I loved all of the reviews, as usual! You guys are awesome!
I had so much fun writing this chaper, the past storyline is always more fun lol, and I really like how it came out.
Hope you guys enjoy it, and I hope ya'll appreciate the fast update, as mitch as I appreciate the reviews ya'll leave ;)
August 1567
Elena sat, once again, in the dreaded seat, across from her instructor.
Today, it was Lady Ghett of Witmondor, going on about historical marks of the latest war.
The princess was fighting to hide her yawn.
Was it not time to be finished, anyway?
They had been here, in the drawing room on the second floor, for what felt like eons.
The time for lunch had already passed, and the fire and torch light was barely enough to illuminate the words she was expected to read in this dark room.
Yet, the woman still spoke.
Elena just wanted to be dismissed, so she could move on to her more interesting studies.
Tonight, Damon would begin to teach her the craft.
He had told her so as she had crawled from his bed in the early hours of the morning, and her mind had been spinning with excitement all day.
"Your highness?" The elder woman pressed.
Elena blinked, having missed whatever question had been asked of her.
"Yes?"
A stern look crossed Lady Ghett's face, "For the third time, I must urge you to pay attention!"
Elena smiled coyly, "Sorry."
Lady Ghett cleared her throat, "Now as I had said, Mystic's leading source of-"
However, before she could relaunch her lecture, a rapping on the wooden door called their attention.
Elena was surprised when it opened to reveal Damon, and her heart jumped.
"Yes?" Lady Ghett inquired.
Damon sauntered in, confident as ever, "The hour is at an end. I am afraid that her highness must be done for the day. Conflicting engagements have emerged that require her attention."
The older woman's nose turned, "And what authority have you, to command this?"
Annoyance flashed across Damon's features, and he gave the woman a glance over.
Elena stood.
"You would do well to gain sense and hold tongue," she warned, "You speak to Damon Salvatore, eldest son of Aurelia's king."
Lady Ghett had the decency to turn red and fumble, before curtsying to Damon.
"My apologies, your highness."
Damon and Elena shared a smirk.
"I think I will be done for the day," Elena decided, turning to the woman, "In fact, I think I will be postponing all further lessons."
Lady Ghett nodded, hesitantly, "For how long, my lady?"
Elena's eyes flickered to Damon, who awaited her with a hunger in his gaze.
She straightened to her full height, taking pleasure in the control she felt, "Until I decide otherwise."
The woman nodded, curtseyed again, then gathered her books and parchment.
Damon held the door open as she passed by, light cascading in, before the wood shut, leaving them alone in the darkened room.
Damon's deep, slow chuckle filled the air as he sealed the bolt.
He turned to look at her, a smile on his lips, "Until I decide otherwise?"
She grinned at his raised brow.
"Impressed?"
He nodded, "It thrills me to see you finally embracing your true self."
Elena smirked as he strode over, "I can not help that these lessons have been forced upon me, but lately, the need for my attendance in them has seemed...less pressing."
His hands ran down her arms, slipping to her waist, "I completely agree."
"Somehow I don't expect your father will feel the same way," she cautioned.
"To hell with him," Damon said, brushing her hair back, staring into her eyes, "I've brought you something...but first..."
Elena smiled as he took her hand, and pulled her over toward the fireplace.
"This piece here," he motioned to the portrait that hung above the mantle, "You recognize the subject?"
Elena stared at the painting.
A beautiful woman smiled down at her, and Elena's heart softened, "Queen Lillian. Your mother."
Damon nodded, "She taught me almost everything I know of the craft. Everything I will teach you," he squeezed her hand, "The necklace she wears here, the amulet...it is, in a way, her talisman, a source of her power."
His free hand reached into his pocket, revealing the very same jewel.
"She gave this to me, before she died," he said, "I believe it will assist you greatly as you learn."
Elena smiled at him, "It is beautiful, Damon."
He swirled his finger, in indication for her to turn around.
She obliged, facing the fire.
Damon's fingers slid over her skin as he pulled her hair to the side, then lifted the chain over her head.
