Chapter is rated M for sexual content.

Chapter 22: The Palace

Lilly gulped as she was led inside by a man in a black butler suit. She followed the man with her wolves, looking around at all the extravagance of Buckingham Palace. Then they stopped just outside a room. "Do you know how to greet the king?"

Lilly nodded. "With a curtsy, address first as "Your Majesty", then refer to him as "sir" afterwards."

"Excellent." The butler opened the doors and led her through. "You will stand here and wait until the king arrives."

The butler pointed to a spot in front of the two thrones and Lilly looked at her wolves. They stood beside her. "Um, so I cannot sit, right?"

"Not unless the king offers you a seat."

"So...what about these two? Are they allowed to sit?"

The butler raised an eyebrow, then he smirked. "Are you being cheeky?"

"No. I just...I just don't know the protocol here."

The butler shook his head. "I don't think it matters, but just to be on the safe side, have them stand."

Lilly smiled with a nod and the butler left the throne room presumably to go fetch the king. Lilly stood there waiting for what seemed like hours. She clicked her tongue and put her hands together, thrusting her hips back and forth. She hated standing still. The boys started sitting and she scolded them.

"If I have to stand, then so do you," she snarled. They both whined at her but then they stood. A door opened and Lilly stopped moving, keeping her back straight. There he was, coming in from a side door. King Edward VII. Lilly's palms went sweaty and her heart started pounding. The butler guy came in after him and when the king sat down, the butler cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, I present Countess Lillian Morgan of Moycullen and her two wolves Brian and James."

Lilly did a small curtsy. "Your Majesty," she said.

The king stared at her as if scrutinizing her. "So," he barked, making Lilly jolt a little. "You are the Monster Slayer of County Galway. Hmm," he said as his eyes wandered. "I half expected you to come in armor."

Lilly didn't know if she should laugh or not. "I assumed a dress would be more appropriate, sir."

"Hmm." The king shifted in his chair a little. "Do you know why I called you here?" he asked her.

"To help with the werewolf problem, sir?"

"No."

Lilly blinked. "I don't understand, sir."

The king chuckled a little. "You're the last living offspring of Sir Jack the Godslayer, and while I do need help with the werewolf problem, I ordered you to the palace for a different reason."

Patrick and Arthur were still outside with the carriage. They wanted to wait because they were both excited to hear what the king had to say. Arthur, especially. They both kept looking at the palace.

"She sure has been in there a while," Arthur said. "What could they be talkin' about?" Arthur looked at Patrick. "Hey, who are you supposed to report to, anyway?"

"Oh. That would be one of the Freemasons. Mr. Bradley," Patrick replied.

Arthur leaned back in the carriage. "Do you know about that Joseph Pierce guy? He's the one who had Lilly tortured and poisoned."

"Yeah, he uh...he's on the good guy side now, allegedly," Patrick said bitterly. "I'd very much like to see him dead."

Arthur chuckled. "If I ever see him, I will certainly make that happen."

Patrick and him laughed. "So, what was life like as a miner?"

"Nothin' special. It definitely pales in comparison to bein' an earl, but it had its perks."

"Like what?"

"Well, I look great naked."

Patrick and Arthur burst into hysterical laughter. "Has Lilly seen yet?"

"Yeah. She loved it."

Patrick clapped his hands and laughed again, then he calmed down. "So, I have an idea how ya can patch things up with her."

"Oh yeah? What's that?"

"Buy her a gift. It's a start, at least."

Arthur chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "I wouldn't even know what to buy her."

"Buy her something she will use."

Arthur hmmed and went over the possibilities in his head until it came to him. "That bow she has...she could do with an upgrade."

Patrick nodded. "That's perfect. When we get back, I'll go with ya tah a gun shop."

Arthur cocked his head to one side. "You been here before? To London?"

"A few times like when I was knighted by the late Queen Victoria, God rest her soul."

Arthur nodded and looked out of the carriage. "Wasn't she beautiful in that dress?"

"Lilly? Oh yes. I believe any time she puts on a dress, she wows everyone."

Arthur smiled. "I'm lucky to have her. Oh hey, I think I see her comin' out."

Patrick took a peek. "Ah yes. Good."

As she got closer, Arthur noticed she was in a hurry with her wolves. When she passed the gates, she almost jumped into the carriage while telling the driver to go. She sat next to Patrick and huffed. Lilly looked like she'd just seen a ghost. "How did it go?" Arthur asked her.

Lilly looked at him with wide eyes. "It went well," she said quickly with a high pitched voice.

Arthur laughed at her. "That's it? Oh come on, what did he say?"

"Um..."

Arthur noticed Lilly swallow hard. "Are you okay?"

Lilly nodded, her eyes still big and wide. "Uh huh."

"I think she's in shock, Arthur," Patrick chuckled. "I mean, she just met King Edward the Seventh."

Lilly nodded. "Well, yes, but...well," she started to giggle. "Oh boy."

Arthur laughed at her whole heartedly. "What?"

