She woke up when the sun started to peak over the horizon. She would have to leave soon.
Another day down.
She stretched languidly, counting the aches that laced her tired frame. It was becoming habitual. She could almost notice that aches that were there at the very start of their bargain were no longer there now.
Maybe she was growing accustomed to the king's attentions.
How long would it be until she completely succumbed to him?
Raelee didn't even want to count how many days were left in their arrangement. She hoped that if she bided her time, that the days would pass more quickly.
She sighed when she felt the king move on the bed. For all the stress he has added to her life, his presence wasn't unwelcome beside her. He was going to set her free. He was going to give her the life she wanted.
For that, she would remain optimistic. Unless he gave her reason not to.
She pretended to be asleep when he sat up on the bed. His hair flowed over her back as he leant over to see her face. He didn't move from his vantage point but started to move the sheets down her back until she was laid bare on the bed.
Her brows furrowed subtly.
What was he doing?
He chuckled quietly.
She tried to keep calm but yelped when he slapped her behind.
"Do not pretend to be asleep, my little runaway." He squeezed her sore behind.
She grimaced at the pain. More so from the slap than the bruise.
"Your bruise is nearly gone you will be pleased to hear." He sounded far too delighted by that.
"Unless you give me another one." She gritted out. She was silenced again by another slap to the other cheek. She yelped so loud that it echoed around the room. Before he could make another move, she turned onto her back to see the king with his hand raised, as if he was going to again.
She looked away from his hand when she noticed something else raised.
His hardened cock was standing proud.
"Really?" She sighed; her eyes moved from his eyes to his manhood.
In a flash, he was on top of her with his hand in her hair and his lips placing little nips on her neck.
"Yes, Raelee." He said lowly as he pressed her into the bed.
She whined when the pressure on her behind became too much.
"My king, please. My back hurts." She groaned.
He sighed dejectedly.
"A problem which is easily solved." He rolled them until she was on top of him.
She stared in confusion as she straddled his hips. Her hands laid on his chest to steady herself. His hands moved to her hips to keep her in place when she made to get off him.
"Yes, this will suffice."
She wanted to hide. This was too much.
She bit her lip as he gently moved her hair behind her ear.
"I've never done this before." As soon as she said that she wanted to slap herself. Of course, he knew that she was inexperienced. It was one of the reasons why they struck this bargain in the first place.
"I am aware of your shortcomings." He smirked at her hurt eyes. "But you will learn." He laid back and moved one of his hands behind his neck to watch her.
She felt out of her depth. How were they meant to have sex like this? He was watching her, waiting to see what she was going to do.
She raised herself on her knees and immediately his cock sprang forward and hit his stomach.
She just stared at him, unsure what to do next.
"Grab it." He commanded.
She tentatively grasped his cock and he groaned in response.
She never took note of how wide he was. Her hand could barely wrap around his girth. No wonder she was in pain when he first entered her. How was she meant to fit this inside her?
Her mind tried to recall the diagrams in that library book she read before their bargain began.
She moved mechanically, trying to emulate the Elleth in the book.
She moved to hover over his length, but when she tried to lower herself, she couldn't grasp the dynamics of the new position.
Why did it look so easy in the book?
"I can't do this." She was hyperventilating as she tried to move off him but was stopped when he sat up and kept her in place on his lap.
"I would like to see you ride me. Do not disappoint your king." She felt him lift her and line up his cock with her entrance. She cringed when he began to lower her onto him, guiding his cock. When the head was inside her, they heard the door to the main chamber open.
"How are you coping with the mornings, Galion?" A female voice called. Raelee tried to keep her breathing steady. Her eyes moved to the clock beside the bed. She should have left an hour ago. Damn, it must be the King's other staff coming to tend to his chambers.
"You know me. I've always been more of a night owl." Galion laughed.
"So, I take it you went to the tavern again?" The other elf laughed. "Must be different having to pay for your own drinks?"
Raelee's eyes darted to the king. They had both been frozen in the same position as soon as they heard the voices.
"What do we do?" Raelee whispered.
