Audrey gave her muscles permission to relax as she slid in front of Darius, her back to his naked front.
He wrapped a hand around her, his other one pressing the soap lathered sponge to her shoulder. He pecked along beneath her ear, dragging his lips to smother kisses along her wet, naked throat. He slowly rubbed the sponge along her skin, engulfing her in his warmth. The feel of the hot water against her skin mixed with the warm humid air made her bones feel like jelly.
He used the sponge to massage her still sore muscles. Going for two more rounds minutes after she had woken up may not have been the best of ideas but she had no regrets, except the ache between her thighs, still. If she could do I again she surely would.
This calm tranquil feeling washed over her. It felt so nice to be taken care of, especially by the same man who was brutally yet romantically pounding into her probably broken entrance a few hours ago.
A shiver tickled her spine as the sponge weaved round her nipples, causing her to inhale a sharp breath. No matter how many times her and Darius made love to each other, somehow his touch always managed to leave her core soaking with want. Warmth and love fluttered in her chest as his fingers weaved through her curls, washing her strands clean.
How tenderly he held and touched her made her feel like the most fragile glass. The way he took his time to lather her hair and rinse it clear, the way he worshipped her exotic dark curls made her stomach twist with butterflies.
His soft caress gliding across her skin, possessing every inch of her with light, vanilla touches. While cleaning her he greedily sucked on her skin, loving the feel of her warm skin, coupled with her sweet fluorescent scent and her intoxicating aura. He absolutely loved her hair: her dark, silky locks shimmering with water.
Touch, his love language. He couldn't stay without touching her, even as he bathed her, he made sure everyone inch of her was pressed against him, he made sure her scent flooded his senses and left him drousy. Admittedly just her scent arouses him, easily. Even now, he was hard, as hard as ar ock but he wasn't about to ruine the sweet affectionate moment with his mate.
To everyone Darius was the Emperor, stoic and icy in his dealings with the kingdom and his people, but as his little mate adjusted- situating herself in a kneeling position between his legs, treading her little fingers through his locks he was naught but a love struck young wolf who surrendered to the tender, loving touch of the woman he loved.
She gently weaved through, massaging his scalp with the pad of her fingers. His head fell, resting against her breast as his large hands held her firmly, pulling her naked form to his callouses. He responded with a purr, his muscles melting into puddles of honey. Amidst her washing Darius busied himself with drawing non existent figures across Audrey's nipples with the tip of his finger. She shuddered, a militia of pleasure marching down her form.
She knew what the words spelt-Darius.
He was painting his name on her body, forever scorching her soul with his, his body with hers, his kisses to her skin. Long gone was the Audrey who looked at Darius's love with scrutiny, now she knew just how much Darius loved her, it was unexplainable. It couldn't be fit into mere words for words were never enough. She couldn't begin to fathom how long he loved her even before meeting her, even after he found her and she hadn't loved him, he still loved her.
His love was like the sweetest of daggers, sharp and stinging, consuming and overwhelming. It pierced right through, leaving a sweet pinch in its wake. Engulfing her in his strong arms, like a furnace, burning down all her walls and leaving nothing but ashes.
Even as she lead them out of the washroom he clung to her like second skin it pulled fiercely at her heart strings. Her clingy alpha king.
With a smile etched on her lips she watched him dress her, as he paused to ask her opinion on his choice of clothing and color matching. She giggled but gave him a go ahead, loving how gently he slipped on every layer of fabric. She couldn't mistake the clear look of adoration, determination and precision that pinched his brows together. He looked so cute, concentrating with all his might as he fastened the buttons to her blouse: his big fingers fiddling with it.
She watched him with admiration, awe and so much love she was afraid it would pour through her eyes. His calloused hands that would one day hold their children, his gold locks she wished to have the pleasure of styling every morning before he left for his kingly duties and his warm onyx eyes that would register hers, housing her gaze and letting every single word he couldn't utter stream into hers or wander in the hollow of his mind's walls for her to pick up. He was the love her mama wished for her and she had finally gotten him, she would do anything to keep him with her. Anything.
She still had her worries concerning the transition of the kingdom yes, but now she was certain that no matter what happened or what obstacle they faced they would do it together. She would stand by his side through it all and never falter.
He finished, reaching over to retrieve her earrings from the stand. Placing them against her ear he made sure to carefully push it into her ear and secure it. When he was finished he stopped, the pad of his thumb meeting her plum cheeks and slowly caressing.
"How are you feeling love?" His deep baritone enquired, his eyes regarding hers with tenderness and adoration.
"I'm fine" she chirped, cupping his hand and holding it to her cheek. A smile blossomed across her cheeks, her eyes fluttering closed as she basked in the feeling of his touch, how her skin buzzed to life under it was nothing short of addicting, intoxicating.
