Caspian's coronation was fast approaching, mere days away if her sources, Iris and Odette's, subtle changes of routine, were to be believed. As the day passed the older woman became easier to work with. Though still strict, there was an air of levity to her that was absent in that first week of knowing her. She still monitored what and how much she ate but was more inclined to replace her afternoon tea with wine, even though Alessandra refused more times than she didn't. She made her walk with books on top of her head but made herself scarce when Caspian, on occasion, joined her for breakfast. As if he hadn't only snuck out through the wardrobe less than an hour earlier.

She didn't think it possible for Caspian to become even more busy, even though he assured her that things would settle after the coronation. He was gone most days and into the night brokering alliances with their neighbouring lands, with Peter and Edmund by his side. Susan and Doctor Cornelius handled the council in his absence while Lucy helped her to help the people in the city as well as integrate the Narnians into their lives.

She used the minotaurs strength to help deliver clean water to those homes in need, starting with the orphanage. The children at first were afraid, understandably so, of the large creature but warmed up to him quickly after seeing their displays of strength. So much so that they were being picked up, at least four at a time, and spun around for their own amusement.

Centaurs and fauns, under the guidance of Maliah and Suncloud picked medicinal herbs from the forest that could pair well in a stew. Anastacia's suggestion, since stew could stretch farther and serve more people the nutrients they needed, the dyads spread the word that food was being served in the town's square. At first it was only a few people who showed up, but as the days went by more and more people showed up.

"My Lady," Iris' voice called her attention and she hummed to let her know that she had it pausing in her daily reading, both Cornelius and Odette had suggested it, "The Dowager Queen has invited you for tea this morning."

Alessandra's brow furrowed, "Really?" Iris nodded politely, "What do you think?"

"I believe that there's little harm that can come from meeting with her former Grace," Iris responded instantly, honestly, "Perhaps you may learn something from her My Lady?"

"Like what?"

Iris gave her that look, the one that she was coming to dread as much as she appreciated, the one that said she'd have to find out on her own. Alessandra sighed and stood, straightening her dress and nodding for her handmaiden to accompany her.

She hadn't spent much time on this side of the castle prior to meeting Caspian, even less since they'd returned after the Battle at the How, the most recent memory she had was serving dinner to the royal family the night that Stephanie had caught her and Caspian. She wondered if Miraz knew from then as well, he said that he didn't know her name but her face. Did he recognize her from that night and figure it out the same way Stephanie had or was it after he'd seen her necklace.

The thought remained with her even as she arrived at the room Prumpimsia shared with her now deceased husband, she knocked and a few seconds later heard a voice call to enter. When she did, she was surprised to see that the former queen was left with only one handmaiden who was setting the table for the two of them. The dowager queen herself was fussing with the blanket in a crib by the side of her bed. They both looked up when she entered before curtseying.

"Welcome my Lady," the handmaiden said as she straightened up.

"Thank you for finding the time my Lady," the quee- former queen said as she approached the table, Alessandra had to correct herself in her mind as to how to address the older woman, "I'm sure you've been quite busy since your return."

"Thank you for inviting me," Alessandra said as she took a seat at the former monarch's behest, "I'll admit it came as a shock."

"I can imagine why," the older woman said with a hint of amusement in her soft voice, "Rest assured, I bear no ill will towards you. This is to be a gesture of good will."

"Thank you," the younger woman said before reaching forward to pour tea for both of them, former maid or not Prumpimsia was her senior and a degree of respect was due regardless of title, "You look well."

"Thank you," she said to both the compliment as well as the tea before taking her cup in her hand, "You are quite a beauty, I can see why my nephew is so taken with you."

The compliment felt so genuine with a matronly sparkle in her eye that Alessandra blushed, "Thank you," she cleared her throat taking a sip of her tea, "Have you, seen him since our return?"

"Caspian? No. Although he did send a carrier with a message to assure my safety within this castle. I'm sure he has better things to do than check in with his aunt by law."

