Chapter Eighteen
Kim’s eyes widened in surprise when the clothier entered their chamber. It wasn’t his appearance that surprised her. Although it should have. It wasn't every day she saw a male with onyx colored skin, shockingly blue eyes and rainbow colored hair that flowed over his shoulders.
No.
What surprised her was that following close behind the tall male was a female. The first Kim had seen since she’d been taken from Earth and she was just as striking as the male except she had long thin braids in every color. It should have looked ridiculous... but on her, it seemed… right.
“You are in need of a clothier, Majesty?” The male asked with a voice that was as deep as the bow he gave Wray. The female silently followed suit.
“Yes, for the Empress.” Wray said, gesturing for the male to rise.
"The Empress?" The male couldn’t hide his shock and his eyes immediately flew to Kim then frowned at what he saw. Surely, the Emperor couldn't mean this strange tiny female beside him…
“Yes.” Wray growled threateningly. He did not like the way the clothier was looking at Kim. He didn’t like how every male looked at Kim as if she were strange. She was his and she would have their respect. “This is Empress Kim, your Empress,” Wray’s eyes were as cold as his voice. “She is in need of coverings and you will produce them. What materials have you brought?”
“ I have brought all that was available within House Reeve, Majesty,” The male's eyes quickly flew back to Wray and realized he had angered the Emperor, something no one wanted to do, especially an Auyangian. “But I’m not sure any of it is suitable for an Empress, sire.”
“Why not?” Wray questioned.
“Because Lord Reeve’s female left very little material behind suitable for a female's needs.”
“Why has n’t Lord Reeve had it replaced?” Wray demanded.
“I would not know, majesty.”
“Wray.” Kim puts a calming hand on his arm. “I’m sure whatever he has will be fine. It has to be better than what I have, which is nothing.”
“You are the Empress. " Wray growled. "You deserve the finest the Empire has to offer.”
“And I do .” She said squeezing his arm. “I have you .”
The clothier’s mouth fell open at Kim’s words. He hadn’t just heard what he thought he had heard? Had he? No, it was impossible. No Tornian female thought her male was the finest the Empire had to offer, not even the Emperor.
Wray f elt his throat tighten at Kim's words. She had always expressed her feeling to him, but it had always been in private. For her to do so now, even though it was only before an Auyangian clothier…
“ There is a bolt that might do.” A soft feminine voice spoke up. “I believe Lady Estee left it behind by mistake.” Three sets of eyes turned to the female.
“ Caitir!” The clothier rounded on the smaller female.
“What is the material?” Kim asked, taking a step forward, stopping the argument before it began, between the male and female.
“It is Himroo, majesty.” Carter said, bowing to her. “If I may?” she gestured behind her and waited for permission to move.
“Please.” Kim said and followed her as she moved to the table in the outer chamber that had been piled high with the cloth they had brought. “Tell me more about the cloth.”
“ Himroo is made by hand in Aurangabad, majesty.” Caitir said, reaching for the bolt she wanted. “It takes a skilled craftsman a great deal of time to weave making it very sought after.”
“So what makes you think Lady Estee left it by mistake?” Kim asked, and saw Caitir hesitate and look over her shoulder at the male. “Please, Caitir… will you tell me ?”
Slowly Caitir nodded. “As I said, Empress, Himroo cloth, especially in this color, is most sought after but no female, not even Lady Estee, could have anything made from it. She would have tried to secret it away… hoping.”
Kim ’s eyes widened, when Caitir turned to reveal a bolt of the most amazing blue fabric, when Caitir stopped speaking, Kim looked up at her. “Hoping for what?”
“I… a… ” Caitir’s eyes flashed to the Emperor.
“It is the color for House Vasteri, Kim.” Wray stepped to her side looking at the fabric. How had Reeve ever been able to acquire this? House Vasteri always had the first choice of this fabric, especially in this color. While Wray had no female he needed the cloth for, he had continued to secure its supply for Tora's future female.
“And that means?” Kim looked at Wray questioningly.
“That only the Empress is allowed to wear it.” Wray told her.
“So she was saving this until she Joined with you .” Kim gave him a hard look.
“Yes.” Wray said, nodding.
“ Then it’s good she left it behind, because she’s never going to get to wear it.”
“Th at is true, my Kim.” Wray said, then looked back at the material. “You will make this look beautiful.”
“You mean it will make me look beautiful.”
“No , my Kim.” Wray puts a firm hand under her chin, making sure she was looking at him. “Nothing in all the known universes could enhance your beauty. You enhance the beauty of everything else.”
“Wray…” Kim found her eyes filling at Wray’s heartfelt words.
“I speak only the truth, Kim.” His eyes softened as his thumb gently wiped away the tear that had escaped her eye. “Now let us get your coverings made.”
Kim was surprised how little time it took Caitir and her uncle Jael got the measurements they needed once they pulled out their handheld tool. She had thought she would have to remove her shirt, but Wray quickly explained that the device would ‘see’ beneath it to get the proper measurements. He also had to explain to her why Caitir stopped scanning her once she reached her hips, especially after she saw the denim like material.