Lilly smiled and bit her lower lip. "I've been nominated for knighthood."

Patrick and Arthur both looked at her with raised eyebrows. "What?" they both said.

"All I have to do is save all of Great Britain and Ireland from werewolves and Carman, then I'll become Lady Lillian Rose Morgan."

Patrick blinked a few times. "Yer pullin' me leg."

"Nope."

Arthur chuckled. "My wife. Monster Slayer of County Galway, Savior of Ireland, Countess of Moycullen, now she might become a lady knight. Any more titles you got pinned up somewhere?"

"Um...don't forget The Fidus Et Audax Hunter," Lilly said shyly.

Lilly changed out of her dress, corset and drawers, then she dressed in a light blue buttoned down shirt, black pants, and black western boots. She unbraided all her celtic knots and brushed her hair.

"So...knighthood. This is exciting," Adair said.

"I know!" Lilly squealed as she looked at herself in the mirror. "I can't believe it."

"I can."

"Hmm. You should be knighted too."

"No, that's alright. I'll save the knighthood for mortals."

Lilly laughed and started braiding her hair. "Do you think I'm bein' too hard on Arthur about the separation thing?

"No, but then again, men are natural idiots. I would know this. I'm over five thousand years old."

Lilly giggled. "That they are."

"I think you should forgive him already and shag him."

Lilly snorted as she finished her braid. "I do miss that man between my legs, I will not deny that. But...he was so mad about Patrick and I yet he fucked two women and kept it from me. Then he wanted us to be separated. That's what really pisses me off about the whole thing. He doubted our relationship."

"Like I said, men are naturally stupid."

Lilly took a deep breath in and sighed. "I'm not even mad about him cheatin'. Technically, it doesn't count because he had no idea he was married at the time. And even if he did, I...I'd forgive him for that, too. I'd forgive that damn fool for anythin'."

"So what is stopping you from forgiving him?"

"Because he's not really my Arthur, is he? I mean he is, but he's not the Arthur I married, he's not the Arthur I fell in love with, he's not the Arthur I've known almost my entire life. God, now I know how he felt when I came back and didn't even know him. But if he was really my Arthur, he would never seriously suggest leavin' me.

"What about when you lied to him about Bronte?"

"He was bluffin' that."

"Oh. Well...Lilly, do you think he regrets suggesting a divorce and a separation?"

"No." There was a knock on the door and Lilly walked over to open it. It was Arthur. He was holding a black recurved longbow and a black leather quiver. Lilly gasped at it. "Is that for me?"

"Yes."

Lilly grabbed the bow and tested it out by holding it and pulling the string. "This is wonderful. Arthur, I don't know what to say."

"Consider it a knighthood nomination gift...and an apology."

Lilly looked at him with a frown. "Arthur, I-"

Arthur walked in and shut the door. "Lilly, let me speak. Please."

Lilly pinched her nose and sighed. "Okay, what?"

Arthur grabbed the bow and put it down. He grasped her hands in his and looked into her eyes. "I had no right to make you feel bad about Patrick and you. I had no good reason to keep what I did from you. That was stupid of me and I'm sorry."

Lilly blinked at him. "Are you sorry about suggesting a divorce and wanting to be separated?"

"Yes."

"Good." Lilly pulled him to her and kissed him passionately. Arthur responded by enveloping his arms around her and kissing back with just as much vigor. "Now I can fuck you."

Arthur assaulted her mouth with his own and picked her up in his arms, bringing her over to the bed. He shoved her down and practically tore her boots off. Lilly laughed at him, wondering why he was being so aggressive. Arthur chortled loudly and went for her pants. He swiftly pulled them off and then took his own boots off. As he unbuckled his belt, he pulled his pants down and tried to kick them off but he fell over and Lilly cackled in amusement. He got up and successfully took the pants off, then he quickly unbuttoned his shirt. Lilly did the same to hers. He took his shirt off and climbed into the bed, hovering over Lilly and kissing her.

"What's the rush, mo chuisle?" Lilly asked with a giggle.

"Nothin' is gonna stop me from havin' my way with you," he said breathlessly. Lilly kissed him and he groaned against her mouth. Arthur spread her thighs open and was about to insert himself inside of her when there was a knock on the door. "What is it?!" Arthur barked.

Lilly snorted and lifted her head back, cackling with glee. "Arthur? What are you doing in Lilly's room?" Patrick asked through the door.

"We're knittin' a god damn quilt together! What the fuck do you think I'm doin'?"

Lilly cackled again. "Patrick, what is it?" she asked with a laugh.

"It's Brian and James. They got into the kitchen and are eating everything in sight," Patrick chuckled.

Lilly snorted and Arthur growled. "Son of a bitch!" Arthur yelled.

Adair laughed in Lilly's head. "Guy cannot catch a break, can he..."

"Nope," Lilly thought.

"Can't you get them out?" Arthur asked as he started dressing himself.

"They won't listen to me," Patrick said.

