Chapter 51 Finally Marked
The following night arrived unceremoniously.
There was no music, no laughter echoing through the castle corridors. The entire kingdom seemed to breathe cautiously, as if any louder sound might summon back what had brought a leader before them all. The empty chair remained in the council hall—no one dared remove it. It had become a silent reminder of what had been lost… and of what could still be.
I was awake when the moon reached its highest point in the sky.
Sitting by the window, I watched its light touch the castle rooftops, silvering everything with a cruel beauty. The symbol beneath my skin no longer burned. It pulsed slowly, steadily, like a heart that had learned to wait.
Conrad entered silently. He didn't need to announce his presence; I always sensed it first. He approached and placed his cloak over my shoulders, a simple gesture that nevertheless anchored me.
"They are already choosing sides," he said softly. "Some leaders have asked for extra protection. Others… silence."
"And silence is the most dangerous thing," I replied. "It's where fear takes root."
Then I see Conrad's hand land on mine, which was on the balcony railing.
A gold ring adorns his finger.
I offer a half-smile, seeing our wedding rings together. But the smile quickly fades.
"What's wrong, my love?" Conrad asks with visible concern.
I sigh wearily.
"That's not how I imagined our honeymoon," I reply, burying my face in Conrad's chest. "I thought the ceremony would be light, more lively than the acceptance speech. In my head, I'd convince him to leave early and lock him in the room with me."
My last sentence makes Conrad laugh.
Conrad rested his chin on my head, still chuckling softly, the sound vibrating against my chest.
"I confess that this part of your plan can still be negotiated," he said, his voice lighter than it had been in days. Our eyes meet and the world around us seems to disappear completely. His lips meet mine and we begin a passionate kiss.
What was calm has become an absurd need. Conrad lifts my body up and I wrap my legs around his waist.
Inevitably we run out of breath and I begin to moan softly. Conrad guides me around the room, without stopping the kiss.
Conrad places me on the bed and immediately covers me with his body.
I smile during the kiss.
"What's wrong?" Conrad asks, observing me with a smile.
"Now there's nothing stopping us. Zero chance of you escaping me," I say with a mischievous smile.
Conrad stares at my body with a hungry look.
"Once I start, you'll be the one wanting to run away from me." His threat sounds like a promise to me.
Without warning, roughly, Conrad quickly turns me over on the bed, making me face away from him. I hear the sound of the fabric tearing and lift my head.
Conrad had ripped my silk nightgown, which was in pieces on the bed.
I stare at him in surprise.
What Conrad does next surprises me even more.
His heavy hand goes towards my bottom, delivering a sharp, strong slap.
I groan, not understanding why. I try to turn over in bed, but Conrad holds me down.
"Quiet, you'll like it!"
I smile, a smile that remains hidden.
Conrad begins to caress my neck and slowly moves his hand down my back. I groan at the effect his touch has on my body.
Another strong slap lands on my bottom, assuring me that it will leave a mark. But all of this was making me...
Extremely hungry.
I hear another tear of fabric and see that it was my panties' turn. Now I was completely exposed to Conrad.
Conrad's gaze swept over my body for a moment that seemed too long, too intense. There was no hurry there—just hunger.
"By the moon goddess!" Conrad says while observing me. "You are divine!"
I feel my cheeks heat up and I shrink a little, ashamed.
"Don't hide! You're mine!" He says, approaching my ear and biting the sensitive skin.
His eyes began to shine, revealing that Aurelion is there.
He began to kiss my body and I felt the rubbing of his beard against my skin, causing even more sensitive sensations.
"Aurelion." I let out his name in a whisper.
I don't know exactly why. Maybe begging him to continue.
My body is lifted and turned again. Now we were face to face. I let out a moan as I feel his hands exploring my body.
His hands reach my breasts and squeeze them roughly, making my body spasm.
"Perfection." His voice sounds deeper than usual.
His hand finally slides to my intimacy, causing me almost painful pleasure.
His breathing is heavy, and I slowly see Conrad return.
"I have to be careful the first time. I don't want you to feel any pain, my love."
Conrad speaks as if explaining why Aurelion gave him preference.
I pull him into a long kiss and quickly, almost desperately, open his pants. I finish pushing them down with my feet.
Conrad takes off his shirt and is soon exposed to me as well. I stop the kiss to look at his body, feeling lust. I admired my beautiful companion and King.
"Continue." My request comes out more like an order.
I see Conrad's smile widen as his arms hold my legs. He places my legs close to my torso, leaving me completely exposed.
"It will only hurt as much as necessary, I promise," Conrad promises tenderly.
I don't answer him, I just propel my body towards his, showing that I didn't want to wait even a minute longer.
I feel his member nudge my entrance and I feel another spasm coming, and my body begins to tremble. His member begins to enter and I grip Conrad's arms tightly to ease the pain.
"Do you want me to stop, my Queen?" he asks, kissing my face where a tear fell.
"Don't you dare!" I reprimand him immediately, afraid that the sensation will go away.
I could feel my walls stretching to accommodate it. The pain burned and throbbed, but still, I felt my body begging for more.