He shushed her, but never let go of his hold on her. He was attempting to listen to Galion's conversation.
When Raelee made to move off him. This broke the king from his focus.
"Stay still."
"This isn't very comfortable." Her thighs were protesting as she hovered over him.
"I believe I know how to solve your problem." His gentle voice did nothing to settle her.
Gentle downward pressure on her hips frightened her. She grasped his shoulders to stop her descent.
"Please, not with them outside." She was afraid they would walk in on her astride the king. Not exactly an easy situation to explain away.
"They will not enter my bedchambers." He reassured her.
"But-" He cut off her protests with a fierce kiss. His wicked tongue quelled any objections along with his strong hands holding her hips.
She was lost in his kiss.
He broke the kiss to trail his lips down her neck. She moaned quietly at his attentions. The king took this as the opportunity to lower Raelee further onto him. She hid her face in the crook of his neck to hide her whimpers. Her natural lubrication aided them. He grunted as she surrounded him.
She was grateful that he allowed them to remain still as she adjusted to this new position.
It was nice. It felt good. She had never felt this close to the king. She removed her face from his neck to look at his face. She could almost count every eyelash in this position. He had such lovely eyes.
"We best hurry, leave the king's breakfast on the table." Galion called out. Were they always this loud?
"What are you doing?"
She could hear the sound of clinking bottles.
"I'm checking the wine levels. One carafe is missing. I only brought one bottle with me. I'll have to return to the wine cellar."
She grimaced when the king smirked at her. She had almost blanked her mishap with the wine last night.
He began to rock her back and forth as the pair spoke. She let out a moan at the sensation. This was different but far more enjoyable than when she was on her back.
He kissed her when she was about to cry out again.
"Be silent, you do not want Galion to hear you." He smirked at her reaction. She tried to be quiet but the king it seems took perverse pleasure in trying to make her cry out by pinching her nipples.
She grasped his shoulders, trying not to dig her nails into his skin. Although she really wanted to.
The king was now allowing her to move by herself once she found a rhythm that she found comfortable. The king seemed pleased with her initiative. She liked to see him satisfied, but she didn't know why.
"Raise yourself a little higher." He instructed. She swallowed but did as asked.
It took her a moment to acclimatise to the new dynamics.
She gasped as she moved. He was hitting spots inside her she didn't know existed.
"Enjoying yourself?" He smirked at her.
She didn't answer verbally, but her blush spoke volumes.
"How is Raelee coping?" The other elf asked.
She stilled at her words, but the king's hands wouldn't allow her to rest for long and after a moment she was riding him again. He leant back on his elbows and watched her as she raised herself on her knees and watched as his cock disappeared inside her when she lowered herself back down.
"She seems to be coping. It's utterly dull work but she doesn't complain."
"Isn't she supposed to remain at her post until you arrive?" Raelee tried to ignore the anxious feeling building in her stomach at the Elleths words. She tried to focus on the king.
"Yes, but one can't really expect an elf like Raelee to take her job seriously. After all, she'll be retiring soon."
"Ah yes. I forgot she was marrying that 'aspiring' captain; Daron." Raelee could hear the sarcasm in the other elf's voice.
She felt pleasure building in her lower belly. The king obviously felt her clench and moved his thumb to her clit and began to rub, increasing the pleasure.
"I saw her down the training grounds with Tauriel a few days ago."
"Oh yes I heard about that. Tauriel is a force to be reckoned with, but Raelee can throw a punch when she wants to."
The king increased his ministrations on her body as she gripped him tightly. She was about to climax.
"She certainly doesn't take it lying down." Galion mused.
Her eyes widened comically at his comment.
The king laughed quietly at her mortified expression, clearly, he had heard the unintended innuendo too. Her embarrassment was dampened when she began to climax. She nearly screamed out her release, but the king silenced her with a kiss as she spasmed on his cock. She moaned against his lips.
There was a quiet knock on the door.
"My king your breakfast is ready. I will take my leave." Galion didn't wait for a reply. Once they heard the door shut, he pushed her onto her back. She yelped at the quick change.
