Chapter 7
Chapter seven
Kaiser
“Your Highness! Your Highness, where are you?”
A voice yelling in the distance is what wakes me from my sleep. I open my eyes with a groan, wincing at the body aches that arise when I try to sit up. Clearly, I’m not used to sleeping anywhere besides a soft bed. It feels like there’s a bruise on every square inch of my body.
“Your Highness!”
“For heaven’s sake, Wilcox,” I groan out. “It’s first thing in the morning. Mind your volume.”
There’s a thundering of footsteps at the sound of my voice, and I realize that Wilcox isn’t alone. It sounds as if he’s brought the entire royal army with him. Groaning, I force myself to sit up. I want to get out there before Ava is disturbed. I don’t want my men spying on her as she sleeps.
Wilcox pokes his head into the waterfall just as I manage to stand. Damn. Too late. My advisor’s eyes widen as he takes in Ava’s slumbering form.
“At ease,” Wilcox shouts over his shoulder. “His Highness is unharmed. You may return to your posts.”
I heave out a sigh of relief as I hear the retreating footsteps. Thank goodness Wilcox understands my need for privacy in this instance. I’ll be able to explain myself properly as long as he’s the only one I’m speaking to.
“Your Highness, coming here was very irresponsible. You could have been killed by one of your potential assassins.”
“I’m sorry, Wilcox,” I apologize sincerely. “I didn’t realize such a thing would happen when I entered the forest. Is it over? Have you rounded up all the men?”
“We have, Your Highness.” Wilcox nods. “Twenty of them in total. We spent all night searching for you and rounding them up.”
“Have you found out the reason for their assassination attempt? Was it just revenge or is it possible the Fae are behind this?” Eagerness bleeds into my voice. If the Fae are behind this, I’ll have a reason to launch a violent attack as soon as possible.
“Unfortunately, it’s only revenge, sire. The families all had family members who died or disappeared on the way to the competition.”
“Too bad,” I comment as my shoulders slump. “I would have loved an excuse to lop off some fairy heads.”
I realize Ava is now awake when she flinches at these words.
Perhaps this is too violent of a conversation to be having right in front of her.
I send Wilcox away, telling him it won’t be long until I’m back in the castle.
If there’s no more danger, I can shift and fly back. I lean down to stroke Ava’s hair.
“Good morning,” I murmur. “Did you sleep well?”
“Better than you, judging by the sounds you were making as you stood up,” Ava says, smiling. It seems a bit forced compared to usual, and I’m wondering if my conversation with Wilcox really made her feel ill.
“So you heard everything, then? Good. That saves me the trouble of having to tell you. It’s time to go. I’ll fly you back.”
Ava shakes her head. “No, it’s fine. I can walk back.”
“Are you sure?” I ask gently. “You’re not able to fly on your own, right? But you’re a dragon shifter, so surely you must have the urge to do so. I think it will be a fun experience for you if you let me fly you back.”
Ava bites her lip, clearly unsure. “Won’t I get in trouble? I thought I was supposed to head back on my own.”
I shake my head. “No. You passed the second round the second you got the final piece. Once you piece it together, the location for the final round will be revealed. But that’s not for another couple of days, so you have time.”
“Well, in that case…,” Ava trails off, a smile beginning to tug at her lips. “I’d love for you to fly me back. Thank you.”
I go outside to shift as I wait for Ava to get out of bed. The clearing around the river should be wide enough for me to shift. A familiar shot of pain echoes through my body as it grows into its full size. I crouch down just in time. Ava exits the cavern a moment later.
My sides tickle as she climbs her way on top of me.
I wait for her to get fully settled before I take off.
The morning sun beats over my scales as I veer towards the castle.
My body still feels sore, but it feels wonderful to spread my wings.
I hear Ava laugh from the rush and I can’t help but grin.
I know how she’s feeling. The wind on your skin from up here makes all your problems seem so insignificant.
We’re back at the castle before we know it. My feelings are mixed. On one hand, it’s disappointing that I won’t be able to see her for the rest of the day—too many meetings. On the other, it brings us one step closer to tonight. I can hardly wait.
Ava jumps off again at her windowsill and I follow in behind her. She gives me a questioning look and I lean down to give her a goodbye kiss. “Tonight,” I say, looking deeply into her eyes.
“Tonight,” she agrees. Satisfied, I take off.
I spend the rest of the day meeting with my advisors about a variety of matters.
Some audience members as well as two of the girls were killed during the attack.
Since they were all nobles, a ceremony will take place.
I can’t help but think about what my attackers said as I watch the people around me grieve for the first time now that noble blood has been shed.
Even if he was wrong about me, I have to admit the man had a point.
The difference between how certain deaths are treated is too high.
I have so many things I want to change as soon as I become king.
Thinking about Ava is the only thing that gets me through it.
Has she figured out how to put the puzzle together yet?
Is she looking forward to tonight as much as I am?
I wish I were with her instead of stuck here in some boring meeting.
She’d be able to understand my frustration towards my advisors, I’m sure.
As night falls and the meeting concludes, I’m practically bouncing on my feet to get out of there. I take off as soon as my last advisor is out the door. I’m grateful I took a bath before my meeting so I can head straight there.
Ava is waiting for me when I fly into her room.
My wings fold behind me as I take her in.
The dress she’s wearing is much lovelier than the one from yesterday.
It’s deep red and adorned with lace and jewels.
She looks stunning in it. I’m crossing the room and pulling her into a kiss before I know it.
