Chapter 1056: Queen (R-18)

Mercedes was still holding Strax’s hand as they reached the corridor that led to their private quarters.

"You know a kiss isn’t going to make me forget about that railway, right?" Mercedes asked, glancing back at her husband over her shoulder.

Strax.

"Who said I was trying to make you forget anything?" Strax replied, gently pulling her by the waist.

Mercedes let out a small exclamation as she came to rest against his chest.

"Strax!" Mercedes protested, though the smile that spread across her lips betrayed the fact that she wasn’t particularly bothered.

"It’s been a while since I’ve had some time alone with my wife," Strax murmured, brushing a lock of hair away and kissing her forehead softly.

Mercedes looked up at him.

"Oh, so now you remember you have a wife waiting for you?" Mercedes teased, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"A beautiful, intelligent, and terribly bossy wife," Strax replied, bringing his lips closer to hers.

Mercedes narrowed her eyes.

"Terribly bossy?" she repeated, giving the back of his neck a playful squeeze.

"Especially when she’s threatening to rip my ear off," Strax added with a smile.

Mercedes tried to respond, but Strax kissed her before she could.

This time, the kiss wasn’t quick.

Mercedes closed her eyes and kissed him back, her fingers sliding through his hair. The tension that had built up over the last few days seemed to fade into insignificance as Strax pulled her closer by the waist, deepening the embrace.

When they finally pulled apart, her face was just inches from his.

"You’re an idiot," Mercedes whispered, caressing his cheek.

"But I’m *your* idiot," Strax replied, leaning in for another kiss.

Mercedes let out a laugh against his lips. "Unfortunately." Mercedes murmured as she tugged at his collar.

Strax went along with the movement, but instead of simply following her, he slipped one arm behind her back and the other under her knees.

Mercedes’s eyes widened as her feet left the floor.

"Strax! Put me down!" Mercedes demanded, gripping his shoulders.

"As you wish, my queen." Strax replied with a dangerously pleased smile.

"That smile doesn’t inspire confidence." Mercedes remarked, realizing he was already walking through the bedroom doorway.

Strax closed the door with his foot.

The room was warm, lit only by the faint glow of crystals scattered across the walls. Outside, the snow continued to fall silently.

Mercedes was ready for bed.

And for her husband.

"Don’t even think about it." Mercedes warned, trying to maintain a serious expression.

Strax raised an eyebrow.

"Think about what?" Strax asked as he approached the bed.

"Strax..." Mercedes began, but the threat died away as he kissed her again.

She immediately returned the kiss, wrapping her arms tighter around his neck.

Then, Strax gently laid her down on the mattress.

Mercedes landed amidst the pillows, letting out a surprised exclamation before bursting into laughter.

"You wretched dragon!" Mercedes complained as she propped herself up on her elbows, her hair fanned out across the bed.

Strax stood before her, smiling.

"You told me to put you down." Strax replied with a shrug.

Mercedes grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.

Strax caught it easily.

"Was that a declaration of war?" Strax spoke as he set the pillow aside.

Mercedes gave in and held out a hand.

"Come here and find out, darling," Mercedes teased, pulling him by his clothes the moment he moved.

Strax fell onto the bed beside her, and Mercedes immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him again.

For a few moments, there was no more talk of railways, gods, or royal responsibilities.

Just the two of them, finally together after so long.

When Strax pulled back enough to look at her, Mercedes caressed his face.

"You’re staying with me all night, then?" Mercedes murmured, keeping her arms around him.

Strax kissed the tip of her nose.

"I don’t intend to go anywhere, my love," Strax replied, embracing her again.

Happy and satisfied, Mercedes leaned in for another kiss.

Mercedes felt the heat of Strax’s body against hers, and the kiss that followed was deeper, more urgent. His hands slid down her back, finding the clasp of the dress she was wearing. With a skillful movement, he undid it, and the fabric slipped off her shoulders, revealing the soft, warm skin beneath.

Mercedes arched her back, pressing against him, feeling the rough texture of his clothes against her bare skin. She wanted to feel more; she wanted to feel everything. Her hands found the hem of his shirt and pulled it upward, eager to touch the warm skin underneath.

