Diplomacy: A Princess's Guide Pt. 05

Disclaimer: All characters, that engage in sexual activities are older than 21!

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I woke up the next morning, my head resting on Aedan's bare chest and my hand on his stomach. His naked upper body was... nice to look at. Very nice to look at.

His left arm was underneath me, holding me to him, as his right one was resting on the back of his head, a strand of hair hanging over his eyes, that were closed in a peaceful sleep.

I couldn't help but trace a finger over his defined abs, as I admired the way his muscles moved beneath the skin with each breath.

My fingers traveled further down his stomach and a bit up to his chest, where his heart was beating calmly.

I couldn't help but marvel at the perfect, muscled chest of a man, I could happily spend a day looking at.

My fingers wandered to the little strip of hair that disappeared under the blanket.

He was handsome, smart, witty and a good friend, but he was a man and right now, he was just the sexiest man I had ever seen.

I traced my finger along the skin and his muscles twitched lightly.

How could he sleep through this? I looked at his face and realized that he was grinning, but he was faking being asleep.

So he was awake the whole time, enjoying my caresses.

I rolled my eyes and sighed, but couldn't suppress a smile, while I continued to admire him.

His body was strong, his skin was tanned, his arms and legs were muscular and he had a scar here and there, which only made him more handsome in my eyes.

I traced my finger over his stomach, up to his chest and back down, as far as I could reach.

"Mhm, you can keep doing that, you know, princess?" he mumbled and yawned.

"Oh, so you are awake?" I asked and he nodded.

"Yes, I have been awake the whole time, watching you play with my body, while you had a little adventure yourself."

"Glad, I could entertain you!" He grinned.

He yawned again, as he pulled me a bit closer, kissing the top of my head.

"Let's stay in bed, a little longer," he whispered and closed his eyes again, while he rubbed his fingers up and down my back.

"Gladly," I murmured and traced my fingers up his ribs, over his chest and to his shoulders, as I enjoyed the touch of his skin, the sound of his heart and his warm, bare body beneath mine.

He was here with me, holding me, letting me be close. And I would not waste this chance.

***

We joined the others in the library, as we would have another meeting regarding the dam here, our fingers intertwined, when Kassandra looked up at us.

"By the goddess, finally!" she said and looked up from the book.

"Finally what?" I asked and Aedan chuckled beside me.

"You guys took a while."

I blushed deeply, looking around but luckily Asher was not there.

"Your mating bond has finally snapped in place, I can smell it," Carr said casually and I cocked my head in confusion.

"But we have been bonded before...," I said and Kassandra looked at me.

"But you have to..."

"Fuck," Carr completed her sentence and she rolled her eyes.

"Yes, exactly," she said and continued, "you have to fuck, the connection won't form properly otherwise."

"Are you serious?" Aedan asked, his mouth gaping.

"Lex, did you seriously not pay attention in class? Don't tell me, you didn't know that!" Kassandra said, her eyebrows raised, as she placed the book on the table.

"Well... no."

"Aedan!" she scolded him and then groaned while she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ugh, you will have the hots for each other for at least a week, probably longer. I hope you will be able to concentrate, though." She winked and I blushed deeply. I mean, my desire for him had been high the last few days anyway, would that increase? Even further? It couldn't get more intense! Could it? I swallowed dryly, suddenly feeling really hot, as Aedan seemed lost in thoughts, but Kassandra eyed me suspiciously, obviously realizing something.

"You didn't know? Did you?" Kassandra asked. I shook my head. No I hadn't. Not in the slightest.

"Can we change the topic, please?" I asked, a deep blush covering my face and she grinned.

Luckily the door opened and Asher and the Queen entered.

"We have to find out, what poisoned the water in the dam and what made the weather change all of a sudden," I said and the Queen nodded, while Asher was busy trying to not look at me.

I was wearing a tight, blue dress with a sweetheart neckline, that came down to my knees, revealing a bit of cleavage, and hugged my curves, leaving little to imagination. Not that he had to imagine things, as he had seen me naked in nearly every angle.

"What is the connection between the dam and the storm?" Kassandra asked, leaning back in her chair, her arms crossed in front of her chest, her eyebrows furrowed.

"I don't know, but they have to be connected somehow," I replied and Aedan nodded.

"Once we were up there, hell broke loose. There is still the huge crack in the earth."

