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Starcrossed Ch. 02

By: svenjolly



Oh wow! I was totally blown away by the response to Chapter 1, and I have to thank everyone who took a moment to let me know how much they enjoyed it. Thanks so much everyone!

Well I guess I have to post the rest of it now! I'll try to maintain a quick schedule, but I'll be honest and admit I've only written up to a certain point... I swear I'll finish though. Nothing's worse than a dangling ending.

More thanks to Firebrain for her continuing fantabulous editing services.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Good morning, highness."

Laen yanked the pillow out from under him, Alex's head hitting the mattress with a solid thump. Now quite awake, he opened one eye and glared at a grinning Laen, who was already fluffing and returning the pillow to its proper place.

"Sorry to wake you, highness, but Erina said to make sure you were awake before I left."

"It's alright. What time is it?" Alex was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"0430." Off of Alex's look, Laen shrugged. "My day starts early. Sorry."

"I think I'll go for a run," Alex emerged from the bed with a grand yawn, stretching the kinks out of his shoulders. He grabbed the girl's arm and pulled her close to kiss her soundly. "Thank you for last night. You were incredible. In many ways."

"My lord," Laen said, blushing. "I was just..."

"I'm not talking about that," Alex indicated the bed with a nod. "You just put some things in perspective is all."

Laen's brow furrowed in confusion. "Your majesty, what do you-"

"I need you to do something for me," he interrupted, grabbing a notepad and scribbling something down, handing the folded note to her. "I need you to slip that to the Lady Deena."

"Yes Majesty." Laen was smiling like an idiot; she could sense that this was important and was pleased to be involved. "Immediately?"

"How about later while she has tea with the Queen?"

"Your highness!" She just stood there, gaping. "In front of your mother?" Laen was terrified. She was quite used to running all sorts of errands for Prince Alex, but Queen Beatrice could be quite an imposing figure. Laen was certain that the Queen would know she was up to something.

"You'll be fine. It's just a personal message; I don't want to go through official channels and all that. Dee will understand."

Laen flushed, glaring at the Prince, but plucked the paper from him and put it in a small side pocket. "Yes, my lord," she said, curtsying. Alex gave her a peck on the cheek before he sent her out through the secret door.

Two hours later, soaked through with sweat, Alex finished his tenth lap around the track. The palace's gym facilities were without peer, with pools, weights, and all manner of exercise equipment all wrapped up by a half-mile track elevated above the rest. As Alex approached the start of the track, he found Erina waiting for him, looking impeccable as always in her sharp blue uniform.

"Running laps at dawn?"

"You are good," Alex said, taking a towel from her, "no wonder you're my chief of staff." He paused to drink deeply from a water bottle. "And before you ask, I did check my itinerary."

"I'm stunned!" Erina consulted her pad, "Then you realize you have a breakfast meeting in a half hour. And they'd probably prefer you not stinking."

"Probably," Alex agreed. "But I'd like to insert a small item this afternoon..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"... And after spending a term abroad studying botany, I returned to Ashnan and finished my studies in logistical management and interstellar trade practices," Deena sipped her tea. "And for the past three years I've been my father's main proxy on the Exchange."

"A great deal of responsibility for one so young," Queen Beatrice said, nodding in approval.

They were sitting in a quiet atrium in what Deena thought was the East Wing of the palace. Deena had managed to escape without telling her mother - she would fixate on it as another enormous opportunity.

"And where did you study botany?"

"The equatorial jungles of Ix. And yes, everything you've heard is true; two hundred meter tall trees, quadruple canopy, and more biodiversity per square meter than anywhere else in the known universe."

"By the Maker... where did you sleep? I don't think I could, surrounded with all of that... weren't there insects everywhere?" Her distaste was obvious.

"Our base camp was a prefab hab-pod suspended between two aborabora trees, hanging about ninety meters off of the jungle floor. It keeps you well out of the muck and away from predators. But one night a thanosauron spent half the night trying to jump up and catch us."

"A what? Dear girl, you'll have to forgive my ignorance, a thano...?"

"A thanosauron: a reptiloid alpha predator. Something like a... well, like a chicken with arms I suppose, but almost twenty meters tall and a mouth big enough to swallow five men. Anyway, for most of the night it kept jumping and snapping at our enclosure, trying to bring it down. It eventually tired, but for that whole night we didn't sleep at all!" Deena laughed, remembering the terror, but also the relief when morning came.

"You must be very brave, Lady Deena," Beatrice said, her gaze appraising. They were interrupted when servants moved in quickly to dispose of their tea and bring in a selection of sweets. As a maid took her teacup, Deena was surprised to see her surreptitiously place a folded note in its place. She snatched up the note before Beatrice noticed it and she read the message: D, meet me in the gardens after your tea. A.

Deena could barely keep her mind on the conversation. Alex wants to see me? And in secret? She tried to calm her pounding heart as she pulled some treats from the tray, jamming a Turkish delight in her mouth to keep from having to speak for a little while at least.

"I must admit that I'm impressed. Many of the women here this week are socialites, women of leisure." Beatrice used the words like they were curses. "It's a pleasure to see a young woman such as yourself not content to simply inherit her family's holdings, but actively working towards advancing them."

Deena nodded. If there was one thing she remembered about Beatrice, is that she was a woman of strong opinions - politics or politeness be damned.

"You should be proud of yourself, Lady Deena. Remember that."

"I will, your highness," Deena said, meaning it. It wasn't every day that royalty paid you a compliment, and Deena couldn't help but be pleased. They moved on to lighter topics, but it was only a few more minutes until the Queen's aide came to take Beatrice to her next appointment.

"I had, a lovely time with you, my dear. I hope that we'll be able to do this again." The Queen had an odd smile on her face, like she knew something Deena didn't.

"Yes, thank you, your highness," Deena answered, bowed as the queen left the room, then turned the maid who had passed her the note, signaling her to come over.

"Yes, my lady?"

"I-" She noticed the other maid was still clearing the table. Deena pulled her aside slightly so as not to be overheard. "That note you passed me, who gave it to you?"

The girl's dark eyes darted to the other maid. She leaned close to whisper, "The Crown Prince himself."

Deena nodded, still shaken. "Thank you. Which way are the gardens?"

"The closest way is through the northern gate, my lady," the maid said. Deena thanked her and headed down what felt like miles of hallways, courtyards, and skyways, until she reached an ancient gate leading to the palace's sumptuous gardens.

Deena judged it to be almost 30 acres of lawns, groves, hedges and flower displays, crisscrossed with stone walkways and streams. Surrounded by the soaring palace and the heights of Capital City, the Royal Gardens were quite a retreat; a small pocket of lush greenery surrounded by plasteel and concrete.

As Deena descended a staircase, she noticed a few of the Royal Guard posted at an intersection leading to what appeared to be a small hedge maze. Looking closely, she saw that the guards were blocking the entrances- not that many people were about on this cool afternoon.

Deena approached one of the guards to ask after the Crown Prince, but as she got close he stepped aside, allowing her entry into the maze. She entered cautiously, the tall hedges plunging her into deep shadow. A few meters away from the entrance, the path widened to enclose a pair of stone benches... one of which held Prince Alex.

"Hello Dee."

"Your highness!" She was surprised to actually find him there, having half expected this to be an elaborate prank. "What's the meaning of this?" she shook the note at him.

"I need some advice," Alex said simply. "I don't know if you've heard but this whole week is about a big decision I need to make, and it's really been weighing on me."

Deena glared at him, but softened as she saw the openness in his eyes. She sat on the opposite bench.

"I can understand that. I guess when I said you were in an enviable position, I didn't think it through. You have an enormous responsibility." Deena watched Alex closely. Gone was the boyish grin and lighthearted manner: Alex was deadly serious.

"I've been absolutely dreading this week. Imagine: pick a stranger and make her your wife. Your queen. How preposterous! Can I be honest with you?"

"Of course you can, Alex. Your highness," Deena corrected, remembering decorum.

"I had two plans for this week. The first one was refuse to pick a bride and just flee the system. Become a renegade king out on the rim. I thought it would be quite an adventure. My mother would have pursued me of course, so I'd have to live my remaining days dodging bounty hunters and the authorities alike, making my way by the skin of my teeth."

"Quite an adventure indeed." Deena smiled. "But that doesn't sound like you. I think you like being the Crown Prince too much."


Alex shrugged at that, half agreeing. "The second was just pick a girl at random. Just throw a hoop at the mess of them and pick whoever it landed on."

"I'd have paid to see that. I think the Lady Drusis would have used an anti-grav belt to fly to the hoop."

Alex smiled. "But then you walked down those stairs."

Deena's laughter stopped dead as she felt her whole world tip. She'd thought about this moment so often- half fantasized about it- and now that it appeared to be coming true she couldn't believe it.

"Highness, what do you mean?"

"Well I know you. You aren't a stranger. And we get along; none of that stiff formality every other damn person seems to insist on. I mean, I can make a joke and you might actually not laugh."

Deena laughed at that, quickly slapping a hand over her mouth. It made Alex laugh.

"Like I said, we get on."

"So we do."

"But I saw you and it was like an old friend appearing out of nowhere. I remembered horsing around with you in the shimmer flower fields, or when Dragen taught us how to catch dragonflies."

Deena smiled, remembering those happy days herself.

"I felt... deeply attracted to you, and not simply because you were the most beautiful woman in the hall."

Deena blushed at that, but forced herself to stay focused. "Alex, your highness," she corrected herself again, "what is it you are trying to say?"

"If I'm to select a bride this week, and you are here to try and become my bride, then I think I would like you to be my bride." Alex said it in a rush, gesturing nervously with his hand at each point.

Deena sat in stupefied silence for a solid ten seconds before Alex looked up from the floor to her green eyes.

"Dee? Did I break your brain?"

"I'm sorry... you think you would... want to get married. To me? I mean that's what we're talking about. Us getting married."

"Yes," Alex said. "I think I would, but I want to talk to you about it. What do you think about it?"

"Do I want to get married?"


"Yes."

"To you."

"That's the idea," Alex was grinning, which inexplicably infuriated Deena.

"I... But what would your mother say? You can't just-"

"I didn't ask what anyone else thought. I was asking what you felt. Come on Dee," he said, moving to sit beside her, "what do you want? What did you think you were coming here for?"

"I... I didn't really have much of a choice in the matter, honestly." She looked away from him. "If you think my mother would let the opportunity to marry the heir to the throne slip by..."

"You didn't want to come?" Alex was surprised.

"You weren't the only one dreading the idea of marrying a virtual stranger. That's not how I'd imagined meeting my husband."

"How did you think it would happen? I've known that it was going to be some sort of horrid spectacle almost my entire life. I couldn't imagine it going any other way."

"Well..." Deena began, not wanting to sound silly; "I imagine I would have met someone at court or some party or possibly on the Exchange. A good man: Decent, funny, handsome. Suitable. We'd see each other a few times before he would court me properly me for... an acceptable period before asking my father for permission to marry me."

"Sounds nice."

"Or maybe I'd fall for some brilliant young artist, or perhaps a cortex star. Or maybe a, um, hyperpod racer." It was said with a girlish, embarrassed smile. "You know, one of those guys who doesn't seem to own a shirt. I could lend him some respectability because he's, you know, a rebellious wealthy layabout."

"A pod racer? Really?"

"Shut up." Deena said quickly, warming to her story. "He'd woo me with his raw sexuality, then we'd rush off to elope on the plains of Pandra. Maybe I'd give being a hard-partying socialite a try."

"You never thought about becoming a princess? I seem to remember a little blonde girl playing princess a time or two."

"I didn't think you'd even remember me, Alex," she said in a small voice. "I thought you'd just remember me as the little girl who had a crush on you fifteen years ago. And I thought... well, I'm not the most eligible woman here, I don't think. So I guess I just didn't expect to be in this position, I suppose."

"You had a crush on me?"

"Are you serious? Did I have a crush on that older boy- the Prince- that visited my house every summer, getting cuter with every passing year?" Deena asked, laughing.

"That wasn't entirely one sided, you know."

"Horseshit."

"What? The cute blonde girl who kept getting more beautiful every summer?" Alex countered. "And... and you were always so cool."

"Cool? What do you mean?"

"C'mon. You rode better than me, you were a better fisher, you smoked Pellucid before me-"

"Alright, enough...!"

Alex laughed with her before they both turned serious again, sitting closely together on the cold bench. Their little enclosure was very quiet, only the sound of the wind in the branches above broke the silence.

"Now that you are in this position, Lady Deena, what do you think?"

"About marrying you? You are asking me to marry you, right?" Deena was somewhere between confused and amazed all at the same time.

"Well... I wanted to know what you thought of the possibility. I didn't want to spring this on you," he said, looking sheepish.

"I... I suppose I would accept?"

Alex looked at her closely. "Why?"

"Well, I suppose... you weren't the only one to feel something. I mean, there was that whole crush thing, but... I mean, you did look quite dashing," she said, smiling. "But it was more than that, I think. I did feel something..." She didn't want to say love; she wasn't one to bandy the word about. "You want to get married based off that?"

"I... I think I'd regret ignoring it. You know what I mean?"

Deena nodded. "I suppose I do... But this is crazy! You want to get married based on..."

"On what I'm feeling right now, that's right," he said, his bright blue eyes locked with hers. "So you think you'd accept?"

Deena nodded slowly as he stood, still not entirely sure that this was all really happening.

"Lady Deena," Alex slipped to a knee before her.

"By Mitra's blessed tits," Deena gasped.

A surprised laugh burst from his lips. He managed to stop, clearing his throat to return to the appropriate level of seriousness.

"Would you honor me by being my bride?" He finished, taking her hand.

"I... yes, your highness."

Alex knelt there for a long moment as the reality of their position slowly sunk in. Deena couldn't help it as her lips slowly drew up into a satisfied smile, an enormous weight lifting off of her.

Alex's smile matched hers. After months, if not years, of dreading this moment, he was amazed to realize how right it felt at the moment. The Lady Deena will be my wife.

Alex stood, pulling Deena to her feet as well. He stepped closer, towering above her in the cool grove. He leaned down slowly, and Deena went up on her toes so their lips met. They kissed very softly at first, just a bare touching of lips.

Deena's heart pounded in her chest. My first kiss! Her mind buzzed, thrilling as Alex's lips captured hers. As the kiss deepened, Deena felt Alex's tongue and opened her mouth to taste it. She moaned quietly, her knees weakening a little as she leaned against him. Alex stiffened: Her soft breasts pressed against his chest, her hand sliding up his thigh.

Alex stroked the very top of her full butt, stopping just short of sliding over a round cheek. Deena shivered in his arms and Alex realized he didn't want to go too far. Taking her hips and pushing her away, he slowly separated from his new fiancé. Then he took off his uniform coat and wrapped it around Deena's shoulders: she was still shivering.

"You'll have to get ready for our winters, Deena."

"Oh dear." Deena wrapped the coat around her. She hadn't been that cold, but the gesture warmed her in a different way. The Naval coat was heavy and warm, and it smelled of him. She looked up into his blue eyes as took her hand and led her out of the enclosed garden.

"I'm feeling good about this decision," Alex said.

"I agree, your highness." Deena was unable to keep the huge smile off her face.

They left the hedge maze hand in hand, Alex's personal guard forming up around them as they walked back to the palace proper. Looking around, Deena saw people watching them, some even pointing in surprise and she knew that rumors would already be spreading: Alex has picked his bride! Lady Deena will be the new queen! She wondered how long it would be before the news reached her mother... and whether she'd be able to hear the scream of joy from the other side of the palace.

There was a young woman waiting for them at the head of the grand steps. Dressed in the blue uniform of a palace functionary, she looked very professional and self-assured. As they got closer, Deena could see her pecking quickly at a datapad.

When the young woman looked up, her grey eyes widened in surprise and her mouth gaped in shock. She shook her head and then quickly regained composure. "Your highness." Her voice quavered the tiniest bit. "And am I to assume that the decision has been made?"

"It has," Alex said, a nervous smile on his face. "Lady Deena, allow me to introduce Erina Fedawan- my chief of staff and most trusted advisor."

"A pleasure," Deena said, managing to hide her surprise. She had expected some sort of elder statesman, not a young woman, probably no older than herself. Erina's brown hair was pulled back into a tight bun and she wore no makeup or jewelry. Her uniform was formal and unflattering- but none of this could hide that she was beautiful.

"My lady," Erina said, bowing slightly. "May I be the first to offer my congratulations."