Strax took just enough time to remove his shirt, tossing it aside. Mercedes admired his broad, muscular chest, his strong shoulders, and the marks of old battles that told stories of wars and victories. She reached out and touched a scar running across his chest, feeling the texture of the skin beneath her fingers.

"Was that from the Battle of Kaelthar?" Mercedes asked, her voice a husky whisper.

Strax took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing each finger.

"No, that was when I tried to teach a young dragon to fly," he replied with a smile, and Mercedes laughed, the tension broken for a moment.

But the laughter soon turned into a gasp as Strax leaned in and kissed her neck, his warm, moist lips tracing a path down to her collarbone. Mercedes tilted her head to the side, giving him better access, while her hands roamed over his back, feeling the taut muscles beneath his skin.

Strax trailed his kisses lower, finding the neckline of the dress that was still fastened at her waist. He lowered the fabric, exposing her breasts; Mercedes felt the cool air of the room against her skin, yet the heat of his gaze was enough to warm her.

He kissed her again, but this time his lips found her nipple, and Mercedes arched her back, a low moan escaping her lips. Strax circled the tip with his tongue, teasing her, while his hands gripped her waist, holding her in place.

Mercedes buried her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer, craving more. She felt heat pooling between her legs, a rising dampness that made her impatient. "Strax..." she murmured, her voice thick with desire.

He leaned in, his dark, intense eyes locking onto hers.

"Yes, my queen?" he said, his voice husky.

Mercedes didn’t answer with words. Instead, she pulled him into a fierce, demanding kiss while her hands found the belt of his trousers. With deft fingers, she undid it, pulling the leather strap free and unfastening the button.

Strax helped, shedding the rest of his clothes, and Mercedes felt the weight of his body settle over hers—hot skin against hot skin. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer and feeling his tension pressing against her.

"Please..." she whispered, desire making her words barely audible.

Strax kissed her again—a deep, possessive kiss—as his hand slid between their bodies to find the hot, wet core between her legs. Mercedes moaned against his lips when his fingers touched her, circling her clitoris with a precision that made her tremble.

"You’re so wet, darling," Strax murmured against her ear, his voice a low growl.

Mercedes felt a flush rise to her cheeks, but she felt no shame. She wanted this—wanted *him*—and saw no reason to hide it.

"I want you inside me, Strax," she said, her voice steady despite the trembling of her body.

Strax needed no further invitation. He positioned himself between her legs, the tip of his erection pressing against her entrance. Mercedes held her breath, her eyes locked on his, as he slowly entered her.

The feeling of fullness made her moan; she dug her fingers into his back, pulling him closer. Strax buried his face in the crook of her neck, a muffled groan escaping his lips as he moved inside her—a slow, deep rhythm that made her see stars.

"Strax..." Mercedes whispered, his name a prayer on her lips.

He lifted his head—his eyes dark and heavy with desire—and kissed her, a kiss that was at once sweet and wild. He quickened his pace, his thrusts growing deeper and stronger, and Mercedes felt pleasure building within her, a rising wave that threatened to crest.

She arched her back, her fingernails digging into his skin, as her moans grew louder and more desperate. Strax kissed her again, swallowing her cries, while one of his hands slid between them to find her clitoris once more.

The touch was enough to push her over the edge. Mercedes spoke against his lips, her entire body trembling as the orgasm took hold—waves of pleasure that stole her breath away. Strax let out a ragged groan, his body tensing before he finally relaxed, collapsing against her.

For a long moment, they remained motionless, simply breathing, their bodies intertwined, the air thick with the scent of sweat and desire. Mercedes ran her fingers through his hair, feeling his heart beating against her own.

"You’re mine, Strax," she whispered, her voice filled with both possessiveness and affection.

Strax bowed his head, a weary yet satisfied smile gracing his lips.

"Forever, my queen," he replied, kissing her gently.

Mercedes leaned into his lips; the outside world—with its railways and responsibilities—felt a lifetime away. For now, there was only the two of them, and that was all that mattered.