Chapter Eight

It had been a full week since the day Jareth showed up unannounced making threats of seeking retribution against the king by targeting the queen if he didn't give in to his demands. Subsequently, it had been a week since Ophelia had moved into the king's chambers and every day had been the same, she'd wake up and he'd already be gone and at night, she'd be left to fall asleep alone with Dwayne standing guard in the sitting room. The times when he'd joined her at breakfast, lunch or dinner, he'd been distracted, barely paying her any attention. She'd tried not to let it get to her, thinking that perhaps he was worried about Jareth's threats but after the first two days, she'd begun to take it personally.

Ophelia had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that the cause of the king's disinterest in her was because of something she'd done, or not done. She couldn't help but think that perhaps the lessons readying her for queenship hadn't been going as well as she'd thought they were. Perhaps Alexandria had been feeding back to the king and declaring her a lost cause, that he should forget whatever beliefs he'd ascertained about the two of them being fated and find another woman more adept at transitioning into the royal family than her. Thus, because of those negative connotations niggling away at the back of her mind, she'd thrown herself wholeheartedly into her lessons with Alexandria, making sure she repeated every action until it was perfected and memorised every iota of information until she could recite it back by heart.

Ophelia thought she'd excelled, she thought that surely, she'd done enough to prove her worth, to prove that she was capable of being a queen the king could be proud of. Yet, the distance between her and David seemed to grow wider, and she was consumed entirely by the notion that he simply didn't want her any longer, the novelty had worn off, she was neither a worthy queen, nor a worthy partner, she was just a hindrance to him and an embarrassment to his kingdom.

It also didn't help that David's cold behaviour came after their intimate encounter and along with the doubts about him not wanting her as she was an unfit queen came the doubts that he didn't want her because she couldn't satisfy him. Had her attempts at pleasuring the king been inadequate? Even worse she couldn't help but think that there was something wrong with her body. Had the sight of her not pleased him? Did she not taste good? Did she smell bad? The negative thoughts wouldn't leave her no matter how hard she tried to distract herself and it was making her miserable.

Ophelia sniffed back the tears she could feel building at the back of her eyes and cleared her throat, staring down at the book on the history of the Underworld, unable to absorb more than the first two lines. "Hey, are you OK Phee?" Paul whispered, glancing over at Alexandria who was pre-occupied with his own reading, nestled in one of the padded leather armchairs on the opposite side of the library.

"Why wouldn't I be?" she replied, her traitorous voice wavering, giving away her discomposure.

"You look like you're about to cry, should I ask Alexandria if you can have a break?" he suggested but Ophelia shook her head.

"No, I'm fine," she faked a smile, burying her head back in her book.

"If you're just going to be a distraction Paul, feel free to leave," Alexandria's voice carried across the library, his eyebrow arched in disapproval.

"I'm not allowed to leave the queen and the last time I checked, I don't take orders from you," Paul retorted, glaring at the dark-haired fae with contempt.

"Perhaps I'll request the king exchanges you for someone less reprehensible," Alexandria sniped.

"Perhaps you should kiss my ass-" Paul retorted, mocking Alexandria's polished accent, "-I'm done with your holier than thou attitude, unclench man, you're way too uptight," he rolled his eyes.

"I am not uptight," Alexandria bit back through gritted teeth.

"Oh please-" Paul scoffed, "-if you shoved a lump of coal up your ass right now, you'd make a fucking diamond.

Ophelia guffawed, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle her laughter. "Seen as that was the first time, I've heard her majesty laugh in the past two days, I'm inclined to let that vulgar comment slide-" Alexandria stated, "-this time."

Paul smirked triumphantly, shooting Ophelia a wink before settling himself back into the seat beside her, exhaling a huff of air as he drummed his fingers against the arm.