He thrust quickly against her while she came down from her high. He came with a loud grunt.
He groaned as he pulled out of her.
They laid side by side at the foot of the bed, staring at the canopy as they caught their breath.
Thank the Valar that's over.
"You liked that." He stated.
"It was certainly more enjoyable than the pools." She agreed. Her bruise was still hurting her, but she was too tired to turn over.
"I was referring to when Galion interrupted us." He laid on his side and his hand moved to her mound.
She whined, still sensitive after her climax.
"I don't know what you mean."
"You clenched more firmly around my cock when they spoke, especially when they mentioned Daron." His words were punctuated by his fingers entering her.
She gasped at the sensation.
He chuckled as he watched her.
"I never would have guessed that you enjoyed that sort of thing, my little runaway." She felt another climax building and held onto his arm as his thumb circled her clit again. "Voyeurism isn't a common trait for an Elleth."
"I'm not-"
She couldn't speak but let out unintelligible noises as the pleasure became too much. She cried out her climax as the king continued to lazily pump his fingers in and out of her.
"For such a timid elf, you come so beautifully. It was such a shame to silence you earlier."
She nearly whined when he removed his fingers. But when he began to kiss her, she became all too aware of the time passing.
"I must go." She said in between kisses.
"Yes, you need your rest." He smirked at her eye roll.
She moved to get up but upon standing her legs gave out beneath her.
Thranduil chuckled at her splayed form on the ground.
"Do you need help?" He asked.
"No, my king. I can manage." She pressed herself up from the ground and when she was certain that she wouldn't fall again, she began to dress.
He watched her with a small smile. He felt himself harden when he could still see her nipples form stiff peaks from under her slip. She felt his gaze on her when she pulled on her trousers.
"I am looking forward to our continued nightly trysts." He said as he laid back in the bed.
She didn't reply which only irked the king.
"I think we will try something more adventurous tonight." That piqued her curiosity.
"Adventurous?" She asked as she finished putting on her uniform.
"It will spoil my fun if you know what awaits." He smirked at her worried expression.
"I will take my leave, my king." She left the bedchamber and noticed that the king's breakfast was laid out. She suddenly realised how hungry she was.
She made sure to listen out for any sounds along the halls. She didn't want to run into Galion or the other elf.
When she was sure that the coast was clear she made her way out of his private chambers.
She stuck to the walls as she cautiously made her way back to her quarters.
Once she was safe in her rooms. She sighed in relief.
She ate some bread and fruit as she changed out of her uniform.
She decided to have a bath, even though it wasn't as grand as the Elvenking's pools, it relaxed her immensely as she sank into the warmth.
It only felt like she had been in the water for a minute when she heard a knock at her door.
She decided to ignore it and enjoy her free time.
"Raelee." A voice that she recognised called out.
"Oh no." She groaned quietly as Daron made his way into the room.
Thankfully, the bath was hidden by a privacy screen. She was glad for it now.
"Daron, I am having a bath." She called out exasperated.
"Oh, sorry. I was going to leave you a note." She could hear him as he made his way further into her room.
"Daron, is this important? I am nude." She was getting flustered now in her vulnerable position.
"You know we are going to be married. You will be my wife." She could hear Daron helping himself to the wine.
"I remember, Daron." She gritted out.
"I will eventually have to see you naked." She could hear the shrug in his shoulders as he spoke.
"Eventually, but not today." She called back. She didn't give much thought to his words. Her only objective was to put on some sort of clothing.
Her towel was just beyond her reach. She had no choice but to exit the bath to retrieve it. The privacy screen kept her hidden from Daron's gaze, but he could probably make out her silhouette from the light.
Once the towel was secure, she made her way out into her sitting area. Daron was sitting on her bench, next to her robe.
He inhaled sharply when she came around. His eyes moved along her figure as she wrapped the robe around her body.
"What did you want to discuss?" She asked as she sat down opposite him in her armchair.
"Why didn't you tell me about your promotion?" He asked with narrowed eyes.
