Chapter 43 Feathers
Chapter forty-three
Feathers
Alaceandra
We arrive back at our cottage and the prince walks over to the bathroom to get ready for bed.
Once he finishes, he switches with me so that I can do the same.
Our routine is comforting in the chaos of today but also awkward.
We eye each other and stay mostly silent as we put up our clothing and make our way to bed.
Now that we have actually acted on the growing tension between us, I get the sense that we both know there is no way of truly going back to the way it was before.
He has been inside me of course there is no going back, I mentally chide myself.
Yes, it was my mouth and not my pussy but still, he took a first from me that I can never have back.
We are now officially something by choice rather than obligation and that is going to prove hard to navigate.
I hesitate next to the bed. Obviously, most kings have sex with their queens to bear heirs, so I definitely considered the possibility of intimacy with him, but now that there is an agreement surrounding said intimacy with Sorin and Sam involved, I am starting to feel unsure where the lines between obligation and desire stand for him.
Or for myself, really. Sometimes he treats me as though I am a pawn of his, a piece of property to be manipulated and other times he is spouting his devotion to only me.
It seems no matter the circumstances, this man remains a puzzle.
I am startled out of my thoughts by his voice only a moment later.
"What is it, Little Dove?" He quirks a brow at me.
I bite my lip. "Everything is just so… different."
"Different, how?" he asks, lifting himself up on one elbow. His intense stare bearing down on me.
Do not shy away, Alaceandra. I mentally scream at myself.
"Well, I just gave the first blowjob of my life to you not even an hour ago and then lost my virginity to another man not shortly thereafter.
I do not know what games you still have up your sleeve for me and yet it seems like you are impossible to stay away from.
On top of all that, I am still in the middle of nowhere with a future completely outside of my hands if we are ever to leave this place," I say in a rush.
“Oh, and I can apparently also create fire and spawn demoni. Things are not normal.”
"First, I am your betrothed. Our sex life was bound to happen one way or another and I am quite pleased with how it is progressing," he smiles.
I roll my eyes, causing him to chuckle. "Second, of course I have more plans for you, my dear little dove, we have truly only just begun our dance, but it is up to you whether that will be something you will fear or not.
You have only just found your feathers. You have more control over your future than even I know, do not let your wings be clipped before you can learn to fly. "
"And how would I go about flying as you say."
"Train. Get better. Find control. Your ability to do those things will determine just what side of the board you are on. Whether you will be a pawn easily discarded or one that will take down the king and win the game."
"You are being oddly helpful." I cast him a suspicious look.
"Call it a reward for the feathers." He pauses. "And since I seem to be in a particularly good mood, I will even give you a hint when it comes to my name if you ask it of me."
A thread of excitement thrums through me. "Oh, I ask it of you."
"As I thought." He laughs and then is silent for a moment, mulling over what hint he will give me. "Here's your hint: My name lies in the multitude; it begins at the hands of where crop and life ends."
My shoulders slump. "That is not a good hint."
This time his laugh comes from his core. "Agree to disagree then." He pats the bed. "Come to bed. You need to be rested for tomorrow, where I am sure Sam will kick your ass in training. I told you while we are within these walls I will take care of you, and you need rest after your… eventful day."
I huff. "He will not kick my ass; I was able to get a dagger to his throat today!" He snorts and I glare at him. "But, truly, do you not feel different after everything?"
"Different? After seeing and feeling your gorgeous lips around my cock?"
"Yes!" And now I am flustered. I pick at the bottom of my nightdress.
He thinks for a moment. "No," he says flatly.
"As I told you your first night here, you are mine.
I am glad I was the first one to take your mouth, even if I was not the one who took your virginity proper…
and I find myself unbothered that Credour…
or Sorin is it? Was the one to do it. Somehow there was a rightness in that.
" He gives me a devious look before lounging back, looking towards the ceiling.
"You are quite the little sneak bringing two people into the kingdom under different identities, although I do quite admire that you have your own game you are playing at. "
"I-" I try to backtrack. How would he have… fuck I totally screamed Sorin's name when I came, did I not? I squeeze my eyes shut.
He chuckles. "Do not worry yourself, I am much too advanced in my own game for you to have kept your little secret for too long.
I will soon unravel any others you might hold.
" He gives me a quick glance and the look on my face must be further confirmation of his suspicions.
"What I am concerned about, though, is your marking from that.
It was quite obvious that the man is someone who wields vines, which means you have taken on his mark, but not mine.
It is curious. Nevertheless, those are thoughts for tomorrow.
Please come to bed," I hesitate, "now Alaceandra or you will be exhausted tomorrow.
" He lifts up the edge of the blanket, inviting me in.
I sigh and crawl in beside him and he holds me close, placing a gentle kiss on the back of my head.
"You were amazing today, little dove, and I am not just talking about the blowjob.
The power you wielded…" He hesitates. "If you take your training seriously you may be surprised at just how powerful you can be.
" He rubs a hand down my side and sighs.
"Goodnight." Pulling me tighter he settles in for sleep and for once I am not quite so upset with his riddles.
Instead of responding, I snuggle deeper into him before falling asleep.