Royce crested the hill on his enormous war horse, looking down at the capital. Ian reined in beside him. Autumn was here, the leaves were falling and changing color, there was a crisp feeling in the air.
"Just in time for another social season." Ian muttered under his breath, and Royce laughed. Ian, coming from a small village to the east, was less of a fan of the nobility than Royce.
"Time to get to work." Royce agreed, and the others approached behind them. Kora's mood had surprisingly improved. Something seemed to have clicked within her since the death of Amelia. She was more confident, was eating and sleeping normally again. She still wore the necklace Ludis had made for her, but other than that the old Kora was back, and then some. Kora moved with more grace than before. She tried less and less to hide what she was. It was like facing a major member of the enemy forces gave her peace within herself. The castle gates swung wide as citizens and soldiers alike cheered their King and Princess arrival. What nobility that had attended the castle over the summer now lined the steps to greet their Lords and ladies. Malik dismounted and waited for Ludis to do the same. She hesitated, and, taking a deep breath, jumped down and took Malik's hand. There was a small murmur among those gathered. The others dismounted as well and followed them to the steps. Malik turned to face the crowd, and Stella placed a hand on the side of his neck to give his voice the power to boom over the courtyard.
"My people, it is so wonderful to be home. While there was joy seeing the land and its people on our journey, nothing really beats the feeling of one's own bed." A laugh moved through the crowd and Malik smiled.
"I have an announcement to make. I proposed to our Head Mage, Ludis Sky Water, last summer. Over this summer expedition, she has agreed to become our new queen. All Hail, the future queen of Deirdre!" A roar went up to the skies as the gathering servants and peasants alike cheered at the news, with forced smiles and polite applause rose from the nobility present. Kora flicked a finger, and the pedals of sunflowers began to drift from the fields over the crowd, exciting them further. Malik turned to look down at Ludis who was forcing a smile and looked petrified. He squeezed her hand reassuringly, and when she looked up at him, he kissed her in front of everyone. If possible, the crowd cheered louder. Stella and Kora were both sure the god of the sun and the goddess of the moon could hear. They, too, were clapping and cheering with Ian Royce and Ben. Stella then stepped forward, and Royce's smile disappeared. She hauled the larger man up beside her brother and Ludis and then touched her own throat to speak to the crowd.
"This is a doubly joyous occasion. I, myself have proposed to someone - and Royce Griffin has agreed to marry me and become crown prince of Deirdre!" The crowd lost it. They were screaming now, tossing rice and flowers in the air, some men even through their hats in celebration. The nobility, unable to hide their shock now, clapped politely with sour faces. Ian was grinning at his old friend, ear to ear. Royce wrapped a protective arm around Stella and pulled her close. He knew this was what it meant to have her. He looked to Ludis who gave him the same this is what we signed up for look. They both shrugged and smiled wanly. The group turned to walk inside the grand entrance hall, where the dragons awaited. They too were excited about the news. Somehow the stained-glass had bloomed with sunflowers and roses, rainbows in the sky. The dragons wore crowns and wreaths of flowers. Kora grinned, looking up. She was happier now than she had ever been about not wanting or trying to take the throne back. She had never wanted it, and after being assured Malik was a good king, she felt no pressure to reclaim her birthright. They were related after all, albeit distantly, and now by law. The group bid their goodbyes, and they each made their way to their own chambers. The surprise being that Kora had written ahead to a few trusted servants like Agnes, her personal maidservants. The king's rooms and Stella's rooms had been made over, to now house the couples. The maidservants waved to the couples, beckoning them to their new rooms. Kora had done a bit of magic herself and had converted her rooms over last winter to accommodate Ben, Shadow, and herself. The rooms were easily twice as big now. Walking in, she looked around the large sitting room and sighed, happy to be home. She had expanded the size of the room, with a large dining table in front of the balcony doors, and larger couches in front of the fireplace. There was now a door off to the right that held Ben's study, and she had managed to make hers bigger to accommodate her new books. The hallways and ceiling had been widened and risen, to make room for Shadow to navigate easily. In their rooms, the bed was still centered on the wall across from the huge fireplace, but the couches had been moved with the smaller table to in front of these balcony doors. This left plenty of room for shadow to stretch out in front of the fireplace without making it hard to navigate around the monstrous dog. The waterfall bath from Ben's room had been added to her washroom, and the dressing room had been expanded. Now there were two, so Ben could have his own. Tossing her bags on the floor by the door, Agnes stood by the table, curtsying low. She had a lavish meal set up, all her Mistress's favorites. Kora kissed her cheek as she rose, and Agnes blushed, happy she had pleased her.
