Chapter 37: The Side She Kept for Herself

By the time Nemris and I returned to the castle, night had fully settled over the capital.

The streets outside had grown quieter, though Inizio never seemed to sleep completely. Lanterns still glowed beyond the castle walls. Distant music drifted from somewhere in the lower districts. Guards changed shifts beneath torchlight while servants moved through the corridors carrying folded linens, trays, and whatever mysterious objects castles required after sunset.

Nemris stayed beside me the entire way back.

No armor.

No Lord Commander insignia.

Still wearing that blue dress that had spent the entire day teaching me several valuable lessons about how unfair clothing could be when properly designed.

We walked more slowly now.

Not because either of us was tired.

At least, that was what I told myself.

The truth was simpler.

Neither of us seemed particularly eager for the date to end.

Eventually, though, the corridor containing my room appeared.

Tragic.

I stopped in front of my door.

Nemris stopped beside me.

For a moment, neither of us said anything.

I looked at her.

Golden hair still elegantly arranged, though several strands had escaped during the day. Her cheeks still carried the faint warmth that seemed to have become permanent whenever we were alone together.

I smiled.

“That was fun.”

Nemris looked at me.

Her expression softened.

“Much better than I expected.”

I placed one hand against my chest.

“That sounds dangerously close to praise.”

“It is.”

I blinked.

“Oh.”

She almost smiled.

“I suppose I can admit it once.”

“Historic event.”

“Don’t ruin it.”

“No promises.”

She shook her head.

I reached toward the doorknob.

“Goodnight, Nemris.”

My fingers had barely touched it when her voice stopped me.

“That’s it?”

I glanced back.

“What?”

Nemris looked at the door.

Then at me.

Then away.

Her tail moved once behind her.

Interesting.

“Are you not going to invite me inside?”

I stared at her.

Then smiled.

Slowly.

Nemris immediately narrowed her eyes.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re smiling.”

“I smile often.”

“That one is different.”

I leaned slightly closer.

“And why exactly would I invite you into my bedroom, Princess?”

There.

The blush arrived.

Instantly.

Nemris lifted her chin as if dignity might personally defend her.

“To guard you.”

I waited.

She continued.

“I can’t allow you to sneak out during the night and cause trouble again.”

Ah.

Guard duty.

Classic.

I nodded thoughtfully.

“Very responsible.”

“Yes.”

“And entirely professional.”

“Obviously.”

“Of course.”

Nemris glared.

I moved closer.

“You know, there’s a possibility that if you come inside, the trouble might involve only you and me.”

Her eyes stayed on mine.

The blush deepened.

Then something changed.

Nervousness was still there.

But underneath it was determination.

Nemris took a small breath.

“Possibility?”

I raised an eyebrow.

She stepped closer.

“I was hoping for a guarantee.”

Oh.

Well.

There went subtlety.

I stared at her for half a second.

Then opened the door.

“Ladies first.”

Nemris walked past me.

I followed.

Closed the door.

The room felt immediately different with her inside.

Maybe because I knew exactly why she had come in.

Maybe because she did too.

Nemris walked toward the balcony.

She pulled the curtains closed.

Then checked the balcony doors.

Locked them.

I leaned against the door behind me.

“Very thorough guard work.”

Nemris glanced over her shoulder.

“I don’t want anyone interrupting.”

“Even more professional.”

“Caled.”

I laughed.

She looked around the room.

Moonlight no longer reached much through the curtains, leaving the lamps to fill everything with warm gold.

Nemris slowly turned.

“Your room looks better at night.”

I walked toward her.

“Then you’re welcome to visit every night.”

Her gaze dropped briefly.

Then returned to mine.

The distance between us disappeared one step at a time.

When Nemris stopped directly in front of me, her confidence faltered.

Just slightly.

She had been bold at the door.

Now there was nowhere left to hide behind teasing.

No battlefield.

No diplomatic mission.

No bookshop.

No clocktower.

Just the two of us.

Her hands moved together nervously.

Then apart.

“I should tell you something.”

I tilted my head.

“That usually ends well.”

Nemris ignored the joke.

“I’m very new to this.”

I softened.

“I know.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“You don’t have to sound pleased.”

“I’m not.”

She studied me.

I smiled.

