by Nina Levine
I took it, glancing over at our Queen. "Does she do that often?"
"What? Not eat?" Victoria snorted. "Yeah, she does it all the time."
My lips pursed as I glanced Kit's way again. "Has she stopped at all since we got here?"
"No. And I doubt she will. Families will be descending soon and she'll want to be with them as much as possible."
I shook my head. "Okay. Can you do me a favour?"
"Depends, will it require murder? Cause I only do that on every third Saturday."
I grinned. "No murder, but good to know. What I need is a small dark room where I can stow our Queen for a few minutes."
She snapped upright, giving me a jaunty salute. "On it." She pivoted on her heel, took a step, then halted, glancing over her shoulder to me. "Oh, by the way, the contract is with you. If you need a lawyer, let me know. We want to keep it hush-hush though, so appreciate if you can tell your grunt over there—" She inclined her head towards Patrick. "—to keep it quiet, that'd be great."
I nodded, then shook my head. "Wait. Sorry, contract?"
Victoria frowned, turning fully back to me. "The marriage contract. Did Katherine not tell you about it?"
I froze. "She did but I thought—" I stopped, sucking in a deep breath at the near overwhelming need to touch her, to taste her, to brand myself on Katherine.
My Queen.
She grinned, crossing her arms over her chest. "You thought?"
"Find the room, I'll get her to eat."
"Your wish, my command."
Patrick, who'd been hovering nearby, preoccupied by his mobile, looked up. "She's gone? Thank the Gods. That woman is a menace."
I grinned. "Intimidated?"
He shuddered. "More like aggrieved." He handed me the phone. "I've looked over the contract. Terms are good, clearly outlines responsibilities, if I were you, I'd sign it before she changes her mind."
"I thought you weren't speaking to me after I resigned."
He lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. "Shit happens and now you're nearly the Prince Consort. Brother, you're gonna need me more now than ever."
Kit finished talking with the Defence Chief who moved away, leaving her standing alone for a moment, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Gotta go. Go take a break, Pat. It's gonna be a long night."
I made my way across the centre to where Kit stood, her expression stubbornly blank.
"Here," I thrust the paperback at her. "Eat."
She took it on autopilot but didn't open the packet.
I dropped my voice and stepped closer to avoid being overheard. "Kit? You okay?"
"They've said I should be prepared for them to begin finding bodies." She lifted her face, her eyes glassy. "They're concerned the death toll could be as high as a hundred passengers."
Her words were a punch to my gut. "Fuck."
"Yeah." She pinched the bridge of her nose once more. "Have you seen Jane?"
"She's ducked out for a nap. We're taking shifts. I expect we'll be rotating in and out over the next few days."
She nodded, releasing her nose. With a deep breath she straightened her spine, squared her shoulders and looked across the command centre, her gaze searching.
"Have you seen Victoria?"
"Kit."
She looked back at me.
"Eat. It's going to be days, not hours, before this ends. You're going to need your strength."
For a moment her eyes filled, her chin wobbling. Then the emotion was gone, stripped away, hidden behind a polite nod.
"Yes, you're right. Thank you."
She moved to brush past me but I caught her hand, halting her.
"I know this isn't what you want to hear right now, but I accept the terms of your contract." I reached up, brushing a stray hair from her cheek. "But with one amendment."
"And that is?"
"You occasionally allow me to look after you. When I asked for akaternok ah yalonel, I did it in the knowledge that my protection wasn't just physical. When I promise to protect someone, I mean in body and soul." I searched her face, hoping my words were penetrating. "When this is over, when you no longer need to be in the public, I'll take my Queen home and she can just be Kit—a woman who feels far too much."
Her breath caught, her face flushing slightly.
"In private you can be who you want, my Queen. Anything between us remains between us. I swear it."
She swallowed, then gave me a sharp nod. "I understand." She hesitated, glancing around before catching my hand and giving it a firm squeeze. "Thank you. I might take you up on that offer." With that, she walked away, lifting the sandwich to her lips and taking a large bite.
It was as close to a concession as she'd give me.
And despite the tragic situation, it made me feel like a king.
13
Jonathan
Royal motorcade, on route to The Royal Palace
Katherine slumped into me, her breathing slow and even as she slumbered.
Victoria and Jane sat across from us, their own eyelids drooping.
For the last four days these women had worked tirelessly to support our country through the crisis.
In the end, three people lost their lives, Kit sitting with their families for hours, hearing their stories, letting them grieve.
While it was called a miracle that more passengers and crew hadn't died, Kit didn't see it that way. She's grieved alongside the families, feeling each death as if it had been a member of her own family.
To protect her will be a full-time job, that's for sure.
It wasn't just her body I now knew I needed to watch, it was her heart as well.
The car slowed, the smooth road turning to gravel under the tires, the car jolting a little as we drove down the back entrance to the Royal Palace.
Kit started, jerking away from me, blinking sleep from her eyes. "Are we home?"
"Nearly."
She rubbed at her face. "Okay, good. I'll need to have a look at—"
"Kit," I said softly, cupping her cheek. "You need sleep before doing anything else."