"Thank you Erina. Oh stop that," Deena waved at her. "I'm not used to people bowing at me."

"To you, Dee. And you better get used to it."


Starcrossed Ch. 02



"Highness," Erina said, "you realize you've just cast all of my plans to the wind?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"And welcome back to our continuing coverage of Prince Alex's wedding!" The broadcast returned from a commercial break. Liada Today was going all out on their wedding coverage, and a massive media package played as the music soared: footage of the royal couple, the Queen presiding over a state dinner, and near endless footage of adoring crowds. As the media package ended, the broadcast faded into live footage of the enormous crowd gathered before the Royal Palace.

"This is without a doubt the biggest event of a generation. The entire capital city is playing host to massive festival and we are here at Azul Square- and, Emily, let me tell you- it is amazing down here. Look at this!!" As Dran shouted, she indicated the city square behind her. The broadcast cut to a bird's eye view shot from a hovering ornithopter.

Azul Square was nearly a kilometer wide, a massive space in the middle of one of the largest cities in the human dominion. On a typical day, the square was filled with tourists and merchants, residents of the city enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the system. But on this day the massive square was almost two million cheering revelers. Food tents had been set up, along with concerts, dance floors, and carnival games.

"Azul Square was originally the parade grounds for the Palace," Dran explained as the craft circled the area. "But today they are home to one of the greatest parties this planet has ever seen. Everything is being provided free by the Palace, and it is looking to be one of the most amazing celebrations ever seen in the system."

"That's right Dran," Emily said as the show cut to her amongst the crowd. "I'm here on the ground and words cannot describe the energy! Everyone knew that the wedding of Prince Alex would be an immense celebration, but I don't think anyone could have foreseen this! Tomorrow has been declared a planet-wide holiday, with celebrations just like this one in all the major cities. No expense has been spared, I've just-" Emily was clearly stunned at the scale of it all. Some nearby revelers cheered for the camera, waving signs and shouting.

"I think that says it all!" Dran laughed. "For analysis let's talk to Salia Bin and Guy Caine! Guy, tell us, what are we seeing here? Is there more to this than the Crown Prince getting married?"

"First off, I have to agree that this is, without a doubt, the biggest event of a generation. This all goes back thirteen years, to the tragic loss of King Phillip and Prince Donald. Young Prince Alex was suddenly thrust into the spotlight and Dran... the whole planet stood behind that young man. He made us so proud." "That's exactly right," Salia agreed. "Many people would have buckled under that kind of intense scrutiny, but Prince Alex proved himself more than able to fill his father's shoes. He truly rose to the challenge: he excelled in his studies, even graduated from military academy a full year early. And most people forget this, but he truly earned his uniform."

"Served twice, with distinction, once during the retaking of the Perradon field," Dran said, reading from her notes, "and then later as captain of the Odyssey assisting in the evacuation of the colony on Ellia Six."

The show shifted to stock footage of the Battle of Perradon, Liadan battleships exchanging fire with the Pyttarin raiding fleet. A small arrow indicated the Crown Prince's fighter squadron engaging incoming enemy transports.

"That's right. But it was so much more than that. He grew up to be such a handsome young man- a sex symbol quite frankly- but he always remained Liada's beloved Prince Alex. All of his successes, whether they were in the legislative halls or the polo fields, it was like the entire system was always rooting for him."

"So it's no surprise that his wedding is such an enormous event," Dran interjected.

"Now everyone knew all of that at the Prince's birthday three months ago," Guy continued. "That was an enormous celebration, and we knew the real purpose of it was for him to select his bride. The wedding would be huge, that was just a given."

"But what no one could have imagined is how much Liada has fallen for the Lady Deena," Salia gushed. "The public is obsessed with this beautiful, gifted young woman, it is that simple." The newsfeed shifted to some stock footage of Deena from an earlier event, waving to a cheering crowd.

"And then, stunning everyone, the wedding is declared for a mere three months later! No one expected such a whirlwind courtship."

"There has been a lot of talk of Deena and Alex's summers on Ashnan, almost fifteen years ago," Guy offered. "They summered together for a few years in their childhood, and it was only cut short because of the King's tragic death."

"That's right."

"Some people have said that it was meant to be," Sallia said, making air quotes, "and who knows? If Donald had lived it's certainly possible that Alex and Deena would have ended up together anyway. There's something romantic about that!"   "But everyone's seen the look on their faces when they first met again at the ball!" Dran gushed. Sure enough, the broadcast cut the video of the receiving line at Alex's birthday party: Alex's head snapping to watch Dee enter the grand hall. It was clear that the young man was thunderstruck. "This bit of video has lit the cortex on fire, and it's... it's the moment when Prince Alex fell head-over-heels in love with the Lady Deena."

"I love this!" Salia interrupted, cueing a pict of Deena and Alex in the palace gardens. Alex looked rugged and sexy in his tight undershirt, while Deena looked utterly happy and laughing in the oversized Navy coat. "One of the first shots of the couple, and so unscripted! I think this is the real thing."

"When Alex fell in love with Deena, the whole world saw it, and then they all fell in love too, it's incredible. This wedding is just such an enormous... release! Liada will finally be able to put King Phillip's death behind it, and watch the building of the next generati-" the screen was shut off with a curse.

"Ugh!" Deena said, tossing the remote control across the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Now the coalition from the Trade Federation will be at tables thirty three and thirty five. We had to give table thirty-four to the representatives of the major media conglomerates. I would have put them elsewhere, but there was a concern that being an extra few meters away from the aristo's tables would be seen as a slight, so I shuffled some-"

"Oh Maker Erina please stop," Alex gasped, flopping back in his chair. "People are going to be seated at tables. I understand. I have the utmost faith that you can put people's butts in chairs."

"Alex, do relax please." Deena rubbed her temples.

It had been a busy three months. Not only had they been planning the wedding and festivities- with almost a thousand guests expected- but they'd also been engaging in a media blitz unlike anything Deena had ever experienced. Almost daily interviews with every major media outlet, targeted leaks to friendly reporters, as well as massive public events before the populace of the Liada system; she and Alex had been on six different planets in the last three weeks alone.

But all the work had paid off: Prince Alex's sweeping her off her feet was now a public sensation and the wedding promised to be one of the most watched events in history. But now, with it less than twenty-four hours away, all the planning and pressure had left them both feeling wrung out.

"I'm as relaxed as I can be," Alex grumped, finishing his beer with two large gulps. "But okay... are there any problems with the seating arrangements? Because if not I'm willing to just sign off on the whole thing and... call it a night? What time is it?"

"I suppose you're right," Erina said. "It is almost midnight. And I hope you both get a good night's rest. I don't need to tell you that tomorrow's a big day."

"Thank you. I'll see you knighted for your limitless mercy," Alex cracked as he rose from the table, stretching the kinks out of his back. "Catch you in the morning, Erina. Deena, may I walk you to your rooms?"

"Of course. Thank you, Erina. If it wasn't for you all these plans would not be going as smoothly, I can feel it," Deena said, taking the slim woman's hand and squeezing tightly. Deena had been working closely with Erina throughout the wedding planning, and had come to think of her as a close friend and ally. She saw why Alex relied on her so much.

"Thank you, my lady. Until the morning," Erina said, a tight smile on her face. She bowed quickly to the pair as she left the room.

Alex guided Deena out the other door and along the chambers of the palace.

"Big day tomorrow," he said lightly, filling the silence.

"Oh really? I plan on relaxing. Take a spa day, perhaps."

"Well I suppose your morning is rather indulgent, hm? Baths, massage, make-up, hair... "

"And you, your highness? Some debauch to celebrate your last day of freedom? No bachelor party for the Prince?" Her voice didn't betray it, but she had been wondering about it for some time. She suspected that Duke Fain and his other friends would be planning something.

"Sorry to disappoint you dear, but no. Elrick and Fain wanted to do something last week, but..." Alex shrugged. "I don't know. Spending an evening with a dozen aristos and some high-priced courtesans sounds like an opportunity for blackmail and scandal, and only limited fun. To me, anyway."

Deena nodded, not entirely believing him. She was no fool: she thought that the Prince probably dallied with an occasional courtesan at the very least. Such antics were kept quiet, but Deena knew that noblemen rarely went without such amusements.   "Well, here we are," Deena sighed as they reached her door. Ever since the betrothal, she had taken up residence in a different wing of the palace, close to the royal suites themselves. Now, Deena's heart rate was up, as it usually was when she found herself alone with Alex like this. They hadn't done anything more than kiss in the past three months, but she had found herself craving them... and the masturbatory frenzy that usually followed. Even just standing here, she could feel herself swelling with wet heat.

"Yes, here we are," Alex stepped close. "It's hard to believe that by this time tomorrow we'll be husband and wife."

"It's not that hard to believe. We've been planning the wedding for months. You shouldn't be terribly surprised."

"You're a bit of a smart ass, aren't you?" Alex whispered, his hands lighting to her hips. "I guess I was just being roundabout; I'm looking forward to being your husband, Lady Deena." He leant close.

They kissed softly a few times, just tasting each other's lips. Deena pulled Alex closer, pushing her tongue into his mouth as her hands filled with his hair. She could feel him hard against her belly, and rubbed against it. One of Alex's hands slid to her butt, cupping one heavy cheek and pulling her closer.

"Mitra..." Deena wanted more, wanted to take the hard cock out of his pants and feel it in her bare hands, to taste it, to... but she knew her responsibilities. She sucked his bottom lip as she pulled away, her heels returning to the floor as the couple came apart.

"Goodnight Alex," she said softly, her forehead against his chest. "I'll see you... when am I scheduled to walk down the aisle?"

"0840."

"I'll see you then, then." She kissed him once more before entering her quarters. As she closed the door, her emerald eyes held his.

Alex found himself alone in the hallway with a raging hard on and an intense desire to deflower Deena a day early. With a deep breath, he pivoted and headed to his own quarters. As he walked the darkened corridors his mind kept wandering to the next day... and how different his life would be in just a few hours.

He absently returned the guards' salute at the door and went for the liquor cabinet

"Straight to the booze, then?"

Alex spun to find Erina lying across his bed, a glass of whiskey already in her hand. She was still wearing her uniform, but her high collar was unfastened, her hair loose from its usual severe bun, the brown curls just teasing her shoulders. Alex always thought she looked terribly sexy like this.

"I suppose so," Alex said, pouring himself a small drink and tossing it back.

"Excited?"

"Nervous." Alex paused. "Half terrified, to be honest."

"Please be so, love. Honest, that is."

Alex sighed, pouring another finger of whiskey and downing it.

"Alex..."

"Rin, c'mon, you know how hard this is. For both of us." He went to pour a third drink, but stopped and corked the bottle. "I know that this... that this has to end. I don't have to be happy about. Or glib."

"You think I'm happy about it?" She was suddenly by his side. "I feel like I'm being torn in half. But..."

"But?" He turned, his hand slipping to her side.

"But it has to be this way. You know that." Even as she said it she slipped into his arms. "I just... I wanted a last night with you, my love. Needed."

Alex smiled grimly. "Well there's that at least."

They came together in an easy embrace, kissing softly for long minutes. It wasn't the heated, passionate kissing of lust: this was the slow comfortable kiss of lovers. As they parted, Erina buried her face in his chest.

"I can't believe it's finally happening."

"Hon, c'mon, stop talking like that. I'm not going to the gallows or anything."

Erina laughed, a small snort against his chest.

"We'll still see each other. Maker knows I can't get a new chief of staff, not with all your other duties." Alex took a deep breath and dove in. "I mean, who knows, perhaps we can still-"

"No." It was said firmly, Erina stepping back and locking her gray eyes on his. "I won't be anyone's mistress. That's a dead end for both of us, and you know it."

Alex hung his head. He knew she was right.

"So it's just tonight then?"

Erina nodded, a tear slipping down her perfect cheek. Alex wiped it away with a rough thumb before sliding his hand into her soft locks and Erina moaned into the kiss.

"Oh Alex... Don't worry about me," she murmured between kisses. "I've known this day was coming for more than a decade."

"You weren't the only one. It doesn't make it any easier."

"It's not supposed to be easy, highness."

Alex was about to speak more, but Erina stopped him with a finger on his lips.

"Enough. We've talked about this a thousand times. By this time tomorrow you'll be married and I won't be able to do this." She pulled his shirt apart at the front, a few buttons flying free.

"So you intend to take your last chance with the Crown Prince then?" Alex couldn't help but laugh as she rushed to undress him, her hands going to his belt.

"Damn straight," she said with a grin, pulling the zipper on her own tunic and letting the heavy fabric slide off her shoulders. Her trousers quickly joined them, leaving her in her rather utilitarian palace-issue panties and bra- but as Alex sank to his knees before her, he couldn't imagine anything sexier on a woman.

"Rin..." It was a gentle rumble as he pulled her close, showering her belly with kisses. He pressed his face there, feeling the firm muscle underlying the softness of her tummy. Looking up, he caught as she undid her bra, her smallish breasts barely moving as she removed their support. He pulled her panties to her feet. His kisses trailed from her tummy down to her pubic bush, teasing as she spread her thighs to give him room.

"Oh Alex," she murmured as she felt his tongue at her folds. Erina laid one thigh over Alex's shoulder and pulled his head tight to her. He kissed along her lips, and Erina hissed when he spread her open. "Oh, oh majesty, mm."

"My lady." His hands moved to Erina's butt. Erina took a step back and, working together, the pair made their way to the bed without interrupting his worship of her sex. Erina relaxed on the covers, spreading her thighs wide.

"Don't tease me."

Alex didn't intend to, and he used his thumbs to fully expose her to his tongue. He began by gently lapping at her opening, feeling her wetness beginning to flow. He followed her lips up to her clit, toying at her pearl with the tip of his tongue. Just as Erina began to moan at his teasing, he pounced, drawing her clit into his mouth and lapping at it furiously.

"Oh Alex," Erina groaned at the over-stimulation, gripping his short hair to hold him in place.

Alex hummed in response, the vibrations bringing a giggling moan to Erina's lips, which quickly gave way to panting. He slid one hand back from her ass to slip a thick finger into her pussy, thrusting into her tightness in time with his sucking licks at her clit.

The orgasm rushed upon her and her whole body bowed tight as the waves passed over. Alex backed off on her clit, but his fingers continued to saw in and out, feeling her clenching on him.

"Were you playing before I got here?" Alex's grin was shining with her juices.

"Well... I may have taken a moment while you made out with Deena in the hallway," Erina whispered between deep breaths.

"How'd you know?" Alex asked, sucking deeply on her inner thigh.

"I didn't. You just told me," Erina chuckled, turning to a sharp gasp as she felt Alex's teeth on her tender skin. "Ow! It's just I'm impressed that you haven't bedded her yet. She's damn near gagging for it."

"I'll show you who's gagging for it," Alex said as he climbed on top of her, his cock sliding along her soaked pussy. He stroked along her once, twice, and then slid half of his length inside her. Erina moaned at the sudden invasion, a mini orgasm shaking through her. The ground into each other slowly, something they loved. Alex pressed himself deep into her gripping heat, feeling her wetness spread down his shaft to his balls.

"Oh Alex..." Erina moaned, pulling him close and kissing him deeply. She pulled her thighs way back, allowing Alex to penetrate her as deeply as possible. They ground against each other as they made out like teenagers.

"So..." Alex murmured as he placed a series of hot, sucking kisses along the inner slopes of her breasts.

Erina shivered beneath him as his lips dragged across her tight nipple.

"Laen didn't ask to come with you?"

Erina gave a surprised laugh, punching him solidly in the arm. "Gods, I can't believe you!"

"Ow! I'm just asking! I mean, didn't she want to say goodbye too?" Erina's laughs turned to a sharp gasp as he thrust hard back into her, only to go back to slowly grinding in her gripping pussy. "It's not like I'm going to be seeing her anymore either."

"If she wanted to say a fond farewell, she didn't say anything to me," Erina said sharply, pulling Alex's face back to her tits. "But if you feel the need to fuck that little slut then I'm sure I can get her here in a few minutes."

"I'd remind you that me getting to know that little slut," he punctuated each quoted word with a firm thrust, "was your idea. It's not my fault she took a shine to me."

"You must have charmed her with this razor wit of yours." Erina fell into a bit of giggles, Alex joining her. Then he pressed his forehead to hers.

"You know I'm just teasing love."

"I know." They shared a few soft pecks. "No more teasing, highness. More fucking, please."