With her lesson's done for the day, Ophelia was looking forward to stuffing her face and retiring to her room -well the king's room- for a soak in the bath and a glass of wine. She'd requested that the kitchen make a white chocolate and pistachio cake for dessert, she was craving something decadent and sweet and that was the first thing that came to mind. Ophelia strolled in step with Paul, glancing down at her dress with a frown, feeling like a fool for being adamant that Ellie pick out a figure hugging dress in a colour that brought out the colour of her eyes. She'd even styled her hair in a pretty rose bun, pinning it in place with a ruby studded hair comb. What had been the point in her efforts? What was the point in her raising her hopes that the king still wanted her?

Ophelia followed Paul into the dining hall to find Marko and Dwayne lingering by the far wall with the king nowhere in sight. "Is David not joining us?" Ophelia asked, attempting to hide her dismay yet knowing her voice betrayed her.

"No, he's decided to work through dinner, he said he would eat later," Dwayne replied, motioning for her to take a seat at the table.

"Right, work – got it," Ophelia sighed, forgoing all the rules she'd learnt about table manners and propped her elbow on the table, resting her chin in the palm of her hand.

"Ophelia, are you sure you're OK?" Dwayne pressed for the millionth time over the course of their meal.

"Yeah, I'm just tired, that's all," she replied forking the last morsel of cake between her lips. "Do you think it would be OK to take some cake to David?"

"Sure, we can do so once you've finished," Dwayne smiled.

"I'm finished," she stated, clambering to her feet. She needed to see him, she needed to look in his eyes and see that he still wanted her her, that he still wanted her to be his queen, else she'd decided to demand that he release her back to the Overworld. It was cruel to be kept prisoner in a place she wasn't wanted with the man that if the tightening in her chest was anything to go by, was breaking her heart. Ophelia wasn't even sure how it was possible that she'd fallen so hard for the king in such a short space of time but the reality was she had and now she was left feeling the harsh sting of rejection. She could not take one more night of falling asleep alone, yearning for him to come and hold her, to kiss and touch her like he had only a week ago.

Dwayne escorted her to the king's study, rhythmically rapping on the door. "Enter," David's weary voice called out and Dwayne motioned for her to go in, assuring her that he'd be waiting outside. Exhaling a nerve-steadying breath, Ophelia padded into the room, quietly clicking the door closed behind her and tentatively approached the desk where David sat pawing over an old, tattered tome.

"I brought you some cake, it's really good, I didn't want you to miss out," Ophelia chirped, setting the plate on the edge of the desk.

David looked up, his eyes ringed with dark circles born of a lack of sleep, a tired grimace marring his handsome features. "Thank you-" he sighed, "-is that all?"

Is that all? Is that all? Ophelia could feel the hurt bubbling up inside her, threatening to spill out in a huge tidal wave of anger and self-loathing. Why did she have to get her hopes up? He didn't deserve her tears, not when he couldn't even bring himself to look at her for more than a brief second. "You know, if you don't want me here any longer, then you should release me. I'd rather be out there, truly alone with nothing and no one, than stuck in this palace with hundreds of people around me yet still somehow feeling alone and rejected," she exclaimed, her bottom lip quivering as tears pooled in her eyes.

David's head snapped up, his eyes clouded with confusion. "What foolishness do you speak Ophelia?"

"Yes, yes, I am a fool - a fool for thinking that this was real, that you really did want me as your queen, by your side. Yes, I am a fool for spending my nights missing you and longing for your company or even just your acknowledgement. Yes. I am a fool for coming here, wishing to do something nice only to feel like I've been slapped in the face by the blatant disregard you show to not only my presence but my feelings in general," Ophelia stated, her voice rising with every sentence, only to break on the last word when a pitiful sob escaped her quivering lips.

"I apologise for disturbing you, your majesty, I'll be sure not to so do again in future," she whispered before fleeing the room, slamming the door behind her.

"Ophelia?" Dwayne questioned; his voice laced with concern.

"Please, can we go back to my chambers? I wish to be alone," she sobbed, keeping her head hung low as Dwayne complied, guiding her back towards the royal wing of the palace.

"My lady, what can I do to make you feel better?" Ellie asked, placing her hand gently on Ophelia's shoulder as she sat slumped on the couch.

