#adalicia

[graeadalicia]

3

Triggers - ownership, slavery, manipulation

“Together?” Adalicia’s voice had a higher pitch and seemed tighter as she asked.  Her breath was coming faster, but her chest seemed tighter.  He couldn’t mean that, could he?  When he looked back at her with both brows raised, she realized that was indeed what he intended to do and her heart started to race even more, almost making her dizzy in the process. “But..I…I’ve never…”  She fumbled over her words when she tried to talk again.  There was a rising sense of panic.  He was going to be naked…she was going to be naked…THEY were going to be naked…TOGETHER!

“Do you not trust me to be a gentleman?” There was a smirk on Grae’s face as one brow remained raised and his head slightly tilted to the side.  He was actually amused at her panic, the pink rushing to her cheeks, her stumbling over words.  She was quite adorable, and in other circumstances he would have been everything BUT a gentleman, but there was still something about her that intrigued him and he was going to be patient for now.

“Well, I didn’t say that.  I mean, I wouldn’t think you would…I don’t mean that you are…well…” She had no idea what to answer and the more she fumbled and got flummoxed as her free hand gesticulated in the air the more it seemed to amuse him, and the closer back to her he got.  This only served to make her more nervous and cause her to stumble over her words more.  Her eyes didn’t leave his though; his that were crinkling at the edges more as he smiled and then began to chuckle.  That chuckle, so deep and rich it made her stomach flop and her words rush faster and stumble more.  Adalicia knew she was making a fool of herself and tears almost pricked at her eyes from it.

Finally his finger came to rest over her lips, effectively silencing her as he chuckled again looking down into her troubled emerald eyes.  “You belong to me now, Adalicia. You are mine, but I will not violate you.  If you wish to touch, or be touched is completely up to you.” His finger still softly on her lips, he leaned forward and placed a chaste and soft kiss upon her forehead.   When he pulled back, Grae could see her relax and there was a slight nod as he removed his finger.  She already trusted him, interesting.  He liked it.  “There are things that may be required of you that will be new and different.  We’ll get through those. Do not challenge me, but you may question. You know the difference?”  She nodded while biting her lower lip and Grae swore she was weaving a spell over him of enchantment.  He was the one powerless to resist her at that moment, not that he understood it.  “Now that we have an agreement,” he tapped her lips with his finger again, “come with me, my lovely little fae.”  He ran his hand gently over her cheek and the side of her hair before turning to again lead her out of her room and into his bedroom and towards the private bathroom.  “I have acquired some items for you.  When you have earned more trust from me, you will be able to pick out your own from the local vendors, or elsewhere that you may desire.”  He stopped just inside the door to the bathroom and pointed to feminine scented items on a shelf in the shower and bathtub area that had her head tilting as she studied them.

“Thank you, Rhys.” Just like the dresses, shoes, and other items in the wardrobe in her room, HER ROOM, she didn’t really know how to respond to him getting her nice things. And a room, how did she thank him for giving her a room?  Her own room and a bed not on the floor?  She was confused.  He seemed to like her near, so she moved closer to him and smiled as she stretched up to place a kiss on his cheek since he was a bit taller than her.  

“I told you that you will be taken care of, and I will personally see to all of it.” He winked over at her with a slight smirk, releasing her hand to slip his arm behind her and around her waist.  Without him even having to encourage her any, she pressed into his side.  “I was not lying.  I will make sure you are very happy.”  Not even he was sure why he had said it, but he meant it.  When she smiled up at him, it did something to him.  Her touch, a look from those brilliant green eyes, her voice saying his name, all of it was like he was back as a young man finding a new love, not the Chancellor with his slave/Consort.  Then again, he knew that there was something special about her, now to determine what?

“Then I will have to make sure you are also happy and taken care of.” Her fingers nimbly took care of the buttons on his shirt without further words having to be exchanged between them.  When she had taken care of all of the ones down the middle, she made sure to undo the cufflinks at the end of his sleeves and drop them into a little dish that was on the counter. Adalicia wasn’t sure if that’s what it was there for, but he didn’t correct her.  Then she moved to the front of him, one hand taking each side of the shirt and pushing it open to reveal his smooth skin and well muscled chest and torso.  Her teeth caught her lower lip as her thumbs ran over his skin, causing a feeling to start in her that she wasn’t used to, but kind of liked.  She was nervous, but she was duplicating what she had seen Princess Persephone do many times with the male lovers that she had returned with to her rooms.  Persephone had no modesty, so there was little Adalicia was not aware of regarding seduction, even if she had never had opportunity to practice any of it herself.

Grae watched Adalicia with a pleased expression and rising pulse.  He hadn’t even had to say anything to her, and she had taken initiative on her own. Her touch was soft and light as a breeze across his skin, and it already had him anticipating it in other places, and the blood flowing there once more.  Her hands going up and over his shoulders to slide his shirt down his arms brought her closer to him and while he wasn’t able to embrace her, he showed his pleasure by kissing her forehead, then when she tipped her head up to look at him, he kissed her properly.  “You’re a fast learner.” His voice was deeper and his expression spoke to his appreciation of her taking initiative.

 A soft blush rose to her cheeks immediately as she freed his hands from his shirt sleeves, then tossed it over into the basket where he pointed.  “We take care of each other, right?”  Her eyes returned to those darkening browns that seemed to be studying her intently.  She thought she might be beginning to understand what was going to be expected and how things would go.  At least that was what she was hoping as their eyes remained locked and her hands once more softly roamed over his smooth chest.

“That is exactly right, my sweet fae.” A pleased smile formed on Grae’s face as his arms encircled her waist and pulled her flush against him.  The soft feel of her hands on his skin was exquisite, not to mention the feel of her lithe body pulled tight against his, and he was already scheming on the many ways he could ensure that he felt both of them often. “You are smart as well as beautiful,” Grae leaned down so his lips were close to her ear, “both will serve you well with me, Ada.”  His voice was low and he once more let his fang catch on the sensitive skin just under her ear.  The soft catch of her breath and the way her skin pebbled in reaction to him had him smirking as he pulled back. It wasn’t easy to pull back, he wanted another taste of her, but wanted her to offer this time.  

The way that he made her feel, Adalicia had to keep reminding herself that he was her boss, but also that he owned her.  She was nothing more than another slave to him, property.  Nothing special.  Even if he did treat her better than Persephone treated…well anyone…it didn’t mean that she was more to him than a thing, the vase that had been in front of the window in his bedroom.  Although she still hadn’t seen another fae slave in his employ, nor had he mentioned one.  Not when she had first been brought to his quarters, and not since waking up. So far she seemed to be his only slave, which puzzled her.  Persephone had a whole staff of them, over a dozen in fact.  Some with specific jobs and then others that were to do everything, if she “liked” you.  “I always want to be in your good graces, sir.” She looked up at him through lowered lashes, still feeling the effect of his fang on her neck and his voice low in her ear. There was a growing desire for him, a longing physical and otherwise. It thrilled and terrified her equally.

