Chapter 2

“Time for bed, dear,” Edifel’s voice echoed through the library. Night had fallen, and I’d been wondering when she’d come to fetch me.

It seemed she was the one tasked with looking after me in Jekia’s absence.

The day had passed without much incident after Jekia had laid out his plans for me. I was nervous, sure, but I couldn’t ignore the potential benefits.

Jekia was everything he said he was.

If I played my cards right, I could find myself in a comfortable position in life by accepting his proposal.

But I couldn’t ignore the weight of his words when he told me what he expected from me.

To him, being a wife meant fully embracing the role, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that, even if I didn’t have a choice.

I’d had time to think about all this after our conversation.

Jekia had mentioned something else that needed his attention, so he’d left me alone in his palace while he took care of it.

I didn’t mind. I was free to explore the palace while he was gone, which kept me occupied for the rest of the evening.

I turned to Edifel, nodding politely. “Of course.”

Edifel gently lifted my chin with two fingers, making me look at her.

“No need for formalities with me,” she said softly.

“I’m just a servant here. Once you become Lord Jekia’s chosen one, I’ll be your servant.”

The idea of having a servant was strange to me. I’d always imagined myself in the role of servant, not the other way around.

I nodded, unable to find my voice. Edifel seemed to understand, leading me through the labyrinth of hallways.

The palace was huge. I’d counted at least twenty rooms during my exploration.

They varied from bedrooms to studies to three libraries. I couldn’t imagine most people had such luxuries. Maybe only the elite.

Edifel led me to a different bathroom than the one I’d been brought to when I first arrived with Jekia.

This one was large, like the previous one, but it seemed a bit more luxurious. The tub was built into the floor, and there were large mirrors on the far wall.

As I took in my surroundings, Edifel filled the tub, just like she had in the previous bathroom. Then she turned to me.

“Let’s get you cleaned up for the night. You wouldn’t want to be dirty for the lord,” she said.

“I guess,” I agreed reluctantly.

She had a point. Even though I didn’t feel dirty after the earlier bath, I’d spent a lot of time outside, enjoying the beautiful flowers and trees in the courtyard.

I tried to push my nerves aside as Edifel helped me out of my dress, then I slid into the bath.

The water was warm, and I could smell the floral scent of the soap she’d added.

I spent about ten minutes in the bath before Edifel helped me out and wrapped a large towel around me.

As she drained the tub, I looked around, realizing I didn’t see any night clothes.

“Are my night clothes in another room?” I asked her.

“Not at all. You don’t need them,” Edifel replied.

I stared at her, wide-eyed. “No need? But I have to wear something to sleep,” I protested.

“As I said, you don’t need anything at night,” Edifel repeated.

“You’re now considered a wife, so you must act like one, and give your nights to Lord Jekia as he wishes.”

My heart pounded at her words. She had to be joking.

“Is this really what Lord Jekia wants?” I managed to ask.

Edifel nodded. “Yes. He’s expressed this desire to me, and it’s reasonable, given the role he wants you to play.

“It’s also better for him to confirm this as soon as possible, since he’s the ruler here and needs a wife now.”

Was there anything I could say to that? It didn’t seem like it. Once again, I found myself wondering if this was good luck or bad.

“Come on,” Edifel urged, walking towards a door nearby. “You should relax in your room until he returns. You might need your rest before then.”

She opened the door, and I realized it led to the bedroom I’d been shown earlier. This was the room I’d be sharing with Jekia from now on.

I didn’t get a chance to protest any further as Edifel ushered me into the room and closed the door. I stood near it, trying to calm my racing heart.

Part of me wanted to run, but I knew it wouldn’t do any good.

Not only would Jekia likely catch me and bring me back, but the creatures in the forest might kill me before he had the chance.

After a few minutes, I moved to the bed, clutching my towel tightly around me as I sat against the headboard.

The room was quiet, with only a small oil lamp on the dresser providing light. I bowed my head, thinking about my family.

My father must have been furious. He and my mother probably thought I’d run away. They had no way of knowing I was here, in this situation.

When I told Jekia that my father was never happy with having a daughter, I meant it. I knew he resented me.