"If you wouldn't mind drawing me a bath? Maybe you could do that thing where you enchant the water to make it stay hot?" she sniffled, wiping her leaky eyes with the back of her hand.

"Of course-" Ellie smiled, "-come along, by the time you get yourself out of that dress, the bath will be drawn."

"Thank you, Ellie," Ophelia smiled, taking her lady in waiting's offered hand as she helped her to her feet.

David felt wretched. Had he really been so negligent and distant that he'd made Ophelia believe that he no longer wanted her? Had he really made her feel so alone and disregarded? He stared at the sole piece of cake sitting on the edge of the table, trying to recall the last time he'd had a conversation with her over breakfast, lunch or dinner. Unable to recall such a time in the past week, he groaned, letting his head fall to the desk, his forehead hitting the solid surface with a heavy thump. He'd been so consumed with scouring the history of both the Dwarf Kingdom and Goblin Kingdom, looking for the answer he needed to solve all his problems that he'd literally pushed away the one he was doing all of it for.

He was working all hours of the day and night to try and find a way to appease both Jareth and Travis, it wasn't that he'd purposely neglected Ophelia, it was simply that he'd been so caught up with trying to find a solution. He'd thought about just giving the land to Jareth and having done with it, but he didn't want to hurt Travis. Everyone might think him a tyrant and a heartless dictator but he always strived to be fair with his subjects just like he was fair with his staff and to give in to Jareth's demands without warrant would be unjust. He couldn't speak to Travis about letting Jareth win as that would show weakness and he could not tolerate his subjects deeming him weak, it would cause no end of trouble.

"Enter," David croaked when a quiet knock sounded on the door of his study.

Dwayne stepped into the room wearing a look of concern as he shut the door and strolled over to take a seat by the desk. "May I ask why the queen is currently sobbing in your chambers?"

"Because I'm an idiot-" David groaned, dragging his hands down his face, "-I've completely ignored her for the past week in favour of finding an answer to who the hell owns the right to that damn land. I've barely slept, I've barely eaten and now I feel like the biggest bastard in the world for hurting Ophelia."

"You didn't tell her why you are spending so much time holed up in here?"

David shook his head. "No."

"You fool, no wonder she's heartbroken. She probably thinks you have no interest in her. I thought it was strange how she was always asking for you, I was under the impression she knew your position right now."

"I've ruined everything," David bemoaned in self-pity.

"No, you haven't, you just need to explain everything and for God sake, give her some affection, she clearly needs it. She cares for you David, don't push her away."

"You really think she cares about me?" David frowned.

"She was heartbroken when I left her, and she's been sombre all week - now I know why. Look - call it quits and go spend the night with her, I'll take your place searching the files and the books, besides a fresh pair of eyes might help," Dwayne offered.

"Thank you, brother," David rose tiredly from the leather chair. "I shall be taking this with me, I'm not that grateful," David quirked his brow, picking up the cake from the edge of the desk and Dwayne barked a laugh, shaking his head in amusement as the king strode out of the study and on towards his chambers.

David indulged in the sweet treat as he navigated the corridors, declaring it the most delicious cake he'd ever eaten and by the time he reached his chambers, there were only crumbs remaining on the plate. He paused outside the doors, resting his forehead against the carved wood, struggling to find the right words to say to his queen, seeking to find the courage he needed to face the one he'd hurt so deeply. He exhaled slowly, deciding that before he spoke to her, he'd at least make himself look presentable. He was aware of how bedraggled and unkempt he looked and to speak to his queen in such a state wouldn't be proper.

Before he lost his nerve, he entered his chambers, finding the sitting room devoid of life. He set the now empty plate on the coffee table and with an air of apprehension, walked into the bedroom. He found Ophelia propped against the pillows, her chocolate brown curls cascading over her shoulders to pool over her chest, her eyes drifting casually over the page of the book she was holding. "Ophelia," he spoke lowly, and her head lifted, her sad emerald eyes meeting his. "I'm going to bathe and then I'd like to speak with you."

"OK," she swallowed with a small nod.

"I shan't be long," he declared and slipped into the bathroom.

