The Last Princess of Lorrea Ch. 15

"It's the last piece of the puzzle Elena, do this and we can rejoin our guests at the reception," he said with a yawn.

Elena blushed furiously and looked away from him. "Henry I can't!" Elena said, positively mortified.

"Yes you can - you're a wonderful actress when you need be," Henry said, his fingers tracing the line of her lips. "Why, just a few minutes ago you lied to me - I know that the weight of the crown wasn't the real reason you were uncomfortable Elena, I am not a fool."

"I can't do what you're asking of me - if you're looking at me, I just can't!" Elena whimpered in shame, shaking her head.

Henry chuckled again, turning Elena around so that his body pressed against her back. Elena could feel a hard bulge pressed against her backside. "Soon enough Elena, you will, believe me," he said, his voice dripping with lust.

"Now, are you ready?" he asked, distracting her from his sudden closeness.

"No, Henry, I can't..." she pleaded, her fingers digging into his arms wrapped around her waist.

"On the count of three," he said slowly.

"Henry wait," Elena pleaded.

"One."

"Alright, Henry wait just a moment," Elena pleaded.

"Two."

"Henry-"

"THREE!"

Henry moaned loudly, actually thrusting his hips slightly against Elena's backside, causing her to cry out softly in surprise.

"Tsk, Tsk," Henry clucked his tongue. "That will not do Elena - I could barely hear you... I doubt he heard you at all! One more time."

"Henry, please - "

"One,"

"I can't - "

"Two,"

"HENRY!" Elena cried - half pleading, half admonishing.

"That'll work too, I suppose," Henry chuckled, spinning Elena around. When they were facing each other, Henry pulled her in for a kiss, which she successfully dodged.

."You're not angry with me, are you Princess?" Henry purred playfully in her ear.

"What do you think?!" Elena replied, squirming in his strong arms.

"The Queen is displeased? What to do, what to do..." he said, tilting her head to one side, exposing her neck.

"You can't just - " Elena started to say, before she felt Henry's lips against the sensitive skin of her neck. Her words trailed off as Henry started to pay special attention to a certain spot on her neck that made her weak in the knees.

"What were you saying, my dear?" Henry murmured hotly against her skin.

"Can't... you... away... angry," Elena mumbled incoherently.

"I'm sorry," Henry chuckled, as he came up for air after sucking gently on the delicate curve of her neck and shoulder, "Could you repeat that?"

***

"All rise, for King Henry and Queen Elena!" cried a short, yet robust man, standing in the archway leading to the great dining hall.

The crowd rose to their feet, those nearest to the entrance moving aside, allowing the royal couple to walk to the center of the room.

Henry grasped Elena's hip tightly with one hand as the other held her hand, pulling her closer to him.

"King Henry," Elena muttered under her breath while smiling at the watchful faces, "it is not proper for you to hold me so close with so many people around!"

"In Lorrea maybe," Henry chuckled, his voice just above a whisper. "But here in Kravaolia, no one will begrudge me a little indecent closeness to my own wife," he said, pulling her even closer so their bodies were as one. Henry's cheek pressed against Elena's as he squeezed her hand in his. "You know the Royal dance of Bapharg'e, I assume?" he said hotly against her ear.

"Yes," Elena replied, remembering the many hours her mother had her tutored in the various dance styles of the neighbouring countries, during which Elena had complained incessantly. She preferred to be out hunting than in uncomfortable shoes and ball gowns rehearsing ridiculous dances.

"Excellent," Henry replied, nodding over Elena's shoulder at the stout little man, who immediately signaled to the string quartet in the corner to start playing.

The music started, slow and calm at first, but grew slowly to a crescendo, during which Henry had them both spinning around the dance floor, Elena clutching Henry tightly - for once in her life she was content not to lead, but to follow.

Soon enough, the musicians had started a new tune, during which many of the guests joined the royal couple on the dance floor. Elena recognised the tune, interpreting correctly that this was a dance which required the female dancer to change partners over and over again.

"Henry," she whispered, "maybe we can sit this one out?"

"Soon," he said, kissing her gently on the lips. "But first we must play host to our guests."

As soon as Henry finished speaking he flung Elena away from him, spinning in circles until she made contact with another man. Elena looked up at the dancer, her cheeks slightly flushed, but altogether grateful that she didn't know him.