He’d wanted a son, someone to carry on the family name and take over the farm. But he never had any other children besides me.

My mother often blamed me for his drinking problem. If I’d been born a son, maybe he wouldn’t have turned to alcohol.

It wasn't surprising that they'd been so quick to sell me when the offer came. To them, I was worth nothing more than a handful of cash.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door opening. I looked up to see Jekia entering the room through the main door.

My nerves kicked into high gear, and I clutched the towel around me a little tighter.

He stood by the bed, looking at me with a satisfied smile. A moment of silence stretched between us before he finally broke it.

“Edifel seems to have done as I asked. I trust you have no objections?”

“Would it matter if I did?” I replied softly.

“Maybe not, but I can't imagine why you'd be afraid. You know you have to do as I say,” he reminded me.

“Yes, I suppose that's true,” I admitted reluctantly.

I turned my head away, closing my eyes to steady my nerves. I had no other options. Whatever was going to happen, would happen.

After what felt like an eternity, but was probably only a few minutes, I felt the bed shift as he climbed onto it.

I kept my eyes closed as he sat in front of me, but the light touch of his fingers on my neck and bare shoulder sent a shiver through me.

“You really are a beautiful woman,” he said.

“You've said that before,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

I managed to open my eyes and look at him, doing my best to stay calm. He was undressed and sitting in front of me, his eyes filled with a quiet lust as he took in my body.

Despite my nerves, I found myself studying him.

He looked so much like a human man, even though he was supposed to be a mythical creature. His skin was pale and flawless, his body firm and fit. He was strong, but lean and toned.

He smiled at my response. “You should take my words as compliments.

“I don't say these things just to flatter women. Most are quite ordinary.”

“You're not afraid to speak ill of others when it suits you,” I observed.

“I only speak my truth,” Jekia assured me. I stayed still as he leaned closer, his hand reaching for the top of the towel I was using to cover myself.

“Let's get on with this. I don't plan on waiting all night to claim you.”

I wasn't strong enough to stop him from pulling the towel away. The cool air of the room made my skin prickle as I was fully exposed.

That, and the nervous anticipation coursing through me. I'd never been naked in front of a man before.

“Please…,” I whispered. “Don't hurt me.”

“I have no intention of hurting you. I know you're human, so I'll be careful.

“I don't want to break you. I plan on enjoying you for a long time,” he whispered back.

Before I knew what was happening, he was kissing me. It was my first kiss.

It felt so good, his soft lips on mine, his skin against mine as he pulled me close.

My arms wrapped around his shoulders as my mind switched off and my body took over.

He pulled back slightly, then kissed me again, this time his tongue brushing against my lips. I opened my mouth shyly, and his tongue slipped inside, tangling with mine.

A soft sound escaped me as my heart pounded, my hands moving over his skin of their own accord.

Jekia’s mouth moved from mine, and I gasped as he kissed my neck. His open-mouthed kisses trailed down to my collarbone, then to the top of my right breast.

I couldn't stop a small cry from escaping as he licked my nipple and then took it into his mouth, his hand massaging my other breast.

My nipple was hard when he let it go, almost painfully so. Then he moved to my other breast, licking and sucking that nipple in the same way.

I moaned as I tilted my head back, lost in the erotic and pleasurable sensations coursing through me. Despite the lingering nerves, it felt amazing.

He moved back up to kiss me again, and I opened my mouth to let his tongue meet mine.

As we kissed, I realized I could feel something hard against my inner thigh. It took me a moment to realize it was his arousal.

He chuckled as he pulled away from me, looking at me with hungry eyes.

“You're so beautiful,” he breathed. “I can't wait any longer.”

I gasped as he forced my legs apart, and in an instant, I was being taken by a man for the first time.

I'd expected it to hurt, but it didn't. Instead, there was a strange sensation that filled me, a kind of excitement I'd never felt before.

It only grew stronger as he began to move, and I let him sink into me, feeling the fullness of him inside me.

“This… this is…,” I breathed.

“I knew you'd want me, and now I'll make sure you can never deny me,” Jekia whispered in my ear.

Even if I wanted to argue, I knew he was right.

I'd never felt anything like this before, and in just a few moments, it felt like my body craved every part of him. It was a worrying thought for the future.