David felt a little less drained after taking a shower and much more comfortable in a pair of black, silk sleep pants. He gave his hair one last rub with the towel and headed back into the bedroom, smelling of citrus and sandalwood. He crossed over to the bed and held out his hand. "Join me for a drink?" he asked with a small smile and Ophelia nervously took his hand and slid out from beneath the sheet, giving him an eyeful of her creamy white thigh. The black camisole she wore was much shorter than the night dresses he'd previously seen her in and hugged her curves in a way that made him burn from the inside out. He pushed back his desires and focused on the likely awkward conversation he was about to have. If the conversation happened to be a success, then and only then, would he concentrate on the less than chivalrous things he wanted to do to his queen.

David gestured for Ophelia to take a seat on the purple crushed velvet couch whilst he went to retrieve their drinks. He poured himself a much needed glass of blood, salivating when the strong, coppery aroma of the crimson liquid hit him full force. He poured Ophelia a glass of wine and carried the drinks back over to the couch, handing her, her glass of wine before lowering himself to sit beside her, tucking one leg beneath the other, with his body turned towards her and his arm resting on the back of the couch. Ophelia's eyes flitted from her own glass of cherry red liquid to his, the dark crimson liquid staining the sides of his glass as he took a sip, supressing the groan he could feel building in the back of his throat as the metallic liquid trickled down his throat.

"Where do you get the blood from?" Ophelia broke the silence that had fallen between the two of them, her curiosity clearly outweighing her anger with him.

"The humans who reside in the Underworld, particularly in this kingdom, donate their blood. The humans of the surrounding kingdoms are paid for their donations, but my kingdom refuse the money, they're happy to provide sustenance for their king. On top of that, any time we visit the Overworld, we pilfer from the town and surrounding towns blood banks."

"So, you're not out murdering the humans of the Underworld to satisfy your craving for blood whenever you feel the thirst?"

"It's not just humans - we could kill and drink from any of the creatures here, the fae's magical blood gives you a rush like no other-" he recalled, taking another sip of the blood, "-but I emphasise the word could for we don't - we only kill when we're in the Overworld, the rest of the time we're able to survive on the stored blood."

"So why do you kill when you go to the Overworld when you don't need to?"

"It's something carnal Ophelia, I can't describe it. It's animalistic and out of our control, the desire for shredding flesh and feeding from fresh blood is too great to ignore."

"Oh, OK," she conceded, taking a few sips of her wine. A palpable silence once again washed over them and David knew he needed to get the inevitable over with before he went insane or ran out of the room waving the metaphorical white flag.

"Ophelia, do you truly believe that I've grown tired of you?" he asked, meeting her desolate emerald green eyes and his chest tightened.

"At first, I thought that maybe it was the stress of Jareth's threats but after a few days passed and you still remained so distant and continued to ignore my existence I started to think it was more than that. I thought maybe Alexandria had been feeding back negatively about me, convincing you that I wasn't fit to be a queen and that you should find someone more competent and worthy of the title, so I tried even harder with the lessons, making sure I perfected and remembered everything. Then, when nothing changed, I came to the conclusion that you'd simply grown tired of me, the novelty had worn off, you'd changed your mind about us being fated and I'd just become a hindrance to you and an embarrassment to your kingdom." Ophelia confessed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Then I started to think that maybe I did something wrong that day... in the... in the study-" she swallowed, "-I thought maybe either my actions or my body didn't please you..."

David drained what remained of the blood, turning his full attention to the broken-hearted human beside him. He gently tucked a thick tress of curls behind her ear and grazed his thumb over her petal soft cheek. "You're wrong Ophelia, in fact Alexandria is thrilled with your progress, he told me you have the makings of a great queen, the only thing he was concerned about was your low mood, he thought perhaps he'd worked you too hard and had broken your spirit. In regard to myself, now, well, I'm just a prized idiot," he gave her a half-smile, brushing her bangs out of her eyes.