"Yeah, that is a problem, it could have been a natural occurrence, but I would assume it is the work of magic," Kassandra said and tapped her lips with her index finger.

"Magic?" Asher asked skeptically.

"What other explanation would there be?" Carr asked and leaned forward, his brows furrowed.

"I don't know, maybe some strange experiment?"

"A scientist trying to create a natural disaster?" Kassandra asked, while she cocked an eyebrow and Asher shook his head.

"You are right. But magic is so..."

"Unbelievable?" I offered and rubbed my mark, which was definitely magical.

"Yeah, something like that," he agreed, but frowned, as he looked at me.

"Do you remember anything that could help us, Enya?"

I looked at Aedan, who seemed to think as well.

"I had a feeling that something bad would happen," he said and rubbed his chin, while his other hand rested on the table.

"The dam, the river, the drought, the storms, they are all connected, I am sure of it. If we find out how and why, we will find the solution."

"Yes, but how can we find out, when we can't get near it?" the Queen asked and sighed.

"Are there any phenomena recorded in this area?" I asked and everyone in the room looked at me.

"What?" Kassandra asked and raised an eyebrow.

"Phenomena? Strange weather patterns, unusual plant growths, animals behaving strangely?" I asked and looked at them.

"Well I guess, I will be locking myself into the library and will try to find something," I said and looked at the rest of the group. "Anyone else?"

"I will go with you, to help with the research, I guess," Aedan offered and looked at the others.

"Alright, I will come along, too," Asher said.

"And I will check the archives and the history of the region," Carr offered and the Queen nodded.

"Very well, let's do this!"

***

We spent the next few days reading and researching, but nothing seemed to fit.

"This is leading nowhere," I sigh and let myself fall back to the armrest of the couch. My legs were resting on Aedan's legs and he looked up from his book.

"We are missing something."

"I don't know what," he sighed and closed his book, before he changed his position and took my bare feet into his hands.

We had been in the library the last four days and at first, we were sitting at desks, but after the second day, all of us were looking for more comfortable positions.

Carr was lying on a couch on his own, Kassandra was crouched in an armchair and Asher was sitting on the floor, his back leaning against a shelf, his legs stretched out in front of him.

I had taken my pumps off earlier and sighed, when Aedan started massaging my feet.

"What are we missing, Aedan?" I asked and closed my eyes, when he hit a spot, that made my toes curl.

"I don't know, but we have to find out."

"I would kill for a break," I grumbled and Asher chuckled.

"Maybe a break wouldn't be such a bad idea."

I looked over my shoulder at him, as he got up.

"Anyone fancy a round of sparring?" he asked and looked at Aedan.

"Sounds good to me," Aedan said, put my feet aside and got up, too. "What about you, Enya?"

"Yes, sounds like fun," I replied and sat up, stretching my arms.

"I could use a break. Kassandra, will you spar with me?"

She grinned and got up. "Of course, Enya, it will be my pleasure."

"I will gladly watch," Carr grinned as he looked between Kassandra and me and she rolled her eyes.

"Sure, stud."

He grinned and we walked out of the library, to the training grounds.

I quickly changed into a tank top and shorts, it was still incredibly hot.

Kassandra was already waiting, only wearing a sports bra and shorts herself.

We both stretched a little, before we began.

She attacked and I parried her attack, when I ducked under her arm, but she was quicker and landed a hit on my shoulder, before I grabbed her wrist and pushed her arm behind her back, using her body weight to make her stumble backwards.

She grinned and lunged at me again, as she feinted a punch to my left and kicked my right leg out from under me.

I jumped away from her and we exchanged blows for a while, before I jumped back, just to dodge her fist, as I brought my knee up to hit her in the ribs.

"Nice hit," she grunted and I could hear Carr chuckle from the fence. He was enjoying this thoroughly.

She jumped forward and I spun around, but I wasn't quick enough and she hit my hip, before I grabbed her hand and turned her, so she fell onto her back.

She managed to turn her fall into a roll and came up in front of me, punching me in the ribs.

I sprang backwards, trying to create some space between us, while she stalked towards me, her movements slow, but precise and dangerous, as she circled around me, keeping an eye on my hands, but I waited for the right moment to strike.

When she was close enough, I took the chance and jumped at her, before I wrapped my legs around her waist and rolled, making her fall onto her back, before I was on top of her.