His hips began to move slowly, his manhood sliding in and out of me. Without thinking, I spread my legs wider, gripping his sides.

Jekia made me lie on my back, leaning down to kiss my neck as he continued.

I held onto him tighter as his thrusts quickened. It felt so good that I couldn't stop myself from moaning, my hips moving in time with his.

“That's it,” Jekia breathed. “Let me take you.”

“Don’t stop! I need more!” I pleaded.

He lifted himself, his hips rolling as he plunged deep inside me once more. His hands held my legs apart, and a delicious warmth began to spread through my belly.

He continued to thrust, his own moans of pleasure now joining mine. I closed my eyes, surrendering to the bliss of feeling him move so deeply within me.

It was incredible. Just a little longer. A little longer and I…

A loud cry escaped my lips as a wave of heat surged through my most intimate parts, and my world blurred as my body clenched around him.

Amidst it all, I heard Jekia let out a deep moan of pleasure, and his warmth filled me as he buried himself inside me once more.

He had released himself inside me. My claiming was complete.

My body relaxed, and I rolled onto my side, my breath coming in deep, ragged gasps as I tried to return to reality. I felt Jekia shift over me, a soft kiss landing on my temple.

“You’re mine now, and I have no intention of letting you go,” he murmured.

“I have no intention of leaving. You’re right. I have nothing in my world, so letting you claim me is the best choice,” I murmured back.

I wouldn’t tell him how much I had enjoyed our coupling, or how a part of me yearned for it to happen again soon. That felt too much like giving him complete control over me.

Jekia moved to lie beside me, pulling me against him. I snuggled into his embrace, not worrying about anything for the moment.

Why should I? I was his now, and being with him was pleasurable. Our coupling had proven that.

“I think I’m going to enjoy this arrangement,” I heard him murmur, his voice heavy with sleep. “You’re exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

I sighed softly, allowing myself to relax, and before I knew it, sleep claimed me.

When I woke again, the bright morning light was streaming into the room. I blinked, trying to remember where I was.

My mind was foggy from sleep, and I wondered if the events of the previous day had been a dream.

But as I sat up in bed, reality came rushing back.

This room—it wasn’t mine. It was the room I had been brought to the night before, and this comfortable round bed was now my marital bed.

As if to remind me of the previous night, I looked down at myself and realized I was still naked.

Everything from the night before came flooding back, and a blush crept over my face. Had I really done that?

The answer was obvious, given my state and the wet sensation between my legs.

But I was alone in the room. Jekia must have left earlier, moving so quietly that he hadn’t woken me.

A pang of sadness hit me. I wished he had woken me, or at least told me he was leaving.

My eyes landed on a dress laid out on a nearby chair. It was similar to the one I had been given the day before, but it was pearl-colored with small beads around the waist.

The fabric shimmered in the morning sunlight, making it look beautiful.

A smile spread across my face as I slid out of bed. It was lovely. I couldn’t wait to try it on after I cleaned up.

As I approached the dress, something else caught my eye. There was a piece of parchment on the table next to it.

I picked it up and looked at it. Even though I had never been able to read before, I could easily read this. It was a note from Jekia.

~I’m sorry for leaving so early, my dear, but my mornings start early. I hope to see you at breakfast when you wake up, but don’t be upset if I can’t.~

~For now, I want you to wear this dress. It will suit your beautiful figure.~

He certainly knew how to flatter when he wanted to, but I couldn’t say I minded.

After all, my role here was to be a wife and keep him happy, even if I didn’t fully embrace the idea.

I went into the attached bathroom first, setting the dress and undergarments aside before looking at the tub.

I wasn’t sure how to fill it, but I decided to try what Edifel had done.

It worked. The bath filled, and I was able to clean myself up.

After drying off, I put on my clothes and sat at the vanity, running a brush through my long black hair. But as I did, I couldn’t stop looking at myself in the mirror.

I admit, this wasn’t something I had done much before. A poor farm girl like me didn’t have such luxuries.

But that wasn’t why I was studying myself now. Yes, I knew what I looked like. I’d seen my reflection enough times. But now, I was thinking about my current situation.

