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"Albaird? Might I borrow some of your time?"
The knight glanced up from his desk to see Laeticia in the doorway of his room, hands clasped nervously in front of her. She looked decidedly out of sorts. "Shouldn't you be preparing for tomorrow, Princess?"
She nodded, glancing down the hall. "That is what I wanted to discuss, at least in part. May I?"
With no good reason to deny her, Albaird beckoned her in, closing the book he'd been reading as he turned to give her his undivided attention. Laeticia helped herself to a spot on his bed, idly smoothing out the blankets.
"Is something bothering you, Princess?"
Laeticia flinched and sighed. "You know me too well," she murmured. Her eyes flicked up to meet his and her cheeks turned pink. "Might you- that is to say, if you don't mind- I was wondering-" Seeing Albaird growing impatient, the princess took a deep breath. "Would you tell me what your first time was like?"
Albaird suddenly wished he hadn't agreed to this discussion. He stared wide-eyed at the woman sitting on his bed, doing his best not to choke on his tongue in surprise. "Come again?"
The princess fidgeted as her face darkened further. "Your first time. What was it like?" She scooted a little closer to him, expression innocent and earnest. "Is there anything I should know? How does one prepare to-"
"Princess!" Albaird shot out of his seat, knocking his chair back and nearly falling over it in his haste to escape the conversation. "This is highly inappropriate!"
She frowned, shoulders slumped. "I did not know who else to ask, and you are the only one I trust to answer truthfully," she offered quietly.
Albaird sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Even if I were to answer, Princess, my experience would be of no help to you. We have different-” he coughed, turning red, and motioned vaguely toward his nether region.
“T-that is true,” she conceded, stumbling over her words in her rush to speak, cheeks red. “But what of emotionally? Surely being so close to another affected the way you-”
“Princess.” She glanced up at the interruption to see Albaird kneeling beside her, brow furrowed. She twined her fingers together and looked down again. “Are you frightened?”
Laeticia shook her head. “No… at least, I do not believe so.” Her frown deepened as she considered his question. “No, not frightened. I care deeply for Ger’rard and I am glad to be his bride. Being with him does not frighten me. But I… I worry things may change and that I may lose a part of myself. I have never given that much of myself to another and I…” She smoothed her dress nervously. “Did you … did you feel differently after you and Ray…?”
Albaird sighed, acutely aware there was no getting out of this discussion. "Do I seem different to you?"
The princess blinked at him and considered his question seriously, tapping her chin. "Slightly more patient … perhaps?" She tilted her head. "You smile more often."
"Nonsense. Raymond is far too vexing for that to be true," he snapped immediately, though he still touched his face self-consciously. Laeticia chuckled, some of the stiffness finally melting from her. Albaird glowered and turned his gaze in a weak attempt to hide his blush. "At any rate, no. Laying with Raymond did not change how I feel. I am ever myself, as he is himself, and so shall you remain." The knight placed a soothing hand on the crown of Laeticia's head and smiled softly. "You are Letty, and you will always be Letty, no matter what happens."
She nodded, pressing a hand to her breast. Her heart still fluttered rapidly but she couldn't deny his words had calmed her thoughts at least. Not for the first time, she was grateful he'd agreed to accompany her in her new life in Vey'l. She could not imagine anyone else at her side. "Thank you, Alby. I admit, I am still nervous, but I trust your words will keep me grounded."
Albaird shifted, taking a seat beside her on the bed. "If you're having second thoughts, it would be an easy thing to steal out of here and return to Aucerius."
Laeticia shook her head. "Are you saying so for my benefit or because you still do not approve of my decision?"
"Both."
His matter-of-fact tone brought a smile to her lips and Laeticia laughed despite herself. "As I said: you are the only one I trust to answer truthfully." She pressed delicate fingers to the back of his hand. "I do not want to leave, though. I have both a duty and a desire to see this through. I just want to make sure I do so to the best of my ability without losing anything along the way."
Albaird sighed again and rubbed his temple. "Relax."
Laeticia blinked. "Hmmm?"
The knight shifted uncomfortably and didn't look at her. She could see the tips of his ears turn a deep burgundy. "It's easier and more pleasurable if you relax," he mumbled. "Don't rush. And it is … nice … to be touched, ah … beneath your small clothes. I assume it would be the same for you."