The weight of the amulet fell just above her cleavage line, as Damon finished fastening the clasp.
Elena lifted her hand to touch the stone, as Damon's glided across her exposed shoulders, and he came flush against her back.
"It should be worn by a woman of worth," he purred in her ear, "A woman of beauty."
Then his lips were pressed against her neck, and she fell into his touch.
"Never take it off, Elena," he breathed, "It is more powerful than you can imagine."
She turned, facing him, "I will wear it always."
He traced the stone, then let his fingers run south, outlining the shape of her cleavage.
"I wish I could take you now," he sighed, "Right here, in this room...but alas, we have not the time."
Elena's lips fell into a pout as she took his hand, "You are certain of this? Stefan was busy entertaining a guest this morning, so perhaps we would have time."
Damon chuckled as her eyes fell to his mouth.
"Your offer is tempting, though I fear I have created a succubus."
Elena grinned, running her hands up his chest, before locking her arms around his neck.
"No, my love, such a temptress would be much more cruel in her seduction. She would tease you, by telling you all the ways she longed for your touch..." She pressed a kiss against his neck, leaning into his ear, "She would tell you of how she dreamed of you inside of her, with her crying out your name as you brought her pleasure."
Elena loved how her words made his hands tighten on her waist, and continued her tease, "Why, she might even tell you that the very thought of your lips upon her skin makes her run wet with fantasies of you bending her over this very oak desk, and having your way with-"
His lips attacked her before she could finish, and she smiled against the kiss.
Damon's strings were too obvious.
He had her in his arms faster than a breath, and his hand was clearing off the desk, before her back met the polished wood.
She held on to Damon's shoulders as he ground against her, his lips moving down her throat.
Overwhelming heat filled her, and she was possessed with the need to be taken by him, owned, completely.
"I said bent over," she teased, bucking her hips against him.
Damon let out a dark laugh, but followed through, roughly turning her body so that his manhood was pressed into the curve of her backside.
She whimpered as his arm pressed down on her shoulder blades, causing her own arms to give out, and her face and palms hit the desk.
Then Damon was pulling up her skirt.
She felt his fingers graze over her womanhood, and rolled her hips, searching for friction.
"Is this how you want it?" Damon asked, his palm coming up against her core.
"Yes," she panted, "Oh please, yes."
She could hear the smirk in Damon's words, "Such a submissive position. I cannot disagree that the view is quite enjoyable, but I am surprised. The princess would have me fuck her as I would if she were a slave."
Elena could only whimper, as Damon removed his cock from his trousers and rubbed the tip against her entrance.
"Do you like the feeling, darling? Of losing all control...of being mine?"
"Yes, God, yes, make me yours," she breathed, and he pushed into her, completely sheathing himself in a single thrust.
She cried out as he began pounding into her without hesitation, their hips meeting with each surge.
"Damon!" She cried, as his body pulled pleasure from her own.
His hand twisted into her hair, and he pinned her down, his teeth sinking into her shoulder. The slash of pain was enough to bring her climax rushing forward, and she lost all coherency as the waves claimed her.
When she came to her senses, she realized Damon had stopped moving, and was softening inside of her.
He'd reached his climax as well.
Slowly, he pulled out, and Elena could feel his seed run between her thighs.
He did not release her so she could clean it up.
Instead, he brought his two finger against her, and smeared it in between her legs.
Then he fixed her skirt, and let her stand.
She arched, and turned around.
Damon eyed her face, then slowly brought his glistening fingers to her lips.
She knew what he wanted, so she took them into her mouth, sucking off the remainder of their combined releases.
Damon seemed pleased as her tongue swirled his finger.
"You will not shower until tonight," he told her, his eyes still dark with lust, "I would have you wear me on your thighs, as a reminder of who you belong to, where I've been, and the pleasure I have brought you. Let it be my mark upon you, until tonight, where we will bathe together before beginning your study."
Elena nodded, unable to refuse him anything, "If that is your wish, my prince."
Damon smiled, taking her face in his hands, "I love you."
"I know," Elena pecked his lips, "I love you too."