"That's not true," Alessandra cut in, "He does want to see you, he's worried that you may not want to see him," she explained honestly, it was a true fear that Caspian had shared with her after he had finally told her what happened the night of the raid. Finding out the truth about his father, confronting Miraz's, Prumpsina's genuine confusion and shock at the revelation even though she still shot him with a crossbow.

The dowager Queen hummed, "How old are you my Lady?"

"I have eighteen years."

"Still young," she said as the ghost of a smile crossed her face, "I was promised to Miraz on my fifteenth year," that was news to her, something that the former queen noticed, "Yes it's not well known."

"Why?"

"Politics," she answered, "My father was a Lord and in exchange was promised lands, he never did live to receive them," she said with something like fondness in her voice as she recalled those memories of her father, "In some ways I envy you, I did learn to love Miraz, in time you'll be marrying for love. That's a luxury women like us aren't often afforded."

"Why did you ask me here?"

"I don't know," she responded honestly, almost seeming to shock herself, "I supposed I remember what it was like when I was young, how I wished I had someone to tell me the truth of things."

"Caspians' mother?"

"Miraz wouldn't have it, my own mother died in childbirth. An unfortunate fate but a grim reality for most women."

"I'm sorry."

"The alternative is not being able to bear children at all."

"Some might prefer that."

"Some might," she agreed, "Still so young," she mused, "I suppose no one's told you yet?"

"They have."

The older woman nodded seeing that that was a conversation that she wasn't ready to have, "I did try you know? To care for Caspian despite my husband's wishes. His first maid was one of my own handmaidens, I never managed to share the same hatred as my husband, I still don't. But Caspian had the one thing that he wanted."

"His claim."

"Yes. And the longer I went without producing an heir, the more I watched that hatred grow, I had one job, and it took many years before I could accomplish it. And my son's birth started a war."

"It's not your fault."

"So I keep telling myself," she said sadly looking at the crib across the room, "On the battlefield, was it- Did Caspian-"

"It wasn't him," Alessandra quickly cut in not wanting the grieving mother and widow to have to utter the words, "Caspian spared him, showed him mercy, in the end it was Lord Sospesian."

"Never did like that one," the dowager queen said with levity in her voice, "He was always too slippery for my tastes."

Before Alessandra could respond a sharp cry came from the crib, Prumpsima was immediately up out of her seat and making her way to the crib before her handmaiden could do anything. Alessandra followed without thinking and found herself watching as the mother took the baby out of the crib and into her arms without a thought.

It was the first time Alessandra could recall seeing a baby so close, he was so little. With thick dark hair covering his head and the slightly tanned skin, a calling card that most Telmarine's shared. He'd need to spend some time in the sun before he could come by that signature bronze, yet it was undeniable his heritage and she was sure that had his eyes been opened they'd be a beautiful brown.

"He's beautiful," she breathed without thinking, staring down at the babe that started a war in Caspian's name.

"He is," the former queen breathed with wistfulness in her voice, before she cleared her throat, "Would you like to hold him?"

Alessandra's eyes widened, "Oh, I shouldn't, I've never," she stammered taking a step back and Prumprisma smiled.

"It's quite easy," she said, already adjusting her arms, "Just be sure to support his head."

Before she could take another breath the baby was deposited into her arms, she remained stiff as a board even as the tiny thing made himself comfortable in the awkward cradle she created, and she made sure to support his head.

"Have you named him yet?"

"Not yet," the older woman said as she adjusted his blanket, "Traditionally he'd be named after his father," 'if he was King' was the unspoken addition to her sentence, "But I can't help but think that he deserves a name all his own."

"I think you both deserve it."

It seemed like the right thing to say as the former queen's eyes suddenly turned misty, before the tears could fall, the babe in her arms made a sound of discomfort and turned his face into Alessandra's chest clearly searching for food. Prumpimsia released a watery laugh before carefully taking her son back, Alessandra bid the dowager queen goodbye for now and promised to be back before taking her leave, leaving the widowed mother to nurse in private.