“Your coverings will re ach the floor from here.” He said gently touching her hips.
“But what about jeans?”
“Jeans?” Wray frowned at her. “What are ‘jeans’?”
“They’re like your pants.” Kim gestured to his legs. “Made out of a material like this.” She ran her hand along the bolt of material.
“Y ou want to wear pants?” Wray didn’t try to hide his confusion. “Like a male?”
“Not like a male, like a female.” Kim didn’t understand why it seemed to upset him. “What’s wrong with a female wearing pants? I used to wear them all the time back home. They’re comfortable.”
“It will expose your form…” Wray began.
“And this doesn’t?” Kim demanded gesturing to her shirt and bare legs. “Pants would completely cover my legs.”
“So will your new coverings.”
“You expect me to wear long coverings all the time?”
“It is what all females wear.” Wray told her, gesturing to Caitir.
Kim gaze went from Caitir to the bolt of fabric and finally back to Wray and realized his cheeks had darkened. “It really upsets you, the thought of me wearing pants.”
“I… yes.” Wray finally admitted.
Kim ran her hand longingly along the bolt of material that was causing so much contention. She needed to remember she wasn’t on Earth anymore and females here dressed differently. She needed to adapt.
“Alright.” Kim’ s hand fell away from the bolt and she gave Wray a small smile before turning to Caitir. “When do you think you’ll have the covering done?”
“I…” Caitir stuttered, she was shocked by what she’d just witnessed between the Emperor and Empress. Why hadn’t this female become upset when the Emperor hadn’t given in to her demands? Why had she given in instead?
“Caitir!” Jael said shortly.
“We can return tomorrow after the midday meal for the final fittings, majesty.” Caitir said.
“Really? ” Kim didn’t try to hide her shock. “That soon?”
“Yes , majesty, coverings like these, without embellishments will not take long.”
“What do you mean ‘without embellishments’?” Kim asked, frowning at her.
“I… well…” Caitir found herself stuttering again.
“Females will have the jewels they receive from their Joinings sewn into their coverings, thus displaying their value for all to see.”
“ Their value… as in their ability to present fit offspring.”
“Yes.”
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
“What is bothering you , my Kim?” Wray asked later that night. She had been too quiet since Caitir and Jael had left. Last meal had been served and while she had eaten, it had only been because he’d made sure of it.
He found he missed her funny comments and observations on things he took for granted. She had so many strange thoughts and ideas.
Kissing had been one of those strange things and now he couldn’t see his life without them.
The idea of female s wearing pants was just as strange but was it something he should reconsider? She had been so excited when she'd talked about them… until she saw how upset he had become.
She considered his feelings and decided they were more important than her own. Why hadn’t he done the same?
Now she was curled up in his arms as they sat on the couch before a roaring fire. Her fingers absently moving along his abs as she stared into the fire.
“ Hmm? What?” she asked, looking up at him.
“Something is bothering you. Tell me.”
“It’s nothing, Wray.” Stretching up, she kissed his chin, then settled back down to stare into the fire.
“It is not nothing, my Kim.” Wray disagreed. “You are too quiet… you didn’t want to eat... Is it because of the… jeans.” He found himself having to search for the word she used.
“No.” Putting a hand on his stomach, she pushed herself slightly away from him so he could see the truth in her eyes. “They’re not important, Wray."
"To you they were."
"Only because they reminded me of Earth and home, but Earth isn't home anymore. Home is wherever you are."
"Goddess , Kim." Wray choked out as he leaned down to capture her lips for a hard kiss. Had a male ever been so loved?
Kim sunk into the kiss , her tongue wrapping around his letting the sensations that were building drive away her questions and doubts. Wray had been right, something was bothering her, but it wasn’t anything she was going to be able to change, at least not yet and she wasn’t going to let it affect her time with him. Without breaking the kiss, Kim straddled him as her fingers went to work on his shirt. Quickly she had it open, allowing her hands total access to the hot skin of his chest. Slowly she trailed her fingers up and over each impressive muscle until she reached the dark flat disks on his chest. Gently she raked her nails across them the way she’d discovered he liked it and felt his entire body shiver.
Her mouth was suddenly jealous of her hands and Kim abandoned his mouth to place hot, open-mouthed kisses along his jaw and down his neck until she reached his massive chest. With each drag of her tongue, she savored his unique flavor until she finally reached the spot where her fingers still played.
Wray 's head fell back as Kim’s mouth latched on to him. He would never tire of how it felt to have her mouth on him. Of how it felt, to have her hands moving over his body as if there was nothing she wanted to touch more than him. Running his hands along the smooth skin of her thighs, he filled them with the soft, lush flesh of her ass and pulled her up against his throbbing shaft.
Goddess , he needed to be inside her.
“Kim…” He groaned a nd she finally released his other nipple to look up at him with eyes laden with desire.
