Ruled by the Princess

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Standing next to her bed completely undressed with an equally nude Drake in front of her, Kit’s heart was beating out of her chest. It was apparent with his clothes on that he was chiseled, but she’d had no idea just how rippled his chest was. His thighs were pure muscle, and Kit imagined he could crush a melon by squeezing it between them. His skin was smooth and buttery, and when he kissed her, his lips were warm and soft.

He was nervous, though he was trying to hide it. She’d taken the lead to get him to this point, but she had a feeling he would come to life once she led him to the bed. She ran her palm across his chest and then slid it up to the back of his neck, pulling his head down so she could reach his lips. His c**k was hard, and the immense length prevented her from getting too close until he reached down and lifted it out of the way. She leaned into him, his arms coming around her so that his fingertips trailed down her spine and across her bottom. The feel of his thick manhood pressing against her belly sent her reeling, and the wetness between her legs let her know her body was just as ready as her mind to take on this new endeavor.

Kit took a step backward, pulling him along with her lips as her tongue flickered against his. He followed, and when she reached the mattress, she sat, sliding back, Drake coming along with her, climbing between her spread legs on his knees.

His hands traced the sensitive skin on her hips, down to the insides of her thighs, leaving Kit murmuring her approval. The release of her lips was disappointing until he took her n****e in his mouth. Each suck, lick, nibble, had her back arching. Her hands went around to the back of his head as she pressed him down for more.

His fingers grazed her thigh, circling ever closer to her entrance. Kit considered reaching down for his wrist, ending the teasing, but when she thought she couldn’t handle it anymore, he slid one of his thick fingers inside of her. With just one, he had her crying out as he darted in and out, flicking across her most sensitive area with his thumb.

A line of kisses heated her stomach and her hips as he worked his way down. Kit ran her fingertips through his short black hair, longing to feel his tongue inside of her. When he drove it in, he did not disappoint. She shouted his name as he lifted her bottom off of the bed to have better access to her, forcing Kit’s legs even further apart. She wanted to open completely for him, to give him everything. Her hands lingered on her breasts, her mind foggy as wave after wave of pleasure overcame her. Drake was taking her to places she’d never known, places she never wanted to leave.

Kit cried out in ecstasy for several minutes before Drake finally removed his tongue from inside of her. But he wasn’t finished. He licked her nub several times, sending aftershocks throughout her body and then began to suck gently, his hands massaging her bottom and the insides of her thighs. Kit reached for him, grasping his hair and moaning his name.

She came again. It was quicker this time, perhaps more violent in a way as her body began to shudder beneath his lips. Drake kissed her tenderly and then lifted his head to look at her, Kit’s fingertips dragging down his face to rest on his shoulders.

“Did you enjoy that, my princess?”

Her voice was lost somewhere in the moans that had escaped her. All she could do was smile. Drake’s laugh was a hearty rumble. “Are you too tired to continue, or shall we go on?”

The thought of him ending there was enough to help her find her voice. “No, I want you.” She leaned up on her elbows so she could see him better. “I want you inside of me.”

Drake fingered his massive member. There were others who might’ve been as large as him, but he would certainly fill her up. “All of me?” he teased.

“All of you,” she nodded. His smile widened.

Without getting up, Drake stretched to grab a sheath and the special lubrication out of the top drawer of the nightstand. Kit grasped his c**k in her hand, and his laugh morphed into a grunt. She slid her palm up and down the surface, tracing a fingertip through the white liquid on the tip. He paused with the sheath in his hand at the ready, letting her continue to play for a moment, enjoying each second.

No longer able to wait, Kit let go, and Drake had the sheath on in a moment. He leaned down to kiss her, and Kit relished the feel of his broad tongue in her mouth again. His lips left hers to find her neck and each breast before he leaned up slightly, balancing on one arm, to reach down and spread her legs further apart again.

The tip of his member brushed against her opening, and Kit whimpered in anticipation. Drake chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction to his teasing. He moved himself back and forth again a few times, and Kit slid her hand down his back as far as she could reach, pressing into the muscle, begging him to enter her.

