The Veil's Mistresses

“Come along, my dear. It is time for you to rest for the night.”

I turned from the library window as I heard Edifel’s voice. The night had fallen now, and I had wondered if she would be sent in there to fetch me.

It appeared that she was the one assigned to look after me while Jekia wasn’t around.

My afternoon and evening here had passed rather uneventfully after Jekia had spoken to me of his intentions for me. While I felt a bit nervous over all of this, I also could not deny the benefits.

It was very obvious that Jekia was everything he claimed to be.

If I played my cards correctly, that meant that I very well may have brought myself into a comfortable position in life by accepting what he wanted from me.

Yet I also couldn’t deny the implications of his words when he had told me what he expected of me.

To him, being labeled as a wife meant playing the role fully, and I did not believe I was ready for such a thing, even if I ultimately had no choice in the matter.

I had had time to ponder all of this shortly after our conversation.

Jekia had then told me that there was something more that needed his attention, so he had left me there at his palace while he tended to it.

Not that I minded that much. I had been given the freedom to go wherever I wished there while he was gone, so it had allowed me to explore, which kept me busy for the rest of the evening.

I turned to Edifel, bowing my head to be polite. “Yes, of course.”

Edifel placed two long fingers under my chin, gently making me look at her.

“There is no need for such formalities toward me,” she tenderly informed me.

“I am but a servant here, and once you fully become Lord Jekia’s chosen one, then I will completely be your faithful servant.”

It felt so strange to hear her say such a thing. Never had I imagined having an actual servant for myself. I’d always pictured myself being the servant instead.

I managed to nod, not able to find my voice at that moment. Edifel took it in stride, turning to guide me through the maze of hallways.

This palace was such a massive place. I had counted at least twenty rooms during the time I’d been exploring there.

They were all different kinds, ranging from bedrooms to studies to even three libraries. I could not imagine that most humans had such amenities. Perhaps only the ruling class.

Edifel led me to a different washroom than what I’d been brought to when Jekia first came there with me.

This one was quite large, like the previous one had been, although it also seemed to be a bit nicer as well. The tub was built into the floor, and there were large mirrors on the far wall.

As I looked at my surroundings, Edifel filled the tub, much as she had in the previous one. She then turned to me.

“Let us make sure you are cleaned up for the night. It would not be pleasant for you to be any kind of dirty for the lord,” she stated.

“I suppose,” I reluctantly agreed.

She did have a point. Although I had not felt dirty after that earlier bath, I had been roaming outside quite a bit, enjoying the beautiful flowers and trees of the courtyard.

I did my best to push my nerves aside as Edifel helped me out of my dress, then I slid down into the bath.

As before, the water was nice and warm, and I could smell flowers from the soap she’d put in there.

I spent maybe ten minutes in that bath before Edifel helped me out, and she wrapped a large towel around me once I had dried off.

As she let out the water, I looked around us, realizing that I saw no night clothing in there.

“Is my night clothing in another changing room?” I asked her.

“Not at all. You do not need such things,” Edifel answered.

My eyes widened as I stared at her. “No need? But I must have something to wear to sleep,” I protested.

“As I stated, you have no need for such things during the night,” Edifel reiterated to me.

“You are now to be considered a wife, so you must act as one, and give your nights to Lord Jekia as he pleases.”

My heart began to pound as I heard this. She must have been joking.

“Is this truly what Lord Jekia would wish of me?” I managed to inquire.

Edifel nodded. “Yes. He has stated such a desire to me, and it is reasonable, given the position he wishes for you.

“It is also much better for him to confirm such a thing as soon as possible, considering he is the ruler here and requires a wife now.”

Was there truly nothing I could say to this? Sadly, such seemed to be the case. Again, the thought crossed my mind of how much of this was good versus bad fortune.

“Come now,” Edifel insisted as she walked to a door near us. “You should relax in your room until he returns. You may need your rest before that time.”

She opened the door, and I realized that it was connected to the bedroom that I had been shown earlier. Yes, this was the room that I would be sharing with Jekia from now on.

