Untying my Queen turned out more difficult than restraining her. My knots were too tight, and the shawls left pink signs on her wrists.

Next time, I would be more careful. And also tie a ribbon, so that the knot could be undone with a single move.

«Does it hurt?» I asked while pecking on her skin.

She shook her head and lay in my arms.

«It's fine. There won't be anything visible tomorrow.»

«You're quite knowledgeable, my Queen. I believed this was the first time you did something like this.»

«Oh, it definitely was. But I know my skin well. This much isn't enough to leave a sign...»

«You're treating me as a task to fulfil,» I complained.

«My favourite task,» she chuckled.

«I don't want to be one. I was at fault when I requested you to stay with me every evening. I don't want to be a scheduled commitment. I want to be someone you visit because you want to.»

«But I do want to come here.»

«Really?»

She cuddled in my embrace and leaned her head on my chest. Her nails drew paths on my skin, making me shiver and have goosebumps.

«I thought this was enough to prove to you my feelings,» she whispered. «But, indeed, a marriage isn't only about physical intimacy.»

All I wanted was to hear her admit that she liked to pass some time with me. I wasn't expecting such a prompt solution.

It was the first time that I heard a royal admit their mistake.

«I will do better,» she continued. «But I need you to tell me how. It's the first time I'm married, after all. I don't have prior experience.»

«I was joking,» I confessed. «There isn't anything you can do to improve in my eyes. Just don't forget that I'm not just a duty.»

«No,» she nodded. «You're my dear husband. The only one I have.»

«Only one? No other candidates?»

«I don't know, I don't really have time to look around,» she said.

Then, she grinned devilishly and lifted her head to peck my lips.

«Or maybe, I'm too busy thinking about my consort.»

«This is an acceptable explanation,» I grinned. «I like the second answer more...»

I cupped her chin with my hand and forced her to look at me. I kissed her lips and pushed my tongue into her mouth.

During the first days of our marriage, I had been careful not to do anything my wife could dislike. I was conscious of my position in that court.

Later, after gaining some self-esteem and courage, I tried being slightly pushier. Not just that my Queen didn't run away scared, but she responded to my actions with excitement. She liked rough kisses, small bites, and clear intentions.

It was such luck that we were completely compatible.

When my Queen bit my lip, I returned back to the real world. I liked so much her tendency to try doing me the same things I did to her.

It was also funny, establishing some order.

«You dare to bite your dear husband?» I whispered to her ear. «My Queen turned brave this evening.»

«I've always been brave,» she complained.

«Is it considered brave when you just ignore the consequences?»

«Yes, because I'm not ignoring,» she giggled.

The hair on the back of her neck was lifted; her eyes moved on me with a somehow nervous glance.

She was waiting for me.

Too bad that I was tired after the show from a few minutes before. However, there was a part of my body that could still work.

I surrounded her waist with an arm, and I dragged her on my lap.

«Theodora,» I whispered in her ear. She tilted her head, exposing her neck to me. «There is something you can do to make me forget your naughty actions...»

«I'm not naughty,» she replied half-heartedly.

«But you can fulfil this little request of mine.»

«I can try,» she nodded. «What do I have to do?»

My lips split in a demonic grin.

«Me,» I shrugged.

She blinked a couple of times, surprised.

«How?» she whispered, confusion evident on her pretty face. Her eyes widened when she started to understand what I meant.

«Like this,» I explained patiently, parting her legs and making her straddle me.

«Is this possible?»

«I don't know, but we can try.»

A part of my mind yelled that it was certainly possible, and also worth the hassle.

«If it doesn't work, we'll just do the usual,» I chuckled, and my Queen's shoulders relaxed.

«I don't want to hurt you!» she exclaimed, and I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

«I'm not an innocent maiden, I can't be hurt with your caresses.»

«All right, then. Let's try.»

She grabbed my shoulders and looked at my already vigil erection.

«Not this fast,» I stopped her. I wasn't sure about it, but somehow it sounded wrong to hurry. «It's not a duty, remember?»

She arched her brows and opened her mouth to say something, but words didn't come to mind.

After failing a second attempt to reply, she kissed me. Her tiny arms surrounded my neck, and her breasts were pressed on my chest.

Her tongue found its way into my mouth, and I smiled without stopping the kiss. My daring Queen was unexpectedly exciting.

My left hand was pressed on her back, while the right found its way to her buttock. I squeezed without warning, and Theodora moaned. She sank her fingers in my hair and pulled without much strength. Just enough to make me notice.

«Is this slow enough?» she asked, splitting from me to get some air.

«Not yet,» I said.

She returned to our kiss in silence. All her focus was entirely on me. All she did was to please me. All she said was to ask me.

Her world, for that transient moment, was made of me only.

I moved my fingers between her legs and found her core wet and pulsing. It was as if she was holding back, all for me. I stuck a finger inside, and her muscles clenched around it.

She gasped and moved her lips from my mouth to my neck. She sucked my skin and nibbled my shoulder, light like the wind.

«Now could be the right moment,» I whispered, guiding her hips with my free hand.

She inhaled, slow, and then followed my guidance with her body. She accepted me inside her, moving her hips to adjust to our position. She gasped and stopped moving for a single moment.

«What are you so surprised by?» I asked, amazed by her shocked expression. «I've always been this...»

She stopped my blabbering with her trembling hand.

«Enough talking,» she said.

Correct. It wasn't time to talk.

«Then you have to do something, my dear. As much as I like staying like this,» I started, but she pressed her hand on my lips again.

She moved her weight on her knees and clenched my shoulders to be steadier. Her breasts moved up and down with her breath at a delicious rhythm, and her lips parted as she groaned.

Her pace was just right, perfect for looking at her. Pleasure warmed my body, but my mind stayed clear enough to enjoy the view and the feelings when our skin got in contact or her hair brushed on my shoulders.

Her fruity scent was now mixed with the salty odour of sweat and the sweet hints of lust.

All about her was so perfect. Her movements, her expression, her noisy panting that soon transformed into moans...

She bit her lips to smother her voice, and I observed her sealed eyes and white teeth.

«Let me hear your voice,» I said. It was stronger than me, so much that I barely realised that I spoke.

Much to my surprise, Theodora followed my wish and let out low, sweet screams.

«Call my name,» I dared.

«Don't be this pushy,» she replied.

Her face was flushed. So much that I pecked her nose when she slowed down just a little.

«Call my name,» I repeated, this time in a whisper.

«Stop it, Alexander,» she said. My body was crossed by electricity the same moment her throat formed the first letter of my name.

«Again,» I pleaded, even though it sounded like an order. I might have overstepped a boundary, at that moment. My Queen would scold me later if that was the case.

Yet, I wasn't thinking clearly anymore.

«Just once again,» I added.

She complied, calling my name a couple of times more before collapsing in my arms. At the same moment, I felt the addicting pressure of the climax.

Feelings and reality mixed.

Hot waves of energy and my wife's scent.

Her silky hair on my chest and her slim figure under my fingers, and the shivers that came a few seconds after the first release.

Her voice whispering my name once again, and my will to embrace her and feel her fresh skin.

I pecked her temple and lay back slowly, still holding my Queen in my arms. I rolled a lock of hair around my finger and observed her face as she fell asleep.

My beautiful angel was caught by slumber before me, and I could gaze at her before turning off the candles from the bedside tables and reach her in that cosy world.