Spirits of the Earth

The months went by quickly as word of Calent's upcoming wedding spread throughout the country.  More joyous news was to follow: in the wake of the Grand Duke's untimely death, Calent himself would be made Grand Duke of all of Connlaoth.  It seemed all of Calent's plans were coming to fruition at last.  All he had left to do was to marry his chosen bride and for she to produce an heir.

All of Connlaoth was buzzing with gossip and news of the wedding even as the wedding bells rang.  Audric was distinctly uncomfortable in his new uniform, and he was still somewhat sore with the new Grand Duke for forcing the role of Duke of Allar on him.  Resentment aside, he would not have missed this event for the whole world; Calent was, after all, still his dear friend, and he was determined to see this through.

"Your wedding day at last," he announced cheerfully as he stepped fully into Calent's dressing chambers.  "Have you seen your bride, yet?  She looks even prettier today than the day you proposed.  Marriage appears to agree with her."

Meanwhile, Kathryn was allowing her maids to fuss over her wedding dress, over her make-up, over her hair...  It all had to be perfect; the entire country was to be in attendance today, and select representatives from other countries as well.  She was accustomed to having one maid help her with her dress; having the veritable swarm around her, as it was now, had quickly become disagreeable.

"Stop.  Just stop!" she ordered, glaring down at the lot of them from her perch.  A seamstress was practically sewing her into the dress -- how on earth was she going to get this thing off?  The heavy folds of white fabric made her feel as round and over-decorated as the tall cakes she had seen the bakers bringing in.  "I can't hear myself think with all of you talking at once!"

The maids exchanged a glance that only further irritated Kathryn, and she glared at all of them.  "Fifteen minutes!" she proclaimed, giving them all a level stare.  "I need fifteen minutes to look over my vows, and then you can all come back in, alright?"

No 'Grand Duchess to be's' personal guards could keep her younger sister away as Valia pushed, shoved and stomped her feet while barking out commands to each one of them as she appeared livid, and about as pink faced as the color of her dress. With a stomp of her foot, she pressed, "You will let me see my sister this instant!" And another stomp of her pink heels and an intervention with her father had the guards parting ways with a sigh as the youngest daughter of the Duke of Highheart marched clean towards Kathryn's room where she was being prepared. So she had only fifteen minutes to go time- it didn't mean she wasn't allowed to see her sister! After all, after a day like today...

and considering all of the craziness going on within the country.... she might not ever see her sister again.

So why was she so nervous as she paused before the door to her room, smoothing down her skirts and drawing in a long breath? Perhaps it was the way the huge garrison of guards were looking at her. SHe cast them nasty glares before giving a knock at the door.

"Kathryn? It's me,"s he paused, hesitating but a moment before adding with a fluff of her hair. "Your sister."

Truth be told, Kathryn was relieved to hear Valia's voice.  And she had good timing, too!  Valia had many flaws...but being a poor sister was not one of them.

"Come in!" she called as she carefully lowered herself off the dais the maids had set her upon.  The dress was something she doubted she could ever grow accustomed to; she preferred the comfort and versatility of her usual outfits rather than this bulky, awkward thing.

By the time Valia would enter, she would be standing in the middle of the room, smoothing the over-sized, poofy skirts down self-consciously.  She offered Valia a sheepish smile and gestured to the get-up.  "I feel like a jester in this.  And I'm not at all sure it will fit through the door, either."

Stepping into the room, Valia pretended not to be impressed by Kathryn's dress. She always looked up and admired her sister, and even if it were a jester's garb, she would find herself jealous of it anyway. Noticing the awkwardness of her sister, Valia only gave a roll of her eyes as she approached, hands to her hips.
"That's what your maids are for. It's nothing for you to worry about," and she waved off the idea as  if it were nothing more than a loose hair to shake off her clothes. Then, looking her sister over, she sighed expectantly.
"So how nervous are you?" Then she paused to consider, before asking, "And did you pee first before you slipped into that thing? You might have to wait until after the wedding night to relieve yourself you know, considering it will be the Grand Duke who will tear those layers off you." And she smirked some more, this time a bit more humbled than her usual arrogance. Becoming married herself calmed Valia down a lot...
And she found a lot of herself in her husband that she couldn't have imagined. Not that she had really shared that with her sister because well...
She felt awkward for it; that her rushed wedding was actually a good match and he...
Well, she could gloat over the sex enough, but everyone in Connlaoth would probably know that tale.

"Terrified," she admitted with a blush that only deepened when Valia mentioned Calent tearing off her clothes.  Kathryn was a bit terrified of that too -- as if her time with Dekka had left a physical stain upon her that her new husband would see, regardless of the care she had taken...  "And, yes.  But that seems hours ago."

And there was still the whole day ahead of them...

She rather envied her sister for the small, rushed wedding!

Kathryn stopped trying to smooth down the skirts (which was impossible anyway), instead turning her attention to her reflection.  "I think I look ridiculous," she complained with a frown.

Approaching her sister, Valia gave a snort as she looked at the pair of htem in the mirror.
"Your dress alone is probably more expensive than our entire castle back in Highheart," Valia said with a sneer, hands still perched at her hips. "You're being lavished with riches from Calent's inheritances, and now that he's taken on a more demanding role on politics, you, yourself, are benefiting by becoming a woman int he lime light, so don't fuss over how puffy your dress is, Kathryn. If anything, you should be aware all of Connlaoth is in envy of you, and that this day will be talked about well across the ages."

Kathryn looked a bit startled by her sister's tone -- but she did understand, and it was a fair point.

"I am being horrible, aren't I?"  And people thought her sister was the horrible one!  She offered her sister a genuine smile and reached out to pull her into a tight hug, almost impulsively.  Who cared if her dress got a bit crinkly or if any make-up got smudged?  The maids would be trooping back in any minute to fix it again anyway!

"Promise me you'll come to visit.  And I'll come to see you, of course."

Valia was startled by the sudden embrace and visibly flinched.
"Kathryn! You're wrinkling our dresses!" and at her words, she rolled her eyes. "If you have time for me, I suppose I could make time for you. But you do realize your whole life is about to change.... being the Grand Duchess isn't like marrying some toad. You'll be the center of our entire nation. And who knows if you'll even have time for me."

That made Kathryn laugh.  "Valia, they're fine.  One hug is hardly going to ruin them!  I have all these butterflies in my stomach that I don't know what to do with..."

Apparently, butterflies and hugging went hand-in-hand!

"I've always made time for you, and I don't intend to stop just because I will be Grand Duchess.  All of those nobles and ambassadors will just have to get in line behind you."  And she meant that, too.  "You'll know where to find me if you ever need anything at all."

Valia was pleasantly surprised by her sister's remark, though she had to bring up, "But you were so busy with your own engagement and being paraded around by Calent and his men that you couldn't attend my 16th birthday party." And if she had... she wondered how much differently that evening would have been? Would she have gotten engaged to Gabriel? Would she had found someone else? Thankfully she hadn't gotten pregnant at that time but...
As of right now, that sort of evidence was up in the air. It had been a while since she had been on the rag and well...
Her and Gabriel consummated their marriage more than once..
Each week...
each day...
Each evening.....

So that was it...

"I'm sorry," Kathryn murmured, honestly apologetic.  "If I'd known it meant so much to you, I wouldn't have gone.  The only reason I went at all was because I was feeling a little bit guilty over what happened during the hunt."  And what had happened in the Duke of Allar's guest room...

She did like Calent, after all, almost as much as she liked Dekka...

"I should have stayed.  I promise you, I'll be at every birthday from now on.  In fact, I'll even throw you the best birthday party you've ever had this year to make up for it."

Valia kept her nose to the air. Did Kathryn think it was so simple? She didn't even consider obliging that with any words. But she didn't have to when there was a knock at the door.

"Lady Kathryn? The Grand Duke has arrived... are you ready?"

(OOC: Oh, Valia!  You make Kathryn so sad!)

Kathryn would have pursued the matter further were it not for the knock.  Instead, she pursed her lips and looked a bit crushed.  Well, it was her doing that Valia was mad at her -- and to be mad for so long!  She would have to find some way to make it up to her -- just have to.  Unfortunately, now was not the time...

"Thanks for coming, Valia.  It means a lot to me."  Even if Valia was mad...

"I'm ready!" she added, louder, for the benefit of the maids.

It didn't take but another moment for the maids to spill back into the room, beginning their fussings over the future Grand Duchess to be. Today was an event that drew quite a large crowd into the streets of the capital, the very town coming alive and thriving. Not a single street had any sort of opening, but the nobles were wise enough to have arrived several hours prior to the event.

This was a special occasion, where the High Priest of the church was to come to the  Grand Duke's Palace himself to perform the ritual of marriage, and to also swear Kathryn in beneath the crown. Once they had their bride readied, the word seeped through the servants and soon word got back to where Calent was left, brooding in silence, with only a handful of servants, a massive team of mordecai, and well, Audric.

Naturally, Calent was silent as he stood at attention for a good many hours. One would think he might be bored, or nervous, but if it were so, he made no indication as a servant gave a knock at the door.

"Grand Duke Calent, Lady Kathryn Chandos of Highheart is ready."

Calent merely lifted his green eyes and gave a subtle nod. The servant left in a flash, and soon the bells were ringing as Valia clutched onto her pink skirts and was rushing to get back to her seat. She spared just one look in Kathryn's direction towards the room she was kept, before continuing on her way back to where the wedding was to be conducted in the Grand Hall of the Grand Duke's Palace.

With her heart hammering inside her chest, Valia felt thrills and fears tumbled within her belly, and also make her palms grow sweaty. Today would be a day to go down in history-
Her sister was to officially become Grand Duke Calent's wife-
and the next Grand Duchess of all of Connlaoth.

