ELRETH

Waking the next morning as the lanterns flared alight, Elreth was aware of two things: Warm, strong arms around her, holding her back to a firm, flat chest. And an ache inside her, half of dull pain, and half of frustration and need.

She wanted him again, already.

She blinked her eyes open, then smiled.

One of Aaryn's hands was splayed out in front of her. He'd held her all night, one arm under her neck, the other over her waist, his palm flat to her stomach.

Somehow, seeing his large, relaxed hand, the tendons standing up on the back, the fingers slightly curled… his strength resting.

It made her sigh the kind of sigh that her friends had always had for her father and Tarkyn. The kind of sigh that used to drive her up the wall. But now… now it made her ache to see those hands come alive and on her skin.

But he was still sleeping. Somehow the flickering light hadn't woken him, so Elreth lay there in the warm cocoon of his arms, and the furs, wallowing in gratitude and anticipation for this day.

It would be strange, she decided, to go out to the Tree City and pretend she was the same person, only mated. Because she felt like the past twenty-four hours had changed her completely. As if she would look in the mirror this morning and see a different female. But she knew it wasn't true.

She wasn't a different person. Just changed.

For the better.

By her mate.

She knew she should leave him to sleep. They'd probably only been asleep for three or four hours—hadn't wanted to sleep at all. But had reluctantly agreed that they would regret facing this day without at least some rest.

Elreth didn't have any meetings today—she'd specifically asked the Elders and the Security Council to avoid asking for her for the next two days. And they'd complied. But she was still Queen. There would be decisions to be made. Questions to be answered.

And Mates to entertain.

Elreth smiled. She planned to enjoy this new life that was beginning today. A lot.

She finally understood why her father had made it a point never to schedule evening activities unless they were unavoidable. She'd always thought he was just old and boring, wanting to go to bed early and sleep like some kind of bear.

But no… now she understood. Holy shit, she'd been so naïve!

Then Aaryn stirred behind her and pulled her tighter against him for a moment.

Elreth blinked. Was he… wasn't he asleep? She held her breath a moment to listen to his breathing, slow and even. She didn't think he was faking. Yet, a small wiggle of her hips confirmed… yes, he absolutely was desiring her. In his sleep? She wasn't sure whether to blush or laugh. What was he dreaming about to make that happen?

Perhaps more importantly, how could she make sure they took advantage of it?

Elreth gave it some thought. She decided she wasn't quite brave enough to roll over and just start touching him. But if he was already interested, maybe if she woke him he would… take the dominant role?

She shifted her hips, slowly at first, wiggling her way backwards until they were pressed together a little more firmly. Then she flexed her back… but he didn't react.

Elreth frowned and wiggled again.

He stirred this time, stretching a little and pulling her closer, rolling his hips so his arousal pressed into her back. But then he sighed and his breathing returned to even and slow.

She almost cursed.

Then, biting her lip to stifle a grin, she bumped him with her behind, and added a roll of her hips just to make sure.

Aaryn sucked in and went quiet. Elreth, smiling, didn't move, but let her eyes drift around, wondering when he would move. She couldn't hear him breathing anymore. Had he stopped, or was he awake.

With lips pressed thin in frustration, she wiggled her hips again and heard him curse. Suddenly, she was flipped onto her back and her mate had pinned her to the bed with his hips. He took both of her wrist and pinned her hands on either side of her head. She didn't even care. She loved the view of his flexed shoulders and chest, and his hair falling into his eyes which were puffy and red from lack of sleep—but glinting over his smile.

"Well, good morning, El," he rasped, his voice rough as gravel from lack of use.

"Good morning, Aaryn."

"What are you doing?"

Her smile turned coy. "Just waiting for you to wake up."

"Is that right?" he murmured, then rolled his hips slowly so that he passed right over her most sensitive flesh. She sucked in, but she couldn't stop the smile.

"Yes," she said breathlessly. "It's a very, very good morning."

He half-growled, half-chuckled and dropped his head to kiss her, soft and sweet, and far too brief. When he pulled back again, she tried to follow his lips up, but couldn't raise her head more than an inch from the pillow because of the way he had her arms pinned.

"Seriously?" she giggled. "You're going to keep me here? On the very first morning?"

"Well, we are in private, so you have to submit," he said, his tone saucy and his eyes flashing. "I mean, those are the rules."

"Are they?" she asked breathlessly. "Maybe I'm not as clear on the rules as I thought. Maybe… maybe you should show me."

Aaryn let a soft growl putter in his throat. "Show you what, El?" he asked, his voice low and daring.

She swallowed. "Show me what it means to submit. In the furs. Since we're in private."

His eyes widened and he gaped at her.

She lost her nerve. "I was just playing. I thought we were flirting? Sorry, I—"

"Never apologize for flirting with me, El," he rasped, taking her mouth. "Never."

He kissed her long and slow, rolling against her softly, then pulling her hands until they were both over her head, where he pinned both wrists with one hand, then stroked the other down her face, down her neck, down to her breast.

"Where should I start?" he breathed.

"Anywhere you want," she answered breathlessly. "Anywhere, Aaryn."

As it turned out, he started exactly where he'd started before, and they both ended exactly where they'd ended before, too. But the road there…

Elreth was definitely learning the joy of submission.

Definitely.