“Ada,” there was a bit of chastisement in his voice as he tucked some curls behind one of her ears. “I told you to call me Rhys.”  Their eyes were locked but he felt the buttons to his pants slowly releasing, which made it harder to concentrate with her fingers brushing against his throbbing cock.  So many ideas of what he wanted her to do, what he wanted to do to her, were going through his mind, but he would not rush or force a thing.  He could, he had every right, but he wasn’t Kellen and he was Korben.  Of the other males in positions of power, he was most like the King’s brother Karlen, which sometimes was not in his favor. And apparently now they could add a lust for redheads to their list of similarities.  Twisting a curl around his finger he pulled just a bit tighter. “You were doing so well…”

Suddenly she was nervous, causing her to swallow as his gaze seemed to intensify and his words made her chest feel tight. When his pants had been fully unfastened, her hands rested on his slim hips trying to decide if she was supposed to remove them or he was going to.  “It will be a change, Rhys.” Adalicia made sure to use his name now. “I’m not used to calling my master by their first name.”  As much as she tried, she was having a hard time evening out her breathing and keeping from trembling.  The last thing she wanted to do was ruin everything.

So she was still struggling with that was she?  That was understandable and something Grae would make sure to take care of reinforcing often.  Although her calling him “sir” in that moment had made his cock twitch in a way that he hadn’t expected and made it harder to chastise her.  What was it about this fae slave that was so different than the other females he was around?  Most of the other fae he felt sorry for, however Adalicia made him feel something altogether different.  “You can be treated as a slave, you can be treated as an advisor, or…” he pulled her flush against him making her gasp as his erection pressed against her stomach, “you can be treated as a Consort to the Chancellor.” His forehead came to rest very gently against her as he never broke eye contact with her.  Why he offered the last option was almost a mystery to him, but in truth he knew. “Only the slaves call me *sir*and *Lord*. What do YOU want to be, Ada?” Even as he was saying it, he wasn’t sure why he was giving her the choice to be something more than he had intended. He was following his intuition, something new for him.  If it were Kellen, he’d say that it was following the whim that struck him at the moment, but those green eyes were doing something to him that he’d be hard pressed to explain even to his best friend. If she was nothing more than a slave or advisor to him, she could be taken away and this one, this fae, she was too special to let through his grasp.  She did something to him, something unique.

Ada blinked at him for a moment, almost sure that she heard him wrong.  She got a choice?  She wasn’t sure that she’d ever been given a choice in anything, and here the second most powerful male in the realm was giving her a choice.  Not just a choice, Grae was giving her a choice of what she wanted to be to him; which meant that he had one of those he wanted her to be.  She did not believe he would give her an option that was one he truly did not want.  He was handsome, powerful, kind, and so far gentle.  He confused her, he made her pulse race with a feeling she’d never know before, and looked at her like she was actually a person and not a thing.  So taking a deep breath and then pressing her lips together firmly as she worked up the courage, she finally let her hands slide along his skin and pressed into his lower back as she gave him his answer.  “If I had the power to choose, I would want to be YOUR Consort, regardless of your position, Rhys.”  This time she was careful to use his name. 

Grae smirked, “I did ask which you wanted, didn’t I?." He tipped her head back slightly to slowly kiss her. His lips pressed against hers in a gentle caress before it deepened for their tongues to dance, giving him that taste of her he had been craving.  Instantly she was addicting to his taste buds and he wanted more of her, all of her, in a way he wasn’t familiar with.  His fingers tangled in silken curls, pressing her to him and keeping her from going anywhere.

When he pulled back from her, now desiring her even more than before, he was a bit smug to see the growing desire in her own eyes. "There is something different about you, Ada, and I aim to figure out what it is." His eyes swept her face, over her hair, and down across her bustline.  She was perfect, far too perfect to have just been a fae slave, especially with the way that she was affecting him.  Maybe he would at least have to introduce her to Kellen and get his take on things.

"I do not understand how you mean." She searched his eyes for an answer, but got none.  

“You will.”

[cljordan-imperium]

I had planned on posting happy fluffy stuff for these two yesterday and then...then there was a work meeting that had all the demons that reside in my head, including that asshole Damien, feeling sorry for me. So...yeah...didn't happen. I am going to try to get it up today as soon as I put this dumpster fire on my desk out.

@writingpotato07 - heads up on more fluff for your favorite couple coming. ;) <3

[graeadalicia]

11

Dinner's over....

Once Grae and Adalicia had finished eating, they made quick work of putting all of the plates back up on the cart and Grae put it back outside his door.  He did not wish for another servant to disturb them for the remainder of the evening.  After the kitchen was notified that they could retrieve it at their convenience, Adalicia once more found herself enveloped in his arms, a place he was finding that he really did like her to be.  Never had he felt so calm as when they were touching, and while he knew that part of that was what and who she was as a fae, there was more to it than that he had a feeling.  

“I do believe that I promised you a view of your kingdom, my fair princess.” Grae kissed her nose as he teased her.  The light laugh as her arms encircled his waist was his reward, and he was quite happy with it.  “Shall we adjourn to the balcony?” A brow rose as he looked down at her, unable to contain the smile that naturally seemed to bloom on his face when he looked at her.  Later he would think more on exactly why that was, but it was certainly not something that he was going to complain about.

Releasing her, he offered her his arm, then took her hand and showed her where to put it at the crook of his elbow when she looked a bit confused.  When she tightened it a bit more and drew in close to him, he couldn’t help but like the way his heart did a bit of a strange rhythm for a moment.  When she had been sleeping earlier he had been dreading introducing the customs and mannerisms of the court to her, figuring it would be tedious.  Now, after their dinner and seeing how fast she adapted and what a true joy she was to be around, he was actually looking forward to it.  What a change a few hours could make in one’s outlook.

Laying his larger hand over hers, he led her over to the door from the sitting room to the balcony that stretched from one end of his suite to the other.  At one end there was a table with a couple of chairs, but the rest of the balcony was open space.  As he escorted her out and towards the middle he considered allowing her to decorate it as she saw fit once she was more comfortable within the castle.  It had never mattered to him, but he knew females tended to enjoy such things.

