Only the epilogue left!

WARNING: NSFW content ahead. Smut. Limes. Lemon. The whole shebang.

Searlus and I were practically inseparable. All of our idle time was spent together. We read to each other, and he tried teaching me to dance, he'd guide me in my studies, we poured over our experiments in my lab. We kissed. We kissed so much. Any time we were alone, our lips would join. That was the perk of being a King, no chaperon! Not that my father would have cared either way. So, we were alone often. From then, it only took a few days for Searlus to grow bolder.

It was evening. I was in bed, drunk on warm fuzzy feelings and thinking of him. I ached. I imagined him coming to my door after everyone had already gone to sleep. Just as I was about to touch myself, I heard a soft knock. I shot up in bed and listened just in case it was only in my mind. The knock came again.

I all but sprinted to my door and opened it, revealing Searlus with only a candle as his source of light. He was wearing a white nightshirt and knee-length drawers. I knew very well that I was in my nightgown. He looked me over with dark predatory eyes. Without a word, I stepped aside, and he came in. I shut the door gently and locked it.

I turned around and walked toward the foot of the bed where he stood. Slowly, I brought my hands to his chest and dragged them down his stomach. I began pulling up his shirt, and he complied by removing it. I raked my nails through his short fur, and the rumbling in his chest began. I knew what that meant. So, I kept going until I reached the hem of his pants.

Searlus took my wrists and pulled me to the bed. He sat on it, and the infernal thing made such a loud creaking noise that we froze to see if anyone had stirred. Then we sniggered until we were breathless. My bed was not made with him in mind, so I pulled off the blankets and pillows and laid them out on the floor.

I reclined first. Searlus loomed over me. His eyes shifted all over my body, not knowing where to land. His breathing was shallow, and he licked his lips before finally kneeling by my side.

"Belle," he whispered, "may I see you?" I nodded and sat up. I let him do the honours, and he stopped breathing. I was completely nude. He took in a sharp breath. "May I touch you?" I nodded again. His hands came to my face first, and he kissed me tenderly. Then he let his hands wander down my neck, my shoulders, to my waist, and then up until he grazed my bust. "I've had the honour of touching these before," he murmured as he cupped one breast and rubbed a thumb over my nipple gently.

I was quickly losing my mind. "Wait." He stopped immediately, and I pointed at my hope chest beside us. "The cuffs."

His eyes darkened further. He brought me the cuffs and put them on me. The new crystals I had installed glowed once. And then he was on me. "Beautiful," he whispered while running a hand down my body until he rested it on my hip. We kissed, and I revelled in the feel of his soft fur on my skin. He pushed me onto my back and caged me with his body. He moved my hair off my shoulder and growled when he saw his mark on me. I thought he was going to bite me again when he buried his face in the crook of my neck, but instead, he placed a kiss on each scar. When kissing could no longer ease our need, he laid on his side and pulled my legs apart. His nostrils flared, and he groaned.

I spread them wider in invitation, and his fingers traced patterns over my inner thigh until he reached my sex. He was gentle, so gentle it drove me mad. I was throbbing by the time he pressed a finger in me. Not enough to breach me entirely, but enough for my hips to thrust involuntarily. He swallowed my moan and then he placed his lips to the side of my head.

"May I taste you," he breathed so quietly I wouldn't have heard it had he not spoken it directly into my ear.

I was heaving with anticipation. I nodded and whispered my consent. He licked, sucked, and nipped at my breasts until I was a writhing mess. He left a trail of kisses all the way down and breathed me in. He groaned again and let his head drop on my thigh to regain composure, something he was getting better at every time. Then he hooked his hands under my knees and pushed my legs up. I was completely exposed to him and felt heat creep all over my face, neck, and chest.

I jolted when his lips finally kissed their way down my pubis and into my folds. His tongue was warm and large. He explored me all over, and I had to bring a pillow to my face to keep from crying out. I only removed it twice to guide him. He found where I liked it most and drove me wild. Then he dipped his tongue into my entrance. I bucked, but his strong hands kept me in place. He pushed his tongue in and out, slowly building up speed until he was downright fucking me with it. He let go of my legs to rub his thumb on that spot I liked and pushed me over the edge. I keened into my pillow as my climax wracked through me. All the while, he continued his onslaught until I started pushing him away.

