(v) to do something with soul, creativity, or love; when you leave a piece of yourself in your work.

Raneem reminisced the warmth of Zane's body enveloping her when she woke up in the morning. His refusal to rest all those five days she had taken a toll on him. He did not wake even as she prepared with her handmaids. She had memorized every line and contour of his handsome face from the golden locks that swept across his strong features to the lush lips that had taken her captive time and again. The image of him calmed her and calm was what she needed now.

She looked at Amira from her seat at the throne. The public trial had not gone for long and already nobles and citizens alike were already passing judgment on her: a traitor's death. Such a punishment had not been pronounced for thousands of years and she was loath to be the one to break it. An ancient torturous death was not her way, and of course, she would have to begin the torture herself and watch as she suffered and died. It was in the law to do such a thing in the name of honor and courage.

Amira confession at the eve of her own coronation doomed her as the cries for traitor's death grew louder. Raneem wished she had taken Zane with her as she judged, but it was apparent that her people still saw them as man-slaughterers. Bringing him with her would only taint her and leave her enemies with openings to plot against her. Her handle on her own country was straw-thin enough as it is.

She held up a hand to silence the crowd. "Do you believe yourself a traitor, Amira Tawfiq?" Raneem asked as the crowd hushed, her own last name tasting like bile in her mouth as she applied it to the witch.

The keeper of her cell gripped the whip, ready to strike should Amira decide to recite a spell rather than answer. The horse's bridle ready on the hands of another to silence her.

"I am traitor to the vengeance of my people whom you have killed." Ice. It was the only way Raneem could describe her voice. Cold, unforgiving ice.

"Do not lay the sins of the past on her! Let her prove herself to be the queen that befits her lineage." one of the nobles cried out causing another uproar from the crowd.

Raneem held back a groan. The speech indicated an unspoken threat: we are watching and if you do not do well, we will overthrow you. Lineage, indeed! She was not her father's daughter and if anyone found out she was a bastard...

She had to do what she must. Her ancestors had designed the punishment for a traitor in their famed level-headedness. An elfin trait, no doubt. How ironic for people to hate the very blood her ancestors had. To break such a tradition would be a mark of her weakness. Her hand raised to silence the crowd once more. "Amira Tawfiq, wife and murderer of our beloved King Solon Tawfiq, traitor of Gwahan, I pronounce you a traitor's death. As soon as you are led out."

By the gods, she would make it a swift sentence, not because she was eager to be rid of her, but because she was eager to have the business done with. Her day had already been long enough in dealing with the nobles. She wished for nothing but the day to end and to curl up in Zane's arms for comfort. The gods know she would need it after staining her hands with Amira's blood. Literally and figuratively.

Raneem sagged to the floor after closing the door of the Red Room. She had not known a human to have bled so much. Amira's screams still rang in her ears and it was all she could do not to remember the whole ordeal and retch on the floor. Torturing and killing people was a horrid business she prayed to never come across again. She had never felt faint at the sight of blood and after outwardly watching the torment with calm, she believed she could no longer stand the rouge ink of life. Just the thought of it threatened to make her swoon. She had to think of something else!

Strong arms encircled her from behind, encasing her in the familiar warmth and scent of Zane. His presence comforted her and she leaned on his strength wanting to feel more of him. "You should not be here. You should stay in my room."

"I saw what happened from your window. I saw you tremble and I knew I had to come for you. I knew you would not make it to your room."

His low, sensuous voice drove images of horror away from her mind. Zane was, if anything, most adept to fill her thoughts with him and him alone. His mating scent was enough to destroy any other thought that invaded her mind and the feel of him made her mad with craving for more. Just like that, Amira's death became a distant memory of someone else, but it was not enough to drive the weakness from her limbs.

Without a word, Zane lifted her onto the table where she held strict confidence with a select number of nobles and her trusted aides. Her eyes found his and she lost herself in his emerald depths. In them reflected a concern that knotted her insides. His hands never let go of her waist and his closeness comforted her, as if she could throw all precaution to the wind and everything would be alright.

His finger traced her cheek down to her lips and he smiled. "My brave queen is suffering on the inside. Perhaps, I can be of assistance."

Raneem opened her mouth to speak, but it was immediately covered by his familiar warmth. By the gods! The elf's lips were probably the only part of him that was soft and its contrast to his overall hardness was driving her insane. His caresses in her mouth were gentle but urgent and she wanted nothing more but to relish in his warmth.

Her responses were bolder, meeting each thrust and plunder he demanded from her. She held onto his neck tightly and felt delicious friction when he wedged himself between her legs. She felt her wetness pool between her thighs as he kissed her lower.

"Raneem, let me end our torment," he whispered in between ragged breaths. "You and I long for this. I know."

Her eyes snapped open and gently held his face in her hands. Her heart screamed for more of his ministrations, but she held onto the barest scrap of self-control she had. She was no longer afraid. She wanted this, but there were so many things to consider. Zane's eyes were hot and dark with desire and she almost let go of him to let him continue, but she shook herself to focus on what was important. "Zane, you know I cannot."

Zane's jaw clenched and despair replaced desire in his eyes. "Then, you do not accept my proposal?"

Ranee shook her head violently. "No! I-I am not rejecting it."

