Ruled by the Princess

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Sitting next to the queen for the morning meal wasn’t nearly as difficult as it had been the night before because Rona was chatting with Nill on her other side and hardly even looked at Kit. Not having to pretend she wanted to grab the crown from atop her mother’s head and run off with it made it easier to eat her eggs.

Eli did look better, but he was obviously still in pain. Kit tried not to stare at him too long because the last thing she wanted was to bring her mother’s attention to the fact that Kit was aware he was hurting. So... she spent her time looking at the other men, trying to decide what to do with each of the ones she hadn’t Roomed yet. Until her eyes fell on Pierce.

He was sitting next to Zane and across from Asher, and they were having what appeared to be an amicable conversation. Kit wondered what could possibly be going on inside of his head. Did he truly think that the queen could manipulate the Choosing enough for Pierce to become Kit’s husband? He had to understand that she didn’t have feelings for him. It was a pity he didn’t give up and go home.

Rona’s utterance from the night before came to the forefront of her mind. Regardless of the way Eli dismissed it, Kit still thought it was curious. Why would her mother just assume that she didn’t like Pierce because he was too rough?

She believed he was getting information from the queen. There were enough circumstances where he knew things he shouldn’t—like how to get out of the maze—that made her confident that they were in cahoots. If her guard had never seen him enter the queen’s chambers, how was he getting there? The queen certainly wasn’t throwing on a maid’s outfit and coming to him.

Lost in thought, she almost missed the silly face Cassius made at her. Kit’s eyes had already flittered away from him by the time she realized what he had done. When she looked at him again, he was feigning innocence, and she almost laughed. The only reason she didn’t was because she didn’t want to explain to her mother what was so funny. It was none of her business.

After the meal was over, Kit decided to speak to Cassius. Perhaps he could help her decipher what her mother may have meant by her comment the night before. While he didn’t know the queen or the castle like Eli did, Cassius seemed to think differently than the others, and there was a chance he could have an idea Kit hadn’t thought of.

A few other gentlemen wanted a moment with her, so by the time she was free, Cassius was gone. She decided to try his room and headed that direction, two of her guards trailing her, and her ladies following along, likely assuming she was headed to her own room.

Since he had been Roomed, Cassius was given much better accommodations than the smaller quarters the other Representatives slept in. His new room was just down the hall from Kit’s, larger than his first room, with nicer furniture and décor. Kit had been in it a few times over the last month, but most of the time Cassius still visited her in her own chambers. Still, it was nice to have a change of scenery sometimes, and his window looked out over a nice green space.

His liegemen, Ral, was coming out of the room as Kit approached. “Good morning,” Kit said, thinking this may be the first time she’d ever spoken to the man. “Is Cassius in his room?”

“Good morning, my Princess. Yes, he is,” Ral, an older gentleman with an elaborate mustache replied. “I’m certain he’ll be happy to see you.”

She nodded and then knocked on his door, just as her ladies stopped nearby, questioning expressions on their faces. “You may go.” Kit smiled, and they looked grateful to have some free time.

Cassius whipped the door open as if he knew it was her and greeted her with a crooked grin. “If it isn’t the most beautiful woman in the realm. Lucky me.”

Even after nearly two months of hearing such statements gush from between his perfect lips, Kit still hadn’t grown used to his uniquely charming personality. She felt a deep blush take over her cheeks. When she could speak again, she asked, “Do you have a moment?”

“For you? I have all of the moments.” He swung the door wide and gestured for her to come in.

There was no antechamber, but the room was large enough that the bed was set back away from the door. The comforter and linens were all a sky blue that matched the upholstery on the two armless chairs next to the fireplace. The first time Kit had come by, Cassius had mentioned the shade reminded him of her eyes.

They stood inside the doorway for a few seconds as Kit tried to decide how to word what she wanted to say, and Cassius waited with his hands on his hips, a curious expression on his face but not rushing her.

“May we sit?” she asked, gesturing toward the chairs. Again, Cassius made a sweeping movement with his arm, and Kit crossed and sat down, spreading her pink gown out around her legs. Cassius sat as well, the same expression on his face. Kit cleared her throat.

“Would you like some water, Princess?”

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

“You don’t seem fine.”

“No, I am. Really. It’s only... I’m not sure how to say what I want to say to you, that’s all.”

He c****d his head to the side. “If you hadn’t already Roomed me, I’d be afraid you’d come to send me home.”

“Oh, no. No!” She reached for his hand, and he leaned forward to give it to her. “It’s nothing like that at all.”