“Almost straight below us are the gardens of the castle,” Grae wrapped one arm around Adalicia as she leaned forward to look down.  Although there were wards in place to keep her from falling, he felt better having a physical hold on her as well.  “Then those long buildings are the stables where Kellen and I keep our steeds.  I think Korben may have one in there as well.  I will have to teach you to ride.” A soft kiss was dropped on her skin at the crook of her neck where it met her shoulder, eliciting a soft sigh as she leaned back into him. As he went on to point out the different forests that were in view from that part of the castle, the two lakes, the river, and the mountain range, Adalicia rested back against him and listened, taking in all of the parts of Uffern she had never known existed.  Occasionally she would ask a question about a location, but Grae’s explanations were normally thorough enough that she did not need to.  She found out that there was a hunting cabin in one of the woods that he would take her to at some point where they could walk and she could see some of the wildlife that was there.  It was the safest of the forests to be in.  As they talked, Grae was amazed at her level of interest in all the areas he was pointing out, and visiting them.  Most of the females who came to court would not dare to have gone to the lakes, or even the forest.  Far too prim and afraid of getting dirty or ruining a gown, but then he already knew that Adalicia was far from the regular female that he was accustomed to; and that made her all the more precious to him.  The more plans they discussed, the more he found himself anticipating those adventures and journeys with her.  It had been a long time since he’d been out and explored Uffern himself, often too busy with the duties of court.  Maybe it was time that he did just that as he introduced his sweet little fae to the realm that she would be the Chancellor’s Wife of. After they had been out on the balcony for a while, he felt Adalicia shiver.  The cool air wasn’t bothering him, but he didn’t want her catching a chill.  Wrapping his free arm that he’d been pointing out the different landmarks with around her, he pulled her even tighter against her. “Do you need to go inside, darling?  I don’t want you to get too cold out here.  You can come out here tomorrow, or anytime.” He rested his head on her shoulder and kissed her neck softly as he waited for her answer.  The day had been long for both of them, so if she was getting tiredl, he would have understood. “I don’t think I was dressed for this breeze.” A soft laugh followed her statement as she laid her arms over his and hugged herself back against him.  The warmth of his chest bled through her sweater, and his arms seemed to envelop her in both a loving comfort and warmth.  “Could we go back in and spend some more time together before bed?” Adalicia’s head tipped back to look up at him, smiling when she saw he already had a smile on his face.  Butterflies seemed to take flight in her stomach and she knew that if he changed his mind about her, she would never get over it.

In an instant they were back inside and that got a laugh from her. “You do know the shortcuts, Rhys!” Adalicia turned in his arms and brought her lips up to Grae’s while she was still laughing.  

“If my lady wishes to be warm and spend time with me, I would be a fool to deny her or delay.” His lips danced across hers as he spoke, before he kissed her once more.  Wrapping his arms tightly around her, he lifted her from the floor and carried her over to the bed in his room.  “I promise this is far more comfortable than the couch, and you can stay here as long as you like.  You do not have to sleep in your room if you do not wish.” His fingers caressed the side of her face so gently they were like a feather’s touch.  There was no denying he’d prefer her in his bed, but not forcing or rushing was getting him more than he had hoped for in one night, so he was not about to start now when it came to sleeping arrangements.

In truth, Adalicia had not considered where she would sleep before Grae mentioned it.  Now that he had, she wasn’t sure what to answer.  She didn’t even know what she really wanted.  For the moment, she did want to spend time with him, so she decided to leave sleeping till they were ready and enjoy the present with him and not plan too far ahead.  “It does look more comfortable.”  She hopped up on the bed and bounced lightly a couple of times.  “Definitely more comfortable.  It would be better if you were up here.”  Her bottom lip caught her teeth. “Someone is getting a little bold.” Grae chuckled with an amused smirk, then outright laughed when her eyes went wide.  She was a lethal mix of sexy and adorable, and he knew that combined with the downright addictive taste of her, he was done for.  Stepping up so his thighs were against the bed, he pulled her back forward till she was against him, her legs straddling his.  “I might need that to keep me in line.”  More teasing with a wink, then his fingers threaded through her flame colored hair to pull her into a deep and sensuous kiss. 

Without even thinking about it, Adalicia once more pushed his shirt over his shoulders and down his arms.  Their kiss broke when he let it slide over his hands to fall to the floor; but his forehead remained gently pressed to hers as he gazed into her eyes, feeling a connection unlike any other he had before..  Her cardigan was the next to go, but with his arms encircling her and pressed against his well muscled torso, she was anything but cold.  Then he easily lifted her off of the bed to pull back the luxurious damask silken bedding to allow her to slide underneath just a moment before he joined her.  Already he knew that he wanted this nightly, even if all they did was sleep within one another’s arms, something that was foreign to him as he normally preferred to sleep alone.  One more way that his little fae, his true Princess, was surprising and changing him in ways he never could have expected.

[graeadalicia]

6

Kellen had taken a step back when Grae had come at him.  Rarely had he seen his friend and Chancellor enraged to the point he feared violence, but today was one of those days.  Should they go head to head, it would be an almost even match and the devastation they would wreak on one another and the castle at large would be substantial.  It had not been his intention in coming to Grae’s quarters to provoke a fight, and it still was not now he just had to figure out how not to.  It was clear that the least provocation was going to bring about a swift and brutal response from the powerful demon before him.

He paused, his mind calculating the best response.  His words must be chosen carefully or it would be more than just a verbal altercation that could be quickly mended.  “I will explain everything, but only after you tell me why you’re ready to take my head off quite literally over a fae slave you’ve had less than a day.” Kellen crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.  His dark eyes were intense as they stared at Grae.  He had to know what the other man was doing and thinking. What he was going to drop on his friend was heavy and he needed to know whether the fae should be allowed to live and how bad the fallout would be.  “Other than she is captivatingly beautiful, on that we can both agree.”

Grae, for his part, was barely containing himself, and was struggling to explain why.  He wasn’t Kellen, he didn’t take advantage of the weak and use people for his own ends, but he rarely felt so protective of anyone.   “You want me to explain something I am trying to explain to myself.”  Grae was honest.  “There is something about her that is different.  She intrigues me in a way that none other has before.  I don’t know what it is about her, but she is unlike any other fae, fuck…any other female, I’ve encountered, and it seems that she is constantly making me want to learn more about her and dive into how she thinks.  When she touches me it calms me, and I'm captivated by her, and not just her beauty. Add onto that you were going to give her to Korben of all people?” Now the edge returned to Grae’s voice, and his brow rose.  Irritation had returned to his countenance.   

He stepped forward, clear displeasure showing through his locked jaw and darkening eyes. “Why not just threaten to put her down in the dungeon and have her slowly skinned alive? She has done nothing to deserve that!!  I am looking forward to hearing how you could possibly explain doing that to a simple slave, since that is all you see her as.” It was clear Grae was once more barely containing his anger, but his answers were honest.  Kellen couldn’t even argue much about the description of Korben.  He had a particular desire to hear screams, male or female, it did not matter.  Maybe he should get one of those doctors of the mind for his brother, or put him on the frontline of their next battle.  Either one worked for Kellen,or both.

“Then I hope you are ready to marry your new fae and fully take her as your Bride and not just a Consort.”  Kellen delighted in the confusion that suddenly was awash over Grae’s face, seemingly vanishing his rage in an instant.  It gave him joy to know or have something no one else did.  In this case, it was the answers to what was ensnaring his Chancellor and why he was desiring the fae that was currently cowering in his bathroom.  Kellen smirked as he pushed off the wall to walk about the room a little and gesture as he talked. “I can understand why you chose her, she is quite beautiful.  Were her origins not a slave, I might even consider her for myself.  However, there are prerequisites for my station.” He threw a smirk over to Grae when the other demon growled in warning. “You are also correct that she is very unique, as you will not find another one like her anywhere.  I know.  I killed her parents and siblings, and would have killed her had I known she existed.  A slight, which if you refuse to marry her, might have to be remedied.” Now Grae’s eyes darkened again, the threat of a confrontation again coming to the forefront.