"Who told you?" She winced.
"Galion let it slip at the tavern the other night. How could you not tell me?"
"I'm sorry, Daron. I never had the chance. It was all rather sudden." She hadn't seen him since he walked her back to her quarters the night of the feast.
"And am I correct in saying that you didn't tell your father either, until after you accepted the job." He added with venom.
"I know." She said with a wince. "He has already made his feelings clear."
She poured herself a glass of wine to calm herself.
"You can't do this to me, Raelee. You can't leave me in the dark with things that will affect me and our future. How are we meant to plan our lives together if we work on opposite shifts? The only solace in this situation is that you are servicing the King." She almost choked when he said that. She began coughing to try and cover it up.
"I always thought he was content with Galion. Why did he choose you?" He asked curiously.
She took another sip to quickly think of an excuse. Galion said something last night about having his nights off. That's what the king told him.
"I think Galion was complaining too much about working at night. The king knew I was no longer on the patrols, so he offered me the post."
"But why you?" He still looked confused.
She took a deep breath to calm down. She hated lying. She'd always been rubbish at it. If her arrangement with the king was going to be successful, she was going to have to practice.
"You would have to ask him." She shrugged, not wanting to answer the question.
He wanted her to warm his bed. She was there to give him pleasure. She was there because he had something she wanted, and she would endure anything to get it.
"While I'm happier that you're off the patrols and safe in the halls, I just can't imagine why he would want you, especially after you presented yourself the way you did the other night." She internally balked at his condescending tone. Did he forget that she wanted to get changed before they went up to see the king?
Before she could call him out, he spoke again.
"Maybe your father should speak with the king about giving up the post." She sat up at that. Why was Daron interfering so much with her work? Wasn't it enough that she gave up the patrols?
"The king will not allow it." She said before she could stop herself. She's already begun their bargain. There's no way she can go back now. Not after what he did to her.
"Why do you say that?" He asked as he poured himself another glass of wine.
"Has the king ever given into my father's requests?"
"That is true." He sighed in defeat. Her father ruled the roost at home. But he was still only a councillor. There for guidance and advice only.
They sat in silence and drank the remainder of their wine. It wasn't as strong as the king's, but it was still delicious.
"Is that all you came to talk about?"
"No, I wanted to invite you to dinner, tomorrow?" He asked hopefully.
"I am on duty tomorrow from the setting of the sun."
"Then how about the day after." He said with certainty.
The king had told her that he wanted her every night. But if she wanted to keep up appearances then they needed to compromise. And if she remembered correctly, the king said something about having every eleventh day off. Maybe she could take her day off sooner.
"I'm sure that will be okay." She moved to her closet to withdraw her uniform for tonight.
"We will dine in the tavern and then we will finally discuss our wedding."
"Of course, Daron."
"Any more surprises on the horizon?" He asked as he stood to leave. She bit her lip to hold back the snide remark that threatened to come out.
"I'll make sure that you are the first to know if anything happens."
She opened the door to show him out but was surprised when he gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
She barely registered what had just happened. Daron had never done something like that before. The most affectionate they had been was when they shared a dance in the hall. The same night she caught the attention of the king.
Daron was gone before she could react.
She sighed and winced at the guilt that grew at the pit of her stomach. She made to distract herself by cleaning her uniform and fletching her arrows.
She took a quick nap after suddenly being overcome with tiredness.
Xxx
By the time she was awake, it was nearing nightfall. She would have to make her way to the king soon.
She dressed in her guards' uniform and brought her bow along to complete her look. It was not like the King needed a night guard anyway. His patrols kept the kingdom free from orcs, goblins and trespassers.
Her uniform was freshly cleaned, and she made sure that everything was in the right place.
He would probably have her prance around nude if he could.
But tonight, he wanted to do something 'adventurous'. The thought of what he could concoct made her steps slow as she neared his chambers.
She made to enter the chamber, but she was nearly thrown back by Galion opening the door.
"Ah, you're here." She expected him to walk past her so she could take her post. She was shocked when he closed the door and almost dragged her back towards the corridor she entered.
