Just as Alex predicted, the party dragged on for what seemed like forever. As soon as the last guest was bid farewell and the Councillor had given her leave, she took off as fast as she could, excitedly kicking off her heels as she made her way back to her chambers.

The Mistresses had her quarters turned down for the night—the curtains were drawn, and the room was aglow with candlelight. Once she shut her door, she let out a deep breath she didn't realize she was holding and headed directly to the vanity dresser. She decided it was best to get more comfortable before she set out to find Treyan, even though she felt the exhaustion of the day begin to sink in.

A case for the crown was already waiting on her dresser. With careful hands she gently laid the delicate relic to rest for the time being. Looking in the mirror to begin taking out her earrings, she noticed the reflection of the room behind her.

She turned around in surprise and only then did she finally notice exactly how many candles were lit around her. From the door to the windows they were set on every table top, bookshelf, and flat surface where they could fit. They even surrounded her bed. There her prince quietly sat, wearing a loose shirt that showed his chest, casual pants, and legs crossed while he watched her, with a glass of wine in hand.

"So, this is where you've been hiding all night?" she asked as she turned in the bench to face him, trying to hide the surprise upon seeing him.

He shrugged. "Someone had to track down the palace's extra supply of candles."

"Jamison couldn't do that for you?" she teased

"Not this time—this was a top-secret mission."

"Apparently so." She smirked. "What's all this for?"

"You, of course. Just because the celebration has finished downstairs doesn't mean it must stop here." He smiled as he stood, picking up a second glass of wine, and walking over to her. "Besides, don't you enjoy sleeping by candlelight?"

She stood to meet him, happily taking the wine from his hand. The first, sweet sip was joyous as it hit her palate. "I don't enjoy the potential of my dress or bed sheets catching fire, no."

Taking another sip, she walked to the edge of the bed and put her cup down on the table. "Speaking of, will you help me out of this thing? The weight of this dress alone is exhausting."

She turned her back to him for easier access to the bodice's laces, half-expecting him to come over and assist her with a schoolboy's enthusiasm, but when there was no response, she glanced over her shoulder to check on the whereabouts of her prince.

He hadn't moved, but instead continued standing where he was, watching her as the candles bathed him in firelight and shadow.

"Treyan, what's wrong?" She turned to face him, and as she did she noticed his wine glass was down as well and his hands fidgeted with an unseen object. His blue eyes were on her with such yearning behind them she couldn't keep herself from blushing.

"Alex," he began. "Ever since I was young, my dreams involved the Empress, and I wondered what our future would be like together. And now you are here, after all these years, and finally my life feels as though it has meaning."

She bit her lip but remained silent while he continued.

"You know this is something I've wanted for a long time." He took her left hand in his right as his left hand held up the object for her to see.

It was a ring. But not just any ring.

The ring. The very same ring she saw in her dream.

"What are you doing?"

But she knew exactly what he was doing.

"I know this may seem rushed, or maybe it's perfectly appropriate, I don't know, but I promise you, everything I say to you, now and forever more, comes from the deepest furrows of my heart."

Alex felt lightheaded and could feel her knees go weak—this was not the ideal time to faint, she scolded herself as she maintained eye contact with Treyan.

"I love you, Alexstrayna," he declared, his voice hoarse with emotion as he placed the ring upon her finger. "Will you honor me by becoming my wife?"

She stared down to where he still held her hands, and she glanced over to where the ring now rested comfortably upon her finger. This is too much, she thought. Too much, too soon.

"Alex?"

She looked up to him. Gazing at him, eye-to-eye, she finally saw in him what he had seen in her this whole time. She hadn't realized it before, but perhaps this—the coronation, the marriage, the Empire—this new purpose bestowed upon her was exactly what she wanted—maybe even what she needed, after so many years of searching for something.

"Alex," Treyan asked carefully, his eyes intent on her. "Please...say something?"

She swallowed, her grip on his hand tightening in both support and reassurance.

No, she wasn't going to run away this time.

"Yes." It was the only word she could get out, but it was the only word that mattered.

"Yes?" he asked, blinking as if he was uncertain he heard her correctly. His grip around her fingers tightened as well, looking for that confirmation.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes," she repeated, this time with more confidence as she wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"Oh, thank the gods!" he exclaimed as he held onto her, and he kissed her, quite passionately, as if to seal the pact.