She shook her head. "The families—"
"Are likely sleeping as well, it's nearly three in the morning. Nothing cmore an happen tonight. Go and sleep. The summons and decisions can wait until tomorrow."
Her jaw clenched, her chin lifting. "You do not control me, Jon. You don't own me or order me around. I didn't give you that permission."
I loved the fire in her veins, the warrior ready to sacrifice all for her people. "And I would never ask it of you. You're exhausted, Kit. Anyone can see it. You'll have another long day tomorrow, and likely another after that. I'm suggesting you sleep so you can better deal with all your tomorrows. That's all."
The fight faded from her, her body wilting. "This doesn't mean I'm giving in."
"I never doubted it."
The car slowed to a stop, the door opening. Kit climbed out first, the rest of us following like sleepy little ducklings.
"Luke, could you please find beds for Victoria and Jane?"
"And Mr. Tuhana?" the butler asked helpfully.
She glanced back at me. "Not just yet. We have something to discuss first."
Jane and Victoria bid us good night, following the butler into the visitor wing of the palace.
"This way."
Kit led us through the quiet palace halls and down towards her private residence. There were areas of the palace where the general public could go on escorted tours during the day. Other areas where visitors and dignitaries were housed. And this wing, which was solely for the Royal Family's use.
Here, formal pictures and paintings gave way to warm candids and intimate captures. Plants grew in pots, and flowers filled vases, all adding a lived-in feeling to the rooms.
Her hand hesitated, hovering on a door knob. "Don't judge."
I grinned. "Judge?"
She rolled her eyes, then pushed the door open, revealing her extensive private suite.
I followed her through, absently closing the door behind us, my gaze drawn to all the greenery around the room.
Plants dominated the space, turning it from a bedroom into a small jungle.
"This is…."
"A lot? A jungle? A plant hoarder's delight?" She laughed. "Go on, I've heard it all before."
"I was actually going to say incredible." I reached out a hand to touch the leaf of a giant fern. "Do you look after them?"
She nodded, gesturing at the room. "My therapist suggested green therapy as a way to deal with grief."
"Green therapy?"
"Gardening. Or looking at nature. Long story short, I'm not allowed to touch the gardens because it freaks the gardeners out and there are too many public tours and yada yada." She shrugged. "So Mother purchased me a fern and this slowly happened."
I made a mental note to purchase her plants for her birthday.
"Therapist?"
She chuckled. "Oh yes. Don't you know the Royal Family has a full suite of psychologists on staff? We're quite mad, you know."
She yawned, her jaw stretching so wide that it cracked.
"Sorry," she muttered, scrubbing a hand over her face. "I wanted to speak to you about our engagement."
"How about we sleep first?" I asked, placing a hand on her back and gently guiding her through her sitting room and toward the bed. "I'm not going anywhere."
She hesitated, glancing up at me. "Jon… you're an amazing leader. Are you sure this is what you want?" She waved a hand around absently. "You could make such a difference as Prime Minister."
I chuckled, reaching for the quilt on her bed and beginning to pull it back. "I'm sure. If anything the last few days have clarified my life's purpose."
She lifted an eyebrow. "And that is?"
"You."
14
Katherine
Queen's Bedchamber, The Royal Palace
I woke slowly, aware that something was different.
Oh. There's a man in my bed.
I turned slowly, looking over at Jonathan who was still fast asleep. He'd passed out on top of the covers, his arms thrown out across the bed, me snuggled into his side as he gently snuffled in his sleep.
I took the opportunity to study him, objectively finding Jonathan an attractive specimen.
He had thick biceps and a strong torso, the inky black of his hair matching that of the scruff that now decorated his face.
Something foreign and delicious unfurled in my belly as I stared at him, for once able to do so without interruption or fear of discovery.
I want him.
The thought made me uncomfortable, as if I were abusing my power by desiring someone. I'd never taken a chance on someone before. Never trusted anyone enough to allow myself to give into any desire.
Leo's first sexual partner had sold a tell-all article to a gossip column. The experience had burned Charlotte and I, providing a warning to us to choose wisely.
Charlotte may have but I'd retreated, never quite able to bring myself to the point where I'd been prepared to risk my body or my heart.
Perhaps today is the time to be a warrior.
Jon shifted, rolling onto his side, his breathing evening out once more.
My gaze dropped, narrowing in on the tenting of his boxer briefs.
Well, hello sir.
I swallowed, wanting more than anything to kiss him. To touch him. To feel him over and under me.
In me.
I sucked in a breath, rallying my spirit.
Be brave. Take a chance.
Banishing any doubts from my mind, I reached for Jon.
Jonathan
I had to be dreaming. In my dream Kit was touching me, her fingers brushing across my cheekbones, down my neck, trailing across my chest in slow, deliberate strokes.
My cock thickened, lengthening as she dragged her nails across my nipples, then began to swirl her fingers down my side heading for my briefs.
Yes. Like that.
I'd somehow known she'd be bold, demanding. She wouldn’t settle for anything but complete satisfaction— in herself and her lover.