"Where are we going?" She asked confused.
"The king is down in the council chambers and requested your presence."
"What? Why?"
"They're finished their meeting and are now partaking in evening drinks." Galion gestured to the carafe he was holding.
"Is that why you went into the king's chambers?"
"Y-yes." He coughed.
They walked in silence until they reached their destination.
She could hear the laughter as they opened the doors.
She steeled her shoulders and walked into the room which was full of other council members. She caught the eye of her father who was laughing and drinking with the king.
The king hadn't noticed her presence while she stood in shock.
The room stank of wine and cheese.
"And your daughter joins us." A colleague of her father acknowledged her.
"Ah Raelee, the king was just informing me that so far you are acclimatising well to your new role." Her father toasted her.
"It is an honour to serve our king." She tried to catch the king's gaze. What was going on?
"I was worried he was going to fire you after the way you behaved the other night." They turned away from her and went back to their conversation.
She saw both elves laugh and continued to drink and eat as if she was not there.
She walked back to Galion who was pouring drinks.
"What am I supposed to do?" She asked Galion.
"Just do what you would do on a normal night." He shrugged.
She tried not to grimace as she took her supposed post at the entrance of the main door.
She heard the king and his councillors eat, drink and laugh late into the night.
Even as the evening grew late and the men got louder, Raelee could feel herself becoming tired. She was still tense after last night.
She tried to stifle a yawn. At this time last night, the king was finished with her and they were both asleep. She could feel her eyes closing but made sure to force them open when another burst of laughter came. She placed her ear against the door to hear what was going on. They all sounded completely drunk.
Galion left and returned every few hours with another barrel of wine. They were drinking the king's private wine. She recognised the smell from his chambers.
She bent down to the keyhole to look inside.
Two of the members were practically falling over each other as they made to get more to drink. Even her father was unsteady in his gestures.
It was only the king that seemed in control. He kept a cool eye as he watched the others roam around the chamber.
She stood again in her position and waited for the night to be over.
One by one, members began to clear out. Her father was the only one without enough balance to leave the room without the steadying arm of Galion.
She was battling to stay awake.
"You did well, Raelee." The king snapped her out of her exhaustion. She didn't hear him open the door.
He gestured for her to enter the room.
"I didn't know that you were having company." She gestured to the empty barrels and haphazard furniture.
"Occasionally I invite some members of the council to indulge in my personal wines."
"Why didn't you warn me?"
"I wanted to see how you would react. You will be pleased to hear that you stayed composed, no one was curious or questioned why I appointed you to this post."
"And what would you have told them had they questioned your judgement? What if they found out about our bargain?"
"You think that you made your desire for me too obvious?"
She gave him a sharp look at his arrogance.
It only made her feel worse when he chuckled at her reaction.
"You get riled up so easily."
She said nothing. She held her tongue and felt her hand twitch. She wanted to slap him.
"What is going on in that head of yours?"
"You said you wanted to do something adventurous this morning. For the whole night I've listened to you and the members of the council get drunk while I stood at the door and tried to keep my eyes open."
"I am sorry that I have disappointed you, but the night is not over yet." He led her over to his chair at the head of the table.
The table was laid out with breads, fruits and cheeses and two goblets which the king filled with more wine.
She accepted the drink and took a long gulp. She wanted to go to sleep and this would certainly help.
She could feel his eyes on her, she didn't miss the way he had removed his outer layers.
He sat on the chair and waited for her to finish her drink.
"Sit with me."
She looked around and went to pull over another chair. But he stopped her.
She gave him a confused look when he shook his head.
"Would you like me to sit on the floor?"
"You ask such ridiculous things." He scoffed.
She yelped when he pulled her onto his lap.
"Shh… this hall is very busy this time of night." He pointed to the doorway. She could hear the echoes of footfalls of the soldiers that were on the night duty,
This chamber was meant to be off limits. What if they heard her and came in? How would they react if they saw her sitting on the king's lap? Would they tell her father? Or Daron?
That thought alone was enough to silence her.
