And now we've reached the end of our journey. Thanks to all who came along for the ride. This chapter has both T and M in it. I've marked where the "M" begins so those of you who don't enjoy reading such material can skip over to where I tell you to pick back up. You'll still get the essence of the story – just not all the details.

Enjoy.

CHAPTER 8

The halls of the palace were quiet and still. It had been a long, eventful day. Joseph led Clarisse in the most direct path from the part of the castle they were in to the section that housed the private quarters of the Queen. He was determined that nothing was going to stop them.

His plan went awry when Clarisse stopped moving forward as they walked past a dining room used for small gatherings. "Clarisse?" He whispered her name, not wanting to draw any unwanted attention to their location.

She pulled him closer to the door. "Do you hear that?"

Joseph calmed his racing heart. Did the woman have no idea how much he wanted to be alone with her right now? He'd done all that was required of him. Now it was his turn – their turn! After a few calming breaths, he heard the unmistakable sound of two people engaging in what was at least a heavy duty makeout session. He cracked open the door as quietly as possible. He heard his bride gasp as she caught sight of who was enjoying this clandestine meeting. "Well at least we know why they didn't return right away to escort us."

"Joseph!" Clarisse scolded in a hushed whisper. She fought the blush that colored her cheeks as she saw Charlotte sitting on the edge of the table with Scott making himself at home wedged between her knees. The gasps and murmurs of pleasure could be heard even outside the door. "We should leave them be. They deserve a few moments of privacy."

"As do we, my love. Come, let's get you to your suite."

Clarisse quietly closed the door. Hearing the young woman's pleasure reminded her of what awaited her once she was alone with Joseph. Given how long Charlotte had to endure listening to her, she felt a great deal of empathy for how difficult that must have been. Once they were out of earshot, she smiled. "Joseph?"

"Yes, my dear. Please don't tell me you need to make a stop. I'll remind you that you're not dressed for anyone's company but mine." He squeezed her hand and tried to hurry her along.

"No, not that but remind me to ask Ms. Kouts to be sure to clean that dining room before it's used for any more dinners."

Joseph cut a look at her and saw the twinkle in her eyes and the barely contained laughter. He decided that the risk was worth it and started laughing himself. "Yes, that would be a very important reminder."

Clarisse's laughter joined his. It felt good after all the tension of the day to release the remaining stress. All that was left should be pure, unadulterated joy. "Are we there yet?"

They turned the corner, her suite was in site. Thankfully, there was no guard at the door as they were awaiting Shade's confirmation that the Eagle had returned to her nest. Since he was off with Momma Bird, Joseph was confident that they would have at least a little time before anyone discovered that they weren't where they were supposed to be. Shades was a smart man though and it wouldn't take him long to figure out where they'd gone. They were in their nightclothes so it's not like they'd be out roaming the castle.

Once inside, he locked the door. Clarisse chuckled. "What? I told you I was locking every door between us and the outside world. They had their show, now it's our time."

"No, I understand. I just realized that I had no idea that door even locked. I guess with a guard always outside, I never thought of it as a necessity."

"Stick with me, you'll learn things."

"The only thing I'm interested in learning…"

The way her voice changed made Joseph turn from the door to look at her. The robe was laying in a pile of silk at her feet. His gaze was locked solidly on her beautiful body as he truly appreciated the gown for the first time. "Tell me, my love."

"Is how you intend to keep your promise."

A moment later, Joseph closed the distance between them and scooped her into his arms. He made steady strides into the bedroom before setting her gently down at the foot of the bed. He turned and walked back to the door, closing and locking it as well. Returning to stand before her, he smiled. "First promise. All doors locked."

"Mmm, indeed. And next?"

His hands reached behind her neck and undid the clasp holding the top of her gown in place. The silk fell away from her body and his gaze fell to her ample bosom. Quickly he shed his clothing. Before giving into the desire to touch her, he knelt before her and lowered the gown the rest of the way to the floor. "Second promise…nothing between us – as it should have been from the start of our wedding night."