"I've been so consumed with finding an answer to who owns that cursed land in order to dissolve the situation that I've neglected the one person I was working so hard to find the answer for. I could never tire of you starlight; you are neither a hindrance nor an embarrassment. You are something to treasure and be proud of. I've been striving to protect you from getting hurt and in the end, the one I should have been protecting you from was me. I'm sorry that I've hurt you so deeply, I should have explained my absence, I could have avoided this and spared your feelings. Also in regard to not pleasing me, that statement couldn't be further from the truth, you please me like no other Ophelia."

"I was so lonely David-" Ophelia averted her eyes with a quiet sniffle, "I missed you…" she murmured shyly.

David experienced an unfamiliar flood of heat spread across his chest, further melting the icy barrier around his heart. He brushed his knuckles down her cheek and wiped away the stray tears that spilled from her eyes with the pad of his thumb. A sudden wave of woe washed over him, and a lump formed in the back of his throat when the realisation of just how long it had been since he'd paid her any attention hit him. In the Underworld, time worked differently to the time in the Overworld, and for her it felt like a week but according to his world, it had been a month, "Ophelia I'm so sorry, it's just hit me how long it's been since I've spoken to you. No wonder you were feeling so lonely."

"What do you mean? A weeks a long time but you make it sound much longer," she frowned.

"Because it has been so much more than a week starlight, down here, time works differently and the week you think it's been, has actually been a month," he grimaced.

"A month?" she gasped.

"Yes," he groaned in misery, dragging his hands down his stubbled jaw.

"Well, knowing it's technically been a month makes me feel a little less weird about how I feel…" Ophelia murmured, draining the remnants of her wine.

"What do you mean?"

"I may have, maybe, possibly, perhaps… fallen for you… just a little," she confessed, her cheeks glowing pink.

David's stomach lurched which was followed by a strange fluttering sensation beneath his sternum. She'd fallen for him? She'd fallen for him and he'd left her without his affections for a month, he was truly an ass… "And to think only a month ago you'd declared imprisonment or death a better substitute than spending your life with me," he teased, walking his fingers over her bare thigh.

"And to think only a month ago, you'd thrown me in a dungeon for saying it," Ophelia giggled, entwining her fingers with his.

"Yes, I was a bit of a pretentious prat, wasn't I?" David smirked.

"Still are," Ophelia retorted, and David yanked her into his lap, her thighs straddling either side of his legs as her arms came to link around his neck.

"Very bold of you to speak of the king in such an insulting manner-" David crooned, smoothing his hands up her thighs, pausing at the crease, "-such behaviour should not be tolerated. According to the rules, you should be punished," he purred, reaching around her to cup her rear.

"Isn't missing you for a full month punishment enough?" Ophelia pouted.

"Not at all-" he grinned, placing open mouthed kisses to the exposed mound of her breast, "-your punishment is to tell me all about that dream you had - in detail," he smirked, enjoying the way her face flushed.

"Here? Now?" she flustered, chewing her lip.

"Yes, now and no, our particular seating arrangement is not of optimum comfort. Come, let us go to bed," he breathed against her ear, biting her lobe.

Ophelia slipped beneath the cool silk sheets, her stomach fluttering with a thousand drunken butterflies, her heart pounding erratically against her chest. She was anxious about describing the dream she'd had that seemed so long ago now while at the same time, she was admittedly excited about what would happen once she'd confessed the explicit details of the unconscious rendezvous with the king. If his response would be anything like their last encounter, she knew it would turn her world.

David climbed into the huge, four poster bed alongside her as she stared up at the emerald green canopy hanging over the bed. "You can't avoid your punishment by feigning interest in the canopy starlight. I'm far too curious to hear of how you dreamt of me and what exactly it is you want me to re-enact," David crooned.

Ophelia turned onto her side, aware of the king's eyes fixated on her exposed breasts. She studied the way he looked at her, taking stock of the way his piercing blue eyes darkened with desire, his reaction unexpectedly giving her a much needed confidence boost, but she still needed shake off the lingering feelings of shyness born of inexperience and innocence when it came to matters between her and the opposite sex. "David, you know the last time we spoke in your study, when you asked me to surrender myself to you? Is that still something that you want from me?"

