Renaissance bride anthol.., p.1
Renaissance Bride Anthology, page 1
Tammy Godfrey, V.L. Lovell, Beverly Anderson
Renaissance Bride Anthology
First published by Warrioress Publishing 2024
Copyright © 2024 by Tammy Godfrey, V.L. Lovell, Beverly Anderson
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Tammy Godfrey, V.L. Lovell, Beverly Anderson asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
Tammy Godfrey, V.L. Lovell, Beverly Anderson has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.
First edition
This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy
Find out more at reedsy.com
Contents
I. FIRST NIGHT WITH NEW BRIDE
1. Chapter One
II. SAY MY NAME
2. Chapter One
3. Chapter Two
4. Chapter Three
5. Chapter Four
6. Chapter Five
7. Epilogue
III. THE SECRET
8. Chapter One
9. Chapter Two
10. Chapter Three
11. Chapter Four
Also by Tammy Godfrey, V.L. Lovell, Beverly Anderson
I
First Night With New Bride
By Tammy Godfrey
One
Chapter One
“Just remember, this is your bride, you have to have at least one male child to carry on the title, or I’ll have to have a son with my current wife,” The King began. “Don’t want to have any more children with her but your little sister.”
“You don’t like her?” the Prince asked.
“I loved your mom and when she died, I had to remarry because I had one son and two daughters. It falls on you to have the next son now that you are married,” the King stated as if making an official proclamation. “I found my true love and even though I like being with women I don’t want to have any more kids with the current queen.”
“Have you met my wife?” the Prince asked.
“No, I haven’t but her father says she is an amazing person. She speaks many languages and is very excited to be your bride. He said she was beautiful and that you will fall for her very quickly,” the King said. “Now go up there and start going to work to give me a grandson. I want one before I die. I guess since our war is over after this night, I won’t have to worry as much about dying for a while.”
“I hope I find love like you did with my mom the queen,” Prince Tristan said.
“Me too, my son,” the King said as he left for other duties, leaving me to go to my room and start doing my duty.
***
Prince Tristan let out a sigh while gazing at the flight of stairs that led to his personal chamber. He stared at the steps, feeling both tired and excited, their number seeming greater than the day before. At the top of those stairs, his new wife awaited him, and the excitement of consummating their union made the journey to his bed worthwhile. With a nervous face, he made the journey happily, wearing a smile. The kingdom was on the verge of war, and the bride he was waiting for held the solution to end the feud between the two lands. Tempers flared among men due to a dispute over trade routes, but it seemed that a fair exchange could resolve the matter.
The King of the neighboring land settled everything by giving his pride and joy to Prince Tristan to gain access to all the trade routes he had been denied. Peace was promised between the two realms, ending the threat of war.
However, Prince Tristan was up against a different sort of challenge. He had never met his bride. He promptly dismissed the servants from the entry to his chambers and made his way to his bedroom. He walked slowly, his nerves causing him to keep his eyes mostly on the floor.
It was pleasant to think that these walls and furniture, which he had grown up with, were now shared by him and his bride. He smiled, knowing he’d easily be persuaded to change anything to suit his bride should Princess Cora require it. Her dress caught Prince Tristan’s attention, and he froze. Standing by the window, Princess Cora seemed to be surveying the kingdom that would soon be in their possession, and he instantly knew that everything would change.
Fear consumed him, taunting Prince Tristan for his flaws, persuading him that his bride would not find him or his presence appealing. He exerted effort to combat the fear, desperately grasping at the unexpressed commitment he had.
He observed the difference between the dark wood floors and the bright white hem of her dress. He looked up from her legs to her hips, then continued north to see her bosom and face. Something was wrong. Prince Tristan was promised that his future bride would be amazingly beautiful and that the task ahead would be both easy and enjoyable when the wedding was arranged. He was informed about her feminine curves, graceful mannerisms, and purity.
Prince Tristan realized his thoughts had wandered, lacking any specific details about her appearance to anchor them to reality. Her eyes were a captivating shade of green and her lips were alluringly full, but Princess Cora wasn’t what he had pictured. It all made sense to Prince Tristan now. He was distracted during the entire ceremony. He was frustrated by the numerous witnesses who threw flower petals and shouted. More often than not, he spent his time trying to eliminate distractions instead of admiring the bride standing next to him at the altar.
Princess Cora didn’t even show up at the reception. His anger ignited when he realized everyone had intentionally concealed his plus-sized bride.
His eyes devoured her with genuine fascination, more furious about the pretense than his wife’s presence. Prince Tristan had an intimate knowledge of the female anatomy, having pleased several ladies before his bride, but Princess Cora was unlike any other. The previous women had hips, but none as large as his. His bride had full hips, estimated to be an inch wider on each side than his own. There were her breasts, too. Her bosom was incredibly generous, especially in comparison to his previous experiences.