Kellen held up a hand and lightly sighed, he wasn’t in the mood to go to war with Grae.  They had actual wars to wage and fighting with the only being in his entire realm he could trust without question was not on the top of Kellen’s “to do” list. While he enjoyed pushing buttons, it seemed that Grae’s were all set to world destruction, something that he didn’t have time for today.  “Your sweet little fae slave is actually now the Queen of all the fae from Alendago.  She would have become so when I eliminated the rest of her family.  Therefore, she is a direct and present threat.” He saw realization start to dawn on Grae’s face as his friend once again backed down, his jaw even going a little slack.  “Her hair, the way it shifts from snow white to fire red, that is the denotation of royalty.  If she knew more about her kind, she’d be able to control it and as she cannot, it is a beautiful indication of her mood. All those things that intrigue you about her, they all tie back to what she is and where she came from, what makes her so dangerous.  She is the only one of her people who still retains any magic, which is why you or Korben must marry her.  She is royalty, and only one of noble blood can prevent someone else from possibly filling her in on who and what she is.  There are still those amongst us and our enemies who would know what she is and be more than happy to inform her.  So, a small ceremony by the end of the week should suffice, or a large one if you’re feeling generous to her.” 

Grae noted that Karlen wasn’t mentioned in possible Groom’s for Adalicia, but he was still on his three century hunt for his dream redhead that he was sure was real so maybe Kellen had given up trying to distract him.  Not that Grae was going to complain, now he knew more, there was no way he would let Adalicia out of his sight except when necessary.  “She’s a virgin, Kellen.” The look of surprise on Kellen’s face at least gave Grae a small bit of satisfaction that the smug asshole was getting surprised about something that night. “I will marry her, but it’s going to take a little bit of time.  And she’s going to have to learn to completely trust me before I can propose or she’s going to think it’s a trick of some kind and panic. Your little stunt here tonight is not going to have helped anything.  Decades of being in Persephone’s room and ONLY in her room has…” Kellen didn’t even let him finish, he held up a hand and the look on his face said that it was enough said.  

“You cannot tell her who or what she is, but you need to get a harness on her magic.  At least if she is in a relationship with you, no one will question that she knows her true lineage and accidentally tell her.  The other fae might not even remember.  If she figures it out, she could bestow it on all the fae in the castle and that would be…a problem.” The way that Kellen looked at Grae made it clear that was not an option and the outcome would not be good for him, Adalicia, and quite possibly the realm as a whole.

“I’ll take care of it. Have I ever let you down?” Grae’s brows rose as a smirk now formed on his face. Kellen shook his head and Grae continued. “Let me handle it.  Less than a day and she already wanted to stay here, challenged YOU of all people twice on it. I doubt there will be any problem in keeping her happy and contained.” There was a smugness in Grae’s voice and on his face.  It was only surface level. The thought of harm coming to her already had him ready to commit great violence but there was still a nervousness caused by all that had been dropped in his lap.  “You should know that this cannot be forced or we could have another issue like before.” Grea alluded to Kellen’s father’s second wife and the mess that had caused.

Kellen closed his eyes and took a deep breath, remembering his step-mother getting spooked and accidentally fleeing through a window in a parapet.  The rage of his father had been legendary.  “For both our sakes, I hope you are not mistaken.  And you are correct, we do not wish to have a repeat.  A second such incident would breed dissent and distrust in how we treat our females, and you know that would be exploited.” He sighed.  There were times that the mantle of King felt more akin to a noose.  “I’ll let you get back to your evening.” Kellen smirked. “Showering together?  Doubt that virginity will last long.” Kellen chuckled and gave Grae a wink, which got him an eye roll in return, before Kellen left the room.

For a moment Grae stood there thinking.  He wasn’t quite sure what he had just gotten himself into.  The beautiful fae he had decided to take on a whim kept becoming more intriguing and more special.  Now, he had the King’s blessing with her, which would make things exponentially easier in the future.  He wouldn’t tell her that yet, some things he liked keeping back for a while.

[graeadalicia]

5

TW - Intimidation, Manipulation, Mention of Death

The rest of the shower they shared together was slow and gentle.  There was once more few words shared between them, but then there were not many needed.  Each now knew their place in the other's life, and for Adalicia it was both comforting and overwhelming.  Grae was still trying to determine what it was about her that had him so completely enthralled with her that he seemed to have almost lost himself in her. Once they had finished washing one another and enjoying the now mutually relaxed closeness, Grae turned off the water and slid the large door to the shower open.  Leaning out, he pulled  one of the two of the large towels off of the bar affixed to the wall.  Gently he dried Adalicia’s hair and her upper body. Then he wrapped it around her back and under her arms to fasten it in the front between her breasts.  He then grabbed the other towel and dried himself before wrapping it low on his hips and fastening it to the side.  Guiding her out of the shower, he brought her over to the side where he took a soft mint green fluffy robe off a hook and held it for her to put on, then took the no longer needed towel from her before giving her one more soft kiss on her forehead.  He then put on his own robe.  He was just getting ready to give her instructions for getting ready for the dinner they would share together,  when a loud knock was heard on the main door to his suite and he heard Kellen’s voice calling for him.  

Trying not to grind his teeth and crack a molar at the interruption in what was turning out to be a rather enlightening and enjoyable evening, he gave Adalicia  a tight smile. “Wait here, darling.  I will go see what the King requires, and then we shall continue our evening with dinner.” Grae gave her a warm smile, cupped her cheek, then placed a soft kiss on her lips.  The longer he was around her, the more enticing and endearing he found the fae female, and the more she was worming her way into his heart.  He also found himself not caring as much.

He was only a few steps out of the bathroom when Kellen’s fist impacted the door harder this time, causing the heavy wooden door to rattle upon its heavy wrought iron hinges.  “HOLD ON!”  Grae called out loudly, obviously annoyed now.  He had no clue what Kellen wanted, or why it was so all fired important that he was about to beat down the door to his chambers over it.  When he finally reached the door and opened it, Kellen just about knocked him over coming in without so much as a greeting of any kind.  It was all Grae could do to contain his rising irritation at the interruption.

“You did not answer my summons.”  Kellen’s brow was raised as he turned to face Grae who was closing the door.  It was a statement, the question as to why was implied.  His tone was clipped and annoyed, the look on his face one that matched.

