I saved his baby girl, gave her my love, and kept her evil witch of a stepmother from doing her any further harm. We got her off the throne, locked her up, and took back his Palace.”

  “These are all very true things, my prince, however, the fact remains that
you and I are sharing a bed, naked, without marriage contracts being signed between us. I honestly don’t care but evidently he’s of a different notion.”

  “Hell,” he muttered drawing her into his arms once more. “He’s going to skewer me, I know he is. I won’t see it coming, he’ll be all nice and pleasant and then I’ll be like a pig over the spit. Tied and roasting with a fat apple in my mouth for all to see.”

  “Are you always going to be so melodramatic? There are bards that would love to have the way with words and images as you do, Randulf.” Cinderella patted his chest once more. “Sleep, prince Charming. Sleep so that maybe later we can play.”

  “I have a right to be melodramatic, woman,” he said a little on the loud side. “He tried to turn me into a bloody pulp this afternoon and now wants to chat. A little melodrama is warranted.” Letting out a sigh he cupped her head and brushed his lips to her cheek. “If this is the last chance I have to say this to you, I love you with all my heart and soul, Cinderella.”

  “I love you as well, Randulf, but have faith. He will not skewer you as you seem to think. Yes, he wishes to talk to you, but it is his right as my father. Now enough talk, more sleep. I’m exhausted, my future husband, so shush and sleep.”

  “Yes, love,” he said on a sigh. “I really hope you’re right but I’m going to wear full armor to that talk. Just in case.” He smiled. “I’m a little paranoid I admit, especially since he found out about us by being super sneaky. I know, sleeping now, shushing now, love you, though.”

  Cinderella patted his chest and shook her head. Smiling, she cuddled close to him once more and after another yawn, slipped back into dreamland.

  * * * *

  Sitting across the table from Cinderella’s father, Randulf stared at the man who stared at him. “So, Cinderella said you wished to speak with me, sire?” It came out like a question. Should he have asked it like a question? Maybe he was over thinking a little. But really, was it over thinking when the man who gave life to the woman you loved was sitting eyeing you up for your coffin?