"As you wish." Alex moved to his knees, pulling his shaft out only to slowly push back in. Erina moaned as his thrusts grew longer, all the way in and all the way out. After a few dozen strokes, Erina was shivering with each slow push inside. Alex grinned; he knew she loved this, feeling every inch of him moving in her.

"Oh gods just fuck me fast, my lord," Erina hissed, her hands gripping the sheets tightly. She wanted to be sore: to feel it during the wedding.




Starcrossed Ch. 02



"Yes, my lady." He fucked Erina's soaked cunt as fast as he could, hammering into her again and again. She clawed desperately at the sheet, gasping and panting as she came so hard she nearly blacked out. Alex never stopped, only slowing his thrusts as her cunt gripped at him repeatedly. Erina finally released a shuddering breath and collapsed back onto the bed, her chest heaving as Alex looked down on her, a satisfied smile on his face.

"You alright?" He kissed along her sweaty throat.

"That was a big one." She took huge gulps of air. "Just give me a second and I'll be right with you."

Alex said nothing, amusing himself by leaning down to suck a tiny pebble-hard nipple between his lips, tasting her salty sweat as he kissed along her flesh. Even after all these years together, he still couldn't get enough of her. And she knew it. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Erina pushed at his chest, Alex pulled out of her and let her direct him to the middle of the bed.

"Looks like I've made a bit of a mess on you," she grinned, grabbing his slippery cock and squeezing tightly.

"I don't mind."

"But still..." She gave it a quick lick from base to tip, spinning her tongue around the delicate crown. Alex groaned. "Careful, my lord," she whispered, her tongue teasing his sensitive spots, "I have other places in mind for that cum." But she didn't move from between his thighs, pulling his slick cock into her mouth and sucking him in deep.

"Erina, Maker." He grunted when she began to bob her sucking mouth. She loved to torture him like this, and as much as he would deny it, Alex loved it too. He placed a heavy hand on her bobbing head, tangling his fingers in her dark locks.

"I told you." She shook his hand off and continued to pump him, "I have other places in mind for your cum." With that, she climbed on top of him, easing his cock back to her tight pussy.

"Oh gods, Erina." Alex grabbed her hips and tried to hold her still. She ignored him, fucking her way down his shaft as he groaned and gasped beneath her. Her pussy felt unbelievably tight on his cock and threatened to milk the cum from his body. She began a slow rocking motion, at first just barely moving his cock in and out of her pussy. Alex's hands relaxed, sliding up from her hips to capture her breasts in his hands.

"Like that?"

Alex nodded.

"Good...now I want you to relax..." she whispered, "and let me milk this cock dry."

Alex groaned as she continued to slowly thrust against him. Erina was a master, squeezing his cock with her pussy as she drew him out, only to slam back down and grind against him. Her hips worked feverishly as they pounded up and down.

"Oh, my love," Alex gasped, the sensations becoming too much. With a deep groan, he gave her what she wanted and flooded her pussy with his cum, shivering as his cock pulsed again and again.

Erina didn't slow her thrusts through his orgasm, causing the pleasure to mount throughout. When she did finally stop, Alex was little more than a groaning lump on the bed. She dismounted easily, going to her clothes and dressing quickly. She smiled when she saw Alex's cum seeping out into her panties within moments of pulling them on.

"Sleep tight, your majesty," Erina whispered as she kissed his slack lips. "You have a big day tomorrow." She went to slip away, only to be pulled back by a half-asleep Prince. 


"You know you'll never lose me."

"Alex..."

"I love you too much for that. You've never not been a part of my life."

Erina felt a rush of emotion at the words, but managed keep her tears in check.

