"Is this... Is this too weird for you to be subjected to?" I asked Svana.

She laughed. "A little late for that, perhaps? But... No. I don't think so. I never knew her, and you are my friend. Not my father... I mean it is a little strange to hear so much about my father... I knew he was..."

"Would you prefer I cater to that? I can leave out—"

"No," she shook her head. "No. Please don't. I said I wanted all of it. So. Let us hear your story," but her voice was softer than it normally was. She was considering every vulgar detail of the history I was telling, and though I would continue to glean over certain parts to come... I hoped I would not damage her with the truth.

"Should I–?"

"I am a little lost, I admit. I thought you were something of a ladies' man?"

"Rumors, love," I said.

"Rumors you never corrected? I've heard people say things to your face. You never thought you should say anything?"

"I never had the desire to. The more it was suggested that I was sleeping with other women, the less anyone felt the urge to look towards the Queen and I."

"Ah. Hiding in plain sight," she realized. "Even from me, years later?"

"A trick I do believe I taught you is most effective when blanketed over everyone equally. Time has no consequence. A secret remains a secret, even when half of it is gone."

I'll admit the first few days of this... Sneaking of passionate collisions every fifty feet, behind any and all available shrubbery, was taking a strange toll on me. I was convinced that at any moment, my uncle or even the King would erupt from whatever shielded us, and demand my blade and head.

It takes a while to merit sea legs in a clandestine affair. A little longer, when the woman you are courting already belongs to someone so above you. And longer still, when she is the Queen and wife of the man you are sworn to God to serve faithfully.

Eliza found reason to visit town by the end of the week. In the carriage, she told me it was only to spend time with me. We were able to speak more freely in the Ísfjall, she said. She felt that the people of the Capitol were always far too preoccupied with their own businesses, to notice ours, and we could pass mostly undetected by every stall.

On our second loop through Town Centre midday, I noticed how much our relationship had changed and how fast. She was strictly calling me 'Elías' or 'Gregory.' There was no Ser. And she took the opportunity to tell me two things about herself she said no one else could ever know.

"You are so eager to share yourself with me. I've decided it's important for you to see me for what I am," she said. "You hold me higher than I might deserve."

"I'll be the judge of that. Do tell," I begged, playfully.

The first of the sins she felt compelled to confess; the King was not the only man she had been with. She asked me if that bothered me, and when I said no, she asked why. Then why I had been with no one at all. She asked 'why her' once more.

I told her the truth. That I thought she was a good person, and that we all went through our own walks in life. It was not my purpose in this land to judge those around me, or to get laid. My purpose was only to serve the Crown.

I said; "I have only ever cared about my future as a Knight. No pair of legs has ever tempted me to stray from Chivalry. The idea of laying with a woman I won't ever marry has always felt..."

"Wrong?" she tried to finish my sentence.

"Not the word I was working towards," I said.

She sighed. "I'm sorry I cannot marry you."

"I'm not."

"Spoken like a true Blade," she teased.

I ignored whatever she was implying. "It's damning for me, either way. If you had not married His Majesty, we would not have met. You said you were from North Áire. I've never been to either Áire, and I never would have traveled so far south. My parents are from the Riverlands, and the Daltons live here in New Ridge."

"While you raise a good point, Gregor, I am still forlorn. You are very handsome and very silly with your rationale, and I think I shall remain very broody about robbing you of a better match. Possibly through the afternoon, perhaps all night." Her brow danced at me as her hands linked behind her back. "That is just today's mood, I'm afraid. I'm still considering if I can injure you much further than I already have."

"Very rarely fair," I decided.

"My moods? Of course they aren't, but I am what I am and—"

"No," I hummed. "The idea of laying with a woman I won't ever marry. It has always felt very rarely fair. But that is a philosophy I applied to the common dame. You are not common, are you? You're a rare, self-proclaimed unique force."