She could have stayed in his arms like that forever and a day, but Treyan appeared to have other ideas.

"Let's finally get you out of that dress," he suggested as he broke from their embrace.

"You mean like I had suggested earlier?" She smirked, watching him.

Treyan shrugged as he walked behind her, one arm encircling her waist. "I had a much better agenda."

The other hand began undoing the strings of her bodice as he lightly kissed her neck up to her ear. "I told you it would be perfect, did I not?"

"Mmhmm, and it was."

As her bodice loosened, he pulled her close as his free hand reached around from behind, across her chest to find one of her exposed breasts. Applying just enough pressure to elicit a slight moan from her lips, he continued to kiss her neck. Soon both hands worked their way to her bodice, loosening it the rest of the way, pulling the dress down and over her hips, until it fell into a delicate pile of skirts and fabric at her feet.

She now stood naked in the candlelight, and he turned her around to face him. His fingers traced the metal along her neckline, and only then did she remember that she still wore the jewelry from the coronation.

She smiled. "Thank you, by the way. For the gifts."

His hand went to her jawline and stopped to hold the end of an earring in his palm. "Jewels fit for an empress."

She closed her eyes and let her cheek rest in his warm hand.

"Before we go any further, we have to do something with this hair."

"My hair?" Alex reached up to discover that though she had removed the crown, her hair still up and full of pins.

"Allow me." Using his other hand, he removed the remaining pins, one after the other, and the delicate comb from her scalp, which in turn released the remaining curls and tendrils, allowing them to cascade down her bare back.

"Much better." Tossing the comb aside, he quickly returned his attention to her, bringing his lips to hers for another kiss.

Her hands found the hem of his shirt, and gathering the soft material in each fist, she lifted it up to reveal his perfectly sculpted chest. He stretched up his arms and assisted the rest of the way, tossing the shirt aside to join the discarded dress.

Her hands gently traced the details of his chest, running over his nipples, his ribs, down to his belly button, and finally to the top of his pants. Alex glanced up at him through her lashes, and the look he gave her in return insinuated there would be no resistance this time. Without further hesitation, she untied the belt and her hands worked their way over each hip, lowering the pants below his waist, wrapping around to pause for a moment on his bare buttocks before returning to the front, where he was more than ready to be released from his cloth prison.

His girth brought a seductive smile to her face as her hand traced along the base of his manhood. "Someone's ready."

A slight moan emerged from his throat as he looked at her. "You have no idea." Without another delay, he scooped her off her feet and carried her to the bed. He laid her down gently and immediately positioned himself above her, making a place for himself between her legs.

As much as she wanted nothing more than for him to be buried within her, she was in no mood for another night of frustration and disappointment. "Treyan, you said to have patience."

"I've changed my mind."

His kiss was deep with wanting, and she could feel her yearning building in return. Perhaps he felt it too, for he lowered himself to her, against her, and she could feel his passion hardening.

Without another word of protest or warning, he thrust himself inside of her and the feeling of him was surprisingly overwhelming—all she could do was arch her back against the sensation as a gasp escaped her.

He did not falter, her name a sultry whisper against her lips. "Alexstrayna..."

He thrust deeper, and she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, reveling in the moment.

"Treyan..." was all she could whisper, and again he thrust in, deeper still. Again and again.

Another moan of pleasure escaped her lips as her as her body writhed with his.

He thrust his deepest then, and she moaned out. But he held his position to look at her, his breath heavy, and she looked at him with so much love, longing, and passion flowing through her that the last thing she wanted was for him to stop. She pulled him close, kissing him, wrapping her arms and legs around him to keep him closer, deeper.

He happily obliged.

Making love to Treyan was like an erotic dance where their bodies moved fluidly as one. Their slow and sensual rhythm allowed them to cherish the melding of their love for as long as their bodies would allow. When their moment of climax arrived, he finished inside her, Alex felt warm throughout her entire body, as though fulfilled.

Complete.

He did not roll off her when he was finished. He remained inside her, and returned to her lips, where she welcomed him hungrily. And so their night progressed, and even as the candlelight began to fade, their passion did not subside. It was not until the suns began to peek over the edges of the horizon that they allowed sleep to overcome them, and in each other's arms, they lay as the suns continued to rise.