Hope flared back into his stunning bright eyes. "Then there is no problem, is there?"

"There is," her voice trembled. Those beautiful eyes made it almost impossible for her to rebuff his efforts toward her. "I really do want to wait for marriage before we complete our union." Damn it! She wanted him to fuck her right then, right there! Completely overpower her and take what they have been aching for, for a long time.

"I am sensing that we cannot do it now." His eyes darkened, but this time frustration and a hint of fury mingled in his desire, danger tinged the edge of his voice. "Why?"

"Because of our differences."

The crack of his hand on the table made her jump. "So you are just going to let that get in the way?"

Raneem had never been frightened before of anyone angry, but her insides trembled at his, though she showed no outward appearance of it but a wince. Something gentle flashed in his eyes in a moment, quickly gone.

"I need to fix this." Her voice sounded steadier than she expected. "You must understand, Zane."

"Is it not common knowledge that the Royal Line is part elf?"

"It is. But they still cannot accept someone who is full elfin. I know it does not make sense, but we have to wait."

STEAMY SCENE AHEAD

Zane growled and before she knew it, he captured her mouth in a bruising kiss. Her whole body shuddered at the outward manifestation of his desire and frustration. He tore himself from her, growling. "Then I will give you a taste of what you are forestalling. Make you feel what you are denying us both."

"What-" She whimpered, his hand quickly moving under her skirts pressing into her core through her drawers.

"You feel how wet you are?" his sexy growl caressed her ear, "That is how much you want this."

His finger moved slightly over her, teasing her with slow light flicks of his finger. She gasped, throwing her head back. "Zane...do not..."

"Stop?" He nipped at her ear. "Not to worry, my dear. I intend to make you cum."

His finger increased pressure on a point that made her squirm even as his hand refused to move. She closed her eyes and whimpered, pleading. Her hips moved on its own seeking the pleasure his finger denying her. "Zane...we cannot..."

"I assure you, you will still be whole. For now, I want you to scream my name when you cum, love," he whispered in her ear with a shaky voice. "Scream your desire for me." He moved past her drawers and circled around the same point, lightly. Teasingly.

She writhed, pushing her hips toward him, wordlessly demanding pleasure. She knew she should desist. Knew that she should push him away, but she could not. She would not. She was lost in the sea of passion he had brought her to.

He held her hips steady and his finger moved ever so gently around her pleasure point. She bit her lips trying to keep a rein on herself, but she could not. She needed him.

"What do you want, love?"

She shook her head. He increased his pace slightly and she moaned, her fingers digging into his shoulders as if letting go would be the death of her.

"What do you want, love?" He asked again, his voice ragged with lust.

"Undo me..." her voice quivered. "I cannot stand this any longer. Please!"

"Beg more, my dear. Look at me and beg me."

Raneem opened her eyes staring at his beautiful features. Her heart and soul screamed for him as her body cried out for his ministrations. It was impossible not to give in.

"Please Zane...end my torment. I beg you! Please!"

She gasped as one of his fingers delved inside her. Zane moaned slowly moving his finger in and out. "Hot, wet and oh, so tight. Perfect. So perfect for fucking."

Raneem shuddered at his words. They were quite dirty, she knew, but he made her seem so desirable when he was the one who would inspire desire more than she did. She bit her lower lip as another finger joined the first and his thumb danced quick tiny circles around her core. She tensed as if she would explode. All her muscles were tight and taut, her body thrashing knowing what it wanted but not what to do.

"Cum, love. I know you're there."

She screamed his name as her body released all that he built up within her. She could feel every wave of her release wrack her body violently, as if shaking the remnants of her tightness. Groan after groan escaped her as she leaned onto Zane and he stroke her head to comfort her. Somehow, she felt there was something missing in all she went through. It was an amazing experience, but she knew there was an empty void she needed to fill.

"That is but a taste, my dear." He kissed her forehead and carried her. "Next time I will not be so merciful."

Raneem's mouth opened to protest but only a whimper came out eliciting a low, sultry chuckle from him. She settled into him instead, resting her head on his sturdy chest. She felt too weak and tired to move and she felt lightheaded. When he carried her, she made no protest as they headed into her room deciding to take in not only the scent of his desire, but also the essence of Zane, himself.

STEAMY SCENE ENDS HERE

Without any trace of Zane's prior ferocity, he tucked her in her bed gently and kissed her on the forehead. "Good night, my dear."

"Stay with me."

Zane took a deep breath and shook his head. She could feel him clutching at the sheets, containing himself. "It is best I do not or I will break your purity. I will be fine, love. Not to worry.

Her eyes fluttered, trying to keep herself awake, but failing, letting sleep wash over her.

Here is an early update for you guys! I was so excited to write this chapter. I hope you liked it.

How was their first union? Haha, tell me your thoughts on it. I am so excited to hear them.

And at last Amira got punished for her sins.

I will be updating soon this coming week. ❤❤ Have a nice weekend and take care of yourselves!

Also, I just found out an amazing fantasy book on wattpad named, 'Blackheart', it's written by @soniasee. Trust me, it's really amazing. Please read her book, she needs your support.

Don't forget to comment and vote for this chapter if you liked it and tag your friends to share this story.