He stepped impossibly closer, leaving no pace between their two persons. His hand curved around her waist, pulling her flushed against his chest.
He sighed, a smile marring his lips. It was the kind of smile that exposed his dimples, making him look so endearing and all the more handsome if that was possible. "Gosh you're so beautiful" his voice lowered, his jaw tensing, his eyes shimmering with unshared intentions. "We'll be departing for Brailer later today. Your ladies-in-waiting are already packing your luggage from your chambers so you can get some rest before our depature as it would be a long journey" he leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead.
"Why would we be going to Blùdhaven capital?" She asks, her brows pulling together in confusion. She had never been to the capital city before.
"I'm going to be making a press release concerning the new law I will release on the empire. I have made arrangements and dispersed sections of my army to the various state packs to make sure there was no human being oppressed" he paused, dread and regret flashing in his eyes before it faded. "I will never let what happened to you happen to anyone again"
The promise in his eyes shook Audrey to her core. She could feel the sincerity, he truly regretted everything she went through. But truly if she hadn't gone through it all she would have never met him that faithful day at the Mating Ball. She regrets nothing.
She cupped his cheek, making sure he had his gaze fixated on hers.
The little human bride wore a soft smile, big dark doe eyes crinkle with sweet warmth
"I'm here with you my king. If I had to go through all that just so I'd be here again I would definitely do it all over. If I didn't go through all I did we won't have met my love" her sweet voice and tender words were like a soothing balm to Darius's guilt stricken conscious. "I'm so proud of you, you're changing the empire for the better, you're making a huge change".
"We are" he corrects, smothering her palm with his lips as he kisses the center, further pressing her hand to his lips as he dragged down to her forearm. "You will rule beside me as not only the first queen of Blùdhaven but also it's first empress. We would be staying in the castle there while I work" he paused, his lips hovering over her neck. "You my dearest will be taking classes to further help you smoothly transition into your new role and after which, we"
His lips clamp down, delivering a wet kiss to her neck and making her shudder. "Will return to the palace for our wedding and proceed to our honeymoon where babies are made and the entire foundation would shake with the sounds of your sweet screams, filling the air as you come undone on every inch of the room"
His words were so deliciously crude, the sensual vibration from his lowered husky tone sending tingles right down her spine. He continued kissing her neck, his lips moved to her jawline before finally landing on where she craved most. His lips moulded against hers, completely swallowing her mouth. His lips weaved skillfully over hers, delving their way between her lips. His hand took firm hold of the nape of her neck, her body surrendering and bowing to his electrifying kiss. His tongue traced every crevice and inch of her, leaving nowhere untouched. He kissed her like she alone held the most addictive taste that he would never get tired of.
The manner in which he worked her body, knowing exactly the right amount of pressure to leave her panting and wanting more. He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, releasing soon after with a salivating 'POP'.
Her face had painted red, her cheeks and the bridge of her nose coloured scarlet. He grinned, loving how much she responded to him; his touches, his words, his kisses. Her response to him only fueled his ever burning passion for his sweet mate. He would never get enough of her.
"That would make such a mess" she quietly pointed out, the way she sucked in her bottom lip, trapping it between her teeth shyly told Darius that a mess was the least of her concerns. The flame of desire that burned in her gaze told him all he needed to know; she couldn't wait, she wanted to see what would happen, she was curious to see how he would carry out his promise to leave her aching but craving so much more.
The dark thought brought a militia of exhilarating chills marching through her body.
"Oh don't worry about the mess. I am at your service my queen, I will take care of any mess that would be made, but rest assured I would feast and leave no crumbs" he smirked, his tongue coming out to wet his bottom lip and Audrey's eyes shamelessly followed the action.
She was hooked. Big time.
His words sunk into her skin, making blood rush to dark places. Suddenly she was made aware of the hard erection that was poking her lower belly, his big arms encircled around her waist, pulling her flushed against his chest. Everything was so clear, the deep husk of his dark lilt that fanned her ear as he spoke.
Her fingers slowly stroked the hickeys on his neck, evidence of last night's 'activities'. They were going for such a long time, did they even get any sleep at all?
She would think the hickeys wouldn't be visible considering the dark calligraphy that painted his skin but somehow the hickeys stood out, even among the dark ink on his skin. It had this purple-red like tint to it, as if the hues had darkened just to make sure every eye could see.
Audrey was fascinated by their color, how it seemed to grab her attention and look so sinfully mouthwatering against his skin. Hiding them would definitely not work, assuming Darius would even try. She knew he would unapologetically wear and flaunt the marks around his neck for all eyes to see, but the thought alone brought more color to Audrey's cheeks and made her flustered. If anyone saw the marks they would know what happened yesterday that is if of course her screams didn't inform them first. She'd just like to believe no one heard them.