Despite his strong demeanor, his brow was currently furrowed in questioning. Overwhelmed by emotions, her bottom lip trembled incessantly. The bride knew he had been tricked and was hopelessly trapped in the scheme that brought them together. Overwhelmed, Princess Cora collapsed to her knees under his intense gaze.
“Forgive me, my Prince Tristan. I’m so sorry,” Princess Cora wept into her hands. Prince Tristan was taken aback, shaking off his thoughts. By the time he was twenty-three, Prince Tristan had kissed and touched numerous women, giving him a false sense of confidence. However, he had never witnessed a woman breaking down in tears before him. He was confused.
In a state of paralysis, he observed her tears and pondered how to alleviate her suffering. Princess Cora glanced up at him and saw his face contorted in what Princess Cora assumed was disgust, causing her to burst into fresh tears. Among the lace and silk, Princess Cora shook, meticulously stitched. Despite trying to speak, her sobs caused a slight hiccup in her throat, hindering her. Following multiple unsuccessful tries, Princess Cora collapsed into her wedding gown, concealing herself in shame. “Please don’t cry,” Prince Tristan begged.
As he knelt beside her, his voice was gentle. The bride was unknown to him, and he had little knowledge of what would bring her comfort or fear. He had been told tales and cautioned about the experience of a woman’s wedding night. Prince Tristan had never been intimate with a pure woman, and he learned that taking her innocence could be quite painful. He couldn’t think of any actions to ease her fear, leaving him feeling helpless.
Suddenly, his bride looked up and suppressed the lump in her throat. “Despite being aware of their deception and your anger, I implore you to not reject me. I’m requesting just one night to be your wife, nothing more. I promise to be loyal to you and ignore any other woman you turn to for comfort. Your Highness, I beg you to consider the consequences. My reputation and that of my homeland will be destroyed. Should you not lie with me tonight?”
“Ma’am, please slow down. It is late of hour and understanding escapes me.” Prince Tristan could feel his heart breaking for her. He was well acquainted with the pressure he had faced regarding the marriage, and now had a deeper understanding of her fears.
“Forgive me!” he quickly corrected. “Wife, please? Come sit on the bed with me and we’ll work all this out.”
Prince Tristan quickly came to her side, desperately trying to prevent the tears. He wanted to avoid the advisors seeing Princess Cora, or a floor stained with tears in the morni
Prince Tristan effortlessly picked her up, mentally acknowledging his strength. He took a few final steps towards the bed and softly placed her onto it. Her face had an exceptionally pale complexion, possibly due to crying, and her skin felt unnaturally cold. He was overwhelmed with alarm as he recognized her symptoms.
During his trips to the rural parts of his kingdom, he had observed this exhaustion. He considered it odd that his bride, who came from a wealthy kingdom, displayed the same symptoms as the starving beggars outside the castle walls. “My bride, when was the last time you’ve eaten?” he questioned.
“Your Highness, I had to fit into the dress,” Princess Cora sobbed, her hands covering her face. The embarrassment was becoming too much for her to handle. “They refused to let me eat since I couldn’t fit into the dress.”
Angrily, Prince Tristan stood up and hurriedly headed towards the door to call a servant. On the bed, his bride eagerly awaited, wondering how he would ask for food. As he ordered a plate of strawberries and cheese to be brought up immediately, Prince Tristan smiled knowing he wanted to keep his bride properly nourished for tonight’s activities.
When the servant presented him with the plate, Princess Cora observed the sultry smile the maid gave to the prince. The fading look was replaced by a concerned expression as he turned back to her. “I hope this is acceptable, Prince Tristan offered with a smile and handed the plate to his bride. But all Cora saw thought to offer something romantic enough to keep up appearances.
“Thank you,” Princess Cora murmured, her voice barely audible. “Your Highness, I’m grateful, but I cannot eat this.”
“Why? Does it not agree with you? Do you not like it?” He panicked, taking the plate from her to further evaluate the food’s quality.
Princess Cora chuckled wryly and absentmindedly played with her hands in her lap. As the Princess spoke, her voice carried a calm yet melancholic tone. “I do not wish to be known as a gluttonous bride. I imagine there are already rumors spreading about the cow Prince Tristan recently married in your kingdom.”
The prince glanced at the woman next to him. Princess Cora had white lace braided into her golden hair, which cascaded down onto her shoulders. Her incredible eyes were still heavy with tears, but he couldn’t help but be entranced by their beauty.
He witnessed her efforts to recover, her breathing irregularly and her chest rising and falling. Princess Cora managed to fit among his belongings in his bed. It was clear that Princess Cora cared deeply for her husband, as her own suffering demonstrated her perceptive understanding of the kingdom’s needs. Looking at her, he smiled, confident in her potential as both a wife and a queen. “Fine,” Prince Tristan playfully mocked, catching his bride off guard.