In spite of her rather rebellious nature and tendencies, a beautiful and grand wedding was something Kathryn had dreamed of for a long time.  Her sister's anger towards her had dampened her spirits slightly, but there was so much to do and so much excitement that it had to be pushed aside.

Kathryn lingered where she was told to wait, trying to sooth the butterflies in her stomach that would not relent.  It was true that she was terrified -- so scared that she could scarcely see straight!  There was so much that could go wrong...in so many ways, some small and some big.  And she had not seen Calent for some time.  What if he was not the man she had taken him to be?

The huge double doors in front of her opened, then, and it was time to begin the rest of her life.  She would no longer be simply the daughter of a Duke; she would be the wife of the Grand Duke.  Never had she imagined she would go from Highheart...to this.  And she never dared hope she would actually marry a man like Calent...

She took a deep breath, held her head up proudly, and began to walk slowly down the aisle, looking every bit the regal lady she was meant to be.

The moment the bride was readied and began to walk down the massive aisle, the whole lot of guests rose from their pews, turning as all eyes cast upon Kathryn Chandos- who was soon to be presented to all as the next lady in line in ruling for all of Connlaoth, their new Grand Duchess;- Kathryn Allarrick.

The music hummed and filled the place well past the ceilings, as if playing towards the heavens themselves; and the doves, who lined the aisle in white flowered cages, fluttered their wings and cast feathers about that mixed with some white falling petals from the decorative roses. And the light fromt he sun cast in through the tall windows, catching on the ornate colored glass work and fanned a carousel of colors that danced through the air.

The day was beautiful and perfect; and as Calent's eyes raised at the sight of his wife to be, for the first time in his life he was breathless; and butterflies did tumbles in his stomach. He tried to settle his expression, but even a man as ever unphasable as Calent had a smile reach his eyes, even if his lips remained flat.

There he stood, wearing the robes of his country, and the crown of his position, and at the end stood his visor, Vesrik, a velvet pillow in hand that had an almost equally ornate, but far more delicate crown for Kathryn- and beside him were the rows of elite mordecai- a new, but most certainly not unwelcomed addition to this fateful event.

Now more than ever, all eyes within the world were looking to see what Connlaoth would due about the mage menaces that threatened their society- and now that the man was officially bringing on a wife to be at his side while he ruled upon the throne, the whole of Reajh- No..., of Connlaoth, held it's breath in anticipation.

So many were excited for the festivities that erupted in the capital- after so many months of preparations for war and fear, it was a welcoming event to get to turn their face away from all the shadows and tensions that were arising int heir country for just one day of new possibilities for hope, for a future; and just to get down right drunk.

And as Kathryn was presented to her future husband to be, all eyes were upon her, even through the veil that hid her face for the moment. All eyes... including that of the King of Thieves who was watching, most discretely, from the crowd...

Kathryn walked slowly and gracefully, practically holding her breath as all eyes fell upon her.  She had no reason to believe she might trip and land on her face -- but what if she did?  She was unaccustomed to the heavy, poofy skirts...

She did not trip, however.  She barely remembered the walk, in fact.  One moment, the doors to the church were opening, and in the next, she was standing in front of Calent.  She sank down before her husband-to-be, Grand Duke of all Connlaoth, in a perfect and low curtsy, well-practiced over the last few weeks.

Her father's voice rang out, then, pitched perfectly to reach the ears of the silent crowd in spite of the tears threatening to choke him.  They were already rolling down his cheeks in big, wet rivers, and his lower lip was quivering, like a dam about to break.

"Grand Duke Calent Allarrick, I present to you my daughter, Kathryn Chandos of Highheart."  The older Duke placed his daughter's hand in that of his regent.  "To be your wife."  More softly, as it was certainly neither encouraged nor a part of the formalities, he added, with his hand still clasped over both of theirs, "Take good care of her."  His statement ended with a loud sniffle as he retreated to his assigned place.

When Kathryn rose, the terror was still there...but she could, at least, smile now.  Her father -- her dear, predictable father had melted some of the ice, and she remembered now the stolen kisses and the race...  Yes, she could, she thought, be happy with this man.

And so, smiling beneath her veil, her hand in his, her eyes lifted to meet Calent's...

As their eyes met, he kept his emotions steeled and proceedign to turn with her, facing the head of the church as he went over the official speeches of Connlaoth- and of Angsar.

"We are gathered here today for a union of not only a man and a woman in the holy connections of marriage, but to unionize this man and woman as the future leaders of this glorious nation. It will be their blood line and spirit that will help rule the masses, leading Connlaoth into even greater years for her history yet to come. So for this, we bow our heads and thank the God Ansgar and open up our hearts to him and we are humbled; for before him, we are all servants to the cause; to the people, to this nation. So in Angsar's name, they will be blessed."

And he bowed his head and began to read the rituals from the book, Calent's hand still in her's, his eyes listless and unreadable, and hwen the moment came for them each to speak, he turned towards her, their eyes meeting again.

"Today, Calent Allarick, Grand Duke of all of Connlaoth, is presented here today before you, Lady Kathryn as a man of the church, a man of the crown, and as a man of promise. Here, he vows himself to you, and you to him, in a most holy union. Your blood line will carry on as the future leaders not only in your own lives, but for all of us. For this is Angsar's will. If this is truly your will, you will repeat the phrases after me..."

And as they ceremony continued, Calent's voice softly repeating the holy phrases, the holy vows; the green eyes lurking amongst the crowd grew ever eager. Kathryn did look so lovely in her wedding dress; and it humbled the silent and well hidden 'king.'

Once the vows were made, and allegiance sworn unto the Book of Angsar, Calent lifted his head from the book back to his bride and as instructed, stepped forward and lifted her veil.

"By the witness of the people here, and by the power of the church; today we present to the world for the first time- Grand Duke Allarrick; and Grand Duchess; Kathryn Allarrick. May your future prove fruitful, and your reign, eternal. You may kiss the bride."

And in one motion, the veil was lifted and Calent leaned forward, and kissed Kathryn before the whole eyes of the world, the church, and the people of his country.

Kathryn bore the ceremony -- boring though it was -- patiently.  She spoke where appropriate and listened silently where expected with her eyes upon the priest and his pulpit.  The pair cut a noble figure, silent before the altar of Angsar as the priest went on.  And on.  And on.

Until, at last, the ceremony was concluded.  As Calent lifted her veil, a blush rose to her cheeks, light pink and beautiful, at the thought of the number of people who would witness their kiss.  She was smiling, however, as she received his attentions before the crowd.

And then it was over.  There was music from somewhere, playing a jaunty march as the priest led the pair of newlyweds up the aisle and towards their waiting carriage.

She was really the Duchess of Allar now.  All that was left was to consummate their marriage...  The thought made her blush again, although it certainly wasn't from innocence...

For half a second, she had almost thought she had caught sight of a certain person...but, then, he was gone in the crowd, and she had to silently chastise herself.  Shame on her for looking for a thief when she was now married to the Grand Duke!  Besides, he would have to be crazy to be here...

As it was a condition of all dukes, and even more so for the Grand Duke and his new wife themselves; a parade was held in their honor instantly afterwards as the clamoring of bells, the falling of flower petals, rice and bird seed rained upon them as they were taken through the streets ontop of a carriage. Though it seemed unwise, it was talked down to Calent from his idea to ride within an enclosed carriage during such an event- for it would break tradition, or so it was said. So they road without a top; so that Connlaoth could sing the praises of it's beautiful new ruling couple.

But there were a mass of mordecai here, with both Zannrick and Emery at their side, riding their white horses as the be-flowered carriage strolled through. In that moment, Calent had all but forgotten his bride at his side; for paranoia kept his eyes moving throughout the crowd.

There was always the known fear of a potential assassin... and today would be a great day to do it. Though his eyes caught someone almost familiar nt he crowd, when he realized he did not recognize the face, he scowled bitterly before recomposing himself and taking Kathryn's hand, squeezing it lightly to cement him back to this moment, to this day; and in doing so, he peered down at her- and she was as lovely as ever.

"How does it feel?" he asked her, softly, though it was still heard over the roar of the crowd. "To become my wife, and the next Grand Duchess of all of Connlaoth?"

It felt a bit odd to Kathryn to be in front of so many eyes without the veil that had protected her for so long.  There would be no more of that now, she realized; she could not claim the modesty of a lady and hide behind a veil after such a day...  Too many would know her, and this city doubtless had thousands more eyes to see and tongues to wag than Highheart.  She wished, now, she had taken one last ride through the forest and visited her little shack (which, remarkably, had survived through the stormy autumn and winter months) to say goodbye to that life...

Calent's hand took hers, bringing her back from her reverie.  He was no longer her husband-to-be, and, after tonight, she would no longer be a child...and such dreams, though nice, were for children.  It was time, finally, to grow up and to submit herself to reality...and it was such a reality that women throughout Connlaoth dreamed of living her life, while she had always longed to be them.

For Calent, though, she offered him a shy smile.  "I confess that I am overwhelmed," she answered honestly.  "But happy.  Everything has been so perfect..."

At her soft words, he found himself smiling and squeezing her hand.
"Yes, it is something." He spoke, then lifted his gaze back towards the crowd, keeping his chin up proudly. He had his woman at his side, the entire country at his back; and all the eyes of the city upon them.
Overwhelmed was an understatement.

~*~*~~*~*

Though the familiar from the crowd cocked their head. His lips twitched, studying the carriage as it rolled past. His fingers itched, as did his feet well within his boots- but Dekka Blade remained cemented in place... wherever that may be...

Kathryn's smile grew in response to his words, and, although they had been sitting a respectable distance apart, she scooted a bit closer to him for the rest of the journey.