“Which summons?  The one regarding your sister?  I did.  The one regarding the Prince that is now a slime mold?  I did.  The one regarding the slime mold’s father that is threatening war? I did. The one regarding making sure your sister knew that tomorrow the two of you are going to go apologize and turn the slime mold back into whatever he looked like previously? I did and she is not happy.” Grae recounted all of the problems he’d had to deal with in the last 36 hours for and with Kellen, his voice sounding rather exasperated with the whole matter, which he was.  He watched Kellen’s brows draw together.  Obviously something had either made him forget that Grae had handled everything, or he had thought he’d summoned Grae and had not.  That didn’t bode well for his evening with Adalicia if it was the latter.  This thought caused Grae’s arms to cross over his chest, displeasure clouding his handsome features.

“You have dismissed all of Persephone’s slaves.  She has been screaming about it for hours.  I do believe my brain is going to escape my skull soon to try and get some peace.  If I did not summon you, I wonder who I did summon.”  Kellen did look distressed as he pondered that.  His sister’s histrionics were legendary, so Grae could only imagine what he was being put through.  Had he not wished to return to what he previously been doing, he might find the situation somewhat humorous.  Given the present situation with Adalicia, he most certainly did not.

As the King rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to stamp out some of the headache that had been building behind his eyes, he continued.  “Where did you send them?  And she says you took one.  I need it back.”  He sighed deeply, waving the fingers of one hand in the air rather dismissively.  Why couldn’t Persephone find someone that could stand her long enough to get engaged and married, or someone she could stand that long?  Kellen was ready to pay whatever dowry was required to get her out of the Palace and make her someone else’s problem for the rest of eternity.  His father had done him no favors by spoiling her since he was the first girl after three boys.

“I dismissed her slaves down to the general quarters.  As for the one I took, she’ll learn to live without her.” Grae replied.  His voice was firm, it was clear there was no room for debate on the last topic, which earned him raised brows from Kellen who had stopped rubbing his nose and now looked his Chancellor and best friend in the eyes.  They had known each other long enough for Grae to see the confrontation coming and knowing there was no way it was now able to be avoided.

“Where is she?” Kellen’s chin rose.  If he was going to have to take on his sister and deal with her hysterics, he at least wanted to figure out why Grae was refusing to return the slave.  Normally Grae didn’t keep slaves in his quarters, Kellen couldn’t remember a time when he even had one.  Now to not only have taken one of Persephone’s but refuse to return it, it raised many questions in his mind.

“Adalicia, please come out here.”  Grae called, his chin rising and head tipping back towards the doorway to his bedroom as he did.  He knew she would obey, and he knew she would be terrified.  There wasn’t much he could do about the latter at the moment.  He would have to figure out how to calm her later, keeping Kellen away from her was his current focus.  Kellen wasn’t always known to be the kindest to the slaves.  Not that he was cruel, he was just…Kellen.  Maybe part of making it up to her would be forgetting a formal dinner after whatever this was, was over.  A little more spoiling of the beauty would be in order, which might be enjoyable for both of them.

Taking a deep breath and remembering to keep her eyes on the floor, as to not provoke the King, whom already seemed to be in a sour mood, Adalicia slowly made her way out of the bathroom, through the Chancellor’s bedroom, and into the sitting room where the two men were standing.  Her steps were hesitant but even, her back straight, and she was able to keep her breathing calm and even.  So graceful was she, that she almost seemed to float across the floor.  One would never have known the torrent of nerves that were coursing through her veins at that moment.  If Kellen had asked her to speak, however, he would have quickly ascertained exactly how she was being affected by the whole matter.  After she had made her way over to where the men were standing, coming behind Grae by about a foot and slightly to the side, she did a perfect courtesy to Kellen, bowing her head even more.

Kellen stood transfixed as he stared at Adalicia from the very moment she crossed the threshold into the room until she stopped moving.  He was utterly absorbed in observing her, but he could also feel Grae’s ire rising;he doubted that his Chancellor knew the reason for his fixation on the fae slave before him.  The fae slave that should not be before him; that should not even be alive.  There would be a recompense for this, but that would be later and would not involve anyone within the current room.  At the moment he had a raging brat of a sister and a now pissed off best friend to try to handle, along with the slave that should should have been dead decades ago.

“And exactly what are your plans for this slave?” Kellen asked, the condescension and arrogance of royalty coming into his voice as his back straightened and his chin lifted more.  He was addressing Grae, but his eyes had not left Adalicia.   The tone was one that was highly unusual when he spoke with Grae.  They had grown up with one another and while Grae technically served him, rarely did Kellen remind him of that.  They were more akin to brothers and spoke to one another as such.  When not in public their candor with one another was a constant.  Never did they speak to one another as they would in court, til now.

“She is to be my consort when her training is complete, which we were preparing to begin before the interruption.” Grae responded, stepping fully between Adalicia and Kellen.  Something was off about Kellen’s behavior and Grae wasn’t liking it one bit.  It did not take any kind of extra powers to ascertain this just from Kellen’s actions alone.  Whatever Kellen’s motivations at the moment, Grae felt the need to protect Adalicia from them.  “Why does it matter?  There are many fae slaves within the castle, give a couple extra to Persephone to make her happy.  I’ll even get her some new baubles when I visit the mines.”

Kellen stood for a moment considering what to do in order to keep the peace and mitigate the damage that was going to come of this delicate situation that he found himself in because of someone else’s failure.  Grae was being completely defiant and more protective than he’d ever seen him of anyone aside from himself, which told him that if he was not careful Persephone was going to be the least of his troubles by far.  Grae couldn't know who, let alone what, she was; therefore there was more at play than just egos, which meant Kellen had to act strategically in order not to have a war under his own castle’s roof.   “Slave, have you always served my sister?” He asked finally, deciding it was best to start at the beginning and get a good grasp on the situation he was facing.  When Grae opened his mouth to say something Kellen shot him a look that had him closing his mouth, but glaring at him in a way that made Kellen very glad Grae was not able to kill by just looking at someone. 

“Yes, my Lord. As long as I can remember. I started going there when I was a child with my mother.” Adalicia was looking at the Chancellor’s heels.  Her voice was low and soft, but she was able to keep it from trembling.  She still did not know what the King wanted with her, but it was clear that Grae was unhappy about whatever was going on, which did not make her feel safe at all. At least he was now fully in front of her in a protective manner.

Kellen’s brows drew together more.  He could ascertain no lie in what she’d just said, but he also knew that it wasn’t the complete truth.  However, it was possible that it was the truth as she knew it.  She would have possibly just been an infant or toddler when her people were defeated and brought to Uffern as slaves. The circumstances of her birth and lineage might be unknown.

“Slave, how would you like to serve the Crowne Prince?” Kellen actually had to use his powers to restrain Grae from coming at him.  He would find out why in a minute, other than the fact that Karlen was a sadist to put it mildly and this fae was captivatingly beautiful. The tendons in Grae’s neck were showing as he fought against Kellen’s bonds, making the King sincerely hope the fae was quick to answer.  If he and Grae had to go head to head, it would be ugly.