I did not have an opportunity to protest anymore as Edifel whisked me in there, then closed the door. I stood near it, doing my best to quell the pounding of my heart.

A part of me wished to run away, but I knew that it would do me no good.

Not only would Jekia more than likely capture me and bring me back, but the creatures out in that forest may kill me before he got the chance.

After a few minutes of standing there, I moved to the bed, making sure to hold my towel tightly around me as I sat on it against the headboard.

It was so very quiet in there, with only one small oil lamp on the dresser giving any light. I bowed my head, thinking about my family.

Oh, how angry my father must have been right now. He and my mother surely must have believed that I had run away. There was no way they could have known that I was now here in this situation.

When I told Jekia that my father had never been content with having a girl, I meant every word of it. The truth was that I knew he despised having me.

He had wanted a boy, one who could carry on the family name and continue running our farm. Yet he never had any other children aside from me.

My mother often blamed me as well for his falling into drinking so badly. If I hadn’t been born a daughter, then perhaps that would not have happened.

It was little wonder that they had been so quick to sell me when the offer was given. I truly was worth nothing to them except a bit of money.

I was finally pulled away from these thoughts when I heard a door opening. I looked up to see that it was the main door to the room, and Jekia was coming in.

My nervousness returned full force then, and I unconsciously held the towel covering me a bit tighter.

He stood near the bed, regarding me with a pleased smile. A moment of silence passed between us before he finally spoke.

“It seems that Edifel has followed what I have asked. I trust you have no objections?”

“Would it not fall on deaf ears if I were to object?” I responded softly.

“Perhaps, but I cannot see where you would fear such things. You do understand that you must abide by what I have asked of you,” he reminded me.

“Yes, I suppose such is true,” I reluctantly acknowledged.

I turned my head, closing my eyes to calm my nerves again. I reminded myself that I had no other choices here. Whatever happened would have to be.

After what felt like forever, though I suspect it was only a few minutes, I felt the bed shift a little where he’d gotten onto it.

I didn’t open my eyes as I felt him sit in front of me, though the gentle touch of fingertips running over my neck and bare shoulder sent a slight shiver through me.

“You truly are a lovely woman,” I heard him say.

“Yes, you have said such a thing before,” I breathed.

I somehow managed to open my eyes and look at him, doing my best to keep myself calm. He had undressed and was sitting in front of me, a quiet lust in his eyes as he took in my figure.

Even though I was incredibly nervous, I couldn’t help studying him.

Yes, he certainly looked much like a human man despite being what was supposed to be a mythical creature. His pale skin was flawless, and his body was firm and fit. Although he looked strong, he had a leaner, more toned body.

He smiled at hearing my response to his words. “You should take such statements as compliments.

“I would never tell a woman such things simply to flatter them. I find most commonplace at best.”

“You certainly speak poorly of others when it suits you,” I commented.

“I only speak what I feel is my truth,” Jekia assured me. I remained still as he leaned closer to me, and I could feel him grasping the top of the towel I had been keeping myself covered with.

“Now, why not move on with this? I have no intentions of waiting all night to claim you.”

I wasn’t anywhere near strong enough to stop him from pulling the towel off of me. The cool air of the room prickled my skin a little as I was fully exposed.

Well, that and the nervous anticipation that was now filling me. I had never been exposed in front of any man before.

“Please…,” I whispered. “Do not hurt me with this.”

“I have no intentions of hurting you, and I’m well aware that you are a human, so I’ll take care with it.

“I certainly wouldn’t wish to break you. I plan on enjoying you for a very long time,” he whispered back.

Before I knew what was happening, I’d been pulled into a kiss. Again, this was the first time I had ever experienced such a thing.

Yet it felt so pleasant, his soft lips caressing mine, the way his skin slid against my own as he pulled me against him.

My arms unconsciously wrapped around his shoulders as my mind began shutting off and my body reacted on its own.

He pulled back a little, then kissed me again, and this time I felt his tongue caress my lips. I shyly opened them, and his tongue invaded my mouth, tangling with my own.

