by Jade Royal
“If you are not confident with the task at hand, I will relieve you of being my attendant,” Kapono stated.
“I am confident sir. I promise.”
“You’d better make damn sure you’re confident, because I will burn anyone who causes pain to my Ashbel to crispy ashes. Is that understood?” Kapono asked. Jessop swallowed hard. He knew for a fact their marriage was a farce just to join clans but the conviction of Kapono’s words in Ashbel’s defense was frightening.
“I understand,” Jessop bowed.
“I will be back before sundown.” Kapono glared at Jessop. For added measure he let the man feel the heat of his power. Although Jessop had dragon blood within his own body, the fire that burned within him was weak compared to Kapono. Feeling Kapono’s heat should have made it completely clear that Kapono would take any measure in protection of his wife.
When Kapono finally left the suite, Jessop felt as if he could finally breathe. Shaking his head, he approached their bedroom and knocked. Ashbel’s soft voice granted him entrance. Mara and Sera were just pulling a cotton nightgown over her, dressing her from her bath. They helped Ashbel to lay down, settling her comfortably.
Jessop approached the bed to take a look at Ashbel. Even though they were born to be hot, having a fever could still be detrimental to their health and it would cause combustion and the inability to control their own fire. Ashbel was round with Kapono’s child, her stomach jutting out pleasantly. She had been spiking several fever’s because her body was trying to manage two sources of fires. Her fire and her baby’s fire.
“How are you today?” Jessop asked her.
“Better than most,” Ashbel smiled at him. Jessop smiled pleasantly and catered to her, making note of her condition. Her fever was gone, probably due to the bath Mara and Sera had set for her.
“You’re doing alright madam. Fever is down.” Jessop caressed her stomach, pressing lightly to check the position of the baby. Ashbel winced slightly.
“Is that painful?” Jessop asked.
“No. He just kicked. I believe he knows well you are not his father and I don’t think he likes to be touched by other males,” Ashbel beamed. Jessop removed his hand. He saw the way Ashbel beamed with pride at her baby. Confusion filled his heart. He knew that he was tired of being run down by the Red Dragon clan but he also could see the genuineness of Ashbel. Maybe she was only pretending to love Kapono because of the politics, but the baby growing with her brought her great joy. He’d assumed she would carry some form of distain because she had to carry the seed of a man she did not want.
“I will keep that in mind for next time. I will get you some herbs and help with making your lunch and dinner. For now, get some rest,” Jessop said.
Leaving the room, Jessop had to pause again. Was he doing the right thing? His role was to feed information that would aide in the uprising to take down the Red Dragon clan, but was it the right thing?
Jessop stayed closed to Ashbel as Kapono had ordered him to do. After a long nap, Ashbel had left the bed on her own account and decided to wait in the sitting area for Kapono to return. By sundown, Kapono had returned to the suite. Ashbel smelled her husband the moment he crossed the threshold of their suite. She stood from the couch and rushed out to meet him.
“Ashbel! Why aren’t you in bed!” he exclaimed, opening his arms as she rushed to him. He wrapped his arms around her small body.
“I am feeling a lot better. Tired of laying around in that bed.”
“Have you had anymore sickness?” he questioned. Before he had left to work, she’d spit up three times from her morning sickness.
“No, I have been fine. Jessop brewed me a tea that did away with all of that and my fever has been kept at bay.” Kapono put his hands on her round belly. When he had agreed to marry Ashbel and to have heirs, he had no idea that producing a baby would give him this much pride and euphoria. It made him happy simply to see both Ashbel and her stomach broadened with his seed. It was as if it was meant to happen, especially because it only took them one night.
“Since I’m feeling a lot better, perhaps I can get an entertaining night out of my husband,” Ashbel said, winking at him. Kapono grinned.
“Well, you are my wife. I shall do whatever you ask of me,” Kapono winked at her. He smacked her bottom playfully.
“Sir, shall we run your bath?” Mara asked, stepping up to them.
“No need!” Ashbel spoke up. “All of you can take the rest of the night off. I will see to my husband’s care and make him a meal shall he get hungry. Although I have plenty body to feed him,” Ashbel teased.