“Good. Because I wouldn’t go.”

She giggled, despite the fact that her first thought was of Merek, though she was sure he didn’t mean to bring back bad memories. “No, you see... my mother said something odd last night, and I’m trying to decipher what it might’ve meant. That’s all.”

“I see. And you needed to think about it here, where there are less distractions?”

“No, you’re quite distracting.”

“Thank you—I think.”

Kit giggled again. “No, I want your help. It’s just... it seems a little silly when I say it aloud, that’s all.”

“I doubt that, Princess. Let’s hear it.” He smiled at her reassuringly, and Kit thought perhaps he already knew what she wanted to say. Either that or he was just readying himself to find a way to assure her she was right in thinking the way she was—regardless of what she said.

Clearing her throat, Kit said, “Last night, the queen and I were speaking about Pierce.”

“Whatever for?”

“Ha! That is a good question. She was trying to persuade me in favor of him, as usual. At any rate, I made a remark that he just wasn’t for me, and she said just because he can be a little rough sometimes, that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t make a good duke.” Kit took a deep breath, not sure she’d gotten that exactly right. Cassius looked confused.

“Rough? What do you think that meant? Rough around the edges, as in he’s not as refined as some of the others, such as myself?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her, and Kit choked on a chuckle.

“No, no. I think I’ve relayed it wrong. I said he didn’t appeal to me, and she said just because he was a little rough didn’t mean he wouldn’t make a proper husband.”

Cassius stared at her for a moment, his lips pursed, before he said, “I want to understand what it is you think that means, but I’m not there yet.”

Sighing, Kit said, “Pierce is rough—in the bedroom.”

“You like it rough.”

She blushed. “No, not like that. I mean, painfully rough. And you know he hasn’t pleasured me yet, so of course I don’t mean in that way.”

He grinned at her, proud of himself for causing her cheeks to turn red. “Can you give me a for instance?”

Kit didn’t want to use the same example she’d used with Eli because it had failed, but that was the best one she had. “Whenever he grabs my breasts, it’s like he thinks there might be juice in them.”

Cassius burst out laughing. “You mean like this?” He reached for her chest, but Kit slapped him away, laughing right along with him. He snatched her hand out of the air and held it.

“Stop it—you’re much stronger than Pierce. Who knows what damage you might do?”

“You know I would never hurt you,” he reassured her. “So do you think your mother somehow knows Pierce does that?”

“I do.”

“But you’ve never mentioned it to her?”

“Of course not!”

“I supposed not but needed to be certain.” He let go of her hand to sit back in his chair, folding his arms and giving it a good thought. “I honestly don’t know how she could have that information if you haven’t told her, unless one of your ladies may have mentioned it.”

“I don’t believe I’ve even told them. It’s not like I discuss what happens in my private chambers with them.”

“You don’t?”

“No, not in any detail anyway.”

“Hmmm.”

Kit wasn’t sure what might’ve made him think she would. “Anyway, I mentioned this to Eli last night, and of course I know he’s in a lot of pain and not really himself now, but he seemed to think it wasn’t anything of consequence. And he also said if Pierce is meeting with my mother somehow, he doesn’t know how he’s getting back and forth. He said none of my guards have ever seen Pierce headed in that direction.”

“Now, that’s odd. We know she had to have given him information about the maze. And I’m almost certain she was letting him cheat somehow in the joust, little good it did him.”

“But how is she doing it?”

Cassius shook his head slowly. “I honestly don’t know, Princess. If my room was closer to his, perhaps I could tell you. But his is the last one on the hall, and all of the rooms around him are empty now, save one.”

“Whose room is that?” Kit asked, a spark lighting in the back of her mind.

“Danyen. Maybe he would know more about Pierce’s comings and goings, but I’m not sure I understand why it matters. We’re already certain he’s her favorite, that she wants you to choose him, and she’s getting him information one way or another. Maybe it’s through her guards. I’m not sure what difference it makes.”

“I’m not sure either,” Kit admitted, but that didn’t make her any less interested in finding out.

Cassius tugged gently on her hand until Kit came over and sat on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, and she leaned her head against his chest, frustrated, but glad to have him nearby to comfort her. “Your mother is an enigma,” he said quietly next to her ear. “We almost think we have her sorted out, and then something else happens, and it becomes clear that we don’t. She’s willing to go to any length imaginable to get what she wants, and she doesn’t care who is hurt or ruined in the process.”

These were all facts Kit was already aware of, but that didn’t make them any less difficult to digest. “She’s already broken so many laws in regards to the Choosing alone, the council could lock her up and throw away the key.”