My elbow pressed against her throat.

"Ugh, you win," she grunted and I got up, extending my hand to help her up and she took it, while she stretched her back and arms.

"That was so hot," I heard Carr from the fence and Kassandra flipped him off.

"You're welcome," I told him and he snorted.

"I think I would like to see that more often."

"I am sure you would," Kassandra growled and flipped him off again, while Carr chuckled.

"Where are Aedan and Asher?" I asked him and he pointed at the other end of the training field, where the two men were sparring with swords.

"I have to see this," Kassandra said and together we walked over.

They were indeed sparring with swords and both had taken their shirts off.

"It just got a lot hotter," Kassandra said, as she leaned against the fence and fanned herself with air.

I grinned, because I totally understood.

Aedan and Asher were facing each other, their eyes focused on the other, both breathing a little heavier than usual, as sweat glistened on their muscled upper bodies.

"Ready?" Aedan asked and Asher nodded, as they both took a fighting stance and charged at the same time, clashing swords in the middle.

They both moved quickly and the swords were clashing more often than not, their muscles flexing as they both used all their strength, their feet moving elegantly, while their arms swung their weapons in graceful arcs.

Kassandra and I watched them silently, both of us mesmerized by the sight before us.

Carr joined us on the other side of the fence and looked at us, "You seem to enjoy the view."

"Absolutely," Kassandra said bluntly and I huffed.

"Oh, come on, you have to agree, they look fantastic."

I nodded, while Kassandra grinned, "I could watch that for hours."

I snorted and grinned, "Me too."

"So, which one is better?" she asked and looked between Aedan and Asher, who were still sparring, neither one of them willing to give up the fight just yet.

They glanced at each other, before Asher stepped forward and lunged, as he attacked Aedan.

Aedan blocked the first strike, before he spun around, and his sword clashed against Ashers, as the latter deflected his attack.

Aedan ducked under Ashers arm, when he tried to bring his sword down on him, and he kicked Ashers legs from under him, before he pinned him to the ground, his sword at Ashers throat, before he helped him up.

"Well that was unexpected," Kassandra grinned and I laughed.

"Yeah, Aedan really knew how to deal with him."

Asher and Aedan walked over, when they saw us.

"That was amazing," Kassandra said and I nodded.

"How was your sparring? Who won?" Aedan asked me, the sweat still glistening on his skin and his chest heaving slightly.

"Kassandra and I were pretty evenly matched, but I managed to get her in the end," I told him, as I handed him a bottle of water, which he gratefully took, drinking half of it in one go.

"Nice," he replied and smiled, his eyes sparkling, as they landed on me.

I couldn't help but smile, as I looked at him and my heart beat a bit faster, when my eyes wandered down to his sweaty chest and I could clearly see his defined pecs and abs. Damn, we had sex twice a day at least, since we had been mated but it was never enough. Unintentionally I bit my lower lip and Asher groaned.

Aedan softened my lower lip with his thumb and I looked up at him, his eyes darkened with lust, his nostrils flaring a little.

I was glad, the others were here, or else Aedan would have had me right there, right then.

"I'll take a shower," Asher announced and walked off.

"That sounds like a good idea," Kassandra said and winked at Aedan, before she followed Asher inside, leaving Carr and me alone with Aedan.

Carr cleared his throat and took a step forward, "Well, I will do the same."

He looked at Aedan. "Thank you for the lesson," he said and patted Aedans shoulder, before he followed Asher and Kassandra, leaving Aedan and I alone.

"I should shower, too. Kassandra threw me in the dirt, like a few times, so I better wash the dirt off," I said and grinned at Aedan, as I walked past him.

"Hey Enya."

"Hmm?" I looked over my shoulder at him, as he grabbed my arm and pulled me into his arms, his mouth immediately claiming mine in a heated kiss.

"We should probably go inside," I said breathlessly and he nodded, while he pulled me into another kiss.

"Mhm, I will take a shower."

"You can take it with me, if you like," I offered and he grinned.

"I will be happy to join you."

***

Aedan's POV

I would never get enough of her, ever.

It was the summer solstice morning and we had already missed the sunrise observation, but I couldn't care less.

Enya was still soundly asleep in my arms, her face buried in my chest, her soft breasts against me and her legs intertwined with mine.