Perhaps one day soon she'd enjoy a morning free from such heavy conversations.

She and Iris were making their way through the castle on their way to the Square to serve the afternoon stew when they were stopped by a familiar face in unfamiliar new armour.

"Wow," Alessandra gasped with a wide smile looking over her friend, "Shiny."

"His majesty finally ponied up my payment," Bruno explained with a twirl flaunting his new chestplate and gauntlets.

"Congratulations, you deserve it."

"Thank you," he said with his signature, feral smile, "Heading into town?"

"We were,"

"Good," the newly appointed knight said, turning to offer his arm, Alessandra took it without question, "We'll make a quick stop, I've a gift for you."

"For me?"

"Yes," he said easily as he began leading them out of the castle, Iris following a few paces behind, "A pre-coronation present."

"For me?" She repeated, "I'm not being crowned."

"Not yet, still this will be your official introduction as Caspian's betrothed. Can't have you a top a borrowed mare," he explained as they emerged outside and he took them to the stables where a man was tending to a white mare.

Bruno waved as he opened the gates entrance and the man nodded back taking the horses reins and both of them coming over.

"Father," Bruno said, shaking the man's hand and now up close he could see the uncanny resemblance, "This is my dear friend Lady Alessandra, Les' this is my father, Victor Strong."

"A pleasure, my Lady," Bruno's father, Victor, said, taking her hand and placing a polite kiss on the back, "My son has spoken very highly of you."

"It's lovely to meet you, sir," she smiled as he greeted Iris as well though he didn't kiss her hand instead she offered a small curtsey.

There weren't any more words exchanged as Victor handed the horse's reins to Bruno who handed them to Alessandra without a word. It took her a moment to realize what was happening and what Bruno's earlier words were implying.

"Bruno?" She gasped, taking the reins and lifting a hand to run it over the horse's smooth coat.

"A gift," he said with a proud smirk.

"Thank you," she said petting the horse, "Thank you sir, I- I don't know how I can ever repay you. She's beautiful."

"One of my best girls," Victor's said petting the horses other side who winnied at the attention she was receiving, "Seeing her in the parade will be payment enough."

Alessandra smiled, "Thank you," she said once again.

"She'll need a name, we're in the process of preparing a saddle. I'd recommend you take her for a spin to get familiar."

"I will," she said, nodding with plans to come back as soon as possible.

Victor saw them off, telling her that he'd get her new horse settled in the stables not too far from Caspian's for convenience. As they made their way through the city she noticed the lack of anyone eating, it was past noon so the stew should have already begun serving. Before her thoughts could spiral into what could have possibly gone wrong Maliah appeared with a sure smile as if she could read her thoughts.

"They're waiting for you," the fawn said, and Alessandra gaped at her for a moment glancing over at Bruno who only nodded and urged her forward. Sure enough even though no one was eating yet, everyone was waiting patiently around where Anastacia had set up a post, most turned when they approached and greeted her with smiles which she returned. Some of the children that were playing dropped their toys and rushed forward taking her hands and tugging her along faster. Parents or guardians went to reprimand but she stopped them with a shake of her head, the kids didn't mean anything by it.

They started lining up once she approached the stand whispering thank you's and appreciation and her heart swelled. In no time at all the soup started being served, Anastacia couldn't spare any girls from the castle so some of the fawns had volunteered to help serve, it took only a few days for some locals to volunteer as well so that the Narnians also had a chance to eat. It made her happy, not only for their gratitude, but for their acceptance, seeing everyone get along, even on a small scale meant hope for the future of Narnians.

"My lady?" a man's voice carefully called out and she turned to see one of the men they'd already served holding an empty bowl, "Would you mind a bit more? My wife is nursing, she needs all her strength," he gestured over her shoulder where a woman was indeed holding and rocking a small infant in her arms. She glanced up and Alessandra could see the weary exhaustion in her eyes even as she managed a small smile.

