Chapter Twelve

His lips were so soft. Much softer than I had imagined a man's lips to be. And he most definitely seemed to know what he was doing as he slowly kissed me, the crowd around us cheering as our marriage was finalized. When we pulled apart, I was pretty sure my face was bright red. And when I opened my eyes, William was staring down at me with a small smile, sage eyes sparkling before he looked away from me and nodded towards the little band. When they began playing soft music, William gently took my hand and led me back down the aisle, leading me back inside the castle.

"Well, we're officially married now," he spoke, softly enough that I could still hear him. He glanced down at me. "How do you feel?"

I nibbled at my bottom lip, my mind continuously going back to that finalizing kiss, the way his lips felt against mine. I blushed and kept my gaze averted. "Free, honestly. I know it's weird to say, but I'm happier around you and Anthony than I am around my own flesh and blood. I realize it's pretty sad of me to say that, but my entire life was set around what Mother and Father wanted of me, and I understand being royalty is the same thing, but to me it's not quite the same."

William looked sad for me, but he nodded anyway as he smiled and waved at a few individuals that passed us. "Speaking of family, I saw that your father spoke not a word to you as he was bringing you to me. I don't know what excreted in his breakfast, but he seems like a jerk."

I chuckled and gently swatted his arm. "To be honest he is, although I will never tell him that. To be honest he hasn't had much to do with me my entire life. I believe it is because Mother took me under her wing and didn't really allow Father to be...well...a father to me. Maybe it was because Mother was grooming me for you." I looked up at him, looking deep within those sage eyes. "What about you? How do you feel now that we're officially married?"

William surprised me when he blushed darkly, his sunkissed skin flushing red as he averted his eyes. "Honestly? Nervous. Because Father will be expecting us to...well..."

Now I was the one with a blush on my face once I put together the rest of his sentence. That's right. We were supposed to begin trying for an heir tonight. Oh sweet nuggets, now here I go being nervous again. Quit that, I scolded myself as I bit my bottom lip, there is no need to be nervous over something you knew would eventually happen. Yet, what if I messed up? William will guide you. What if I seemed too needy?

"Ah, here we are."

I pulled myself out of my doubting head and looked around the dining room, smelling the different kinds of food that were laid out on the large tables. My stomach immediately rumbled and I blushed darkly when William sent an amused smile my way. "Come, we sit up in the center table." I nibbled at my bottom lip as he led me up the short stairs to our table, before we both took a seat. I noticed Anthony giving me a nod before he left to no doubt begin leading our guests inside.

"Oh yes, how do you like the decorations? Mother thought light pink and gold was the way to go, and I do actually agree with her." William spoke to me, causing me to blink and glance at him.

"They're very nice," I responded truthfully, taking a gander at the large room. Streamers of pink and gold swung from the ceiling in elegant swoops, and each large table had a pale gold table cloth draped over them, a few of the tables being decorated with flowers and food. Her Highness really did put a lot of thought and effort into this, and I had to make sure I thanked her when I saw her again.

Dinner came and went faster than a tsunami decimating an entire town, and the next thing I knew I was wearing nothing but a thin robe as I was escorted to William's room. The individual who allowed me entrance let me know that my husband would only be but a moment, and to just wait until he came back. And once they left I nibbled at my bottom lip, heart beating so fast in my chest that I was surprised I hadn't fainted by now.

Ok...should I wait for him normally, or do I do some kind of pose for him when he came back? Do I leave my robe on? I mean, if he was going to take it off of me anyway, surely I didn't need it, right? I stared down at the thin, pink fabric, shaking my head when embarrassment filled me. No, I would keep it on until it was time. I would rather it be then, than do it now and risk a servant seeing my nude body. Gosh, I was already nervous about William seeing it. I mean, would he like it? I wasn't too thin for his liking, right? Then again, I doubt he would care too much seeing as he preferred men. Goodness, maybe me being as flat chested as I was, was a good thing.

I walked over and sat on the bed, inhaling the freshly washed scent that clung to the silky sheets. Where was William, anyway? Did Henry request for him? Was he asking Anthony for advice? What was taking so long? I sighed and leaned back onto the bed, wincing when I saw my image staring back at me. That's right, I forgot he had a mirror above his bed. Goodness, was I going to witness myself being lain with?