The idea of being the man who could do that for her, who could satisfy every one of her needs left me burning. I wanted to make her ache with pleasure, to hear her cry out as we both experienced the little death.
"Jon? Are you awake?"
Kit's gentle voice eviscerated any lingering thought I may have had of this being a dream.
"Kit? What are you doing?"
She grinned, her hand continuing to trace the contours of my chest. "I believe it's called seducing you?"
If my cock could have hardened further, it would have, the bastard was rigid and begging for her touch.
"Seducing me? Are you sure?"
"Oh yes."
She leaned in, her lips pressing a tiny kiss to the space above my heart.
It may have been intended as a chaste kiss. Something small and innocent. But it broke my control, shattered it into a million pieces. Years of need, years of desire, poured out, forcing me to move.
I rolled up, surging over Kit, my hands pinning her down, my body pressing into her generous curves as our lips met, my tongue pressing forward until I tasted her sweetness.
"Did you touch yourself?" I grunted the words barely managing to pull back to ask her the question that had burned in my gut for days. "Were you wet on our phone call, Kit? Did my descriptions make you ache?"
She nodded, her eyes lit with desire. "Yes. To all of it."
"Fuck." I sat back, pulling her nightgown over her head, tossing it away. Her beautiful breasts were large, topped with dusky nipples.
"What did you want me to do?" I asked, her nipples peaked, awaiting my mouth. "That night. What were you begging for, Kit?"
She reached up, pulling me back down for a hard kiss, her tongue tangling with mine, our bodies grinding together in a hot, desperate embrace. Then she pulled back, grinning as she began to push my head down, guiding me to her delicious breasts. Gods-fucking-damn if it didn't make me ache for more.
I made a sound in the back of my throat. My hands running up to cup her breasts as she arched under me, a low moan escaping her.
It took all my willpower to pull away, turning my head to lave her other breast, mentally apologising for my neglect.
Perfection. Kit is perfection.
"Jon," she groaned, pushing her breasts against my mouth. "More, please."
I gave her nipple one last lick then began to shimmy down her body, my mouth and hands gliding and sucking at each new inch of skin, learning her body as I trailed down. I gently guided her legs open to reveal her to me, pressing kisses up her inner thighs, finding soft sensitive skin.
"You're beautiful, Kit."
With gentle fingers I parted her, slipping through her heat to find her sweet clit.
"Wait, Jon. You don't have to—" She cut herself off as my finger swirled around her clit, her head falling back on the bed as her hands fisted the sheets. "Oh Gods! Jon!"
I grinned, glorying in her reaction, loving the way her body responded as I pushed her to the edge then backed off, building her reaction one slow, desperate curse at a time.
"Jon." She reached up, fisting my hair, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Make me come. I need to come."
"Is that an order?"
"Yes!"
I chuckled, dropping a kiss on her abdomen. "As you wish, my Queen."
I dropped my head, shifting slightly to press my tongue against her, my fingers touching her with demanding possession.
She arched off the bed, groaning and whispering sweet demands as her hips undulated under my mouth. I built her up—this time playing with her until she shattered. Kit bucked, legs clenching around my head, her body shaking as she came with a lusty curse.
My Queen. My woman.
I pulled away, murmuring gentle words, and stroking soft fingers across her arms and belly as she returned to herself, her body still quaking. My cock throbbed, pressing urgently
against the fabric of my boxer briefs, precum dampening the material.
I need to be in her.
"There's more, if you dare."
She grinned, spreading her legs wide. "Come pleasure your Queen, warrior."
I grazed one finger up her thigh, tormenting us both with its slow glide. I bit off a curse as I pressed one finger inside her, her muscles clenching.
"Fuck," I swore, beginning to stroke into her. "So fucking wet, Kit. Fuck, you're so fucking tight."
She managed a chuckle, the sound a mixture of agony and ecstasy.
"Jon, I need more."
With a muttered groan, I worked a second finger into her tight pussy, glorying in the way her muscles stretched to accommodate me.
"Fuck I need you," I whispered against her neck, licking, and nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin. "I've waited a lifetime for you, my Kit."
She let out a little moan, her eyes drifting closed as I worked her body, my own need now a raging forest fire burning away all thoughts but one—Mine.
"Jonathan, I need more. I need your cock."
Her demand was one I had no choice but to answer.
I fisted the material of my briefs, shoving them down my body and kicking them away. Kit rose up slightly, watching as I moved, her gaze drawn to my cock.
"Mm." She reached out, gripping me hard, her tongue peeking out to wet her lips. "I must say I'm well pleased."
I chuckled, the sound dark and desperate. "Have you done this before?"
"Never. You?"
I shook my head. "My only sexual experiences are fisting my cock."
"I find that hard to believe."
I caught her gaze, staring into her eyes as I spoke the truth in my heart. "There's only ever been you, Kit. Never has my body burned to take another. Maybe if you'd married, I'd have felt different. But while you remained single there was hope. And that meant I couldn't even look at another without thinking of you."
Her eyes flashed, something hot and possessive burning in their depths.