She rolled her eyes. "Tell me, Eli. Do you think of these lines on your own, or do you pull them from your books?"

"I think of them as you inspire them."

"Well." She scoffed. "That one was good."

The second sin, she said, was all she could think about was me. Especially alone.

"So you may consider yourself in shared company, in that regard. I think of you..." she shrugged. "I confess; all day."

"And that's supposed to bother me?" I asked.

"I can be...intense."
"Again. That's supposed to bother me?"
"Some men do not like an attachment so quickly."
"Some men—? I've just had the fairest creature explain that she thinks of me while..." I leaned in, conspiring. "While alone. I may be too flattered to consider intensity, but I assure you, I am not offended by it."

These little trips went on another two, maybe three weeks. In total we went a handful of times, but we grew together like weeds as they progressed. She allowed me to see her purchase gifts for Miss Cory, and on occasion, she would make one for me. I am a far cry from a materialistic fellow, but she said she loved to give things to the people she liked best.

Cory would receive chocolates, in all sorts of colors, from the bakery on Fifth. I would find a bookmark waiting for me on my bed, under the blanket when I went to sleep. The occasional letter.

Once, a notepad. Once, a single red rose.

She showed me a few hideaways in this place, too. The hidden stairs that led to the old tower where we shared the revival of our stolen kisses. The door in the wall between the Drawing and Dining rooms was another. When we were on the grounds, we would enjoy each other's humor from a distance via walks through the gardens. If we felt the urge to touch each other, we would vanish into the Library, if it were close, one of the passages if not.

The stained glass in these rooms, left us shielded to outsiders of our world and gave us the refuge to spend all day ensnared.

And then there was her husband's study, forgotten between his work and his obligatory social hour, once a week.

His Majesty would assemble the members of his gentleman's club to the Grand Hall for drinks, intentionally leaving Eliza behind for the attention of a waitress or dancer someone else had brought in. But she and I would sneak into his office; make ourselves at home over his desk.

One evening, I slid her back over his work. I was raking her hair, pressing my lips to hers, and she parted her legs for mine.

"Kiss me," she begged. "Touch me."

It wasn't the first time she'd alluded to wanting more.

"Eli," she moaned, pulling her mouth from my teeth. "I want very much to respect your wishes, but I." She whimpered. "Ungh. I'm aching for you. I need your touch."

"Then tell me, love?" I sang. "How would you have me touch you?"

Her hand felt my... more delicate area, and she buzzed. "Like this."

"Let me lock the door?" I asked.

She sat up. "Elías! Here?!"

I grinned at that. "You're the one hiking your skirt up at me! I may be a virgin, but I am still a man. Did you not feel what you've done to me tonight?"

She leapt to the floor and came my way. "No, it should be different. Special. Not. Not here," she spat.

"Special? For you, or for me?" I laughed. "This is special enough for me."

"I want it to matter," she said.

"It does matter." I brushed her waves, smoothing them into place. "But if you are not ready to experience this with me?"

She looked down.

I lifted her by the chin, offering her a smile. "I'm quite fine with that. It's late. His Majesty is bound to stumble out into these halls soon. Drunk or not, if he catches us in here like this, we will be in trouble."

She nodded.

I wasn't sure why she had deflated. I worried she was on her way down into another low.

"I will see you in the morning," I hummed. I kissed her forehead, pulled her to my chest to hold her there. "Let's get you to your room."

The next letter I received from the Queen arrived at the Library while I was waiting for her. Miss Cory set it on the table I was nested at, and when I looked up from my book, her eyebrow rose ever so slightly.

"Her Majesty is ill today," she said rather loud.

"Ill?" I asked.

"Yes," she was equally as heard. "She will remain in bed all day. Your services are not needed. You may go home."

She sort of glanced over her shoulder, nodding at the passing pair of maids.

"...Alright?" I stood, marking my page. "Might I see her tomorrow then?"

