by Nina Levine
"Well then." She slowly lowered herself back to the bed, spreading her arms out wide, her legs shifting to welcome me. "Come take what's yours."
I had no doubt this would hurt her but I couldn't stop. I guided my cock to her entrance, pressing against her hot centre, both of us moaning as I drew the head through the slick wet, covering myself in her need.
"Now, Jonathan. Now!"
I thrust in, freezing at her shocked hiss.
Tight. Hot. So fucking tight.
Her muscles clamped around my dick, gripping me tighter than anything I'd ever experienced. Pleasure rolled through my body like waves, my balls tightening in response.
Don't come. Don't come. Don't fucking ruin this moment by coming.
"More," Kit whispered after a moment, her body squirming under mine. "Jonathan, more."
I eased out then back in, desperate to bury myself in her, and equally as determined to prevent her further discomfort.
"I said—" She gripped my hair, tugging at my head. "—more."
With a barked laugh, I pulled back a fraction, looping one arm under her right leg, then the left, forcing them to wrap around my hips.
"Ready?" I asked, my cock gliding out of her.
"Abso-fucking-lutely."
I thrust in, fucking her tight channel, my cock branding itself on her untested muscles, shaping them to me
Beautiful. Perfect. Fucking amazing.
MINE.
"Fuck, Kit. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. So fucking good. You're incredible. Fuck I love you, so fucking much. So fucking tight." I lost control as she moaned my name, it fell from her lips like a curse and prayer.
"Jon, fuck, Jon. Jon. Jon. Oh Gods, Jon…."
Don't come. Don't come. Don't come.
The need to let go was near impossible to fight, yet I battled it, desperate to ensure she came first.
I dropped a hand, finding her clit, circling it once, twice. On the third pass, Kit screamed, her body clenching and bowing, her hips now bucking wildly under me as she attempted to milk my cock.
Thank fuck.
"Kit," I grunted her name as I found release, hot cum filling her as I lost myself in the woman I loved.
We slowed, panting together in the aftermath, my body crushing hers.
I tried to roll but she halted me, muttering a small protest.
"I like your weight."
And so we remained, joined together, our bodies slowly cooling.
"Oh."
She urgently wiggled under me and I rolled, coming to lay beside her.
"The first rite," she whispered, her fingers sliding down her body to her sweet pussy.
My blood caught flame as I watched her press fingers into herself, coating them with the mix of cum and desire, and the touch of her blood.
She reached for me, touching the wetness to my heart.
"Hei womulsas mia garell."
My first and only.
The words were normally reserved for wedding nights, though these days they often had the first reference dropped.
I reached down, cupping her sweet cunt.
"Hei womulsas mia garell."
In the quiet light of the morning we made the promise, those words as binding as any muttered at a wedding ceremony.
"Did you mean it?" she asked, her voice a soft whisper.
"Mean what?"
"That you love me?"
"With all my soul, my Queen."
She pressed forward, her lips finding mine.
I knew she couldn’t say the words. Not yet, not when this was still so new to her and she was still so protective of her tender heart.
But she would. I had no doubt. And when she did?
I grinned, rolling us over until she was on top, sitting astride my thighs.
Kit leaned back, one eyebrow raised. "And what would you have me do, warrior?"
I fisted my rapidly hardening cock, giving it one long, vicious stroke. "Ride me, my Queen."
And glory to the Gods, she did.
15
Katherine
Grand Hall, The Royal Palace
Six months later
The morning of our wedding began with rain, sending Charlotte and Mother into hysterics.
I'd expected something like this from Charlotte— my sister was nothing if not flighty, but from Mother? It was quite out of character.
"How is this possible?" she moaned, staring in dismay at the rain drops as they slowly raced down the glass of the picture window.
"It's meant to clear before lunch," I said, scrolling through the forecast on my phone. "And if it rains then it shall rain and we'll get wet. It matters not."
"It matters not?" Mother repeated, her eyebrows rising so high, I feared they would disappear into her hairline. "Kit. It's your wedding, how can you be so calm?"
Because all that matters is what comes after.
I couldn't quite give voice to the newborn emotions that swirled within me. They were blooming like a delicate flower, new and so ready to turn towards the sun. But it felt almost as if… as if I loved him. As if Jon and I were beginning a life together that would be beautiful and filled with joy.
Our engagement had been announced a scant few months ago. But the plans for the wedding had been in place for months prior. We'd waited, respecting the country's collective grief, and allowing them to process Jon's resignation. We'd decided to postpone until after the election, not wanting to sway the results either way.
Jane had won the election—but only by a slight margin leaving her in a minority government where the balance of power swung either way.
I couldn't say if I preferred this way of governing or not, for while it appeared fraught, the results were more robust, leading to better outcomes for my people.
My phone buzzed and I pulled it free, opening the secure app.
Jon: I miss your taste.
It had been a sore point between us that we couldn't be together. Since the engagement had been announced, our every moment had been documented and monitored. The opportunities to engage in some mutual bliss had been severely curtailed. To say we were craving each other would be an understatement— I'd never been so on edge or desperate in my life.
