Steven kissed her heavy eyelids and then her juicy lips.

"Happy birthday, my beautiful queen" he said. Her lips curved into a soft smile. She didn't open her eyes, but reached for him with her open arms.

Steven got closer, kissing her soft neck.

"You just turned eighteen, my beautiful queen" he said, kissing her more.

Natalia didn't say a word. She just kept blushing, as he kissed her. She was his weakness, his passion, and to some extend, his obsession. He was crazy about her and it was obvious to all.

"Enjoy my soft queen, you have to harden up now" he said.

"What? " she opened her eyes and looked into his, he smiled and kissed her lips.

"Nothing " he said, kissing her further.

He made love to her, softly, sweetly, and then carried her to their personal bathing area, helping her bath.

Steven didn't let any maids touch her that day. He helped her get ready. He let her hair loose on her back.

"You look so beautiful, as always" he said, as he put on a thin chain around her neck.

Natalia was always dressed heavily, due to her position, but when she dressed up for Steven, he always wanted simplicity. He wanted to see more of her soft skin, adorned by delicate jewelry that complimented her. And a beautiful but simple silk gown that hugged her curves in the right places.

"Before the grand feast, I want us to celebrate your birthday in privacy. Just you and me" he said, tracing her neck with a rose. She blushed.

The person she hated once was the most important person in her life now. And he made her feel special too. More then anyone had ever. He treated her like she was his most prized possession. The most valuable person in his life.

"I have many gifts for you. Obviously, none of those match what you have given me. But.. I will try to make you as happy as I can" he kissed her again, "Come on, let me show you, your gifts".

Steven knew of her tender heart, no jewelry or valuable was enough to please her. She found happiness in the happiness of others. Thus, in her honor, he had given bonuses to all servants, send extra help for widows, senior citizens and orphans. Appointed new people to help them and decrease work load of others.

Natalia was glowing with joy. Steven had also planted a small rose plant in her balcony, for her to have great fragrance in her room and he knew she would love to take care of it.

"My beautiful queen.. You are like this rose, soft and vulnerable, extremely beautiful.. and these thorns.. I have been the thorn to your rose.. To protect you always.. But you need your own thorns " he said.

"My own thorns? I don't understand my king" she said, turning to face him.

"You will, tomorrow morning " he said.

_________

The evening went by in the grand feast held for her birthday. And the night was spend with Steven making love to her continuously till the darkness started to fade.

Natalia slept till the sun was high in the sky and didn't see Steven the whole day. He was busy with something she wasn't aware of. The next night, he send her a note that said he wants her to spend time with James and rest, as the next morning will be tough on her. She had no idea what he had in plan but she trusted him and did what he asked her to.

Finally, that morning came and she got ready, and as she returned from the bath, she found Steven standing by her mirror. She was still in her bath robes. The maids left her, giggling in their way back.

"I wish, I wasn't always so affected by your beauty " Steven licked his lips, "but.. I need to focus"

He took out a long piece of cloth and blindfolded her.

"My king? What is.. " but he silenced her with his finger on her lips.

"My beautiful queen. Please, no questions.. Just let me do what I need to" he said.

He removed her robes and started clothing her, contrary to what she was expecting him to do. Those weren't her usual clothes. He had slid her arms through a fluffy shirt with puffy sleeves and then got her into some king of pants. He fastened a vest around her belly and tied on her boots.

"My king? Please.. I am getting too curious " she said.

"Just a little longer, my beautiful queen" he said.

He didn't know how to do her hair, so he called in her haidmaiden and had probably instructed her. Natalia felt  her hair being cleanly braided. Which was new. Because Steven always loved her hair loose. No jewelry was put on. Not even earrings.

"Come, my beautiful queen" he took her hand, and carefully guided her to the place he had to take her.

"My beautiful queen.. Be ready.. To get your own thorns" he said, and undid her blind fold.

She blinked twice, to adjust to the sudden light. They stood in a vast space, it looked like the training area for the princes. With all sorts of training equipment.

"My queen" Steven appeared before her with a large box in his hands, "the gift, I had yet peserved, for the right moment"

Natalia opened the box, and her heart skipped a beat. For what lay inside the box, was not hers to keep. No queen had ever held, what was then presented to her.

"My king? For me? " she asked again, maybe, it was meant for James, for when he grew up.

"Yes, my beautiful queen" he said, "its time you learn, how to be a real queen"

Natalia stared at the gift in amazement and then, her fingers curled on the handle, she was weak, she couldn't even pull it out of the box. So she left the sword, that gleamed at her. Strong and sharp, glistening, ready to slash anything that came across.

But Steven grabbed her hand and put it back where it belonged, helping her lift the sword, and supporting its weight himself, when her delicate wrist could not.

"I am going to teach you, my beautiful queen. Teach you, how to be strong, how to defend, not only yourself, but your kingdom as well, how to protect, how to fight, I will teach you everything that I know. From warrior skills to politics. Everything that made me a king, will now be taught to you, so that you serve well, as the hundredth queen".

Natasha swallowed hard as the reality of the situation stuck her.

******

I will try to update more frequently now.
So, Steve is gonna teach her to be a warrior.
Who is excited?
Do give your reviews