“Oh, little flame. You naughty little thing,” Kapono laughed, plucking at her nose.
“Don’t talk like that in front of people,” he chuckled. Mara and Sera was fighting to hide their smiles.
“If that is what you wish, we shall take our leave,” Mara bowed. Sera bowed as well before leaving the suite. Jessop finished organizing the herbs he’d brought for Ashbel, leaving them in case she may need them during the night. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the way Kapono nuzzled Ashbel’s neck.
“You occupied my mind all afternoon my little flame. I’ve longed to have your body in my embrace and your scent against my nose,” Kapono whispered. Jessop believed that was only for Ashbel to hear, but with his keen sense of hearing, Jessop heard it clearly.
“My scent has changed now, you know. Ever since our baby was created.”
“That makes it even better. The scent of you and him,” Kapono kissed her on the mouth softly. He was prepared to fully engage with his wife but another scent crossed his nose. He turned his head sharply, seeing Jessop watching them. Jessop yelped and nearly dropped the bottle in his hand, fumbling around with it.
“My apologies sir. I was just laying out the herbs and tea for the night in case Miss Ashbel gets sick again,” Jessop hurried out. He set the bottle down neatly and hurried to the door.
“Wait,” Kapono demanded. Jessop froze. What would Kapono do to him? Strike him for not leaving when they asked?
“Do not give me your back Jessop,” Kapono stated. Jessop turned around immediately. His nerves had allowed for him to forget proper respect and etiquette.
“My apologies,” Jessop said again, hoping to be spared. However, instead of being met with dominance, Kapono slowly smiled at him.
“Thank you for taking care of my Ashbel. I can assume that it was not easy to work with my threats hovering over your head. For that I apologize. But as you can probably guess, Ashbel is my world.” Kapono looked at Ashbel as he made that sentiment, his eyes sparkling. Jessop’s heart was threatening to stop.
“I understand sir. And no need to thank me. I am doing my duties to the castle.” As Jessop finally left, he took another peek at Ashbel and Kapono. Kapono was holding Ashbel again, rubbing her stomach tenderly. The twinkle in his violet eyes hadn’t vanished when he looked at Ashbel. Even on the premise of Jessop leaving, Kapono’s attitude had not changed. No one was this good of a fake. The marriage may have started off as a farce, but Ashbel and Kapono were falling deeply in love with each other. Jessop had to stop the plan. He couldn’t see it through anymore. Despite the power struggle, they needed to find another way to take control. Kapono and Ashbel were not faking any alliances. Jessop just hoped his words wouldn’t fall on deaf ears.
After a late evening of negotiation, Kapono walked with eagerness back to his suite. His father was preparing to hand the kingdom over to Kapono and there were lots of meetings and questions and paperwork that needed to be completed. That was all his day consisted of when he left Ashbel alone and no matter how worrisome the tasks were, he could only think of his wife. Being pregnant, the only tasks Ashbel completed was being shown off and taken around the castle by the current queen, Kapono’s mother. They made appearances on the balcony of the castle so the townspeople could see her and her growing belly, but Kapono refused to let Ashbel step a foot out of the castle without him.
It was way after s
undown, and Kapono should have been in bed with his wife, but arguments over the changes coming to Fireland didn’t seem to want to cease. Fireland was occupied by many dragon clans and many of those people wielded different kind of fire powers. However, there were other species amongst them that wielded no fire, but the geography and climate of Fireland appealed to them. Most of the high court wanted to be rid of those kind of species, keeping Fireland strictly dragon clans but Kapono refused. If he passed that bill, many species would be chased out or forced to become slaves. Even if they were powerful, dragons were not the end all be all. What Kapono cared about was having peace in the land.
