Ever After

eleven | eikko

I pushed the door to Eadlyn's office open quietly, slipping inside before anyone in the hallway noticed I was there.

"Eikko?" Eadlyn asked from her desk, where she was sitting with her head in her hands. Lady Brice, Neena, and Josie were all out today, so we were alone.

Exactly what I was hoping for. 

Eadlyn looked stressed beyond what anyone should be. Her hands were shaking as she held tight to the pen.

"What is it, rakas?" I made my way behind her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders and settling my chin on her head.

"It's Marid. He's gotten top popularity polls in the papers for the past few runs. He's got them in his pocket, darling. I don't know what to do."

At the sound of his name, the memory of Marid assaulting Eadlyn flashed through my mind. Eadlyn pinned against the wall, Marid kissing her mercilessly. 

My hands gripped her shoulders tighter.

"How?" I ask, my voice harder than I meant.

Eadlyn looks up at me apologetically. "Sorry I brought it up."

"No, no, rakas, that's not what I meant." I let her go, pulled Lady Brice's chair over, and sat. I took her hands in mine and rested them on her knees. "Talk to me."

"Well, he's been pulling the medias and television coverages. As sleazy as he is, he knows how to get people on his side."

"They... we can't do anything? We can't tell them everything he's done?"

"Who would they believe?" She raised her eyebrow and ran and thumb across my hands. "Eikko, to them, he's the underdog with royal lineage. Not the conning man we know."

I sighed. "I know. I just wish this part of the job was easier."

I learned forward and kissed her nose. "My parents are leaving today," I remind her. "Niko decided to stay after all."

Eadlyn lights up momentarily. My family had stayed after the wedding, but now that Eadlyn and I have been married a week and are about to leave for a honeymoon in France, they decided they would leave as well. Niko hasn't been able to shake his love for Kaden and Osten, so the royal family offered to have him stay longer. 

"I can't wait," Eadlyn whispers as she leans close and kisses me softly. "I really want to see where you grew up, Eikko."

"I know you do." I continue whispering, even though we're the only ones in the room. "On the way home, remember?"

She smiles and pushes her papers out of the way, holding her arms out to me. "I think I need a break."

I laugh. "Yes, you do."

This had become a regular thing. Eadlyn sneaking into my room when she should have been on small, ten minute breaks. Eadlyn and I pinned against each other, closer than we ever had been before the wedding. Eadlyn's hands under my shirts, my hands touching every inch of her every chance we got.

So when she stands, I lift her into my arms fluidly. Her legs wrap around my torso, and I'm thankful she's taken to wearing pants more often. I set her down on her desk, where she's just cleared her papers, and suddenly my shirt is one again untucked from it's proper look. Eadlyn eyes the door, but we both know no one will be walking in. Only the women would consider it, and they've all got prior engagements. 

Eadlyn kisses down my neck, her lipstick rubbing off. She smirks against my skin as I squirm, trying to keep myself in check. 

We're in her office, I remind myself. 

But she's so beautiful, my mind says back, and she's yours. 

I don't realize I'm breathing hard until the cold air hits my chest, and I notice Eadlyn has removed my shirt.

"Rakas," I breathe. "Your aunt-"

"Is away in the city, with her mom."

"Josie, Neena, Eloise-"

"Joise and Kaden are riding, Neena is visiting her boyfriend, and Eloise won't come in here."

"General Leger-"

Eadlyn giggles. "Eikko, calm down."

"The general would murder me."

"The general won't be coming," she whispers.

She leans further into my collarbone, sucking on my skin. I squirm again, but my hands have a mind of their own. They find their way under her blouse, into her hair, down her back. My throat lets out noises that make my darling smile. Her hand slips under my belt, and I whimper.

I'm just trying to be a proper gentleman.

"Eadlyn, I'm not- we're not going to have sex on your desk," I say.

She hums, but continue's her motions. "Okay."

I hurriedly open my eyes and look around the room. The large couch in the corner catches my eye. I pull Eadlyn off the desk, toss her over my shoulder as she yelps, and carry her over to the sofa. 

When I drop her, she bounces. My belt, now hanging uselessly, jingles as I lean over her. "You're going to get me in trouble."

She smiles up at me, half apologetic, half knowingly. "Then lock the door, dear."

I reach over, the lock now within my grasp, and turn it hard. The sound echoes through the room, but I'm already back on top of her, unbuttoning her own top and pushing it off her shoulders. The swells on her chest bump the curve of my neck as I place my own marks on her collarbone. She twists under my weight, but my hands hold her still as she picks at my pants buttons and slides them down my legs. 

She whimpers again, and her expression makes me giddy. It is only the fifth time that we've sealed our marriage, but I swear, it's heaven every time.