Jekia seemed to enjoy telling me I was beautiful and claimed he didn’t say it lightly. Was I really that beautiful to him?

Well, I wouldn’t call myself ugly, but I still didn’t understand his infatuation with me.

Once I was ready, I left the bedroom to see if I could find anyone.

There had to be some servants around somewhere. I couldn’t imagine a place this big without them.

I stopped when I reached the northern parlor. Voices were coming from there. I listened closely and realized one of them was Jekia.

So he was here. Maybe he had just returned from whatever business he had to attend to.

Another voice responded to him. It was also male, but there was a note of alarm in his tone.

Curiosity piqued, I quietly stepped beside the archway to peek inside.

The room, like most of the others, was large, and I could see Jekia standing about ten feet away.

In front of him was another creature, kneeling as if in submission. He wore elegant dark silk clothes that complemented his dark brown hair.

He had pointed ears and sharp violet eyes. Clear wings sprouted from his back.

~Could he be a fairy?~ I pondered. Jekia had mentioned their existence here.

The fairy man seemed quite agitated as he continued his conversation with Jekia. “But my lord, I only brought you the finest the land had to offer.”

“And none of them were even remotely suitable for me. I’ve told you time and again, I have no patience for women who only seek to secure a position at my side.

“Such feeble minds are unworthy of even approaching me,” Jekia retorted.

His voice was always steady and smooth, but the undercurrent of annoyance was hard to miss.

The fairy held his ground, even though he didn’t move from his spot.

“But sire, they all had flawless pedigrees. They were from the most prestigious families. They would have been perfect to continue your lineage,” he argued.

Jekia maintained his cool demeanor as he looked at him. It was somewhat unsettling how he managed to do that.

“I’ve made it clear before that I don’t care about such things. If I’m not attracted to them, they mean nothing to me.

“Besides, this conversation is over. I no longer require such services, as I’ve found someone myself,” he declared.

He glanced towards the archway as he said this, clearly aware that I had been there the whole time. The fairy’s gaze followed his to where I was standing.

I stepped into the archway, bowing my head politely.

“I apologize for eavesdropping, my lord.”

“I don’t mind you overhearing such things. Come here,” Jekia commanded.

I obeyed, walking over to his side. I must admit, my heart started to pound as memories of the previous night flooded my mind. It was quite difficult to push them aside.

The fairy was outraged when he saw me.

“You’ve chosen a human as your consort?!” he roared.

“I have,” Jekia confirmed. I gasped as he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer. “This human woman is now my beta, and I’ve made sure to claim her as such.

“That being said, make sure everyone knows that if I see any disrespect towards her or my choice, I won’t hesitate to impale the offender.”

“Please reconsider, Lord Jekia! She’s just a human! She can’t bear your esteemed lineage!” the fairy pleaded.

Jekia remained unmoved, his hold on me firm. “Silence!” he commanded. Suddenly, it felt like a massive pressure descended on the room, and the fairy fell to his knees, trembling.

“I’m the one who makes the decisions here, and Lana is my decision. There’s no room for argument as I’ve claimed her, and no one will dare challenge me on this. Is that clear?”

“Y-yes! Crystal clear, sire!” the fairy agreed, his voice shaking. He then scurried out of the room.

I turned to Jekia once he was gone.

“I don’t think he approves of your choice to have me,” I observed.

“His opinion is irrelevant, and he knows it. I’m free to do as I please, and I have.

“Besides, I was telling the truth. None of the women he presented interested me,” Jekia scoffed.

“It seems so,” I conceded.

He released me, turning to adjust the low collar of my dress. A soft shiver ran through me as his gentle claw traced the tops of my breasts.

“This color suits you, and I do like how these dresses highlight your lovely figure. I’ll make sure Edifel makes more for you,” he continued.

My face flushed again, though I tried to steer the conversation in a different direction.

“I apologize for bringing this up again, and you have every right to tell me I’m overstepping, but I have to ask: what if everyone reacts like that to the news of me being here?” I asked.

Jekia took my question in stride. “I don’t mind you asking such things, nor do I care what others think or believe.

“They’ll just have to accept my decision, and I’m sure there won’t be any complaints about you once they see how you satisfy me.”