“Fire dragon clans are only strong because in this part of the world our competition is far and light. Waterland and Airland have dragon species and I am sure I cannot spew my fire at a water dragon clan member who can spew water back at me. If we run people out of Fireland because they’re not dragons, then we’re going to make enemies not just here, but in the rest of Kosmos. That is not a war I want to fight.” That was Kapono’s final statement. He couldn’t spend all night going back and forth with the army general and the other clan heads while he had a pregnant wife waiting for him. Next time, he just may bring Ashbel to one of the meetings. He had assumed that she would be too mouthy for him, but in truth, a good tongue lashing from her would have all the men in that room feeling sorry for themselves.
“Oh Ashbel, what did I tell you about sleeping on the couch?” Kapono sighed, seeing the outline of Ashbel laying on the couch in the sitting room.
“I was restless. I could no longer wait in the empty bed for you,” she replied. Before she could get up, Kapono went to her side. He sat down on the ground in front of the couch, bringing him at eye level with her.
“I will not do that to you anymore. I apologize,” he said as he stroked her bright orange hair.
“You are the future king. I know you have duties,” she replied.
“And you and my son are just as important as any other duty,” he waved her off. She smiled sweetly at him, watching as he placed a hand on her stomach. His son kicked immediately.
“He will be an active child,” Kapono chuckled.
“And I am excited for that day. I will have much to do. Now, after being paraded around and shown off I come back here and find myself with nothing to do. I read books, practice birthing techniques, and I have Mara test me on political issues just in case you need me at your side at one of those meetings.”
“Speaking of, I think I can use you at the meeting tomorrow. They want me to pass a bill that will banish all non-dragon descendants.” Ashbel made a face.
“What? Do they want to make Fireland only consist of fire dragon power?” Kapono nodded at her question.
“And do they realize fire dragons are not the only dragons in Kosmos? If a war were to start because we were talking about being the best, a force of water dragon power can surely take us out if planned tactfully. I assume no one wants that kind of war,” Ashbel huffed. Kapono just stared at her, his eyes glazed over with awe. He couldn’t believe that even for an arranged marriage this woman had turned out to be something he needed in his life.
“Why do you look at me that way?” she questioned, a smile on her face.
“You just amaze me, my little flame. And to think I thought you were not my type of woman. You’ve been the best wife any man could ask for.”
“I’ve been thinking of something,” she whispered.
“Yes?”
“A few days ago, you said something to Jessop. You told him that I was your world.” Kapono understand what she was getting at. He pulled her to sit up carefully before sitting next to her and wrapping his arms around her.
“The night we first made love, I told you that I wanted you. I felt it in my gut that I was going to fall for you, even then. And now, all I can think about is how we have a future together. How our bonds will continue to grow. How I will always find happiness because we’re building it together. So yes, you do mean the world to me.” She looked up at him and smiled. Kapono kissed her tenderly.
“On the night we made love, I told you that if love blossomed, I will not fight it,” she said.
“Yes, I remember well,” he nodded. Ashbel caressed his beard.
“You care for me so deeply Kapono. Your touch is always tender. When we are together in front of the public’s eye, your arm would be wrapped around my waist not only in protection but for the care you have for me. And remember that time I was throwing an unreasonable tantrum because my hormones were putting me out of sorts? You thought someone had caused me harm and the fire that exploded around you as you threatened to hunt down whoever had upset me warmed my heart. Right then and there I knew my heart was going to bend and mend to you.” She turned in his arms so they could look at each other more comfortably. Kapono cradled her in his lap, continuing to stroke her orange hair.
“I’m in love with you Kapono,” she admitted.
“Well, well, well! This coming from a woman who swore not to love me the moment she saw me!” Kapono gasped.
“Oh, quit it!” Ashbel demanded, snapping her fingers to light his beard on fire as she always did when he teased her. Kapono laughed as he patted out the fire.
“Little flame you must be careful, you can really do damage one of these days,” he insisted.
“Yeah, maybe if you were a tiny dragon. But you are not tiny in any sense,” she winked.
“You have become a very seductive woman. Am I that irresistible?” Kapono teased her.
“I can close up shop if it’s a problem,” Ashbel shrugged.
“No! Don’t do that!” Kapono rushed out. It was Ashbel’s turn to laugh. She got him good with that one.
“You tease,” he pinched her nose.