When he did, it was one swift movement that made Kit’s breath catch in her throat. She wasn’t even sure he was completely in; she felt herself stretch to consume him, and the weight of his body on top of her was comforting. His hand grasped her buttock, and as he began to pull out and thrust back in again, he moved her along with him. After a few more rocks of his hips, she was certain he was inside of her up to the hilt. She couldn’t possible contain any more. He had filled her up entirely. Every surface of her was alive with the touch of his skin, the friction and heat from his powerful thrusts awakening parts of her she’d never felt before.

His aim was expert. It only took a few rocks of his hips to locate her most sensitive area, and Drake pressed into it hard with each movement. Kit closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing, but she was panting, crying out, gasping and shouting his name.

Her body felt as if it were on fire, and once again, he quickly had her at her brink. She arched her back and called out the name of every goddess she could think of. It seemed like she was there for hours, until her voice grew hoarse and her lungs were no longer able to hold air. Finally, Drake grunted, shouted her name, and collapsed on the bed beside her.

Kit lay there staring at the ceiling for a long time, her entire body tingling. The pounding in her chest subsided eventually, and when she finally turned her head, Drake was on his side, looking intently at her. She smiled at him, and he seemed to relax. “That was... unexpected.”

“In a good way?” he asked, still unsure of himself.

“Oh, yes. It’s not even that I would’ve thought you incapable. It’s just that, I’ve been with so many men in the past few years. I wouldn’t have thought anything could take me so completely by surprise. But you have.” She reached over and caressed his cheek before dropping her hand back to her chest like a deadweight.

Drake continued to beam at her as he pulled the blankets down from beneath her and overtop of her. Kit returned the smile but was too tired to keep her eyes open much longer. She rolled onto her side and fell asleep before she even confirmed that Drake knew he was welcome to stay with her for the rest of the night.

The morning meal was over, and Kit was on a mission, though she was trying not to project her duplicitous actions as she shot off of the dais and out the door without so much as a “good morning” to any of her Representatives. Perhaps saying something to someone would’ve been less suspicious, but the thought didn’t enter her head until she was halfway to the kitchen. She fully expected someone to come running after her, but when no one did, other than her two guards, which was unfortunate because they may very well tell Eli what she was up to, she prayed to the goddesses she could complete the task at hand and make it back to her chambers without anyone asking her what was going on.

The kitchen was bustling with dishwashing and preparation for the midday meal. It seemed this place was always busy, except for perhaps in the wee hours of the night. Lots of servants hustled by, most taking the time to nod or bow their heads in her direction. She didn’t expect full curtsies or anything of that nature, and they all knew it by now. Still, she didn’t see the girl she was looking for.

Rosy was standing near one of the fireplaces, speaking to a younger man who was stirring a pot. Kit hated to bother her again, but it seemed like the quickest way to find Blankka and then get out of the kitchen before her mother sent in one of her goons. Kit shuffled over, glad that her guards stayed nearer the door.

“Pardon, Rosy, but may I speak to you for one moment please?”

“Princess Katrinetta,” the old woman said smiling pleasantly. “What brings you here again? I’m afraid there are no deliveries just now.”

“No, it’s not that. Your assistance the other day was sufficient in contemplating my assignment, thank you. And you received the package for Ras?”

“I did. Gave it to him early this morning. He was so grateful.” Her smile broadened, and her cheeks pinked, making Kit feel as if she’d done something helpful—though it wasn’t nearly enough. It was a start.

“Very good. I was wondering, do you happen to know where I might find Blankka? I need to speak to her.”

Rosy’s smile vanished. “Blankka? Your Majesty, you do know she will be unable to speak to you, do you not?”

“Yes, unfortunately, I have heard about her situation. It’s a pity.” Kit didn’t add that she felt partially responsible. If she hadn’t gotten so angry at Blankka, the girl would’ve never ended up in this place.

“She’s out in the courtyard, dumping the scraps in the hog trough.” Rosy gestured with her thumb. “She stays out there a little longer than necessary, but I cut the girl a little slack. Poor, pathetic thing.”

