Renard
Chapter 2
Don't own Grimm. Don't own Renard, but would like to.
Morning
5a.m.
The small clock read to her. Lying there in his bedroom you'd think that everything was right in the world. O how she wanted to remain there. His strong arms were about her.
She looked down at the arm draped over her hip. Her mind played back the events of the night before. How he had made her beg. How she had made him. His hand rested near her face. The long fingers had neatly trimmed nails.
The ring caught her attention. She was amazed he wore it. After all of this time, he still kept her in his thoughts. As she gently turned the ring on his finger her mind flew back to those days so long ago.
1986
A middle-aged man sat in a large wooden chair as she paced in front of him. Anger and defiance rang in her voice and demeanor.
"How could you!" She screamed." I hardly know him!"
"Now Victoria" He replied.
"No father he's arrogant and rough! All Renard's are! You know this. You've seen how Eric acted at the last gathering of the families. He was cruel, because he could be. There was no justification for beating another just because his team lost at rugby! I don't think this brother would be any different! Besides, father", She raged on. "This is 1986 not 1686! There is no reason I should have to get married at 15!"
Her father Prince Harold rolled his eyes. Of all of his children Victoria could be the most unpredictable. Of his six children, all girls, she was his youngest, his favorite. Her temperament came from her late mother. She had taken an interest in combat and strategy. She had accompanied him to all of his official functions since the age of 8. He doubted that a son could have been so astute to the political realities of being a royal.
He knew her heart for the underclasses was due in no small part of being raised by her governess. His wife had died when Victoria was only three. However, her respect for them and their place in the world might be necessary. Harold was not blind to the rest of the world as most royals were he knew that the presumption of servants being near slaves was outdated and unnecessary. He was not as harsh on the Wessen. Only those who didn't obey the laws deserved punishment.
Prince Harold had had more exposure to the young Prince Sean. He remembered a young man who could be formidable when crossed. But, Sean was also fair in his treatment of others and fiercely loyal to that which he claimed as his own. Like his daughter he was a modern royal. Woe to Prince Sean if he were to enrage her. Sean was a strong wily fighter, Harold knew. The prince might be able to get the upper hand on Victoria; but, her father knew that she would patiently wait for her revenge. Sooner or later her husband would have to sleep and then his ass would be hers. Their union would be a great one, Harold thought.
Harold also knew that the hexenbeast inside Sean was not a birthright. It was a spell. It was an attempt, by his stepmother, to make him appear with disfavor in his father's eyes. Harold knew there were ways to lift such things; but the sacrifice was huge. The reversal could kill him. Would kill him, if only temporarily. The risk was more than Sean's father could justify. So half hexenbeast he stayed.
Watching his daughter rage in front of him, he knew she would acquiesce to his final word. No other was allowed to talk in such a fashion to him. But, as it was just the two of them, he let her vent her rage at him.
"Victoria," he firmly interrupted her." You will abide me in this. Sean is not Eric. His father has decided that Sean would make his Canton in the new world."
Prince Harold arose from his throne and went to his daughter. Caressing her dark tresses his heart missed her already. Her blue eyes clouded with sadness and anger begged for rescue. As a parent he knew there will be a day his child will leave him. Harold was not ready even if tradition demanded it.
He stepped back and glanced down at his daughter, as firm a look on his face as he could manage.
"As it has been," he said.
"So it shall be again," she replied.
Evening
The large bedroom suite adorned with reds and white sat in the north side of the castle. The large Persian rugs on the floor dated back to the times of the crusades. The four poster bed sat near the far wall. They were covered with a mixture of antique art and modern posters. There was even a picture of Albert Einstein sticking his tongue out.
Laying on the bed her head resting in the lap of her governess the young princess cried her heart out. She couldn't believe her father wanted to go through with this. Marry a boy who spent so much time fighting with his brothers. Victoria had told her father about the time when she had worn the balloon filled with paint, which Sean had intended for his brother. Or so he said! Granted her mind thought it would have been funny if it had worked. Unlike in so many of the fairytales she wouldn't run. Victoria couldn't run. She would never embarrass her father; but if Sean thought it was going to be easy for him, he had another thing coming.
"What am I going to do, Maggie?" she asked. Her blue eyes pleading at her governess' grey ones.
"What needs to be done, "she replied. "Your father would not make you marry a brute."
"But he ruined my favorite dress."
"You were five. Please allow that, like you, he has grown and matured since then. I'm sure he has put such things behind him." She said as she glanced down at her ward.