While still kneeling before her, he let his hands slide up the length of her legs until he could cup her bottom. Years….years of walking behind her….of fantasizing (rather inappropriately) about his Queen's beautiful backside. And now, he could keep his promise to worship her while all of those fantasies culminated in one beautiful moment. "And last, but certainly not least, my promise to worship you."

(Skip this next part if you don't want to read the M part…scroll down and you can pick back up with the story after their interlude.)

His lips began paying homage to her legs, moving him closer and closer to the desired target. He felt Clarisse's fingers gently caressing his head and cheek…wherever she could touch him as she tried to maintain her balance. "Oh Joseph…" the whisper of desire fell from her lips and washed away all the craziness of the past twenty-four hours…even the past few weeks.

It was a start…but he wanted more.

He nestled in closer to the apex of her thighs. As if in invitation, she made room for him to further explore. Wasting no time, he moved his hands to the front to assist his efforts. Gently separating the curls, his tongue darted out for his first taste.

Clarisse felt the caress of his tongue to her very core. Slivers of sensation began building low in her abdomen. This time she could fully appreciate every moment she experienced with the man who'd held her heart for so long now. As his touch deepened, she felt her knees go weak. Thankfully, the bed was right behind her. Using it for support, she let her head fall back as the most beautiful pressure began to build in the center of her being and spread outward.

Joseph ignored the pressure on his knees and attuned his ears to listening to the wonderful sounds escaping from Clarisse's perfect lips. It felt like a lifetime that he'd waited to hear her voice laced with pleasure.

Another sound filtered into this hearing. He focused, wanting to understand the source of the rumbling noise. After a couple of minutes, he looked up at her. "Clarisse?"

"Hmmm?"

"Is that your stomach grumbling?"

She managed to lift her head enough to look down at his upturned and smiling face. "I'm sorry, Joseph. I couldn't eat much earlier because of the nerves. I have no idea what time it is, but apparently far too long between meals."

Clarisse noticed him getting to his feet. "Food can wait. Please, I didn't…don't want you to stop."

The urgency and need in her voice brought his attention fully to her face. "Come, let's get on the bed. I'm going to take care of your needs…all of them."

Satisfied that she wasn't going to be deprived of the pleasure she desperately sought, she quickly turned down the covers and crawled into bed. While she certainly would love some food, there were other things she wanted more.

Joseph wasted no time taking advantage of Clarisse – naked – in her bed – and no spectators. His lips started on her forehead and slowly made their way down her body. Each gasp, murmur of pleasure and arch of her back was music to his ears. In short order, he was back at the sweet spot at her center. Not wanting to delay her pleasure one moment longer, his hands pressed against her inner thighs and separated them. It was time.

Clarisse felt the warm whisper of Joseph's caress against her heated center. The return of his tongue in a firm caress brought her close to the edge. Her hands gripped the sheets, anticipation for the sensation overload hovering just beyond her grasp. "Joseph, please…"

She didn't want to beg, but no longer felt she was above it. This moment had been years in the making. They'd been so careful, proceeded so slowly and then had to share their first time with an audience. In answer to her plea, she felt Joseph's caress deepen, his fingers adding to the delicious friction that centered her entire world in that one place in her body that burned brightly with need for him and his touch.

The tip of his tongue circled the tiny bud of her desire with such a light motion she feared she might explode. Heat spread slowly over every inch of her body…building, building, building until…

"Oh God, Joseph!" Her body writhed on the bed as the energy could no longer be contained and filled her entire being.

Faintly she heard Joseph's whispers as she "lost it" right there in front of him. The light pressure continued – just enough to keep her on the edge. "Yes, my love…my queen…just let go and experience it all."

She felt alive and happier than she could ever remember and there was only one person responsible, only one she wanted to share this moment with. "Joseph?" She panted as she drew in oxygen.