Cory widened her eyes at the letter. "Fine, don't go home. Stay here and read, if you should like." She tapped the desk until I took the hint to sit down and explore the envelope.

Inside;

This is not an armored assignment.
Wait five minutes after she departs.
Tell no one.
Come alone.

Cory mused. "Enjoy your day off, Ser Elías."

If gaining the upper hand on me was her intention, Eliza had exceeded her task.

I felt completely out of my element when I arrived at her door, convinced this was some sort of elaborate prank. That Cory had set me up for failure. Had she grown jealous of the attention I had been given? Had she ran and told His Majesty of our affair? Would he be waiting for me inside? Would he take one look at the armor I held awkwardly in my hands and then beat me to death with it? Why had I even taken it off before I got here?

But after a gentle pattern of knocks on the chamber door, Eliza called; "Come in."

She was waiting for me on the elegant satin sheets that dressed her bed, and she was wearing a negligee made of lace. Nothing else.

I closed myself in. "What if that had not been me?" I asked.

"Then I suppose whoever it was would have had quite the shock." She smiled. "Lock it, would you?"

I looked behind me, now unaware of how to work the simple mechanism to complete her request. I wanted to, but then... Worry.

"What of His Majesty? What if—?"

"His Majesty," she slipped onto the floor and strolled to the handle I could not defeat, switching it into place. "And Ser Dalton are off on a hunt today. They will be gone until tomorrow."

"A hunt? I've heard nothing of a hunt. The Knights attend those and—"

"This is something they do together, every year, my Blade. Do not worry; they're gone. I have been informed of their confirmed departure, and his favorite bow is off the rack as well."

"I see."

"Come." She took my hand. "Drop your armor and join me in the bed."

I glanced back at the mattress, then back down at her bosom. She was perfectly displayed, barely held back by the lingerie she wore. "This is for me?" I asked. My suit fell to the floor as I grazed the piece with a shaky hand.

"Do you like it? You never actually told me which color you like best on me, so I went with the pink on chance."

"I-I do," I said. "I do like this."

Eliza wove her fingers through mine. She followed my eyes down to her chest, where I could not help but look again, and she smirked. "You may feel them," she said. "But only if you join me in the bed."

She took a step backwards, another when I followed, and another, all the way until the back of her thighs met the blanket's trim. Eliza tugged one of the strings loose off her shoulder. She caught the dainty blouse before it fell, and she climbed onto the sheets.

"You are a vision," I said.

I crawled in after her. She kissed me. I moved her hand, revealing the first glimpse of her hidden body.

I had never seen a woman like this, but there was a man inside of me that yearned to change his circumstance. I took the peak of her breast into my mouth, handling the rest of it with my palm.

She pulled me over top of her as she laid into the pillow. Eliza forced the shirt over my head. She kissed my neck in between the effort of stripping me, and realizing that she had bared my chest.

"God is good, you are in proper health," she sang. "How old are you?"

"I am younger than the King," I realized. "Is that what you mean?"

She shut her eyes, arching, and letting her hand move across her collar bone.

"Are you sure they're gone all day?" I asked, watching her.

She nodded, pulling the string of the other side and the half down.

For a moment... time stopped. She was magnificent. Stunning. A woman sent to disarm me, and disarm me she had.

I gathered the ends of her long gown, guiding them to her hips, and she giggled as I worked feverishly.

"Yes," she sang. "All day. No need to hurry."

I paused, looking up at her.

"Would you like me to show you what to do?" she offered. "Or would you prefer to poke around and figure it out yourself?"

I chuckled. "...Show me what you like."

I sat back on my heels as her hands replaced mine. She moved her panties down, leaving them somewhere in the bed and her exposed. And I felt my very heart slow.

Eliza took two of her fingers, the first and the middle, and she felt the center of her core... for me. She licked her lips, tentatively. "Right here is where it feels best, when it's just hands. Or your tongue."

I came forward again, ready to learn, and I traded her fingers for my thumb. In the same circular motion she had demonstrated, I moved, too.