It took a moment for what he said to register. Laeticia's eyes widened and she leaned in to press her cheek against Albaird's shoulder, hiding her smile in his robe. "Thank you, Alby."
He coughed and shrugged. "Yes, well, I still dislike him."
Laeticia nodded, hugging his arm. "Then I shall like him enough for the both of us."
****
Unlike their last attempt, this time when Laeticia and Ger'rard wed it took place in the Vey'l capital, attended enthusiastically by her closest friends. The usual lords and ladies and dignitaries made their appearances, as well, but the emperor paid them little mind, instead watching his wife as she celebrated with those who had once helped steal her away from the altar. If they held any lingering resentment toward him from that time, they did not show it, though Ger’rard would not have blamed them if they had. Instead they paraded by him throughout the evening, offering their congratulations.
The festivities lasted deep into the night. Ger’rard spent the majority of it speaking with his counselors and dignitaries while Laeticia chatted with her friends, enjoying one too many glasses of wine, if her giddy behavior was anything to go by. The emperor eventually cut her off, waving away the waiter as he approached, and she pouted as she nursed the last of what she had before her. Ger’rard chuckled. “I did not realize how much you enjoyed your wine,” he offered.
Laeticia tilted her head back, cheeks flush. “Albaird suggested I relax and it has worked surprisingly well,” she replied with a sing-song lilt to her voice, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips as she glanced at her husband coyly. Her blush deepened and she looked away, suddenly keenly interested in her glass. A moment later she looked up and waved toward Albaird, standing across the hall with Raymond, before turning her attention back to Ger’rard. She placed a delicate hand on his arm. “But I am fine! One does not have an opportunity such as this come by often. I want to make the most of it.”
“Of course.” Ger’rard shook his head, amused.
“Princess.” The emperor glanced up to see Albaird approaching, tugging awkwardly at his ceremonial robes. “You called?”
“Alby!” Laeticia suddenly stood up, immediately lost her balance, then slammed a hand down on the table to steady herself. Both men blinked at her and she flushed. Flustered, she straightened up, smoothed down her dress, then stepped unsteadily around the table to take her retainer’s arm. “I want to dance!”
She led Albaird out onto the dance floor, drawing her knight into a clumsy waltz. Her cheeks were red and Ger'rard wasn't sure if it was from amusement or the wine. Likely both. Albaird looked put upon, as usual, but the emperor had come to understand the knight better these past few years and could recognize when the other man was simply putting on airs to hide his own enjoyment.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty."
Ger'rard glanced up to see Raymond approaching, one arm raised in greeting. He had a half-empty glass in hand and looked slightly unsteady on his feet, but that didn't damper his jovial demeanor. The emperor waved back, nodding his head. "Sir Raymond. I hope the festivities are more to your liking this time around."
The captain chuckled, glancing over at Laeticia and Albaird as they chatted with each other while they danced. She was leaning heavily into her retainer, her usual graceful demeanor a bit less so at the moment. The laughter that reached them remained as pure as ever, though. "Can't argue. What's important is that they're to her liking though, and they don't seem to be disagreeable."
"To my eternal surprise," Ger'rard conceded. "I still struggle at times to accept I'm worthy of her love."
"Laeticia's got a big heart," Ray replied, draining his glass and giving the emperor a firm look. "Make sure you don't break it."
Ger'rard bowed his head, hand pressed to his chest, though his gaze never left the captain's. "I've no intention to," he replied, voice just as firm as Raymond's stare.
If Raymond meant to reply he did not have the chance, as Laeticia and Albaird made their way back over. The knight was blushing furiously as Laeticia whispered something in his ear, her own face burning red. Once they reached the captain and emperor, Albaird motioned toward the new empress, a lopsided grin on her face as she swayed unsteadily. "I believe she would do well to get some fresh air," he offered. Laeticia buried her face in his arm, skin flushed, before giggling quietly. The knight rubbed his temple with his free hand, still blushing. “She has had one too many drinks, I fear.”
“Your concern is appreciated,” Ger’rard replied, gently taking his wife from her knight. She clung to him for balance. “I should inform-”
“Don’t worry about that,” Raymond interrupted, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. “If anyone asks, we’ll let ‘em know the newlyweds wanted some time alone.”