There seemed to be no end to the festivities surrounding the wedding and coronation ceremonies.  The parade, which served as Kathryn's formal presentation to the common masses, led to the steps of the palace, where a banquet had been laid out.  This would be her presentation to the nobles and other important people in Connlaoth.

Kathryn bore the attention with a gracious smile and, outwardly, limitless patience.  She watched her husband, curious; he seemed proud, although, perhaps, not enjoying himself (not that she blamed him; this attention was a little much!)  Every opportunity they had to exchange a few words alone, it seemed, they were interrupted by a servant or a congratulatory noble or a guard.  The Mordecai, in particular, seemed fond of hovering...  Knowing the fate that had befallen the previous Grand Duke, it was little wonder...but she was beginning to wonder if the Mordecai were going to join them in their chambers, too.

Finding a moment to speak, at last, she murmured, "Is there always so much attention about your person as Grand Duke?"  It was far, far different from the glimpse she had had of him in Allar...

Calent lowered his head.
"These are trying times. Extra precautions must be made."
And just as it had been before, another nobleman had approached, this time Vesirk, Calent's visor. He came to them with open arms, the numerous rings on his sweaty, fat fingers, glistening off the chandeliers.

"Ah, the happy couple. I trust the pair of you are well?"

Calent looked at Vesrik and nodded in silence, crawling beneath the attentions, but keeping as peaceful as he could. He hadn't slept in four days, and if one were to look closely, it was evident in his eyes,a nd his powder make up could only hide so much.

"The day couldn't be more perfect. Excuse us." And he took Kathryn by the arm and lead her into a more private room off to one side. It was the music room, and no one had bothered to come in there - but he knew this privacy couldn't go on for long.

Staring down at the piano, he remained silent, his eyes looking through the piano, as if into eternity- his mind in a whole other world.

Kathryn breathed a little freely, now that they were away from the press of the crowd outside.  Her smile, however, faded quickly upon seeing Calent's expression, and she watched him a moment before making her way to his side.

Her skirts pillowed around her as she knelt before the seated man.  Taking one of his hands into both of hers, she looked up at him with an earnest, honest expression.

"If you are troubled, my Lord, perhaps a friendly ear might help to unburden you."

Calent's eyes refocused, but still, he stared at the piano, just not longer throughi t. Then they grew distant again before he turned to her as his thoughts got carried away...
"I'm just tired," he stated simply. "And I'd rather not talk to Vesrik."


OOC: Lol. He totally did not get what she was suggesting XD

Kathryn truly did not mind this.  She would rather be here, with Calent, then out there with all of those sycophants...

"Are you not sleeping well, my Lord?" she inquired politely next. her voice carrying a note of alarm and concern.  She was searching, hopefully, for a way that she might be able to help her husband.  It was a wife's duty to do so...and, she thought, perhaps it might help her come to know him better.

At her inquiry, Calent gave another tired sigh.
"I haven't slept in days." She'd come to realize this once she was settled into the castle. He rarely slept,a nd when he did, his dreams made him worse for wear. And his looks turned soured before he remembered the young thing beside him as he stole a glance down at her, his expression softening. He lifted her gloved hand to his lips and kissed it softly.

"Becoming a Grand Duke adds much to one's plate."

Kathryn nodded slightly, a soft gestured accompanied by a look of sympathy.  Yes, she supposed it did.  He could not be faulted for that...  Some might have even considered it the mark of a good ruler.

She looked up at him in wistful silence as he pressed her fingers against his lips, studying his expression and noting the way the skin hung beneath his eyes.

"I know I am only a woman, and so I cannot share in your burdens, my Lord."  Or, really, many of them at all.  She could help him manage the public, but there was so much else...  "But if there is anything at all I might do to help relieve you of your stress, you have but to ask."

The two were so cozy together, sharing a rare, intimate moment; and from Dekka's vantage point in his lounge, it appeared as if the two might kiss. It would be the perfect moment for it- though that was far from the Grand Duke's mind as he stared back at his wife. But the King of Thieves presumed other wise as he cleared his throat.

"Don't mind me, I suppose I should take my leave to give the pair of you some space."
And as he rose up from the shadows, a most familiar face was presented before Grand Duchess Kathryn as the green eyed thief gave the pair of them a suave smile as he looked them over.

"Oh, and by the way, congratulations." And he tipped his nearly empty champagne glass at the pair of them before knocking it back and taking his leave.

Kathryn started, partly in reaction to how sudden the interruption was and partly in reaction to who was doing the interrupting!  She stared at him, quite out of sorts a moment and looked, almost  frantically, to her husband to await his recognition of the King of Thieves and to summon the guard...

Was Dekka insane??

Or was he just making a point?

Her cheeks flushed a bright pink, and she suddenly found an interesting bit of the carpet to peer at rather than look again into her husband's face.

Perhaps it was how well groomed he was, or that his clothing had been cleverly stolen from another nobleman's wardrobe and doctor up to suit his own tastes, but as Calent glared back at the man leaving them- he seemed none the wiser that he was in the presence of the King. Though Dekka had a familiarity about him, Calent could only assume he was perhaps some Serenian or Adelan noble coming to pay respects- for Connlaothians were not so brash.

Though once the man was gone, Calent stared back down at the piano; and soon, other nobles began to find the couple inside the music room and the pair found themselves caught up yet again in some more heedless conversation.

Highheart had never been a popular destination for visiting nobles.  Kathryn's father was, after all, a bit eccentric, and although it boasted a growing treasury and two lovely daughters, it was simply not very popular.

All of this was, therefore, more overwhelming than Kathryn liked to admit.  At last, she managed to dismiss herself onto the veranda for a bit of air.  It was a believable tale; the room was stuffy and crowded, and it was filled with the scents of dozens of perfumes, of dinner, and, simply, of all of Connlaoth.

A guard accompanied her to the veranda door, but Kathryn asked the woman to stay on the other side.  She looked suspicious, but she obeyed; after all, Kathryn was less than ten feet away, and well within the protective radius of her anti-magic field...and she could still watch through the door.

Outside, Kathryn took a deep breath and turned her eyes skyward.  It was a beautiful night indeed, as if Angsar Himself had blessed them with fine weather for such a ceremony...  But it wasn't God who was on Kathryn's mind -- it was the King of Thieves and his bold exit earlier...and how she would have longed to move so invisibly away from here...

"I see the dogs don't keep you far from their leash.." came a voice, soft, and only loud enough for her to hear- though if she were to look around, she wouldn't be able to spot the man whom the voice belonged to- an all too familiar and suave voice. And the 'king' could have easily been mistaken for a 'real blood' of the rich...

"No," Kathryn agreed sadly, her own voice pitched soft to keep it from carrying back to the guard at the door.  "I'm afraid it won't be as easy for me to sneak away anymore..."  It was long past time she grew up...but that didn't make accepting this stifling life any easier.

Resting her elbows on the railing and her chin in her hands, she stared outwards over the sloping lawn.  "I didn't expect you to be here."  She had hoped he would be...but, somehow, she hadn't expected him to actually be here.  "Who are you tonight?"  A smile touched her otherwise melancholy face, and she added, "And how much have you stolen?"

The air was silent,but even then, his smile was evident.
"I've pinched a jewel here, a ring there, even a few brooches. Your own wedding gown isnt without fault..." And from he stood, he twirled an ivory, diamond encrusted flower from her dress, between two pinched fingers. All ornaments so subtle... No one would ever miss them.
"Hope you're not mad... Your entire ensemble is a walking prize...."

Kathryn's grin nearly matched his as she breathed a soft laugh.  "Wouldn't that be a fantastic story?  The night the King of Thieves stole the Grand Duchess's wedding gown..."  Oh, people would be furious, wouldn't they?  For half a moment, she even pretended she would let him try!

"I think," she added, grin almost doubling, "I would like to see you pull it off.  You could shave your beard again and pretend to be a lady-in-waiting...and then wear it right out the front door."  She had to lift a hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle.  "The skirts would compliment your legs, I think, far better than mine."

"A lady in waiting?" There was a coy-roughness in his voice as he shook his head. "What about your husband in waiting?" he said, again, that smile evident in his voice. "Or have you forgotten the masked ball already?"

"If you were my husband in waiting, I would ask you to take more than just my dress," she answered smugly.  Perhaps it was cruel to tease him -- a bit -- but he had brought it up, hadn't he?  She probably shouldn't be encouraging him...but there was a lot of stupid things she had done in her time, and many of them had been with Dekka Blade.  It was becoming a tradition!

"Now that I'm a married woman, do you still intend to spend all your free time breaking into my room or rescuing me from lightning strikes, Dekka?"  It was a somewhat serious question...  Somewhat.

His laughter came as softly and cool as a breeze.
"What does marriage have to do with anything? It just adds to the challenge," his voice growled. And it was about this time the guards seemed to notice something.. just a bit out of the ordinary above them over the balcony and when they stepped forward to check it out...
nothing was there.

Blinking, the guard turned to the Grand Duchess and inquired, "Is all still well, my lady?"

Stupid guards...

Kathryn sighed softly, then turned with a practiced smile.  "Of course.  I was only just lost in thought for a moment..."

Time to go back inside, then...  Stupid guards indeed!  Dekka would just have to understand...

Inside, she was almost immediately mobbed by well-wishers, as she had been all evening.  It was only after some time -- and not without some effort -- that she was able to pull herself free with an apology and an excuse...

...And that excuse, of course, was her dear sister.  She hadn't been avoiding her -- but she hadn't been actively looking for her either.  But now was as good a time as any...

"How are you finding the party?" she asked of the younger girl, offering her a fresh drink with a patient smile.

How was she doing? She might as well have been asking her if she enjoyed a fly buzzing around inside her ear, for it felt as if this whole damn ceremony was out to make her miserable. Not one ounce of the evening afforded her any relief in her soured disposition as Valia let out an irritable sigh and turned to her sister.