"Of course," she said, taking his bowl and filling it again, "Take as much as you need."

"Thank you, bless you," he said hurriedly, taking his bowl and rushing to his wife. It was moment's like that that reminded her how often people were taken advantage of. How only about a year ago had she been in their position she'd be cautious as well.

"We're done for the day my Lady," another voice snapped her from her thoughts as he own bowl was pushed into her hands, she'd taken to joining them for the meal both as a way to avoid staying in the castle for as long as she could manage but to also get to know people on a deeper level.

"Right," she said all but shaking her head to clear her thoughts as she accepted the bowl and started down, "Thank you." she stepped down and scanned the crowd for Bruno's larger figure or either of that of her handmaiden or the fawn even Suncloud was known to show his face from time to time, before she could call out for one of them someone barged into her shoulder, nearly tossing the bowl from her hands.

"So sorry my Lady," the woman said, taking a step back and ducking her head.

"It's alright, no harm," Alessandra told her, glancing down to make sure none of the stew had spilled, "But I'm afraid you just missed the last of the food, we gave out extra's today."

"That was very kind of you my Lady," the woman said nodding but not meeting her eye, "I suppose I'll have to wait until tomorrow's batch."

"No, no that's not necessary. Everyone's already eaten, it wouldn't be fair if you didn't have any, here," she said, offering her own bowl. The woman recoiled slightly as if ashamed.

"My lady, I cannot-"

"I insist," Alessandra said her tone leaving no room for argument, the woman nodded and reached out, with clean hands, Alessandra noticed to take the bowl, their hands overlapping slightly. She had large hands for a woman, manicured too for someone wearing such tattered clothes.

"Thank you, Narnia, thanks you."

Alessandra huffed and looked around for her people once more, "Try to be on time tomorrow, everyone is becoming more comfortable and I'd hate for anyone to still be going hungry." The woman nodded and Alessandra looked around again, finally spotting Maliah coming in her direction, she turned back to ask the woman her name but the spot in front of her was empty, as if no one had ever been there. Brows raised, she looked around for any sign of the woman's presence but was only met with the thankful smiles and empty bowls raised in gratitude. By the time Maliah made it to her side the confusion must have been written on her face.

"Something the matter My lady?"

"No, no I don't think so."

The fawn nodded and placed a hand on her arm turning her around, "Let's get you back, Iris said something about a fitting."

She bit back a groan, "Oh joy."

The fitting in question was for her coronation dress, thankfully she had gotten used to the corsets and heels that Odette had forced her into in the past few weeks, in that regard, the dress was fairly comfortable. It was the weight of what the dress was made of that startled her at first, it was heavy, the fabric chosen was meant to match Caspian's robes, which meant that tomorrow would be the official announcement of their relationship. To everyone, the people, the rest of the castle, the council. All of it.

The sun had long since set when she decided it was about time to get to bed, when Caspian finally came to the room for the night he'd just have to slide in alongside her. Although she preferred falling asleep alongside him, he must have gotten caught up in council matters that were keeping him later than normal. Especially since he and his party didn't get back until sundown, so she'd heard.

Just as the thought formed in her mind did the door to the wardrobe pushed open from the inside and Caspian appeared, "Good you're still up," he said with a smile immediately making his way over and taking her face in his hands, pressing a kiss to her lips. She cupped the back of his as she pulled back slightly.

"What was that for?"

He smiled shaking his head softly at her question, "I want to show you something," he said instead of answering, lowering his hands and pulling something off his arm that she hadn't noticed before. A cloak.

"Now?" she asked even as she turned to let him help her into it, pulling her hair from beneath the collar.

"Right now," he said, hardly waiting for her to tie the cloak closed and slide into her slippers before he was tugging her out the room and back through the wardrobe.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," he said simply with a wide grin on his face even as his hand shook slightly inside of hers.

Nerves perhaps? She didn't know Caspian to be the nervous type but perhaps the reality of what tomorrow meant was coming down on him and he needed an outlet for the energy.