“I suppose, my lord,” I conceded.

“You’re very formal, and I like that about you. But I also want to see more of your spirited side. So, when it’s just us, you can use my name,” Jekia added.

“You really would allow that?”

“I would. In fact, I’d like to hear you say it now.”

I blushed again under his intense gaze. “Yes, of course. I’m quite honored that you would allow me this, Jekia.”

He smiled as he heard this. “Ah yes, just as I thought. My name sounds wonderful coming from your lips.”

Yes, he was definitely a charmer in every sense of the word. But I didn’t mind. At least he was interested in me.

I looked around us as we stood there. “Jekia, may I ask you something?” I requested.

“You may,” he permitted.

“Are there not many servants here, or do they just stay out of sight?”

“They come and go. I prefer not to be surrounded by them too much, and I don’t like the idea of gossip spreading from my palace.”

“I see.”

“But with that said,” Jekia continued, “I’m also assigning Edifel to serve you. It’s only fitting for my beta to have her as a maidservant.

“If there’s anything you need or want, just call out to her. She’ll always respond immediately.”

“Yes, I understand,” I agreed.

Jekia looked around us, taking in the silence. He seemed to be contemplating something before he spoke again.

“Tell me, Lana, would you like to explore more of these lands today?” he suggested.

“Is it safe for me to do so?” I asked.

Jekia’s invitation was tempting, but I couldn’t shake off the fear from what I’d witnessed the previous day.

Jekia laughed, a genuine smile spreading across his face. It was a refreshing change from his usual guarded expressions.

“Don’t worry. You’re safe with me. I doubt you want to be stuck here forever.

“Besides, you’re giving me what I want. It’s only fair I do the same for you,” he said.

I looked down, the fairy’s words from earlier echoing in my mind, stirring up doubts.

“I understand that, but do you really think they’ll accept me? That man was right. I’m just a human woman. I can’t match your power.”

“Only three others in this world can match my power. No one else has the right to question my decisions,” Jekia said.

I gasped as he pulled me close. “Like I told you last night, you’re mine now. I’ve made my intentions clear, and I’ve claimed you. What others think or say doesn’t matter.”

~I was his.~

The thought kept repeating in my mind as I felt his body against mine. But I couldn’t let myself get carried away. I could never be his equal, and he didn’t love me.

I was his possession, his lover, his companion. Whether he called me his wife or not didn’t change that.

My thoughts were interrupted when he cupped my face and kissed me. It was a passionate kiss that sent a thrill through me. How could such a creature be so captivating?

“You’re so beautiful,” Jekia whispered, pulling back slightly. His hands slid down to my hips.

“I’d love to take you again right now, but maybe we should wait until tonight. I did promise to take you out.”

“Yes, of course. Whatever you want,” I said, trying to calm the excitement his kiss and touch had stirred within me.

I might have a problem with this lust he was awakening in me.

Jekia kissed me again before taking my hand.

“Let’s go. I have the day off, so let’s enjoy it.”

Soon, we were in the courtyard, heading towards the entrance to the forest.

I stayed close to Jekia as we stepped through the archway, immediately feeling the change in the atmosphere. The forest was as vibrant and alive as I remembered.

Birds were singing in the trees, and I could hear the sound of a stream nearby.

I stayed by Jekia’s side as we walked along a dirt path through the towering trees.

“This is so beautiful. It’s so different from my world. Is there really a gateway between our worlds here?” I asked.

“There is,” Jekia confirmed. “The Veil and the mortal world intersect at various points and are connected by different gateways.

“Most humans can’t stumble through them, but there are exceptions like you. I don’t know why.

“Maybe people like you have something in your blood that connects you to our world.

“There have been many cases in the past, and some in the present, of creatures from our world having children with humans.”

That caught my attention. “Is that why you’re not worried about me having your children?”

“Exactly. I think you’ll be a great mother to our children when the time comes, but I’m not planning on that anytime soon,” Jekia said.

We stopped as a large creature slowly crossed the path a few feet in front of us.

I moved closer to Jekia, recognizing the creature from when I’d first arrived in this world. It was huge, its exterior resembling tree bark.

“What is that?” I asked.