“Possibly. But it would take a vote of seven, and I’m not certain we have that.”

Kit sat up and looked him in the eye. “Do you think there are enough councilwomen who are also corrupt who would side with her over the law of the realm?”

Cassius let out a soft sigh and kissed her on the forehead. “Sweet Kit, always assuming everyone else is as morally upright as you are. Yes, darling. I believe there may be. Even if we had enough votes, it would never get that far. As soon as your mother caught wind that there was a possibility you might ask the council to try her, she’d find a way to make it so you couldn’t.”

Kit’s eyebrows went up of their own accord. “Do you think so?”

“I do. She certainly wouldn’t stand by and wait to see what happened.”

Kit had never thought about that before. What could her mother possibly do? Maybe Eli’s worries that Rona might lock her up or eliminate her weren’t that farfetched after all. “What can we do then?”

“I’m not certain. We don’t have all of the information we need yet. We need a solid plan, and we haven’t gotten there yet. If we act without one in place, we are taking a huge risk.”

“She trusts you, though. The queen likes you.”

He shrugged. “To some extent. For now. But I believe she’s starting to catch on that I’m not quite the man she thinks I am. If she did a little more investigating into my background, she might see a few instances in my past that don’t exactly paint me in the most loyal of light.”

Kit wasn’t sure what he was talking about, and she imagined, if she asked, he wouldn’t tell her. It sounded as if he’d been up to something in Warchester Keep that would’ve been detrimental to the queen’s cause. Instead of asking him for details specific to his activities, she asked, “Is your province likely to join in if needed?”

Cassius nodded sharply, and Kit decided that was all the answer she needed for now. She rested her head back against his shoulder and ran her hand slowly across his chest, listening to the sound of his breathing. It amazed her to think of how important he’d become to her in such a short amount of time. The idea of her mother doing something to harm any of the men she cared about was one she had to push from her mind. She had to believe they would all be able to take care of themselves and each other should it come to that.

He was running his fingers up and down her arm, a soothing sensation, but also arousing. The scent of his woodsy cologne and the feel of his pectorals beneath his clothes had Kit’s mind going elsewhere. She became aware that he was having similar thoughts when his manhood began to harden against her bottom. Thoughts of the way Landon had taken her the night before came to mind. It had been exciting to try something different, and he’d been able to drive in so deeply, Kit felt herself getting wet just thinking about it.

But it wasn’t Landon she wanted right now, nor did it have to be in that new, interesting position. She’d take Cassius however he wanted, wherever he wanted. Knowing his thoughts were in the same place, she leaned up and found his lips. He was wanton, and opened wide, devouring her mouth in a hot kiss that left Kit gasping for air. His hand lifted from her hip and kneaded her breast which suddenly had far too many layers covering it.

In order to remedy that, Cassius unhooked the top part of her gown to loosen it and then untied her stay, all while his lips were covering her in kisses, from her lips to her ear and down her neck. Once he had her freed, his hand slipped inside her bodice to find her erect n****e, and his fingers worked magically across her flesh, causing Kit to moan softly as she attempted to free him of his jerkin and tunic.

Cassius let her go momentarily so that he could get his shirt off. He tossed both layers over his head to the floor, and Kit’s hands immediately flew to his bare chest, rippling with every move he made. He had her other breast now, switching hands to work the rest of her hooks loose while his tongue played over top of hers, sending Kit into a frenzy.

She stood so that he could pull her dress down and off of her hips, only removing her hands from him long enough to get the sleeves of her gown and chemise over them, her mouth never straying from his for more than a few seconds. Her stay came off easily enough, as did her slippers, and then Cassius made short work of her knickers so that Kit was standing before him completely nude. His hands on her hips and bottom sent shivers throughout her body, particularly when he cupped her buttocks and squeezed.

Kit reached for his belt and unhooked it, and Cassius lifted his hips so she could slide his trousers and breeches down over them. Before she got them completely down, he reached for a pouch in his waistband and pulled out a sheath, and then she helped him get the rest of his clothing and boots out of the way.

His c**k was thick and hard, and Kit wanted it. She reached down and stroked it before he put the sheath on, marveling at its length. A thought entered her head, one she’d never had before, and she didn’t know how he’d react, but she wanted to taste him. Kit dropped to her knees between his, her breasts even with his shins, and kissed the head of his manhood. A bead of white formed at the tip, and she licked it away, wondering at the salty taste and wanting more.