Lilly reached for her pants when Arthur slapped her hands away. "You stay put. I'm goin' to deal with those two rascals and when I get back up here, we're goin' to continue this. So stay naked and stay in this bed. Understand?"

Lilly guffawed with a nod. "Yes, sir," she snorted.

Arthur kissed her as she got under the covers. He then bolted towards the door and opened it. "Okay, let's go get the little varmints."

Arthur walked into the kitchen with Patrick to see both Brian and James digging through the garbage. The entire kitchen staff stood backed into a corner, horrified at what the wolves were doing.

"Brian! James!" Arthur snapped. The boys stopped what they were doing and looked at Arthur with big puppy dog eyes. "Get over here! Now!" The wolves, acting like little puppies who had been chastised, ambled over to Arthur slowly. Brian groaned and James whined. Arthur sighed and looked around the kitchen which was a huge mess. There were utensils, meat, cloths and bones everywhere. He bowed his head and sighed. "You both are in deep shit."

Brian and James whined at Arthur and Patrick laughed. "I've never seen them act so naughty," Patrick said.

Arthur glared at them both. "Patrick, could you take them out huntin' or somethin'? I have unfinished business upstairs with my wife," Arthur emphasized.

Patrick guffawed loudly and nodded. "Sure, mate. Come on, boys."

Brian and James left the kitchen and Arthur looked at the still horrified staff. "I'm so sorry, folks. They were uh...hungry, I guess. That's the first time they've ever acted up, I swear."

Lilly sighed as she waited for Arthur to return. She got out of bed and walked over to the vanity table to brush her hair. She had to bide the time somehow. She started humming to the tune "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" while she brushed. When she was done, she went to go check out her new longbow. She held it and pulled back on the bowstring. She saw herself in the mirror and laughed.

"Don't I look silly..." she said to herself.

"Actually, I often went shooting while naked back in my day," Adair said.

"Really?"

"Oh yes. You should try it sometime."

"Hmm. Maybe when we get back home, I'll do that." Just then, Arthur walked in and stared at her. Lilly eyed him with a grin. "Hey there, handsome."

Arthur smirked, locked the door, and closed in on her. "I thought I told you to stay in bed?"

Lilly shrugged. "At least I'm not dressed."

Arthur pulled Lilly to him and kissed her. "You disobeyed me, wife. Now you're gonna get it."

Lilly arched a brow. "Oooh, is that a threat or a promise?" she cooed, setting the bow down on the vanity table.

Arthur unbuttoned his shirt while looking at her. "Both."

Lilly smiled as she started unbuckling his belt. Arthur slipped it out of his loops and folded it in half, then he smacked Lilly's butt lightly with it and she yelped. "Ooh hoo hoo, how tantalizing of you, Mr. Morgan."

He did it again and smiled at her like a lion showing its teeth. "Bed. Now."

Lilly raised an eyebrow. Was he trying to boss her around? "Oh, but you didn't say please."

Arthur picked her up and she yelped and giggled. "Enough foreplay, woman. I need my cock in you right now."

He tossed her on the bed and she crawled backwards near the pillows, spreading her legs open as she watched Arthur undress himself. When he was done, he got on the bed and went on top of her, kissing her deeply. Lilly wrapped her arms lazily behind his neck as she returned the kiss. Lilly felt the tip of him near her entrance and her heart started to pound. It had been so long since she'd had sex. Way too long. Lilly opened her legs more and Arthur pushed himself in. They both groaned out loudly, then Arthur began to pump into her. Lilly and Arthur moaned with each thrust, and each thrust made the bed frame hit the wall loudly. They kissed and moaned and Arthur made Lilly rest her legs on his shoulders, then he pumped into her harder and faster.

"God damn, you feel amazing," Arthur said as he kissed her.

Lilly ran her hands through his medium length hair and gripped it. "You feel so good, Arthur," she gasped. "Go harder."

Arthur went harder and Lilly's moans got louder. The bed frame kept hitting the wall and Arthur chuckled. "I hope we don't have neighbors."

Lilly giggled and pulled Arthur down to kiss him. Arthur then pulled out, rolled her over on her hands and knees, then went into her again and squeezed her hips as he pushed into her over and over. The bed frame hit the wall harder and faster as Arthur increased the speed and ferocity of his thrusts.

Lilly felt her climax coming and she moaned out loudly.

"I'm gonna come, Arthur!"

"So am I," Arthur growled. Lilly's muscles clenched around him as the pleasure hit her and she bent down to scream into the pillow. Almost right after, Arthur grunted loudly and thrust into her so hard it almost hurt. Lilly's womanhood was still pulsating from her orgasm and Arthur practically collapsed on her, wrapping his arms around her. "That was so good..."

Lilly nodded and they both laid down next to each other. Lilly went on her belly while Arthur went on his back. She lifted her face from the pillow as she continued to breathe heavily. "It was good. So fuckin' good," she said, out of breath from the sexual activity they just engaged in.

She laughed and turned her head to look at him. He looked back at her and chuckled with satisfaction. "Now, just give me fifteen minutes and we'll be doin' that again."