Chapter 52: The Princess Beneath a Thousand Lights

Leyra’s satisfied smile was still on her face when I kissed her.

Softly.

Which, considering the direction the evening was headed, felt almost suspiciously civilized.

Her arms remained looped around my neck as we stood together in the river, our bodies close beneath the cool water. Thousands of fireflies drifted overhead, their tiny lights scattered across the darkness like the stars had gotten drunk, missed the sky, and decided the forest was close enough.

Romantic.

Beautiful.

Potentially terrible for my self-control.

My lips moved slowly against hers.

Leyra relaxed into the kiss.

For a few seconds, neither of us hurried.

The waterfall filled the clearing with a constant rushing sound, loud enough to hide quieter noises while still leaving us isolated beneath the night sky.

Convenient.

Suspiciously convenient.

I pulled away from her mouth.

Then kissed the edge of her jaw.

Leyra tilted her head slightly.

Permission.

My lips continued downward.

A kiss along her neck.

Her breathing changed immediately.

Not much.

Just enough that I noticed.

I smiled against her skin.

“You’re sensitive here.”

Leyra’s fingers tightened slightly behind my neck.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

I kissed the same place again.

Her breath caught.

“Evidence submitted.”

“Caled.”

“Yes, Princess?”

“Stop being smug.”

“Impossible request.”

Her nails lightly scraped the back of my neck.

I laughed.

Then kept moving downward.

My lips traveled along her throat.

Across her collarbone.

Lower.

The cold river surrounded us from the chest down, but Leyra’s skin felt warm beneath my mouth.

Very warm.

Fireflies drifted close enough that brief flashes of gold reflected across the droplets on her body.

It looked absurdly beautiful.

Like the universe had commissioned lighting specifically for poor decisions.

My mouth reached the curve of her chest.

Leyra inhaled.

I kissed her slowly.

Then closer toward one sensitive peak.

Her body tightened before I even reached it.

Interesting.

When my lips finally touched her there, Leyra gave a soft moan.

I let my tongue tease gently.

The sound became louder.

Her hand moved from my neck to one of my ears, fingertips brushing against it almost absentmindedly.

Not pulling.

Just touching.

Tracing.

Her thumb gently rubbed along the edge.

Oddly affectionate considering what the rest of us was doing.

I smiled.

Then my other hand moved to her opposite breast.

I cupped it.

Massaged slowly.

Leyra’s head tilted back.

The combination made her breathing deepen.

Her hand remained on my ear.

My mouth continued teasing her.

Then Leyra’s free hand reached down.

Caught my wrist.

I paused.

She guided my hand lower.

Past her waist.

Under the water.

Between her thighs.

I looked up.

Leyra looked directly back.

No embarrassment.

No hesitation.

Just expectation.

I smiled.

“Eager?”

“Yes.”

Immediate.

Not even a token denial.

No princess dignity.

No attempt at modesty.

Just yes.

I laughed softly.

“I appreciate honesty.”

“Then stop talking and do something useful with it.”

“There she is.”

My hand moved where she wanted it.

Leyra shifted her legs slightly apart.

I touched her carefully.

Warm despite the river.

Ready.

Very ready.

My fingers found the place that made her breath catch fastest.

Leyra moaned.

I worked slowly at first, letting her body tell me what she liked rather than deciding for her.

Her expression changed almost immediately.

Brows drawing together.

Mouth opening.

Eyes fluttering.

I adjusted the pressure.

Her hips moved toward my hand.

There.

Good answer.

I repeated it.

Leyra gasped.

“Caled…”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t change that.”

“Noted.”

I continued.

Her body responded more strongly with every pass.

The waterfall swallowed some of the sound, but not enough to hide the growing little noises escaping her.

Her fingers left my ear and tightened around my shoulder.

Then her other hand moved lower between us.

Found me.

Wrapped around me.

I inhaled.

Leyra noticed.

Her eyes opened.

A tiny satisfied smile appeared.

“Oh.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“What?”

“You reacted.”

“I’m human. We do that.”

She moved her hand slowly.

From lower to higher.

Then back.

Testing.

Like she had done before.

The first movements were measured.

Almost cautious.

Then she noticed which pace affected me most.

Naturally, she started using it.

I laughed under my breath.

“You learn quickly.”

“So do you.”

“Fair.”

Her hand began moving faster.

Mine did too.

Leyra moaned.

The sound slipped out before she could control it.

Her thighs tightened around my wrist.

