“I don’t believe these once a month meetings are helping the situation,” Queen Sophia told me, “and I’ve convinced Abbott I’m right. So, we’ll formally meet again in three months —September, and then again in January.” She put her glass down and leaned forward to meet my gaze. “Unless you do something stupid to show me you aren’t worthy of her, she’s yours until at least January. She won’t be taken from you for no reason for at least seven months. Do you understand?”
My heart settled. My nerves quieted. “I do, Your Highness. Thank you for the assurances. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate... how much your words mean to me. Thank you.”
“My Queen,” Arabella said, her voice catching on her nerves. “We don’t deserve your kindness, but thank you so much for your mercy. I love Ajax, Kieran, and Gwen. My heart would break if I were taken from them.”
“I know, my dear Arabella. I hope you can stay with them. I can see how you’ve blossomed with them, but I can’t in good conscience give you to them permanently at this time.”
“I’m sure you know what’s best for me, My Queen. Thank you for looking out for me.”
I wanted to know what she was waiting for, but I also knew asking would only irritate her. Telling me apparently nullified the test. I had to figure it out on my own.
The Swan Queen looked past Arabella and met my gaze. “I know you’re frustrated, and I’m sorry about that. All things in good time.”
I tried my best to be courteous and respectful. I was pretty sure I pulled it off. “I, too, appreciate the time and energy you put into making sure Arabella is in a good situation.”
She gave me a wry grin. “You’re learning from Abbott and the Doyles. A loss of some of your innocence, but it’s an important lesson. For what it’s worth, I think you’re good for my little swanling, but I need to be sure, and I’m not. Not yet.” She waved her arms. “Okay, enough with the serious stuff. Arabella and I have been invited to Girls Night Out with the bikers’ ol’ladies in two weeks, and we need to talk clothes. My husband wants youto take him for a ride in your new car. The kids should be busy with their martial arts teacher by now, so go find Aaron and take him for a ride. Please.”
I grinned at her, stood, leaned in to give Arabella a quick kiss, and made my way to the great room, since I smelled the Dragon King in that general direction.
“Your Majesty,” I said when I entered. “Queen Sophia said you’d like to go for a ride?”
“I would. I’d also like for you to call me Aaron.”
Once upon a time, I’d have just stared at him, certain I’d be smote by the Gods for daring to refer to someone of royal blood by their first name. My time with the Doyles had taught me to listen and be gracious, though, so I gave a tiny bow and said, “Of course, Aaron, thank you. I have to ask whether this is permanent, or only while in private?”
“I’m Aaron to you, or Aaron Drake when you need to speak about me to others with some formality. If we happen to be together in a formal setting, you’ll know whether to use royal titles or familiar names. Since you’re romantically involved with a swan, I believe my wife needs you to continue referring to her by her title, but I’m happier when people use my name. It isn’t always possible, but in this case, it is.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Arabella
Ajax seemed okay when Queen Sophia and I met up with him and the Dragon King, but I worried. I knew he didn’t want me to, but I couldn’t help it. And then I heard him use the Dragon King’s first name, and I had to sit down and concentrate on not hyperventilating. The King kneeled before me and rested a hand on my knee. “It’s okay, Arabella. I asked him to use my name. Your Queen needs you to continue to be formal, and since you’re a subject, I understand her point. Ajax, however, is not our subject. I like him. He’s earning my respect.”
“My King. It doesn’t feel proper.” I realized I was arguing with him, and quickly amended, “But you know what’s best, Your Majesty.”
He looked sad, but he smiled and kept his hand on my knee. “I’m glad you’ve found your way to a household that values you. I’m sorry you weren’t loved and adored as a child, but I’m so happy you’re getting that now. You’re important, Arabella.”
We didn’t stay much longer, and I tried not to cry when we pulled out of their long driveway.
Ajax reached for my hand, and that brought my tears on with full force. Isowanted to belong to him, and I appreciated knowing we had until the first of the year, but what then?
“Do you need me to remind you that you belong to me?” he asked. “You aren’t mine permanently yet, but I have you atleastanother seven months, because I don’t intend to do anything stupid to get you taken away.”
When I’d first heard him call the Dragon King by his first name, I’d worried it was Ajax’s way of not having to take me home. It was a ridiculous thought, and I’d brushed it away as soon as it’d come into my head, but it’d popped up. I felt a little traitorous, because of it.
“Yes, Sir. I think I need a reminder.”
“Okay, my little swanling. It’ll go differently than it has in the past. It’s possible we both need the reminder.”
* * * *
Ajax
As far as I could tell, Arabella had never been fisted by a man. She’d had a woman fist her pussy during sex-toy training, but a woman’s fist is completely different from a man’s.
And my hands weremuchbigger than most men’s.
If she were human, I probably wouldn’t be able to even consider trying, and I was going to do more than try. It was going to hurt, but she was going to take my entire fist. She’d probably have tochangeto heal, but this was important.