“Okay, maybe a little.”

“Caled.”

“Continue.”

Nemris took another breath.

“I don’t know how to initiate.”

There was genuine embarrassment in her voice.

Not fear.

Not uncertainty about wanting this.

Just uncertainty about how to begin.

I reached for her hands.

Her fingers slid into mine.

Warm.

Slightly trembling.

“Then don’t worry about initiating.”

Her eyes lifted.

“I can help.”

Nemris nodded.

That was all I needed.

I leaned down.

Slowly.

Our lips met.

Soft.

Simple.

Nothing demanding.

Just the same gentle contact we had shared atop the clocktower.

I began pulling away.

Nemris followed.

Her lips found mine again before I could create distance.

Oh.

Apparently the Lord Commander did know how to initiate.

She just required a practical demonstration first.

The second kiss deepened quickly.

Her arms rose around my neck.

My hands settled against her hips.

Nemris pressed closer.

The fabric of her blue dress brushed against me as her body met mine.

When we separated for breath, she remained close enough that our foreheads nearly touched.

Her breathing had already changed.

“I like your lips.”

I smiled.

“Only the lips?”

Her eyes narrowed.

I kissed her again.

This time, I let the kiss become more exploratory.

My tongue brushed hers.

Nemris stiffened in surprise.

Then relaxed.

She followed carefully.

Tentative at first.

Then increasingly curious.

When we parted, I smiled against her mouth.

“And?”

Nemris breathed in.

“Your tongue is dangerous.”

“Compliment accepted.”

“In several different ways.”

“That sounds more accurate.”

I kissed her again before she could recover.

Nemris responded immediately.

Her fingers moved into my hair.

My hands remained at her waist as I slowly guided her backward.

Step.

Kiss.

Another step.

Another kiss.

The bed waited behind her.

Convenient furniture.

I deeply appreciated whoever invented it.

Nemris’s hands moved to my clothing.

She fumbled once with the first fastening.

Then figured it out.

Apparently removing formal clothes was significantly more exciting than putting them on.

She opened my coat.

Pushed it from my shoulders.

The shirt beneath followed.

Button after button.

Her fingers moved faster as she became more confident.

I smiled into the kiss.

“You’re very good at undressing me.”

Nemris pulled the shirt loose.

“I dressed you this morning.”

“Yes.”

She pushed the fabric from my arms.

“This is easier.”

“I’m strangely proud.”

She ignored that.

My upper body was bare now.

Nemris stopped.

Her eyes dropped.

Chest.

Stomach.

Abs.

There it was again.

That look.

Fascination.

I raised one eyebrow.

“You’ve been staring at my abs since the day you found me at the inn.”

Nemris’s hand lifted.

Her fingertips traced lightly across my stomach.

“I have not.”

“You absolutely have.”

She pressed her palm against one section.

Then slowly moved lower.

“They are…”

She hesitated.

I grinned.

“Go on.”

“Fascinating.”

I laughed.

“Fascinating.”

“Yes.”

“You’re studying them?”

“Maybe.”

Her fingers traced along each ridge with surprising seriousness.

I looked down at her hand.

“Should I expect a written report?”

Nemris ignored me.

She was too busy exploring.

Eventually I guided her toward the bed.

Nemris sat.

Her blue skirt spread around her.

I stood in front of her.

She looked up at me.

Then leaned forward.

Her lips touched my stomach.

I stopped smiling for a second.

Oh.

That was new.

A soft kiss against my abs.

Then another.

Nemris looked at me briefly, checking my reaction.

I smiled.

“Very scientific.”

“Quiet.”

She kissed lower.

Then another place.

Her hands rested against my sides.

I let her curiosity run for several moments before gently placing one hand against her shoulder.

Nemris looked up.

I eased her backward.

She allowed herself to recline onto the mattress.

Golden hair spread over my pillow.

Blue dress against pale sheets.

Beautiful.

I moved over her.

Not trapping.

Just close.

Nemris’s eyes stayed on mine.

I kissed her forehead.

Her expression softened immediately.

Then her cheek.

Jaw.

The side of her neck.

Her breath caught.

I kissed the same place again.

Nemris tilted her head.

Permission.

Encouragement.

My lips moved lower.

Along her throat.