This time it was Ger’rard’s turn to look flustered and he glanced down at the woman humming happily in his arms. “Yes. Thank you.”
He led Laeticia out of the banquet hall and into the castle’s spacious hallways. She giggled as they made their way toward the balcony, face pressed to his arm as she walked unsteadily beside him. He really should have cut her off sooner. Thankfully, she seemed to sober up somewhat once they stepped outside into the fresh air, letting go of him to hurry over to the balcony. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “I come to appreciate your favorite place more each time I stand here.”
“It is quite beautiful,” he replied, though his gaze remained firmly on her.
She must have sensed he was looking at her because she squirmed, the redness in her cheeks darkening. Taking a shaky breath, she opened her eyes and glanced up at the star-studded sky above. “We stood here the first time you kissed me. Do you remember?”
“I worried you would spurn my advance.” He joined her at the balcony, gently brushing his fingers against her cheek. She leaned into his touch, swaying on her feet. “I still sometimes wonder why you did not.”
Laeticia glanced up at him through her lashes. “Why turn away that which I wanted?”
He pressed his thumb lightly against the corner of her mouth. Her skin was warm. “And now?”
Her lips parted and her voice was breathy, almost excited, when she spoke. “You may.”
Ger’rard could taste the wine as he leaned in and kissed her. Laeticia pressed closer to him, smiling against his lips, then giggled when he tilted her face to deepen the kiss. He pulled back, giving her a curious look. “You managed to avoid my forehead,” she said, renewing her giggling fit and swaying dangerously. Her cheeks were still bright red.
“I believe it’s time I took you to bed,” he murmured, amused.
“I would not say no,” Laeticia replied softly, blushing to the tips of her ears and glancing down demurely. But when he made to lead her to her room, she shook her head, tugging insistently on Ger’rard’s hand. He turned to face her and she lifted herself up on her toes, brushing her lips against his ear. “Your bed,” she whispered.
Ger’rard drew her closer. “You have had too much wine, Laeticia.”
"I have not!" she insisted, pouting against his neck. “I only drank enough to relax! Alby said it feels better when you’re relaxed.”
The emperor made an indelicate sound. “Did he?”
“Mmm.” He could feel her smile against his throat, humming quietly. He idly wondered just how much of their relationship she'd discussed with her knight. He had the distinct impression she told Albaird everything.
It was cumbersome moving with her clinging to him, but Ger’rard slowly began making his way toward his chambers as she’d requested, one arm wrapped around Laeticia’s waist to keep her steady. “What else did he tell you?”
His wife nuzzled his shoulder. “Not to rush,” she informed him. She paused to think as Ger’rard led her into his room, guiding her to the chaise lounge and gently depositing her onto the cushions. She ran a gloved finger along the collar of his tunic, lazily tracing it toward his stomach. She seemed to have sobered enough to realize exactly what she was saying, because her face had turned bright red again. That did not seem to deter her as she tapped her finger against his belt. “And where to touch.”
Despite her shy suggestion to “enlighten” him on sharing his company when he'd traveled to Aucerius to formally request her hand in marriage, they had never taken that final step. Ger'rard had told her there was no rush, and so they bided their time. But now, laying across his bedroom sofa in her wedding gown, Laeticia's gaze was anything but shy, and the way her fingers pressed against his stomach suggested she was quite done with waiting.
Ger'rard braced one hand against the back of the chaise, leaning over her. "Might I ask how that conversation came about?"
She lowered her gaze, blushing. "I did not know what to expect when we-" She squirmed, slightly embarrassed. "I sought out his advice. I have never given myself to another and I worried that things would be different after. That I would no longer be me."
"And did he have an answer for that?"
Laeticia twisted her fingers into his tunic and drew her legs up onto the sofa. "That I will only ever be myself."
Ger'rard nodded, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "You have quite the wise retainer, Laeticia."
She hummed quietly, clearly pleased with the praise, though he suspected the wine played a not-insignificant role in her jovial demeanor. She tapped her chin with a delicate finger, considering him. "Did the women you knew before me change you at all, Your Majesty?"
"Only insofar as foolish youth can ever be changed by experience," he replied.
“Foolish?”