"Queen Elena," he murmured, as he held her at a respectable distance.

"Good sir," Elena replied in turn. "What is your name?"

"Elias, my Queen. Elias of the Northgarths."

Elena vaguely recalled something about the area, but nothing too substantial. "An honour to meet you sir," she replied.

"No my Queen, the honour is all mine - I knew your father, a great man."

Elena felt like she had just missed a step, her stomach clenching suddenly. "You knew my father?" Elena repeated quietly, as Elias spun her around.

"Oh yes," he said, reeling her back in. "but that was many years ago, before you were born I believe."

"Oh, how did you know - " Elena started to say, before Elias flung Elena away from him, just as Henry had done previously.

Spinning wildly, Elena craned her neck looking for Elias in the crowd, but couldn't spot him.

She continued to dance, changing partners when required by the music. After her seventh partner, a rather pimply young lord, she was once more spun across the dance floor.

Elena finally came to a halt in the arms of a large, muscular man. Looking up, Elena recognised the flaming red hair and the lopsided smile.

"You!" Elena spat, pulling away automatically.

"Yes - me, Queen Elena," said the man, squeezing her hand in his, none too gently.

"I mean, Prince Argenton, how uh- pleasant - to see you again," Elena lied, her smile faltering slightly before she regained her composure. Argenton's muscular frame boxing her in, she found herself pressed unwillingly and nauseatingly close to him.

"So, tell me Queen Elena, how did a Kravaolian prince manage to win the Princess of Lorrea? I recall distinctly, the day that you recited all my faults as reasons that we would never marry," he said, dipping Elena, causing her to cling to his arms. "I don't know how to tell you this," he smiled down at her wickedly, eyeing her breasts which were on the verge of falling out of her bodice due to gravity, "but Henry is no better than I."

"You are wrong, Prince Argenton, just as you were wrong when we last met," Elena hissed, "Now let me up!"

"May I cut in?" said Henry's firm voice on Elena's right.

"King Henry," said Argenton, pulling Elena upwards so quickly that she had to clutch his arms to prevent herself from toppling over. Argenton released Elena promptly and bowed his head before Henry. "Yes, by all means, we had just finished."

"Excellent," quipped Henry, before whisking Elena far away from prince Argenton.

"Thank you," Elena said, following Henry's quick footwork.

"You're welcome - I didn't like the look on his face when he was talking to you, or the way he was holding you - that's my prerogative," Henry explained, pulling her close once more as they revolved slowly on the spot, in tune with the music.

"Why was he invited? You knew he and I didn't see eye to eye."

Henry sighed, twirling Elena around once before holding her closely in his arms again. "It's a matter of royal etiquette, I have to invite all the neighbouring royals. And besides," he continued with a grin, "it's also a chance to show off my new bride - my Queen," he said, his hand slipping from her hip and brushing the most prominent part of her bottom.

"Henry!" Elena hissed, swatting his hand away with her own. "Show some restraint!"

Henry nuzzled his face in her neck. "Mmmm, I don't know why, but the way you say that word, makes the little restraint I do have, slip."

The music stopped, as the quartet convened briefly, discussing on the next song to play.

"Please Henry, can we sit the next one out? I'm feeling rather dizzy from all that spinning."

"By all means, my queen, let us retire from the dance floor and greet the guests," Henry said, pulling her gently by the hand towards a small knot of people.

"Henry, I'd much rather sit down for a little while - my head is spinning."

"In just a moment, first we must greet some of our guests - You wouldn't want to insult some royal family - kings go to war over such things!" laughed Henry, squeezing her waist with his arm as he pulled her in close.

Elena gave Henry a hurt look, which he missed entirely, as his gaze was focused on the most elaborately dressed man in the room, a man of similar build to Henry, but a few years older.

"Horace!" Henry yelled, spreading his arms wide and sweeping the gold and crimson clad royal into his embrace.

"Henry! Oh wait -sorry, KING Henry," the man added with a colourful mock-bow, whipping his feathered hat of his head with a flourish.

Henry chuckled, clapping the man on the back. "Have you met my Queen, Elena?"

"Can't say that I have, can't say that I have - my pleasure," he murmured, kissing Elena's hand lightly, as he looked her up and down quickly.

Elena tugged her hand out of his grip and folded her arms over her chest. "I'm sorry, but the King here has forgotten his manners - I don't know who you are," she said coolly. Elena had the uncomfortable feeling that Horace was undressing her with his eyes.