Kit: I miss that thing you do with your tongue.
Jon: Mm, so do I. I'll make sure to do it tonight.
My body clenched, heat pooling in my abdomen as tension spiralled out.
Surely the Queen should have enough power to decide not to wait for her wedding night.
I sighed, tucking my phone away and turning to focus back on the table.
Mother squirmed in her seat, checking her watch for the fifth time.
"Mother what are you—"
A harried Victoria burst in, holding a large white square box aloft.
"I found it!" she crowed, beaming at Mother.
"Found what?" I asked as Mother hurried to relieve Victoria of the package.
"Your gift, sweetheart."
She carried it away from the table towards the bedroom. I exchanged a confused glance with Charlotte, both of us following her closely. The photographer, who'd been quietly snapping pictures of us as we got ready, followed, camera pointed in our direction.
In the bedroom Mother had placed the box on the bed, stepping back to watch as I approached.
"Open it."
I gently lifted the lid to reveal soft tissue paper. I discarded the lid, then peeled back the wrapping to reveal a merimorini— a traditional wedding cloak.
I made a sound, my hands coming to press against my lips as I stared at the beautiful feathers and the dyed grass band that would wrap around Jon and I as we said our wedding vows.
"It has been worn by every woman who came before and will be worn by every woman who will come after you," Mother said, wrapping an arm around my waist. "It is my honour, daughter, to present this to you on your most special of days."
She turned me with gentle hands, clasping my arm to her chest, pressing her forehead against mine as she whispere
d the words of blessing.
May your ancestors bless you and your chosen half. May your souls merge until there is no end and no beginning. May you be at peace, and dwell in love. May your years together be long. This is our wish for you.
Mother released me, stepping back as Charlotte took her place, tears in her eyes as she too recited the blessing.
"Now come," Mother said, wiping tears from her own cheeks when Charlotte finished speaking. "Let's get you married."
16
Jonathan
Murmuranay, City Centre
The crowd shifted, a ripple of excitement, of anticipation making its way down towards where I stood waiting for my bride.
She's coming.
Above me, the old wood creaked in the gentle breeze, the trees around us rustling, the occasional drops from this morning's rainstorm dotting my skin.
I stood barefoot on the sacred ground of the Murmuranay, the marriage swirls inked into the skin on my wrists.
My Queen. My forever.
Unlike many of my contemporaries who chose temporary ink, I'd sat under the needle of a tattooist that morning, prepared to declare on my skin that Katherine, my Queen, would be the only wife I would ever take.
I heard the roar of the crowd from outside the perimeter of the Murmuranay.
"Are you ready?" the elder, Kihana Mary, asked.
"More than ready, Kihana."
Her lips tilted up, crinkling all the wrinkles on her weathered face. "Well it looks like you won't have long to wait." She lifted a hand, holding it out towards the end of the aisle.
I turned, my heart pounding in my chest when I saw my bride standing at the end.
Somewhere, a drum began to pound, setting up the beat for the marriage chant.
Down the aisle, one bare foot stepping in front of the other, Kit walked towards me. I barely registered Leo at her side, so focussed was I on the woman I loved.
Her hair was down but for a simple crown braid. On her head sat a tiara, the jewels sparkling in the light. Her dress was simple, one made from Astipian fabric, crafted by Astipian fingers, worn by an Astipian Queen.
Leo halted her halfway down the aisle, the drums falling silent.
"Wha me rundorni ma al oinp?" Leo shouted, pounding on his chest.
Who dares marry this woman?
I stepped forward, beating on my own chest. "Ma toaeria."
This warrior.
"Mala juni meta olpola?"
What is your bride price?
I grinned, dropping to one knee, throwing my arms out wide.
"Hei grahna, hei dilsna, hei katmu."
My love, my loyalty, my life.
A mumble of surprise rippled through the guests, no doubt unused to hearing such a declaration during a royal wedding.
Leo turned back to his sister, pounding once on his chest. "Ki mar alerni ma toaeria kelipu mun?"
Do you accept this warrior, my sister?
Kit's beautiful lips curved up into a stunning smile, her joy clear as she replied in the language of our people, "Mah sagra."
I will.
Leo stepped back, pounding one fist over his heart. Behind me, the elder took up the beat, those around us joining in.
With the beating that echoed that of my heart, Kit walked to me, unassisted, unhindered. She crouched, taking my hands in hers, and guiding me to a stand, we turned to face the elder.
Kihana Mary called the ceremony to order and began the traditional blessing.
I knew I should be focussed, committing every moment of this day to memory. Instead, I searched Kit's face, determined to capture every emotion and expression.
Kihana Mary finished the blessing, commencing the ceremony.
"We meet on this sacred place to marry two lovers, uniting them under the eyes of the Gods, and on the land of our ancestors." She swept a hand out, encompassing the forest surrounding. "The Murmuranay is known in our culture as a meeting place. A place that straddles two times, the before and the after. It is here where births are celebrated, and deaths are mourned. And it is here where our Queen will pledge herself to the one who will be her partner, her life, the other half of her soul."
She looked beyond us to Charlotte, who stood hovering in the aisle.