Searlus refused my offer to repay him in kind, and then he carried me to bed after I started nodding off in his arms. He kissed me goodnight, told me he loved me and went back to his room. It was like a dream. When I woke up, I wondered if it had happened at all, but the ache between my legs and the pillows on the floor told me it had.

The next evening, I paced in my room, waiting for him, my cuffs already on. I was determined to bring him pleasure. There was barely a knock before I threw the door open, yanked him inside by his shirt and nearly tackled him to the blankets on the ground. The brute was chuckling with amusement, but his laughter quickly died off when I shoved my tongue down his throat and cupped his groin. He was already hard, and his back arched off the floor. I pushed him down with my added strength and covered his mouth with my hand before his moan woke the whole house.

He was heaving, and his eyes were wild. "Shush," I consoled, "I'll be more gentle now, I promise. Let me touch you. Let me please you."

Searlus shut his eyes and mumbled into my hand. I released his mouth and let him speak. "I don't want to hurt you," he nearly whined while at the same time giving a shallow thrust into my hand.

"You won't, my sweet beast."

"I lose control quickly. I don't think... I don't think I'd be able to stop."

"You won't need to." I shushed him. "You'll do as I say. You want to please me, yes?"

He nodded quickly.

"Then follow my instructions." He nodded again and whimpered, squirming on the ground. "Up." He stood up faster than I've ever seen anyone do. "Take off your clothes." He did as he was told while I fetched the lubricant. When he was completely naked, I guided him back down to his knees. "Keep your legs as they are and lie back when I say." I placed a pillow behind him. "Lie back and clasp your hands behind you."

He was lovely, and I had to tell him. "You're beautiful," I whispered.

Searlus let out a small scoff, but I could tell he believed me. "You're daft. I don't care, mind you. I find it quite suits me. No one in their right mind woul–"

I cut off his nervous prattling with a kiss. "I know it's not a very comfortable position, but that will help keep you more focused."

He nodded. I clenched my fists, and my cuffs glowed. First, I caressed his chest and scratched down his abdomen. Searlus groaned. I smiled at his response and quirked a brow.

"You're so sensitive." I kneaded his thighs until his body relaxed more. "I'm just going to use my hands, alright?"

Searlus shut his eyes hard and nodded.

I didn't want to shock him, so I slid up gently. He still jerked violently when I merely grazed his testicles with my little finger. He was panting. "Take deep, controlled breaths. I'm only going to explore for now so you can accustom yourself to my touch."

He nodded again and began to control his breathing. When I cupped his balls, he gritted his teeth and hissed to keep from crying out. I tugged and soothed, working in a slow massage. He was already leaking and began to thrust up into nothing. A whimper escaped him, so I put an end to his misery. "I'm going to take you in my hand now." It looked like he shook and nodded his head, as if not knowing what he wanted himself.

I placed my free hand on his chest, and he remembered to breathe again. "Ready?" I asked.

He growled with frustration. "Just do whatever and don't tell me. It's worse hearing you say these things!" I sniggered, and he opened his eyes to glare at me.

"Sorry," I said through a quiet laugh. "Maybe you should keep your eyes open. It's grounding."

A pained expression twisted on his face. He tilted his chin down to see what I was doing to him, and he whined. Who knew such a massive beast, with the most profound voice I'd ever heard, could sound so helpless. I dragged my caress up slowly and wrapped my hand around his cock.

Searlus' eyes nearly rolled back as he let out a loud moan. I covered his mouth quickly and pushed his head back to the pillow. I stroked him slowly with a loose grip. He was so smooth, so large. My fingers barely reached all the way around. My mouth salivated at the thought of what he would feel like inside me. I kept my other hand clamped over his open mouth. He grunted, groaned, and whimpered. His cock was leaking something fierce, so the lubricant was unnecessary. With an upward motion, I grazed his head with my thumb, and he bucked up into my hand. With his own slick, I tightened my grip and began to stroke him in earnest.

By somewhere close to the tenth stroke, Searlus' demeanour changed. He growled into my hand, and his breath came out harsh and shallow through his nose, and his pupils blew wide. He looked feral. He started thrusting into my hand with urgency, but the position made it difficult for him to do much.

Then his eyes locked on mine. He looked wild and hungry. I saw him shimming and knew he was about to let his hands go. Not used to seeing him so fierce, I grew a bit troubled. I kept my calm and reminded myself that I trusted him and more importantly, he trusted me.

