Vali didn’t know if he ever would.
He hadn’t allowed himself to think about what their intimate life would be like after they married. He’d been prepared to respect her wishes if she never wanted to be together in that way, save for procreating.
Goddess, he was glad that wasn’t the case.
What he hadn’t expected was how well they’d come together. No awkwardness had passed between them—no hesitation, just an urgent need. His body compelled him to get back to her, wake her up with his tongue between her thighs. To taste her.
Though his stomach growled, he didn’t want food—he only wanted her. The plate he piled high with meats and cheeses, breads and pastries would have to do. He loaded it with as much as it could carry and then grabbed a bottle of wine.
“Smart,” Bo said around a mouthful of food.
“And why aren’t you two snuggled in beds with the poor unsuspecting Elven you seduced?”
Henny sighed. “Who said I didn’t have the same idea as you?”
“Then you’re a selfish lover, because you’re eating all the food and not saving him any,” Vali reprimanded his brother.
“I’ll bring him some,” Henny mumbled, the tips of his ears flushing red.
Bo laughed. “The two females in my bed are currently keeping each other company, but don’t worry, brother, I promised to bring them up sustenance as well,” he said before Vali could scold him too.
“Look at us, all getting laid thanks to Vali’s speedy nuptials.” Henny raised two hands towards his brothers, his palms open. Vali rolled hiseyes at the ridiculous mortal gesture but smacked his brother’s hand anyway—as did Bo, but with much more force. Henny smiled.
“Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll be getting back to my queen,” Vali said, turning on his heel.
“Tell her I say hello!” Bo yelled.
“No,” Vali called back without looking.
“Tell her I’m glad she’s good in bed!” Henny said, his voice carrying down the hall.
Vali let his growl reverberate back to his brothers but smiled as their laughter followed him. He hurried back up to his rooms and found North, still soft with sleep. The sheets snaked around her, covering all the best parts of her deliciously naked body.
He placed the plate of food down quietly, took off his robe, and slipped into bed. All he could think of was his earlier idea to work his way up the insides of her legs. She stirred but didn’t wake until the first stroke of his tongue up her centre.
She tasted like spring.
Her awakening gasp turned to a moan as she threaded her fingers through his hair and held him to her, like he might leave. He’d never leave if he could help it. And if he did, it would only be to replace his tongue with his cock.
He fucked her with his mouth, and when he wanted to get deeper, he flipped them over so she was straddling his face, riding him as he gripped her ass, letting her take what she wanted from him. She rode him hard, and he gratefully soaked up every bit of her as she came on his tongue.
North made to switch their position, but he held her to him, even as she squirmed, her flesh sensitive. He drove his tongue into her, tasting her over and over again until she was writhing with her orgasm.
She slumped over and he turned them, laying her gently on her back. His cock yearned to be inside her pretty pussy, but he could tell she wasraw and tired and needed a break. Instead of fucking her until morning like he wanted to, he held her to his chest until her breathing slowed.
Instinct drove him to curl around her, holding her until his breathing calmed, matching hers.
His last thought before sleep was the letter he’d written that morning, his heart skipping a beat as he tugged his queen close.
Again, Vali woke before she did, rays of sun slipping through the cracks in their drawn curtains. He checked the timepiece by his bed and silently swore—he’d overslept and would likely be late. Shit.
He was still curled around North and didn’t want to disturb her. As slowly as possible, he slipped out of bed so his sudden disappearance wouldn’t wake her. Images of feeding his queen flashed through his mind as he picked a few pieces of fruit off the plate and silently got dressed.
With one last look at North asleep in their bed, he left the room with a soft click. He paused outside the door to make sure she hadn’t woken, flooded with relief and guilt when she didn’t stir. He set his crown atop his head.
It was much later than he had expected, having slept better than he had in years. The sun was already high in the sky, warming his face through the tall windows as he made his way out of the palace. His face must not have been one of invitation because no one stopped to speak to him. For that, he was grateful.
He stopped when he got to the grove, hoping he wasn’t too late.