"Yes," he replied instantly, trailing the tips of his fingers down her bare arm, his touch causing her to shiver. "You said you wanted to, but you didn't know how, is that still the case?"

"Yeah," Ophelia murmured. "I mean despite what we did last time... I guess I just feel a little awkward and shy because I'm not experienced in these things and I guess I don't want to disappoint you…"

"Ophelia you could never disappoint me - in fact, I'm rather smug about the fact that I'm the one who has the privilege of being the first to touch you and believe me, there was nothing about our last encounter that I would describe as disappointing"

She felt herself blush. "When you say you want me to surrender to you, does that me I lose the right to say no?"

David looked a little taken aback by her question and gently cupped her cheek. "Never, I will never take that right away from you. I only wish for you to surrender to your desires Ophelia. If ever you want me to stop or you feel uncomfortable with anything, you have both the right and the freedom to say so."

"OK," she sighed, relieved.

"Don't keep me waiting Ophelia," David smirked, teasing his finger down her cleavage and Ophelia's body flushed with heat as a familiar ache settled between her thighs in response to his playful ministrations.

Ophelia exhaled a nerve-steadying breath, training her eyes on his pale, broad chest. "In the dream, we were in bed, and at first, your fingers were just sort of gliding over my stomach and waist…"

"And then…?"

"Well… then your fingers skimmed over my breasts and it was one of the most amazing feelings…"

"And in the dream, were we laid as we are now or?"

"No, you were…" Ophelia nibbled her bottom lip, "...you were on top of me and I remember the sheets feeling cool beneath me. I remember the way the silk tickled the backs of my arms and legs."

"Continue…"

"You were kissing me… lightly on my neck, and I remember that my nails were digging into your shoulders, trying to keep a hold on you because if I let go, I was afraid you'd disappear…"

"I'm not going anywhere Ophelia…" he crooned, toying with the loose curls falling over her chest.

"Your lips and tongue were everywhere, and I could feel you between my thighs-" her cheeks burned, "-I remember feeling like every nerve in my body had come alive and every time you touched me, kissed me or pressed yourself between my legs, the fire burning inside me burned brighter and hotter…" Ophelia licked her lips. Recalling the sensual memory was doing things to her body that she couldn't explain, between her legs felt damp, her skin felt unbearably hot, and she was hyperaware of David's near proximity and the way his eye's burned with lust.

"You, um… you told me that you yearned for me at the same time you moved your hands up my legs and I remember my thighs parting in response…"

David slid closer to her and she felt his knee brush her thigh and swallowed. "What happened next?" he breathed, his voice husky.

"You teased me with your-" she fumbled over the words.

"-Say it Ophelia…"

"You teased me with your erection, I was so wet and the pressure-" she bit her lip to stifle the whimper the memory coaxed forward, "-the pressure felt so good…"

"How good?" he breathed.

"So good that I begged you to take me, I begged you to release the pressure building inside me that was making me burn from the inside out," she whispered, noting the husky quality to her own voice.

"Tell me what you said Ophelia, use the exact words," he urged, drawing ever closer.

"Take me, my king," she stated breathlessly.

David growled and the next thing she knew, she was flat on her back with the king straddling her thighs; his lips colliding with hers in a kiss so hot it left her lips swollen and scorched. His tongue slipped between her parted lips, deepening the kiss while one hand cupped her neck, his thumb grazing the underside of her jaw while the other became entangled in her curls. Seductive lips continued to kiss, suck and lightly bite her mouth as he gently nudged her thighs apart, moving his body to rest in-between. A warm hand brought her leg to rest against his hip, as the same practised lips teased and bit a sensitive spot on her neck at the same time his hips nudged against her apex. Ophelia gasped, exhaling a low whimper when she felt something thick and hard press against her, making her apex throb and her body flood with heat.