Before she could ask him he pushed open another door and they were stepping out onto the waxy floor of the castle, old instincts made her pause before they could go through, "Cas?"

His smile turned soft, "It's alright, trust me."

There really wasn't any reason for them to be hiding anymore, Caspian was right, people were whispering about their relationship thanks to his not so subtle scheming. So what was the harm?

She followed him out taking care to shut the door behind her before, he all but took off again and she could do nothing but giggle as he tugged her alongside him.

"What has gotten into you?" she teased as they came to a stop in front of yet another door that she wasn't familiar with.

"You'll see," was all he said before pushing it open. At first glance it was rather unremarkable, if someone was to stumble in she was sure they'd write it off as a spare room or closet. But as Caspian pulled her in and shut the door behind him, on the other side she noticed a set of winding stairs. Without a word he headed up them pulling her behind.

Her breathing was slightly heavy by the time they made it to the top, as was Caspian's but his smile hadn't waned.

"Is this the part where you push me back down?" she teased.

"If ever I wanted to be rid of you, there's easier ways to do it," he shot back.

"That's comforting."

He turned her, coming up behind her and placing his hand on her shoulders, "You trust me?"

"Always."

"Close your eyes," he said, squeezing her shoulders and she immediately did so, he pressed a kiss to the back of her head before urging her forward with his hand on her shoulders, "Hold out your hands," she did so and felt the smooth word of a door beneath them. Without being told she reached for the handle and opened it pushing the door open, "Good." Caspian praised running his hands along her back as he guided her into wherever they were.

She kept her hands out but felt nothing else and he urged her along, wherever they were had a slight chill to it as if a window was left open and she could hear the fluttering of papers around. Pulling her to a stop Caspian's hands disappeared from her shoulders only to reappear in front of her and take hers placing them down at her side, then they moved to tuck her hair behind her ears before his lips touched hers gently.

"Alright," he whispered before the heat of his body disappeared again, "Open your eyes."

She did as told and immediately gasped at the sight of the thousands of stars she could see in front of her, the sky looked endless from here, wherever here was. Like he could read her thoughts, Caspian's voice explained from behind her, "This is the old astronomy tower, I had it upgraded for you. For us. There's art supplies, chart maps, an observatory, all the books I could find on astronomy. You can run away here whenever you'd like."

"Cas," she turned to where his voice was, only to gasp once more as tears sprang to her eyes at the sight of him on his knee before her. Her hands covered her mouth when she took note of how much his were shaking, that's why he seemed so nervous.

"I told you I'd show them to you," he teased with a watery voice and hers matched when she breathed out a laugh, "Tomorrow's ceremony, I'll take a vow, to give my life and all that I love to be King of Narnia. But I cannot, will not vow to be a King, if I cannot pledge myself first to you. Do you take me to be yours, in front of the eyes of the gods and stars?"

"I do."

"Will you be mine?"

"Forever."

The tears spilled over as his shaking hands removed the ring from its box and placed it on her finger before he stood and pulled her into his arms pressing a fierce kiss to her lips, she returned it wrapping her arms around her neck as he pulled her off her feet and into his arms deepening their kiss.

"But," she breathed, pulling back, he was undeterred, turning his kisses down her neck, "How will? The council? The people?"

"There will still need to be a ceremony, in time that will happen," he explained through kisses like he'd already thought this through, "All that matters right now is that I'm yours, before anyone else's."

"And I'm yours." she said before he attacked her lips again backing them up until she hit a table, where he wasted no time to dropping his hands to her waist and hoisting her up onto it, "I'll-" she tried to speak but he cut her off with his tongue in her mouth, "I have to get you a ring."

"In time," he said simply, trying and failing, for now, to take her cloak off as she brought her hand up to admire her ring. He slowed his affections and turned to pressing delicate kisses to her cheek as he watched her, "Do you like it?"

