Ellis jumping on the bed, jolted them awake. It was a given. Each morning Ellis would creep into their bedroom, to wake them up. Groaning, Dakran raised his head off the pillow to look at Elis who giggled and laughed.
It was good. He'd grown very much like a mushroom after a summer's rain. Grumbling under his breath, he unfolded his arms from around her and rolled on his back.
The other eight shortly followed, and they all began pilling on the bed.
" It's too early for this," Dakran groaned as he pushed himself up his elbows and looked at the children perched on the bed.
" Children," Sala beckoned the moment she walked inside the quarters and they all stopped.
" It's time to get ready for breakfast," Sala ordered as she appeared on the threshold, and leaned against it. As she usually did, since all the children that had survived the war, had been gathered under one roof.
Slowly but surely, one by one they all began climbing off the bed to get ready for the day. Releasing a breath of relief, Dakran nodded in thanks to Sala who nodded back, smirking.
" Well, " Maya drawled, giggling, " One would say that they have adjusted pretty well," She amusedly added, as she slipped out of the bed and made her way to the bathing chamber. The old quarters were fit for Kings and Queens. It occupied the majority of the ground floor at the back of Ironstone. It was Rom's and Edýia's gift, and an apology for their absence during the wedding celebrations.
" I'm going to help Sala with breakfast," Maya appeared in the doorway of the bathing chamber as he slipped out of the bed, and sat on the edge.
" No," Dakran sighed, filled with dread," I'll do it. You'll have them for the rest of the morning," He said as he pushed himself off the bed and closed the distance. Brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Leigh was the only source of his dread. He was a mischievous little boy, who did his best to test Dakran's patience. And never failed.
" Are you sure?" Maya asked, leaned in and pressed her lips on his. He moaned in the kiss, and let his hands glide down on her waist.
" Yes, but I would be more," He drawled, brushing his lips over hers, " Enthusiastic about it if," He licked his lips," It will be quick. You won't even know it happened," He quipped, as his hands began hitching her nightgown up her thighs. Giggling, she pulled away from the kiss and peered up at him from behind her lashes, stifling a grin.
" If didn't know you, I would be inclined to believe it," Maya cleared her throat," But, unfortunately, I do know and it's never quick and, I will know," Smiling she pressed her lips on his and pulled away from the embrace. And with that, his mood plunged further.
Patting him on the shoulder, Maya turned on her heels and sauntered back into the bathing room, appearing before him bare, and strolled past him to the dresser.
Dakran scrubbed his face, exasperated, and in one single lunge, he was next to her and locked eyes with her in the mirror. It seemed that the lady of the house wasn't true to her words. Dakran grinned at that thought and licked his lips, as his finger trailed down on her back. Breakfast and looking after children was the last thing on his mind when a buffet was standing right before him.
She looked over her shoulder, demure, and bit on her lips when he slipped inside her. A blush was quick to appear on her freckled cheeks, and a moan followed as she melted into his chest. A good start, indeed.
" My wife, " Dakran crooned when she turned around to face him, fisting his tunic and, slowly, pushing him towards the bed.
" Yes," She cooed, when he hit the bed, she was quick to follow and straddled him. Gracing him with a fantastic view of the twins, her delicate curves, and those lips that drove him insane.
" You never cease to amaze me," Dakran praised as she lowered herself to capture his lips. Having her in his arms, being close to her and the silent understanding that she gave him was nothing more than, oil onto an already blazing fire. Love and desire. A potent and dangerous combination. And he'd lost himself in her, and everything she did.
A deep moan, and a shuddering gasp when she took all of his length to the hilt, echoed in the chamber. With her riding him, he knew for certain it would be quick. Undulating her beautiful curves, breasts, and shoulders tainted by the fiery red hair. And with every breath she took, every roll of her hips, she took him closer to the edge.
A moaned semblance of his name was all he needed and he quickly followed her into the land of bliss.
Slowly, she leaned forward, grabbed his wrists, pressed her forehead to his, and smiled.
" I hope this never ends," She whispered between pants and opened her eyes. Right then and there he rolled on the bed and succumbed to the need to kiss her.
It was hasty and amateurish. But in time of need, they had to settle for less.
" It won't. I will protect this, us, with my last breath," He hoped to be able to fulfil that promise. Her brows furrowed, worried.
" That bad huh?" He quipped as he pulled his head back to have a better look at her expression.
" No," She smiled, brushing his cheek with her forefinger, " I love being with you. Even if is for a few breaths," She softly said as he pressed her lips on his.
" Times are changing," She took a deep breath in," And I'll take every opportunity to be with you. Even if it's short-lived," She swallowed and brushed her lips on his. The shine of unshed tears in her eyes worried him. For once the stars aligned and put her in his path. Maya, his little red was the breath that he needed when he was on the cusp of losing every little hope that life could be better.