Easing back , Kim watched him as her hands slid between them, stroking his bulging flesh encased in his pants before ripping them open to stroke him from root to tip. She knew she would never tire of this. Of touching Wray like this. He was so massive, so powerful; it wouldn’t take any effort for him to harm her, instead he trembled in her hands as if she were the powerful one.
Rising to her knees , Kim placed him at her entrance that was already drenched with need and took him deep into her body, letting him fill all those empty places inside her, bringing him home.
“Kim!” Wray roared in protest , even as his hips thrust up, embedding himself even deeper inside of her. He had yet to pleasure her. Had yet to give her the release she deserved before, he still entered her.
Ignoring his protest, Kim gripped his shoulders and ground herself against him. She needed this, needed him. Something deep inside her was rising up, filling her with the strength and confidence she hadn’t had before. Wray’s love and patience had given it to her, had allowed her to heal and become the woman she was meant to be. The female he needed her to be. An Empress. All she had to do was accept it… to take what had always been hers… Wray.
“Wray!” Kim protested when his fingers tightened on her hips, stilling her movements.
“I haven’ t given you your pleasure yet, Kim.”
“We’ll find it, together, Wray. Touch me. Touch me as only you can.”
Wray’s eyes bored into hers, searching and knew what she wanted. Slowly his thumbs opened her silky folds even further, gently pinching her already swollen erect nub and watched her head fall back as her walls clenched around his shaft in response.
“Yes , Wray…” she encouraged groaning. “More…” She pleaded.
Responding to her plea , Wray’s hips thrust, his thumbs continued to caress her already swollen nub. He leaned forward to suck one breast deep into his mouth, his tongue flicking her nipple as he continued stroking her nub.
Kim found herself gasping for breath with all the sensations Wray was creating inside her. Her fingers dug deep into his hair as her back arched up encouraging him to take more and he did. He took everything she had to give…
Her heart…
Her body…
H er soul…
Then gave her his.
“Wray!” she screamed as every fiber of her body tightened to a micro point, then exploded outward as her orgasm engulfed both of them.
“Kim!” Wray’s roar following Kim as he plunged one final time into her, his release exploding through him and bathing her womb with his seed.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Reeve grabbed for his comm the instant it started ringing. “Reeve.”
“What is so damn important!” Bertos demanded.
“Do you know where the Emperor is?” Reeve demanded.
“What do you mean?” Bertos asked. “He is on Luda, meeting with Grim.
“No. He . Is. Not.” Reeve spit. “He’s here ! On Vesta!”
“What!” Bertos couldn’t hide his surprise.
“The Emperor is on Vesta!” Stunned silence greeted Reeve’s statement. “There’s more.”
“ What!” Bertos demanded.
“He has a female with him. One he’s calling his Empress.”
“What !!!!” Bertos shouted. “Impossible! I would know!”
“I’ve met her myself and Bertos… she’s not Tornian.”
“ You idiot!” Bertos’ anger evident. Reeve actually had him worried for a minute. “She can’t be Empress unless she’s Tornian.”
“Unless she is breeding compatible….”
“Impossible…” However, Bertos had lost some of its certainty.
“ But if she is and if she is with offspring, it will ruin all our plans.”
“ No! ” Bertos’ anger exploded through the comm. This can’t be happening! Not when they were so close! How hadn't he known the Emperor wasn’t on Luda! Wait… why was he on Vesta?
“Why is the Emperor on Vesta?” Bertos demanded in a deceptively soft voice.
An uneasy silence greeted his question.
“Reeve!” Bertos demanded impatiently. “Why is the Emperor on Vesta!”
Reeve’s mind was racing as he tried to work out how he was going to tell Bertos about his shortening of the food supplies to the Kaliszians. He knew it would enrage him and Bertos enraged, could be deadly. Suddenly he realized he didn’t have to tell him the ‘truth’ and he could still blame Bertos.
“He’s here , instead of being on Luda as you thought, because he was in the Kaliszian Empire meeting with Emperor Liron.”
“What!”
“It seems there are Kaliszians helping themselves to the food supplies we are sending. They are blaming it on me. The Emperor came to investigate.”
“And are you?” Bertos asked.
“A m I what?” Reeve questioned defensively.
“Short ening the supplies?”
“Of course not! Why would I do that! It would bring attention to us that we don’t need right now.”
“That is correct, so if I find out you are, I will be very displeased.”
E veryone knew displeasing Bertos was never a good thing.
“As I have said , it is on the Kaliszian end.” Reeve was glad Bertos couldn’t see the sweat running down his neck. “What I want to know is why you didn’t know he was out of the Empire!” Reeve said, trying to deflect Bertos attention. “Had we known, we could have ousted him.”
“No!” Bertos immediately denied. “ It is not yet the time. We do not yet have enough support in the Assembly.”
“ How can you not! You are a direct descendant of the original Emperor.”
“ Yes, yet some still doubt me. I need to be able to prove to them that I can give them what they need.”
“ How will you do that?”
“I have a plan. Now this is what I want you to do about the female.”