"I love you too, Alex," she whispered, kissing him again. "Now go to bed. You have to get married tomorrow."

~~~~~~~~~~

Please take a moment to comment and vote!



Starcrossed Ch. 03



And on into chapter 3. I'd just like to say that when I wrote this I never expected the strong feelings it would generate. I understand that it's a bit different than what readers were expecting but isn't that a good thing?

Please keep the comments coming! I love to hear what readers think.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I can't believe you're going to betray me like this."

"Like what?" Alex asked, looking at Fain through the mirror.

"'Like what,' he says. Come on!" Fain said as he stood, stalking over to the wet bar and pouring himself a erab juice. "No liquor?"

"It's only a little past six, Fain."

Fain raised his hands, as if to ask how the time of the day related to his question.

"You were saying, betrayal?"

"Yes! Do you know how good it is to be out with the Crown Prince when you're out on the pull? Can you even imagine?"

Alex laughed, shook his head.

"No, of course you can't, BEING the Crown Prince and all. When your royal highness arrives at a club, all the lady's eyes fill with starbursts and their panties fill with juice. It's amazing."

"So how's this a betrayal? You sound jealous, not thankful."

"Well, their eyes now star-filled and their panties a-juiced, these poor girls are stunned to find you an utter gentleman, uninterested in dalliances of the flesh. That's where I come in."

"Ah."

"Did you ever notice me vanish for a few minutes here and there? Like that time at the Phenadrome, I went missing for a half hour? I was consoling a pair of Corvalan actresses in the ladies room."

"Ah. Isn't that similar to a band porter? They take the girls that the singer turns away?" Alex turned to one of his oldest friends. "I just didn't realize you had me to thank for it."

"Well perhaps not directly. My own looks and wit cannot be discounted."

"Certainly not."

"But what am I to do now, Majesty? Now that you're all married and under Deena's thumb I-"

"I'm under no one's thumb. I'm not even married yet!" Alex laughed, finishing off a glass of jarra before gripping his friend loosely by the shoulders. "You'll manage. There must be some other dashingly handsome yet unavailable man that you can latch onto, remora-like."

"Yes, precisely. Any celebrities coming today? I find the younger girls don't know the obscure aristos the way they used to. I-" Fain was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door.

"Yes?" Alex called, and Horace leaned inside.

"The Queen wishes to speak with you, highness."

"Oh, of course."

"Highness," Horace nodded, before turning to Fain. "Out."

"Oh Horace, thank the Maker. You have your flask, right?" Fain had his jacket on and was out the door a moment later

Alex could hear Horace laughing as the door shut, and turned back to the mirror to check everything one more time, going through the same checklist he'd learned during basic training. All of medals aligned off of the number three button, pilot's wings just above that. Markings of rank at three o'clock off of-

"You look so much like your father sometimes."

Alex whipped around to find his mother watching him, her eyes misty.

"Mother..."

"I'm alright, I'm alright. It just caught me by surprise is all," she said, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. "How are you? Nervous?"

Alex shrugged. "I'm alright. Although if I get asked that question much more I might start."

"Then I won't ask again. I wanted to talk to you, Alex. About marriage. About being married."

"I think it's a little late for that talk, don't you?"

Beatrice's mouth drew to a tight line, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"You know I'm not talking about that. You've never needed any guidance as far as that was concerned, hm?"

Alex just rolled his eyes in response, not arguing.

"Just... Deena will be your wife, your queen. I know you may not love her but-"

"Mother!" Alex sputtered for a moment, unable to form words, and Beatrice took advantage.

"But it's important that you honor her, and the vows you take today. She is a good woman, and deserves your best. Your all."

Alex nodded, understanding his mother's meaning and praying to all the gods that she wasn't going to put a much finer point on it.

"Later, you will take an oath of fidelity..."

Pretty damn fine.

"I mean, I know that Erina will always be part of your life. She's always been your friend, your closest ally. But perhaps... Perhaps it's time for a new chief of staff?

"You know I won't agree to that."

"I'm not suggest stopping her other work. I've read her reports, I know that her work is important. But as your chief, you'll see her everyday! It will drive you mad."

"Being chief of staff allows her to hide in plain sight. We've spoken about this. Horace agrees with me, you know that."

Beatrice tried a different tack. "I'm also concerned for Erina's peace of mind. Seeing you and Deena together constantly. It might really hurt her. I know she-"

"I've wondered at the same thing, but Erina insists that she... we'll cross that bridge if we come to it, I suppose. Mother." Alex took her hands in his. "Erina and I have discussed it, and have both agreed it better for everyone to... maintain the appropriate distance."

Beatrice was about to speak again, but Alex interrupted her.

"This hasn't been a surprise to either of us. We both know our responsibilities. And I'll not begin my marriage as a sham."

"That's good. I won't have any son of mine be such a shit."

"Well if you don't trust me then trust Erina. She apparently won't stand for it either."

"Oh Alex, please. Of course I trust you. This is hard for all of us."

"We'll survive. Don't worry."

Beatrice hugged her son tightly, surprising him. He relaxed, his mother tiny in his arms.

"I'm so happy for you, I am. This is going to be a great day." Hard squeeze. "Your father would be so proud of you."

Alex suddenly felt the loss of his father acutely, like it had just happened again. He hugged his mother tight, tears on his own cheeks now.

"Of you too mom. I know he's pretty pleased with both of us."

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Good morning and welcome to Liada Today." Emily's voice was small, expectant.

The camera was focused on the closed temple doors, various factoids and rumors scrolling along the edges of the screen.

"We are probably just moments away from seeing the Crown Prince and Princess for the very first time. They arrived... yes, it is now two hours ago that the Royal couple and their guests entered the temple."

"The ceremony has been made private, but we understand that both picts and video will be released later." Dran spoke in the same hushed tone. "We are here live, waiting for the ceremony to finish."

The camera cut to an ornithopter view of the landing of the temple's grand staircase. The broad white stone of the platform practically shone. The crown jewels were sitting on a pair of red pillows at the center of the broad landing. The Royal Guard stood at attention, filling the stairs in full battle regalia. The grand temple stood opposite the Palace, on the south side of Azul Square. It was eerily silent as the thousands of subjects filling Azul Square waited for news.

"Well, um, we know that Deena, like many on Ashnan, worships the Earth Mother. A High Priestess from her homeworld, High Mother Genevore, is officiating."

There was twenty seconds of silence.

"Yes," Dran replied, trying to fill the dead air. "Weddings before Mitra are usually brief. Obviously with a ceremony of this importance, there is much more in the way of... the, um, the ceremony."

The dead air stretched for another awkward ten seconds.

"And let's cut to Guy Caine live at Azul square. Guy, what's the mood there?" Emily interjected, desperate to get her and her exhausted co-host a chance to stop talking about a door.

"The same as in the studio, the same as everywhere else in this city, on this planet, in the whole system! We- And there it is!" Guy shouted as the camera cut back to the massive temple doors parting. A company of Royal Guards exited as the entire crowd let out the same exultant, excited shout.

Crown Prince Alex exited the temple first, resplendent in his uniform. As thousands of cameras flashed, the Prince offered his hand to his left, and Princess Deena was seen for the first time. The roar of the crowd was deafening, as everyone in the square, the city, and indeed the planet cried out in a cheer.

Princess Deena's gown was magnificent. Even the most conservative of gowns could not hide her outstanding body, so little effort had been made. The neckline was high, the sleeves long, but the frilly white fabric clung to her like a second skin, flaring out to a mountain of lace and glittering petticoats. 

Her bright green eyes seemed to catch every single camera flash as she moved to stand beside her husband. She was absolutely aglow; A bright flush of excitement that hours worth of professional make up couldn't hide. As she stepped close, Alex took her hand and the couple stood for a moment, smiling as they turned to the crowd. The roar was again deafening. The Crown Prince and his bride stood for a moment, almost at attention, before heading down the broad stone stairs to the main landing.

The Royal Guard formed a circle around the crown jewels, Alex and Deena stepping inside the cordon of men. Alex dropped to a knee and lifted the Princess' crown. It was made of a web of spun platinum, a countless diamonds suspended in the metal matrix. Alex held the crown aloft for a moment before placing it on Deena's head.

The crowd exploded again with a shouted cheer, thousands of banners and streamers waving in the early morning wind. As Alex knelt again, this time lifting the Prince's crown, the crowd grew quiet. It was a simple thing, a gleaming hoop of gold with a trio of rubies at the crest. Alex handed the crown to his bride, kneeling again before her.

Deena took it and placed it over his head without hesitation or show. The crowd erupting in cheer once again. Prince Alex looked up at his new bride, a wide smile on his face as he stood before her. As they came together on the grand stone landing, the Royal Guard moved as one, the circle of troops expanding and shifting, the soldiers now facing inwards towards their charges. In one sudden movement a dozen swords flew from their scabbards, their points arrayed toward the center. As the Prince leaned down to kiss his bride, the crowd's roar built till it felt like the city itself was trembling.

"By the Maker!" Guy shouted over the din as the royal couple kissed. "Liada, I present to you Crown Prince Alex and Princess Deena!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The last time a royal wedding had been celebrated at the palace was when Alex's parents were married, nearly thirty years ago. It had been a grand, stately event, with a parade followed by a small, private celebration in the palace. The newly married couple then left on their honeymoon to a private villa on a royal owned island on the far side of the planet.

Crown Prince Alex's nuptials were quite different.

Three separate landing areas were set up in the northeast corner of Azul Square, guests being shuttled in from secure boarding areas by the Royal Guard. During the ride the guests were scanned for weapons, biological agents and recording devices. One was found: A spy drone the size of a horsefly. It was disabled, but later analysis would show that a tabloid reporter slipped it in.

Security was intense: Scanning drones hovered about, monitoring the guests and crowds alike. Two Dreadnaughts stood at each side of the Palace gate, their massive guns looming over the heads of entering guests. Capital City Police manning concrete stanchions held the roaring crowds back. Royal Guard snipers covered every rooftop, with more manning the crowd line. The crowd was well behaved, but the show of force was impressive.

The palace gate had been opened for the first time in a generation, the guests entering through the ornate archway. Hundreds of the system's politicians, athletes, celebrities and nobility mingled on the red carpet. Duke Fain, arguably the new most eligible bachelor in the system, was utterly swamped by press attention, practically hosting several competing programs. He handled it gamely, joking and flirting in equal measures.

The party itself was almost surreal, with different strata of society mixing and mingling in ways no one could have predicted. A representative of the Eridani Imperium was drinking with the commandant of the Royal Marines: ten years ago they may have been shooting at each other, but tonight they were celebrating the Prince's nuptials. Three members of the admiralty were chatting with Falcon Punch, the top musical act in the system. Everyone was dressed for the occasion, with officers in full dress mingling with the latest in high fashion.

Princess Deena absolutely glowed. She had changed out of the stiff gown she had worn for the ceremony, and her new look was already receiving rave reviews. Her golden hair was pulled back by the glittering crown, a few ringlets escaping and teasing her graceful neck. Her gleaming white gown left her shoulders bare, her bare arms adorned with an array of silk-thin chains of gold. Her breasts were thrust up by the corset in her dress, her cleavage a tempting valley. The gown flared out at her slim waist, billowing out into floating layers of outer skirts and petticoats. Princess Deena was the picture of royal calm and charm, receiving her new subjects with grace and sophistication.

"You know you're making me look bad," Alex whispered in his new wife's ear. "By comparison, of course. You're the most beautiful woman here tonight."

"Flatterer," Another subject knelt before them before moving on. "Keep it up."

The newlyweds shared a smile, continuing to greet guests on the receiving line. Everyone bowed with reverence to the royal couple and said a few words before moved on. Deena and Alex at least got to sit for this part, and were enjoying their first few hours of married life.

"The Lady Drusis of Ix," the tribune announced as the tall dark haired woman stepped before them. Deena couldn't keep a small smirk off her face as the taller woman knelt before her.

"Your Majesty," she muttered, her bitterness barely hidden.

"Arise," Deena said simply, relishing the power of office for the first time. "It is so good to see you again. I meant to call on you, but you know, the past few months were so busy. No hurt feelings, neh?"

Drusis bit her tongue. She nodded and continued down the line.

"Enjoyed that a bit?"

"A bit. I might like being Princess."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The receiving line went on for more than four hours, stretching into the early afternoon. Behind the receiving platform was a small, out-of-sight staging area, which was the nerve center of the celebration. The head chef was in the kitchen, but his representative was there coordinating the service. Horace was managing internal security, while the Master of Arms directed an army of maids, butlers and footman throughout the palace.

Off to the side, operating a data terminal, was Erina. The wedding had been planned to such an extent that now, as her checklists were being checked and each part of the wedding went off without a hitch, everyone expected her to join the festivities.

Instead she was burying herself in even more work, now dealing the post-wedding media blitz. She was coordinating with several publicists, working the press like a machine. The public response had been explosive, and she wanted to make sure to maximize the goodwill. The power of the Crown was the power of the crowd, and Prince Alex's popularity made him more powerful still.

Erina had leaked three images from the ceremony, posting them anonymously following the ceremony and then directing her friendly journo friends to the site. That was nearly three hours ago. Enough time to gauge the reaction I should think. When she saw the number, she didn't believe it and reloaded the page to confirm it.

The images had been downloaded four and a half billion times. 

"Great Maker," Erina muttered, stunned. Her pad buzzed as she received a message from an assistant: the edited footage of the ceremony was ready. Well if three damn picts were so popular... Erina immediately punched it up, quickly reviewing the footage to make sure there weren't any problems. As the footage played at triple speed she watched Deena walk down the aisle to Alex, exchange oaths, and Alex put the ring on her finger.

And just like that Erina was desperately fighting the urge to cry.

Alex is married.

"I cry at weddings too, sometimes."

Erina took a deep breath as she turned around, putting her emotions away into their proper compartment to be dealt with later.

"Agent Slate, I'm sorry I-"

"It's alright. Apologies for surprising you." He was holding a handkerchief out to her, and she dabbed at her eyes.

"It's alright. I needed the break." She wiped her cheeks. "Weddings, you know?"

"I can only imagine."

Erina nodded, before her eyes narrowed dangerously. "You're not here to arrest anyone are you?"

Slate laughed aloud, but put his hands up in mock-defense. Agent William Slate and Erina had met nearly two years ago during the Aralon Affair, when a spy ring was uncovered that led all the way into the Royal Palace. Slate had led the investigation, working with Erina and Horace to uncover the full extent of the infiltration. By the end of it all, four conspirators were uncovered, including a senior advisor to the crown.

"No, no. I'm here purely in an intelligence-gathering role. Huge shindig like this, you know someone's bound to say something they shouldn't to someone they shouldn't. C'mon, if I was here to take someone out you know I would have cleared it with you first."

It was said with a smile, but Erina didn't think it was very funny at all.

"But I heard you were back here and thought I'd say hello. I was surprised you weren't celebrating."

"We all have our responsibilities."

"Ah." He nodded, understanding. "Plans after the wedding? As soon as I'm off duty I'm going to the Square. They're saying it'll be open like this for a week. A week! Can you believe it!"

"I helped plan it, actually."

"Quite an undertaking, my lady." He gave a relaxed salute. "My congratulations on it going off without a hitch."

"Save your congratulations until it's all over, please." Erina noticed Agent Slate eyeing a plate of food as it went past. "Hungry?"

"Quite, yes. Any chance I could..."

"Mr. Derin? Put together a plate for Mr. Slate please."

The cook immediately directed a server away to do so.

Slate nodded in thanks. "Join me?"

"I've been grazing all day, but thank you."

"Oh thank the Maker," Slate said as a heaping plate of food was bought to him. "So, no plans for after the wedding?"

"Only work, unfortunately. I'll be aboard the Erabos by 1900 hours."

"Always working!"

"Indeed."

"What about after, after the wedding? Where's your career taking you?"

"What do you mean?"

Agent Slate suddenly looked quite embarrassed. "I... I just assumed that you'd be moving on. What with Alex-"

"With Alex what?" Erina's gray eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"I'm sorry, I spoke out of turn." Slate put his fork aside and lifted his hand in apology. "There had been some talk of trying recruit you into SIB."

Erina smiled at the implied compliment, before glancing around to make sure they weren't being observed.

"I'm flattered, but no thank you."

"Of course, I just-"

"Sh." Erina plucked a spiced egg from his plate. "Any good intel?" Erina asked, happy for the distraction from her problems.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Deena was happy to see some friends from Ashnan and university, but knew she wouldn't get a chance to really speak to anyone today. She promised everyone that her schedule would open up after the honeymoon and she hoped to see them then. When the last guest had paid their respects, the royal couple took up their position at the main table and the dinner began.




Starcrossed Ch. 03



The meal lasted for seven courses, stretching three hours and into the evening. The food was sumptuous and delicious, a smattering of delicacies from every corner of the system, with sunpeaches from Unpau and stuffed ux from Corvinus. An army of uniformed servants moved with almost military precision, serving each course only to vanish back into the bowels of the palace.

Later, the newlyweds took to the dance floor, leading the traditional dances of the royal court. A great part of the past few months' preparation involved teaching the steps to the betrothed, and the practice had paid off. Deena looked like a floating white flower, smiling up at her new husband with obvious adoration.

After some extended dancing, Alex and Deena made a circuit of the party, saying a personal goodnight to their close friends and a few of the most important guests. It took almost two hours to complete this circuit, but the entire hall stood for the young couple as they ascended the stairs and headed out of the ballroom to the landing grids.

"Alex! Your highness!" Duke Fain called, climbing on top of his chair. The chair wobbled dangerously under him, but Fain managed to stay atop it despite his obvious inebriation. Fain raised his glass, the whole hall standing and joining the toast. 

"I have been lucky enough to call Prince Alex a friend. A close friend. I was honored to stand with him at his wedding. Marriage is... marriage is, well..." he shook his head, and the assembled nobleman rumbled with laughter. "Marriage is a great voyage, and I'm pleased beyond words that Alex has found such a partner on this voyage. To the Crown Prince and his bride!" He lifted his glass high. "Long live the Crown!"

"Long live the Crown!" the crowd cried, toasting the newlyweds.

Deena stepped into Alex's embrace and the whole crowd applauded and cheered. The party proper would last well into the morning.

As the newlyweds exited the palace and made their way to the shuttles, the crowds of Liada Prime's common folk saw their new princess and broke out into a cheer. Deena glowed in the powerful lights of the tarmac and the crowd cheered her name as she waved. Alex pulled her close for a quick kiss and the crowd went crazy, thousands of camera flashes illuminating them. The young couple waved again before heading to the shuttle. Horace was waiting for them both inside.