Down to her collarbone.

Then to the exposed curve above her dress.

Her breathing became unsteady.

My hands rested at her waist.

Nemris suddenly caught my wrist.

I stopped.

Her cheeks were bright red.

But her eyes were determined.

“Caled.”

“Yes?”

She swallowed.

“Destroy the dress.”

I stared.

“Excuse me?”

Her face became redder.

“I have another one in Dimensional Storage.”

I looked at the expensive blue dress.

Then at her.

“You want me to tear it?”

Nemris looked away.

“Yes.”

Interesting.

Very interesting.

I leaned closer.

“You’re into something unusual, Princess.”

Her eyes squeezed shut.

“Please don’t tease me.”

That took some effort.

A lot.

“My weird preferences are…”

She hesitated.

Then looked back.

“Only yours to know.”

Well.

That sentence hit harder than expected.

I brushed hair from her cheek.

“You planned this far ahead, didn’t you?”

Nemris’s embarrassment became almost painful to watch.

Almost.

“I wanted tonight to be perfect.”

I smiled.

“Then we should respect the plan.”

I caught the fabric.

Nemris inhaled sharply.

Then I pulled.

The dress tore.

The sound filled the room.

Nemris’s reaction was immediate.

A shiver ran through her entire body.

Her fingers tightened against the sheets.

Interesting.

I tore another section.

The elegant dress opened.

Nemris’s breathing grew faster.

She was enjoying the destruction far more than any sane royal tailor would approve of.

I removed the ruined fabric and tossed it aside.

Beneath it, she wore a matching blue bra and panties.

Cute.

Very cute.

Nemris immediately tried covering part of herself.

I caught her wrists gently.

“No hiding now.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“You tore my dress.”

“You asked me to.”

“I know.”

“Then this is technically excellent customer service.”

Nemris laughed despite herself.

I kissed her stomach.

She quieted instantly.

Her skin was warm beneath my lips.

I took my time.

One kiss.

Then another.

My tongue traced lightly over her skin between them.

Nemris breathed faster.

My hands rested along her sides, feeling every subtle movement as she reacted.

I moved upward.

Slowly.

Kissing her stomach.

Ribs.

The soft curve beneath her chest.

Nemris’s hands returned to my hair.

Then she whispered, “The bra too.”

I looked up.

Her expression was half mortification, half anticipation.

“You really did develop a specific fantasy.”

Nemris covered her face with one hand.

“Blame the romance novels.”

I laughed.

“This was in Love and Legend?”

“I’m not answering.”

“That means yes.”

“Caled.”

“Fine.”

I caught the bra carefully.

“Last chance.”

Nemris looked at me.

“Do it.”

I pulled.

Fabric snapped.

Nemris gasped.

The ruined garment came away.

Her chest was fully exposed.

Full.

Soft.

The movement of her breathing made her breasts rise and settle naturally.

Nemris watched me looking.

For once, she did not hide.

Instead she lifted her chin.

“Do you like what you see?”

I looked back at her face.

“Saying I like it would be criminally inadequate.”

That pleased her.

I could tell.

Her lips curved.

I leaned down.

My hands cupped her gently.

The weight of her breasts filled my palms.

Nemris inhaled.

I massaged slowly.

Not rushed.

Feeling her body respond.

Then my lips replaced one hand.

A soft kiss.

Another.

My mouth moved over one sensitive peak while my hand continued working the other.

Nemris moaned.

Quiet at first.

Then louder when my tongue became more deliberate.

Her hand tightened in my hair.

“Caled…”

I glanced up.

Her eyes were half closed.

Her face flushed.

I smiled against her skin.

“Still fascinating?”

Nemris tugged my hair.

“Stop talking.”

I laughed.

Then continued.

Both sides received attention.

Lips.

Tongue.

Hands.

Slow pressure.

Gentle pulls.

Different rhythms.

Nemris reacted to everything.

Her back lifted slightly from the mattress.

Her legs shifted.

Her breathing lost all discipline.

The powerful Lord Commander who could stand alone against soldiers was currently losing a heroic battle against my mouth.

Wonderful.

Eventually, my hand drifted lower.

Across her stomach.

Past her waist.

Between her thighs.

Nemris froze.

Then opened them slightly.