Ger’rard gave her a wane smile. “There was a brief period in my teens when, in my infinite wisdom, I allowed some few of my knights to convince me that visiting working women would provide me the education I required to please my future bride.”
She nodded, watching him raptly with wide blue eyes. Her bare shoulders and neck were flush, breaths rapid and shallow through slightly parted lips. He was keenly aware of the swell of her breasts beneath the fabric of her gown. “And did it?” she asked softly.
Her fingers brushed against his hip and Ger’rard closed his eyes, taking a steadying breath. “I have yet to apply my ill-gotten knowledge.”
“Then show me?”
He opened his eyes to meet her own determined gaze. “You are drunk, Laeticia.”
“Relaxed!” she corrected immediately, puffing out bright red cheeks. Her irritation faded a moment later and she tugged insistently at the hem of his tunic. “Please? I admit I am somewhat unsteady but I did not prepare for tonight only to be told no.” Her free hand brushed along his jaw, drawing him down to her for a long, deep kiss, her lips lingering near his when she finally let him go. “I am ready. Truly. So please? I do not want to keep waiting.”
Ger’rard considered her in silence, watching her lips quiver, the rise and fall of her breasts, the soft determination in her eyes. He sighed. “I cannot promise I'll be a very good teacher,” he murmured, tracing a finger along Laeticia’s shoulder. She shivered, twisting her fingers in his shirt, and she breathed out his name when his hand trailed down her arm to brush across her ribs. “Even so, are you sure?”
She nodded, tugging him closer to her. “I want to be yours.”
Ger’rard knelt on the sofa, careful not to catch her dress as he let go of the back of the chaise to glide both hands along her body. Laeticia shifted to make more room for him, her hands moving eagerly over his stomach and chest as he leaned in to kiss her neck. She made a soft sound and he could feel her pulse quicken beneath his lips, feel her swallow heavily as he gently traced the swell of her breast, then the curve of her hip.
He reached up to unclasp the short cloak he wore, discarding it on the ground beside the sofa. “Sit up a moment,” he murmured against her neck.
She did as instructed, gasping quietly as he carefully turned her away from him and slowly began unlacing the back of her gown. He took his time, pulling each silky cord through its corresponding eyelet, exposing the soft white curve of her shoulder blades, the faintly defined back muscles from her years of swordsmanship. He traced the line of each muscle, marveling at how someone so delicate could have such strength hidden just below the surface. His fingers danced deftly down the curve of her spine, feather light touches earning him a series of shivers as she twitched beneath his touch. A handful of knicks and scars marred her otherwise pristine skin, and he brushed his lips across each in succession as he meticulously undressed her.
Laeticia shuddered as he gently turned her back to face him. She clutched the front of her dress to her breasts, breathing heavily as her skin rapidly tinged pink. “Is this what you learned…?” she asked in a breathy voice.
Ger’rard shook his head, cupping her cheek and pulling her close so he could kiss her. She melted against him. “I learned to be observant and to take my time,” he said. “I simply wanted to explore the parts of you I had yet to see.”
She swallowed, lips brushing against his. “Were they to your liking?”
“They were, Your Majesty.”
Laeticia shivered, drawing in a sharp breath, and Ger’rard took the opportunity to lower her onto the sofa, hovering over her. He rubbed her arm gently before carefully removing the long silken glove she wore, bringing her wrist to his lips and kissing the underside. “Ger’rard…” she breathed, still holding her dress in place with her free hand. Her face was flush, eyes wide. “I…”
He paused, lips still pressed to her wrist. “Yes, Laeticia?”
She shifted beneath him, brushing her legs against his through her dress. She was trembling, though whether from nerves or excitement, it was difficult to tell. Her free hand tentatively let go of her dress to press against his stomach before sliding lower to palm over the bulge in his pants. Ger’rard groaned despite himself. Laeticia’s breathing quickened. “May I…?”
The emperor kissed her wrist again, mouthing the sinew just beneath her skin, before releasing her hand. He braced himself against the sofa as she cautiously removed his belt, unbuttoning his pants and slowly working them down over his hips. He kept his gaze firmly on her face, watching silently as her eyes widened and face reddened the moment she freed him from his undergarments. Her breathing hitched, tongue darting out to wet parched lips, and Ger’rard took a shuddering breath when her fingers pressed against his erection. The mismatched texture of her bare skin and silken glove had his head spinning.