"You may now cloak them in the merimorini."
Charlotte moved forward as Kit and I clasped fists, stepping into each other in order to trap our arms between our bodies, our foreheads pressing tight.
"I love you," she whispered, as Charlotte settled the cloak around us.
My stomach clenched, a fierce possessive rage hitting my gut at her declaration. It was the first but I made a silent vow it wouldn't ever be the last.
"I fucking love you," I whispered back, desperately wanting to throw her down and claim her here on this hallowed ground.
"And now the vows."
We repeated our pledge to each other, declaring our love, our loyalty, our spirit to each other before the Gods, guests and all who watched on the live broadcast around the world.
"You may kiss the bride."
I captured her lips, near desperate for a taste of her. Her mouth opened and for a moment, the kiss oscillated in the space between a publicly acceptable display and a far too intimate embrace.
My cock, never one to miss an opportunity, rose to the occasion.
Suddenly grateful for the large merimorini, I gently pulled back, pressing my forehead to hers once more.
Applause washed over us like thunder, surging and breaking and surging once more.
"I saw your tattoos," Kit said over the noise. "You didn't have to do that."
I grinned, pressing a kiss to her lips once again. "Of course I did. I'm yours, Kit. Today and everyday. And I want the world to know it."
We turned as one, laughing and walking down the aisle to the waiting carriage outside. Sitting in the back we made our way through the crowded streets, our people waving and laughing, celebrating this day with us as cameras followed our journey all the way to the palace.
Inside the grounds, we hurried to the library balcony, performing one last wave and kiss for the applauding crowd before disappearing back inside.
Victoria led us to a small room where we could quickly take refreshments.
"Reception now," Victoria directed, her trusty tablet held at the ready. "You'll make a brief appearance to get festivities underway. Then there will be the formal photos, then the speeches, then—"
"Victoria?"
She looked up, blinking at me. "Yes?"
"No offence," I said gently. "But get the fuck out."
Her eyes widened, flicking from me to Kit then back. "Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no! Please, you can't. We have a tight timeline and—"
"Sorry, Victoria. But I agree with my husband." Kit placed a hand on Victoria's lower back, gently pushing her out of the room. "We'll be out in twenty, thirty at the latest."
"Better make it forty-five," I muttered as I reached for the door.
"But—"
I shoved it close, turning the lock and making a mental note to make it up to Victoria later.
Satisfied we'd be left alone for at least a few minutes, I turned back to my wife taking a moment to bask in the magnificence of her.
"Hello, husband," she said, that familiar grin lighting her face.
"Hello, wife."
We both moved, Kit jumping up, me boosting her as our lips sought each other.
"You picked a hell of a time to declare your feelings," I growled against her lips.
"Couldn't hold it in any longer," she said between kisses. "Needed to tell you."
"Love you."
"Love you more."
I fisted her hair, crushing her against me as I turned us, pressing her against the wall.
"Say no."
She laughed, her head dipping to nip at my neck. "Never."
With a groan I fisted the skirts of her dress, shoving them up and up until she was bared to me.
"What the actual fuck, Kit?"
/> She chuckled, the sound breathy. "They'd never know."
She wore no underwear, her bare pussy like liquid heat as I pressed a finger against her, testing if she was ready to accept me.
"Hurry, hurry, hurry," she groaned, her body wiggling, her thick thighs clenching around my waist.
Always one to obey the command of my Queen, I shoved down my pants, fisting my cock I guided it to her entry, rubbing against her, teasing us both.
Her hips jerked against me, her wet heat coating my cock.
"Fucking hell, Kit." I dipped, positioning my cock before driving into her with rough abandon.
We both gasped, Kit stilling as I filled her, her body clenching and straining to take my thickness.
Her head fell back, a pleased hiss escaping from between her teeth. "More. Now."
"As my Queen wishes," I whispered, nipping at her earlobe.
I fucked into her, my cock hard and rough as we both lost control of our desire, allowing it to burn bright. Kit rocked on my cock, her nails digging into my back, our love frenzied and needy, achingly desperate.
"Too fucking long," I panted, pressing kiss after kiss against her neck. "Never again."
"Never," she promised, her thighs clenching to lift her slightly before she slid back down once more. "Never, never, never."
I pressed her harder against the wall, shifting my grip on her arse to free a hand, dragging it up her body to slide between us, my thumb finding her clit. With a rough stroke, I played with her, grazing her clit in time to my thrusts.
"Oh Gods, oh…." She arched, her body bucking as she came, her pussy clutching at my cock like a fucking vice, milking me until I came, spilling deep inside her.
Mine. My Queen. My wife. Fucking mine.
It took me far longer to calm than I'd expected. The urge to mark her, to brand her to me continued to heat my blood long after I'd allowed her to slide down my body, holding her steady as she leaned against the wall, her face flushed and full of sexual satisfaction.
"Mm, I think I could get used to the occasional illicit rendezvous," she murmured, curling one hand around my neck.
"Occasional?" I barked out a laugh. "Woman, you need to check your priorities. Occasional won't cut it. I'm gonna need at least three times a day for the foreseeable future."