"Do you remember what happened this morning with Galion?" Her hair was pushed aside so Thranduil could kiss her neck. She sighed at the attention.
"Yes." He was starting to harden beneath her.
"It was thrilling for you. We were behind a locked door; where no one could see us, and still you clenched more firmly whenever he spoke."
"I was worried we would be caught."
"You were excited that we were almost caught." He ran his hand up her thigh.
"I'm beginning to think that you're the one who gets off on it." She accused.
"The only thing that excited me was watching you come." He kissed her, trapping her top lip between his. The hand on her leg reached for her belt and began to untie it.
He broke the kiss and stood her up to pull down her leggings.
"What are you doing?" She tried to stop him.
He grinned at her and then at the doorway that was slightly open. She followed his eyes and then she tried to back away.
"I would never question your judgement, but I will question your sanity. Are you senseless? Someone could walk in." He wanted to fuck her in the council chambers. He was a fool.
"Only if you cannot be quiet." He smirked at her.
"I won't do it." She made to get dressed, but the king pulled her back to his lap.
"You agreed to be mine until the sunrise, that was our bargain." He was untying his own leggings as she struggled.
"I never agreed to this."
"Do you want me to uphold our bargain?" He held her tighter as he spoke.
"Yes." She winced when she felt his fingers moved her hair aside.
"Then you will have to uphold yours." He traced the shell of her ear with his tongue.
She tried to calm her breathing. This wasn't what she agreed to.
"Your body is excited; it wants my cock and you want it here and now." His knees spread her legs as his hand found its way to her centre. She moaned as he stroked her.
"You are so wet." She could hear his grin. Damn her traitorous body.
She moaned at his attention. It was like he knew her body better than she did.
"Stand up." He ordered her. She complied and he opened his own breeches. When he moved to remove her uniform, she stopped him.
"I won't do this if I have to be nude." She wanted the chance to retain some of her modesty if someone caught them.
"Fair enough." He conceded.
The kind stood behind her. She felt his fingers brush her centre.
"Such a good girl." He groaned quietly into her ear.
She gasped when he pushed two into her.
"Is it because of me or because of where we are?" He nodded at the chamber.
"You, my king." She needed to please him. Give him what he wants to hear.
"You are too kind, my dear." He chuckled and lined up with her entrance.
He slowly pushed into her from behind as he held her hips in place.
"What are you doing?" She whispered as he began to thrust into her.
"Fucking you."
"Like this?" He was so deep inside her. She wanted to cry out at the feel of him but the thought of someone hearing them was enough to silence her.
"This way we will see if we are disturbed."
She had to agree with that. Although the idea of them being caught was mortifying. Would they even have time to correct themselves? She was half-naked and bent over the table with the king behind her. How would that look like they were engaged in anything other than sex?
"Also, the view is very nice." He said quietly.
She turned her head slightly and saw him watching her as he impaled her repeatedly on his cock.
Seeing the visceral look on his face triggered the familiar sensation building that only happened when she was about to come. She cried out loud when he hit a sensitive spot inside her.
"Shh, someone will hear you." He sounded like he was reprimanding her, but she felt one of his hands leave her hips and begin to circle her clit.
He was trying to torture her.
She wanted to cry out. The only thing that stopped her was from biting her lip.
He ground harder against her, eliciting more pleasure. She could taste blood in her mouth.
Her body was being slammed against the table from his aggressive thrusts. Somehow, the king only let out a few quiet groans during their tryst. She couldn't contain her moans when she felt the familiar pull of her climax approaching.
"Are you going to come here? Outside the safety of my rooms. Anyone could catch us." He was taunting her now; he was enjoying her inner turmoil. She moaned aloud when he hit a sensitive spot inside her. "Come for me." He commanded.
A silent scream left her throat as her climax hit. He finally groaned quietly when he felt her spasm around him. He followed shortly after.
He stayed inside of her while they both caught their breath.
She looked back into the main chambers. No one was there. She was glad. It made it easier to catch her breath.
He pulled her up flush against him and turned her face to look at him.