"It's.. tolerable," she said, tipping her wine glass back and downing a long drink. She looked her sister over with mild scrutiny before sighing again. Naturally, any event that did not center around the young, Lady Valia, was not something that would ever suit her fancy, especially an event that was far more grand than anything she, in her entire life, would ever be in an integral part of.

To be the Grand Duchess.. oh how her heart ached with envy,a nd her stomach writhed with jealousy! And it was far too evident in her eyes as she gave a mopey frown.

"How about you?" she asked with a sniff, glancing over at Kathryn's attire.
"Getting along well in your dress?"

"Well enough," Kathryn answered, recognizing that look that had so often filled Valia's face.  She was bored, of course...and, after their little chat earlier, she wondered if she had any business at all talking to her sister...

...But, well, she had to tell someone, and Valia was the only one she could trust.

Innocently, almost boredly herself, she added quietly, "I've issued a challenge to the King of Thieves to see if he could get away with stealing it."

Valia, who was still quite irritable, found her own selfish jealousy suddenly coming to a halt as she gasped at Kathryn's nonchalance at the revealing of such scandalous information.

"No way!" she said, moving forward to grab her sister by the arm. Her pink eyes searched her sister's as she leaned in real close to ask in but a whisper, "What did he say?"
Not that she should care but really, she would be a fool not to ask for the juicy details!

Kathryn's chuckle was quiet.  She had little fear of being overheard; the party was in full swing now, and most of their visitors were beginning to drink quite heavily and find entertainment amongst themselves.

"He reminded me that I was engaged to him first.  Technically."  Sort of.  Even if it was under the guise of the Duke of Allar...  "And that he doesn't intend to give up harassing me simply because I'm married."  That may have been her own fault for encouraging him...but, well, she wasn't at all upset by the news.  "By the way," she added with a smirk.  "You may want to check your jewels to ensure he hasn't made off with any."  And if he had targeted her sister, well, Kathryn would kill him the next time she saw him!

Valia's mouth fell open at the realization- and then her gloved hands instantly went to her ears. Realizing one earring was missing, her face went red.
"He's stolen from me! The king of thieves has taken my jewels!" she screamed-
not realizing.. her earring had come loose and was simply sitting on her shoulder....

Kathryn's face first paled, then went the color of Valia's own outfit.  "Valia!" she hissed, rather effectively.  She really should have known better...  Valia would always be, well, herself.  "You're going to get us both hanged!"

Or something.  She assumed, anyway, if her husband learned how well she knew the King of Thieves, it would not end prettily for them.  Fortunately, not even Valia knew all the details...

"Here," she said impatiently, reaching to pull the misplaced earring off its precarious perch from the girl's shoulder.  She shot the nearest people an apologetic, sheepish smile and affected a laugh.  "There's no need to be so melodramatic.  You merely dropped it."

Valia made a face, and attempted to tuck it back to save face.

"Oh," she said softly, plucking the earring from her sister's hand and moving to signal to her nearby servant to fix it. Naturally SHE would not fix the thing as she turned to her maiden and explained. Te two stepped aside for but a moment to have it adjusted, before Valia once again returned to her sister's side. This time, she wore a pout.

"I still can't believe this is all really happening.." she commented, her eyes going out to the crowd. "As much as I'd love to be at the top of the world, I'd never imagine one of us would ever become Grand Duchess..."
It was like the things of faerie tales!

"I don't think it will be as much fun as we've imagined it."  So far, she wasn't very impressed.  Tighter security meant less time to herself -- less real time, that is, because sitting indoors knitting hardly counted as an enjoyable past-time.  And it would probably be so much work...

"Calent has promised to spend some time hunting and practicing archery with me, but..."  She exhaled slightly.  "It won't be the same."  It would be enjoyable, to be sure, but it would be...limited.

And, she was sure, any romance to be had from it would probably be immediately destroyed by looming guards...

Valia wrinkled her.nose.
"Hunting is not.be.fitting of.a lady, let alone a Grand Duchess." Valia added with a sniff.

"That's exactly what I mean," Kathryn answered, a bit impatiently.  "I'm not sure Calent minds as much as some, but..."  It made her sigh quietly.  "Everyone will be watching us and waiting for us to make a mistake.  At least in Highheart, there was always somewhere for me to go to do what I want and have some time alone.  But, here..."

Well, it was going to be stifling!

Valia made another face.
"Are you complaining to me already about your life as a Grand Duchess?"
How absurd! She shook head head over such an idea. "Kathryn, please!" she said, taking her sister by the hand and looking her square in the eyes. "Do you even KNOW what you are? WHO you are?"
Shaking her head, she reminded her, yet again, "You're the Grand Duchess!" And with another sigh she added, "You have all the power in the world. I'm sure you could be creative in other ways! Think of all those diamonds and jewels that come with the territory! And all of the soldiers you get to be flattering!"
Cause naturally, that's what Valia would be thinking of most of all if SHE were ever Grand Duchess! Clearly, her sister should, too!

Kathryn chuckled quietly and lifted her glass to her lips.  "You may be right, Valia."  Although, it wasn't soldiers she was interested in, was it?  Nor did Valia seem to see her point...but there was only so much complaining about her station Kathryn was willing to do tonight!

Especially to her younger sister...

Glancing up from her drink, Kathryn blinked a few times in concern.  "Valia?  Are you alright?  You look pale..."

Valia might have been pale at first, but she quickly turned that into a scowl.
"Pale, maybe, but sick, most definitely. See that man over there?" she said, gesturing with her drink to Vesrik. "What an oaf, and how rat-like his features are. What a horrid thing to be staring at, and to think- I've caught him gaping at my chests on more than one occasion this night!" And she indignantly sniffed at that, catching a passing servant and fetching herself a fresh drink of wine. Taking a long sip, she sighed at the taste before peering over to Kathryn.
"WHo is that despicable creature? I see him hanging about with your new husband all the time."
She hadn't paid well enough attention to know he was the visor.

Kathryn knew precisely what her sister meant.  She shuddered with a distasteful expression.  "Vesrik," she answered with a turn of her lips.  "Calent's adviser.  He makes my skin crawl, Valia.  There's something about him...  Just a feeling, mind you, but he reminds me of Philippe."  And Valia alone -- well, and Dekka -- knew how she felt about that particular man!

Valia gasped over the words and could have choked on air while her eyes went wide.
"Oh, yes, I know what you mean," she then added, bitterly beneath her breath. ANd holding up a hand to guard her lips,she continued to gossip. "I wonder if they are relatives of the rat population f Reajh." She gave a sniff. "I hope the first thing you do as the Grand Duchess is see him out. What place is there for a man like that." ANd she glared at him distastefully. "I bet he's only there to eat the pig's fat!"

"I wouldn't doubt it," the new Grand Duchess agreed with a distasteful shake of her head.  "As for his employment..."  It made her sigh slightly.  "He's Calent's man.  I can hardly walk in and dismiss him without good cause."

"Why not?" Valia asked with an indignant sniff. "What good is your seat if you can't use it like a rein for your husband. Besides, he needs you for an heir anyway." She said with a fluff to her hair. "You should use that to your advantage."

Leave it to her sister...  Kathryn laughed out loud.  "From what I understand, he's been Calent's adviser for...forever.  I don't think it will be so easy to get rid of him."

Besides, she'd rather not start her marriage out on such a sour note!

"Any other pieces of advice for a newly-married woman?"

Looking her sister over, she turned away with another sniff.
"Just be sure to give him good sex on the first night." Then she paused to consider as she stared her sister over. "That is to say, if you haven't had sex with him already."

"Valia!" she gasped out, looking absolutely horrified.  "Of course we haven't!"

She had, however, turned rather red at the thought...

"He's just..."  She swallowed and muttered something into her drink that sounded, rather alarmingly, like, "He's just so different than Dekka..."

Valia had caught that and her eyes went wide.
"Kathryn!" she said, shoving a hand overtop of Kathryn's drink and looking clean up into her sister's face.
"I thought you claimed you two didn't.."

Kathryn's color deepened.

"Not...all the way.  We've just fooled around."  She swallowed down the rest of her drink.  "A few times.  I, um...  You know."  She was truly well and colorful now, avoiding her sister's gaze.  Truth be told, though, she'd been dying to tell her sister...  "I sucked him off," she whispered, giving her sister a warning look.  The last thing she needed was for her sister to blurt that out...

Valia's lips gaped open, in horror.
"You.. you did what?" and she asked it in such a low whisper, that it sounded raspy, like a hiss.
"But.. but nothing...else?"

"Just...made out a few times..."  She looked apologetic...and, yet, somehow not entirely unhappy about it...  "Dekka's...kind of incorrigible..."

And she obviously wasn't much better...

"And insatiable."  She giggled.  "If it weren't for Calent..."  Or, well, the need for a husband, period...

Valia's eyes went wide.
"Kathryn!" she squealed, which was hard to tell if she was excited or appalled. "So you'd rather run off with some thief?"

"Sounds like some dreamy adventure," came a voice, and when Valia whirled around, she glared over at a red-braided man who was staring at the two of them as if, terribly, terribly amused. And that made her pissed off. So he was cute.. ok.. very sexy, but.. honesty!

"No one asked for your opinion!" she hissed witha stomp of her pink heeled shoe. "And how dare you listen into our conversation!"
And she had NO idea she was yelling at her sister's dream thief! "We could have you hanged!"

"By all means," he said with a bow. "Let me hang."

Oh, this was just...fantastic.

Kathryn stole a furtive glance around, then shook her head and stepped forward to put an arm around her sister.  "I don't think you've ever formally met...  This is Dekka.  Dekka, Valia."