I used more of my strength to pin his head all the way down and hissed. "Keep your hands clasped, or I'll stop."

Searlus snarled into my palm and tried to lift himself. I pushed harder to keep him down. It was beginning to be a trial. I picked up my speed to distract him. It worked. A rasp was torn from him, his hips stilled, and his thighs stiffened. He moaned and growled louder, but at least he stopped moving. His frenzy finally peaked when I focussed my touch on his tip. His whole body hardened before he let out a long, low roar into my hand, and he pumped his hips up, hard and slow. Then he spilt over my fist and shook for a long while.

With a long, deep, animalistic whine, Searlus melted into the pillows beneath him. I stayed still and waited a few moments before releasing him. Mouth still open, his head lolled to the side. He was so limp that I wondered if he'd fallen asleep. I cleaned my hand on a damp rag I'd left nearby and then used it to clean Searlus as well. He didn't move.

As gently as I could, I reached beneath him and unfastened his hands, then pulled his arms out from under him. Then I stretched his legs out. I rubbed his calves and thighs, and then I massaged his hands and arms.

"Searlus?" I whispered as I tucked his dark tresses back.

His eyes cracked open and fluttered.

"Are you alright?"

He hummed in ascent and made the slightest motion, beckoning me to him. I stretched out beside him, bringing a blanket over us both. I was going to snuggle into his embrace, but he turned over and nestled into mine instead. He draped his heavy arm over my hips and tugged me closer, then nuzzled his face into my shoulder until I slid my arm under his neck.

"M'stayin'," he babbled into my neck.

I chuckled and pet his head. "His Majesty can do as he pleases."

Searlus grunted. "Damn right." He sighed heavily. "I love you," he mumbled groggily.

Before I could even think to respond, he was asleep.

A knock on my door the next morning woke us both.

"Shit!" I hissed as Searlus blinked awake and froze in my arms.

"Belle," Anne called, "will you be making it to breakfast this morning?" She asked cheerily.

"Eh, yes! Yes. Um, be down in a tick!"

"All right!"

Searlus and I let out a relieved sigh, but Anne knocked again. "Oh, I almost forgot. Searlus, dear, your belongings have started to arrive from the castle. Where should we start putting things?"

We stared at one another before we broke out into hysterical chuckles. "Wherever the Lord and Lady of the house would like to put them, thank you, Anne." How he can control the commanding tone of his voice while being so utterly embarrassed is beyond me.

"Good! I'll see you both downstairs!" Anne's steps receded.

We laughed more openly and then we were kissing. It was so lovely to wake up next to him, feeling his warmth. His body is so large and strong that I felt safe and grounded. He must have enjoyed waking next to me too because I felt his arousal on my thigh, already leaving a moist trail every time he prodded.

"You're all right?" he murmured, "I didn't hurt you?" He gave me an expectant look.

I hummed my assent.

"I," Searlus looked away and cleared his throat, "I smelled your fear. I'm sorry if I frightened you."

I tried not to show too much lest he think I was lying. "I wasn't afraid. For a moment, maybe a bit startled and concerned for you, but I knew I was safe."

He gave me the slightest of smiles and then kissed me again. "You drive me mad with desire," he mumbled on my lips. Another knock at the door elicited a small snarl from Searlus. "What?!"

I tried not to laugh at his frustration.

"Sire, the council meeting?" Lumiere's voice was muffled behind the door.

"Fuck," Searlus breathed, and that made me laugh all the more. He never swears! It's frustrating, so when he does, it's always a shock and amusing to me. Makes him more human in my eyes. "Yes, yes. On my way." He dropped his head between my breasts and groaned.

"Stupid meeting," he muttered, "stupid council, stupid kingdom."

I chuckled and petted his hair. "The sooner you finish your duties, the sooner we'll be together again."

"S'not fair." He growled and snapped his head up to give me one more passionate kiss before he stood up and began to dress. "Brilliant. Now I have to parade back to my chamber in my undergarments, in broad daylight no less," he grumbled petulantly.

"My goodness!" I mocked. "I give him a wank, and he turns into a sulking baby. It should have the opposite effect, you know?"

While pulling up his pants, he glared at me. "Foul minx," he pointed at me after donning his shirt, "this is far from over."

"Oh, I know it," I purred. He scowled at me and then charged out the door. I was stretching my sore muscles when he poked his head back in.