"Your Highness," he said formally, bowing at the waist. He directed them to their acceleration couches and sat across from them. "I managed to watch some of the 'casts. You were an absolute hit, Princess."

Deena could only bite her lip in slight embarrassment: She was already so flushed that she couldn't blush anymore. The day had nearly overwhelmed her.

"All conditions are green. The Erabos is awaiting our arrival. With your permission?" Alex nodded, and with a quick signal from Horace the shuttle was airborne.

Once the shuttle was away, Horace left the royal couple alone for a moment to speak with a subordinate. Alone for the first time as man and wife, Deena felt suddenly nervous. Alex's hand slid to hers and took it gently, calming her.

Looking up into her new husband's eyes, Deena was a little surprised at the fire she saw there. Alex leaned close to kiss her. Deena could feel her breasts swell in arousal as their tongues brushed against each other.

"I cannot wait until we are alone, Princess," Alex growled into her ear, and Deena could feel her pussy flood. She had a brief vision of mounting him right there, pulling her voluminous dress up and fucking him right there on the acceleration couch. Shaking her head, she focused on the here and now and looked deep into her husband's blue eyes.

"Neither can I, my Prince."

A short while later they had landed on the Erabos, a modified battle cruiser that was the Crown's primary mode of interstellar transit. An honor guard was present as they boarded, the ship's officers and marines in full dress uniform to welcome the royal couple.

"The ship awaits your inspection, your highness," Horace said formally, addressing Alex, "the command staff is on the bridge."

"Oh, I don't think that's necessary right now, I'll do it-" he paused at the sharp look of disapproval from Horace. He sighed: Horace had been one of his most valued teachers and advisors throughout his life, but there were times he found the old man's dedication to tradition almost maddening. "Very well. Would you-"

"I'll escort the Princess to your suites, your highness," Horace said, offering Deena his arm. Alex handed his wife off to Horace as he entered a lift for the top of the ship while they took another lift for the lower decks.

"Let me offer my congratulations again, your highness. The Prince is a lucky man."

"Thank you Horace. I'm sorry that you could not attend." Deena knew how close Horace was to Alex, and was surprised the older man hadn't been present.

"I had official duties, Highness. It's not every day that combat mechs are deployed in Azul square. I intend to watch the recording once we are underway."

Deena smiled, patting his hand. "And please, I can't stand the formality. Please just call me Deena. All this 'your highness' makes me think Queen Beatrice is about."

"Your highness," Horace said, eliciting a quiet grump from Deena, "I think you'll become used to it. Forgive me, but I will address you as befitting your station. I have been in this family's service for my entire adult life. I suppose old habits can be hard to break. Ah, here we are," he said as they reached the decks of the royal chambers.

Deena was surprised: where all the other floors had the painted durasteel of a military vessel, these corridors had the look of the royal palace, with soft carpeting, wood paneling and artwork.

"These four decks, oh yes, on a ship the floor is called the deck," Horace explained as he lead her to her chambers, "are the Royal suites. Enough rooms for the entire royal family and their attendants, dining facilities, gym and training suites, lounges and game rooms... All the amenities of the royal palace. Minus the gardens."

"And the pools too, I imagine," she said, smiling. She was quite fond of the old soldier, and in the past few months she had come to value his deep calm and knowledge.

"Actually, your highness, I believe there is in fact an endless pool in the gymnasium."

"I stand corrected," Deena said as they rounded a corner to an ornate door. "And this must be it." Deena's heart pounded in her chest and she chided herself: It's just a door. And Alex isn't even in there yet!

"Yes, your highness," Horace said, bowing slightly. "Winifred is waiting for you in the adjoining room to your left, ma'am."

"Horace, I'll accept your highness, Princess, your majesty... but please don't address me as ma'am. Agreed?"

Horace nodded, grinning slightly.

"Thank you for escorting me, and for all of your service. Good night, Horace," Deena said, accessing the door controls and entering the darkened room.

Activating the lights, she surveyed the large bedroom. She saw that the room had been filled with candles and that the massive four-poster bed adorned with gauzy silk curtains. Deena gasped when she realized the entire rear wall of the suite was a floor to ceiling plasteel window, the vast curve of Liada Prime filling the view. Deena flicked the lights back off, enjoying the way the light of the planet's atmosphere joined with the candles to flood the room with a soft glow.

"That'll do," she said quietly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Once the last of the shuttles arrives, we'll disembark with a standard gravity assist from Ghedoria, then continue at a supercruise for roughly a hundred hours, sir," Admiral Mannot explained as Alex surveyed the bridge. "We'll arrive at Gadia at approximately 0500 hours on Thursday."

"Very good, Admiral. When should the last of the shuttles arrive?" Alex asked, wondering exactly how long he was expected to stay on his inspection.

"Shuttles two and six are the only ones still on-planet, and they are boarding now. We should be underway within the hour."

"Excellent..." Alex said absently, his eyes sweeping over the bridge. The crew was one of the best in the fleet, and went about their duties like he wasn't even there. He glanced at the sensor display, saw that the Erabos' escorts, four Volka class destroyers and a squadron of fighters, were in their assigned positions. Everything was as it should be. "Well Admiral, you seem to have this well in hand. If there's nothing else?"

"Yes your highness. I'll contact you if-"

"Mr. Mannot," Alex stepped closer and lowered his voice, "I'd prefer not to be interrupted until we reach Gadia. That's an order. Unless there's a hull breach I don't want to be disturbed."

"Understood, my lord," Manot said, his perfect military discipline unable to keep a very small smile off his face.

"Thank you, Admiral." Alex left the bridge, trying not to run to the lift. A short ride down and he was walking briskly to the suite, already unfastening his stiff collar.

As he passed a closet, he heard a "psst" and turned to look, seeing Laen hiding inside. Alex took a quick look around before stepping into the closet and closing the door behind him.

"I heard you were asking after me last night, highness."

Alex's grin was playful. "Perhaps."

"Well I suppose I should leave you with something to remember me by...?" Her hand moved towards his trousers, but Alex caught it in midair.

"Laen..."

"Milord?"

"Things are different now. I'm... well, I'm married."

"Ah." Laen withdrew her hand, her eyes downcast. But then they met his and she had a pleased smile on her face. "Good."  

"Good?"

"When you were with Erina... she sent me to you, she knew all about it and approved. Deena... well, she's a different story."

"Ah."

"And I'm glad to see you standing by your oath, highness."

Alex sighed. "I'm disappointed that everyone expects so little of me."

"Oh don't be like that." She placed a warm hand on his chest. "I can't imagine how hard this has been. For both of you."

"I know. Can you... can you keep an eye on Erina for me? I'm worried about her, after all this. I can't, that is, I'm not sure how she..."

"Of course, majesty. I'll do what I can, but you know Erina..."

"She's not very good for asking for help."

"That's one way to put it, yes."

"Well don't worry: I'm on it." She gave a rather sharp salute. "Now you have important work to do: Go fuck your wife."

"Yes ma'am." Alex returned her salute with perfect form.

"And you better... Deena's sweet. She's been nice to everyone, even the servants. Give her a first worth remembering, majesty."

"No need for pressure, Lae." Alex stuck his head on his out the door and slipped out. His creep turned to a leap as Laen gave him a firm swat on the ass. "Hey!"

"Go get her, milord!" She curtsied, her smile infectious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"My lady!" Winifred snapped up from her seat, almost spilling her drink. She had been watching the casts while surfing the cortex on a pad, overloading on coverage from the wedding.

"Winifred! Oh Win, help me out of this fucking thing." Deena was already turning in circles trying to reach the line of buttons going down her back, and Winifred laughed as she held her mistress still so she could undo the tiny fasteners. "Alex is inspecting the ship or some such, and I want to be ready for him when he returns."

"Of course my lady." Winifred's smile was broad as her fingers went from button to button. "The cortex is absolutely on fire. It's all anyone is talking about: Your gown, your hair, the ball... the ball! The gossip sites... I've never seen anything like it."

"Driving you to drink?" Deena pointed to the half-empty bottle of wine.

"Deena, this whole day drove me to drink." She shook her head, thankful that the day was finally over. "And there we are."

"Oh blessed Mitra," Deena gasped, breathing deeply as the stiff gown released its grip on her torso. Working together they pushed the gown over her hips and extricated her from the pile of petticoats, leaving Deena in a brief pair of white panties, stockings, and shoes. While Winifred hung the gown, Deena breathed deeply, grandly stretching and rubbing the dress' impressions off her skin. "I didn't realize how awful that was until it was off."

"You had other things on your mind." Winifred brought over a folded bundle of silk. "You're still glowing, Princess."

"Oh gods, I don't think I'll ever get used to that. Not from you, at least."

"I think you'll manage."

Deena was about to allow Win to slip the nightgown on over her head, but paused to strip off the rest of her clothes. Now nude, she raised her arms to her maid. Win couldn't help but grin as she slipped the filmy gown over Deena's arms and allowed it to slide down her form.

"What are you smiling at?"

"Want as little as possible between you and Prince Alex, hm?"

Deena's small smile was decidedly wicked.

"Nervous?"

"A touch." She took a shuddering breath. "Trending towards terror."

"You have to relax my dear. Join me in a quick drink?"

Deena nodded, smoothing the gown nervously. Winifred poured them two glasses from her bottle.

"Don't worry my dear. Just relax and... well, I'm sure you'll be in good hands with Prince Alex." Winifred tittered, but stopped when she realized Deena wasn't joining her. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sure Alex will know what to do too... and I don't think I like that."

"Deena..." Rumors about the Prince's love life had been rampant ever since his teens. Winfred knew better than to believe all of them, but they both knew that Alex wasn't coming to the marriage a virgin by any stretch of the imagination. "All I'll say is you might be pleased that one of you will know what you're doing."

"I just..." Deena sipped her drink. "I worry that his other dalliances will continue after the marriage."

Winifred sighed, unsure how to respond. She liked the Crown Prince, and wanted to think the best of him, but knew that noblemen rarely went without whatever amusements they might seek. At the same time, she didn't think that her wedding night was the best time to start worrying about such things.

"Oh Deena, don't trouble yourself with such thoughts now. Just think: Soon you'll have the system's sexiest man between your thighs."

"My thighs for starters." Deena's giggles became a full on guffaw when she saw the stunned look on her maid's face. She downed her wine and pulled the older woman close for a tight hug.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Dee?" Alex asked as he entered the suite. He had only been kept perhaps ten minutes on his inspection and chatting with Laen.

The room was dark, the only light coming from the atmosphere of Liada Prime and a few dozen candles scattered around the room. Alex spotted his new bride standing at the windows and looking out over the planet. Silhouetted against the light from the planet, Alex could see the delightful curve of her hips sheathed in silk. Alex unfastened his jacket and tossed it onto a chair as he approached, pulling his new wife into his arms.

"Good evening, Princess." His eyes were on the world below them. "Surveying your subjects?"

"Actually just waiting for my husband." She sipped at a glass of wine. "I take it the ship passed your inspection?"

"It did." His hands slipped around her sides to stroke her soft tummy.

Knowing that there was but a wisp of silk between him and his wife was maddening, but Alex was determined to go slowly, Laen's words fresh in his mind. He began with soft, sucking kisses along her neck and shoulders, his hands gently stroking the soft skin of her stomach. 

"I know you're probably nervous about tonight, but I need you to know that I'll... we'll go slow. I could never hurt you, darling."

Deena turned in his arms and their lips met in a deep kiss, Alex holding her close as she melted into his arms. As the kiss grew longer and deeper, Alex's hands began to explore along her soft back, slipping to her butt. Alex moaned into the kiss as his hands filled to overflowing with her ass, her fleshy cheeks feeling delightfully heavy in his hands.

Deena pushed Alex's hands away and set about undressing him. Her fingers moved quickly, unbuckling his belt and pushing his trousers to the ground, pulling his undershirt from his shoulders. Alex had to take a moment to pull off his boots, but soon he was standing in front of his bride in just his underwear, his cock evident in the tight fabric.

"Alex," Deena said, taking her shoulder straps in her hands, "I need you to know that I'm... I may be innocent, but I'm not ignorant. I know what I want tonight," she said as she pushed her shoulder straps off, her gown sliding down her body and puddling around her feet.

"Great Maker," Alex said quietly, taking her in. She had released her blonde hair, a few long strands extending down to tease her breasts. They were fantastic, perfect teardrops, sagging just enough to give them a delicious pendulous fullness. Her nipples were a pale pink, large and inviting, puckering up in anticipation. Her slim waist flared into delightful hips, giving way to strong, smooth legs. Alex was surprised to find her shaved bare, her full lips already swollen in arousal.

She stepped closer to him, continuing. "I want to make love tonight... but I also want you to fuck me." She was pleased to see his eyebrows rise at her crudity. "I... I want you to pound into me, to take your pleasure in me. I want to be sore tomorrow. I want to see what I've been missing."

Alex laughed quietly. "I'll do what I can Dee. We have plenty of time to practice at this." He was about to continue when Deena gracefully sank to her knees before him, pulling his underwear down. "Dee, you do-"

"Oh, oh my," Deena said as Alex's cock popped into view. She tentatively wrapped her hand around it, her fingers just barely meeting around the base of his shaft. She stroked it lightly, gently squeezing the hard flesh. Although this was the first penis she'd seen in person, she'd seen enough on the cortex to know that her new husband was blessed with quite a large one.

"I guess I'm blessed too," Deena muttered, her hands exploring this new toy. She marveled at the soft skin covering the rock hard flesh, traced along its veins, slid her hands lower to fondle his large balls. Alex groaned, a small pearl of precum forming at his tip. Deena leaned close, sucking his head into her mouth, moaning as she tasted him for the first time. She hummed: He tasted salty and clean, not unpleasant at all as some of her friends had warned her.

Alex pulled her to her feet and to his lips, kissing her hard and pulling her tight against his body. Deena felt his hot length against her belly and squirmed against it, thrilling at her husband's groan. Alex's hands had returned to her ass, his fingers digging into the soft flesh. They staggered back to the bed, Alex lifting her and placing her at the edge. Their kiss continued, as he slipped to his knees before her.

"Gods you're exquisite." Alex's fingers traced up her thighs, along her sides, to her breasts, filling his hands with the soft orbs. Deena gasped as his skilled hands stroked her, teasing her hard peaks. Alex pulled a tight nipple into his mouth, strumming it with his tongue while Deena tangled her fingers in his hair. He stayed there for long minutes, worshipping her breasts, his mouth exploring from one nipple to the other, kissing along their inner slope, gently nibbling their full undersides. Deena held his head to her breasts, luxuriating as Alex made love to her tits.

Alex's lips slowly strayed south, along her stomach, toying with her belly button as Deena lay back with a giggle. Giggles gave way to gasps as Alex's kisses trailed down to her lower tummy, then lower to her inner thighs. Alex could smell her need, but he wanted to tease her this first time, kissing all around her pussy without actually touching it, nipping along her inner thighs. He let his kisses get closer and closer to her core, kissing her smooth lips, her bare pubis, even nibbling on a plump ass cheek from below as Deena mewled in frustration.




Starcrossed Ch. 03



"Alex, you bette-OH!" Deena gasped as Alex relented and slowly licked her whole pussy, from her wet hole to her fat little clit, gently teasing the button with the tip of his tongue. Deena gasped anew as Alex returned to teasing her, licking all around her clit without touching it. She bit her lip as she felt something tightening inside her, a tension growing with each teasing touch.

Spreading her lips wide, Alex lapped at her center, teasing her tight opening with rapid licks. Deena could feel her pussy flood at this new stimulation and knew her orgasm would come quickly. This was so different than playing with herself, her pleasure soaring in her belly, Alex's tongue like fire on her sensitive flesh.

"Alex, oh gods, I, oh FUCK!" Deena gasped, her legs wrapping tight around Alex's head as her whole body throbbed in pleasure. Alex stayed right where he was, continuing to stroke and tease her pussy as she came hard. She shivered for long seconds, her muscles tense, jaw clenched, before slowly dropping back to the soft bed. Alex rose slowly, helping her to the middle of the huge mattress. Deena wiped some sweat from her brow, still languishing in post-orgasmic bliss.

"Well, that was just lovely."

"I enjoyed it quite a bit too, Dee," Alex said as he slid beside her, rubbing his cock against her hip. "I, uh, I like doing that. A lot."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, you should know that," Alex moved on top of his wife, his hard cock rubbing against her sex. "I'm going to be doing that to you a lot. Eating your pussy, I mean." As he spoke, Alex slid his cock up and down her slit, teasing at her clit with his cock head. "That is, if you'd like me to."

"Prince Alex, there's very little that I don't want you to do to me." It was said quietly, like she was sharing a secret. Deena kissed him, tasted herself on his lips.

"Oh?"

"Mh-hm. There are all sorts of things I want to try ..."

Alex's hips stilled against her, his eyes locked with hers.

"Oh?" Alex repeated quietly, loving this sexy creature Deena was turning out to be. Slipping her hand to his shaft, she took it and pulled him to her pussy.

"First things first." She placed him at her opening. "Okay?"

Alex nodded, slowly pressing against the tight hole. Deena's eyes squinted slightly in pain and Alex pulled back. Sliding his cock along her wet cleft, he nudged firmly against her clit. He ground against her for a long moment before returning to her tight hole, pressing against her firmly again, spreading her open a little more.

He repeated this motion again and again, slowly opening her up to his shaft. As he ground against her clit, Deena would mewl and gasp, relaxing into the pillows. When he would press his cockhead into her, she would grip his arms tightly, trying to relax as she felt him spreading her open.

"Oh, oh Mitra, mm," Deena grunted as she felt his fat head enter her fully, her lips closing around him. She had never felt so full in her life, couldn't believe that he had the rest of his damn cock to go. She dared a look down her belly and was stunned to see what looked like a foot of thick, bulging cock still outside of her. But then she looked up into Alex's eyes and felt herself calming slightly. "You just feel... huge," she said simply, reaching down to feel where they were joined.

"It'll fit Princess. Trust me." He pressed against her, pushing a little deeper before he felt her maidenhead against his cock. He rocked slowly against her, feeling the barrier stretch slightly, but knew that a little pain was unavoidable. "This will hurt, Dee, I'm sorry."

She nodded, gripping his shoulders tightly.

With a sharp thrust he was inside her, spearing through her maidenhead and into her gripping pussy. Deena gasped at the sharp pain, grabbing Alex's shoulders with her nails. Alex held perfectly still, stroking her breasts and kissing her neck as she adapted to him inside her.

"You okay?"

"I... I'm alright. I can't believe I thought you felt huge before," she said quietly, a few tears escaping her pretty green eyes. She was breathing slowly, trying to relax, but Alex felt like a hot poker jammed in her.

"Shh, just relax, Princess." It killed him to have caused that pain, but he knew there was no other way. They kissed softly for a few minutes as he settled atop her, careful not to crush her under him. Deena did her best to relax as the sharp pain gave way to a dull ache in her belly.

"Mmmh, Prince, move in me," she murmured, burying her head in his neck.

Alex began to thrust gently against her, starting with slow, shallow thrusts. Her hands still gripped at him, but her nails no longer dug at him painfully. Alex began to press deeper, gaining a bare fraction of an inch with each thrust. He kept his movements slow and easy, and was pleased when her gripping hands began to relax.