A soft sound escaped me as my heart began to pound, my hands unconsciously moving over his skin to feel more of him.

Jekia’s mouth moved from my own, and I gasped as I felt him kiss the side of my neck. These open-mouth kisses slowly moved down to my collar, then to the top of my right breast.

I couldn’t stop myself from letting out a small cry as he licked my nipple and then took it into his mouth as he massaged my other breast.

My nipple felt hard as he let it go, almost painfully so. Then he moved to my other breast, licking and sucking that nipple the same way.

I moaned as I leaned my head back, taking in the incredibly erotic yet pleasant sensations running through me. Even though there was still a tiny bit of nervousness within me, this felt beautiful.

He moved back up to kiss me again, and I opened my mouth to allow his tongue to touch mine.

As we shared this kiss, I realized that I could feel something hard against my inner thigh. It took me a moment to realize that it was his manhood. He had become very aroused now.

He chuckled as he pulled away from me again, looking at me with hungry eyes.

“Yes, quite lovely,” he breathed. “So much so that I don’t wish to hold out anymore.”

A gasp escaped me as he forced me to spread my legs, and in an instant, I was taken by a man for the first time.

While I had expected such a thing to hurt at first, it truly did not. Instead, there was a strange feeling that filled my very veins, bringing an excitement that I had never known before.

It only intensified as he began to move, and I let him bury into me, feeling the fullness of his manhood deep inside of me.

“This… this is…,” I breathed.

“I knew you would want me, and now I will make sure you can never deny me,” Jekia whispered in my ear.

Even if I wished to protest those words, I knew that he was right.

I had never experienced anything like this before, and within these few moments, it felt like my body craved every part of him. It didn’t bode well for what the future might hold.

His hips began moving slowly, his manhood going in and out of me. Without thinking about it, I spread my legs wider, holding onto his sides.

Jekia made me lie on my back, leaning down and kissing under my ear and the side of my neck as he continued.

I held onto him tighter as his thrusts became faster. It felt so good that I couldn’t stop myself from moaning with pleasure, and my hips began moving in time to his thrusts.

“That’s it,” Jekia breathed. “Let me take you.”

“Keep taking me! I want more! Please don’t stop!” I cried.

He pushed himself up, rolling his hips as he buried himself deep inside of me again. I could feel him holding my legs apart, and a delicious heat was beginning to build within my belly.

He kept thrusting into me, now letting out moans of pleasure too. I closed my eyes again, letting the ecstasy of having him move so deeply inside of me take over my mind.

Oh, it was so incredible. Just a bit longer. A bit longer and I…

I let out a loud cry as heat exploded in my most intimate parts, and everything went into an incredible haze as my womanhood squeezed around him.

In all of this, I heard Jekia let out a loud moan of pleasure, and his manhood buried inside of me again as his warmth flooded me.

He had just released himself inside of me. My claiming was now complete.

My body finally relaxed, and I turned to my side, my breath coming out in deep gasps as I tried to come back to reality. I felt Jekia move over me, and a breathy kiss was placed on my temple.

“Now you are mine, and I have no intentions of losing you,” he whispered.

“I have no intentions of leaving here. You are right. I have nothing in my world, so allowing you to claim me is best,” I whispered back.

No, I would not tell him how I had enjoyed this act, or how a small part of me craved for it to happen again soon. That felt too much like giving him complete power over me.

Jekia moved beside me, holding me against him. I snuggled into the embrace, not worrying anything about it at the moment.

Why should I? I now belonged to him, and at least it was pleasurable to be with him. This act had proven that to me.

“I do believe I am going to enjoy this arrangement now,” I heard him whisper. It sounded like he was falling asleep. “You will give me exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

I let out a soft sigh, allowing myself to relax, and before I knew it, sleep overcame me.

When I next awoke, the bright lights of the morning were pouring into the room. I blinked my eyes, trying to figure out where I was.

My mind felt hazy from sleep, and I wondered if my experience from the day before had been some incredible dream.

Yet as I sat up in bed, reality came crashing back to me.