"I have talked to several of his servants, who are trustworthy. They said he was an astute boy. Fair minded but not to be trifled with lightly."
"I hardly remember him really. He didn't seem as thirsty for the limelight as Eric."
Sitting up to look her governess in the eye, Victoria hesitated.
"Is he handsome?" she questioned.
"I am told he is very good looking. At any rate we will find out tomorrow" Maggie said as she rose to her feet.
"Meanwhile, My Princess, I have something for you!"
Maggie moved over to the large drape that shielded the dressing area. Pulling back the curtain she revealed a beautiful dress. White with red trim about the bodice, it had a long white train covered with red embroidery.
"You knew!" the princess said, in a hurt voice. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Only a fool would presume to know all of your father's plans. I really believe that his mind debated for a long time before he decided to agree to the marriage."
"Besides," she continued." I always hoped you would need this someday."
Victoria wanted to be angry; but, honestly, she was so touched. She didn't remember much about her mother, only feelings really. Maggie had been the one to truly be her mother. She had made her laugh when she felt like crying so many times. It was Maggie who had nursed her when she was sick. Maggie had pled her case, to her father, when she didn't want to be sent away to schools.
Victoria rushed into her outstretched arms.
"Thank you," she said. "It's beautiful. I couldn't ask for better!"
Maggie took Victoria's face in her hands.
"Victoria," she said soberly. "Tomorrow you will be discharged from my care. I think your marriage to Prince Sean will go well but if things get really bad … I am always there for you. Do you remember the little town that I said that I had quietly bought a home?"
"It was Bever, near San Moritz, Switzerland." Victoria replied." Why".
"If you ever need a place or me that's where I'll be, "she said.
"Thank you for everything." Victoria cried as she held Maggie close. "I hope such steps won't be necessary."
Church
Notre-Dame de Reims stands in the champagne region of France. It was the traditional coronation place of the royalty of France. Its gothic spires lifted above the rooftops of the city. The church's 125 ft. ceiling and stained glass windows made it one of the most magnificent in the country.
On that spring morning the soft light pouring through the great rose window danced on the train of the young bride being escorted down the aisle. Her large bouquet of white roses tied with a red ribbon. Her veil fell from the tiara on her head like a soft cloud. Holding onto her father's arm she walked with the grace of her station. Her bearing belied her youth. She demurely kept her gaze lowered and only sneaked peaks at the young man at the end of the aisle who waited for her. Her veil obscured her ability to see him clearly. She tried to pretend she was cool; but she knew her father felt the small tremor that ran though her, as his hand came up to pat her arm. She tried not to cry as her father lifted her veil to kiss her cheek. Victoria tried to convey all of the love and great fullness that she felt for the life her father had given her in one look; before, he had replaced the veil and given her hand to Prince Sean.
The young couple briefly glanced in each other's eyes.
'When did Sean's eyes turn so green?' she thought.
They turned toward the altar so the ceremony could begin.
Evening
The reception continued but the newly married couple had been dismissed to their chambers. The formal parts of the reception with the first dance, dinner, and cake were done. All that was left was the drinking till dawn; the couple wasn't needed for that.
'His bed his room, 'she thought.
'Our bedroom,' she corrected herself.'
Festooned with navy and gold, the room was slightly larger than her old one at home. His great bed dominating the center of one wall between two huge glass doors that led to a balcony. The four post bed had dark navy drapes. Like hers the room was a mix of traditional and modern.
' He even has the Einstein poster' she thought.' I guess he's not a total loser.'
Victoria had changed out of her dress into something simpler. The soft silk gown clung to her curves. Its long skirt brushed the top of her feet. Maggie had said it was the one her mother had worn on her wedding night. The woman had kept it for this night. Victoria felt her thoughtfulness connected her, not just with the governess that she loved but the mother she barely knew.
She sat in a chair about as far away from the bed as you could be in that room. She hadn't really thought about the other aspect of being married until she had entered. Although she was not experienced in any way Maggie had explained to her that morning all that could be expected. Her governess had emphasized, that part of life didn't have to be a chore, as some thought. It needn't be frivolous as others did.
Prince Sean entered the room tentatively. With a 6'4"frame he was bigger than most men in his family. His size belied a natural grace to his movements. He could run quickly, his feet barely making a sound. His body was nimble and quick when attacked, which came in handy with his brothers. A keen, active mind could see the plots within plots at court.