Oh, yes, this was complicated.  Him and his damned knack for timing...

And all the while, Kathryn's face was so very red!

Kathryn's face wasn't the only one red. And Valia's eyes were about the size of the tower of Uthlyn! And as the King of Thieves bowed once again before her, taking her hand and kissing the top of it like some prince, Valia's eyes rolled into the back of her head as she fainted onto the ground.

Kathryn sighed and murmured something about her corset being far, far too tight...

"Valia?"  She gave her sister's shoulder a slight shake, then looked up at Dekka pleadingly.  "Could you...please...help me get her into one of the rooms?"

Because the longer Valia was on the floor, the more people who would take notice...and if the wrong people took notice, well...

"Your wish is my command, Grand Duchess," he said with a formal bow, then moved to scoop up Valia. It wasn't difficult to hold her, she weighed not much at all, but the poof of her dress probably made her weigh double than she ought to. And that hair..
and maybe those boobs...
Smirking, he glanced over at Kathryn.
"So where shall I take sleeping beauty?" and he awaited her orders with a charmed smile.

Kathryn did not miss the way he looked at her sister's breasts...  Part of her understood that no red-blooded male would be able to resist the temptation, but Valia was her little sister, after all!

"Eyes front," she said flatly.  She led him through the crowd towards a small room that stood off to the side of the crowded ballroom.  Opening the door, she peered inside a moment, then allowed Dekka to enter.  "There's a couch over there..."

And, given Valia's delicate state, it was only natural for her to close the door behind them...

"Thank you for bringing her in here...  Of all the people in Connlaoth, I thought she would be the last one to faint simply upon meeting you..."

But, then, she hadn't looked well all evening...

Dekka smirked at Kathryn's notice of him checking out her sister.
"What? She's showing them off to the whole damn world. They're sort of pressed right in front of my face."

But he obeyed her, lifting up the girl easily in his arms and taking her away to a more private room. Once the door was closed, he set Valia down on a fainting couch.
"So do we just let her rest up here or are you armed with some selling salts." And he gave Kathryn a hopeless shrug. "I'm not usually dealing with fainting women. Most of the time, they melt at my charms."

"And where would I put smelling salts in this get-up?" she asked, leaning over her sister in a show of concern.  "I'm sure she'll come to in a moment."

Turning from her sister, she regarded him with a slight smile.  Her arms were folded beneath her breasts and a hip was cocked out to the side.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you it's not nice to eavesdrop?"

Dekka shrugged at her comment.
"Yes, but do I ever listen?" and his eyes sparkled and caught to hers.
"So... you're married now, I see. Pretty dress and everything.. " and idly his fingers played at the hem of her white dress.

"Technically, we're not married, until..."  Well, you know!  She blushed a soft pink at the thought, then lightly slapped his hands away from the hem of her dress.  "So, hands off!"  For just a few more hours yet...

She glanced at her sister, then added, smugly, "Though I would let you steal a kiss...if you can find it."  Because kisses were tricksy things!

"Find it? What here?" And before she could stop him, he just took one! Right on her lips.
"Never toy with a thief, duchess," he said, eyes meeting to hers as they danced. "Because he'll just always steal what he wants."

"Mm, Duchess...  I'd almost forgotten..."  She smirked right back at him, as full of teasing boldness as he himself!  "I'm the Grand Duchess.  That puts you and I on equal footing, Your Majesty."  Yes, she was going to be hell to live with now!

"And," she said, taking a single step backwards with a coy look.  "I don't think you quite caught that kiss..."  And if he lunged for her, she would laugh and lead him on a merry chase around the sofa...and poor, sleeping Valia!

And oh he did- he did leap for her and his smile grew when he caught the air. But he was a determined one, and began to stalk after her, slow walking, then fast, pushing chairs and furniture out of the way before he cornered her behind a book shelf.

"Looks like you hardly have any where to go.. my Lady.." he said, grinning as he bowed- but bowed to look he rover with hungered eyes. "How ever will her majesty get out of this one? It seems a king has trapped his queen- and though he has not made his claim on her- he might hve to before another will."

And he wasted no time, closing the distance between them as he pinned her arms beside her, holding her firmly against the wall as he grinned, leaning over her, his body mere inches from hers.
"I've waited a long time, Kathryn," he told her. "Why not let the king rule his kingdom...?"

Kathryn's eyes shone, cheeks flushed from their little game and his proximity to her.  "Oh, Dekka, you may be a king, but you're also a thief...  And what's better," she asked, leaning forward but making no other move to break free of his hold.  "Than stealing the whole kingdom from its rightful ruler?  If I just give it to you...  How do I know you truly are the King of Thieves?" she challenged, teasing and pushing buttons she knew he'd respond to.

"Who said you would just give me it?" he spoke, leering at her with hungry eyes. "When I'm here to simply take it? After all, perhaps it was part of the plan for me to have your sister faint and trick you so we can be alone...?"

"Because force isn't your style," she answered smugly.  Besides, Valia's behavior wasn't that predictable!  Instead of bringing up that point, however, she leaned forward to kiss him.  It was a gentle, playful kiss, but it matched his hunger.

Dekka grinned. She knew this game to well, and when she kissed him, he hesitated not to draw her hands up above her , pressing them into the wall and intwined their fingers as he kissed her.
"Since you seem to know me so well.." he purred, kissing her again, even slipping in some tongue in hopes to get her to gasp. "Where shall I chase you? All the way to your bed?"
And then he paused to consider-
"Or to his?"

The kiss left her breathless, and she was almost sorry when he pulled away from it...

"Oh, Dekka, I had no idea you lacked creativity...  Why must it be a bed?"  Her eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks, although there was nothing innocent about her words.  "Why not in the parlor or on the stairs or the kitchen table?"

Dekka smirked at her words. "And here I thought you were an innocent virgin.." he said, eyes not so innocently roaming over her form. "Why not all three?" Then he grinned wider. "Or all four...?"

"That's five," she corrected, smirk growing.  "I may still be a virgin, Dekka, but I think you've already stolen my innocence..."

Make that definitely...

"Tell me...  Which do you think is the bigger prize?"

"To get both of them?" he responded with a wicked grin, and before she could stop him, he released one of her hands to let his free one roam all over body, feeling up her wedding skirts and groping her hungrily through her corset. WIth his tongue wrestling headedly with hers, he hefted up her skirts, and playfully tried to have sex wiht her with his clothing on.
"Now.." he said, grunting as he thrust and ground his erection against her under skirts. "Tell me you haven't been dreaming of this but without clothes? To feel my rock hard dick slide into you like a knife- us thrusting together, hips to hips and me.. making you sing?" And of course he asked these series of questions as his lips were working there way from hers, down her neck, and down her chest.

Her released fell to his shoulder, his upper back, to the back of his neck, urging him to continue.  Her legs parted for him, eagerly, as her back arched towards him.  Oh, there was nothing she wanted more right now...

She giggled quietly.  "You're incorrigible!"

He most certainly was...

"Don't try to make me feel bad for you again..."

"Whatever do you mean?" he spoke coolly against her chest, lips still devouring them as he grunted and continued to grind himself against her.
"Come on, Kathryn.." he purred, moving up now to cup her face as he kissed her. "Just a quick taste..." and he moved down to undo the front of his pants.

"Wait," she murmured, her hand going down to wrap around his.  "Just wait 24 hours.  And then..."  Her lips kissed a path down his jaw to his lips, and she smiled against his lips.  "...And then we can do whatever you want wherever you want..."

Dekka growled through her kisses.
"I don't think you understand this game.." he told her, fingers slipping inbetween her legs. He grinned. "You're wet..."

Kathryn gasped, and her fingers reflexively dug into his wrist as she leaned back against the wall, practically on her toes for him.  "24 hours," she repeated firmly, although she was smiling and her breath was quickening.  "Unless you're going to repay the favor from the cave..."

Dekka grinned.
"But of course.." he told her, lips moving up her throat. "Besides, I owe you a lot more than that.." and his tongue moved hotly over her ear, his fingers begging access.

"Oh?" she asked, the word being dragged out into a throaty moan as she pressed his fingers into her body.  God, his hands felt wonderful...  "And just what are you going to do to pay me back?"  She whimpered softly, body clutching hungrily at his fingers.

The second she allowed him access, three fingers were already inside her, moving within, deep and slow. He could feel her hot, velvet skin suckling around his fingers as he moved them inside her, and felt his erection quiver with need.
"Gods.. Kathryn.. you're soaking.." he said, and continued to move within her, letting his fingers find all the crevices to make her squirm.

Kathryn's face was rosy, now, and her hips moved gently against his hand.  "Just don't," she moaned out, "Don't get carried away..."

Although, part of her wished that he would...

Seeing her skin grow dark with color, and her body gripping eagerly to his, he flashed her a toothy grin and allowed all four fingers inside her, and kept them all in, letting them move in and out down to his rings.
"Oh?" he told her through a purr. "Like this?" and he was using his thumb to massage her clit as he continued to massage her insides with the rest of those fingers as they dug into her velvety softness. ANd she was so soaking wet, he could hear her. It made his eye lids lower heavily. "Gods.." And here he nibbled at her neck.
"Just one poke.." he purred softly, on a hot breath. "Just one taste of me inside you.." and his voice was so eager. Did he have to beg?

Kathryn's head was back against the wall, her whole body on fire from his attentions.  "No," she groaned, although her body kept encouraging him to give her more, to go in deeper.  "Dekka..."  She licked her lips, quickly finding her mouth going dry and wishing she could just scream out...  But she didn't dare.  "God, Dekka..."

He was so cruel...!