She couldn't read him. Before he had been mocking, enjoying her discomfort. But now he had an intense look in his eyes. He looked at her lips and eyes before he kissed her. It was soft, delicate. Almost lover like.
But they weren't lovers. They were –
She didn't know what they were to each other. They were using each other. That's all.
He pulled out of her at the same time he broke their kiss.
She felt their shared release drip down her legs as he righted his clothing.
"Time for bed." He whispered in her ear.
He didn't wait for her. He walked towards the doors and left her to clumsily right her garments and follow him out into the hall.
They walked in silence along the halls. Her just behind him. She was silently seething in anger at him.
She sighed in relief when she was safely behind the doors of his bedchamber.
She ran into the bathroom to relieve herself and calm down.
She removed her clothes and re-entered the bedchamber.
The king was already naked and in his enormous bed, waiting for her to join.
She climbed into the bed and faced the other way, so she didn't have to look at the king.
The anger she had bottled up was threatening to come out. He almost ruined their arrangement. If they had been spotted – she didn't even want to think about what her father or Daron would say.
And Daron wanted to have dinner the day after tomorrow. It completely slipped her mind.
She never had the chance to ask him. He was preoccupied right up until he decided to fuck her.
"You enjoyed that more than any of our other encounters. I fail to understand why you are sulking."
"You think that just because I enjoyed that, that you can justify it happening?" She gritted out.
"You came, and you were so tight." He moaned at the memory.
"I agreed to be yours in secret, I never agreed to… exhibitionism."
"It is not my fault you respond so well to it." He yawned.
"It is your fault." She said quietly closing her eyes. Exhaustion was making her careless with her words.
In a split second she was under the king, his tiredness seemingly gone.
"I would have care how you speak to me. You may be sharing my bed but do not forget your place."
"I only meant that you are my only … reference point for sex and therefore you are the cause of… what happened today."
"How do I know that you never enjoyed this before?"
"You know I was pure before our bargain." How could he ask such a bazar question?
"So, you never went to the public baths, never swam naked with other men?"
"No, the only time that comes close was with Daron this morning." It was too late before she realised the slip of her tongue.
"What happened this morning?" He asked with an edge to his voice.
"He came in while I was having a bath." She shrugged. It had bothered her at the time but watching the king struggle to rein in his composure was quite comical.
"Does he often do that?" He was becoming hard again. She could feel him against her leg.
"No, he only wanted to invite me to dinner the day after tomorrow." He was now spreading her legs and beginning to line up with her entrance.
"Did you say yes." He pushed inside her roughly. There was no foreplay.
She cried out at his forceful pace.
He still expected her to answer.
"I said that I had to ask you." She groaned out.
"Did you? And if I say that I want you here instead, what would you say?"
"I would uphold our bargain, but I need to keep up appearances and to do that I need to plan my wedding with Daron."
He suddenly stopped his ministrations.
She didn't realise it, but her eyes had closed when he had entered her.
He was panting above her when she opened her eyes.
"You are correct." He continued to thrust inside her, slightly less aggressively than before. It was becoming pleasurable for her now.
His hands were now exploring her body, trying to bring out more moans from her.
"You may go to dinner with your betrothed. You will come to me later."
"Can I not have the night off?"
"No Raelee."
She pushed down the indignation she felt in that moment. Why was he being so difficult?
He resumed his attentions and moments later he finished but not before he managed to elicit a climax out of her tired body.
They laid side by side catching their breath.
She looked at the clock on the wall. It was almost dawn.
"I should go to my post." Galion would be here soon.
"That is probably wise." He agreed.
She moved to get up. Her uniform was rumpled from their excursions, she would have to wash them again today. She sighed at the thought. Sleep would elude her.
"We will have to do that again soon. Maybe we will use the halls." He was reclined back against the cushions.
She balked at his suggestion.
"You disagree?" He raised an eyebrow at her.
"If I had any say in this bargain I would – never mind." She collected her bow and made to leave.
"You would what?"
"It doesn't matter. I know my place." She left the room before he could respond.