"I love it," and she did. It was made of the same kind of stone as her necklace. It glittered even in the sparse candlelight and she could barely make out the lines that looked almost like vines that wrapped around the gem, resolving to wait until she had better lighting to fully examine her new ring; she let Caspian steal her attention back. Her hands went to this back then his shirt tugging up like back, he leaned back enough to help her pull it over his head.

He finally undid her cloak enough to pull that off as well and they left both on the desk as he picked her up once more and took them to another part of the room, he laid her down on something soft, firmer than a mattress but softer than the ground.

She peeled her eyes open and peered around to see he had taken them to the corner of the room where the windows on the ceilings were opened and sheets and blankets were laid out so they could look up at the stars.

"You've thought of everything, haven't you?" she teased while he brought his hands to the sleeves of her loose nightdress pulling them down with ease. He grunted a response before diving into her chest, the chill in the room had her nipples tightening and Caspian wasted no time in taking one into his mouth. He grappled to get a hold over her dress tugging it down, he pulled back to give himself space to slip a hand under her bottom tugging the whole thing off. Bare now, he laid himself back between her legs, his covered groin meeting the apex of her thighs.

She gasped at the contact as he turned his attention back to her chest, he rolled his hips against hers and though it felt strange at first, the fabric that still separated them was soon soaked. She moaned when he rolled his hips again catching on her bundle of nerves, her hands left the side of his neck and went to the front of his trousers pulling at the ties almost urgently to give them both what they desperately craved.

In the next second Caspian bit the side of her breast before grabbing both her hands and nearly slamming them above her head, "No," he nearly growled before kissing her again, his tongue deeply exploring every inch of her mouth, "I need to taste you first."

He kissed her again and her eyes rolled back as he continued down her chest, his hands released hers and followed his mouth's journey down, stopping to squeeze her chest as he mouthed at the bottom of her stomach. So close to where they both wanted him but not quite there yet.

He took his time making his way lower still, spreading her legs so he could comfortably fit his shoulders between them. His hands found their way around her hips holding her down so that when he finally placed his mouth on her she couldn't escape. His mouth was hot on her core, licking a long stripe from her entrance to her bundle of nerves which he paused to play with.

She jolted her hands shooting down to tangle in his hair while his tightened on her hips when they threatened to squirm, almost to the point of bruising, these marks though she'd be proud to wear.

He'd grown more confident since the first time he'd done this. Then his eagerness had made up for the technique she didn't even know he'd soon possess, now he knew better how to make her toes curl by flicking his tongue, the right moment to push his fingers in and how to curl them just so. He loved hearing the sound of his name on her tongue, each time she did she fried to roll her hips closer but his other hand held firm.

Even as she tugged his hair trying to guide his movements he resisted wanting to drag her pleasure out as long as he could manage, he glanced up, his heavy-lidded gaze meeting hers. Her addictive taste all but flooded his tongue and coated his fingers like the sweetest nectar, his own eyes closed as if to savour it while hers rolled back letting himself to get lost in the pleasure of hers. He had to move his hand to hold her legs open when they threatened to close around his head.

Her back arched and stomach tensed, she didn't know what to do with her hands as they clenched and unclenched, finally grabbing hold of the blanket beneath them, her nails threatening to rip a hole as her release approached. Her moans and gasps of encouragement spurred him on, he released her leg letting her all but trap him between her glorious thighs, finding her hand clenched in the blanket and taking it in his. She gasped as her release washed over her, body tensing and bucking against his face as she came into his awaiting mouth

She was writhing in pleasure, her free hand moving between tangling in his hair and gripping the blanket. He slowed his movements to draw out her release but all too soon she was tugging at his hair, no doubt the overstimulation becoming too much. A part of him wanted to ignore her silent pleas and stay where he was, perhaps try and pull another release from her, but she started begging.

"Cas," she breathed pulling his hair in earnest now and he was ashamed to say that he liked the slightest sting of his scalp, "Caspian, please. I need you," he never once claimed to be able to resist her so he did as bid, untangling himself from between her thighs.