“Thank you, Rosy.” Kit patted her shoulder, and the woman dipped her head as if she’d been touched by an angel of the goddesses.

Kit headed in the direction indicated and saw Blankka out one of the windows before she even opened the door. Remarkably, her guards didn’t budge from their posts.

Blankka was humming softly as Kit approached. It wasn’t recognizable due to her deformity, but it was refreshing to know she could still make utterances. What it would be like to have one’s tongue cut out, Kit couldn’t imagine.

She turned her head at Kit’s approach and grew silent, her eyes darting around as if she wasn’t sure whether she should run away or try to hide. She did neither, her feet planted firmly in the dirt near the pig pen. Kit absently wondered if she may be eating one of these fellows later in the day. Dozens of them were fighting over the scraps, oinking and grunting, splattering around in the mud. Kit hung back, not wanting to get her pink gown dirty before her outing with Reeve.

Blankka bowed her head and waited. “Would you mind stepping over here, closer to me—away from the pigs?”

She glanced at the animals as if she didn’t see the problem, but Kit could see flecks of brown mud all over her black skirt and white blouse. She wore a white apron over the top, which also had spots of brown on it.

Once Blankka was nearer, Kit lowered her voice. There were windows up higher in the castle where they could be observed should anyone wish to spy on them, but no one would be able to hear. She lowered her voice when she spoke, hesitating at first because she wasn’t completely certain she could trust Blankka. It hadn’t been so long ago that the girl betrayed her and almost got Eli killed.

Still, she asked, “Are you with me?”

Blankka nodded enthusiastically, though her forlorn expression never changed.

“Are you certain? I haven’t forgotten what you did.”

Blankka nodded again, placing her slop bucket on the ground and pressing her hands together, a signal of prayer which meant she was being honest.

“I need your help, then, if you are willing to do so. I won’t tell you why, nor will I tell you what I plan to do with what you provide me. And you must promise not to reveal anything to anyone—including Eli. Do you understand?”

Blankka wavered slightly, as if she thought it might be too dangerous or that Eli needed to know, but when she nodded her head again, it was with vigor.

“I need you to take a servant girl’s uniform, like your own, and place it in a specific room in the hallway off of the infirmary before night falls this day. It could be one of your own or one you’ve procured from the costumer’s closet. I don’t care. But it needs to be a size I can fit into. Do you think you can manage that?”

Glancing down at her own clothes for a moment, Blankka nodded again. Kit estimated Blankka was slightly larger than she was in girth, though Kit was taller. Still, she would likely fit in one of Blankka’s uniforms.

“Very good. If you go to the infirmary and turn left, go down the hallway to the third door on the left. It shouldn’t be locked. If it is, you’ll need to find a way to get in without anyone knowing you’ve been there. Can you find a key if you need one?” Kit knew there were chambermaids who had keys to specific rooms. Maybe Blankka would know one of them.

She thought for a moment and then smiled slightly before she nodded.

“Wonderful. There’s an armoire in the room. Just leave it in there. You must make certain no one sees you. Once you’ve completed your task, take an apple from the kitchen, the brightest red you can find, and leave it in the library window. That way, I’ll know you’ve been successful. If Eli finds out, Blankka, I will be quite distressed, and if the queen finds out, I may well be imprisoned. I cannot lead a revolution from a tower cell, so you must be cautious. If I find I cannot trust you, there will be no place for you when I am queen. If I find you are trustworthy, I will grant your wish to be a noblewoman and reinstate your position as my lady once I am able to do so.”

Blankka’s expression changed drastically, and in her previously dull eyes, Kit saw a sparkle of hope.

“I wish I could undo what my mother has done to you. I’m so sorry that this has transpired. We must learn a way to communicate using signs. There are enough people in the realm who cannot speak or who are unable to hear properly that it should be taught all across our great queendom. I would like your help in creating and teaching such a system, once this is all over with, so please think on it, won’t you?”