She made a sound, and she relaxed, her legs shifting their heights. "You're a quick study."

"I live to serve," I said.

She moaned, humored. "Don't play with me, Elías."

"Call me Gregor, or Gregory. It feels we are closer when you do. Like we are very good friends."

"If we are not very good friends by now, I–" she teased. "I– A– A little harder."

"Like this?"

"Ah, hah, yes. Like that. Now if—"

She had become wet near where I touched her, and I intended to explore every part of what that meant. There were some things I could figure out with simple thought to them, having grown up with soldiers. I learned a long time ago how to camouflage myself to avoid ridicule, and I knew a few vulgarities that were making sense now as they appeared.

Things I'd heard other men talk about. Things a gentleman should do.

I swam under the remnants of her skirt and she squealed as my lips touched hers.

At first it was just a peck, but then I recalled her instructions. Harder. I tried to mimic what my hand had done with my mouth. Kissing her the way I would her face. Circling her with my tongue.

Searching her.

"Adventurous," she mumbled, tensing. "Ah. And good." Eliza's nails combed through my hair, incessantly. "Gregor," she breathed.

"Yes, my Queen?"

"I want you... to make love to me."

I hummed, nuzzling her leg.

"Please?" she asked.

"I am... nervous," I broke away, posting on my arm.

Her hand was warm to the side of my face. "As am I. But I want to feel you. Inside of me."

"I want nothing more," I said. "I think you know that."

She waited only another second before she took my hand and brought it back to her sex. I was buzzing, the way you do after a few ales, and soon I was responsible for the return of this woman's stifled noises. She bit into the fabric of the pillow, gasping, body held tightly and then—

Eliza clutched the meaty part of my higher chest.

When she caught her breath, she didn't extend another verbal invitation. She worked to unfasten my pants and slid them down around my hips.

"Eliza—" I'd intended to ask if she was sure, but as I said; she was determined.

I was out and ready for her, harder than I'd ever been. I used myself to poke around as she had joked, investigating every place that made her react, and after playing with her core a little longer, I finally, and carefully, pushed myself inside.

She was... impossibly soft. An angel from Heaven. My angel, and warm.

I kissed her devoutly, as she moved her hips, encouraging mine to do the same, our bodies tangled, and when an insurmountable wave of pleasure built inside of me, she anticipated it with a sweet; "Be sure that you pull out." I furrowed my brow at her. "When you feel like you're going to erupt, pull yourself—"

I gathered her meaning just as the sensation emerged, better than any time I'd felt it alone, and I finished ...well somewhere else.

Afterwards, I was exhausted. I had the thought to roll onto my back beside her, but only wanted to fall asleep. She had just settled onto my chest when I realized that if I did not exert this energy now, and leave, I would, no doubtedly, expire here.

As I sat up, her tongue clicked out of surprise.

"You struck me as a man who would hold his Queen a bit?" she worried.

I stalled. "I do wish to be that man, but if I stay here any longer I will overstay my welcome in your chamber."

She brought the blanket higher on her chest. "Do you think I am asking you to leave? Or do you just want to?"

"I think I... I am confused?"

She bit her lip. "When I informed you my beloved husband was gone until tomorrow..." she swallowed. "I was inviting you to stay."

"All night?"

"Yes, dear Gregory. All night."

I considered if I could get away with it. "Will no one come for you between now and then? What about the morning? Surely—?"

"Miss Cory is my only visitor. This, I promise you."

"And what if she—?"

"She will not," she reassured me. "Cory likes you. More importantly, me, and her position here."

"Can you be sure?"

She nodded. "Twice she's been offered to betray me; twice she's informed me of it."

I paused. I was not very tired anymore. "What will we do all night?" I pried, needy.

"That, again. If you should like it. But really anything you want," she sang. "I am yours to reap. And when you're finished with me... you'll hold me and fall asleep."

• • •

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