David snaked open mouthed kisses across her chest, inching ever closer to the silken fabric covering her breasts. Her breath hitched and her back arched when David covered her breast with his mouth, the saliva dampened fabric clinging to her sensitive peak. He sucked her sensitive bud between his lips with a low groan, kissing his way to the opposite breast to repeat the action. He drew back, his lust darkened eyes fixing her with an intense stare, "I won't let anyone hurt you my queen - all that I do is to protect you, you see that, don't you?" the king urged, grazing his knuckles across her flushed cheek.

"You belong to me Ophelia," he crooned, turning her insides to jelly.

"I'm yours David… it would seem I always have been - I just didn't know it…" she whispered; her voice thick with emotion.

David's features softened and Ophelia's chest flooded with warmth, catching sight of the genuine smile curving his pale, kissable lips. He sighed with a low hum, running his thumb teasingly over her bottom lip and dipped his head to capture her once again in a slow, lingering kiss. Ophelia rose to meet him, linking her arms around his neck, drawing him down on top of her. Her body burned with the need to be as close as was physically possible to him, to feel his strength, his weight, his power against her. David's weight settled above her, his lips trailing across her jaw, settling to nip and tease her neck, coaxing low whimpers of pleasure from her parted lips. His hand slid down her body until his skilled fingers were once again dancing over her thighs, gradually climbing higher, taking the silken fabric of her camisole with them.

Between her legs throbbed and ached with need the closer his hand drew to her heat. David's tongue slid between her lips, the warm, wetness of him filling her mouth all the while his hand crept higher up her thigh. Ophelia's hands roamed the strong, solid contours of his body, gripping his shoulders as his hand roamed an unfamiliar path between her thighs. Her body begun to tremble from both anticipation and pleasure when his fingers lightly brushed her apex above the thin, material of her knickers. David's teeth grazed her neck and when his hand disappeared inside her knickers, she gasped, her body arching against him. Ophelia softly moaned as shudders, tingles and jolts of pleasure burst like liquid filled pearls inside her. "You're so wet Ophelia…" he groaned, his fingers caressing her desire drenched folds, brushing maddeningly lightly over the engorged bundle of nerves hidden within.

"You're mine Ophelia," David dropped a hot, wet open mouthed kiss behind her ear, his fingers rubbing slow teasing circles on her clit. Ophelia whimpered, her body feeling as though she were melting into the silk sheets, fearing that soon, she'd become nothing more than one of the luxurious silk fibres.

"You belong to me," he growled, and Ophelia bit her lip, stifling the cries of pleasure that longed to fill the air when his fingers worked faster and an unfamiliar pressure built low in her stomach, leaving her feeling as though her body was moments away from erupting. "Let go Ophelia, give yourself to me…" he breathed, rubbing the solid bulge in his pants against her thigh, while his warm, wet tongue trailed down the length of her neck until his lips found the crook, nipping gently at her exposed skin. His delicious hardness brushed against her once more. "Come for me Ophelia…"

She could feel him pulse and throb against her as he grazed her sensitive bud with a featherlight caress, leaving her teetering on the edge of bliss. Ophelia whimpered, her heels digging into the mattress as the pressure mounted. She panted, her fingers pushing into his shoulder as her body yearned for its release. "I know you want to fall starlight… let go…" he whispered against her ear and she reached the point of no return. The muscles in her legs trembled as the pressure low in her stomach exploded into a million beads of pleasure. Her eyes fluttered closed, a low moan escaping her parted lips before her bottom lip found its way between her teeth as her whole body shook, her muscles tensing. Ophelia's breath came in shallow pants as her eyes slowly flickered open and emerald green met crystal blue.

"You're so beautiful my queen," David crooned with a soft smile.