“Kit, what are you doing? You shouldn’t be on your knees in front of me. You’re the princess.”

“I’m your woman,” she replied, only taking her eyes off of his c**k for a moment to look up at him. “And I want to taste you.”

“But I don’t think---”

Cassius didn’t get to finish that sentence. Kit slid as much of him as she could into her mouth, opening wide and being careful to keep her teeth out of the way. He groaned and uttered a few curse words but in a manner that let Kit know he was enjoying it. She liked the way he stretched her mouth, the way he filled her up. Her tongue twisted and licked against the flat surface of him, and she slid her mouth back and forth along his shaft, listening to him come undone.

She couldn’t take all of him in because he was just too large, but she used one hand to steady him and rubbed that back and forth as she went. Cassius reached down to fondle her n*****s, and Kit found her free hand pressed between her legs, teasing her most sensitive area into a flame.

“Kit, goddesses, Kit... as good as that feels, let me pleasure you before I’m spent.”

A giggle escaped her full throat, and Kit finally decided to let him go, though she ran her tongue all the way down the bottom of his shaft one last time for good measure and then cupped his balls, which brought an even different sort of a groan from deep within him. She darted up to her feet, finding his mouth, and Cassius’s kisses were somehow even more passionate than they had been before.

It took him longer to get the sheath on this time than it ever had before. Kit knew he was intoxicated by the way she’d handled him, and she loved seeing him that way, no longer his calm and collected self.

His hands were on her hips as she spread her legs and straddled him, taking his entire c**k inside of her at once. Kit threw her head back and let out a squeal of pleasure, and Cassius exalted the heavens. She leaned in and found his lips as she worked her hips up and down, pressing hard into him each time her momentum brought her forward, pulling against the back of the chair to take him all in with every thrust. His hands on her breasts, twisting and pinching her n*****s as his thick c**k ignited a fire inside of her that had Kit panting, her chest heaving with each movement of her hips.

Cassius lowered his hands to her waist, lifting her and bringing her back down, and he dropped his mouth down to her breast, sucking, and l*****g. Kit cried out in pure ecstasy as every muscle within her seemed to spasm in wave after wave of pleasure. Her eyes were closed tightly, but stars began to fill her vision, and if Cassius hadn’t roared in relief at that moment, she might’ve blacked out completely.

Kit stopped her rocking, but her body continued to vibrate as she sucked in air and tried to still her raging heart. Cassius was breathing hard, too, but he had a smile on his face unlike any Kit had ever seen before. She grinned at him and kissed him quickly since they were both struggling to breathe. Kit held on to his hardness until it completely faded, feeling empty without him inside of her. She placed her forehead on his shoulder and inhaled deeply, content to sit there atop him with his arms around her for a while.

Eventually, Cassius broke the silence. “Never in my life....” That was all he got out at first, and Kit looked up at him, laughing at the blissful expression on his face. She brushed a sweaty lock of curly hair off of his forehead, and he tried again. “Never in my life have I ever felt as good as I do right now.”

Still giggling, she leaned down and kissed him, longer this time, slower. Kit pulled back so she could look at him again, at the vibrancy in his eyes, the way they twinkled up at her.

They continued to grin at each other even once their breathing had returned to normal, not saying anything for several moments, only reveling in the bond they had created. Kit rested her hand against his chest so she could feel his heartbeat as the pace evened out, and she felt her own beating in time with his.

“I love you, Katrinetta,” Cassius reminded her. It wasn’t the first time he’d told her. That had come a few weeks ago after a pleasuring that at the time seemed untoppable—until today.

“I love you, too.” She meant it. There wasn’t a single aspect of this man she didn’t completely cherish with all of her heart.

“You know I’d do anything for you, don’t you? That your happiness is what I live for?”

Kit wasn’t sure how to take that. The idea of him doing too much, of giving too much, more than she deserved, was frightening to her. She prayed that wasn’t what he meant, though she understood everyone who joined the coming revolution would be at risk, one way or another. “I do,” she finally said. “That’s what I want for you, too. Happiness. A long life full of it.”

“As long as I’m with you, I’ll always be happy.” He leaned up, and Kit brought her lips down to meet his. Exactly how it would all work out, she wasn’t sure, but knowing she could have all of her men and every one of them would be happy and fulfilled would be a dream come true. Her people deserved rulers like these men, and Kit wanted nothing more than to create a realm where she would be able to keep all of them, and they could bring peace, harmony, and happiness to all of the citizens of Yewforia. With Cassius at her side, how could she possibly fail?