She nodded again, and Kit was glad to see she’d been able to give someone a bit of optimism. The princess reached out and patted Blankka on the arm and then turned to go.

Before she walked away, Blankka made a bleating noise and pulled slightly on Kit’s arm. Kit turned to look at her, and Blankka bowed her head again. With one hand she touched her chin and then extended the hand to Kit, palm up.

Confused at first, Kit pondered what she might be trying to say. Blankka made the gesture again, her head bowed even lower this time. “Are you saying... thank you?”

Nodding, Blankka smiled, though her lips never parted, and Kit was glad for it, not wanting to catch even a glimpse of the aftermath. Kit thought the sign for thank you was easy enough to remember, so she made it back at Blankka. “Thank you for your loyalty.” She smiled and turned to go once more, praying that Blankka would actually prove herself this time. For all Kit knew, she’d run straight to the queen again.

Back inside, Kit rushed straight through the busy area, not bothering to stop and speak to Rosy again since she was engaged with another worker. Her guards followed her out the door, and Kit glanced down the hallway in each direction to see if any of the Queen’s Guards were watching, or if any of her Representatives had followed behind her. Seeing no one of consequence, she headed off toward her room.

She’d only made it around the first corner when she saw Danyen making his way toward her. Of all of the people she could encounter, he was the only one she could be honest with. She needed to speak to him anyway, to tell him of her plan. Now was as good a time as ever since she had a few matters to attend to for the council before the noon day meal, and then she’d be off with Reeve for a few hours.

Danyen waited for her. “Is everything well, Princess?”

“Better than well, assuming one’s word is still something that can be counted on.”

“I suppose it depends on who is speaking.”

“True.” She didn’t bother to mention Blankka hadn’t actually said anything. Her guards fell a few steps behind, and once again, she was thankful for the semi-privacy. “Will you join me in my chambers this evening?”

“I’ll have to check my schedule.” A mischievous grin broke out across his handsome face. “Has anyone ever said no?”

“Jate did once, remember?”

“Not because he wanted to.”

“Once again, you speak the truth.” The queen had demanded Kit spend the night with Jate after the labyrinth maze, but since Eli had won, and Kit needed Eli to be with her because she knew her mother was scheming, Jate had decided to forgo the opportunity. “No, I suppose not, though I’d never force anyone.”

“I can’t imagine you’d have to. Yes, of course I shall spend the evening with you. But I believe you’re up to something.”

“Perhaps.” Kit inhaled through her nose and lowered her voice. “I want to follow Pierce.”

“How will you do that in your own chambers?”

“That won’t be a problem so long as I use my personal chambers.” He was puzzled, but he’d see what she was talking about later. “It’s more a matter of whether or not he will go tonight.”

“There is an archery contest tomorrow. I imagine he will go tonight so that he can get information from the queen about how to win.”

The thought of Pierce winning left her stomach in knots. Everyone knew Jate was the best marksman of the group—although Eli hadn’t participated in the first practice archery contest they’d had before the Choosing officially began. “We need to prevent that from happening.”

“I’m sure we can discover a way. I would guess he will be on the move this night, after midnight. There is a dinner, though, correct?”

“Correct.”

“He could go sooner, right after dinner is over.”

“If he does, we’ll be ready. I’m afraid there may be no actual pleasuring going on in my bed tonight, though, depending upon how this all unfolds.”

“A pity. I shall have to find a way to be even more enticing in order to woo you.”

Kit giggled. “It isn’t that. Only that I will be preoccupied before I leave and possibly infuriated afterward if they are actually meeting.”

“No matter, Princess. I live to serve you in whatever capacity you desire.” He smiled at her, and Kit felt grateful to have such a fine gentleman by her side. She slipped her arm through his elbow and rested her head on his shoulder for a moment in thanks. If her mind hadn’t been made up before about Danyen, she knew for sure she wanted to Room him now. He had become as integral a part of her life as any of the other men, and with his assistance, she felt certain she would find proof that Pierce truly was in cahoots with the queen. What she would do with that information remained to be seen. She just hoped that it wouldn’t be her undoing.