This room—it wasn’t mine. It was the bedroom that I had been brought to the night before, and this comfortable round bed was now my wedding bed.

As if to remind me of the night before, I looked at myself and realized that I was still unclothed.

Everything from the night before came back to me at that moment, and a deep heat came over my face. Had I truly done that?

Well, it was quite an obvious answer, given my state and the wet sensation I felt between my legs.

But I was also alone in this room now. Jekia must have left much earlier, moving so gently that he had not woken me.

I felt a bit sad as I realized this. I wished he would have woken me and at least told me that he was getting up.

My eyes fell on a dress that had been laid out on a nearby chair. It was quite similar to the one I had been given the day before, though it was pearl in color with small beads around the waist.

The fabric glistened in the morning sunlight, making it look very beautiful.

A smile crossed my face as I slid to the side of the bed. How very lovely. I could not wait to try it on once I cleaned myself up.

As I went over to it, something else caught my eye. There was a parchment set on the table near it.

I picked it up and looked at it, and although I had never been able to read before, I easily read this. It was a note left by Jekia.

I apologize for leaving so soon, my dear, but my mornings must begin early. I hope to see you for breakfast when you awaken, but do not hold it against me if I cannot.

For now, I would like you to wear this dress. It will suit your beautiful figure.

My, he certainly could be a flatterer when he wished to be, but I could not say that I minded.

After all, my place here at this time was to be a wife and keep him happy, even if I did not truly enjoy all of that idea.

I went into the bathroom attached to the room first, setting the dress and undergarments left to me aside before looking at the tub.

I was not sure how to fill it, but I decided to try what Edifel had done.

It worked too. The bath filled for me, and I was able to clean myself up nicely.

After drying off, I slipped on my clothing and sat at the nearby vanity, where I was able to run a brush through my long black hair. Yet as I did, I could not stop looking at myself in the mirror.

I confess that this wasn’t something I had ever had the privilege to do in my life much before. A poor farm girl like myself was not afforded such luxuries.

But this was not the reason why I was studying myself now. Yes, I knew how I looked. I’d seen my reflection enough times in various ways. However, this time, I was thinking of my current situation.

Jekia seemed to enjoy telling me that I was very lovely and claimed that it was not something he said lightly. Was I truly so lovely to him?

Well, I could not call myself ugly, but I still did not feel like I understood his infatuation with wanting me as he did.

Once I was finished getting myself presentable, I headed out of the bedroom to see if I could find anyone around.

There had to be at least a few servants around somewhere. I could not imagine a place this big without them.

I stopped as I came to the northern parlor. Voices were coming from there. I listened closely and realized that one of them sounded like Jekia.

Oh, so he was here. Perhaps he had just returned from whatever business he had to take care of.

There was another voice responding to him. They also sounded like a male, yet there appeared to be alarm in his tone.

This made me extremely curious as to what was going on, and I quietly stepped beside the archway to peek in there.

The room, like most of the others, was quite large, and I could see Jekia standing about ten feet from where I was.

In front of him was another creature, who knelt like he was prostrating himself before him. He wore elegant-looking dark silk clothing, which complemented his dark brown hair.

I noticed that he had pointed ears along with sharp-looking violet eyes. There were also clear wings coming out of his back.

Is he a fairy? I wondered. Jekia did say that they existed here.

The fairy man seemed quite upset as he continued speaking to Jekia. “But my lord, I only brought you the best that there was to offer in these lands.”

“And none of them were even close to a decent fit for me. I told you many times that I resent any females who would only intend to covet a position beside me.

“Such weak mentalities are unfit to even approach me,” Jekia countered.

As always, his voice remained smooth and even, although one could easily detect the undertone of resentment within it.

The fairy did not back down in his assertions, even if he did not move from where he was.

“But sire, they all had impeccable pedigrees. They were all from the highest of families. They would have been well suited to carry on your bloodline,” he insisted.

Jekia kept the same calm demeanor as he regarded him. It was rather eerie how he could do so.

“I have stated before that I have no care for such things. If I feel no attraction to them, then they can mean nothing to me.