"You okay?" He was finally thrusting his full length into her. Deena nodded, her breath short. Sliding a large hand down to her belly, Alex gently stroked at her clit with his thumb. Deena moaned, and Alex could feel her beginning to flood over him.

"Oh... oh Mitra!" she groaned. He was moving easier in her now, and she could feel every inch of him moving in her. It felt like he was stoking a fire inside of her, each thrust of his cock sending sparks through her middle. Alex started to pick up the pace, pumping deeply as he returned his lips to her breasts.

"Gods Dee..."

"Oh, Alex, that is..." Deena murmured as her legs wrapped around his thrusting hips, pulling him in deeper with each inward thrust. The pain was long gone and Alex's pounding cock was her new favorite thing in the universe. The feeling of it spreading her wide open with each thrust was driving her crazy. She experimented with thrusting back against Alex, gasping as he reached new deeper spots, his cock head just nudging her cervix with each thrust.

"You okay Dee?" he asked, already knowing she was. Her pussy was soaking wet, her cream soaking him and the sheets beneath them. She was breathing deeply, her eyes half closed, her pale chest was flushed crimson. Alex didn't think he'd ever seen anything so sexy.

"Mm, uh huh, I'm, I'm fine," Dee murmured, her eyes locking on his. She had never felt anything like this, it was like her entire body was wired through her clenching pussy. She could feel an enormous orgasm coiling in her belly, each deep thrust of Alex's cock bringing it closer. "I am so so fine..."

Alex was desperately trying hold himself back. Deena's gripping pussy was doing everything it could to undo him, like a molten fist milking him. He slid his cock from her pussy and ground it along her slit, rubbing his length against her hard clit. Deena gasped at this new attack, but gripped his butt tightly and tried to steer him back inside her.

"Alex," she grunted, forcing him to her entrance, "I need you in me." She gasped as she pulled him back inside her, smiling broadly as their hips met again. "Mmm... I think I love this, my Prince." 

Alex smiled, his hips stilling with his cock deep inside her.

"I'm glad Dee. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear that."

Biting her lip, Deena experimented, pushing her hips up against him. Alex let her explore the feelings, grinding against her.

"Oh fuck," she grunted, hanging on tight as she felt a deeper orgasm building. "Oh god Alex I've... I've touched myself, but never anything like this!"

"It only gets better, wife," Alex grunted into her ear, biting her neck.

"Oh Mitra, oh!" Deena gasped, gripping him tightly as she shuddered, her orgasm crashing over her. He grunted as he felt his orgasm rushing. He began to pound into her pussy, fucking deeply as her cunt clenched on him.

"Dee, fuck I can't hold it," he grunted, pounding into her hard, chasing his pleasure.

"Oh, oh flood me oh please fucking cum in me..." she trailed off, her orgasm still pounding in her head. She pulled him tight against her, screaming fully into his neck as she felt him pulse in her repeatedly, a warmth spreading deep inside her. When it finally passed, she collapsed back against the bed, completely drained. Alex slumped across her, panting.

They lay like that for long gasping minutes. When Alex finally pulled his softened cock from her, she moaned in protest. Alex left the bed for a moment, returning with a glass of ice water. She took it gratefully, drinking deeply before pressing the cold glass to her sweaty neck. Lying back against the mountain of pillows, Alex pulled Dee close, kissing her lightly behind her ear.

"Are you alright, Princess?"

"I think you like calling me that," Dee took another long drink of water. "That was... mm. That was... you say it gets better?"

"Oh most definitely. It takes practice, though." Alex was grinning like a fool, but he couldn't help it.

"I've never shied away from hard work," Dee said with a smile on her face. "How long until we land on Gadia?"

"Five days. I've ordered us not to be disturbed. Although I guess we'll have to have some food brought in."

"Occasionally, yes," Deena said, nodding. Her hand had slid to Alex's soft, wet cock. "It's so different," she said quietly, her small hands exploring him. Alex said nothing, stroking her back as she explored his body for the first time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh come on, Erina, we both know there are cameras in that room. We can watch!" Laen laughed. "Tell me you don't want to see him, y'know," she took on a man's deep voice, "break her in?"

"No. No! I promised him I would turn off the system. I've locked it out too, so don't bother trying," she said sternly, only to smile. "Give him his privacy in this, at least."

"Oh all right," Laen said grandly, flopping back onto the couch. "I've gotten to know Winifred."

"Finally!" Erina said, smiling. "And?"

"Devoted, loves Deena as her own. I think she'll prove reliable."

"Good. Keep it informal for now, though. We'll recruit her in good course."

Laen nodded, agreeing.

"Hear anything interesting during the festivities?"

Laen shrugged. "Nothing worth reporting. Although Alden Quorin's son seems to think I'm quite a piece of ass."

"Oh really?" Erina poured herself some whiskey. She glanced at Laen in question, and at her nod poured her a healthy glass as well.

"Yep. Sidled up beside me and slid a hand up my thigh. Asked if I could show him the nearest bathroom."

"And?"

"I pointed the way." Off of Erina's disapproving glare, Laen scoffed. "He's a toad."

Erina rolled her eyes. "Well, it's something to keep in mind anyway. Quorin's been something of an adversary on the military reorganization bill." They each sipped their drinks for a moment in silence, Laen looking out the porthole at Liada Prime swinging out of sight as the ship got underway.

"It's hard to believe it's done. We have a new princess. Alex is married," Laen said absently, shaking her head. "I wasn't expecting her to be so... Well, nice."

"Thought he'd pick a harpy? So little faith."

"I didn't think he'd pick one but... You know how they can be. Of all the aristos and royalty I've served, only a handful have been decent human beings. Lady Deena has been nothing but kind, to everyone. I've been asking the servants, following up, no one has a bad word to say about her..." Laen laughed. "She's really bewitched us all, eh?"

"Let's hope not," Horace said lightly as he entered the office. "Could you get an old man one of those, dear?"

Laen nodded, rising gracefully to pour the old soldier a drink.

"All conditions are green, everyone is aboard and accounted for. I must say," he said, sitting down and putting his legs on a plush ottoman, "that I will appreciate the next five days."

"We've all earned this," Laen agreed handing him a quite full glass.

"Indeed," Horace said, taking a large gulp before relaxing back into his chair. "Anything to report?"

"Too much, I'm afraid." Erina waved at the pile of pads and papers all over her desk. "Reports, reports, and some more reports. Too much to sort through at the moment, but nothing world-shaking. I'll keep you posted as I winnow it down."

"Of course, of course." Horace casually downed nearly half of his drink. "There's another matter... I'd been meaning to discuss it with you, but with the wedding and all that..."

"What is it?"

"A possible investigation, your purview."

"Ah."

"Nothing serious, don't be concerned. Gadia will actually provide an excellent opportunity, as far as it goes." Horace finished his drink, visibly relaxing into the armchair. Laen, returning from refilling her own glass, handed him the bottle on her way back to the couch. "Thank you dear."

"Perhaps we should discuss it tomorrow then, if it's going to be that kind of party." Erina's tone was mildly disapproving.

"The entire system's celebrating. As Laen said, we've earned this." It was said directly at Erina, his calm eyes locked with hers. He tossed the bottle across the desk to her and Erina caught it in one motion. "Join us, Erina."

Erina sighed and topped off her own glass.

"I'm sorry Horace, you're right. Thank you."

"To the Crown Prince and his bride!" Horace lifted his glass in a toast, Erina and Laen joining him. "Long live the crown!" 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please remember to take a moment to vote or comment!



Starcrossed Ch. 04



And on to the next chapter! Sorry about the delay between the chapters, but a new full-time job mixed with classes and life stuff... Yeah. Writing gets pushed to the back burner. I apologize.

Keep the votes and comments coming!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Deena roused slowly, confused for a moment as to where she was. The room was dark and warm, and there was someone holding her close from behind. It took a long second before she remembered that it was Crown Prince Alex, her husband, and that they were en route to their honeymoon.

The presence of another body in bed with her was a new one. He was so much bigger than her, this bulky warm thing pressed close to her back, his heavy arm draped across her middle. She could feel his breath blowing past her ear, his rough hand against her tummy. That last touch sent the most delightful tickles across her skin, warming her even more than his furnace-like body heat.

I'll have to get used to sharing a bed. She wondered why, given the enormous space available, Alex felt the need to spoon against her. Not that she was complaining, really, but she was used to spreading out.

Lifting his arm, she managed to slip out of bed without waking him. Standing beside the bed she looked down at her husband as he rolled onto his back, the sheets only covering his legs. He looked peaceful in sleep, his breathing slow and even. Deena's eyes trailed down his body. Even like this, in repose, he looked like the Colossus of Ix, chiseled muscles moving under his lightly tanned skin. Looking at his manhood, Deena had to bite her lip: even in his sleep it was impressive, curving heavily along his thigh.

How many times have we done it already? There was the first time, then the second time when she rode him, and then he managed to rouse her passion again with his stroking fingers and lips on her breasts, taking her as they lay on their sides. Three then? Is that it? Her sore body screamed at her that that was more than enough for the first day of marriage.

Slipping to the attached bathroom, she closed the door and activated the lights, giggling as she saw herself in the mirror. Her hair was an absolute mess, looking very, Deena thought the phrase was "just fucked." She had a hickey on her neck, with another matching one on the inner slope of her breast. Her belly was criss-crossed with dried semen, from when she had demanded that Alex shoot over her belly, desperately wanting to see his orgasm.

"I look like a whore who just took on a goddamn platoon," she said quietly, turning to survey the damage. But thinking back on the long night with her husband, she wouldn't have had it any other way. As she glanced at a clock she also realized it had been at least 30 hours since she had last bathed. Activating the shower cubicle, Deena stepped in and let the multiple streams beat on her.

"Mitra..." She sighed as she felt the hot water pound against her sore muscles, leaning back to let the hot water rush through her long hair. She could feel the hot water sluice over her belly and wash away the evidence of her wedding night. But the soreness remained, the mild ache in her tummy.

I'm a woman now. Deena wondered at that: she didn't feel particularly different then she had the day before, except for the ring on her finger that still felt very out of place. Princess too, I have to remember. She frowned slightly. Nope, don't feel like that either.

There was a sudden rush of a air as the shower door opened, but before Deena could turn and look she found herself in her husband's strong arms once again.

"An excellent idea, Princess," Alex said as he pulled her tight to his chest.

"I thought I was getting a bit ripe." She relaxed against his broad chest, feeling his arms, thick with muscle, crossed over her breasts. "Wash my back?"

"I plan on washing every damn inch of you," he murmured, moving away and beginning to do just that, filling a sponge with gel and working it into a thick lather.

Deena stood quite still as Alex gently washed her from head to toe. He began at her shoulders, taking each arm and scrubbing along their slim length, even washing her fingers individually. Returning to her shoulders, he went down her back, kneeling behind her as he dragged the sponge in small circles down her spine. His hands joined in as he scrubbed over her butt, half washing and half caressing her firm cheeks. But he didn't linger as he continued down her thighs, kneading the muscles on his way to her feet. He picked up each foot in turn, washing the soles of her feet and her pretty toes.

Deena was enjoying this immensely, biting her lip as Alex moved to her front. The sponge felt divine on her nipples, the rough fibers rubbing against her, sending sparks of pleasure straight to her pussy. He moved down her belly, taking particular care with her belly button, making her giggle. When he reached her pussy, kneeling before her, he scrubbed gently, pushing the sponge back and forth against her smooth lips, drawing it up through the crack of her ass. Deena gasped as the rough sponge dragged across her clit, through her pussy, and between her full cheeks, rubbing against her sensitive anus.

Dropping the sponge, Alex stood behind her and filled his hands with her breasts again. Deena could feel his hard shaft slip between her cheeks, rubbing against her tight hole as his fingers toyed with her nipples. She clenched her cheeks around him, thrilling at his surprised grunt.

Biting her lip, she considered asking him to take her ass there and then, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. Reaching back, Deena grasped his soap-slick cock and bent it down, lifting up onto her toes as the fat head swept through her folds.

Deena's mind suddenly flashed to her fantasy from all those months ago of Alex fucking her like a beast in the shower. Her pussy flooded at the memory, and she knew that she had to live it out immediately. In a flash she was facing him and leapt into his arms, wrapping her legs around his hips. Surprised, Alex stumbled for a moment before bracing his feet and leaning Deena against the wall.

"Maker, Dee, warn me before yo-"

Deena silenced him with a bruising kiss.

"Fuck me, Alex. Now," she hissed, her wet body sliding against him as she tried to slip him inside her. Alex's hands gripped her ass tightly as he lifted her up, lining himself up and slipping inside her in one swift thrust. Deena cried out as he slammed hard into her, filling her up.

"Dee are you-"

"Pound me, hard." Her voice was hoarse, breathless, and she bit his neck hard to drive her point home.

Alex growled as he complied, his fingers digging into her soft cheeks as he fucked her hard against the tiled wall, their wet bodies slapping against each other.

Deena was breathing hard, deep in her fantasy, playing it out in her head even as she lived it out. Her wet breasts sliding along his hard chest, his fingers digging into her ass almost painfully, his cock battering against her cervix. Her orgasm was upon her before she even realized it, her head flung back against the tiles as she panted her way through it. She gasped as, mid-orgasm, Alex bit her shoulder as he exploded inside her, slamming home and pinning her to the wall as he shook against her.

"Princess..."

"Sh. Just hold me."

Alex held her tight, but as his legs crumpled he slowly eased them down to the floor, turning so his back was against the wall as she straddled him. Deena whimpered in complaint as she felt him slip out of her, but snuggled tighter into his arms as the shower sprays beat down on them.

"I'm sorry if I was too rou-"

"Shut up, majesty." She was sore and tired, but as she felt him leaking out of her she knew that she already wanted more of him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laen pushed the food cart out of the lift into the Royal suites. The Crown Prince had called in an order of "breakfast stuff," but had not been more specific than that. The cook had been alarmed, since it was actually dinnertime, but had complied with the request with gusto. The cart groaned under heaps of delicious griddlecakes, pans of bacon and smoked daar, plates of fresh fruit, plus pitchers of milk and juice, as well as a full jarra service.

As she walked down the hallway, she noticed the guard on duty was the new transfer from the Veratani, Sergeant Victor... Edras, maybe? He was young for his rank, and cute: a little short for the Royal Guard, but broad like a rugby player. He stood at ease, his rifle butt against the floor. Laen passed close to him, glancing to his brown eyes as he stared ahead with perfect military discipline.

Until they flicked to hers for a fraction of a second, nodding very slightly in greeting. Laen quickly glanced away, trying and failing to hide her smile as she continued on with her cart.

She hurried along, reaching the door to the Crown Prince's suite moments later. She knocked sharply and parked the cart close to the closed door as she had been instructed. But just as she was stepping away the door opened and the Princess popped out.

"Oh thank the gods!" Deena said as she stuffed a piece of bacon in her mouth, humming in pleasure. She was wearing a filmy silk shift, the shining fabric clinging to her lush body. It barely reached her creamy thighs and her large nipples pressed against the fabric, every bump visible through the thin shift. Pulling the cart back into the suite, Deena noticed Laen standing there, possibly for the first time. "Oh! I'm sorry... Laen, right? I-" She glanced down, noticed her level of dress, and leapt back behind the door, hiding her body from the empty hallway.

"Yes, your highness," Laen said averting her eyes and curtsying, desperately trying not to smile or blush. Her eyes flicked up to find the Princess looking right at her and for the briefest of moments their eyes met.

It was incredible: That look, that glance, was almost like a psi-link. They both knew what was happening in that room: The Royal couple was fucking each other's brains out. Maker, they probably just finished a bout. He must be leaking out of her right now. And as their eyes locked for that heartbeat, Deena smiled. She knew that Laen knew, and was pleased.

"Good night Laen. If there are any other requests for the room, can you be the one to bring it please? I like you." It was said with a smile as she pulled the cart the rest of the way in before closing the door.

"Yes your highness. Thank you," Laen said, beaming a little.

Laen returned down the hallway with an extra spring in her step. She was pleased that the married couple was enjoying their honeymoon. As she passed the guard, she looked right at him, his eyes once again moving to hers.

"Good evening," she said as she passed him, a great breach of protocol.

"Good evening, my lady," he replied, tilting his head. Laen smiled at the compliment, and continued on, her hips swaying a tiny bit more than necessary.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I can't believe you."

"What?"

"Putting on underwear. Do I disgust you so?" Deena was smiling as she lay on the bed in her full naked glory. It was their second or third day of travel, and Deena had lost count of their lovemaking sessions.

"Dee, not that being with you isn't a strenuous work out, but... alright. During basic, on my fleet assignment, I was initially on a firing crew, railgun. Four men, I was the loader."

"Alright." She moved to lie on her belly, watching as Alex stood up quite straight, squaring his shoulders and releasing a held in breath. He took a big step forward and came down on one leg, squatting deeply as he twisted his upper body, leaning into the stretch as he breathed deeply.

"See? This wouldn't look so great with the royal scepter swinging about."

"The royal scep- Oh come on. You don't actually... do men really name them like that?"

Alex lunged again this time onto his left leg. This led him to facing away from her, his butt looking quite lovely in his tight underwear. Deena noted it, her eyebrows rising involuntary as she checked him out.

"I don't call it that or anything. It's more like a nickname. But anyway," he continued over her laughter, "we were doing loading drills when the autoloader failed. So instead of using a conveyer to move pallets into a feeder unit, I'm loading 30 kilo shells by hand, fast as I can."

"Oof."

"Yeah. And the autoloader didn't break at all. Just some of that basic training fun. Building character and all that."

"I wouldn't have... I mean I thought that you-"

"What?"

"Well, you know... Alex, you're the Crown Prince. I expect you to be at least a little..."

"Coddled?"

Deena nodded, then tried to apologize.

"No it's alright. I know that a lot of people think I probably had an easy time of it. But I didn't want that, and Horace saw to it that I was treated like any other sailor. My CO during fleet assignment was an old friend of his. Captain Thayrus busted my ass, believe me."

"I do." Alex had moved to his knees, bent way over as he bowed deep into another stretch. Deena could not ignore this display, every muscle revealed along his back and shoulders.

"Well anyway, mid-maneuver, I'm lifting a KCP round into the spout-"

"A what? Into the what?"

"Kinetic Core Penetrating round. A solid-cored metal slug, designed to penetrate heavy armor. We were on maneuvers and the ship suddenly shifted, and everything tries going sideways, including that 30-kilo shell and me. So I twist, and my weight goes all wonky... and I throw my back out. Down I came... with the shell on top of me, breaking my leg in two places."

"Mitra's tits!"

"Another few inches and I'd have a vat-grown knee. But still bad, herniated discs and everything. I was in the bacta tanks for a few weeks after surgery, then a few months of rehab after that. But ever since then I've tried to be pretty rigorous about stretching. I mean, the last thing you want is my back striking during the honeymoon, right?"

"Absolutely." Deena was still watching her husband's body as he moved onto his back, holding his legs off of the floor, his abdomen clenching in effort. "How come I've never heard about any of this? The way the press hounded your service I'm amazed they weren't all over that."