No words needed.

My fingers slipped beneath the remaining fabric.

The warmth I found there answered any question about whether she wanted this.

Very much.

I smiled.

Nemris immediately knew why.

“Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were going to.”

“Probably.”

I started gently.

Just enough contact to make her inhale.

Then a little more.

Nemris’s hips shifted instinctively.

Her hands found the sheets.

I watched every reaction.

Her breaths.

The tension in her stomach.

The way her eyes closed whenever sensation became stronger.

I moved with increasing confidence, using pressure and rhythm rather than rushing.

Nemris’s moans became louder.

She tried hiding one against the pillow.

I smiled.

“Princess.”

“Don’t call me that right now.”

“Nemris?”

“Yes.”

Another reaction moved through her.

Her body tightened.

I kept going.

Gradually stronger.

Her hips began meeting my hand.

Her breathing became almost broken.

Then I stopped.

Nemris’s eyes opened immediately.

The look she gave me could have convicted criminals.

“Why did you stop?”

“I’m moving.”

Her expression changed when she realized where.

I shifted lower.

Between her thighs.

Nemris watched me.

Her cheeks darkened.

I caught the blue underwear.

“Another spare?”

She nodded.

“Good.”

I tore it.

The last barrier disappeared.

Nemris covered her face again.

I laughed quietly.

“After demanding clothing destruction, now you’re shy?”

“Yes.”

“Fair.”

I settled between her thighs.

Kissed the inside of one.

Then the other.

Nemris’s hands gripped the blanket.

I moved closer.

My lips found the most sensitive place first.

Small kisses.

Gentle.

Testing.

Nemris gasped.

Her hips lifted slightly.

Then my attention deepened.

Mouth.

Tongue.

Heat.

Pressure.

Everything focused where her reactions became strongest.

Nemris moaned openly now.

No restraint.

My hands reached upward.

Cupped her breasts.

Massaged them while my mouth continued below.

She shivered.

Hard.

Her hands alternated between gripping the sheets and reaching toward my hair.

Every time my tongue changed rhythm, Nemris reacted instantly.

A gasp.

A sharp breath.

A broken sound.

A stronger movement of her hips.

I followed the signals.

Slower when she needed it.

Deeper when her body asked.

More playful when she started losing control.

Her thighs tightened around me.

“Caled…”

I did not stop.

That seemed to be the correct answer.

Her chest rose quickly beneath my hands.

Her breathing climbed.

Faster.

Higher.

Her entire body grew tense.

Nemris’s fingers tangled into my hair.

Then pleasure overtook her.

Her back arched.

A loud moan escaped.

Her legs trembled.

Her body shivered from shoulders to thighs as the tension finally broke.

I stayed with her through it.

Gentler now.

Letting each aftershock pass naturally.

Eventually Nemris collapsed into the mattress.

Breathing hard.

Completely flushed.

I climbed upward.

Her eyes opened slowly.

She looked at me.

Dazed.

Satisfied.

Then she laughed softly.

“That…”

I kissed her cheek.

“What?”

She swallowed.

“Feels much better than when I do it myself.”

I stopped.

Then grinned.

Nemris immediately realized what she had admitted.

Her face turned scarlet.

“Oh.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“So the princess has hobbies.”

Nemris covered her eyes.

I laughed.

“You naughty girl.”

“Caled.”

“Romance novels corrupting royalty.”

“This has nothing to do with the novels.”

“Your destroyed dress disagrees.”

She lowered her hands.

Nemris looked at me.

Then something unexpectedly bold entered her expression.

“Recently…”

I waited.

Her fingers touched my chest.

“I’ve been doing it while thinking about you.”

Well.

That shut me up for nearly an entire second.

Record-breaking.

I smiled.

“Really?”

Nemris’s cheeks remained red, but she did not retreat.

“Yes.”

I moved closer.

“So there’s an imaginary version of me?”

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“Don’t make it sound strange.”

“I’m honored.”

“You should be.”

I laughed.

Then kissed her.

“Hopefully the real version exceeds expectations.”

Nemris’s arms slipped around my neck.

She pulled me closer.

Her eyes stayed on mine.

“You already did.”

I raised an eyebrow.

She smiled.

“The real you is much, much better.”