Taming His Demon Lover

Robin seemingly took a step back in fear as he gathered his wits about him.

Andras noted his pale face and watched as he hardened his resolve with the only weapon he had that would be effective against Andras, his tongue. 

Outside everyone else had gathered around the deck for the wedding of their master to be held in the next hour and tried their best to look dignified on such short notice. 

All of them failed to hear the beginning of a quarrel between the soon to be married couple going on below deck. 

Green eyes narrowed sharply and Andras fortified himself with patience knowing that Robin wasn't going to back down without a fight. 

"So it's okay for you to have a paramour doing our one year of marriage but I cannot?" asked Robin icily.

Andras replied acerbically. "I have needs that you unfortunately cannot meet."

'How would you know? You have never slept with a man before, have you?"

"Hell's teeth, I've never slept with a pig before but that doesn't mean that I want to try it."

Malachi entered the room with a bucket of heated water at that inopportune moment, "well, that's a good thing or none of us would be eating the pork for dinner later."

Barefaced Robin said, "Indeed, for that would count as bestiality too," he couldn't resist pointing out. 

Andras shook his head.

Why is it every time he tried to have a serious conversation with Robin it devolved into absurdity. 

Soon a few other crew members followed suit with all of them emptying the buckets of steaming water until the large white porcelain tub at the back of the room was filled.

After their task was completed they left the two in the room to finish their conversation. 

Andras reached for the envelope in his pocket.

"This is the letter the Queen asked to give you, I hope it will put your mind to rest after you've taken your bath."

"Thank you for the letter. I know it must be tiring for you to always have to put aside your personal feelings and be gentle with me all the time."

"Gentle?"

"Yes, if you continue to treat me like some delicate flower that can easily be crushed. Well, it's only a matter of time before you start to resent me. Since it's not heartfelt and you're only doing it out of an obligation to Queen Tiandra."

Andras' annoyance faded at Robin's softly spoken words.

"It never occurred to me that you would feel that way. I suppose that given time you will see the sincerity of my actions."

"You thought that given more time, whether or not you were gentle wouldn't matter in the long run."

Andras smiled. "It is so like you to twist my words around. Is this new argument supposed to persuade me not to marry you."

"No...I don't want to call off the wedding but.." Robin hesitated, his face turned beet red. His desire to escape the sea village warred with his self preservation. "I just wanted you to feel something else for me besides pity."

"I'm confused, so you think I'm not genuine with my motives on whether or not I wish to marry you?"

The anger that Andras had displayed earlier had long since fizzled out and now his voice sounded light and amused to Robin.

That unholy sparkle in his eyes made Robin feel uneasy.

As the way Andras was looking at him spelled an undercurrent of something he couldn't express into words. 

Why did Robin crave the need for something more between them?

Perhaps, he should nip it in the bud fast. "I know you feel honor bound to marry me. You're doing everything to fulfill your vow to Queen Tiandra but what if I could find a way to release you from this obligation if you gave me more time."

His handles trembled for a moment and now Robin wished he hadn't brought this up; it just felt like he was sinking into a deeper hole.

"Unfortunately, time is not willing to wait on either of us. You seem a little too eager to release me from my vow which worries me. This marriage will happen today whether you want it or not. Now take your bath before the water gets cold. I will see you after all the preparations for the wedding ceremony are complete."

"We shouldn't—"

With a wave of his hand, he dismissed Robin and swept out of the room.

Robin opened the letter from Queen Tiandra. 

My dearest Robin,

I hope by now Lord Andras Mulciber has explained everything to you.

I also hope that you will not be too angry about the rushed marriage.

You have always been a sweet and affectionate child so I don't doubt that you will be a dutiful bride. 

I made the best decision given the circumstances and I pray that one day you will understand and forgive. 

It is in your best interest to leave with Lord Andras for Hell's Island and never return to the Summer Court. 

Be safe my precious one,

Queen Tiandra. 

Upset, Robin flung the letter on the bed before stripping himself naked and stepping into the steaming water in the tub.

Always of few words, thought Robin why did he hope that this letter would have provided an explanation instead it gave even more questions than answers. 

To think that his fate was decided by the whims of a Queen.

The only good thing that had come out of this was that he was free of Squire James and he felt a flare of hope.

Robin allowed the water to soothe his nerves as he closed his eyes, too tired to think about anything else while he bathed. 

When Andras came up the stairs by himself, Zagan asked him, "Where is our lovely bride?"

"Probably soaking in the tub of hot water. I need to take a bath myself."

They walked towards the common room where breakfast was currently being served and sat down at a nearby table to get a bit to eat.

Fagan, his mouth filled with biscuit, nodded and said, "your bath will be ready shortly."

He thrust a mug of ale into Andras' hand.

Andras swirled the liquid around, its golden color was tempting, the mug felt slightly warm and comforting against his palm.

Before he could even take a sip, there was Malachi hovering anxiously over the table. 

"Please, Lord Mulciber, come quickly. We cannot get Robin to wake."