Page 94 of A Clash of Stars

I went to the bathroom to get dressed. Tonight, I would match with my ever-so-handsome husband. My black dress was tight, the fabric didn’t hide my shape, and it accentuated all my curves and dips. Honestly, I loved every bit of it.The dress was simple, with small straps that hugged close to my shoulders, but the neck of the dress draped in my cleavage, revealing a little more than I usually would around my parents. My ass was ultimately on display in this dress.

Whew. The first thought I had was, I wonder what Evander will think.

Shit. Was I falling for this guy? Did I care what he thought?

I was startled by an abrupt knock on the door. “Clara Bear, it’s time to get going. Are you ready?” Evander’s voice pierced through the door.

“Yeah! I’ll be right out.” I was caught up on something— Something about me wasn’t the same. I couldn’t pinpoint it, but I knew there was a change. I took concrete steps towards the door in black pumps, extending my legs under the dress. I opened the door and strode out with my head held high, and I could feel his eyes burning into me.

Once I reached the door to the hallway, I felt his warm presence behind me.

“Hmm. You’re going to make tonight very difficult for me, aren’t you, darling?” He continued to walk towards me, pressing his chest into my back and his large hands splaying across my hips.

“Remember, just go with what I do tonight, no matter what. Madok will be at dinner, and if you upset him, tough shit. He will have to get over it because you are my wife.”

His hands moved to my ass, and a sigh left me. I couldn’t decide whether I was angry with him for doing that or appreciated the feeling of his hands on me.

So, I left him wondering, opening the door to the hallway. As I walked confidently, Evander’s hand slammed the door closed, and he leaned close to my ear.

“Say it. You are mine, and you know it. Tonight, everyone in this castle will know you are.” He pressed a kiss to my cheek and then opened the door. He stepped around me into the hallway and extended his arm to escort me to dinner.

Damn. This should be fun.

I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to see all the reactions when we entered the dining room together. When I looked around the table, I saw Madok’s face first. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief seeing that he was indeed okay, just as Evander told me he would be, but I sensed something from Madok. I could feel the disgust radiating off of him for the first time. He was still the same Madok I knew, with curly hair and amber-golden eyes but with less life inside him, like he was ill.

Evander’s hand slid down my arm to grasp my hand. I felt the warmth of his hand in mine, sending a chill through me, and I knew he noticed my reaction because his lips upturned into a smirk.

We sat at our designated spots at the table, and when I glanced around the table, I realized they had been waiting for us.

“So sorry we’re late. Newlyweds… you know?” Ev’s smugness was asking for trouble.

My mother said, “We completely understand. We’re just glad you’re here.”

The firm grip of Evander’s hand slid onto my leg, squeezing my lower thigh. He let his fingers trace the inside of my leg. He knew what he was doing, and I could punch him in the face for doing this in front of my parents, but at the same time, I knew I wasn’t going to stop him.

A voice interrupted the turmoil that was in my mind. “So, Evander and Clara, how is married life treating you?” my father asked hesitantly.

I knew he didn’t want to know the honest answer and was trying to be inclusive. He was the kindest man. Both of my parents are remarkable rulers and are loved by their entire kingdom. I’d be happy if I could be a sliver of what they were to their people.

I felt the squeeze on my knee, and my eyes met Evander’s. “It’s going well. Don’t you think, darling?” he questioned me.

My eyes burned into his with a threatening look. I thought I might try to throw him off and do something different for a change. I leaned over to him and pressed my lips against his in front of everyone at the table.

I felt his surprise at how his lips upturned into a hint of a smile during the kiss. When I pulled back, I immediately felt the emotions at the table swirling toward me. Happiness, jealousy, anger, and love. I couldn’t pinpoint who expressed any particular one, but I agreed with all of them. I felt so many emotions with Evander that I couldn’t explain or decipher them all.

“Well, that was lovely, Clara. Let’s eat, shall we?” my mother offered our bewildered and shocked table instead.

The first round of food was delivered, and everyone indulged in a delicious dish native to our kingdom, and that’s when Evander’s hand started to move its way to the opening of the slit of my dress. The heat spread over me when my mother’s voice distracted me from his touch.

“Clara, if you don’t mind me saying. I think you look stunning. I have never seen you this confident and happy before.” I couldn’t believe she said that aloud for everyone to hear, but she wasn’t lying. I had a new emergence of self-confidence now that I was with Evander.

“Thank you, Mother. I am delighted, although this dress keeps getting tighter with every bite I take at this scrumptious dinner.” I smiled and giggled at her. Evander’s hand continued its journey up my leg.

“I quite like how your dress gets tighter. Better view for me.” Evander said to the entire table. I wanted to crawl under that exact table. I couldn’t believe he said that, especially in front of my parents. The honest truth though, was that he would do almost anything to get under my skin. Literally and figuratively.

A choked cough cleared the air as my father spoke, “Evander, once dinner has concluded, would you do me the honor of visiting with me in the study? I have an exquisite liquor I’d love for you to sample.”

“Of course, your Majesty. I would very much enjoy that. Clara, would that be all right?”

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