Chapter 38
A za wakes slowly, wrapped in warmth. A large arm was draped over her waist, and a firm body was pressed up against her back.
Jahar. It was real. He loves me. We made love. Everything is going to be fine.
Aza stayed as still as she could, savoring the moment. But Jahar must have felt the change regardless, and he began to stir behind her. His hand gripped her waist, and his head nuzzled in the crook of her neck.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
Aza’s heart nearly exploded with happiness. “Good morning, my love.”
A pleased hum brushed against her neck. Aza slowly twisted around to face Jahar. He had such an adorable, sleepy look on his face.
“Hi,” he said in a deep, sleepy voice.
“Hi,” Aza laughed softly, breathless.
Jahar smiles at her, apparently amused by her happiness and nervousness.
He wraps his arm around her middle, pulling her snug against him.
Their mouths hovered inches apart. Aza couldn’t help but lean in, gently brushing her lips against his.
A fire ignited in his eyes, and the next moment, he was on top of her, kissing her fiercely.
His hands hold her face and body, his lips devouring hers.
Aza thought she was madly in love, but this—this felt like absolute, insatiable insanity. Like nothing he did would ever be enough, like he wouldn’t be satisfied until he had all of her—endlessly. And Aza relished it, matching him in kind.
They didn’t get out of bed or dress until they had made love two more times. Aza could still feel him between her legs, and although she was slightly sore, she was over-the-moon. Yet, she knew she would want more, very shortly.
As they made their way out of the bedroom, a piece of parchment paper lay by the door. Someone must have slipped it under the door . Aza bent down to pick it up.
Dear Aza,
I assume since you are still in your room and did not come find me last night, that you had a quite wonderful, action-packed night.
The moaning coming from your room gave it away.
Regardless, when you two lovebirds are finished ravaging each other in your lovemaking please join Li and me in the dining hall for a late breakfast. It will only be us, so you and Jahar can both join.
I have convinced your guards to take the morning off, and my guards will escort you.
Excited to see you and hear all the dirty details. I love you, my future queen.
Yours,
Zhou
Aza can’t help but smile at Zhou’s letter. She still can’t believe she had met such an amazing friend, and all her dreams had come true in just a few days. Maybe faerietales did exist—and they did come true.
“What’s that?” Jahar asks, coming up behind her.
“It is a letter from Zhou. He has invited us to a late breakfast.”
“Aza, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to be walking around the castle together when I am not in uniform. I still don’t even know how I am going to leave your room without raising alarms or suspicions.”
“It’s alright. Zhou has taken care of it. Trust me.”
He gives her a soft smile and nods to her.
They find Zhou and Li in the dining hall, sitting at the long table. Li is holding Zhou’s hand, kissing his knuckles. Zhou looked up and beamed with excitement upon seeing Aza and Jahar.
“Yes, yes, yes!” He exclaimed, running over to the two of them. He wraps Aza in a hug before holding her out in front of him, “Oh dear Princess, you are glowing. I’m so very glad you came to your senses for our girl, Sir Jahar. Oh, how wonderful! Please, please, come sit.”
Aza and Jahar take seats next to each other, across from Zhou and Li.
“Good morning, Princess Aza and Sir Jahar.”
“Good morning.” Aza beams.
“What did I tell you, Li? I knew it! They were made for each other, and nearly just as in love as we are.” Zhou moves around full of excitement, and Li just looks at him lovingly, shaking his head.
Aza finds Jahar staring at her, and she blushes.
“Aww. Oh my heavens, I can’t wait any longer! Tell me all the details! How was your first time, my darling?”
“Zhou, darling. Not an appropriate topic for breakfast.” Li reminds him, and Zhou sticks his tongue out at him, crossing his arms.
“We will discuss later, without our grumpy men.”
Aza can’t help but laugh. She wished every day and night would be like this. Surrounded by the love of her life and her friends.
“My father has sent an official letter to your father, offering an alliance and a trade deal for your hand in marriage. Of course, the little part about us being able to be with our true loves was left out.”
“Naturally.” Aza chirps, “I can’t believe this is actually happening!”
“I know my dear friend. We make our own destinies now. We are the masters of our lives from now on.”
Aza raises her glass, “cheers.”
The four of them finish breakfast in between lively conversations. Zhou and Aza sneak off together to gossip, Aza not wanting to say goodbye to Jahar even briefly. But she knows it will look suspicious if he can’t be found.
The rest of their stay settled into a rhythm: days with Zhou as he tells her about her future kingdom, Jahar warming her bed before he warms her heart and her body, making love to her every night, and breakfast with Zhou and Li to start the cycle over again.
Zhou was a very persuasive man when it came to her night guards.
It is a dream come true, and Aza cannot wait to make it a permanent reality. But the anxiety and dread return when the final day arrives, and her belongings are loaded on the ship to return home.
“It is alright, my dear friend. We will confirm our engagement, finalize everything, and then you and Jahar can be back here in no time, making love every night and being able to be together freely. Maybe your father can cancel the ball, and we can speed things up. ”
“I don’t think he will or can at this point. I will just have to meet with all the suitors who come, and Baba will have to tell them that I have chosen your hand in marriage.”
“All will be well.”
“I will miss you in the meantime.”
“And I you. Take care of yourself. And if you can, sneak in some alone time and tell me how it is making love on a moving ship.”
Aza smacks his arm, “You are terrible!”
“No, I am actually the best.”
Tears well in Aza’s eyes. She buries her face in Zhou’s chest. He squeezes her tightly, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
“Goodbye. I will see you soon.”