“If you refuse to eat it, I’ll be the one feeding you.,” With curious eyes, Princess Cora looked deep into his eyes as she opened her mouth, and he smiled. Prince Tristan watched as the strawberry disappeared between her lips, tracing the juice along them before placing the rest on the plate.
The act of feeding her had a greater impact on him than he had anticipated, and he was eagerly anticipating more opportunities to do so. Leaning back on the bed, he smiled as he lay beside his wife, with a plate of food separating them. Princess Cora watched him closely with her brilliant green eyes, curious about the reason behind his smile.
“I want to have a conversation with you,” he said simply. “I will make you my wife tonight, but not before I understand all that has conspired.” Princess Cora swallowed and licked the remaining strawberry juice from her lips.
“What do you wish to know, Your Highness?” Removing his coat and kicking off his shoes, Prince Tristan wiggled his toes as he climbed into bed and nestled under the covers. He grabbed a pillow from the top of the bed and placed it under his neck to comfortably gaze at his wife during their conversation. Once again, he locked gazes at her and smiled, realizing he was developing feelings for her.
“Why was I tricked?” Prince Tristan asked flatly, seemingly holding no grudge towards his bride.
“It’s no secret that I was never favored in my kingdom. The situation was considered ideal by my father’s advisor. In the process, my father would gain access to the best trade routes and get rid of his unattractive daughter. You were deceived into ensuring that when you encountered me, it would already be too late to revoke the agreement between our territories.”
“So those horrible people at our ceremony who kept throwing flowers at me and shouting, they were servants of your father?” Prince Tristan paused her nod in agreement. “When they indicated you were getting ready for me?”
“I was being hidden,” Princess Cora answered, a defeated expression coming down her face. Prince Tristan felt immense sadness for his wife. Despite not being ugly or resembling a cow, Princess Cora accepted the title without hesitation. He imagined how he might feel if the tables were turned and immediately became sick to his stomach. The wife had always felt like a blemish on her father’s kingdom, causing her disappointment.
“Your Highness? Her voice, timidly, interrupted his thoughts. “If I may make a request?”
“Anything, my dear,” Prince Tristan said.
“My corset really doesn’t fit properly. It’s rather painful.” A blush crept upon her face, and Princess Cora cursed herself for being so indecent. “The pain was getting to be unbearable.” With every breath, Princess Cora could feel the hard metal ribbing bruising on her sides. The thought of being naked before this man was embarrassing enough, but having time while they talked for the redness to fade would make the situation easier. His smile was genuine as he stood and took her hand.
“Say no more, my wife. It would be my pleasure to offer my help.” Once behind her, his breath quickened. Prince Tristan noticed Cora had already taken off her gown and kirtle, standing before him in just her corset and chemise.
Prince Tristan couldn’t help but groan at the crumpled pile of white satin on the floor beside them, but the sight of her in just her undergarments pleased him immensely. He could already sense the simmering of his blood beneath his skin.
He carefully loosened the corset that bound his wife and was displeased by what he uncovered. Prince Tristan was made very aware of how tight the garment had been on Cora and began to get very angry. He couldn’t look away from the intense creases in her chemise.
The material remained stiff and resistant, pressed firmly against her precious skin. It immediately brought to mind the image of freeing a prisoner. His wife had been suffering greatly throughout the day. Prince Tristan found himself conducting himself as expected of a decent man. He consoled her, but someone will pay for what they did to his wife.
The corset, once loose enough to wiggle out of, was discarded by Prince Tristan onto the floor. He caressed her back and sides, smoothing out any wrinkles as his hands trailed down her legs. He found Princess Cora’s intoxicating sighs irresistible as she leaned closer, encouraging his touch. Prince Tristan’s strength diminished because of her sounds. Cora quickly realized his hands were clutching her waist and his breath was whispering in her ears.
“You claimed you’d look away if I desired another woman. Why?” he whispered, letting his lips temper the skin along her neck. He glanced downward and noticed the ample bosom hidden beneath her chemise, suppressing a groan. Her eyes shut as Princess Cora leaned back against his chest, humming.
While her thoughts lingered, a soothing warmth enveloped her. “I am aware that I am not attractive to men, and I want you to be happy, whether I am a part of it.”
Prince Tristan leaned his head on his wife’s shoulder and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace. His profound reflections only heightened his urge to provide her with comfort. Princess Cora likely experienced a lifetime of constant scrutiny, being criticized for her flaws and feeling shame for things beyond her control.
Prince Tristan was aware of her father’s immense size and found it wrong that he would criticize his daughter for traits he had bestowed upon her. He couldn’t hold back his sorrow for her.