Alex laughed dryly. "For that, you can thank Erina. The fleet was able to keep the information pretty well bottled up, and she fed the tabloids some tale about a polo injury."

"That's... wait. This was what, two, three years ago? How long has Erina been on your staff? I mean she's so young... recruited straight out of academy, I take it?"

Alex was still facing away, and was glad.

"Erina's parents were friends of the court, remember? She's been in the palace practically her whole life. She's been working for the crown since her teens."

It wasn't exactly a lie. He'd been very careful not to actually lie to Deena at any point during their courtship. It was mostly a matter of keeping certain truths away from her. He knew it was necessary, and that eventually he'd stop having to do even that.

It didn't make him feel like any less of a shit.

"That's right, I'd forgotten. But I remember the fake story! Something about you going down in a scrum and getting a little trampled..."

Alex held his stretch as he felt his abdomen burning, fighting the rush of guilt. He felt guilty for being with Deena, for betraying Erina like that, only to have another wave of guilt as he felt horrible for thinking of Erina while on his honeymoon with Deena...

Stop it. Deena is your wife now and you have to put the past behind you.

But even as he tried to convince himself of that, all he could think was Erina elsewhere on the ship, alone and betrayed by her lover and his stupid responsibilities.

"... Just thought you hadn't tightened your saddle again."

"Hm?" He snapped out of it, his feet dropping back to the floor with a quiet thump.

"I lost you there for a second. Is something wrong?" Deena asked as she moved to sit on the side of the bed, still naked as the day she was born.

"Nothing, just- I've never forgotten to fasten my saddle!"

Deena burst out laughing.

"What?"

"Sure you have! On Ashnan you must have slipped off every damn time! I was worried you didn't know how buckles worked! Remember when you just flipped right off of Comet in the stall..." She trailed off, laughing so hard she slumped to her side, crying in laughter.

"That's not, I... I was ten years old!" Alex said, laughing a little himself now. "Well it hasn't fucking happened since, I swear it! I'll ride circles around you on Moritani!"

"Ha! Horse shit." Deena was no longer laughing, glaring at her new husband. "I'll take any challenge you care to offer."

"Have you not seen me on the field!"

Every citizen of the system had seen the crown prince on the field. Polo had never been a particularly popular sport, but Alex had become near obsessed with the sport shortly after his nineteenth birthday. His popularity had rubbed off onto the game, as he was a frequent attendee and even played in certain exhibition games.

"I have, and it's quite impressive. But that's not riding, that's polo."

"So what constitutes riding, highness?" Alex was hugging his knees to his chest, each in turn.

""On Ashnan we're working to utilize the Mekara badlands."

"I'd read about that." Ashnan, the breadbasket of the system, was a land of endless prairie. Modern agriculture and irrigation had created some of the most productive land anywhere in the galaxy, but the Mekara was fifteen million square kilometers of scrub and rocky headlands, an unproductive blight on a planet of plenty. "I think you got matching royal funds for that project."

"Then you know what a massive undertaking it is. A year ago I led an inspection tour on horseback." She was upright again, glaring at her husband. Alex was listening, but he couldn't help but stare as her breasts moved delightfully with each breath.

"I've ridden two hundred kilometers a day in the open country. I've navigated uncharted canyon land. I've crossed rivers during induced floods. That is riding."

"Some sort of contest seems in order then, Princess," Alex moved smoothly from his back to his knees before her, hands lighting upon her knees. This put his face right at breast level, and Deena smoothly pulled his face into her cleavage.

"Indeed. Perhaps a race around the big island?"

"Agreed. Stakes?"

"Oh I'm sure we can come up with something suitably motivating." She shivered as she felt his stubble rubbing along the soft skin of her breasts. "But perhaps first we could have some more riding practice..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Erina's desk was a landscape of stacks of pads, papers, and reports. The sheer volume of material formed a barrier between her and rest of her office, and she had come to think of it as a fort she was hiding out in for the cruise to Gadia.

Not that I'm hiding. Just staying busy is all.

The wedding had produced much more intelligence than anyone could have imagined. She had been tearing through the reports from the ceremony and reception, but she had been receiving too many updates from the palace to keep up with. The party had not stopped after the royal couple had left and had, if anything, intensified. The only thing more interesting than who was seen dining with whom was what hotel rooms people were ending up in at night.

She was even receiving messages from Duke Fain, who never went to the trouble of assisting her, with some excellent information. He was always invited to the most exclusive dinners and events, and was eager to share these happenings with Erina. She suspected he was mostly looking for someone to brag to, but she wasn't going to complain. He also mentioned the Lady Orma several times, which was in itself rather interesting...




Starcrossed Ch. 04



There was a brisk knock on the door and Bethany stuck her head inside.

"You called for me?"

"I did. Thanks for coming so quickly."

Bethany had been working directly for Erina for the better part of two years now, and Erina liked to think of her as Laen's slightly more reliable counterpart. Looking rather plain in her maid's uniform, Bethany was able to blend into the background, which usually suited her purposes just fine.

"It's alright. Not like there's much else to do, what with royal couple all cooped up and all." It was said lightly, but Bethany immediately clamped her mouth shut and looked guilty. If Erina was bothered at the reminder of Alex's activities, she didn't show it.

"I can imagine. But I just had some questions about your report from the wedding..."

"More? We'd already gone over it like twice now." Bethany took the seat in front of Erina's desk and waited while her superior pushed some of the mountains of paperwork aside so she could look her in the eye.

"Well we had, but I was reviewing it again and I saw this small item about the Ixian diplomat."

"That? He just asked after Admiral Den is all."

"What did he say? Precisely."

"Just like I said in my report: He asked where Admiral Den was, and seemed cross when I pointed him out dancing with Madam Myn

"Cross how? Explain."

"But I already-"

"Further."

"I don't know," Bethany said, waving her hand around as she tried to come up with the right word. "Just cross. Like annoyed, pissed off, displeased. Like I said, I just thought he was jealous."

"You're going to have to do better than that going forward."

Bethany snorted, not even trying to hide her annoyance with her superior.

"Something to add?"

"Erina, you're harping on a throwaway observation from a six page report. You've gone over everything with a microscope, and now you're whipping out the telescope to look into the microscope. You've got to relax."

"I'll take it under advisement. Now about this comment here on Gamp Daeren-"

"No."

"No?" "Erina, we've gone over this already." Bethany took a deep breath and plowed ahead. "I'll not be interrogated just because you... need a distraction."

Erina looked up, her eyes hard. "A distraction from what, Ms. Penworth?"

Bethany opened her mouth to respond but stopped herself. Never ever pick a fight with Erina.

"Nothing, ma'am. Is there anything else?"

"I suppose not. Dismissed."

Bethany left without a word, leaving Erina alone in her office. She sat for a long moment before a single, racking sob escaped her throat. Her hand went to her mouth, trying to hold it in. But it was hopeless: Erina crumpled onto the top of her desk, tears streaming down her cheeks as she realized just how alone she felt.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I, unh, I think I like this position," Deena panted, her hips pushing down against Alex's. She was straddling him, facing his feet as her hips rose and fell, Alex's cock slipping deep into her.

"Me too. I absolutely adore the view." As she bounced on him, her round ass wobbled and spread, her pink anus shining in the spread wetness from her pussy. His hands slid over her skin, her big butt filling his hands easily.

Deena smiled. She adored the way his hands felt on her ass as his cock speared into her. His thumbs would slip along her sweaty flesh, slipping between her cheeks with each pass as he groped at her. Deena tensed in anticipation; she hoped he would go further, touching her there like in her fantasies. Just thinking about it was enough to ignite her passions further.

"Mm, gonna cum baby," Deena grunted, her hips picking up speed. Alex gripped her hips as he fucked up against her, thrusting up into her. Deena gasped as her orgasm struck, her hips shuddering, grinding against him. As her hips jerked, Alex's hand slipped and his thumb jabbed hard against her asshole.

Deena gasped and Alex froze, bracing for Deena's furious rebuke.

"Do it, please."

"What?"

"I want... play with my ass, please? I... I like that." She looked back at him shyly, holding her breath.

In lieu of response, Alex gently rubbed her ass with his thumb, teasing the tight opening. Deena gasped sharply, her hands gripping at his legs.

"Mm, Mitra... More."

"What?" Alex asked softly.

"I want more... there," she said quietly, burying her face in the covers between his legs.

"What? Look at me."

Deena glanced back over her shoulder at him.

"Nothing we do in this room is dirty, or shameful. Not a single inch of you isn't beautiful. Even here." His thumb continued to tease her. "So tell me, Princess, what do you want?"

"Play with my ass." It was a sigh, as if she was letting something go. She grunted when Alex's moistened finger slipped inside her. She pulled her cheeks open wide, hissing as she felt her tight hole stretching. "Oh, oh Mitra forgive me but that feels amazing."

Alex began to gently fuck her ass with his finger, feeling her muscled ring gripping him tightly. Reaching for a bedside table, he grabbed a small bottle of lubricating gel. Drizzling it over his thrusting digit, he grinned when Deena gasped aloud.

"Like that?"

"Alex, it feels so good. I... I've fantasized about this. I've fantasized about it and fingered myself there." As she spoke, her green eyes locked with his. "Alex, I... When I leave this room, I don't want to be a virgin anywhere."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Your Highness? We will be landing on Gadia within the hour."

Deena's arm flailed about, trying to find the call button without actually lifting up from the bed. On her fourth try she found it.

"Yes, um, thank you. The villa is ready?"

"Ready and waiting, highness."

"Very well." Ending the call, Deena slumped down her head resting on Alex's hard belly. "That wasn't very nice."

"Mm?" Alex's head rested back on the bed, taking in the view of his wife's splayed pussy in his face. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist such a tempting treat."

"It's alright." She exhaled theatrically, relaxing against him. His cock loomed in her face, still gripped easily in her hand. "So why'd you stop?"

Alex's laugh was a rumble beneath her, Deena's eyes drifting shut as his fingers spread her open. As she felt the feather-touch of his tongue on her lips, she squeezed his cock and pulled it to her lips.

The past five days had been the most amazing of her life. They'd done nothing but make love, talk, eat, make love... she'd lost track over the days. Trying to sixty-nine had been Deena's idea, and they had been taking turns teasing each other for more than an hour now.

"You know we'll have to disembark when we land." Alex breathed cool air across her wetness, only to swoop in to suck at her. Deena shuddered, her hand still pumping at shaft. She could feel him harden in her fist, and gripped harder as she moved to suck him again.

Perhaps I'll beat him to the finish.

She found she liked sucking him much more than she thought she would have. She had always thought it demeaning; to kneel before a man, take his cock in your mouth. But once she tried it she was surprised at the pleasure she took in it. The taste, the smell, feeling his hardness in her hands, between her teeth. The power she had over him, over his pleasure. That was something she wasn't expecting.

As she pulled Alex deep into her mouth, Alex grunted, his head falling back. Without the distraction of his tongue on her flesh, Deena focused on him. She found at this angle, she was able to take him a little deeper. She had seen videos on the cortex of girls just swallowing the whole damn thing, and wanted to see if she could match them.

"Ah, Dee," Alex gasped as she went a little deeper, a third of his length still beyond her lips. She stepped up her attack, whipping her tongue quickly back and forth as she bobbed on him. "Unh, Dee, please, I'm so..."

"Cum darling, I want to taste it." She hissed her command and was right back on him, sucking hard at his head, as her fist pumped is spit-slickened shaft.

Alex groaned and his cock became as solid as stone before blasting a full stream of cum across his wife's tongue. Dee's hands pumped at his shaft, draining him as she took him deep again, sucking hard to get every last drop. As she swallowed him down, she even reveled in the taste of him: strong, salty, clean.

"By the gods." Alex was panting, twitching as her tongue moved on his sensitive shaft.

"But you heard?" Deena moved about, cuddling against his side as she theatrically licked her lips. "We'll be landing soon. Our honeymoon shall officially begin!"

Alex laughed. "What has all this been? A warm up?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gadia is a planet of oceans. Cartographers are split as to whether the planet has a single enormous ocean or if it is in fact four different oceans broken up by atoll chains. The largest land mass is a small island on the southern hemisphere, Calria, large enough to barely contain the planet's space port and densely populated capital city. But that wasn't the Erabos' destination.

As the Erabos entered the atmosphere, it came down to a small smattering of islands in the northern hemisphere. A large, crescent shaped island sheltered four smaller ones, creating a sheltered lagoon of sorts. The Royal family owned the entire atoll and it provided one of the only isolated areas on the renowned resort planet.

The Erabos descended from high orbit, its repulsorlift engines allowing the massive vessel to resist the pull of gravity. Finally reaching the placid waters of the enclosed sea, the Erabos simply landed amidst the waves, settling buoyantly as it's engines shut down, seawater steaming against the ship's hot surfaces.

"Oh!" Deena said as the waters rushed against the suite's window, suddenly finding herself with an underwater view. "I was wondering where we were going. I thought a Galon II didn't have landing systems."

"They don't. Hence a water landing." Alex offered his arm. "Shall I escort you to your launch, Princess?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three days later the first pictures of the married couple leaked onto the cortex. The set was of Alex and Deena walking along the black sand beaches of Moriani Island, the Royal villa visible behind them. Alex was wearing red swimming trunks, his muscular physique drawing rave reviews.

But it was Princess Deena that lit the whole infonet on fire. Wearing a simple white bikini, her amazing body was left almost bare for the camera. One shot in particular, with her arms elevated above her head in the surf, laughing happily, her bikini wet and clinging to her, was quickly one of the most accessed images on the cortex.

"How did they even get out? Mitra's tits, this is... humiliating!"

"Given the high angle I would say either a spy drone or satellite," Horace said over the vid screen. "We've tightened up the defense screen and deployed screener vessels. It won't happen again, your highness."

"Very well. Thank you Horace," Deena said, shutting off the pad and tossing it aside in anger.

"Deena," Alex said from the lounger next to her, "stop acting indignant. You're the most popular girl in the system. The new beautiful princess. I have to say I agree with the consensus..."

As Deena looked over, she saw that Alex was looking at the pictures on a pad of his own. He was looking at the one of her diving into the surf: She was facing away from the camera, bent at the waist as she dove. The tiny bikini bottom had pulled up into her cheeks, and her big wet butt was on full display.

"Oh not you too," Deena said. "How many billions of people are ogling me? And this one is near pornographic. You can practically see my cunt." She reached across the table and made to grab the pad from him. Alex easily caught her wrist and pulled her beside him.

"I think it's fantastic. I'm considering putting it on our money." He fought her for a minute before letting her take the pad from him "I'm serious! Maybe on the 50 lac piece. I think it would look fantastic in pressed silver, no? 'Five asses for a gold,' they'll say."

"I must protest!" They sat for a moment together, looking out of the blue waters, one of the suns setting in the distance. "Why do you need to look at it on the cortex? You've got the real thing right here."

"And you've been all covered up ever since the picts were leaked," he said, his hand gliding down her back. It was true: even now Deena was wearing a light pullover. His hand slid to her round butt, cupping a cheek in his hand. She shimmied a little, pulling the back up so Alex's hand fell onto her bare ass. He glanced at her in surprise.

"Not so covered up," she said playfully, pressing against his hand. Alex's hand strayed lower, finding and caressing her slick lips. Deena relaxed, enjoying Alex's gentle stimulation. She looked over the water and saw the Erabos floating a few kilometers out to sea. "Don't get any ideas. My ass is one thing, but I don't want a sex vid of us out there." Alex laughed, but his hand stayed busy, gently groping her butt. "Mm, honey, stop it."

"Nope."

"Don't worry, tonight you can have my ass anyway you want it," she whispered, sliding her hand along his thigh. "I'll bend over the side of the bed and you can examine it nice and closely... perhaps with your tongue?"

"Princess, if I kiss it, I'm going to fuck it," Alex growled, his fingers slipping along her crack.

"Like I said, you can do anything you want to it... later," she said, sliding back and pulling away from his hand. He looked at her with such hunger that she could already feel herself getting wet.

"Well that's-" Alex noticed Erina walking down the path towards them. He fought the sudden feeling that he had been caught doing something wrong. This is going to take some fucking getting used to. ""Um, well it looks like official business is intruding anyway," he said, pointing down the beach.

"Good morning!" Erina called out overly loudly as she approached. "I'm not interrupting anything am I?"

"Not at all Erina." Deena waved her over. "Join us!"

"Majesty," Erina said with a nod to Alex.

"Erina." By the Maker's anvil, is this how we're going to be now?

"Princess, I know you've already seen the images, I just spoke with Horace." Erina stopped just between the royal couple's loungers, standing easily at attention. "But I need to say that while I understand that it might be embarrassing to you personally, I don't think I can stress enough how well this is playing."

"Mitra's swinging..."

"Princess, I know that this is still new to you, but with the crown comes certain-"

"Responsibilities, I know. I just didn't expect my tan lines to be system-wide news. And what do you mean? Why is this such good news?"

"It's just cementing the political capital established during the wedding. You both are the most loved figures in the system. The handsome, beloved Prince and his gorgeous new wife. It's like something out of a fairy tale."

"Well... Great?" Deena said, laughing.

"That good will will be useful when I propose the new budget," Alex explained, his hand resting on hers. "Or when it's time to appoint another High Justice. Or when a scandal erupts. All of this is important, Dee. Public perception, court intrigue... I hate it too, but we've all got to play the game."

"Fine fine, I understand. But why is this," she said, flipping Alex's pad over and waving at the picture of her ass, "good news?"

Erina sighed. "I know it's a cliché, but when people see the wedding, see you looking fantastic, see a shot like that," she said, indicating the pad, "they look up to you. Women want to be you, and men want to be with you."

"Damn straight they do. Some of the women do too, I'd imagine," Alex said with a laugh.

"Oh shut up. I'm embarrassed enough as it is," Deena said, elbowing him. Turning to Erina, she rolled her eyes. "Men."

Erina gave a forced smile. It was the first time she had seen Alex and Deena together since the wedding. She had watched for a moment before approaching, and watching them cuddle filled her with equal parts of jealousy, loneliness, and self-loathing.

"Quite. But you also have to see the way it played out over the infonets: some of the consies, the usual curmudgeons, were quick to claim that you were dressed inappropriately, that you weren't showing the proper respect to your station."

"For fuck's sake," Deena groaned, suddenly seeing a future where her every decision was judged by a bunch of morons on the cortex. "So now I can't wear what I-"

"Highness, you can't imagine the backlash that came down on them," Erina said, bringing up her datapad and opening a document. "'Go crawl back under your rock you puritanical cocksucker.' That's a direct quote. And that's the highest rated comment! 'The Princess is beautiful and she knows it. That body isn't anything to be embarrassed about. I'm glad she's my Princess.' The reaction was so quick, and so unequivocal... The public is so firmly behind you, I've never seen anything quite like it. Not even with him!" She indicated Alex with a pointed thumb, causing him to raise his eyebrows in surprise.