He crawled back over her, kissing her again, neither of them caring for the wetness that stained his chin and parts of his cheek. Overeager trembling hands reached for the front of his pants again and this time he allowed it. She pulled at the ties gracelessly as if she couldn't wait a moment longer to free him, as if he hadn't just made her come once already. Surely it didn't help that he kept kissing her as if his life depended on it, tongue laving her mouth as if he were still between her legs.

Finally she managed to free the ties, reaching in and freeing his length, she pushed them down as far as she could and he worked his legs in order to remove them completely before settling back down against her, bare flesh against bare flesh. He bore his hips down but didn't push inside her just yet, allowing her wetness to coat him.

He sawed himself between her legs once, twice, leaning down to bury his face into the spot where her neck and shoulder met. He turned and his nose met her skin, the pulse point that was throbbing in time with his own heartbeat and inhaled deeply. And there it was, beneath the oils and perfumes that had been lathered on was the rich scent that was purely Alessandra, he took in greedy lungfuls as if he wanted it to spread through him until it seeped into his very marrow.

"That scent" he confessed catching on her entrance and beginning to push in, "I cannot get enough of it," her head fell back at his intrusion expose any more of her neck to his greedy senses, "Night and day dream of it, of you," he explained thrusting into her now, she gasped again biting her lip to smother her needy cries as her nails dug into his shoulders. He growled, taking her hand, and pushing it down by her head gripping her fingers between his, her ring had twisted digging into the side of his finger in such a way he nearly wished it would scar.

He bore down on her again forcing her lips apart with his own, some time ago he swore that once day she wouldn't have to quiet herself, that day was today, "Don't ever hide from me again," she nodded helplessly as her hand tightened in his taking his command for what if was and allowing her moans and cries to flow freely as his paced picked up.

There was something nearly primal in his thrusts, a heady glint in his eye as a possessive hand roamed over every dip and curve he could reach. She moved her free hand tucking his hair behind his ear before he turned his head, kissing her wrist before doing the same to her palm, she ran her thumb over his lip and the tip slipped into his mouth, he grinned around it nipping her finger before releasing it.

She gasped when he adjusted the angle of his thrusts slightly, tugging her thigh further up his side, "There," her back arched and stomach contracted as the hair on his public rubbed against her creating delicious friction against her bundle of nerves.

"There?" He had the audacity to repeat with a tease in his voice, the glare she shot him lacked any real heat with the way her eyes almost crossed as he took her instruction and targeted that spot.

He recognized the signs of her approaching her finish and felt the heat travelling crossing his own and knew that his end was near as well. He dropped to his elbows so he could be even closer to her, she hooked her arms beneath his own so she could hold him even closer. A few more thrusts and she was flung over the edge, she threw her head back and nearly screamed as her release overtook her. He latched onto her neck once again as her nails dug into his beck.

Seconds later he finished behind her, blindly thrusting, spilling inside her. The clarity would come later, that he hadn't got explicit permission this time but in the heat of the moment she couldn't find the will within him to pull out. His arms collapsed and she gladly took nearly all his weight, the motion pushing his softening length and spend, keeping it where it was. Despite both of them trying hard to catch their breath, he kissed her again.

Gods above, the love he had for her was insurmountable. He wanted to keep her all to himself, but he wanted to show her off to the world. He wanted the bards to write songs about her but he knew they'd never be able to put into words what he felt. She had his entire heart and soul, the first and last person to ever do so, of that he was certain.

"Do you think it ever stops?" He asked after they'd properly begun to catch their breath, "The longing I feel?"

"I hope not," she responded, cupping his hand where he cradled her face, "I suppose we'll have the rest of our lives to find out."

"Is that a promise?" He asked with a smile stroking her cheek, "My Queen?"

"It is," she smiled, nudging the side of her nose with her own, "My King."

This chapter was a dozey and a blast to right, some serious plot development here.

Can't wait to see what you guys thought of everything that happened in this one!