Chapter One
Aly had been in her office all evening. She had read well over a hundred reports and was just now finishing with her final one. Aly hated when Nawat was away. She now fully regretted sending him to Lombyn to deal with the wild Kudarung problem. Some people had discovered a nest on their land, and wanted to clear them out in a somewhat less than civil way. Aly knew she could have sent someone else but Nawat had been the best choice. He could call upon his flock-mates, if needed, to help him. Where as if she sent someone else she would have to send a whole team. Nawat could also save money where transportation was concerned, because he could simply fly there. He did not need to pay passage on a ship. Knowing all of this, however, didn't seem to help with the steady ache Aly got from missing him. So far Nawat had been gone for three weeks and four days, the longest they had been apart, and Aly was not her regular, happy, self. Needless to say everyone else at the palace had quickly learned to stay out of Aly's way when her lover was gone. It seemed that Aly had indeed inherited some of her mother's famous temper. It was also interesting how Nawat seemed to be the only one with the capability to calm her, not completely unlike George being the only one able to 'tame' the lioness.
Aly put down her last report just as the bell announced that it was now midnight. She leaned back in her chair, stretching her legs out in front of her, and her arms up over her head. With a huge yawn she declared it time to turn in. She blew out the lamp on her desk and walked out of her office, locking the door behind her. She headed for her rooms.
As she was walking Aly realized something. Today, it now being midnight, was her and Nawat's anniversary. Well, the anniversary of their first night together. Today made nine months. Aly smiled to herself as she remembered that night.
She had arrived at her door and was reaching for her key when she saw a faint light coming from within through the crack at the bottom of the door. Immediately she was wide awake, all her senses now on full alert. She pulled out one of her many hidden daggers and reached for the handle, the door was unlocked. Aly pushed it open a tiny crack and saw something that only confused her. She pushed the door open all the way and walked into her apartments, letting the door swing closed behind her, as she starred in awe at her own rooms. Candles everywhere lighted the room, setting a soft flickering glow on everything. Aly looked down to see she was standing on rose petals. She followed the trail with her eyes to the table in the center of the large room. On it sat two glasses of wine and leaning against the table next to them was a beaming Nawat.
Aly gave a small squeal of joy as she ran to him. Dropping her dagger on the table she threw herself into his strong embrace. Nawat caught her up easily and spun her around kissing her repeatedly. Aly turned her head and met his kiss with her own lips. She trembled from top to toe as desire surged through her body, Nawat's lips moving with hers. Aly let all the heat she had been holding in over the past weeks pour into that kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, letting her fingers tangle in his soft hair, as his hands explored her body. She felt giddy with his hands on her lower back, and she tingled with anticipation as they slowly made their way lower. Nawat began to untie the sarong she was wearing as Aly started to pull the shirt he was wearing off of his back. She reached down to untie his breeches, as he peeled her shirt off over her head. Nawat grinned at Aly and swiftly swept her up, getting a squeal from her, he carried her to their bed.
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The two lovers spent the whole next day in bed. Tangled in their sheets and each other's arms they slept. Not until the next night, when they began again, did Nawat notice that Aly no longer was wearing her anti-pregnancy charm. Nawat looked down at her with questioning eyes. Aly just smiled up at him and kissed him sweetly in reply. She knew it was gone, she had taken it off the night before. At this realization Nawat simply pulled her closer and held her tighter. He didn't know that it wouldn't matter. Aly was already carrying their first nestling.