"I must go now," he sighed, "I have to leave the castle for a few hours to get supplies, but I will be back before nightfall."
Elena nodded, "Ride safe, and I'll be awaiting your return."
He smiled, and kissed her once more, before offering an arm to escort her.
He unbolted the door, then led them into the second floor's main hall.
Just as they stepped out, a throat cleared.
Elena jumped as they came face to face with a man she'd never seen.
He was older than Damon, but looked younger than her father.
His robes were of royal caliber, and he held an air of entitlement.
Elena immediately assumed this was Ronan de Guildar, Stefan's honored guest from Valier.
"Pardon me," he smiled slowly, his brown eyes glinting, "I did not mean to startle you."
Elena offered him a kind expression, "No worries. His highness was just escorting me to the dining hall."
"His highness?" The man addressed, his eyes falling on Damon, "Ah, yes. Giuseppe's eldest. I've heard stories of you...the prince who refused to be king."
Damon's gaze turned to a glare, "Ronan de Guildar, the cousin of Valier, who wishes a crown to call his own."
Ronan chuckled, "It seems we both have heard the stories then. But this young lady," his eyes fell back to Elena, "I do not believe I've heard any rumor of you. Surely an angel of such beauty would have been boasted through the land."
Elena blushed, but Damon stepped forward.
"She is Elainiana Petrova. Heir to Mystic's throne, and soon to be Aurelia's queen. She is spoken for."
The man seemed to recognize Damon's challenge, and smiled, "Ah, of course...your brother's betrothed, is she not?"
Damon eyed the man, his fist clenching.
Elena thought it best to intervene.
"Would you like to accompany me to the dining hall? Damon was just on his way out."
Damon shot her a disapproving look, that she ignored.
Ronan brought a hand up to stroke his black goatee, "Is it time dinner already?"
"Not quite," Elena hurried, "But I was occupied with lessons during lunch, and thought it would be best to eat early than to suffer any longer than necessary."
Ronan chuckled, "And so it is. I would be honored to escort you, my lady, if his highness does not mind."
Elena turned to Damon, urging him with her stare to behave himself.
He sighed, "Yes, of course. I have business to attend elsewhere."
He took Elena's hand and kissed her knuckles, "Until next time."
She nodded, "Have a good evening, my prince."
With a nod to Ronan, Damon turned, heading opposite of them, down the hallway.
Elena watched him leave, then looked up at Ronan, "Shall we?"
He smiled, and offered his arm, "To dinner."
She laced her arm through his and they started down the hall.
"You are Stefan's fiancee?" Ronan began as they walked, and Elena nodded, "I am...have you seen him?"
"Not in the last hour," Ronan admitted, "A messenger beckoned him, and I was left to my own demise."
"Apologies," Elena offered.
Ronan chuckled, "Do not be sorry. I actually prefer it."
She nodded, and they fell silent.
As they reached the stairs, Ronan looked at her, "So, does he know?"
Elena glanced over, "That would depend on who we are speaking of, and what they may, or may not know."
Ronan smirked, "I speak of Stefan...does he know you are sharing a bed with his brother?"
Elena jolted, stopping on the middle of the staircase in shock.
Ronan laughed, "I suppose that answers that question."
Elena's mouth dried, and she swallowed, "Why would you think that?"
Ronan rose a brow, "You truly seem surprised. But then, I suppose you were a little preoccupied to realize how far your voice carried. I could hear you earlier, screaming out Damon's name, clear down the hall. I lingered, of course; nothing quite so enticing happens much in Valier."
Elena steeled herself, "And what makes you certain it was me?"
He laughed, "Oh, princess, if your cries of pleasure hadn't given you away, Damon's possessiveness of you would have. But don't worry...I do not plan on telling Stefan."
Elena crooked her head, taking another step down to be level with the man.
"Why not?"
A sly smirk covered his mouth, "Isn't it obvious? Leverage. So long as I have this, you are at my mercy...under my command."
She didn't like the sound of that at all.
"And pray tell, what will you command of me?"
His eyes darkened, "You will know soon enough."
As promised, the story has heated up!
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