“That, my dear, is a woodlex. They’re big, but mostly gentle and peaceful,” Jekia said.

He put a hand on my shoulder, turning to face me. “Now, that snake you saw yesterday is a different story. They’re some of the top predators in this forest.

“But you don’t have to worry about them when you’re with me. All these creatures, even the wild ones, know better than to challenge me.”

“I suppose,” I said, not entirely convinced.

Jekia looked amused as he saw me watching the woodlex disappear into the trees.

“Don’t worry so much. Let’s keep going. We’re almost out of the forest.”

He was right. The trees were thinning out, and the path led to open fields. In the distance, I could see what looked like a town.

“Want to see what a town here is like?” Jekia asked.

“Yes, I’d love to,” I said.

Jekia picked me up effortlessly. “We’ll get there faster this way.”

It was just like when he’d found me in the forest. His movements were swift and smooth. We reached the town in no time.

The town reminded me of the one near our farm. It was small, with houses and shops. There were all sorts of creatures walking around.

I never thought I’d see elves, gnomes, fairies, and imps. It was amazing.

Everyone noticed us as we walked. I heard whispers from the crowd.

“That’s Lord Jekia! He’s visiting us! How wonderful.”

“Is that his new mistress? She’s pretty for a human.”

“She suits the lord well.”

I tried not to pay too much attention to the whispers. I’d expected this.

Everyone was going to be staring at me, the human girl their leader had abruptly chosen as his partner.

A towering male figure approached us as we reached the town center. He was tall, with a chiseled jaw and unruly red hair.

I tilted my head, studying him. Was he an ogre? He sure looked like one.

Jekia greeted him with a calm nod.

“You noticed my arrival right away, Hamish.”

“Good afternoon, Lord Jekia. We’re honored to have you here. Is there anything you need that we can assist with?” Hamish replied, bowing his head.

~Wow~, I thought, ~they all treat Jekia like a deity.~

“No, there isn’t. I was just showing my beta around and thought she might like to see your town. It’s one of the nicer ones,” Jekia replied.

Hamish immediately bowed to me. “My deepest apologies, my lady. I didn’t recognize you. Please, feel free to visit anytime.”

“Thank you,” I managed to say.

I wasn’t used to this kind of attention. Being treated like I mattered was a new experience for me.

Jekia waved his hand dismissively. “It’s all good, Hamish. Lana is still adjusting to our world, so I’d appreciate it if you all made her feel welcome. I’m sure you can do that.”

Hamish eagerly agreed. “Yes, of course. I look forward to serving our lady.”

“Excellent.” Jekia took my arm. “For now, I want to show Lana around a bit more.”

Hamish nodded, excused himself, and disappeared. I turned to Jekia as we started walking.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

We ended up at a small shop at the edge of town. Its windows were dark, and as soon as I stepped inside with Jekia, I understood why. It was a jewelry shop.

I’d never seen so many beautiful pieces of jewelry. We were too poor for such luxuries. My mother didn’t even have a wedding ring.

Seeing all the stunning jewels adorned with every kind of gemstone was breathtaking.

While I was gawking, Jekia went to the counter where a slender woman with long blonde hair stood.

She was wearing a simple white dress and had a narrow face with large dark eyes.

“Good day, Lord Jekia,” she greeted him in a soft voice. “I assume you’re here for the order you placed.”

“I am. It’s ready, isn’t it?” Jekia asked.

“Of course, sire. I’ll get it right away.” The woman nodded.

She moved silently away from the counter, heading to a back room. I joined Jekia at the counter, curious about what he had ordered.

“What did you order?”

Jekia gave me a knowing smile. “You’ll see in a moment.”

The woman was already returning as he spoke. She held a small, velvet black box. Jekia took it from her and turned to me.

“I took the liberty of making our arrangement a bit more official. This will solidify your eternal connection to me,” he said.

I watched as he opened the box. Inside was a beautiful ring. The band was pure silver, and a stunning yellow diamond was set in the middle.

I could have sworn the diamond sparkled as he slid the ring onto my finger.

“This is…for me?” I asked.

“It is,” Jekia confirmed. “This diamond contains a piece of me, and as I said, it will solidify your connection to me.