Laeticia took her time exploring him, tracing the length of his cock with a delicate touch. Her fingers danced along the underside, gently pressing down on the vein just below the head, thumbing lightly over the tip. He twitched in her hand and she looked up at him through her lashes. Her breathing was as heavy as his, and the top of her dress had slipped from its place, exposing her breasts. She did not seem to notice, so intent was she on her explorations. Her gloved hand palmed his shaft before reaching down further between his legs, gently cupping his balls. He sucked in a sharp breath as she massaged them carefully with her fingers. Her bare hand reached up to tap lightly on his chin, applying just enough pressure he parted his lips. She licked her own again. “Is it pleasant…?”
Ger’rard closed his eyes, shifting so he could grab her arm and kiss her wrist again. Her breathing shuddered. “Very much so.”
She returned her gloved hand to his cock, closing her fingers around the base; when he groaned at the feeling, she tentatively squeezed. He bit her wrist in response, running his tongue lightly over the mark before slipping her arm over his shoulder and leaning down to capture her lips with his. She watched him with hooded eyes when he pulled away, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. “Alby said … being touched there feels nice…” she breathed.
Ger’rard reached down and gently grabbed her gloved wrist, pulling her hand away from him so he could slowly remove the delicate fabric from her arm, one finger at a time. He kissed the heel of her palm and her wrist as he did so. “Did he?”
“Mmm,” she hummed, watching him with baited breath. She pressed her other hand to her chest and finally noticed her breasts were exposed. Her skin flushed pink, but she did not move to cover up, either. Her eyes darted back to his erection and she shifted beneath him, her free hand resting on her stomach, twisting into the fabric of her dress. “Ger’rard, I…”
He finished pulling off her remaining glove, letting the fabric fall into the growing pile of discarded garments beside the sofa. He twined his fingers with hers, kissing her knuckle. “Shall I help you out of your dress, Laeticia?”
His wife shivered and nodded. “Please.”
Ger’rard slipped off the sofa, kicking his pants into the pile as he leaned over and wrapped his arm around Laeticia’s waist, lifting her from the chaise. She found her footing after a moment, clinging to his arms and leaning up on tiptoe to kiss him. He ran his hand over her bare back, tracing her spine until she gasped, then dipped his hand into the opening of her gown, winnowing his fingers beneath the fabric and gently coercing it off her frame to fall into a puddle on the floor.
Laeticia stood before him in only her panties, blushing fiercely as he looked her over. Ger’rard loosened her hair with one hand, his other caressing her shoulder as he pulled her in for another kiss. She trembled against him, twisting her hands in his tunic, then tugged insistently on the hem. He broke the kiss, stepping back so she could help him remove the last of his garments. She ran her hands across his bare chest, following the contour of his ribs as her touch roamed the length of his abdomen. Her fingers brushed lightly against his cock, and she watched him coyly as she slowly wrapped her hand around his shaft and gently squeezed.
“Laeticia…” he groaned.
She did it again, pressing her face into his shoulder. He could feel the heat from her blush, and it only grew hotter when she whispered against his skin. “Will you touch me, Your Majesty?”
In answer, Ger’rard wrapped his arm around her shoulders and carefully led her toward the bed, sinking onto the covers and holding her steady in front of him. She shifted nervously, pressing her hands against her breast, then gasped loudly when he leaned in to kiss her stomach. Her fingers brushed through his hair, gripping the strands as he tongued her navel. He could feel the muscles in her stomach spasm as he brushed his lips across her skin. Laeticia swayed on her feet, rapidly losing her balance as her knees weakened with each press of his mouth, and he had to catch her when he gently kissed the swell of her breast and her legs finally gave out.
“Forgive me,” she murmured as he laid her out on the bed. Ger’rard sat beside her, rubbing her belly. Laeticia let out a long, shaky breath, then reached up to cup his jaw. “Try again?” Her face turned instantly red and she lowered her gaze. “It felt quite nice.”