“My Lord, I am the Chancellor’s consort.” Adalicia didn’t know what else to say.  She was confused about what was going on and  what was expected of her.  Fear was beginning to grow in her, fear that she was going to say the wrong thing and she was not only going to be ripped from the kindness that The Chancellor had shown her so far, but that she would then be punished for whatever was going on.  Her eyes quickly darted about on the floor, trying to control her breathing and  not cry.  

“You would not want to be a Princess?” Kellen asked, his brows raising along with his voice on the question.  There was a bit of a smirk to his lips, and he could see Grae was about to unleash hell in the room to free himself from the magical bonds Kellen had him in. There were sparks arcing between Grae’s exposed skin and the ward around him. Hopefully the fae would answer very, very quickly, as the two demons were quite equally matched in power, unbeknownst to most.  There was maybe two to three minutes at the very most before Grae would be free.

“You majesty, I wish to the the Chancellor’s Consort, as I am marked.  I do not wish to leave him, Sire.”  Now Adalicia’s voice shook, but she managed to keep standing still, looking at the ground, and so far wasn’t crying.  Fear coursed through her veins like ice water and she began to tremble.

Kellen’s eyes cut to Grae again, whose hands were in fists and was glowing a soft purple.  Time to end things before there was an explosion.  “Go back in the other room and shut both doors behind you as you go, slave.”  He waited for Adalicia to exit the room, respecting her that she had kept her composure through it all.  Then he dropped the wards around Grae.

“Would you mind telling me what in the ever loving FUCK that was about?!” Grae demanded almost at the top of his lungs the second Kellen dropped the bonds and  taking an aggressive step forward.  He was about ready to throttle his oldest and best friend.  The only thing keeping him from actually doing it was that he WAS his oldest and best friend.  The fact he was the King didn’t even play a part.

[graeadalicia]

CHAPTER 2

WARNINGS - Not Real, Fantasy, Ownership/Slavery, Romance, Spicy

Sometime later Adalicia’s eyes fluttered open and when she did she saw the room was illuminated by a small lamp next to her, which cast a light teal glow, due to its shade, on her surroundings.  Slowly her eyes blinked and she realized that she was not in the Chancellor’s sitting room any longer, and her brows slightly furrowed in confusion.  As the room came into focus, the wallpaper was a very pale floral that looked far too feminine to be something he’d have in his rooms and she could see two corners simultaneously, so the room was much smaller than the one that she had been in previously.  However she had no memory of getting there.  Slowly she sat up to find herself on a single bed outfitted in fine mint green and teal linens.  The floor was the same marble as the Chancellor’s room, but it seemed that she had her own small enclave off of his chambers.  There was not a door, but rather a curtain that separated where she was from one of the rooms of his suite, which gave her a modicum of privacy.

At the other end of the room from where the small bed and end table with the lamp on it were, was an elegantly carved dark wood wardrobe.  Cautiously Adalicia made her way down to it, her bare feet making not a sound on the stone floor, and opened one side.  It was filled with fine dresses and other garments. Opening the other door, the whole thing was filled with fine clothing that made her eyes go wide with surprise.  Everything within was of the same quality as what Persephone owned.  The bottom had two rows of shoes, again fit for a Princess but seemingly put in there for her.  All were finer than anything she had ever owned before, or even seen outside of what the Princess had owned.  What would be expected of her to pay the Chancellor back for all of this?  There was a growing trepidation and sense of fear growing in her heart surrounding that question.

“Do you like them?”  Grae’s deep and rich voice behind her made Ada jump and she almost screamed in surprise.  Losing her balance as well, she almost fell forward into the wardrobe before Grae grabbed her by the waist and brought her flush with her back against his torso.  “I apologize, Ada, I did not mean to scare you.  I was just coming to check on you.”  His voice was calm and soft next to her ear as he gently held her to him. If he had been asked, he would have admitted he rather liked her there. 

Her heart was thundering in her chest as Ada leaned back against him, finding his arms encircling her comforting and giving her a sense of safety that she was unused to.  It warmed her and made her more nervous simultaneously.  The Chancellor confused her and was far different than the few times she had seen him interact with the Princess, both in official and personal matters.  “No reason to, I just did not hear you come in, si..Rhys.”  She caught herself and made sure to use the name he had requested.  She must do things right if she wanted to keep on his good side, and she did want to do that,  “I was just looking around the room, and at all of these beautiful things.  Are all of these mine?”  Her eyes moved across all of the beautiful clothing and shoes before her once more, still feeling as if she was in some kind of dream that she would wake up from at any moment..  It was hard for her to believe that such things would be hers, for she had done nothing to earn them and she knew her station within the walls of the Palace.. These were the types of things like she had taken care of before for Persephone, and never could have dreamed of owning. 

“Of course they are, as you will now be my personal attendant and secretary.  You will be taken care of as long as you do as you are supposed to.”  Grae kept his voice soft as the backs of his fingers lightly stroked her neck, he could tell soft and gentle would be the best way to get what he wanted and needed when dealing with her.  This was a plus.  While Grae never had a problem being firm and demanding when needed, he preferred to leave that to matters of state and not personal things.  Although her head pressed gently against his touch as she enjoyed the tenderness, Adalicia's eyes remained transfixed before her on the clothing and accouterments he had obtained for her.  That she was still standing there in awe pleased him; the more that he could engender himself to her, the easier things would pass between them and he could obtain all he desired.  One thing he disliked about the Courtesans he normally had to deal with was their arrogance and their expectation of things.  Spoiling his fae might become something he’d enjoy.  Whatever this was between them could be mutually beneficial, and enjoyable.  

“Is there anything you need me to do now?”  There was only the tiniest tremble in Ada’s voice.  Her fear of the Chancellor was starting to ebb slightly with how he was treating her, in all ways.  His touch was still soft and gentle, his voice had been warm and calm, the difference between his disposition and that of the Princess was in direct opposition and she found herself craving to stay with him, although she feared she would have to return to Persephone at some point.  What the Princess wanted, she most certainly normally got.  King Kellen assured it.

There were many things that immediately entered Grae’s mind, but he had the restraint not to say them.   One day, maybe even soon, but not yet.  "We need to get you bathed and changed.  You are still covered from the dust of the floor that Persephone had you upon, and I wish to see you in the proper dress of a woman of the court."  One hand slid the thin strap of her sheath off one shoulder then paused as his eyes began to trace the lines of her body from above.   "Then you will have dinner with me and your training will begin, Ada."  Letting the strap drop so that it hung limply against her upper arm, he raised his hand again and his fingers caressed her collarbone as he continued to hold her against him.  The feel of her silken skin combined with his view of her curvaceous yet svelte body had him hardening against her back.  No doubt she would feel it, and he wondered how she would react.