Ophelia smiled coquettishly, snaking her hands up over his chest, curving them over his broad shoulders and combed her fingers through his tousled platinum blonde hair. She drew him down to her swollen lips and kissed him fiercely, feeling him respond instantly, his tongue slipping between her eagerly parted lips. Ophelia hummed against his mouth, tangling her fingers in his hair and arched her body against his, her skin tingling in reaction to the close contact. She trailed wet, open mouthed kisses down the length of his neck and chest while her hand smoothed over the firm contours of his torso until she reached the waistband of his silk, sleep pants. David watched her with a mixture of curiosity and lust as her fingers teased the waistband before she tugged the silk fabric down over the prominent bulge they were containing. Between her legs once again began to ache with need as she stared down at his throbbing cock, recalling the way the tip had teased her dripping wet folds in her fantasy along with the way it had felt that day in her mouth. Ophelia wrapped her hand around him and David groaned, capturing her in a hungry kiss.

Using the liquid leaking from his tip to lubricate her ministrations, Ophelia worked her hand back and forth over the length of him, marvelling at the way his impressive girth throbbed against the palm of her hand. David's kisses became disjointed and sloppy the more she worked him, the more she quickened her movements. "...don't stop..." David panted, his head dropping to her shoulder. Ophelia stroked him hard and fast and David's body jerked as Ophelia felt something warm and wet spurt onto the back of her hand whilst David panted and groaned against her shoulder. He exhaled a slow, breath before trapping her in a tender kiss. "I'll be right back," he stated, planting one last kiss to her lips before he slid off the bed, tucking himself back into his pants as he made his way to the bathroom.

Ophelia heard the faucet running and determined he was likely cleaning himself up which judging by the coating of white, sticky fluid on the back of her hand - she needed to do too. Ophelia shuffled off the bed and padded into the bathroom. David looked over at her with an arched eyebrow and she gestured to her hand. "I need to wash my hands," she blushed.

"Go ahead..." David gestured to the sink, stepping back. She padded over to the sink and smiled when David covered her body with his, wrapping his arms around her waist, his lips ghosting her bare shoulders whilst she soaped her hands. Ophelia shut off the faucet and twisted her body in his arms so that we were face to face.

"Are you OK?" David crooned, stroking her rosy, flushed cheek.

Ophelia nodded, giving him a beaming smile in response.

"You're so beautiful..." he whispered, mesmerized by her soft, glowing features.

"You're sort of beautiful too..." she replied, her emerald green eyes searching his.

"Sort of?" he smirked, cocking his head.

"Can you really call a guy beautiful?" she frowned, and David chuckled.

"You can call me whatever you want, though I do advise you to exercise caution, I am the king after all," he grinned, kissing her softly before guiding her back into the bedroom. "Do you mind if I smoke?" he asked, fishing a pack of cigarettes from the top drawer of his dresser.

"No, go ahead," she smiled, following him out onto the balcony. Ophelia quietly observed the king as he slid one of the thin, white paper sticks from the crumpled packet and held it between his lips, running the flame of a heavy, silver lighter over the tip, the embers glowing bright orange as he inhaled a lungful of toxic smoke. Ophelia stepped over to the iron rail bordering the balcony and furled her fingers around the cool metal as she stared out at the inky black night sky. David moved to stand beside her, resting his elbows on the rail as he too stared out at his kingdom, intermittently bringing his cigarette to his lips.

"Do you think they'll like me?" Ophelia questioned, her eyes drifting over the vast, darkened landscape.

"Who?" David frowned.

"The people, the kingdom, the other royals," she clarified, closing her eyes as the cool breeze caressed her bare skin and tousled her curls.

"They'll love you Ophelia," he smiled.

"Have you ever been in love before?" Ophelia blurted, clearly catching the king off guard. She wasn't sure where the question came from, but something inside her, urged her to ask.

"No-" he answered honestly, "-I've loved in the sense that I deeply loved my parents and I love Dwayne as a brother and a kindred spirit, but I've never experienced romantic love."

"You don't love Marko and Paul?"

"Not exactly - I care for them a great deal, but I grew up with Dwayne, it's different," he explained vaguely.

"Oh, I see," she smiled, letting the matter drop.

"What about you Ophelia, have you ever been in love?" David asked curiously.

"No, but I've always dreamed that someday, I would love like I'd never love another," she replied, coyly.

"Is that so?" David smiled, tilting his head curiously.

"Yes," she smiled sincerely, standing on the tips of her toes to gently nudge his lips.