"I love you!" Then he was gone as quickly as he had come.

I grinned like an idiot and realised right then that I loved him too. "Oh, shit." I sat up wild-eyed and put my hands to my burning cheeks. "It's too soon. I can't possibly... ah, fuck."

Searlus was occupied all day with that blasted meetings, but I was grateful. I had no idea how to proceed with my newfound knowledge. I paced and imagined a hundred scenarios on how and when to confess. I knew it would mean the world to him. My sweet beast deserved something special and romantic. As excited as I was to tell him how I felt, I told myself to wait and see how I would feel in a week. After all, we had just become intimate. Emotions and hormones were at the helm.

Logically, there was no reason not to marry Searlus. I had married for love and look what happened! Even if my heady emotions ran their course, Searlus was kind, loving, intelligent. I respected him, and he respected me. If my love were indeed fickle, at least I'd have a companion that I cared deeply for. But I didn't want to lie to him. I wanted to be positive before telling him.

Searlus was quite busy most days. He'd be ecstatic whenever I intruded on him with tea, or lunch, and give me beaming smiles and tender kisses (a little groping too if I'm honest). He came to my room every night. We didn't go much further than what we had already done, intimacy wise. But every night was incredible. This went on for a few weeks, and then, I was ready. I knew I was in love. I knew I wanted him in every way a lover could have him. The trick was to say it at the right time. Maybe on the beach at sunrise. Maybe in the gardens. Something romantic. But, alas, I am Kari Belle Dubois, the sailor, and my nature would not allow any of that.

It happened in the lab. Searlus was prattling on and on about whatever I was supposed to be learning, but I kept staring at him dreamily. He was just so impassioned at the moment! He was smiling and excited about the contents inside a vial he was holding. His voice was mesmerising. My heart just filled to the brim and then washed overboard.

"It's very potent, Belle," Searlus warned with a gleam in his gorgeous green eyes. "Beautiful, but dangerous. So you really have to–"

"I love you," my mouth regurgitated on a dreamy sigh.

Searlus dropped whatever he was holding, and the table caught fire. Quite an impressive explosion, really, for a vial that small.

"By the stars!" he squawked while retrieving the fire repellant. He was quick to put out the flames, but then we were both choking on smoke.

Searlus hauled me outside then went back in to open the windows and make sure the house wasn't going to burn to ashes. When he came out, he doubled over and braced himself on his knees.

"Woman," he panted, "I know I've said you'd be the death of me, but I never thought it would be literal," he finished with a hysterical crack in his voice.

"I honestly have no idea what just happened," I admitted.

Searlus rose, completely winded and still coughing. He shook his head in utter bewilderment and crossed the distance between us. He held my face in his hands, his searching eyes were desperate. He opened his mouth to say something, then quickly turned his face to hack away from me. When he gained his composure, he tried again.

"I have exceptionally keen hearing, and yet I'm not sure–"

"I love you," I repeated again more firmly.

Searlus hung his head and let out a sob, then pulled me into his embrace. "You mean it? Really?"

"I thought you said you'd never doubt me again."

Another cry escaped him as he breathed me in. "I don't–I won't–I mean I love you. I've loved you for so long. Please, indulge me and say it again."

"I love you, Searlus. I'm in love with you. I think I have been since the ball. My eyes may not have recognised you, but my heart did. These past few months have only strengthened my feelings for you until I could no longer deny it."

"Oh, Belle," he gasped. He pulled away only to kiss me hard and long and full of tears. "Gods, I didn't expect... I thought it'd take... I would have waited forever, my heart..."

"You don't have to wait a moment more," I reassured him and nuzzled my cheek on his. I pulled him lower to whisper directly in his ear. "Let's go to your room tonight."

His breath hitched, and then I was abruptly flung over his shoulder. Searlus charged through the house, and all I could do was laugh as my father and Anne gawked at us. He dashed up the stairs three steps at a time and sped through the halls. He nearly broke his door down, trying to get in.

"The cuffs," I barked.

"Blast it all," he turned around and rushed to my room. He didn't even put me down while he opened my chest and retrieved them.

When we arrived in his room, he closed the door. I thought he was just going to throw me on the bed in his frenzy, but he lowered me gently to the ground. He was heaving and smiling between kisses.