"You will learn to behave as a Lady of the Court.  When I am attending to business, you will be my eyes and ears for everything that is going on around me while my attention is on the matters at hand.  I need someone to watch for treachery.  That will be you.” Gently Grae turned Ada to face him, but kept one arm around her waist so that she could  not get far from him.  His fingers trailed along the edge of her face, barely touching.  Her skin was like silk and there was a building compulsion within him to keep running his fingers over it. “Do you understand?" A finger twirled a lock of the hair that changed colors in a way that still captivated him.

"Yes, I do.  I have had to do something similar before when Princess Persephone had guests she did not trust.” Ada kept her eyes on his deep blue ones that were looking at her with an expression she was trying to read.  There was a firmness in it, but also a kindness that she did not understand.  While he had said nothing regarding it, she could feel the physical evidence of his desire and wondered when that demand would come, and in what form.  The debate warred in her head on whether or not to address it because what he was describing sounded too easy and Ada worried that there was more she might not be understanding yet.  She would do what he had said fully though.   If it kept her safe and in a room like this, she would spy on anyone he wanted.  “I will ensure you are aware of all that transpires when you are occupied.” Her hands came to rest on his broad chest as she continued to look up at him, waiting for further demands to be meted out.

"Good, my little fae." Grae’s voice dropped and seduction entered it, but there was no missing that he was pleased.  "You keep me safe, and I'll keep you safe too." *and all to myself* he didn't add but thought with a smirk.  Fae slaves were normally not so protected, but there was something about Ada that was unique and he wasn't going to share it, even with Kellen. He would be greedy, and not apologetic for it in the least. 

He leaned down so his lips brushed against her ear when he spoke so quietly that it was almost a whisper.  "You will have no secrets from me, Ada.  None. Hide nothing at all.  And do not reveal any of my secrets to anyone.  Those are all that will get you punishment.  Anything else and we can…negotiate a way for you to make amends if there are any problems." As they had been standing there, Grae’s fingers had not stopped caressing her skin with a touch as soft and gentle as a whisper's breath. Now he could feel her flesh pebble and that reaction pleased him.  In such a short time, his choice of her had more than been confirmed as a good one.  “I promise the Princess never rewarded you the way I will, little fae.” He caught one of his fangs on her delicate earlobe for just a second before he righted himself once more.

Grae’s heated breath across the skin of her neck, his deep voice in her ear, his fingers dancing across her skin and the way that he was talking had Adalicia almost moaning.  Then when his fang had caught her ear, it had taken all her strength not to, but she could not stop the stuttering of her breath and the racing of her heart that he caused.  There was no doubt that the Chancellor was able to do many things that Adalicia was unused to, but did enjoy.  Knowing his desire for her only seemed to evoke a calling of its own.  The chancellor was beyond handsome and there was not a female within the walls of the Palace that did not desire him, so for him to be holding her in such a way and acting as such had Adalicia certainly wishing she was more experienced.   “No secrets, Rhys.  I can do that.”  Once more her eyes stayed upon his as her head nodded softly.  She wanted to judge his reaction, to ensure that she was doing as she was supposed to.

“I have no doubt that you will.”  Gently he cupped the side of her face with one his hands, the silken curls of hers bunching up between his palm and her cheek.  Without much thought or warning, simply because he wanted to and no one was going to stop him, his head dropped and his lips brushed over hers.  The slight pressure as she leaned into him caused a grin and for him to hold her tighter.  He would rush nothing, but Grae would also not reject any interest she showed, or affection she willingly bestowed. The more she responded and wanted on her own, the easier everything would go.

The kiss lingered longer than he had intended when he had first kissed her, but Grae was not complaining.  From the look in Adalicia’s eyes when he pulled back from her, she was not going to be either.  The beautiful fae he had chosen for no other reason than her unusual fae beauty still intrigued him.  She was not giggling and flirting like so many of the house fae did in the presence of any of the royal males.  Part of that was her trepidation and figuring out her new role, he was sure, but another part of it seemed to be a calm that was innate in her.  That calm seemed to bring out a calm in him as well, a unique thing for a female.

“Now we need to get cleaned up, Ada.  Come with me.”  He stepped back from her slightly and took one of her hands in his, turning to head out of the room and towards the bathroom of his suite of rooms.

[graeadalicia]

Grae glanced at the dress hanging against the door. He was trying to remember if he'd ever had such a thing hanging in his chambers. Adalicia was not the first female of any type to have taken up residence within them, but he could not remember anything nearly so frilly and feminine. Most of the other females had been more sexual and sensual, yet one more thing about the petite female that flitted about his presence that he found intriguing in its uniqueness.

[graeadalicia]

Chapter 1

Grae’s fist impacted the door to Persephone’s chambers with a thunderous sound, his face a mask of barely contained rage.  When a diminutive fae opened the door, she was almost knocked over by the tall demon as he barged in without awaiting an invite of entry.  All the other fae in the room immediately went to one knee with their heads bowed as the King’s Chancellor addressed the Princess, several of them almost quivering in fear.  There was no doubt among them that he was enraged, though none knew why.

“Did you really just turn the Prince of Kartellion into a slime mold?  And then teleport him back to the middle of his father’s dinner table in the middle of a grand banquet?”  Grae’s hands fisted, his fingers spread wide, then fisted again as his rage was barely controlled.  He had just come from dealing with an emissary from the King of Kartellion, who was understandably none too pleased about the state his youngest son was in.  He was even less pleased that his son was stuck that way at the moment.  Having to deal with the situation and keep there from being war over it did not leave Grae with much patience left for any of Persephone’s usual antics.

“He groped me uninvited.  I most certainly did, and I will not apologize.”  Persephone’s tone was dismissive and her chin lifted in defiance.  She didn’t even turn her head to look at Grae.  She would not be intimidated by her brother’s lackey, and she most certainly wouldn’t be shamed by him for fending off some overly amorous suitor.  “Adalicia, come finish helping me dress.”  A hand waived in the air dismissively, she was done with the Chancellor and she had no plans to address the matter further.  Her brother and he could handle it, she was sure.

A lithe and graceful fae rose, averting her gaze from the Chancellor and moved to the side of the Princess.  “Yes, Mistress.”  Her voice was almost melodic as she responded.  Grae watched her closely as she moved, the gracefulness of each deliberate movement as she helped the princess into her elaborate dress was fluid and almost entrancing.  The fae’s skin was fair as ivory and her hair seemed to shift from a coppery red to a platinum blond as the light reflected off of it.  She was different than any he’d encountered.  Unique.  It intrigued him, and after a long life there was very little that did.

“Oh, you will apologize, Persephone, your brother will ensure it and accompany you when you do it first thing in the morming.  I have already spoken to him, and he is as displeased as I am regarding this since none in the Prince’s realm can return the prince to his prior form.  And until you do, you can dress yourself.  Your slaves are now mine.”  Grae’s hand shot out and grabbed the fae’s delicate one firmly yet gently, stopping her movement instantly.

Adalicia froze.  Her whole body trembled in fear.  The Chancellor had a hold of her hand and while he was being gentle, she did not know what to do.  She did not dare look at him, so instead cast her eyes to the ground.  “Yes, My Lord.”  she said softly, hoping that was the right response.  If not, she was sure that there would be swift and probably painful reprisal.