Her breathing grew increasingly uneven.

I could feel the tension building inside her.

Sooner than I expected.

Her eyes closed.

“Caled.”

“Hm?”

“I’m already close.”

I smiled.

“You really like rivers.”

She opened her eyes and glared.

“This has nothing to do with the river.”

“Good to know.”

Another touch made her shiver.

Her grip around me tightened.

Then suddenly Leyra caught my wrist again.

Stopped my hand.

I looked at her.

She was breathing hard now.

Face flushed.

Eyes heavy with pleasure.

“What?”

She pulled my hand away.

“I don’t want to finish like this.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“No?”

Leyra shook her head.

Then leaned closer.

Her lips almost touched mine when she whispered, “I want you inside me when it happens.”

Well.

Very clear request.

I smiled.

“That can be arranged.”

Leyra’s arms immediately wrapped around my shoulders.

Then she climbed higher against me.

Her legs circled my hips.

I caught her automatically.

One hand beneath her.

The other around her waist.

She was physically strong enough to hold herself easily, which was frankly convenient.

Crown princess.

Secret arena champion.

Portable romantic partner.

Excellent combination.

Leyra reached between our bodies.

Guided me.

I watched her expression.

“Still want this?”

Her eyes met mine.

“Yes.”

No uncertainty.

No pause.

She lowered herself carefully.

We joined.

Leyra moaned against my mouth.

Her arms tightened around my neck.

I held her steady while she adjusted.

Then she moved.

On her own.

Slowly upward.

Then down.

Again.

Her strength made the position surprisingly easy for her.

She controlled the rhythm completely.

I mostly supported her hips and enjoyed the view.

Very fair division of labor.

Leyra kissed me.

Hard.

Her tongue slipped into my mouth.

I let her lead.

Her movements became quicker.

The river shifted around us with every rise and fall.

Water splashed softly against our bodies.

The fireflies continued drifting overhead as if thousands of tiny glowing witnesses had decided privacy was overrated.

Leyra’s hands moved through my hair.

Her lips stayed pressed against mine.

I felt her rhythm change.

Smooth at first.

Then less precise.

Faster.

Her breathing broke between kisses.

She pulled away only long enough to gasp.

Then kissed me again.

I held her hips more firmly.

Not controlling.

Just keeping her balanced as pleasure started stealing coordination.

Leyra shivered.

Her thighs tightened around me.

I lowered my mouth to her chest.

Found the place I had been teasing earlier.

Leyra cried out.

Her body jolted.

I continued.

Her breathing became frantic.

One hand dug into the back of my neck.

“Caled…”

I looked up.

Her eyes were barely focused.

“I’m coming.”

There it was.

I kissed her chest again.

Leyra’s body tightened around me.

Then pleasure hit her.

Hard.

Her entire body shuddered.

Her nails pressed into my skin.

A loud moan escaped her.

She clung to me while wave after wave rolled through her.

Her hips lost all rhythm.

I simply held her.

Let her move however she needed.

Let her bury her face against my shoulder while the climax worked through her.

The fireflies above us blurred into shifting gold.

Water rippled outward from our bodies.

Leyra trembled for several long seconds.

Then slowly began to calm.

Her breathing remained warm against my neck.

Her arms stayed around me.

Her legs remained locked behind my hips.

I rubbed her back.

“You good?”

A tired voice answered beside my ear.

“Yes.”

“Still alive?”

She lightly bit my shoulder.

“Okay. Alive.”

Leyra stayed against me for a little while longer.

Quiet.

Recovering.

Then I began moving toward the riverbank.

She didn't release me.

I laughed.

“You planning to stay attached permanently?”

“For now.”

“Acceptable.”

I carried her through the water.

The bottom gradually rose beneath my feet until I reached the edge where the riverbed flattened into smooth stone and grass.

I lowered Leyra carefully.

She lay back along the shallow edge, upper body resting comfortably above the water while her legs remained partly submerged.

Golden hair spread around her.

Fireflies floated overhead.

She looked up at me.

Flushed.

Beautiful.

Very pleased with herself.

I remained standing in the shallow water.

Then gently moved between her legs.

Leyra opened them without being asked.

I smiled.

“Someone recovered quickly.”

“Not completely.”

“You’re volunteering for more.”

“That does not mean I recovered.”

Good point.

I positioned myself.

Leyra watched me.

I moved slowly at first.

Joined her again.

Her lips parted.

A low moan escaped.