“Aside from that, this discussion is over. I no longer need such services, as I have found one for myself,” he stated.

He glanced toward the archway as he said this, apparently knowing that I had been there the entire time. The fairy’s gaze turned toward where I was as well.

I stepped into the archway, politely bowing my head.

“I apologize for eavesdropping, my lord.”

“I have no issue with you overhearing such things. Come to me,” Jekia ordered.

I did as he wished, walking over to his side. I confess that my heart was starting to race as memories of the night before filled my head. It was quite hard to push them away.

The fairy became incensed as he saw me.

“You have chosen a human as your consort?!” he bellowed.

“I have,” Jekia confirmed. I gasped as he put an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. “This human woman will now be my beta, and I have been sure to claim her as such.

“That said, be sure to let all others know that if I see any disrespect toward her or my choice, I will be certain to skewer the one who does it.”

“Please reconsider, Lord Jekia! She is but a mere human! She cannot be a bearer for your prestigious bloodline!” the fairy begged.

Jekia was unmoved as he kept his hold on me. “Hold your tongue!” he ordered. In that instant, it felt like tremendous pressure descended on the room, and the fairy trembled on his knees.

“I am the one who makes all choices here, and Lana is my choice. There is no more dispute as I have claimed her, and none will dare cross me on this matter. Is that understood?”

“Y-yes! Crystal, sire!” the fairy agreed, his voice now trembling. He then scampered out of the room.

I looked at Jekia once he was gone.

“I do not believe he is fond of your choice to have me,” I noted.

“His opinion holds no weight, and he is well aware of it. I am free to choose what I wish to do, and I have done so.

“Aside from that, I spoke the truth as well. None he presented to me brought any interest,” Jekia scoffed.

“It seems not,” I relented.

He let me go, turning to me and adjusting the low collar of my dress. A soft shiver went through me as he traced a gentle claw over the tops of my breasts.

“This color is quite lovely on you, and I do enjoy how these dresses accentuate this pretty body of yours. I’ll be sure to have Edifel make more for you,” he continued.

My face grew hot again, though I tried my best to change the subject a bit.

“I do apologize for bringing all of this up still, and you have the right to tell me that I am out of line here, but I must ask you: what if they all react that way to the news of me being here?” I inquired.

Jekia took my question in stride. “I have no care if you ask such things, nor do I care what others think or believe.

“They simply must accept what my choice is here, and as time goes on, I am certain there will be no complaints about you for how you will placate me.”

“I suppose, my lord,” I relented.

“You are quite formal, and I do like that trait about you. However, I also wish to see more of your spirited side. For that, I will allow you to use my name freely when it is just us,” Jekia continued.

“You truly would allow such a thing?”

“I would. In fact, I would like to hear you say it now.”

I blushed again under his intense gaze. “Yes, of course. I am quite flattered that you would allow me this, Jekia.”

He smiled as he heard this. “Ah yes, just as I thought. My name sounds wonderful coming from your lips.”

Yes, he was most certainly a flatterer in all senses of the word. But I didn’t mind. At least he was holding an interest in me.

I looked around us as we stood there. “Jekia, may I ask you something?” I requested.

“You may,” he allowed.

“Are there not many servants here, or is that they simply stay out of sight?”

“They come and go. I prefer not to be bogged down with them around too much, nor do I like the idea of gossip coming out of my palace.”

“I see.”

“But with that said,” Jekia continued, “I also am assigning Edifel to serve you as well. It is only fitting to have her as a maidservant for my beta.

“If there’s anything you need or desire, then simply call out to her. She will always answer you right away.”

“Yes, I understand,” I agreed.

Jekia glanced around us, taking in the quiet. He appeared to be considering something before he spoke again.

“Tell me, Lana, would you like to see a bit more of these lands today?” he offered.

“Is it safe for me to do so?” I asked.

While his invitation was quite tempting, I still felt a bit frightened over what I had seen the day before.

Jekia chuckled, looking quite amused. I was a bit taken aback as I saw that smile. It looked sincere, unlike others I had seen from him before.