I let my eyes trail down my flushed face, down to my lips. I lifted a hand and poked it, thinking back to that kiss. Was he going to kiss me again? Or did lovemaking not warrant kisses? Goodness, now that I think about it I realized just how little I knew about lovemaking. What do I do? Do I pleasure him? Is he to pleasure me? Who would be the one to initiate it? I frowned, my reflection doing the same. Probably him, to be honest. I would be too shy to initiate anything.

"Ah, sorry to keep you waiting, Father wanted to congratulate me, and Mother wanted to give me...tips, as embarrassing and just...wrong that is. I mean seriously, how weird is it that your own mother would give you tips on sex? It's just weird," William spoke once he entered the room, causing my heart to jolt in my chest.

I sat up, watching as William walked over to that little table, before he poured himself a glass of his whiskey. "She's just trying to help. Actually, maybe something she said will help you since...you know...you've only been with men."

William turned his gaze towards me, leaning against the table. "Actually she did. But, that's beside the point." He paused for a second. "I know it's probably futile to ask, but would you like a drink?"

I nibbled at my bottom lip, watching the man's eyes light up in surprise when I nodded. "Yes I would. M-Maybe the alcohol will ease my nerves, if only a little bit." I stood up from the bed and walked over to him, thanking him when he poured me a small glass of whiskey. I winced when I guzzled it down, the liquid burning my throat as I swallowed, shivering from the intensity of it. "Are you drinking to relax too?" I asked him, watching as those sage eyes dropped to his glass.

He nodded. "Yeah." He sighed and guzzled the rest of his drink before he took my glass and sat both of them down on the table. "Well, I guess we better get started. Ah...if I do something that makes you uncomfortable, or hurt you accidentally in any way...please let me know and I will try to adjust myself. If there is any time you want to stop, don't hesitate to tell me. Ok?"

I nodded, butterflies making it hard to breathe as my nerves went out of control. I was worried I was going to have a heart attack when my husband walked closer to me, gently cupping my cheeks. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, before he took a breath and leaned down, pressing his lips against mine. I felt my eyes immediately close as I hummed softly, allowing myself to rest my hands on William's shoulders as we kissed, my heart racing a mile a minute.

I felt him press his hands against either side of my waist, and shivered when I felt his tongue against my bottom lip. Wait, people can kiss with tongues? I wondered to myself as I allowed him entrance, shivering when his tongue touched mine.

Arousal swelled within me as William pulled away from my mouth, pulling my robe down a bit before he began kissing my neck, nearly causing me to fall when my knees buckled. Luckily, William caught me by the waist, littering kisses across my pale skin. So this was what pleasure felt like? No wonder men killed for pleasure, it was an indescribable feeling that had even my toes tingling. I didn't even know my toes could tingle. Wow, I was learning so much.

Admittedly, I was shivering when I felt William's hands at the ties of my robes, the man expertly pulling the tie apart before he gently pushed the fabric from my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor as the air cooled my heated flesh. My eyes were still closed when William pulled his lips from my neck, and I waited for him to touch me, caress me...but he didn't. No...I felt his warmth pull away from me, and for a moment, I wondered if he was getting something, but when he spoke, I knew that wasn't the case.

"What the hell is this?"

Finally, I opened my eyes, my brows furrowing in worry at the flabbergasted look that was on William's face, my own face heating up the longer he stared at me. "W-What's wrong?" I glanced down at my body, suddenly feeling self-conscious as I bent down and grabbed my robe, shielding my body with it. "I-I know I don't have the prettiest body a woman can have, but-"

William shook his head, his eyes glued to me as he continued to stare at me, nearly causing me to faint from how tight my chest was. "Melani...do you really not understand what's happening?"

I frowned. "W-We were about to lay with one another-"

William finally tore his gaze away from me, running a tanned hand through his hair before he grabbed a few blond strands, almost looking like he was in turmoil when he turned his gaze back to me. "You honestly don't understand...Melani..." he inhaled, dropping his hands from his hair. "...you're a man."

A/N: And the truth is REVEALED! *gasp*.