An Hour Of Passion II.

~Katrina~

Two fingers slipped inside me, and I gasped, a moan escaping as my eyes

rolled back. He kept a steady, slow rhythm, and I couldn't stop myself from

whispering his name, begging him not to stop.

I knew I shouldn't want this, but I couldn't pull away.

My hands found their way into his hair, holding on as my body tightened

around his fingers.

The sound was slick, filling the quiet air every time he pushed back inside.

"That's more like it," he said, smiling. He held my gaze, watching my reaction,

then started to undo his trousers. "How do you feel?"

"Good, I think," I murmured, covering my face, feeling shy and vulnerable in

a way I'd never felt before.

I took a breath and lowered my hands to look at him. He seemed different,

softer, not the man I'd once feared.

How would I even explain this? The man who once scared me was now the one

making me feel so alive.

I reached to help with his trousers, but just then, I noticed a red cloth

waving in the distance.

My heart skipped a beat. I'd told Marissa to signal if someone was coming.

Who could it be?

If it was someone from the royal family, it would be a disaster. The king

would get away with it, but me? I'd be disgraced, punished for being with

another man the night before my wedding.

"Someone's coming," I whispered, looking around for a quick way out.

"I don't care," he said, pulling me close and kissing me.

"I do," I giggled, trying to pull away, knowing his cousin would be furious

if he found out.

"You're mine…" he murmured, brushing his lips down my neck.

I let out a soft moan before gently pushing him, but he held me tight.

"I stopped being yours the day you arranged my marriage with Prince Elvin,

your highness," I reminded him, just in case he'd forgotten.

His face fell, and he nodded, the playful look replaced by something sad. I

didn't blame him for what was happening, but I had to distance myself.

"I'll find a way to stop this wedding," he whispered, pressing his forehead

against mine. We stayed like that for a moment, and when I looked to where

Marissa stood, I saw the red cloth again.

"I have to go, or I'll be scolded."

I slipped out of his arms; he let me go, though I knew he could have held

me. Quickly, I put my dress back on, smoothing down my hair.

As I turned to leave, I gave him a shy smile. Karl leaned against the tree,

watching me with that mischievous grin.

"Are you really going to leave me like this?" he asked, glancing down

at himself, still shirtless.

"Forgive me, your highness," I said, giving him a playful curtsy before

walking away. "If you can stop the wedding tomorrow, then we'll spend the night

together in my room."

"Are you serious?" he asked, looking uncertain.

"Promise," I said, then dashed off, resisting the urge to look back.

When I reached Marissa, she raised her eyebrows in surprise, though she had

been expecting me.

"Milady," she laughed, taking in my disheveled appearance. I knew I looked

scattered after my time with the king.

"I know, Marissa," I whispered, grabbing her hand, and we hurried back to my

quarters through the back door. Thankfully, no one noticed us. The others were

still in the garden, dancing.

"Are you alright, milady?" Marissa asked with concern.

"Yes. I might look a mess on the outside, but inside, I'm so happy," I said,

barely able to contain my excitement.

"I'll start your bath," Marissa offered, heading toward the bathroom.

I stopped her, asking, "What do you think, Marissa? About me and the king?"

"You'll be the first woman to have this much with the king. He's truly

happy, for the first time without being cruel," Marissa said softly.

"I don't understand. What do you mean by him being cruel?"

Marissa hesitated. "The game he created," she replied. "But don't worry

about that. You make him happy, and it will only help you here."

"What about Queen Fortuna?" I asked, trying to change the subject. "She's

his wife, after all."

"I don't think she minds. This is about you and the king," Marissa said.

"With him by your side, you could rise so high." She seemed to have bigger

dreams for me than I did for myself.

I nodded as she went to prepare my bath. Later, after washing and slipping

into bed, I couldn't sleep.

I kept tossing, thinking about my time with the king. Was I truly falling

for him, or was this just some illusion that would fade?

The more I thought about it, the more fear crept in. Tomorrow was my wedding

to Prince Elvin. If the king don't  stop

it, I'd end up with a stranger.

I barely slept throughout night. When I finally dozed off, the sky was

already lightening with dawn.

I stayed in bed, hoping they'd think I was too unwell to marry. Maybe they'd

call off the wedding.

A knock on the door made my heart race. They were coming to prepare me.

I squeezed my eyes shut, praying they wouldn't enter. But the door opened,

and I heard footsteps approaching.

"Milady, it's time," Marissa whispered.

*****

Hello my dear and sweet reader,

Thank you for following this story. I couldn't update due to my work and school.

But don't worry, I will do a mass release tomorrow to cover up.

Shalom.