“There is no need to worry. You are very safe with me, and I sincerely doubt that you wish to be trapped completely here for the rest of your existence.

“Aside from that, you are giving me what I desire, so I do not mind doing things for you as well,” he informed me.

I looked down, the fairy’s words echoing in my head again. It brought up some doubts in my mind about all of this.

“I realize that, but do you truly believe that any of them could accept me? That man was correct. I am only a human woman. I cannot compare with the power you have.”

“He may say such things, but only three others could compare with my power in this world, so no other has any right to speak against anything I say,” Jekia stated.

I gasped as he pulled me against him. “As I told you last night, you are now mine. I have laid bare my intentions with you, and I have now claimed you. What others may say or think means nothing.”

I was his.

This statement repeated in my mind over and over as my body pressed against his. No, I would not allow myself to become foolish about any of this. I could never be his equal, and he did not love me.

I simply belonged to him and would serve my purpose as a lover and companion as he pleased, whether or not he chose to call me a wife.

I was pulled from these thoughts as he held my cheeks and kissed me. It was rather searing, causing excitement to flow through my very being. How could such a creature be so alluring?

“Such a beautiful woman,” Jekia whispered as he pulled back a little. I could feel his hands running down to my hips.

“I would truly love to take you again right now, but perhaps it would be better to wait until later this evening. I did wish to take you out as I promised.”

“Yes, of course. Whatever you would like of me,” I breathed.

I was doing my best to calm the excitement within me from his kiss, not to mention the feel of when I was pressed against him.

Oh my. I very well may have had an issue with this lust he’d been bringing out in me.

Jekia kissed me one more time before taking my hand.

“Let us head out now. I am free for the day, so we shall enjoy it.”

It did not take long for us to be out in the courtyard, heading to the opening that led outside to the forest.

I stayed close to Jekia as we stepped through that archway, instantly feeling the difference in the wavelengths there. The forest was as bright and alive as I remembered from the day before.

The birds were singing high in the trees, and I could hear a stream flowing nearby.

I remained beside Jekia as we continued walking along a dirt path through the massive trees.

“This is so beautiful. It’s so very different from the world I came from. Is there truly a gateway between our worlds near here?” I asked him.

“There is,” Jekia confirmed. “The Veil and the mortal world intersect at various places and are connected with different gateways.

“Most humans will never be able to stumble through them, although there are exceptions such as you. As for why that is, I could not say.

“Perhaps the ones like you have something in your bloodlines that connect you to our side.

“There have been plenty of instances in the past, and some here in the present, of creatures from our side having offspring with humans.”

That had my attention. “Is that why you have no concerns about me bearing children for you?”

“Of course. I believe you will make a fine mother to our children when that time comes, but I have no plans on such things anytime soon,” Jekia informed me.

We both stopped as a large creature slowly walked across the path about five feet in front of us.

“I stepped closer to Jekia, realizing that it was the same creature that I had seen when I stumbled into this world. It was massively sized, with an exterior that looked much like the bark of a tree.

“What is that thing?” I asked him.

“That, my dear, would be a woodlex. You do not need to fear them. They are massive creatures, but quite gentle and content the majority of the time,” Jekia assured me.

He laid a hand on my shoulder as he faced me. “Now, that snake that you saw yesterday would be another story. They are some of the apex predators in this forest.

“But you needn’t worry about them while you’re with me. All of these creatures, even feral, know better than to challenge me.”

“I suppose,” I reluctantly agreed.

Jekia looked amused as he noticed me watching the woodlex, which was now disappearing into the trees.

“Now, now my dear. There is no reason to worry so much. Let us move along now. We are coming to the end of this forest.”

He was right. I could see where the trees were parting as we walked. The path opened up to fields, and in the distance I could see what appeared to be a town.

“Would you like to see what one of the towns is like here?” Jekia offered.

“Yes, I very much would.” I nodded.

Jekia easily picked me up. “I can get us there much faster than just walking.”

Yes, this was much like when he’d found me out in that forest. His movements were so fast and effortless. It took us no time at all to make it to the town.

