A Beast's Tale

Chapter 72

Ivetta was so busy settling into her new role as queen that it was easy to hide the preparations for her birthday party from her. From sunup to sundown, she was constantly on the move. She was quick to take over the management of the palace servants, as I'd expected, and she seemed to be in constant attendance at one social event or another. Belle visited her once a week, either in the palace or on an outing in town, which provided her a much-needed break. It wasn't uncommon for us to have only the evenings together, and I protected that time jealously. Talking, reading, making love - the way we spent that time wasn't important. Just being with her was enough.

I didn't tell her I was taking the day off for her birthday. In fact, I made no mention of the occasion at all, and neither did she. I gave Theresa orders to bring breakfast earlier than usual, expecting her arrival would wake me up before Ivetta, but the precaution was unnecessary. Excitement at the prospect of spending an entire day with her was more than enough to wake me. The sky outside the uncovered windows above my bookshelves was just beginning to lighten to gray when I awoke. I propped myself up on my elbow, taking the rare opportunity to admire her sleeping face, relaxed and peaceful, surrounded by a halo of her silky black hair spread across the pillow.

"Good morning, Ivetta," I said softly, following my greeting with a light kiss.

"Mm..." She rolled onto her side, nuzzling into the pillow. "Did I oversleep?"

I kissed her cheek and lay back down beside her. "No," I replied simply, pulling her into my arms.

"Then why are you awake?" she mumbled, snuggling up to my chest.

"It's a special day, little dove."

She finally opened her sleepy green eyes and looked up at me. "It is?"

"You haven't forgotten your own birthday, have you?" I teased, kissing her forehead.

Realization dawned in her eyes, and a slow smile spread across her face. She shifted up to give me a kiss.

"You're wonderful," she said softly.

"How wonderful?" I asked, returning the kiss.

She giggled and pulled back. "It's my birthday, not yours."

Maybe, but I had nothing to complain about as I watched her roll onto her back and stretch. Her new white silk negligee left little to the imagination with its thin material, flimsy straps, and plunging neckline.

"Do you know how I spent my last birthday?" she asked, oblivious to my roving eyes.

"How?" I asked, propping myself up on my elbow again to get a better view.

"Applying to work here," she replied, reaching up to brush my hair back from my face. "Interviewing with the head maid, negotiating hours..."

"Getting assigned to the library..." I continued, smiling at her feather-light touch trailing down my cheek.

She shook her head. "That was the next day."

I chuckled. She was barely a woman when we met. "You really are too young for me."

"How old is old enough?" she asked, tracing circles on my chest.

"Hm." I leaned in and kissed her tenderly. "Maybe when you're twenty."

We were interrupted by a knock at the door, which usually irritated me to no end. Today, however, I smiled and jumped out of bed.

"I'll get that."

Theresa was waiting at the door with the breakfast tray and a knowing smile. I took it from her and brought it back to Ivetta, who was sitting up in bed, watching me curiously as I propped the tray up over her lap.