He saw the way she screamed, the way her body begged for more. And after slipped most of his hand out... he crammed the whole damn fist in next.
"Gods.." he breathed against her, working it in as far as it could go, letting his fingers reach down int places to tease and entice her on so many different levels of pleasure and pain. And he knew it'd hurt her, but obviously she adored it, and he adored her, and Gods...
He worked quickly now to undo the rest of his pants, letting his hard dick out before she could stop him.
"Dont' freak out..." he whispered, and once his hands were removed, she'd feel his dick sliding against the outter lips of her sex, massaging at her clit and prodding, just gently, at her opening. He grinned at her a bit nervously, hoping she'd at least let him have this taste..
"At least let me fuck you like this.." he whispered, hands going into her hair. "I don't even have to go inside.."And here he cupped her face and kissed her fierce, moaning as his body worked quickly against her as he moaned through her lips, and every once in a while, she'd feel his sex jab just the tip of it, into her, but never making full entry... but always being so close.

As her insides stretched out, she pressed a hand over her mouth and buried her face into the throat, using his body to muffle her moans.  Her whole body squeezed his hand as, suddenly, it felt as though bright lights were exploding in her brain.  They would have been screams, if she wanted the whole palace to hear...

She looked at him, feeling a little dazed, as he opened his pants.  But as she was about to protest...

And although she felt empty below, there was a new sensation that was absolutely intoxicating, and she melted back into his arms.  "Okay," she breathed softly, whimpering into his ear as she clung to him.

Dekka kept at it, grunting breath into her hair as he held onto her. One hand agianst the wall reeked of her sex, while th eother was moving to make it's way behind her, pulling her towards him and coaxing her, ever so slightly to sit on him-
if she wanted to take in more, she could, but he let just the tip of his cock rest inside her as he moaned.
"Gods.. Kathryn.." his hand found her hair. "Let me in..." he begged, and she'd be able to feel his member quiver with need.

Oh, God.  That was the only thing she could think.  She had never wanted anything so much as she wanted him...and it was so hard to see anything beyond that hazy fog that had descended over her mind...

"I can't," she whimpered regretfully.  "You know I can't."

Dekka tensed at her words, keeping her pressed against the wall still, barely keeping her there and on his lap.
"Then why... why don't we stop?" Was he actually saying that? FUck! He could just take her and send her to heaven.. but was the king of thieves actually able to back down from this fuck? He licked his lips and looked at her through half-lids. "We.. we should stop.. or Gods, Kathryn, I'll just fuck you now." And he ramme dhimself into her- but not all the way, just as a warning, letting only a tiny bit more than his tip slip in, letting her know that- had he the will, he'd be hers.. but instead.. he slowly backed away and just let his cock rest against her wet, hot lips and trembled.
"I am at your command.. my queen.." he told her. "If you wish to stop, I will obey."

Why did he just have to be so...Dekka?

She kissed him gently, lovingly, then pulled back to look up into his face.  She really did feel bad.  She felt terrible.  But...

"Do you want me to kiss it better?"

Dekka just stared at her with a husky, hungered look as he grit his teeth.
"I'd prefer to just fuck you, but I'll take what I can get."And he took her by the face and smashed his lips into hers when a voice came out from behind them..


"K.. Kathryn?"

"Shit." Dekka flinched. Her sister was awake.

Kathryn pressed a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter.  Oh, Dekka.  Poor, poor Dekka...

"Just a second, Valia..."  She straightened out her dress as best as she could and ran a hand over her hair.  "Should have been a little quicker to finish," she cooed, planting a kiss on his lips before stepping around him.  "Valia, how are you feeling?"

Sure, she was just as innocent as a child!

Lucky for Valia, she hadn't caught what had happened as she blinked up at her sister, not even knowing Dekka was still in the room.
"Gods.. what.. what happened?" And then as she recalled, she found her eyes going wide a moment as she sat up suddenly and held onto Kathryn's hands. "The King of Thieves!" And Dekka perked up from where he had just finished cramming himself back into his pants, and smoothing down the wrinkles of his shirt.

"I.. did.. did I really just meet him but a moment ago?"

"We didn't mean to give you such a fright," Kathryn murmured sympathetically as she poured her sister some ice water.  She, of course, knew him to be present...  "We brought you in here to rest."  Then promptly forgot about her!  "You really should thank him, I think..."

"Wha..what?" She blinked, sitting more erect. "We?" Then she saw movement, and turned to see the handsome man before buttoning the cuff of his sleeve and she only stared, gaping at him before Dekka flashed her a suave grin.
"I believe we met a second ago, but incase you forgot, I'm Dekka Blade, King of Thieves."
And Valia thought she could have fainted again!

Sitting up from the chair she shouted, "K-Kathryn! What on earth is he doing here!?"

And Dekka gave a more suave grin and said with a laugh, "Well.. do you really wanna know?"

"Well, I certainly couldn't have carried you here," she answered with a grin.  It probably wasn't what she was truly asking, but Kathryn could play dumb...!

More gently, she added, "It's alright, Valia.  He's not going to hurt us.  Or steal anything.  At least, not from you."  She glanced over her shoulder, adding, with a slight warning in her tone, "Right, Dekka?"

Dekka only shrugged at her reaction.
"I make no promises." And here he grinned.

Valia went indignant before she turned to Kathryn.
"Kathryn! Then why else is he here!? It's your wedding day and you two..." And Valia didn't miss that look on Dekka's face before she gasped. "He wants to have sex with you!" And at the horror, she held up a hand to her lips. "Before your husband does!"

And well, Dekka's smile did not deny that!

"He's been wanting to have sex with me for a very long time," Kathryn answered primly.  "And he's been told, repeatedly, he'll just have to wait."  Kathryn's eyebrows rose ever-so-slightly as she regarded her sister, her expression a combination of amusement and surprise.  "I really didn't think you would be so scandalized by all this..."

Because, really!  She was in no place to scold her!

"Well, it's just that... that..." she began, trying to take this situation in with some more thought.
"Your relationship with him seemed too... surreal. I mean, I almost didn't believe it but.." and blinking over at Dekka, she turned red. "Well, there he is."

"Of course I'm real... just elusive. And for the record, I wouldn't mind a threesome," he added with a larger smirk.

At this, Valia hesitantly laughed as her entire body went red. He was joking... right?

"Dekka!" Kathryn gasped out, turning to whack his upper arm with an open hand.  "That's my sister!"

Although, if she thought he was serious, she would have done much worse to him!

"Are you feeling better?" she added to her sister.  They should probably be getting back to the party...as much as she wanted to stay with Dekka just a little longer...

"Yeah? And I bet you'd both feel good." And Dekka braced himself for a hit.

But he didn't have to, Valia slapped him- hard, right across the face.
"Have you no shame?"

Dekka cupped his cheek and grinned. "I guess not.."

Valia snorted, and was just about ready to give Dekka a piece of her mind before she turned to Kathryn.
"And you're really obsessed with that? Really, Kathryn! He's a scoundrel!"

"I wouldn't say obsessed!" Kathryn protested, trying to keep back her grin.  Oh, yes, he had certainly deserved that!

"Anyway, Dekka's a bit uncouth, I'll admit, but he's rescued me a few times...  And, really, he's never done anything I haven't allowed him to..."

Really, he was quite well-behaved!

How was she on the receiving end of a lecture about men from Valia??

"Calent will find me a virgin, Valia.  That's all that matters."

Dekka gave a smirk, and partial snicker at Kathryn's words, and Valia's eyes shot from Dekka, to Kathryn.
"Wait.. what were you two doing back behind the book shelves before I -" And the her eyes went wide when she noted their expressions. "K-Kathryn! Were you two just...."

"Hey, you should have remained sleep a little longer. Then your sister's last statement wouldn't have been true."

And all Valia could do... was stare.

Kathryn smacked him again, although she did it with a laugh.  "Always too confident, Mr. Blade!  You've yet to succeed on that count.  What makes you believe you could have on the day of my wedding?"

She might have added more, but it seemed they had traumatized her sister enough for one day...

"Ignore him," she advised her younger sister cheerfully.  "He hates to be ignored."

Dekka's eyes were sparkling.
"I'm charmed you might believe so, Grand Duchess," he said, and moved to lean casually near a wall. "Though now that your sister knows the truth about us, shouldn't we kill her?"

And Valia only stared, not sure whether to believe that or not!

Kathryn rolled her eyes upwards and mouthed to Valia, 'Ignore him.'

Oh, yes, she knew how Dekka loved the attention...and he was just soaking it up!  That was probably his plan all along...although, she swore, if he revealed himself to anyone else, she'd murder him!

"How are you feeling, Valia?  Can you stand?"

Despite her sister's warning, she gave Dekka an indignant glare.
"I'm not certain! It's hard to say if a lady can find her legs after finding out about such things!" And oh- that smile Dekka was wearing...
"What do you see in him anyway!? He's a monster!" she finally found herself asking- though even knew what what her sister's answer was...
He was dreamy, sure but...
Honestly! He was impossible!
AND RUDE!

"A...monster?"  Kathryn half-turned towards the man, giving him a searching look, as though he might suddenly grow an extra head, horns, some tentacles, or a tail right before her very eyes!

Naturally, he did none of those things!

"Well..."  She grinned and sat down beside her sister.  "He's quite handsome, and he can be quite charming, actually.  Particularly when he's rescuing you from guards or falling trees...  And, well, to be honest, he just isn't that bright.  I've got him wrapped around my little finger."

"You can say that again," Dekka agreed.

Valia closed her lips.
"But.." and continued to look at her sister. "But..."

"You're wondering why she'd torment me?" Dekka asked, finally approaching the pair. "Because she knows the sex will be good when I give it to her. So she's holding out.. "And he winked at Valia. "Just for me."

Kathryn laughed out loud at Dekka's input.

"Something like that..."

Yes, he was arrogant...but, so far, that arrogance was proving to be well-earned!