The emperor considered her, running his hand across her hip. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she returned his gaze, squirming on the bed in anticipation. Finally, Ger’rard nodded and leaned over her, bracing himself with a hand beside her head as he trailed his lips across the soft curve of her breast. She breathed out his name, pawing at his shoulders as he drew her nipple into his mouth, lapping over the sensitive nub with his tongue. He spent several minutes lavishing her breast with attention before moving to the other, and as he did so he slid the hand at her belly lower, gently running a finger between her legs. A jolt passed through her and Laeticia released an explosive breath, slapping her hands over her mouth in a vain attempt at stifling her moan.
“Shall I stop?” he asked quietly, pressing his finger against her rapidly-dampening panties, mouth hovering just above her nipple. Laeticia shook her head vigorously, hands still clamped over her mouth. She drew her legs closer, shifting her hips to press against his hand, and when he resumed stroking her through her small clothes she screwed her eyes closed in pleasure.
He kissed her breast as he rubbed his fingers over her panties, enjoying the way she writhed beneath him. Her hands could not stop her moans and soft gasps from escaping, so they eventually migrated back to his hair, holding onto him like a lifeline. She almost ripped his hair out when he moved the thin fabric of her undergarments aside and touched her directly, his fingers enveloped in the wet heat of her folds.
“G-Ger’rard…!” she gasped, twisting her hips away from him in surprise, body going stiff at the unfamiliar sensation. Ger’rard withdrew his hand, pressing his palm against her stomach soothingly as he curled beside her, kissing her shoulder. She shuddered, turning to press her face into his neck. “I’m sorry…! I did not- I...”
“Are you nervous?” She stilled, considering, then nodded slowly. He rested a hand on her hip and she buried herself closer to him. “This can be enough, Laeticia. We don’t have to go further if you aren’t-”
“No!” She snapped her head up, mouth set in a determined line. “I want to! I do…” She lowered her gaze, running her fingers across his chest. “I was just overwhelmed. I want you to touch me. I want to feel you…” She trailed off, blushing furiously, and walked her hand down his body to brush lightly against his erection instead. He breathed in deeply through his nose, biting back a groan. He could feel her lips against his throat. “Please.”
He brushed a hand through her hair, fighting to steady his own breathing, then gently pushed her onto her back. Ger’rard leaned over her, the hand on her hip slipping beneath her panties again, and this time when he touched her Laeticia didn’t pull away. He could feel her tremble as he ran his fingers along her sex, her legs drawing closer as he pressed his middle finger against her, seeking out her entrance. She gasped as he found purchase, slipping his finger inside. He stroked her slowly, watching her expression as she screwed her eyes closed, choking back gasps. She could not keep quiet when he added a second finger, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down to press her face into his shoulder to muffle her cries.
Ger’rard stilled his fingers, but did not remove his hand. “Is it too much?” She shook her head, her body slowly relaxing around him. He waited another moment before continuing, pumping both fingers into her in a steady cadence. She bit his shoulder, arms tightening around his neck as she raised her hips against his hand, her inner walls pulsing around his fingers. Ger’rard nudged her temple with his chin, drawing her attention so he could kiss her as he pulled his hand from between her legs. She whimpered against his lips, shivering as he removed her panties, then gasped when he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her onto his stomach as he rolled onto his back.
Laeticia propped herself up with her hands on his chest, legs straddling his waist, chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Ger’rard stroked her jaw and neck with one hand, the other rubbing her hip. She swallowed, shifting on his stomach. “I…”
“Do you want to stop?” She shook her head. “Then we can go at your pace, Laeticia.”
She licked her lips, fingers splayed across his chest. “I do not want to fall short of your expectations, Your Majesty,” she said softly.
He caressed her cheek. "You could never. If either of us were to fall short, it would be I to you." He ran his thumb lightly over her bottom lip. "I still marvel that you found a man such as I worthy of your love."
Laeticia closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath. "You are a good man, Ger'rard. When your people were in need, you did not abandon them. You have been gracious and kind in all things." She shifted her weight, massaging his chest with delicate fingers as she lost herself in thought, then took a deep breath and scooted back, cautiously rubbing herself against the length of his cock. Her breathing hitched and she stiffened, holding herself still with him nestled between her folds. "Is it truly a surprise I could love you?”
“Sir Raymond was not wrong to insist you have a big heart,” the emperor groaned, guiding her as she began to slowly rock back and forth, grinding against his length. He found he desperately wanted to be inside her, but he said they could move at her pace, and he had no intention of changing that. She slid back and forth along the underside of his shaft, the wet heat from her folds coating his dick, helping her glide easier against him with every twist of her hips.
