Page 138 of Plug and Tame

His lips pinched. It was an uncomfortable topic, and a very fine line Kira was skirting. But if this was her way of dealing with things, then he would be as accommodating and chipper as she needed him to be. Still, there were some things he could not joke about, and he swivelled her around on her chair so he could cup her face.

“There is only one bride for me.” He let the words hang in the air, expecting no answer in return, and receiving none.

Only three weeks had passed since his father had done what no person should ever do to another. It was a time of upheaval and change, and even positive changes could take their toll. He had a feeling they were both on the verge of tears, because surely, it was not normal to be so numb to all the pressures weighing down their shoulders.

Especially the pressure on Kira. She’d had no downtime to truly process any of it.

That night, Kira went to bed exhausted, and Nathaniel held her tight. Like every night, he was mindful of her emotional state, never instigating more unless she did so first. Like tonight, when she pressed herself close, and kissing him with an urgency that was desperate and new. He returned her kisses with the same fervour, pulling her close in a wordless promise to never let go.

They made love, and lost themselves in each other, escaping the world as they healed each other’s wounds. Together, wrapped in sheets, they could just be and that was enough.

Afterwards, Kira lay on her side facing the open window of their bedroom. A gentle breeze rolled in, and she shivered and nestled closer back against him.

A dangerous move, as her soft ass pressed against his groin, but he was distracted by the pale moonlight edging the elegant lines of her arms and waist.

Kira broke the silence with a gasp. “Shit. Wait. Nathaniel, are you still wearing the plug?”

He chuckled. “What do you think?”

She gasped again. “I forgot! How long have you been—”

“Since last night. And I must say, it made my meeting with the Provincial Taxation Assessment Panel interesting today.”

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!”

He laughed again and pulled her close so her back pressed against his chest. “Don’t be sorry,” he whispered in her ear. “But perhaps my mistress would permit me to remove it…?”

“Yes, of course!”

He winced as he removed the plug and tossed it in the direction of the bathroom. On their first night, there had been a white-gloved servant who they forgot all about standing there, and he’d caught the plug in his hand, making them laugh so hard they’d had to dismiss the servants from their private bedchamber.

“I hope you don’t intend for me to wear it again tomorrow. I’m meant to ride out to one of the estates on horseback.”

“We’ll see,” Kira giggled, giving him a smile that dispelled the shadows of the past.

As Nathaniel began to drift, the echo of her melodic laughter lulled him to sleep, filling his dreams and brightening the stars above.

Epilogue

Kira

Twelve Months Later

Empress Kirabelle entered the royal suite and firmly shut the door behind her. The rooms were dark except for the crackling fireplace, and the stars outside the window twinkled brightly in the night sky. The suite was lavishly decorated, but that was not why she loved it.

This place was her sanctuary. There were no guards, no servants, and—mercifully—no councillors. It had been a long day of council meetings and she was exhausted. More often than not, her position as ruler of the Vulpire Empire was dull and boring, and she’d quickly learnt that those were the better days.

Today’s list of affairs had unexpectedly concluded with excitement and turmoil, meaning that this was one of those days where she wished for her ordinary life back.

Kira let out a long sigh, shrugging off her heavy ermine-trimmed cloak and letting it drop onto a sideboard. The gold crown followed; a jewelled spectacle finally retired for the evening.

Nathaniel was in his office, and he set down his quill when she leant in the doorway.

“Hello,” he greeted.

She gave him a tired smile. “Hello.”

“How was your day?”