This town reminded me a lot of the one that had been near our farm. It was small, filled with homes and little shops. There were many different types of creatures roaming about in it too.

I never imagined that I would see such creatures as elves, gnomes, fairies, and imps. It was incredible.

All of them were noticing us as we walked there as well. I heard whispers near us from many different ones.

“That’s Lord Jekia! He is visiting us! How wonderful.”

“Is that the new mistress he’s chosen? She’s quite lovely for a human.”

“She suits the lord well.”

I did my best not to pay too much attention to all of this. It wasn’t like I had not expected it.

All of them were going to be looking at me, curious about the human girl that their ruler had so suddenly chosen as his consort.

A large male figure came out to us as we arrived in the center of town. He was very tall, with a strong jawline and shaggy red hair.

I tilted my head as I studied him. Was he an ogre? He certainly looked the part.

Jekia nodded calmly as he addressed him.

“It seems you have noticed my presence right away, Hamish.”

“Good afternoon, Lord Jekia. It is a pleasure to have you here with us today. Is there anything you have come in search of that we may help with?” Hamish responded as he bowed his head.

Wow, I thought, ~these creatures all treat Jekia like a god.~

“No, there is not. I was simply showing my beta around this area and thought that she would enjoy seeing your town, considering the fact that it is one of the nicer ones,” Jekia responded.

Hamish immediately bowed his head to me. “My sincerest apologies, my lady. It is unforgivable of me not to realize who you are. Please, feel free to come here any time that you wish.”

“Oh, thank you very much,” I managed to respond.

I wasn’t used to such attention at all. Being treated like I was important was quite foreign to me.

Jekia waved his hand. “It is all fine, Hamish. Lana is still getting used to our side, so I’d appreciate it if all of you made her feel more at home as time passes. I am certain you can manage that.”

Hamish eagerly agreed. “Yes, of course. I look forward to anything I can do for our lady.”

“Very good.” Jekia took my arm in his. “For now, I would like to show Lana around a bit more.”

Hamish nodded, excusing himself, and slipped away again. I looked at Jekia as we began walking.

“Where did you wish to show me?”

“You shall see.”

The place we ended up going was a small shop that was situated toward the end of the town. It had dark windows, and I understood why as soon as I stepped inside with him. This was a jewelry shop.

I cannot say that I had ever seen so many beautiful pieces of jewelry in my life. Being so poor, such things were never afforded to my family. My mother never even had a wedding ring.

Seeing all of the wonderful jewels decorated with every type of stone imaginable was amazing to me.

As I stood gawking at all of this, Jekia went over to the counter, where a pale woman with long blonde hair was standing.

She wore a simple white dress over her lithe form and had a narrow face with big dark eyes.

“Good day, Lord Jekia,” she greeted him in a whispery voice. “I trust that you have come by for the order you requested.”

“I have. It is ready, is it not?” Jekia responded.

“Of course, sire. I shall retrieve it right away.” The woman nodded.

She quickly stepped away from the counter, heading to a back room without making so much as a sound. I moved over to stand beside Jekia, curious as to what he had ordered there.

“What are you picking up?”

Jekia flashed me a knowing smile. “You shall see shortly.”

The woman was already stepping back out as he said this. She carried a small, velvet-looking black box in her hand. Jekia took it from her and turned back to me.

“I took the liberty of ensuring things a bit more with our arrangement. This will cement your eternal connection to me,” he informed me.

I stared as he opened the box. There was a beautiful ring inside of it. The band was pure silver, and a lovely yellow diamond was set in the middle of it.

I swore that the diamond flashed as he slipped this ring onto my finger.

“This is…for me?” I confirmed.

“It is,” Jekia answered. “This diamond is infused with a small portion of my being, and as I stated, it will cement your connection to me now.

“As my beta, you will always wear this as the symbol of your status.”

I was looking at the ring in wonder as he said this. Even if it was binding to keep me with him, I still loved it. It still meant something deeper to me with this odd twist of fate.

It was not long after this that Jekia decided we would return to the palace.