"Highness, you're now an opinion leader; you are making the news. The story isn't just about how you look great in a bikini, but how it will influence fashion across the system. There was even a feature on Liada Today about how you're single handedly bringing, um..." Erina trailed off, wondering if she should finish the thought.

"Bringing...? Bringing what?" Deena asked, confused.

"Bringing large, um bottoms back into style. Majesty."

Alex laughed out loud, almost falling off the lounger in his hysterics. Deena, for her part, put her hand to her head in embarrassment... of her husband.

"Alex, please pull yourself together," she said shaking her head. "So I'm bringing fat asses back into vogue? Fantastic." She was smiling, which Erina took as a good sign. "I suppose I have more influence than I imagined."

"Exactly," Alex said. "If you in a bikini was this good, imagine how that sex vid you were talking about would go over?"

Alex regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. As Deena laughed, his eyes flicked to Erina and saw the hurt his flip comment caused. For fuck's sake now I'm just rubbing it in.

"Well I've intruded with official business enough. Your highness." Erina bowed quickly and practically ran from the royal couple's presence.

"Erina, wait!" Deena said, hopping up from the lounger and jogging after her.

Erina stopped as Deena approached, worried for a moment that the Princess was somehow on to her.

"I just wanted to thank you for all of your hard work. Without your service... well, I don't think Alex would last very long, quite frankly," she said, looking back at her husband as he summoned a maid over with some drinks. "Please tell me that you are taking some time to enjoy all this. With all your work these past few months, you've earned some vacation."

"Majesty, I have responsibilities, I need to-"

"Nonsense," Deena said, stepping forward and taking the slim girl's hand. "I want to see you on that lounger in ten minutes in a bathing suit and a drink in your hand."

"Princess, I can't, I mean, there's reports that need-"

"Erina, please! Your Princess is asking you to join her!" It was said with a smile, but Deena was completely serious.

And an order is an order.

"Very well, your highness," Erina said, nodding with a smile that she hoped appeared natural.

"What was that about?" Alex asked as Deena returned, the maid returning with some frozen drinks at the same time.

"Just ordering Erina to join us for a little while. I think she works too hard," Deena said as she lay out on the lounger again, adjusting her pullover to give her legs some sun.

"She doesn't have many vices, but that is definitely one of them."




Starcrossed Ch. 04



They talked quietly for a few minutes before Erina reappeared wearing a dark blue one-piece bathing suit. It was tight, accentuating her slim, fit body, and cut high on her thighs, showing off her long legs.

"Oh my," Deena said quietly. "Who knew she was hiding that under her uniform?" she asked no one in particular.

Alex bit his tongue, doing everything he could to ignore the woman he loved in a revealing swimsuit. Hell. This is hell.

"How nice of you to join us, Erina." Deena offered her a drink.

"Thank you, highness," Erina said as she took the offered drink and took a seat. She noticed Alex's eyes on her and had to fight the urge to be pleased. "Have you been enjoying your honeymoon so far?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Foolish," Laen said as watched Erina join the royal couple on the beach. She zoomed in on them and watched as Erina accepted a frozen drink from the Princess. She shut down her micropad and disengaged from the villa's surveillance net, putting the small device back in her pocket. "Quite foolish indeed."

She shook her head as she entered the staff quarters. Erina's life was hard enough in Laen's opinion, and she didn't understand why she heaped more suffering on herself. As she began entering rooms, checking on supplies and surreptitiously scanning for bugs, she allowed her mind to wander to her superior's poor decision making.

Did they want to get caught? If Erina was smart, she would have done what Laen had done: melt in the background. Being found out before Alex got married would have been bad enough, but to get caught now would have added lies and hurt feelings to what otherwise would be simple embarrassment. Alex may want to remain devoted to Deena, but staying so close to each other is just going to cause heartache...

It was in this distracted state that she unlocked a door without looking and walked right in on its occupant.

"Maker!" he said, jumping from the bed and pulling a towel to cover his nakedness. Laen gasped, hopping back in surprise. She quickly turned around to spare his modesty, but not before she got a good look: it was Victor, the guard from the hallway, naked and wet from the shower. His cock was just like the rest of him: big and thick, with a broad head. He had been sitting on the bed with his cock in his hand... Oh dear.

"Oh gods, I'm so sorry sir," She said earnestly, quickly closing the door to spare him further embarrassment.

"You don't knock?" he asked, mortified. He was absolutely crimson, embarrassed that it had to be the cute maid from his hallway post who caught him like this. Everyone was talking about the new Princess, but Victor thought Laen was the most beautiful girl in the palace. She had an almost hourglass figure, but in miniature: she was barely five feet tall, but had a hell of a set of tits and a round ass. Her drab maid's uniform was the only thing keeping her from being a true knockout.

"I'm sorry but I didn't expect anyone to be here, sir. it's just..."

"Just what? I'm off duty, how could you-"

"I knew that the off-shift had gone to Moriani for the, um, for the brothel."

"Oh," Victor said, wilting even further. He knew it was true. The simple fact was that members of the Royal Guard were not allowed to marry, and the unit looked to the sexual needs of its personnel by regular trips to secure, trustworthy brothels. "I just didn't, um, that is..."

"Sir," Laen said as she slowly turned to face him, "If I may ask, why... why tend to yourself when there are those that are willing? At the brothel, that is," Laen said, smiling shyly.

"Oh, I... it's a personal matter," he said quickly, pulling the towel tighter around his hips. Seeing that Laen wasn't running away, he went to the dresser for some clothing. "It's just that if I... I'm sorry but, um," he stammered, casting about for something to say to make it all better.

"Victor right?" She stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on his arm. "My name is Laen. I don't know what's wrong, but... you're not sly, are you? They have boys at the brothel as well."

"No, no, it's uh, I prefer women," Victor laughed, rubbing his close-cropped hair. "I'm a... I was married. My... my wife was killed in a metro accident a little more than a year ago," he forced out, his voice choking only slightly. He sat slowly, relaxing as if a great weight had been lifted from him.

"Oh, I... I'm so sorry Victor," Laen said, reaching to touch his shoulder before stopping herself, not wanting to intrude. She sat next to him on the bed, careful to keep an appropriate distance between them.

"I have needs, same as any man, but to go to some... whore. It felt like a betrayal of her memory." He spoke quietly, his eyes to the floor. "But with my... with my duties, it's not like I have the opportunity to, you know, meet anyone."

"I can imagine," Laen said, considering the man sitting next to her. He was all broad muscles, but very compact, not bulky at all. She imagined that after his wife's death he retreated into his career, transferring to the Royal Guard and the intensive work and prestige that came with it. But she could tell he was still hurting from his loss. His raw emotion touched her, and she had to be honest: she found his devotion terribly romantic.

"I know that I need to move on. I want to, even, but... I don't want to do it like that. Crude, for money." In that moment, Laen decided on her course of action.

Laen moved a bare centimeter closer to him on the bed. She slowly placed her hand onto his solid thigh, halfway between his knee and his groin. He turned to look at her, his face open, his emotion still a little raw. He had cute brown eyes, and they snapped to her lips as she licked them slowly. Her other hand slowly moved to his jaw, freshly shaved from the shower. Very slowly, giving him every opportunity to pull back, she pulled his lips to hers.

Their first kiss was utterly chaste, their lips merely pressing together softly. Laen pulled back, giving the sergeant a chance to stop before anything else happened. He slowly leaned forward, kissing her a second time, his hand moving to her arm. They kissed softly for a few long, slow minutes. Laen let Victor set the pace, careful not to do anything to upset his delicate state. His hand slid from her arm to her waist, sliding up to brush against the side of her breast.

Laen moaned softly against his mouth, hoping to encourage him. It seemed to work as their kiss deepened just as his large hand slid over her tit. Laen pulled him closer as she lay back against the bed, rolling him on top of her. Victor's hand quickly slipped to her buttons, unfastening her top and pulling a soft breast into his hand, toying with her tight nipple. He pulled back slightly; his eyes locked on hers as he leaned lower and pulled the hard thimble into his hot mouth.

"Mm, Victor," she murmured, her hand rubbing his head, sliding over his military issue buzz-cut. He pulled as much of her breast into his mouth as he could, pulling back till only the nipple was the focus of his attentions. His hand slid along her belly and Laen quickly hiked her skirt above her hips, revealing her lacy black panties to his questing hand.

He slowly, and boldly, slid his hand underneath the fabric, his fingertips dragging along her trimmed bush to her pussy. He found her already quite wet, his fingers sliding along her folds.

"Oh!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to move too qui-" He stopped when Laen's hand gripped his wrist tightly, holding him right where he was.

"I think we both know what we want here, Sergeant." Her dark, mysterious eyes held him in place, as she pulled at her uniform, eager to be as naked as her partner. Victor quickly pounced on her other nipple as it appeared, bringing a gasp to her lips as her thighs gripped at his hand.

"Laen, you're so..." Victor murmured, returning to her lips with his. Their kiss was frantic and Laen suddenly shoved the guard back, rolling him onto his back and rolling onto all fours beside him. Pulling his towel free made his cock swing heavily against his muscled belly. He seemed enormous close up, his balls hanging heavily below. She pressed her face against his shaft, sliding against the velvety skin as she licked her way to his broad head. "I, wait, my lady, I'm so close."

"I know Victor," she said softly, smiling at his attempts to maintain decorum. "Don't worry, the others won't return for hours. Let me relieve you of your crisis, and then we'll continue," she said firmly before pulling his cock into her mouth. His thick shaft filled her mouth quickly, but she worked with what she had, her hand pumping the remaining shaft as she tried to swallow his cockhead.

"Laen, I, oh fuck fuck fuck," he grunted repeatedly as he hunched against her sucking mouth. He came powerfully, forcing Laen to retreat on his cock as he pumped jet after heavy jet of cum. Laen's hand pumped him through, swallowing his seed as he collapsed against the bed, gasping the whole while. Laen withdrew her sucking mouth, slowly pumping his still hard shaft. She moved to lie beside him, but he pulled her atop him, liking the feel of her chest against his.

"I think you needed that," Laen said playfully, her thighs sliding open as she straddled his hard tummy.

"Laen I... by the gods that was amazing," he said, his voice faraway. His hands slid to her thighs, pulling her up so he could reach her lips. They kissed softly, Victor tasting traces of his seed on her tongue. Laen pressed close to him, and he could feel her moist heat against his stomach as she straddled him. "Gods girl, you are something else."

She didn't respond, kissing him as she ground against his hard stomach. This man had her turned on like nothing else, and she hoped he would be able to recover quickly. His hands slid up her thighs to her ass, gripping her tightly before sliding between her thighs to her flooded pussy.

"Victor, oh, gods I want you in me," she hissed, burying her head in his shoulder.

"Call me Vic. All my friends call me Vic," he said, kissing her shoulder. Laen smiled, lifting herself up and sliding back so she straddled his hips. They kissed lightly as she pressed against him, feeling his reawakening cock pressing against her. Reaching between them she grasped him and set his fat cockhead against her pussy.

"Maker, ah!" he gasped as she pressed down, her pussy incredibly tight on him. Laen didn't respond, biting her lip as his fat cock spread her open her till she thought it would tear her in half. "Take it easy, lovely. I don't want to hurt you," he said, his hands gripping her hips to stop her descent.

"I'm alright," she said, taking his large hands and pinning them to the bed. She began to grind against him, allowing the small part of his shaft that was inside her to move in and out. She gasped with each motion, feeling his fat head moving around in her channel. It acted almost like a plug, drawing her juices along his shaft and allowing her to fuck him faster and, with each stroke, to take him deeper.

"Laen, fucking hell," Victor grunted when she finally reached his base, grinding him deep in her pussy. Laen gasped with each press down, she'd never felt so full of cock in her whole life. She canted her hips back, grinding her clit against him with each slow push down.

"Oh Victor."

"Vic."

"Vic," she said, smiling. "I'm gonna cum Vic, Maker, your cock is going to make me cum." Her hips picked up the pace, fucking down hard onto him. As his solid crown slammed into her cervix, Laen screamed out, her orgasm rushing through her suddenly. Vic held her tightly as she shook above him, before suddenly rolling them over and fucking her deeply, his fat balls bouncing off her ass with each thrust. "Vic, oh gods."

"Yes, my lady," he murmured as he pounded into her still-cumming pussy, her cream frothing over his shaft. He looked down, taking in her fanned out blond hair, her dark, mysterious eyes, her pale breasts flushed in orgasm, and thought it was the most beautiful sight he'd seen on Gadia yet. As her orgasm finally passed, Laen's eyes cleared and snapped to him, full of passion.

"You feel so big in me," she said, gasping as he sank his full length into her. She wrapped her thighs around him, spurring him to fuck her faster. Victor obliged, grunting as he pounded into her.

"I'm close lovely," Vic grunted between kisses on her neck. "Should I..."

"It's okay, I'm on contras," Laen said quickly, reaching down to rub her clit. She was so close to another orgasm and wanted to cum with him. Minutes later, gasping her name, he collapsed against her, his cock throbbing as he blasted her insides. Laen followed shortly after him, gasping as she shivered in orgasm, her pussy squeezing hard against his thick shaft.

He lay atop her for long moments, careful not to squish her. Victor slowly rolled over, pulling Laen to his side. She gasped as his cock slipped from her, cupping her pussy to catch the flood of juices before she stained his sheets any further. They lay in the warm room, their breathing slowly returning to normal.

"Laen," Victor began, sitting up slowly. She could tell he didn't know what to say, what she wanted him to say.

"Shh." She kissed him softly before standing and quickly pulling her maid's dress back on. "I have to return to my duties. And you need to shower again: you stink of sex." He smiled at that, but his hand caught hers when she went to her cart.

"Will I see you again?"

Laen smiled. "Absolutely."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I don't believe it!" Deena said, laughing.

"You better," Erina said, grinning. "There we are, one of the first meetings with the Eridani coalition. The war's been over for more than a decade, but you remember how it was: spy drones, even the occasional skirmish. Months of negotiations and stroking to make it all happen. And this one," she said, pointing at Alex, "he catches the eye of the emissary's daughter."

"I can't help that I'm so ruggedly handsome," Alex said nonchalantly, finishing another drink.

"Indeed," Deena agreed, finishing her drink as well.

"So the young lady thought herself quite the peacemaker," Erina explained, "she got it in her head that by seducing the Prince, she could bring the two systems together and erase decades of ill-will."

"Not the worst goal in the world," Deena offered. "Even if the plan is a bit flawed."

"True... But when she was caught trying to sneak into the royal suites, she was nearly shot on sight. The only thing that saved her was that she was only wearing a negligee."

Deena laughed, falling back onto her lounger. "Oh Alex, you must have been so disappointed."

"The young lady wasn't my type."

"Alex, you're too kind," Erina chided. "The emissary's daughter was... Ugly. I mean really, the poor girl had a mustache. It was really just embarrassing for everyone."

"How didn't I hear of this? Surely the dignitary would have made a stink."

"He would have... But the embarrassment would have been his, not the other way around. We don't think Emperor Jalick would have taken kindly to such a public shaming."

"Ah."

"So we brushed the whole thing under the table and entered some intensive closed door negotiations. But yes, your husband has been a... handful."

This made Alex almost choke on his drink as an unbidden image came to his mind: Erina gripping him as she knelt before him. Deena, unaware of the cause of his crisis, laughed at his apparent discomfort.

"At times." Erina amended, tossing the last of her own drink back.

"Isn't this better than reviewing your reports, Erina?" Deena asked, signaling for another round to be bought over.

"Yes, your highness," Erina admitted, smiling. "I'm surprised that you wanted the company... Are you already sick of the Crown Prince?"

"Ahem," Alex said, rolling his eyes.

"We still have four days left of our honeymoon," Deena said. "I'll get him all to myself plenty more. But it seems almost selfish to enjoy all of this alone while you're cooped up working for me."

"Thank you, highness." Now let me go bury myself in work again instead of parading you and Alex's newfound love right in front of me.

"And besides, I'd like to get to know my new chief of staff better."

"Oh? I assumed..."

"What?"

"I had assumed that you would bring someone of your choosing on staff." Erina spoke calmly, but she was caught off guard by this development.

"Lady Erina," Deena began, showing Erina a great deal of respect, "Over the past few months I've been deeply impressed with your skills. Your handling of the wedding preparations alone show you have unmatched organizational skills, and your experience as Alex's chief... Well, I couldn't imagine bringing in someone else. They would only interfere with your work, I'm sure."

"You honor me, Highness." Erina couldn't help but be flattered at the praise, even if she was slightly prejudiced against the one giving it.

"And on a personal note, I've come to think of you as a friend Erina," Deena said firmly, taking the brunette's hand in hers. "And I... I worry I won't have many friends moving forward. Lonely is the head the wears the crown and all that."

Erina was struck speechless. A friend? A friend?! I have every reason to hate this woman and she has the nerve to think we should be friends?

"Majesty-"

"Deena, please."

"Deena... Very well. Although, with your permission, I may assign you an assistant to handle your day-to-day scheduling and such."

"Of course. As you see fit," Deena said. She lifted her glass. "Long live the crown."

Erina and Alex lifted their glasses and joined the toast. Deena didn't see it, but their eyes touched for a moment. They shared the same thought.

This could be a problem.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that evening Erina was reading in her room. She'd decided to try and heed Bethany's advice, and was going to do her best to enjoy the few days of leisure. She had opened the room's beachside wall, allowing the sweet ocean breeze to sweep through. She had to admit; even the horrible novel she was reading was better under the multihued moonlight of Gadia's twin moons, Luminari and Numitari. She was looking out over the water when there was a sharp knock on her door. She buzzed entry and Laen entered, closing the door behind her.

"Busy?" Laen asked as she took a seat.

"Not terribly. How can I help you?" Erina asked as she put her pad aside.

"I've solved the mystery of our young sergeant."

"Oh, Edras? Was I right? He's gay?" Erina sat up straight, quickly back in work mode.

"Not at all," Laen replied confidently, and her tone told Erina all she needed to know.

"How'd you play it?"

"We've been making eyes at each other for a few days now, but I managed to, well, catch him in his room."

"Catch him? Catch him what?"

"Masturbating."

"Oh dear."

"I caught him jerking the thickest cock I think I've ever seen in my life." Her smile was positively wicked.

"Well that must have made up for things then."

"He was so embarrassed, Erina, I felt terribly. So I asked why he was avoiding the brothel. It took some prodding but..."

"Yes yes, what is it," Erina asked, eager to hear the answer to the mystery.

"He's a widower. His wife was killed just over a year ago and he didn't want to despoil her memory by laying with whores."

"Ah," Erina said, quickly retrieving his personnel report on her pad. All of the information was right there, Horace and Erina simply hadn't seen it. "We should have figured that out. So then what?"

"I... determined for certain that the sergeant was sexually fulfilled." Lean's smile went from wicked to coy, or as coy as she could manage while confessing to fucking a man senseless. "It took some work. I can further attest that the young sergeant is definitely het. I told him that he should go to the brothel next time, to avoid any rumors, and I think he agreed."