“Did he…?” she breathed. She leaned forward, holding herself up on shaky arms, hands splayed across his chest. Her breasts heaved and he found himself captivated by the way her muscles moved just beneath her pale skin. He kneaded her thigh encouragingly with one hand, the other gently cupping her breasts and tracing lazy circles around her nipples. “Ah…!” she gasped, lips parted. He did it again and she shuddered. "I…"
"We can stop whenever you want, Laeticia," he reminded her quietly, rubbing her hip when her rhythm faltered.
She shook her head, looking down on him with bright blue eyes. Her skin was pink, her hair hanging loose around her shoulders, clinging to glistening skin as she struggled to steady her breathing. She trembled. "I have no desire to stop. I want to move forward. I just…"
He stroked the small of her back soothingly. "You still worry you'll change?"
Laeticia swallowed hard and nodded. "How could I not?"
Ger'rard stilled his hands, considering her question in earnest. After a moment he gently traced her lips with a finger. "Then we change together, Laeticia." He offered her a soft smile. “Your words changed me once before; I believe I can happily be a changed man again tonight.”
“Ger’rard…” Laeticia shivered, stroking his chest in slow circles, clearly lost in thought. He waited quietly, caressing her thighs and trying not to focus on the way her body felt pressed against him. It became infinitely harder when she resumed rubbing along his length. He closed his eyes, breathing through his nose, then let out a sharp breath when she scooted forward and tentatively repositioned herself, the tip of his cock brushing against the wet heat of her entrance. She leaned forward and pressed her face against his shoulder. “I think… I think I’m ready. I want to keep going,” she whispered.
He nodded, lifting her chin with a finger so he could kiss her, his other hand squeezing her hip. She trembled above him, lips quivering against his as she slowly leaned back, taking in just the tip before stopping and gasping quietly. Ger’rard groaned, straining not to thrust into her or drag her down onto him as she rolled her hips experimentally. Each movement earned another quiet gasp, a soft explosion of warm breath against his lips as she slowly took in more of him, drawing his length into her heat. Her walls constricted against his shaft, body clamping around him as he slid deeper into her. Despite himself, Ger'rard murmured her name in pleasure, pressing his fingers into her thighs hard enough to leave a mark. Laeticia pawed at his chest, nails biting into his skin as she sat up fully and lowered herself against his hips, enveloping his cock completely, her body trembling and pulsing around him. She tensed and sucked in a sharp breath.
“Relax, Laeticia,” he groaned, stroking her sides soothingly.
She laughed faintly and shifted her hips. “Perhaps I needed more wine,” she joked quietly.
He cupped her cheek, brushing at the wetness pricking the corners of her eyes. She let out a soft cry as she slowly resumed the rocking motions she’d practiced earlier. “Breathe,” he coached, guiding her hip with his other hand. He brushed away another tear. “Are you okay?”
Laeticia nodded, steadying her breathing. She leaned forward and kissed him, finally finding a rhythm as she slid up and down his length. “I wanted…this…” she murmured against his lips. Her hips rocked against his, almost lifting off him entirely before she took him in again with soft, rhythmic pants. She was wet and slick and incredibly tight. "Ger'rard, I…"
“There’s no rush,” he whispered, lifting his hips in time with her movements. “Take your time, Laeticia.”
The sounds she made were intoxicating, soft moans and clipped gasps that made his skin tingle in anticipation. The tension in her slowly melted away, her hips rolling against his as she sat back, pressing her knees into the bed as she put her weight into riding his cock. She was clumsy and lost her rhythm, but Ger’rard didn’t care, losing himself in the feel of her around him, the slick warmth and steady pulse of her inner walls as her body gripped him with every thrust. He reached up to grope her breast again and she slammed down onto him in surprise. “Ger’rard…!”
The emperor thumbed her nipple. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
“A-again…!” she breathed, moaning quietly as he acquiesced. She ground her hips against his, burying his cock deep inside her, trembling with each movement. She closed her eyes, struggling to breathe, and he watched the muscles in her stomach quiver as she pawed at his arms. “Ger’rard, I… Haaah…” Her nails dug into his skin, eyes flying open. “I…!”