I gave her time.

Then started moving.

Measured.

Deep.

Slow enough that every motion had time to register.

Leyra’s hands gripped the riverbank.

Her breasts moved gently with the rhythm.

Her eyes stayed on me.

“This feels good.”

“Useful information.”

I increased the pace slightly.

She moaned again.

Then I stopped.

Completely.

Leyra blinked.

“What?”

I smiled.

She immediately became suspicious.

“Caled.”

I pulled back slowly.

Almost completely.

Then paused.

Leyra’s expression tightened.

I drove forward in one strong movement.

Her moan echoed across the river.

I grinned.

“Oh.”

She glared.

I repeated it.

Slow retreat.

Long pause.

Then one fast, deep movement.

Leyra gasped.

Her fingers dug into the ground beside her.

Again.

The anticipation became part of it.

She knew what was coming.

She just didn't know exactly when.

I dragged out the pause.

Leyra’s eyes narrowed.

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

She knew exactly what I was doing.

I moved again.

Hard.

Her response was immediate.

A sharp moan.

Her body jolting beneath me.

Then I stopped.

Leyra stared.

“Caled.”

“Yes?”

“Stop teasing me.”

I smiled.

“Something is missing.”

Her expression became dangerous.

“Your survival instinct?”

“Also true.”

I leaned slightly closer.

“But I was thinking of a word.”

Leyra’s face turned red.

Oh.

She knew.

I waited.

She resisted.

For approximately three seconds.

Then another slow movement made her breath catch.

I paused again.

“Caled.”

“Yes, Princess?”

Her eyes narrowed.

“Please.”

I smiled wider.

“Please what?”

“You are enjoying this too much.”

“Extremely.”

She grabbed one of my wrists.

“Please stop teasing me.”

There it was.

I nodded solemnly.

“As you wish.”

Then I stopped playing.

My rhythm changed instantly.

Fast.

Deep.

Consistent.

Leyra cried out.

Her back pressed against the ground.

Her hands caught my forearms.

I moved harder.

The water around us splashed with every motion.

Fireflies scattered slightly whenever droplets reached too high, then drifted back like stubborn little voyeurs.

Leyra’s breathing turned rough.

Her moans came freely now.

No knights nearby.

No walls.

No need to pretend.

I watched pleasure slowly erase everything else from her expression.

Her mouth stayed open.

Her eyes half closed.

Golden hair clung damply around her face.

I increased the pace.

Leyra moaned louder.

Then I felt my own tension building.

Fast.

I leaned forward slightly.

“I’m getting close.”

Her eyes opened.

“Me too.”

She reached for my hand.

Pulled.

I followed.

Lowering myself over her.

Our bodies came closer.

Leyra wrapped her arms around me.

I kissed her.

The rhythm continued between us.

Harder now.

More urgent.

Leyra kissed me back with equal intensity.

Her tongue met mine.

Her nails slid along my shoulders.

I felt my limit approaching.

She was there too.

I pulled away from the kiss just enough to breathe.

Then smiled.

One particular thought returned from our first night together.

I couldn't resist.

“Princess.”

Leyra blinked through the haze.

“What?”

I gave her the most innocent expression I could manufacture while currently doing something extremely unroyal with her beside a river.

“Am I allowed to finish inside the crown princess this time?”

Her eyes widened.

Then she realized exactly why I was asking.

Her face turned red.

“You…”

I laughed.

Leyra pulled me closer by the shoulders.

“Yes.”

“Confirmation?”

“Yes, Caled.”

I grinned.

“Excellent diplomacy.”

“Stop talking.”

“Right.”

I kissed her again.

Then moved faster.

Leyra moaned into my mouth.

Her legs wrapped around my hips.

Tight.

Keeping me close.

Her body started trembling.

My own rhythm became less controlled.

Faster.

Harder.

Closer.

Leyra’s fingers dug into my arms.

She broke the kiss.

“Caled…”

“I know.”

Her whole body tightened.

I felt my own limit arrive at almost the same moment.

One final movement.

Deep.

I held her against me.

Release overtook me.

Leyra cried out.

Her body shuddered beneath mine as her own climax hit simultaneously.

Her legs locked tighter around my hips.

Her arms pulled me down.

Then she kissed me.

Hard.

I kissed her back.

Neither of us had much coordination left.

The kiss was messy.

Breathless.

Interrupted by trembling and little sounds neither of us bothered hiding.

We stayed joined and close while the intensity slowly faded.