"Mmmm?" She felt his lips against her inner thigh as he continued to kiss her.

"I need you."

She somehow managed to raise her head enough to catch his gaze as he looked up. "Now."

Joseph wasn't a fool and as much as he was enjoying himself, he wasn't going to miss this opportunity. He kissed his way up her body, stopping briefly to capture the tip of her breast between his lips. He loved the way her body reacted when he did that. Of course, her actions caused an equal reaction in his body.

"I feel you need me too," she chuckled before gasping as his teeth nipped at the sensitive tip.

Joseph's tongue soothed her before lifting his head to find the lips he'd been thinking about only moments before. "I want you. I need you. I can't imagine my life without you."

"Oh Joseph…" Clarisse framed her hands on his face and brought him closer until his lips were no more than a breath away. "I love you so much. I'm sorry that it took me so long to accept that we could have all our hearts desired."

"Shhh…no regrets. We're together now. That's all that matters." With those words, he slipped slowly into her body joining them as one.

"Mmmm…I like being together." She smiled before pulling him into a kiss.

Joseph kept the pace nice and slow, enjoying the feel of Clarisse's body moving with him. He could feel the heat of her kiss, the softness of her breasts, the strength of her thighs gripping him and, of course, the tightness of her body as she welcomed him back.

The tension began to build again and she knew what she wanted. Pulling away from the kiss, she smiled but kept her eyes closed. "We started nice and slow, but this time…"

Joseph grinned. "This time we'll finish strong."

She felt the change as his body lifted away from hers. The thrusts became deeper, faster…so much better. "Yes, my love. That's it."

He poured every once of his love and passion for her into his movements, giving all he had. He could hear her pleasure grow louder and louder and it spurred him on. When her hands gripped his biceps and her body arched under his, he knew it wouldn't be much longer. "Are you with me?" He groaned as he tried to hold on.

"Almost there…"

He leaned forward, slightly changing the angle of his body and to create additional friction where she needed it most. A moment later, he felt her body contract, pulling him with her into the heavens.

"Joseph!"

"Clarisse!"

(and you can pick back up here lol)

He collapsed into her welcoming arms, the rapid beating of their hearts a sharp contrast to the tender caress he felt from her hands across his back. "That was…" he panted against her neck as he searched for the right words.

"The fairytale ending we both deserve."

His lips found hers once again, a slow caress that gave their hearts time to return to a normal rhythm. With great reluctance he ended the kiss and rolled off of her. "Well, there's one more part to that ending that we mustn't leave out."

In response her stomach growled again. She chuckled. "I hope you mean food."

He laughed and got off the bed to retrieve the food tray that had been left for them earlier. Grapes, strawberries, assorted cheese and crackers. All finger foods. Oh yes, he would make sure that his bride was fed. He grabbed a plate and made his way back to the bed. She was seated with her back against the headboard, the sheet pulled up around her waist. "We really shouldn't eat in bed," she offered but didn't hesitate to open her mouth when the piece of cheese and cracker was presented.

"I won't tell if you don't," he smiled as he tried not to focus on her lips around his fingers.

"Only if you give me a strawberry next."

"Your wish is my command."

They managed to feed each other enough to sate the hunger for awhile. Clarisse yawned and snuggled down into the sheet and pulled the comforter up. "I'm sorry love."

Joseph turned off the light and then joined her, snuggling in close. "I'm getting to sleep with you in my arms. I made love to you today…"

"Mmmm twice."

He smiled against her back, "Yes, twice. And I get to wake with you in the morning and make love to you again."

"That sounds almost too good to be true."

"And yet it's not."

"Indeed." She pulled Joseph's arm and nestled in closer. "What is the last part?"

"Hmmm?"

"Earlier you said there was one more part to the fairytale ending. What is it?'

He placed tender kisses on her shoulder before whispering in her ear, "And they lived happily ever after."

The End.