“My body belongs to you. If you want it, then you can have it,” she shrugged down the strap of her night gown, revealing her golden skin. Kapono licked his lips.
“I want it. I want you,” he groaned. He dipped his head down, pulling her breasts from her top and suckling on her engorged nipple. Ashbel moaned in his arms, already trembling with desire.
“Wait—wait,” she breathed.
“What is the matter?” he asked.
“You can have me, my plum dragon but I just need something first.” Kapono growled at her.
“All the names in the world and you insist on that one,” he stated. Ashbel bit her lip knowing that the nickname irritated him but he secretly liked it.
“But I will give you whatever you want, you know this. What do you need?” he questioned. She touched her belly.
“Ice cream,” she admitted, her cheeks warming with embarrassment. Kapono blinked at her for a moment before he began to laugh. Her cravings sparked at any time of the day and held no boundaries. He knew that if she didn’t get what she craved; he wouldn’t get what he craved either.
“Alright. Ice cream then. I’ll have to go to the main kitchen we have none here. You finished it last week.” Ashbel just nodded eagerly. Kapono set her back on the couch in the position she was laying down in initially.
“I’ll be right back little flame.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead before turned to leave. Kapono only reached the door before he realized he’d forgotten to tell her something important. Rushing back to the sitting room, he kneeled in front of the couch.
“Are you okay?” she asked, caressing his cheek.
“I’m perfect.” He took her hand and squeezed it.
“I’m in love with you too Ashbel,” he told her. The brightest smile streaked across her face. Kapono felt his heart pang in his chest gleefully at her cuteness.
“Now come, give your husband a kiss and then he’ll get your ice cream,” he coaxed her. Ashbel wiggled to the edge of the couch and leaned forward, kissing him softly. Their lips met with a simmer that slowly began to boil as the kiss deepened. Steam rushed out of both of their nostrils as they kissed each other passionately. Ashbel began to strip him of his cape.
“The i
ce cream can wait!” She breathed. Kapono fit himself on top of her on the couch, unable to hold back the fire gushing through his veins. She pushed his pants down, eagerly searching for his arousal. Kapono continued to kiss her as she aligned his rock hard tip with her entrance. As smooth as butter, he glided within her heat, making steady passionate love to her on the couch. He kept himself braced above her stomach, careful not to crush her.
“Ugh, I love you,” she moaned, kissing him frantically.
“I love you too,” he gasped, feeling the readiness of explosion from the both of their bodies. It occurred so swiftly, overtaking them without preamble, setting their bodies aflame and keeping their hearts warm for each other. Kapono was stiff atop her as the hot lava of his release flowed through her. Ashbel was sighing beneath him, the heat of his release no longer affecting her. It felt natural. It felt like it belonged.
“Now I definitely need ice cream,” she sighed. Kapono chuckled as he leaned down to kiss her softly.
“I’m going, I’m going,” he assured her. It took him a few moments to regulate his heart rate back to normal and then to right both of their clothing from their quick and sudden love making.
“Plum dragon,” she called after him after he had cleaned her up.
“Hm?” he answered, looking back at her.
“You didn’t break your promise. You told me that you would be as a husband should be and you’ve been that and more. That’s why I fell for you so easily.” Kapono bowed to her, showing her respect.
“Anything I’ve given to you, you deserve it,” he stated. “I’ll be right back little flame.”
“I’ll be waiting,” she clapped giddily, excited for the sweet cream that she would devour before she devoured her husband once more for the night.
Kapono trotted casually to the main kitchen located in the castle. For every suite that was in the castle, a kitchen came with it, but any cooking that took place for meetings, and meals, were made from the main kitchen. The food that was in Kapono’s fridge was brought up by the main kitchen staff. They stocked all the suite kitchens with supplies from the main kitchen. Too bad this time, they’d failed to see the need to add ice cream to the stock. The kitchen was located on the east side of the castle, clear across from Kapono’s suite. It took him five minutes to reach the kitchen and push through the swing doors. One of the servants was sitting around the wooden island, enjoying a cup of tea.