"What else do you want to know?  Is he a good kisser?  Yes."  That was usually Valia's question!

Valia just stared.. and stared and stared at the pair of them.
"This is ridiculous! I can't believe.."

"What?" Dekka interrupted her, raising a brow. "That your sister would bang a commoner? A thief?"

Valia only gaped, before growing angry."Yes." She hissed, clenching her hands into fists. "But not only that, a cad like YOU!"

Dekka feigned he was broken hearted.
"To think, now I don't have the approval of her family.."

"There has been no...no banging, need I remind you," Kathryn put in.  Not yet, anyway!  "Anyway, of all people, Valia, I thought that you would like him!"  And she was a bit hurt, somehow, that her sister didn't!

"Valia, I don't have to put on airs with him...  I can just be...me."  And that was certainly something she couldn't say about Calent!

Valia made a face, a most indignant face.
"Well, I for one am happy for you. Really I am, but I do believe there's your wedding party we need to attend.." ANd her she gave a sharp glare to Dekka.

"Do you need an escort back to the ball, 'princess'?" he teased her, and Valia's glare flared up before she looked angrily towards her sister.

"No, I can see myself back. You'll know where to find me." And she moved to storm out of the room.
Really! Did Valia need to make it any clearer? SHe looked up to her older sister and well...
as much as she LOVED The stories, they had always existed as stories. Now that it was more 'real' to her, she had no idea what to think! THough jealousy always ate away at the younger sibling, she would never admit that!

Ah, yes, the wedding party...  Kathryn rose too.

"She has a point," she put in, although a bit regretfully.  She wished she could have stayed to continue their little tryst, but...

She had duties to attend to!  And a husband to find!

"Don't worry about me. I'll see myself out!" Valia said and exited with a huff, slamming the door behind her. Dekka only smirked.
"So you had to grow up with that for a younger sister?"
He felt bad for her. He really did!

"Yes," she answered with a laugh.  "Explains a lot, doesn't it?"

Valia certainly had a strong personality...

Stepping forward, with the door safely shut again, she kissed him.  This time, however, it was a sweet kiss, not meant to rouse him.

"I need to go."

Turning down towards her, he cupped her face and searched her eyes.
"Already?" And he leaned down to kiss her back, this time it was a kiss to entice.

Her eyes closed lightly, lashes brushing over cheeks, as she leaned into him.

Angsar, she wanted nothing more than to stay!

But, reluctantly, she stepped away.  "Sorry," she said, truly meaning it, although she flashed him a grin to soften the words.  "You're just going to have to wait."

"What about before the sunrises?" he asked, voice husky as he kissed her again, taking another step to close the distance between them. "I could meet you in your bed.. show you what it really means to make love." And as he tried to seduce her, his hand raking through her hair. "Or.." he said, his hands cupping her face just before he dared to kiss her again. "DO I need to offer you a ring, first?" And she'd find his hand moving over hers, slipping on the ring he had stolen from her mother right onto her finger. He hoped she'd remember it as his eyes sparkled like the jewel on the ring.

Kathryn looked down at the ring, absolutely enchanted as it glittered upon her finger.  If her mother ever saw it...

The thought made her grin and step up to give him another, deep kiss that pushed him back a step in her enthusiasm.

That sealed it; she should have said no, but...  "Sunrise," she agreed with a grin.  "And you'd better not disappoint."

The events of the day unfolded a lot more dully until it was brought to the attention of the Grand DUke the masked mordecai had been spotted, caught, and released by none other than his new bride. And in dealing with her, it was a mixture of emotions. Though he understood her side of the story- her life being saved by a man sneaking onto the grounds, but he was constant in his reminder to her that her duty, now that she was married to him, was to Connlaoth and it's cause.
"For if we can not dedicate ourselves wholly to our people, we might as well leave them to be ruled by dust."

Needless to say, it left their first time in bed awkward at best. For after their conversation occurred, he left his new wife to prepare for the evening-, but he himself had not returned until it was quite late. And while he was guiding her to the bed, she'd be able to smell the brandy on his lips as he kissed her, and taste it when he used his tongue. And once her clothing was peeled of, he wasted not much time to claim her as his own. He wasn't here to please her, but himself, and he was frustrated, and the fucking didn't take long before he forced his seed into her- then bid her a goodnight. It was almost as bad as just using a napkin, except she was left messy and anything but satisfied.

The argument had left Kathryn bitter and upset.  Was the man really too proud to listen to his wife?  His wife, who had not only found the Masked Mordecai before his so-called elite guards, but had also been the only person in all of Connlaoth to capture him?  Was Calent really so dim-witted to believe she had allowed him to walk away because of some romantic sense of honor and justice?

But, then, perhaps he wasn't so foolish to believe that -- because, when he returned, she had hoped for them to make-up...and for her wedding night to end as perfectly as she had dreamed that it might.

Instead, it ended with her husband, having scarcely spoken five words to her in the entire encounter, vanishing...and leaving her to curl up alone beneath the sheets, on her side, feeling unloved and used...and angry.  Oh, yes, she was angrier than ever, now...

But even so, somehow, in that state, she managed to drift to sleep as the moon climbed higher in the night sky.

As the Grand Duchess slept, a midnight wind swept into her bedroom, carried upon moonlit curtains as they fluttered across the floor like ghosts. He admired her form in silence, before his shadow crept through and remained as a painted figure of darkness beside her form. Yet he, himself, physically remained in the window, peering in with starlight behind him.
He smirked. He wondered how much her husband had tuckered her out- and if she had enough energy for more.
"Kathryn.." his voice carried, almost as part of the winds. "Kathryn- it's past midnight."
And she had promised him something, after all. She'd best not sleep through it.

His voice slipped into her dream, carried in by the wind, and a smile gently curved her lips.  Dekka's voice -- her lover.  Soon to be lover.  With his lips, his hands, his braid...

She sat up suddenly with a gasp, afraid, all at once, that she had missed him...or, worse, that she would find her husband beside her...

Her eyes went first to the empty half of her bed, and she could not stop the expression of relief from crossing her face.  If she never saw that man again, it would be too soon.

Just as she was about to snuggle back into the blankets, then, a figure in front of the window caught her attention -- and held her breath in her throat.

Oh, Dekka, she thought -- practically prayed.  Please be Dekka.

"Going to sleep so early?" came his voice again. And a grin. He didn't move, however, and just stayed beside the window, waiting for her to 'wake up'.

"Dekka," she breathed, more relieved than she had ever thought it possible to be...  Snuggled up beneath the blankets, she added, with a grin, "And I might, if you decide to stand there all night.  I kind of like the idea of you looking over me while I sleep.  It makes me feel...safer."

"Safer?"
His laughter carried across the floating drapery and hung against the air, fading like the last notes of a song. He shook his head and kept his eyes glued to her figure.
"Was the night so bad?" He cocked his head to one side, but still did not move from the sill. "I heard.. some interesting things had happened while I was away."

"Let's just say that I'm glad you're here."  She smoothed the covers over her body, still entirely nude from the night's activities.  Her shoulders, pale and bare, peeked out from beneath the quilt, and although the blanket hid most of her form, the swell of the top of her breasts was just barely visible in the moon's light.

"And if you're not really here, then...  The dream is better than the reality."

Dekka chuckled again, this time it was more muffled as he took a single step down from the window.
"I heard you played the hero and the saint and caught yourself a criminal?" Dekka's grin was masked in the shadows of his form, while the rest of him remained outlined in silver moonlight.
"Did I come too late?" And this he asked as he paused at the foot of her bed.
"Or is there no more room for you and criminals this night ? I mean, we are such vile creatures.."

Kathryn sniffed softly, sounding indignant...and, mayhaps, a little bitter.  "I think I'd rather spend my time with you criminals than with the Grand Duke."

She was watching him closely, curious to see what he knew of the argument that had followed.  She wouldn't have put it past him to be hiding in the wings...

"Don't worry." he said, smiling smally at her. "I can see it makes you angry. And I'm not here to do that."A nd here, his eyes drifted over the sheets that barely clothed her.

"I know," she answered with a shy smile and, unless the shadows were playing with his eyes, a blush.  "I was going to try to wait up, but..."  Obviously, at some point, sleep had claimed her.  If she and Calent hadn't already done what they had - if he hadn't introduced her to pleasures she had already become addicted to - she might have asked him to go.

But all she wanted now was for him to erase what Calent had done to her...

Watching his expression, she began to slowly pull the sheets down, little by little exposing her chest to his gaze.  "You're here to make me feel better."

Dekka laughed.
"That's one way of putting it." And he let his eyes roam over her chest.

"What's another way of putting it?" she wondered sweetly.  The sheets continued to descend, exposing her stomach, the upper thighs.  She hesitated a moment then shifted in order to crawl over the mattress to him.  "Make me sing?"  To use his phrase from earlier.  A playful expression crossed her face then as she reached for his belt.  "Fuck my brains out?"

Dekka's lips pursed, a fire dancing in the green depths of his eyes as the sheets came down and Dekka was able to see everything. ANd when she reached for his belt, she'd find a tint in his pants, as he smirked and just let her fingers do all the work.
"I can accommodate all three," he told her suavely.

Kathryn laughed softly at the claim as she opened his belt first, then went to work on his pants.

"My, my," she murmured.  "What a stand-up guy..."  The button opened, and the zipper came down slowly.  "Do you really think you'll be able to live up to such big promises?"

Dekka grinned at her choice of wordings, though at her last question, he laughed.
"You have no idea." And here he reached forward to cup her face, and smashed his lips hungrily against hers. Though he was still partially dressed with his dick now hanging out of his pants, he wanted to waste no more time making her his.
Climbing over her, he kissed her all over, from lips to throat to breast and belly with a hungered need. His kisses were hot and like molten lava and his hands would find something else as equally hot as he found her sex. This, of course, made him laugh.
"You're soaking wet," he purred, his eye half lidded with lust as his fingers slipped inside for a small poke. "Did the Grand Duke really make you this way? Or is your body that hungry for me?"