"I'm starting to understand the reason you've missed so many of our social gatherings Henry," he smiled, a twinkle in his eye. "She's delightful! I can't believe YOU of all people, managed to get your hands on - I mean, convince this lovely dove here to marry you!" he said, clapping Henry on the back in turn.

"You two seem to have a lot to catch up on, so I'm just going to - " Elena started to say, stepping away from the men.

"Nonsense my Queen," Henry said, pulling her closer. "May I introduce Horace, King of the Mirthok clan," he said.

Horace bowed his head slightly, not taking his eyes off Elena.

"King Horace," Elena repeated politely, inclining her head towards him, breaking his penetrating eye contact.

"Horace and I practically grew up together," Henry explained to Elena with a smile. "We've been through a lot together. Although when I think about it, you did almost kill me that one day in Einhearst," Henry said, with a mock-frown.

"Well you can't deny they were beautiful maidens," Horace chuckled.

"Yes - well one should not forget that horses don't steer themselves," Henry chuckled. "This one," he explained to Elena, "was so enamoured by some village girl that he just jumped off the cart he was driving, leaving me to save his father's prized chariot from smashing into a million pieces - not to mention killing me too."

"How many times do I have to apologise Henry! If you would have joined me you would have seen what that girl could - " he started to say, before Henry cleared his throat loudly.

"Yes, perhaps I should save these stories for later?" Horace smiled, looking Elena up and down once more.

"I think it best," Henry smiled in return. "Now, if you'll excuse us we must stroke some egos larger than yours," Henry said jokingly, placing his hand on the small of Elena's back, steering her away.

"By all means. It was a pleasure Queen Elena," he called after her. Elena managed not to look over her shoulder at him, although she was sure his twinkling eyes were glued to her backside.

"Henry, are all your friends so - charming?" Elena asked, whispering in his ear as they approached another group of royals.

"You'll learn to love Horace - everyone does!"

"Did you see the way he was looking at me? I thought it quite indecent - especially if he's such a close friend as you and he claim to be."

Henry chuckled, his fingers playing across Elena's stomach lightly. "We have similar taste in women, he and I. Good taste," Henry said, cupping Elena's face in his hands and kissing her deeply.

Elena's lips tingled pleasurably, she momentarily forgot she was surrounded by people and allowed Henry's hands to roam over her body.

A sudden stirring of music from the other side of the room brought Elena back to her senses. She quickly turned her head from Henry, his mouth kissing her cheek instead.

Henry groaned. "How about we slip away, you and I? Our guests can entertain themselves..."

"Why Henry, what happened to your royal etiquette? No, we must greet the guests," she responded slyly as Henry pulled her closer to him.

"I think they'll live," Henry growled lustfully, his hands moving down to her hips.

"But whatever will they think of their new queen Henry? Come, introduce me to that lord over there - the one in the hideous peacock feather cape," Elena chuckled, wriggling out of Henry's grasp.

Elena and Henry spent the next few hours conversing, dining and entertaining their guests, much to Henry's chagrin. Elena, for reasons unbeknownst to her, felt a small surge of vindictive pleasure from preventing Henry attaining what he so sorely wanted.

Henry, not to be outdone, raised his wine goblet in toast so often, in hope that Elena must eventually become tipsy. Elena however, already familiar with the sway Kravaolian wine had over her, simply kept her lips pursed with each toast, giving the appearance of drinking, while not a single drop passed her lips. Henry, on the other hand, had in turn become slightly inebriated.

It was well past midnight when that last of their guests left the castle. Henry returned from seeing off their coach to find Elena picking through a fruit platter, her hair no longer pinned neatly in place, but tumbling down around her shoulders in large locks of golden hair, framing her face.

"You tricked me," Henry said, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned against the archway.

Elena looked up at Henry, her cheeks flushing slightly pink as she swallowed a mouthful of juicy pear.

"Fallen on your own sword, Henry?" Elena asked with a small smile, as Henry rubbed his eyes vigorously.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Henry said, finishing his sentence with a barely suppressed belch, as he walked slowly towards her.

Elena's heart rate increased with every step he made in her direction. She took a deep calming breath to settle her nerves.

"It's quite late, don't you agree, my queen?" Henry asked, reaching for her hand, pulling her towards him.

