"Finish it, Calliope, accept my oath or drive your sword through my throat. Either way, my life is yours, as it always was."
For the first time in her life Queen Calliope's hands trembled around the pommel of her sword...
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CW: soft and sweet spicy times again.
Calliope wandered the halls of the castle after supper feeling lonely and bored, but not quite lonely enough to suffer the vapid presence of her ladies-in-waiting. Her three friends were sequestered away, each being required to spend a week alone in reflection before committing to their vows as Knights of the realm. Smiling blandly at two sentries as they patrolled in the opposite direction, Calliope came to an intersection and turned left, putting her on the path that would eventually lead back to her chambers.
A hand over her mouth and a tight arm around her waist had her reaching for the dagger at her belt as she was pulled backwards into one of the alcoves lining the hallway. It only took a second for her to recognise the broad chest pressed against her back and she relaxed into the embrace as a familiar nose nuzzled into the hair behind her ear and the hand dropped from her mouth to join its partner at her waist.
"Careful Jamie," she quietly admonished, a smile growing on her face. "I almost turned you into a pin cushion." She tapped the flat of her blade against his hands before returning it to her belt.
"It would be worth it," he murmured, breathing in her rosemary and juniper scent.
"You risk much being here, you are supposed to be in your chambers contemplating," Calliope said, turning to face him and twining her arms around his neck.
"All I could contemplate was how much I needed to see you," he mumbled against her neck.
She smoothed her hands over his broad back and shoulders, soothing his tension.
"I am here now, my love," she cooed comforting him with nonsensical murmurs as she pressed gentle kisses against his jaw.
"Would that we were somewhere a little less exposed," James grumbled as one of his hands wandered down and cupped her buttock, squeezing tightly.
"Settle now, sir," Calliope giggled. "It will not be long. Another few days and you will be able to leave the confines of your chambers...officially."
He tilted his head and moved in to kiss her, capturing her top lip first before licking into her mouth. Groaning in satisfaction James pressed her further back into the alcove, sinking his thigh between her legs. Calliope wrapped her leg around his, relishing the feel of him being so close. Tangling her fingers in his hair she pulled gently and he leaned deeper into their kiss with a salacious moan, pushing her harder against his thigh as he did so.
Distant voices and the slamming of doors brought Calliope back to herself somewhat and she sighed regretfully, lowering her forehead to rest on his chest.
"As much as I hate myself for saying this, we cannot continue with this here. The risk of discovery is too great."
"I know, my love, I know," he said, but there was a hint of a whine to his voice.