“NO!  They are mine!”  Persephone spun to face Grae, who still had a hold of HER fae!  One of her favorites because Adalicia never tore or ruined her things the way some of the others did.  “You can’t have HER especially.  My brother will remedy this and you will apologize.  I AM THE PRINCESS!”  She screamed in Grae’s face then stormed out of the room.

Grae hadn’t moved, and it had taken all of his will not to.  After the tense negotiations, he had wanted to throttle the Princess, a desire that lingered still within him.  His hand still held one of the fae’s he realized, and he looked over to her.  “You, you will come with me.”  Once she had nodded, he looked over to all of the others who were still kneeling with heads bowed.  None of them were particularly interesting to him.  They all looked like the typical fae slaves that were everywhere in the castle.  Boring, plain, and almost seemed to disappear into the background unnoticed.  But the one he still had a hold of, now she was special.  “The rest of you can go.  You will get new assignments in the morning.”  Grae nodded and they all almost ran to the small door in the wall of Persephone’s chambers.

“Now, Adalicia is it?”  Grae turned his attention to the fae he had yet to release, and she nodded.  A second later they were in his chambers, Grae having traced them there for more privacy.  His chambers had wards around them for secrecy, silence, and protection. “You will not be hurt, but you will attend to me.  Do you understand?”

“No.”

“Are you refusing?” Grae had barely finished his question when her head began shaking in answer.  The movement made the curls of her hair fan out slightly, catching the light again and making them look aflame. “So you do not understand what I mean?”  Now she nodded in confirmation.  His fingers shifted to take a different hold on her hand from the one he had before, and he drew her nearer to him.  “You will see to me the way you did to Persephone.”  

“Yes, sire.” Adalicia still wasn’t looking at his face, but at the middle of his chest, which was closer now to her than she’d ever been to a man before.  As a servant of the Princess, she only ever was in her presence in the castle besides the other female fae.  She knew her place in the court and in the castle, and was careful to never step out of line.  It was all she could do not to shake or pass out, wondering what all would be expected of her.  Why had the Chancellor chosen her?  Was it because she was Persephone’s favorite?

“Are you afraid of me?” Grae’s voice softened and he pulled her against him.  

“Yes, sire.”  Her voice trembled and a tear fell from Adalicia’s eye.  As she was swallowing, her eyes closed and she felt a warm finger wipe the tear. “Why?”

“I...I am unsure of all you want from me and I know the cost for failure, sire.”  Fear was blooming within her breast and beginning to weave through her veins. It was cold and creeping, freezing her from the inside out, even through the room was plenty warm and the Chancellor even warmer.  Other than her father, no male had ever touched her and now she stood in the chambers of the most powerful male in the castle aside from the King, and he had pulled her close and wanted her to attend to him.  If she failed him, she did not know truly what would happen.  She also did not truly know what he wanted with or from her.

Grae looked at the fae before him and put two fingers under her chin to slowly tip her head back to make her look up at him.  The eyes that met his finally were the most startling color of green, like fired emeralds.  “You’ll look at me from now on when you talk to me.  Understand?”  His brows rose as he asked the question, indicating it was not a question, but an order.  Her soft nod made him smile.  “Good.  You will be with me from when I rise, help me dress, assist with my activities, and whatever I desire.  Are you touched?” He needed to know.  

She had known that question would come but still she could not answer without her breath quickening and her head swimming. “No, sire.”  Her voice was strained and thin and she fought not to cry. “Then you will remain that way.”  Grae could see the fear in her.  What had Persephone done to her fae?  “You will be safe here.”  While he had no plans on forcing a thing, there was something about her that kept drawing his interest and intriguing him.  The Princess could have all the others back, but this one he was going to keep.  Slowly, so as not to spook her, he brought her hand up to his lips and brushed a kiss across the backs of her knuckles, noticing that her skin smelled of a summer’s meadow and there was a slight taste of honey.

Adalicia slowly nodded, keeping her eyes on him.  Her heart was starting to slow, the realization that he was not going to violate her or hurt her immediately was sinking in.  His temper seemed much more even than the Princess’.  She still did not understand why he had chosen her or for what purpose but she supposed that would come in time.

“I will have your things brought here and you will have your own bed, but you will not leave.” Grae didn’t understand why he was being so possessive.  It was not like she could escape the castle even if he allowed her out of his sight, but there was something about this fae that soothed his senses even now.  He was reticent to allow her to be away.  Yes, he was a greedy bastard, but he would reward her for all that she was about to give up.

“Yes, sire.”  At least he was not going to make her sleep on the stone floor anymore.  Even if it was just a mattress on the floor, it would be better than what she had before.  “I do not have anything other than two dresses, sire.”

Grae was left speechless for almost a full minute. “That will be remedied.  I cannot have you looking like this when I am on Court business.”  He saw her flinch and realized that must have come out harsher than he realized.  “You are beautiful, Ada,” he shortened her name because he wanted to, “but this dress is almost rags and I am the Chancellor.”  She nodded.  “I will see to your clothing and jewels.”  He saw her eyes go wide and was inwardly pleased.  She had no idea what she was in for.  At least now he could get the Courtesan whores off his back at functions if nothing else.  

“Yes, sire.”  Adalicia felt stupid repeatedly saying that, but she didn’t know what else TO say.  Normally she didn’t speak at all.  The Chancellor was the first one to really look at her, and she wasn’t sure how she was supposed to be acting or what she was supposed to be saying.

“Rhys.  You are to call me Rhys. Do you understand?”  She nodded.  Good.  Kellen called him Grae.  Everyone else called him Chancellor.  She would use his middle name.  It would give her familiarity but not his first name.  Not…yet.  “And you are MINE now, which means I’ll need to mark you.”  

“How?”  Adalicia swallowed.

This was the one thing Grae was going to do without permission or even a warning.  He didn’t need it, he was the Chancellor and she now belonged to him.  He let go over hand and banded an arm around her waist as he bent his head down close to her ear. “Like this, Ada.”  A second later his fangs dropped and he gently sank them into her vein.

Nervous didn’t even describe how Ada had felt waiting to see what he would do, but as soon as his fangs broke her skin, her eyes rolled back and she was almost limp in his arms.  Pleasure flowed through her and almost on impulse her arms had gone around his neck.  She swore she heard him chuckle.   Mark her as property, Grae had to remind himself.  He wanted to mark her as a Consort, but she wasn’t.  Yet.  It was harder to remember that when he got his taste of her, and knowing she had tiny fangs she could drink from him too.  He’d had a fae lover centuries before, and looked forward to introducing many things to Ada.  When he pulled back from Ada, he swept her up in his arms and took her over to his couch.  She had been overwhelmed. 

“You are beautiful, Ada, and you are MINE.  Don’t forget that.”  He kissed her forehead after he’d laid her down, then went to make arrangements for her.