"May I?" He requested while holding up the cuffs. I nodded, and he slipped them on like they were the most precious jewels in the world. "What do you want," he whispered fervently, "I'll give you anything, do anything, you need only say."

I smiled wryly and fisted my hands in his shirt. "You. I want all of you." I pulled him down forcefully and crushed my lips to his, whispering in his ear. "Inside me."

"Gods be merciful," he gasped and swayed, sending us crashing to the bed. He scrambled up and hoisted me further onto the bed. His face hovered over mine, a mixture of hope and worry in his gaze. "You're certain?"

"Oh, yes," I said through a grin and began unfastening his trousers.

He dropped his head next to mine and groaned. "I think my handcuffs arrived today. Maybe I should get them..."

"You're what?!"

Searlus lifted his head and frowned. "Oh, right. It was, eh, before. That was supposed to be a possible solution to, eh, well, to me."

I laughed. Of course, I would have agreed to that. "I don't think we need to chain you up, love."

Searlus shut his eyes and whined. "Please keep calling me that."

"Yes, love. All the time, love. Whenever you need to hear it, my love."

With a growl, Searlus shot up to his knees and literally ripped his shirt off, then he reached down and tore mine in half as well. I yelped and laughed but quickly started to ache as he kissed and nipped at my skin until he reached my trousers. He paused there, and he looked up at me with dark eyes.

"How do you want to do this? You should lead because this is a dance I am unfamiliar with, other than in the literary sense."

That warmed my heart, and I thought I might cry. "You're so lovely." I made a show of thinking hard on the matter. "Well, you're rather heavy, but that won't bother me with these on." I lifted my arms. "You're also... rather large, if you catch my meaning."

He hid his embarrassed face in my clothed crotch.

"Maybe I should be on top after I've prepared for your generous size."

"Is this what dying feels like?" Searlus muffled between my legs, sending a delightful warmth straight through my pants.

I giggled and scratched his head. "Get naked and then get me naked, please."

He was slow to comply, and I caught his hands trembling when he finally pulled off my trousers and drawers. Both naked, I moved to the centre of the bed and beckoned him to me with a curl of my finger. Searlus crawled his way to me until he bracketed me on the mattress.

We kissed long and slow, and I could feel his heat on my bare skin as he hovered above me. Eventually, he worked his way down and began to drive me mad with his tongue.

"Do you have lubricant?"

In answer, he merely retrieved it from his night table.

I pulled away from him, slicked my hand and sent it down to work myself open for him. A thrilling shiver ran through me as I watched him stare at my fingers. Shame and arousal can be quite an exciting thing when mixed together. He gawked so openly that I began to blush and tremble. It was like Searlus was memorising every bit of it. The task took a bit long. I had never tried using all of my fingers before, and it proved to be quite tricky.

"Come here," I gasped and removed my hand. I sat up and handed him the oil. "Now, you."

Searlus took a few steadying breaths. "You want me to... touch myself?" His voice was so hoarse. I almost told him to go drink something.

Instead, I nodded.

He swallowed hard and poured the oil on his hand. Full of nerves, he stalled a few more moments before he finally took himself in hand. His hooded gaze met mine as he began stroking himself slowly. I could see his chest rising and falling as if it were the only thing keeping him in check, and maybe it was. I could feel that purr from where I sat. It began to build until it was an unmistakable low growl. His pupils were blown wide. I could see more beast than man in his look, and I did not fear him. That predatory gaze had become familiar to me. I had started to not only look forward to it, but to crave it.

The slide of his grasp, along with that constant rumble from deep in his chest, made the most erotic combination. I was transfixed. I stared at him as openly as he had stared at me. He began to move his hips in rhythm. All I could think about was how incredibly sensuous that fluid and strong movement looked. I tried to imagine how it would finally feel when those hips worked him inside me. I didn't have to wait long to find out.

With a sudden snarl, Searlus pounced eliciting a surprised scream from me. His eyes scanned my face while his own contorted in what looked like rage. But I knew it for what it really was, desire. I realised then that he could not bring himself to speak. Something else I had gotten used to in our moments of great passion. I had to read his face, the way his eyes flickered out his emotions. I knew what he was asking, what he was saying.

"I'm fine," I said through a smile. I held out my hand near his face and he leaned into it and closed his eyes. He couldn't stop himself from giving a slow thrust on my thighs. His eyes snapped open as he groaned. "Lie down, love," I whispered as I caressed his cheek.