I push Ava lightly against the edge of the bed and she tumbles over it.
Her golden hair shimmers in the light of her bedside candle as she gazes up at me with an expression that demonstrates both desire and trepidation.
For a moment, I consider lighting a few more candles so I can see her a little bit better.
Then I remember how brightly she was shining back in the cave and I change my mind.
Ava will provide more than enough light on her own.
“Kaiser?” Ava questions as she looks up at me. I notice she’s biting her bottom lip out of nerves. I use my thumb to gently pry her lip out of the clutches of her teeth, gently swiping the length of it, reveling in its softness.
“Turn around,” I command, my voice so thick with lust it almost comes out as a growl. Her pupils dilate at the command. She does as I ask, trembling slightly as she reveals her back to me.
My fingertips ghost over the swell of her shoulder blades and she shudders.
The clasps holding the garment together would be so easy to break.
It’s a pity Ava would consider it a waste if I ripped her pretty dress up.
Now that I’ve finally got her in my arms, having to wait seems all the more unbearable.
As a compromise, I press a small kiss against the newly revealed skin with every clasp I undo. Ava moans and arches her back like a cat as I slowly make my way down her spine. My knuckles graze her tailbone as I reach the final clasp. Now, there’s nothing left to do but slide the garment from her.
“Up,” I whisper against her ear. She lets out a small whimper and the sound travels straight to my growing erection.
Our hands meet as we slide the dress off her body.
For the first time, I can see every inch of her.
My pupils dilate as they sweep over her form.
Her frame is small and lithe, yet her soft curves are undeniably feminine.
Her small pink nipples contrast her lily white skin beautifully, and I can’t resist grazing my knuckles over them.
Ava lets out a short gasp at the sensation and squeezes her thighs a bit more firmly together.
I realize I’m still wearing my clothes when Ava reaches out to begin undoing the buttons of my shirt.
While she’s busy with that, I slip my fingers into the waist of my breeches and pull them down, freeing my hardness from its confines.
Ava swallows loudly as she takes me in, licking her lips in nervous anticipation.
I lower her back onto the bed, only this time, I follow her.
Her head is resting back against the pillows as I kneel over her, the length of her hair fanning the sides of her face.
I take my time exploring her body, paying extra attention to any area where she gasps or moans when I trail my palms over it.
My impatient length is throbbing between my thighs, but I ignore it.
Since this is Ava’s first time, I want it to be good for her.
The shuddering moan she lets out as I find her nipples makes me rethink that.
She squeezes her thighs together again and I part her knees with my hips, leaning down until my manhood is pressed against her damp center.
Ava lets out a symphony of moans as I rock my hips, my hardness twitching as it rubs against her wet folds.
I continue my assault against her nipples in the meanwhile.
My fingers pinch and graze the rapidly tightening nubs.
Ava’s getting close, I can feel it. I speed up my pace, making sure to rub myself extra hard against her.
If she comes, it will make this next step a lot easier.
I want her soaked and pliable so she’s in as little pain as possible when our bodies join for the first time.
She lets out a loud cry and throws her head back as she lets herself go.
Her center twitches and pulses against me as she gushes, and I can’t help but groan at the feeling.
Soon, I promise myself. Just a bit longer.
I pull back a little to watch her come down from her high.
The blinding glow is beginning to fade from her body, a few strands of hair cling to her damp face.
I brush them away with my hand, smiling down at her fondly.
“Ready for more?” I ask. Her eyes widen and she nods, eager to experience more of this wonderful new feeling.
This time, my fingers delve straight for their prize. I use my right hand to rub small circles against the swell of her button as I sink the index finger of my left hand inside her. She’s really tight. I can feel the evidence of her virginity as I slide inside.
I make sure to roll and twist my finger around, opening her up.
When I feel she’s ready, I add a second finger to the equation.
Her brows furrow at the stretch, but she continues to let out little breathy sounds as I toy with her.
She’s in a small amount of pain, but the building pleasure is slowly overriding it.
When I can manage to slip in three fingers without trouble, I know she’s ready.
I pull away from her and balance my hands on either side of her body.
Instinctively, Ava wraps her legs around my body as I slowly join with her.
She feels wonderful around me, and I’m eager to rush forward, but as I look down at her, I notice her teeth are clenched and her eyes are squeezed shut.
Clearly, she’s going to need a second to adjust.
Slowly, the tension leaves her body. Now I’m the one clenching my teeth and squeezing my eyes shut. “Are you ready?” I ask, and I nearly collapse in relief as she nods.
My movements start out slow, before I gradually increase my depth and pace.
Our hips dance with the rhythm of my thrusts and Ava’s gasps and moans are like music to my ears.
I lift her off the bed and get on my knees, pulling her up against me as I trace my mouth from her collar bone to her chin.
The heat from our bodies caressed by the blinding glow emanating from her skin.
I feel so close to her right now, like our minds and hearts are connected.
She’s my other half, a part of myself that I never knew was missing.
The two of us seem to fall into our own little world as we race together towards our peak.
It isn’t long before I feel Ava begin to shudder around me, and in reaction, I begin to let go as well.
I let out a groan as I finish, whispering sweet nothings in her ear.
. Our bodies relax as we come down from our high.
For a moment, I consider placing a contraception charm on her.
But on second thought, why should I? I’ve already made my decision.
I’ll do whatever it takes to keep this woman by my side.
Ava Havenbrook will be the future Queen of Arendale. I know it, and soon the whole kingdom will as well.