"Why are they so... dark?" She questions, her touch making Darius almost purr in delight.
"Because it's your mark on me my love and the deeper the desire the darker the mark" he replies, his thumb slowly dragging at Audrey's bottom lip. He watched his action with so much interest as if there was nothing more important than what he was doing at the moment.
"I-is it permanent?" She asks, her voice coming out shaky as she took in the look of raw intimacy and carnal desire in his eyes and in his every action.
"I would love it to be, so everyone can see that I'm truly yours in every sense of the word. Unfortunately it isn't permanent but it will take time to fade which I am glad for" he grinned, trailing his light feather like touch to her neck. The way his eyes follow his every action, scorching her skin and leaving her feeling hot.
In an instance her breathing had picked up, her chest rising and falling with the rapid beat of her heart. Her skin tingles with fireworks as his touch reaches the swell of her breast, sending shivers down her form. His head dips to plant slobbery kisses on her neck as he fists her breast, making a moan slither out of her throat. Her cheeks flushed as she bit down on her bottom lip to stop her noises from coming out. Slowly he begins massaging her breast, kneading and tugging. Cries of pleasure left her lips unrestricted but they were stopped as she clamped her lips shut, her hands that had been buried in Darius's hair stilling.
A knock came on the door, making Audrey's eyes widen. Darius pulled his head back, staring daggers at the door. He growled under his breath, contemplating making a rule against anyone coming to the West Wing. He glanced back at Audrey, her face blazing red and her mouth hung open as pants flowed through them.
"Give me a second baby" he leaned down, pressing a kiss to her parted lips before he ripped himself from her and walked over to the door. He marched, irritation bouncing off every step. He strides down the steps, arriving at the large wood doors. He swung them open, towering over Raya and Carla who instantly paled. They could sense the anger practically radiating off his form, his eyes were narrowed into slits, an annoyed frown pulled down at the corner of his lips.
Raya swallowed nervously, her mouth growing dry like she had swallowed a hand full of sand. She tried to hide the tremble that shook her entire form. How much was she getting paid for this again? Was it worth it if his highness the king decided to kill her for this? Certainly Lady Astrid wouldn't do anything in her defense. Someone like her was easily disposable to a noble lady like Lady Astrid, but the money she received was worth it, worth sticking her neck out like this. Surely her Majesty Audrey wouldn't let the King kill them. Right?
Her eyes tried to peer behind his bulldozer build but to no avail, she couldn't see inside the room. She couldn't report back to Lady Astrid with no information, she'd definitely have her whipped. She tried harder, extending her neck to see through the small crack that his form blocked. She gave up, her eyes flickering to meet his terrifying dark orbs. He raised a questioning brow, the vexed irritated look on his face making her quiver in fear.
She couldn't speak.
"Y-your Majesty" she heard Carla speak as she dipped, bowing deep enough to almost fall. She was definitely as scared as Raya was.
Just then Raya remembered she hadn't greeted as well as rushed to bow, spitting out incoherent greetings. Her eyes locked on the hickeys that littered his neck, her brows creasing together. They looked like wounds but there was no open gash and when it clicked in her mind her cheeks warmed significantly.
"Speak" his deep baritone came, shaking them the more. The impatience in his tone told them to talk fast.
"Her Majesty's bags have been packed, t-the carriage is ready. Your Excellence" Carla spoke quickly, tripping over her words.
A feminine voice came from inside and Darius shuts the door in their faces, leaving them both breaking out in cold sweats. After a few moments the door reopens, only this time it's Audrey at the door, a sympathetic smile playing on her lips.
"Your majesty" they both greet, looking significantly less tense than before.
Carla let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "We apologise for interrupting your majesty but we came to inform you that your bags have been packed into the carriage"
"Everything has been taken care of my lady" Raya added, trying to put on a tight smile.
"Thank you. I'll be with you all soon" she spoke with finality and the girls bowed, turned and walked away.
Raya walked away both stunned and satisfied. By the flushed look on Audrey's face and Darius's state of undress it was clear what transpired the previous night. Lady Astrid would not be happy but at least she had done her job and would get paid. Raya couldn't help but wonder what Lady Astrid would do with the information she would attain, she wasn't dumb for Raya knew Lady Astrid had eyes for The King but now it was clear to basically the whole castle that His Majesty and Her Majesty Audrey had consummated their bond and were set to be wed to one another, even now arrangements were being made for their trip to Brailer. It was basically set in stone so it made Raya more than confused what Lady Astrid was going to do but alas she certainly couldn't ask Lady Astrid that.
She was being paid to deliver information so that was what she would do. What Lady Astrid would do wasn't any of her concern so she was to sit back and watch.