"Welcome home Your Grace, Lord Benjamin. Shadow's supper is on the balcony-" The dog licked her, leaving her dripping before running to the balcony to devour what she had left for him. There had been a special fountain installed beneath the stairs outside that led to the garden. A personal drinking bowl for him. Agnes wiped her face off with several handkerchiefs she seemed to have prepared for that moment.
"I have arranged for him to … get a B A T H tomorrow. Yours will be ready as soon as you have finished dinner. Is there anything you require?" Kora loved Agnes. She was a calm and level-headed maidservant. She held her tongue and could be trusted and was constantly looking for ways to make Kora and now Ben's life easier.
"Yes, have directions for the horses to be fully groomed, and shod again. I would also like to have all guests and requests for visitation held for one week." Agnes nodded and went to the door, signaling for a few other maidservants. They took the bags from the door and began to unpack them and take the laundry. Kora noticed with pleasure that the winter drapes had already been hung, and when she cut through the bedroom to visit the privy, she noticed the winter bedding too. Firewood was well stocked, and everything was pristine. She thought of giving Agnes yet another raise, as she and Ben sat down to dinner.
Royce looked around his new quarters, stunned. While he had larger rooms than most common born guests at the castle, these were magnificent. Blues, gray and yellow decorated the room, overstuffed couches, and chairs. Bookcases full and a beautiful soaking bath. A bed big enough to fit three of him. The dressing rooms too were impressive. He was stunned. Turning, he saw Stella standing by the door still, as she had ushered the maidservants out. She seemed uncertain. He approached her and took her hands.
"What is it my heart, you look unsure." She shook her head and smiled at him.
"It is you who seem unsure, my love. The rooms are… extravagant. Are you ok with this?" Stella seemed disappointed at the thought of not sharing rooms with him. While highly improper, Malik and she had both decided that traditions be damned. It was a stagnant tradition to live separately until married anyway. She did not want to part from him ever, so why wait? Royce scooped her up and kissed her soundly.
"I would sleep on a thousand bricks of gold if it meant I never spent a night without you again for as long as I live." Stella beamed, pleased. She showed him around and Royce took it all in stride, pleased at how happy she was. Dinner set, they ate until their stomachs stretched, and then decided a long hot soak was in order. They hadn't been intimate since Amalias death, and Royce understood Stella needed time to process what she had shared with Kora. He did not push her. Stella, being sly, began to slowly undress as she walked down the hall. Dropping her shirt here, breast band there. Royce followed, a different type of hunger taking over. Stella was a seductress in bed. She loved to make love and Royce, who never felt like he could get enough-was happy to oblige. She was almost insatiable. He watched her round behind as she bent over the tub to turn on the faucets and saw the tiniest bit of her sweet center. Coming up behind her, he used one hand to stroke her as he used the other to cup her bottom. She filled his hands, and he loved it. She stood up slowly, spreading her legs slightly, so he could continue his pursuit, and his other hand traced her body to cup one large breast. This woman was all hands full, and he could not get enough of her. He kissed her neck, nipping lightly, and she sighed, leaning back against him, slowly riding his hand as he pushed two fingers inside her wet center. Not able to take it anymore, he bent her over, and took her from behind. He loved seeing her ass bounce as he thrust into her, watching himself slide in and out. He groaned at the scene before him and Stella flipped her hair over her shoulder to look back at him, her eyes glowing with lust, and love. Moving faster now she cried out from the pleasure, and he could feel her tightening around him. Grabbing her by the waist, he began to thrust harder, wanting to reach her center. They both exploded at the same time, her muscles milking him dry. Scooping her up before her legs could give out, they climbed into the tub to soak and wash. Gods it was good to be home.