The afternoon was beginning to wear on, and he did not fancy being around that forest when the darkness began to set in.

Not that I was against it. I had no wish to be out there in the darkness either.

However, getting back to the palace, I still was not allowed to leave his side. It seemed that he had not forgotten earlier that day.

I realized that much as I was pulled into a hidden area in the courtyard.

This area was smaller, surrounded by thick briars that one couldn’t see through. We entered it from a small opening that was hidden among them.

The grass there was very soft and green as I knelt to touch it. Again, how lovely this world could be.

“I must admit that I do enjoy my palace. I can make many smaller hidden places like this when I wish to escape for a while,” Jekia commented as he knelt beside me.

“It’s very lovely in here. Did you wish for me to see these places now?” I inquired.

“I did as part of such actions,” Jekia confirmed. I sat on my knees as he moved behind me. “But I am also certain that you remember what I stated before we left here. I have been waiting patiently.”

No, I didn’t feel surprised by his words, nor the feeling of him slowly bringing up my skirt over my thighs. I knew that this was part of the agreement we had made.

I was to be his wife, his beta, as he’d begun to call it.

I was there to be a lover.

“Yes, I am aware, but you truly wish to do such a thing here?” I had to ask.

“I see no issue with it. It is a secluded area, and I am sure it will be comfortable enough for us.”

“Very well.”

While there was a small part of me that still hesitated in this, I could not deny that a larger part now wanted it. I truly was coming to believe that he had done something more the night before.

There was no way that I could have wanted this so much otherwise.

I turned in his arms, letting him kiss me fully. Placing my hands against his chest as he began kissing my neck, I noticed the stone of my ring flash.

It felt like my blood pulsed when it did, and heat filled my lower regions. Was he doing this to me through whatever connection we’d made? If so, it was like sweet torture.

“You truly do fulfill my desires well. I do not see where I will ever tire of you,” Jekia whispered as he pulled back a little to look at me.

I could feel the flush that had settled over me. “I do not want you to ever tire of me,” I whispered back.

Jekia kissed my collar. “While I do love seeing more of your beautiful body, I’d much rather be inside of it right now.”

“Yes,” I breathed.

I stood, removing my undergarment as he sat back and did the same. My heart began to pound as I saw his erect manhood.

He was more than ready to take me again, and I confess that I wanted to feel him within me.

I moved over him, grasping him as I slowly lowered myself. That familiar feeling of heat flashed through my every nerve as his manhood slipped inside of me.

I moaned in pleasure, closing my eyes to take in that beautiful feeling of fullness.

I didn’t care about anything else but this moment. Like the night before, all I wanted was for him to be inside of me and let me experience that incredible erotic pleasure of the night before.

Our indecent act led to me being on my hands and knees, with him behind me. His thrusts were smooth yet now at a quick pace, sending waves of pleasure through me.

“Oh yes! Deeper! Please, take me deeper!” I begged almost breathlessly.

“I do love how it feels to be inside of you,” Jekia breathed, pushing his entire manhood into me. “Move for me. Make me release inside of you.”

I did as he told me, my hips beginning to move against him. It was easy for me to fall into a steady rhythm, and I heard him moaning with me as I continued.

That familiar heat was gathering in my belly again, and I moved harder, feeling like my entire body was focused on him being inside of me.

Finally, that heat released again, sending my womanhood into frantic spasms around him.

This was ecstasy that I’d never known before I met him, something so beautiful and forbidden, and that I felt like I could never get enough of, now that I’d been able to experience it.

“Ah, yes…,” Jekia breathed. He leaned forward, giving a few more thrusts into me before he released into me, filling my core with his warm essence.

As I caught my breath, I was hoisted back into his arms, being turned to kiss him again before I held onto him, my face snuggled in the crook of his neck as I attempted to catch my breath.

This feeling of being here with him, of being his, was so surreal, unlike anything I could have ever dared to dream.

Yet his words to me continued to echo through my mind. They were the one sobering reminder of the life I had now been pulled into.

“You will always be mine,” he whispered. “And I never intend to let you go.”