I had to wait until he calmed himself, then silently, he did as I asked. His claws were dug into the mattress, and he held his breath when I straddled him. His eyes studied me from head to where our bodies met. I gave him a pointed nod as I lifted myself to take his cock in my grasp. Searlus let out some choked breaths as I positioned myself above him.

His gaze was locked on my fisted hand as I began to lower myself onto him. As soon as there was contact, Searlus moaned and growled at the same time, which was new to me. I watched his face twitch with yearning and anticipation, with awe and raw hunger.

Even with preparing myself to take him, and with all the slick between the both of us, it was slow progress downward at first. When his tip finally pushed inside, I mewled with longing and pleasure. Searlus' eyes nearly rolled into his head while he tore through the duvet beneath him. He began to heave something fierce when I went lower still. I saw he was quickly losing himself. He'd toss his head side to side as if trying to wake himself from a nightmare. The man was trying his best to keep the beast at bay, but I knew it would not be long before the man in him lost the battle.

He was so large that I could not fully seat myself before starting to move my hips as I leaned over him, one hand on his chest and the other on the bed. I should have known better, but I snapped my hips up without warning. He thrust upward with a roar as his paws clutched my waist and thigh with a grip that I knew would bruise. I lost the lead for a moment as Searlus began to quicken the pace and tried to drive deeper. Before I could get a handle on things, I felt him jab into me, grazing a spot that sent a jolt of pleasure through my entire body. I know I said something, but I can't recall because I was soon breathless as Searlus repeated that exact movement.

The feel of the stretch around him, how he filled me so profoundly, it was too much. I needed to slow things down, so I took his wrists in hand and used all on my strength to rip his bruising paws away and trap them on either side of his head. He snarled in my face, sharp canines exposed and seemingly threatening to bite. My movement had been limited by the position, which was to my benefit, but it was fruitless. Searlus had fallen into a frenzy beneath me. He squirmed and growled, and bit the air near my chin. I pulled away abruptly at the threat, which gave him his freedom.

I found myself being flipped onto the bed beneath Searlus. No sooner than my back hit the bed, he bit into my scarred shoulder and began to whip his hips at a ravaging speed. I was powerless, not only because he had the upper hand, but because the pleasure pounding below had knocked the wind out of me. It was my turn to claw the bed, then his arms, his neck, face, whatever I could grab hold of. I became mindless, making sounds I didn't even think I could make. The pressure built up quickly and I could not catch my breath. My throat was raw from my loud cries. Then Searlus wrapped one arm around my waist and pulled me to him, giving him complete control of my entire being.

I couldn't move, save for my fingers that dug into his mane. I could only endure as the new angle only let Searlus drive deeper and harder. Eventually, barely a sound came out of me at all; my energy exclusively reserved to breathe through the ruthless pace. And Gods, the bliss that overtook me left me motionless anyway. I didn't want to move either. I heard myself scream out his name as I came undone, seeing stars as he continued to pump inside me. Before I could feel him spasm within me, before I felt the heat of his seed, another climax ripped through me without warning. It lasted so long and was near painful. Searlus was still roaring and burying himself as far as he could even when he finally collapsed on me, trapping me beneath his massive body.

He came down from his frenzy slowly. I was motionless, eyes closed as I fought for sanity. I wanted to hold him and caress him, but I could not bother to lift my arms, I doubt I was capable of it at the time anyway.

What sounded like my name, rasped out of Searlus in a voice I hardly recognised as his let alone as human. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. It must have worried him because his face was suddenly hovering over mine, his eyes wide with fear and distress.

"Talk to me please," he grated out.

I focussed my sleepy, gruntled eyes on his pained ones and tried once more to speak.

"Marry me," I croaked out in some imitation of a toad.

It took a moment for him to register what I had said, his face turning confused until he scoffed in bewilderment. Then buried his smiling face in my hair and began to shake and sob. I was unsure whether he was crying or laughing. It turned out to be both but mirth finally won out.

"Yes, you daft creature," Searlus finally choked out.

I never slept in my room again.

AN POST NOTES: I'm on a mission to make this story my first published novel! After some rewrites and name changes, of course. If you'd like to contribute to my self-publishing endeavor, please go to my ko-fi page at ko-fi dot com / mordellestories I've met 19% of my goal so far in a few days! Thank you SO much for sticking around!