I could wake up like this every day for the rest of my life and I would not mind it at all.

We had to get up today eventually, as I had to attend the solstice festivities and I didn't know yet, if she would accompany me or not.

Her fingers twitched against my stomach and I pulled her closer to my body. She had the habit of tracing her fingertips over my upper body, when she woke and while that felt nice, it also stirred a different kind of feeling in me.

She moved her head to the side and slowly opened her eyes, her eyelids fluttering, as she blinked a few times.

"Hey beautiful," I whispered and her sleepy blue eyes moved to my face.

"Hello handsome," she whispered, before her eyes grew wider.

"We missed the sunrise observation!" she blurted out and looked at me with concern.

"Yes, and I don't even regret it."

"But the Queen!" she said and propped herself up on one elbow, revealing her naked chest. Goddess help me.

"You don't think she will get up at 4am to watch a sunrise, do you?" I asked and her face relaxed a little.

"Oh, that's true," she replied and a smile crept back onto her lips, as her eyes scanned my upper body.

"Don't even think about it," I said, my voice thick and low, "we have to get up."

"Do we really?" she asked and leaned down, kissing a path up my chest.

I groaned and ran my hand over her neck, to the back of her head, where I entangled my fingers in her long, colourful hair.

"You know we do. We are going to have the longest night in a while."

She sighed and nuzzled her head into my chest and I enjoyed the feeling of her body, while she was curled up to mine.

"I hate it, but you are right." She rolled off me and chuckled, when she saw that the blanket stood up, as my cock was rock hard.

She slowly moved her hand towards it, removed the blanket and wrapped her fingers around my cock.

I moaned loudly and moved into her touch, her fingers warm and soft.

"You are an evil, evil woman," I whispered, as I cupped her cheek, while she slowly stroked me, "but fuck, if your fingers are not divine."

She giggled and moved her fingers slowly, but firm.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling, before I took her hand in mine, stopping her movement.

"Nope, we are getting up now, before you break me."

She giggled and looked down at her hand, still wrapped around my cock, before she pulled it back, her fingers sliding slowly and sensually along the sensitive skin of my shaft.

"Fuck, Enya, are you trying to kill me?" I groaned, as my hips jerked into the empty air, while she slowly let go of me and got off the bed.

"You will survive, I promise," she said and walked away, completely naked and absolutely breathtaking.

***

Enya's POV

I had never attended solstice festivities, but I had heard from the others that there was quite a lot planned today.

So it was no wonder, Aedan urged us out of bed this morning, although he was... rock hard.

We barely made it in time for the breakfast ceremony in the royal garden, where the Queen was already seated at the head of the table.

Several tables were placed around the large garden and it seemed as if half the kingdom was there already, enjoying the food and chatting with their friends and family.

I hadn't realized how many people actually lived in Asteria, let alone in the castle itself.

Kids ran around, playing catch and tag and parents walked around, chatting and watching the kids, while they ate, a few even laughing with each other.

It was truly a lively and colourful sight.

I held tightly to Aedans arm, while he walked to the table to sit beside his mother, me beside him.

The breakfast ceremony didn't have a dress code, so I just wore a lovely summerdress, while Aedan wore black jeans, a white button-down shirt, the first few buttons open.

His hair was tied up in a ponytail, his jaw shaven and his eyes sparkled with happiness, as he looked around and a small, content smile played around his lips.

I leaned closer to his ear and whispered, "you seem happy."

He turned his head, while his eyes wandered to the side of my face.

"Yes, I am," he murmured, as his eyes fixed on my mouth.

He reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, before he leaned in and kissed me.

"Alexander Aedan Athanasios," his mother exclaimed and I giggled into his mouth, as he pulled away.

"I know, you are mated now, but please. Can't you wait until sunset? Alexander, you know the rules. No kissing or anything from sunrise to sunset."

I looked at him in utter disbelief, as he pulled his hand away.

"Sorry, mother, I forgot about that," he said and rolled his eyes.

I turned my head to look at the Queen and gasped, "Your majesty, I am so sorry! I didn't know."

She raised a hand, "It is alright, princess, it is a silly rule, to begin with. Just, please don't do that again, not in front of the entire kingdom, that is."

I blushed, nodded and looked down.

How the hell was I supposed to stay away from him for the entire day? When he looked like that?