"I guess," Elena murmured quietly, shivering slightly as Henry's lips touched her skin, planting soft kisses along the nape of her neck.

"Let's continue this little game of yours upstairs, shall we?" Henry said, steering Elena out of the hall.

"What game?" Elena replied, her voice a little higher than usual, as she allowed Henry to pull her gently up the grand staircase.

Henry shook his head and chucked in response. As they neared Henry's bedroom - our bedroom, Elena reminded herself, she caught a fleeting smirk from one guard to the other, as they stepped back to allow the king and queen entrance.

Elena expected something different, but the room remained the same as before, just with a fresh set of sheets. She jumped slightly as Henry closed both doors with a sharp snap, providing them with their first private moment since being in the smaller bedroom a few hours ago.

Elena turned away from Henry's burning eyes, shivering slightly.

"Cold?" Henry asked from behind her, his hard body pressed against her back.

"Y- yes," she lied, rubbing her arms, avoiding Henry's penetrating stare.

Elena felt Henry move away. She let out a long breath that she hadn't even been aware she had been holding. She watched from the corner of her eye as Henry stooped low over the fireplace, busying himself with some kindling.

A sudden wave of warmth washed over the room, the fire crackling merrily from the wall, illuminating Henry's large frame but casting his features into darkness.

Henry held his hand out to Elena, inviting her forwards. She moved towards him timidly, her fingertips slipping into his upturned palm. As she drew close she saw his expression and her heart slowed a little. His gaze was kind, his eyes gentle - not the ravenous expression that unnerved Elena so often. Henry closed his hand over hers, pulling her into him, his other arm wrapped around her back as he hugged her close.

"Is that better?" he said, his deep voice vibrating against Elena's slight figure.

"Yes," she said quietly, unsure of what he expected of her.

"Turn around," he said softly, pushing her shoulders slightly - not in force, but in more of a guiding manner.

Elena obeyed wordlessly, turning towards the fire, watching the dancing flames. As Henry's fingers pulled gently on the ribbons and ties of her dress from behind, Elena pressed the material against her thumping chest as she felt it becoming looser and looser around her. She shivered as she felt Henry's large hand touch the bare skin of her back as he parted the material of her dress from behind. Elena felt a small tug, which caused her to clutch the material even tighter.

"Let go," Henry whispered in her ear, his fingers playing lightly over the skin of her back.

Elena shook her head as tears started to pool in her eyes. She thought that she was ready for this - she thought that knowing what was expected of her would somehow make it easier. It hadn't.

Henry's hands traveled to her shoulders and from there in a sweeping motion they moved down her arms until his hands grasped Elena's gently in his.

"Let go," he repeated, slowly prising her arms away from her body.

The dress fell to the floor softly, the heap of white satin puddling at Elena's feet, immersing her in fabric up to her thighs. Immediately her hands went to cover her breasts, her thighs clenching together.

"I'm going to lift you up slightly, so you can step out of your dress," Henry said from behind her, his hands sliding over her hips.

Elena felt his grip tighten on her hips, before he lifted her out of the sea of satin and silk. His hands still on her hips, he pulled her back against him. Her skin tingled as she brushed against Henry's fully clothed body.

She bit her lip as she felt Henry's fingers close over her own and begin to slowly pry them away from her breasts.

"Do not hide yourself from me Elena, you are beautiful," he whispered in her ear as he pulled her hands away. He guided one of her hands up to the back of his neck, pressing it firmly in place. He moved her other hand down to her stomach and held it there as he bent forwards and planted small kisses along her neck, slowly tracing the line of her neck with gentle kisses over her smooth skin.

Henry smiled as he felt the hand at his neck tighten slightly throughout his ministrations. So far Henry had not heard Elena make a sound, but he was a patient man, he could wait.

With his free hand, he reached around and gently cupped her breast, rubbing his thumb over her flat nipple.

Elena, who had just moments earlier been enjoying the feel of Henry's lips on her neck, stiffened suddenly as she felt his hand on her breast.

"Henry - " Elena started to say, before his lips closed firmly over hers, his tongue dashing past her lips, cutting off the rest of her sentence as she looked over her shoulder at him. Her hand dropped from Henry's neck to his hand upon her breast.

Henry broke the kiss, pulling her tighter against him, wrapping his big arms around her, Elena's curvaceous body melting into him.