“Goodbye.” Aza boards the ship.
She finds Jahar there in his uniform, helping to get everything settled for the journey. He looks at her, giving her a gentle smile. She looks around their surroundings quickly before blowing him a kiss. She makes her way to her bedroom to settle in.
The journey this time was quite rough. The waves seemed to grow higher with each passing day.
Aza feared they wouldn’t make it home after all.
Jahar comforted her some nights. Privacy was scarce on the tight ship.
Jahar did manage to make love to her quietly one night, and the rocking of the ship definitely added to the experience.
After what felt like some of the longest days of her life, they finally saw shore. They made it back to the castle, and Aza’s first task was to find her father.
“Baba!” She called out as she ran to hug him.
“My sweet child, you have returned. I have missed you.”
“I missed you, too, Baba. We have much to discuss.”
“Why don’t you take some time to settle in?”
“I am alright.”
“Very well. I received a letter from King Yuanjun the other day. Does this discussion have something to do with that?”
Aza’s smile spread across her whole face, “Yes, Baba. I want to marry Prince Zhoufei. He is a wonderful man, and they have offered an irresistible deal for our food supply and well-being.”
“I see that. How did you manage to negotiate such a deal?”
“With my beauty and charm, of course.” Aza joked.
“Of course. How could anyone resist?” Baba chuckles, shaking his head at her, “The ball, as I am sure you are aware, is too close to cancel. I say we have it, see all of the potential suitors once more, and then make the final decisions.”
“I understand, Baba. But my answer won’t change.”
“I am happy you have finally found someone you enjoy. I look forward to meeting this young man, who has seemed to have stolen my daughter's heart.”
Aza couldn’t help but inwardly chuckle at that. This man had given her the chance to finally let her heart soar and connect with her true love. But Baba didn’t need to know that.
“I look forward to your meeting as well. I will get to helping with the finishing touches for the ball. I love you.”
“I love you, too, my dear. Do not overwork yourself.”
“I won’t. I will see you later,” Aza assures as she turns to leave, Baba nodding towards her in a silent farewell.
The ball arrived faster than Aza had expected.
She had, unfortunately, hardly seen Jahar in private, just him when he was on duty.
It was far too difficult to sneak around here in her own castle.
She longed for his kisses again, for his body on hers, for falling asleep and waking up next to him.
But she would wait this short time if they could be together forever.
Aza had finished preparing herself for the ball.
Zhou had had a beautiful dress designed for her and delivered it to her upon his arrival here.
She didn’t have any idea how he had pulled it off so quickly, but she was endlessly grateful to him.
He had told her that sailing across the sea had made him so incredibly nauseous that he never wanted to do it again.
She couldn’t help but laugh at that. But she thanked him for coming and for the generous gift.
The dress was breathtaking. It was made out of fine silk from Zhou’s kingdom.
It fit her perfectly, like she’d been wrapped in silk and clouds.
It was a deep magenta dress. It had small sleeves that hugged the sides of her arms, a sweetheart neckline, a bodice that cinched her waist, and then flowed into layers upon layers of a gorgeous skirt.
There were even intricate flower designs, woven perfectly throughout.
After getting ready and finishing admiring her new dress, she now stood on her balcony, taking in the air to steady her nerves.
It was a beautiful night, and the full moon was high in the sky, casting a white glow over her kingdom.
She was sad that she would have to leave it.
But it was her duty, and across the sea in Zhou’s kingdom, she could be with Jahar.
As if he knew she had been thinking of him, she heard his footsteps walking out onto the balcony. Aza turned to face him. A look of pure shock and wonder danced along his face. Admiration spread on top of that.
“You look absolutely stunning. I don’t understand how you get more beautiful every time I see you.”
“You are just crazy in love, my dear.”
“Then I hope to never be sane again.”
A soft smile spread across her lips. She walks closer to him, cupping his face, fingers brushing his beard and hair. His hand slips behind her neck, and he brings her in for a kiss. It is gentle at first, slow, sensual kisses. And then it turns hungry, desperate.
He pulls away briefly, resting his forehead on hers, “I have missed you, my dear Princess. I have not been able to sleep without you by my side. I have missed your face, your voice, your smell, your taste.” He growls at the last one.
“I have felt empty without you. I want you every second of every day.” Aza admits, “I love you. I love you with every part of my being.”
“I can’t stand the thought of other men parading you around tonight. I might lose my mind. You are mine. Only mine. You drive me to wanting to claim you like a wild animal.”
“H..how would you do that?” Aza stutters, losing her breath at the thoughts swarming in her head.
“Let me show you.” He purrs.
“My dress. You must be careful. Zhou,” He puts his hand over her mouth, stopping her sentence.
“I don’t want to hear another man’s name come out of your mouth right now. Even if he has no sexual desire for you.”
Aza nods, eyebrows crinkling, giving him a pouty look.
Wetness pools between her thighs, and a tingling sensation builds there and up through her core.
She wants him, right here, right now. She doesn’t really care if he rips the dress off her; Zhou would understand.
She doesn’t care if anyone were to see them on the balcony under the moonlight.
“Take me,” she begged breathlessly, “Take me right here. Damn this dress or whoever might be near or watching. I want you, I need you. Please.”
Aza watched him lose all sense of control. A flame of desire ignites in his eyes. He pulls her into a crushing kiss. His hands grip her back and ass as he pushes her against the balcony. She hangs her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
He rips away from her lips. Bending down, he collects layers of fabric in his hands before disappearing beneath her dress.