“Though next time, I would like to maybe get my hand around what is mine before you flip me on my back and take over,” I shared.

“I’ll remind you that you did not protest that maneuver in the slightest, wife.”

“I’d had my breath knocked out of me.”

His laughter this time was audible, and he forced through it, “Liar.”

“It’s true!” I kept lying.

“My queen commanded me to take her. She did not command me to let her grab hold of my cock.”

“You’re too handsome and your body is too pleasing. We’ll never go slowly if you take your clothes off.”

“Shall I get dressed?” he offered.

“No,” I snapped.

He kissed me, light, but wet, doing it through a smile, and I liked all that very much.

Especially the smile.

Well, no, especially the kiss.

Actually, both equally.

I did not like it when he stopped, therefore I frowned at him.

He was not frowning at me, he was gazing at me tenderly.

“Now, my queen, do you doubt you please me in all ways?” he asked quietly.

It was my turn to feel warm and good humored and tender.

And arrogant.

And powerful.

And everything.

I did not gloat.

I said, “Thank you for the splendor, my husband.”

He appeared perplexed.

“Do you think we’re done?” he queried.

“We aren’t?”

“Very much no.”

I stretched out under him.

His eyes flared.

And I lied yet again, “But I feel most lethargic.”

“That’s all right,” he replied, then he buried his face in my neck, and under my ear, he whispered, “I’ll do all the work.”

He ran his teeth down my neck.

And then he did as he promised.

58

The Final Choice

Queen Mercy

The Bark Parlor, Formal Receiving Rooms, First Floor, Birchlire Castle, Notting Thicket

WODELL

“Well, if that wouldn’t be appropriate, I really can’t say.”

Queen Elpis was in a snit, Mercy saw.

But really, incense?

In a temple?

Revolting.

“There must be something else that would make this more…homely to Farah,” she remarked, ignoring their other companion in the room, Melisse, studying her with disapproving eyes.

But…please.

Censure from a Nadirii?

The woman resided in a realm where no men were allowed. There was a reason for that, of course, but Nadirii lived in a culture defined by bias. She could hardly cast judgement against Mercy wishing to abide by Dellish traditions at a bloody royal wedding, for the gods’ sakes.

“As I explained,” Elpis replied impatiently, “most Firenz wedding ceremonies take place in nature. A favorite spot of the couple, or of the bride, or the groom. The bride chooses colors she enjoys and decorates in those as she sees fit. A priest or priestess presides, the one closest to the bride, or the couple. Though normally, it is a priest or priestess of The Grace.”

“A priest of Wohden will reside over True’s nuptials,” Mercy stated implacably. “A future king of Wodell is married under the eyes of our god of power.”