“As my beta, you will always wear this as a symbol of your status.”

I stared at the ring in awe. Even if it was a symbol of my bond to him, I loved it. It meant something more to me in this strange twist of fate.

Not long after, Jekia decided it was time to return to the palace.

The afternoon was fading, and he didn’t want to be near the forest when darkness fell.

I didn’t mind. I didn’t want to be out there in the dark either.

But back at the palace, I still wasn’t allowed to leave his side. He hadn’t forgotten what happened earlier that day.

I realized this when he led me to a hidden spot in the courtyard.

It was a small area, surrounded by thick briars that blocked the view. We entered through a small opening hidden among the briars.

The grass was soft and green. I knelt to touch it. This world could be so beautiful.

“I must admit, I love my palace. I can create many hidden spots like this when I need to escape for a while,” Jekia said, kneeling beside me.

“It’s beautiful here. Did you want me to see these places?” I asked.

“That was part of it,” Jekia confirmed. I sat on my knees as he moved behind me. “But I’m sure you remember what I said before we left. I’ve been patient.”

I wasn’t surprised by his words, or the feeling of him slowly lifting my skirt over my thighs. I knew this was part of our agreement.

I was to be his wife, his beta, as he’d started calling it.

I was there to be his lover.

“Yes, I remember, but do you really want to do this here?” I had to ask.

“I don’t see why not. It’s secluded, and I think it’ll be comfortable enough for us.”

“Alright.”

While a small part of me was still hesitant, I couldn’t deny that a larger part of me wanted this. I was starting to believe he had done something more the night before.

There was no other explanation for why I wanted this so much.

I twisted around in his arms, allowing him to kiss me deeply. My hands rested on his chest as he started to kiss my neck, and I noticed the sparkle of my ring.

It was as if my blood surged in response, and a warmth spread through my lower body. Was this his doing, through the connection we’d established? If so, it was a delicious kind of torment.

“You really do satisfy my desires. I can’t imagine ever growing tired of you,” Jekia murmured, pulling back slightly to gaze at me.

I could feel the blush that had spread across my face. “I don’t want you to ever grow tired of me,” I murmured in return.

Jekia kissed my collarbone. “As much as I love seeing more of your gorgeous body, I’d much rather be inside you right now.”

“Yes,” I exhaled.

I stood up, slipping off my underwear as he sat back and did the same. My heart pounded as I took in the sight of his erect cock.

He was more than ready to take me again, and I admit, I craved the feeling of him inside me.

I straddled him, gripping him as I slowly lowered myself. That familiar sensation of heat shot through my entire body as his cock slid into me.

I moaned in pleasure, closing my eyes to savor the wonderful feeling of being filled.

I didn’t give a damn about anything else but this moment. Just like the previous night, all I wanted was for him to be inside me, to let me relive that incredible erotic pleasure.

Our intimate act transitioned to me on my hands and knees, with him behind me. His thrusts were smooth yet fast, sending waves of pleasure through me.

“Oh yes! Deeper! Please, go deeper!” I pleaded, almost out of breath.

“I love how it feels to be inside you,” Jekia breathed, pushing his entire cock into me. “Move for me. Make me come inside you.”

I did as he instructed, my hips starting to move against him. It was easy to fall into a steady rhythm, and I heard him moaning along with me as I continued.

That familiar heat was building in my belly again, and I moved harder, feeling like my entire body was focused on him being inside me.

Finally, that heat exploded again, sending my pussy into wild spasms around him.

This was a level of ecstasy I’d never known before meeting him, something so beautiful and forbidden, and something I felt like I could never get enough of, now that I’d experienced it.

“Ah, yes…,” Jekia breathed. He leaned forward, thrusting into me a few more times before he came inside me, filling me with his warm seed.

As I regained my breath, he lifted me back into his arms, turning me to kiss him again before I clung to him, my face nestled in the crook of his neck as I tried to catch my breath.

This feeling of being here with him, of belonging to him, was so surreal, unlike anything I could have ever dared to dream.

Yet his words to me kept echoing in my mind. They were the one sobering reminder of the life I had now been drawn into.

“You will always be mine,” he whispered. “And I never plan to let you go.”