He squeezed her breast and kneaded her thigh, watching through hooded eyes as she gasped desperately for air. She rocked against him and he guided her hips, helping her keep a rhythm as her stomach spasmed and her back arched. “It’s okay, Laeticia,” he murmured. “You can let go.”
She clung to his arms to hold herself up as she bucked her hips against his, burying him inside her as a soft, desperate keen broke from her lips. Ger’rard continued thrusting up into her as she arched back, mouth agape and staring at the ceiling. Her entire body convulsed as she came, skin flushed and glistening from exertion. She was beautiful, and not for the first time he was thankful she’d chosen him.
He held her hips a little longer, watching as she slowly came back to her senses. She swallowed hard, her breathing labored, and tears clung to her lashes when she finally turned to look at him. “Ger’rard, I…”
He shook his head, running his thumb across her lips before pulling her down to kiss her. She melted against him, limbs loose and chest heaving. He stroked her hair and wrapped his arm around her waist as he carefully rolled them both over, nudging her legs further apart and repositioning to push back into her as she gasped into their kiss. He groaned at the feel of her tightening around him again, at how easily her body accepted him. “I just need… a little longer…” he breathed against her lips.
Laeticia nodded, gingerly wrapping her legs around his as he thrust into her, the change in their positions letting him push deeper than when she'd straddled him. Her breathing hitched and her head fell back against the pillows, her arms snaking under his to wrap around his chest. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It was too much and I could not-”
“I wanted you to,” he replied, kissing her throat as he found his own rhythm. She moaned and panted in time to every push and pull, rubbing her hands across his back and walking her fingers down his spine. He hooked an arm under her ass, lifting her hips and pushing deeper into her as he trailed kisses up her neck and jaw until he could swallow her cries. Her legs tightened around his and he could feel her trembling. “If it’s too much, we can stop-”
Her nails pressed into his back and she bit his lip. “N-no…” she whimpered, soothing his lip with her tongue before she collapsed back down into the pillows, drawing in a shuddering breath. “Please don’t stop…”
Ger’rard groaned, bracing himself against the headboard and pressing his lips to her throat again. She was tight and wet and his cock throbbed as he thrust into her, lifting her hips to push as deep as possible. Laeticia choked back gasps, clinging to him and clamping her legs around his thighs as her body convulsed a second time. Her inner walls pulsed around him, and this time it was enough to push him over the edge as well. Ger’rard captured Laeticia’s lips with his, grunting into the kiss as he slammed his hips against hers, holding her against him as he came. She pawed at his shoulders, panting heavily. Her voice caught in her throat when he finally pulled out.
He stroked her hair and pulled her against his chest as he settled beside her. Laeticia shivered, pressing her face into the crook of his shoulder, sweat covering her still shaking limbs as she slowly relaxed, the tension draining from her. Ger’rard tilted her face up toward his, brushing his lips against her temple. “Are you okay?” She nodded. He kissed her again. “Does it hurt?”
She shook her head, then paused. A blush crept across her face and shoulders. “It, ah …” She squirmed, drawing her legs together. “I am … a little sore…” she admitted. She shifted, pushing herself up onto her elbows, eyes wide. “But I’m fine! It was- I very much- I…!”
Ger’rard cupped her cheek, tracing her lips with his thumb. “Do you feel different?”
Laeticia lowered her eyes, considering his question. After a moment she laid back down, hiding her face in his neck. He rubbed her back, waiting patiently for her to answer. “I … do not know,” she finally whispered, fingers splayed across his chest. “I feel as though I should, and yet I am content. I am happy, Ger’rard.” She pulled back and looked up at him with bright eyes. “Do you?”
He shook his head, drawing her in for a kiss. “Not different, no,” he murmured against her lips. “But I am thankful you trusted me to love you.”
She hummed happily before settling against him, head pillowed on his shoulder. “I suppose I should let Alby know he was correct.”
Ger’rard closed his eyes, amused. She really did tell her knight everything. “There’s no rush, Laeticia.”
She nuzzled his shoulder sleepily. “Mmm. Perhaps it takes a couple tries before one notices.”
“Then I suppose we will simply have to try again to see.”
She laughed quietly. “I would like that.”