We stay locked together for nearly an hour, his knots keeping us joined while we exchange lazy kisses and gentle touches. This is my favorite part—the aftermath, when the desperate need has been satisfied and we can simply exist in each other's arms.
"The council meeting is in two hours," he murmurs eventually, hand stroking over my hair.
"Mm." I don't want to think about politics and court business, not when I'm still floating in post-orgasmic bliss.
"Lord Fenwick is going to challenge the new taxation policies again."
"Then Lord Fenwick can challenge me directly," I say, summoning the authority I've learned to wield as queen. "I'm tired of him treating me like decoration."
Aratus chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest. "My fierce queen. Ready to tear apart anyone who questions your authority."
"I earned this position," I say, meaning it. "Not just by being your omega, but by proving I can rule beside you. No one gets to treat me like I'm just here for breeding."
Even though, in many ways, I am. The thought doesn't bother me the way it would have six months ago. I can be both—a queen who rules with wisdom and strength, and an omega who finds deep satisfaction in carrying her alpha's children.
"They respect you," he says quietly. "More than they ever respected Kieran's political maneuvering. You make decisions they can understand, policies that actually help people."
"Because I remember what it was like to be powerless," I reply. "I know what it feels like when authority figures see you as an inconvenience rather than a person."
His arms tighten around me at that, and I know he's thinking about the early days of our relationship. The systematic breaking down of my defenses, the careful conditioning that turned me from captive to willing partner.
"Any regrets?" he asks, echoing the question from months ago.
I consider it seriously, feeling his seed still warm inside me, our children growing in my belly, the bond between us humming with contentment.
"No," I say finally. "No regrets about where we ended up. Only about how long it took us to get here."
"The council," he reminds me as his knots finally start to deflate.
"Can wait another few minutes," I finish, pulling his head down for another kiss. "Your queen requires more attention from her alpha."
He laughs against my mouth, but his hands are already moving over my body again, and I know we'll be late to the council meeting.
Some things are more important than punctuality.
CHAPTER 27
ARATUS
DAY 156
(Three monthspregnant)
She's awake before I open my eyes.
The bond tells me everything. Her heartbeat. Her breathing. The way her scent is already shifting toward arousal before she's even fully conscious.
Pregnancy has turned her into something constantly hungry. For touch. For claiming. For the connection that proves she's mine.
"Mmm." She shifts against me, skin warm despite the ice-cold air. "Can't sleep."
"Dreams again?"
"Always dreams." Her voice is rough with need. "You were fucking me in the throne room. In front of everyone."
The image goes straight to my groin. My composed queen reduced to moaning desperation while the court watches. Blood rushes south immediately.
"Would you like that?" I ask, hand sliding to her belly. Three months along and already showing. "Everyone seeing how their queen responds to her alpha?"