At 18 he was not as worldly as his brothers. Eric was the one to love 'em and leave 'em.
' But to have a wife!' he thought. 'What if she hates it or me? What if she cries? What if she just lies there like a dead fish enduring what she has to?' his mind raced. But, his thoughts came to a halt when his eyes found her. She looked even more of an angel than before in the church. His breath caught in his throat when he saw how the neck of her gown dipped between her breasts. He could feel his body start to react. When she stood to greet him he could see how the gown clung to her hips.
He walked over to the stereo and started the music that he had picked out for this moment. Soft and gentle the songs filled the room as he went to her. Taking her hand in his he pulled her close and slowly started dancing about the room.
He felt her relax in his arms. He was glad she had understood his intent that he was not going to attack her the moment they were alone. Yes it was an arranged marriage; but, he really wanted to make it a good one.
His hand on her waist pulled her in closer. Her head rested on his shoulder. Sean could smell the subtle perfume of jasmine in her hair. Barely moving he pulled her hand to his chest, as the music washed over them. Life brought only so many perfect moments and he knew this was one. His other hand had drifted down to just above her butt. He didn't want to move to swift and spook her but the delights that he knew were beneath the silk were steadily making patience difficult.
Victoria could feel his heart through his chest, he was so tall. The dark green silk of his dress shirt gave hints about the muscles underneath. She even thought she could feel his desire when their bodies move a certain way. She slowly moved her hand from his shoulder to behind his neck. Victoria gently played with his hair as they danced. The silk of her dress was thin and she could feel his chest rub against hers when they danced. Her nipples attesting to the fact she found him quite attractive. She was torn between her own desire to bring him to the bed and the need not to appear too eager, lest he think bad things about her.
Sean released her hand and lifted her delicate chin to look into her eyes. 'So blue', he thought. 'I think I am already lost. 'He leaned down and captured her lips in his. Softly, gently his kisses fluttered on her lips. Slowly he built up ardor and pressure, when he felt her lips responding. 'God, her lips are so soft,' he thought. Delving in deeper his tongue touched the front of her lips. A soft moan came from his throat when she let him in.
The prince held her tighter. His one hand was on her back while the other gently squeezed her ass. He could feel her arms tentatively encircling him. He understood she didn't know the power she already had over him. He would do anything, take her any way, she wanted. He would stop on a dime if she said no, even in the face of his own burning desire. Sean knew she could feel that he was trembling from her touch.
A slight disappointment graced his handsome face as she pull slightly away; but, that was quickly forgotten, as she slowly reached for the buttons on his shirt. Her trembling hands freed each one as she gazed into his eyes. As the last was loosed he pulled her back into his embrace. Kisses renewed. Less hesitant than before, they brought their lips together.
Slowly she pushed the shirt from his massive shoulders. Victoria didn't know when he had removed his cufflinks. His shirt was forgotten, the minute it had left his body. She let her hands slowly explore his broad chest. She wanted to see were her hands were going; but, his kisses were not to be missed.
She was enraptured already with him. The hopeful look in his beautiful green eyes at the altar had put her presumption of his arrogance out of her head. He had, without hesitation, defended her at the reception, when his stepmother tried to insult her.
Now taking the time to actually seduce her, he had captured her. 'Oh God, his lips are amazing.' She thought. She ached to feel them on her body. His strong hands explored her curves made her gasp. She could feel her blood rushing in her ears. Victoria wanted to beg him to take her. She wanted to tell him she wouldn't deny him, not now, not ever. She nearly cried when his lips made their way down her jaw to her throat.
His deep throaty voice rumbled against her throat.
"please?" he begged.
"Yes, please yes!" she replied.
He pulled away and gazed into her eyes. Looking for the sincerity of her words, he stared into her eyes.
Victoria felt his hesitation. He didn't want to rush her. She felt she needed to show him, she meant every word. So she slipped the thin straps of her gown off her shoulders and let the gown drop to the floor. Standing there, she exposed her body to her Prince's gaze for the first time. Now it was her turn to hesitate.
Sean looked at her with obvious hunger now. He stared into her eyes, as he removed his own clothes. His manhood large and ready almost burned to be within her. His hands ached to cup her exposed breasts. Tongue needed to taste the sweet nectar of her treasure. The wish to savor warred with the need to have. His blood burned in his veins with lust. He would be careful at first; but, he would have what he wanted. She would scream his name in ecstasy.
He swept her up into his arms and carried her to their bed.