Leyra’s body relaxed first.

Then mine.

The rushing waterfall seemed louder again once everything else quieted.

Fireflies continued floating above us.

Still there.

Still glowing.

Still completely unconcerned with the scandal they had just witnessed.

Leyra’s hands slid gently along my back.

Our kiss softened.

Eventually our lips separated.

I lifted my head.

Looked at her.

Her face was flushed.

Hair wet and disordered.

Eyes warm.

Beautiful.

Very beautiful.

I smiled.

“I have to admit something.”

Leyra raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

“Making love beneath several thousand fireflies is considerably better than I expected.”

She laughed quietly.

“You expected it to be bad?”

“No.”

I glanced upward.

Gold lights drifted through the trees.

“I just didn’t expect nature to put this much effort into atmosphere.”

Leyra followed my gaze.

Her expression softened.

“This is rare.”

“The fireflies?”

“The whole moment.”

She looked back at me.

“Most people only dream about experiencing something like this.”

I smiled.

“That sounded suspiciously romantic.”

Leyra’s cheeks warmed.

“It was supposed to.”

“Good.”

I kissed her.

Short.

Soft.

Gentle enough to contrast everything that had happened before it.

When I pulled away, I looked toward the town in the distance.

We couldn't see it through the trees.

But it existed.

Along with several increasingly unemployed knights guarding a door behind which neither of us currently existed.

I sighed.

“We should probably go back.”

Leyra’s fingers moved along my cheek.

“Already?”

“Before somebody realizes their crown princess has escaped again.”

“They won't.”

“Confidence.”

“I have experience.”

“True.”

I started shifting.

Leyra's hand kept me close.

I looked down.

She smiled.

Mischievously.

Oh.

No.

“But…”

I raised an eyebrow.

She traced my cheek with one finger.

“I’m not satisfied yet.”

I stared at her.

“You just…”

“Yes.”

“And before that…”

“Yes.”

“And you're still…”

“Yes.”

I laughed.

“You're terrifying.”

Leyra smiled proudly.

“So?”

“So nothing.”

My hand moved back toward her waist.

“We have time.”

Her smile widened.

We stayed.

Once became twice.

Twice became several more times.

The riverbank.

The water.

Against the smooth stone near the falls.

Each time Leyra recovered, that same determined look returned.

She wanted more.

And apparently the Merciless Lioness approached pleasure using the same philosophy she applied to combat.

No retreat.

No surrender.

Make the opponent question his life choices.

Eventually, finally, she decided she had enough.

For the moment.

We dressed.

Activated invisibility again.

Then slipped back toward Gisda.

The town remained quiet.

No alarms.

No groups of knights searching streets.

No one shouting Leyra's name.

Excellent.

Our terrible plan had somehow succeeded.

We returned to the inn unseen.

The corridor remained calm.

The sign still hung from my door.

DO NOT DISTURB.

Not one knight had touched it.

Nobody had knocked.

Nobody had entered.

Heroes.

Absolute heroes.

We slipped inside.

Closed the door.

Released the invisibility.

I looked at Leyra.

She looked at me.

I smiled.

“See?”

She raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

“Perfect operation.”

“We disappeared without anyone noticing.”

“Exactly.”

“That doesn't make it perfect.”

“It does according to my standards.”

Leyra laughed.

Then walked toward the bed.

I turned toward the table, reaching for water.

A hand caught my shirt.

I stopped.

Looked down.

Leyra.

Of course.

She pulled.

I stumbled backward.

The crown princess dragged me toward the bed with a smile that informed me negotiations had reopened.

“You said you were satisfied.”

“I was.”

“Past tense?”

“Yes.”

“That was fast.”

Leyra pushed me onto the mattress.

Then climbed over me.

“Problem?”

I looked up at her.

Golden hair falling around her face.

Blue eyes shining with the same shameless confidence she had been discovering more and more every day.

I smiled.

“None.”

So we continued.

Again.

Then more.

No knights disturbed us.

Probably because the sign remained outside.

Probably because after the previous inn, our escort had already learned that knocking on doors containing Leyra and me could result in information they would never successfully erase from memory.

Either way, nobody interfered.

And Leyra?

She refused to hold herself back.

If she wanted something, she said it.

If she wanted more, she demanded it.

If she wanted control, she took it.

And whenever she decided I should take over instead, she made that equally clear.

We kept going until eventually, finally, the crown princess decided she was satisfied again.