Kathryn surrendered to him all too happily.  For the first time, she could truly give him every piece of her freely, and it felt marvelous.  In no time at all, her body was flushed and arching into his every touch and every kiss.

His question made her laugh airily.  "No," she answered, half truthfully.  "I'm still wet from earlier..."  Her legs had spread in welcome, body squeezing his questing fingers needfully.

Dekka continued to tantalize her by feeding his fingers in and out of her willing sex.
"So the Grand Duke was that bad?" he asked smartly, his grin growing and nearly reaching his ears. "Gods.. I could fit both my fists in you if I really wanted," he teased. "But I don't know.." and here he paused, his fingers still working at her sex, a thumb to her clit. "I'm not sure you're... ready for this quite yet, Kathryn."

Kathryn's eyes had fallen closed at some point as he head lolled back onto the mattress and her hips lifted slightly in offering to him...  His hands were so wonderful, producing such tingles and aches throughout her body like she'd never felt before as he expertly strummed her heat.  She was so lost in the moment, so lost in him, that she almost didn't hear him...

But at his words, she peeked up at him with a growing pout.

"But, Dekka..."

Seeing her hungered expression, he paused in his ministrations while his eyes glittered in the dark.
"Yes, Kathryn?"
And he held his grin- and held his sex, knowing full well how cruel he was to make her wait.

Kathryn's body shifted, trying, quite without her permission, to make him start up again.  She whimpered quietly as her hands moved down to his hand, in their own attempt to make him go on.  "Do you want me to beg?" she asked softly, looking up at him with large, pitiful eyes.

She would.  She had no trouble doing that!

"Please, Dekka?  Pretty please?  I'll do...anything..."

Dekka's grin grew wider as she began to beg.
"Begging might help.. and offering to do anything I want.. even better," he purred, but still, he let his hands remain unmoved from where they were perched just at the lips of her sex.
He was a cruel man, after all...

Oh, he was utterly frustrating!!

She stared up at him, breathing deeply, absolutely and utterly defenseless.

Alright, she had tried begging.  She had tried offering him...anything.

She frowned at him.  "What do you want?" she ventured cautiously.  Because he always seemed to want...just one more thing...

Dekka's eyes shined.
"A gift. Some sort of trinket to remember you and this night by." And as his eyes danced, he leaned forward, letting his fingers ease back into her. "Though I might take a kiss and a fuck first."

She breathed out softly in contentment, pleased that he was finally complying with her wishes.

"There's no need to hold me hostage for that," she answered him with a laugh.  Her fingers caressed his cheek and traced the curve of his jaw as she studied his eyes.  "Right now, I would give you anything.  You have but to ask."

She leaned in to kiss him deeply and hungrily.  She had been waiting for this moment for nearly a year...and now he was teasing her!

With a sparkle in her eye, she added, "Except the dress.  That you'll have to steal."  They had an arrangement, after all!

"Consider it gone." he said, growling as his lips crashed against hers. His kisses were heated, and his hands now moved to roam overtop of her body. "Here.." he said, moving to begin undressing himself. "Let's just get these pesky clothes out of the way, shall we?" And soon his clothing was nothing more but a pile on the ground.

Naked, he moved back over top of her and kissed her from belly to lips as he moved to position himself just so, so that the tip of his sex prodded her and lapped at the lips of her own sex.
"Gods.. Kathryn," he shivered. "I can't wait to taste you...."
And even now, he still teased her and them both as they were just at the brink of making love.

Any heat that might have cooled during their interlude soon rose again in her belly as his hands and mouth explored and teased her into opening herself up, somehow, even more for him.  Her breaths came in tiny sighs and gasps, and her body followed his caresses longingly.

This was already better...

"And I can't wait to scream your name," she murmured in answer -- though, of course, that would have to wait...  But, softly, perhaps...

"Oh trust me," he told her, lips meeting hungrily to hers. "I'll have you singing it."
And before she could protest, before she could find some other excuse not to oblige his one wish that night- his entire dick slid right inside of her- nice and slow.
And he could feel everything; every inch of her hot, soft sex.
"Gods, Kathryn," he shivered. She was so tight she fit him like a glove. "You feel like heaven."

Kathryn breathed out a soft sigh of contentment as he filled her.  Her inner walls squeezed his length encouragingly as they grew accustomed to his presence.  And this...  This was the moment they had waited for for almost a year, to finally be together like this...

Her eyelids fluttered open, and she smiled up at him warmly, because...  "This is perfect."  And, in her mind, it was, and she leaned into steal another kiss from him.

The look on her face and her words were incorrigible, and he soon found himself moving his length within her nice and slow- taking it in and out of her body so that she could feel it's entirety from tip to base. Each motion was slow and sensual, allowing her body to not only adjust to being taken in such a manner, but in hopes to coax her into becoming increasing more hot and wet.

Oh, yes, this was better by far.  This...well, it was magical.

Her hips rose gently to meet his, and she sighed happily.  "Oh, God, Dekka," she murmured softly as her knees rose to either side of his hips, encouraging him to slide in deeper.  "There.  Right there."  She gave a soft moan in encouragement, knowing, of course, they were still only just beginning...

Dekka continued to stoke the fires, feeding the length of his member into the exact spot she begged for. And he'd feed it in, then hold it for but a moment, to allow her time to taste it before pulling his member away and doing it all over again as he enjoyed watching her writhe in ecstasy. And it was here he held onto her hips and fed himself unto her, moving deeper and deeper with each slow and steady stroke.

Kathryn's breathing seemed somehow timed with each of his strokes, holding her breath in anticipation with each plunge and breathing out in contentment as he hit home.  The heat crawled up her body, turning her pale skin a healthy, rosy color.  There was nothing in her whole world except Dekka, now, and the wonderful things he was making her feel.

Part of her wanted this to go on forever, to continue this slow, agonizingly delightful dance.  She could die like this -- happy and fulfilled -- with Dekka inside her and his hands all over her  And that delicious tingle was growing with each movement he made, like an itch demanding attention.

Watching her reactions, the way she breathed each time he made entry, and the thrill on her face as he pulled away, kept him dogged in his attempts to get her to beg for more. He was merciless in his pursuits, never one to take the art of sex lightly as he continued to play her like an instrument, while his hands and eyes drank her in like a fine wine- and soon his lips were doing the same, as hot kisses tickled down from her cheeks and lips towards her ears..
Then down her neck, and shoulder and chest as he fucked her- nice, long and sensually.

It didn't take long for her to begin to need...more.  Soft, breathy moans escaped her parted lips as her hips rose to meet his and her hands cradled him close.  The touch of his lips was like a match held against a fuse; their love-making, after so long, was slow, beautiful, and romantic -- everything it should have been with her husband hours earlier...but as nice as it felt, her relationship with Dekka was different.  It was built on passion and desire, on freedom and adventure...and his kisses reminded her of a different night and the way he had all-but seduced her...

She turned her face towards his, angled to respond to his kisses with one of her own: hungry and needful.

He didn't need to read between the lines to know exactly what his lover wanted, and it wasn't long before his strokes turned into hard, deep thrusts full of need. His hunger was insatiable, and the passion behind it other worldly as he fucked her good and hard as he grabbed onto her legs and hauled her nearer so that he was so deep his balls were now slapping her ass.
ANd he cut through her like butter, fucking her, again and again and again hoping to make her sing.

Kathryn wanted to burst, and she wanted to scream his name and encouragement -- but she wasn't so far gone that she dared to do that.  Instead, she had to settle for muffled cries against his body or hers as each thrust took her to new heights...

And, suddenly, her body tightened against his, and feeling weightless, she clung to him as an orgasm rocked her body.

Not about to stop at just one, Dekka coaxed the Grand Duchess to roll over as he grabbed onto her hips and took her from behind. And that wasn't the only.position he tried with her and by the time they were finally through, his body was slick with sweat as he collapsed into a pile of contentment beside her, having already filled her with his hot seed as he panted trying.to catch his breath as he.found himself smirking and beginning to laugh.

Kathryn was thoroughly sated now, both physically and emotionally, as her anger towards her husband had also been satisfied by enthusiastically coupling with the King of Thieves.  She snuggled against the pillows, eyes lightly closed as she tried to catch her breath -- but she rolled over to peer at him curiously as he began to laugh.

"What's so funny?" she wondered, curious, but also a bit cautious.

Keeping is eyes closed, as he was most contented to do, he found his lips tugging into an even wider grin when she questioned his laugh.
"Just that I've been waiting too long for that," he stated with another satisfied smile. "Though I hope I don't have to wait another few years of toying to get myself to fuck you again." And at those words, he turned to nestled in closer beside her, his eyes still closed and his lips still wearing a toothy grin, one that appeared more rightward on his face than left. After all, he was still inwardly gushing that he just fucked the Grand Duchess of Connlaoth- and wore it even wider to think he'd get to do it again,a nd probably so soon....

"No," Kathryn answered with a contented smirk.  It was a pity he couldn't stay the night, but this...  This was all she needed right now.  She snuggled up against his warm body, her own eyes falling lightly closed and wearing a smile of her own.  "I think we're done teasing."  Her lips touched his shoulder softly, then his throat as she leaned her head on his shoulder.  "Unless you want to be teased..."

Dekka smirked and laughed at her words before kissing her hair.
"Maybe, but I suppose I'll let you know where and when I'll want to be teased." And at that, he moved to kiss down her throat to her chest before nestling in beside her and holding her close within his arms.