Oliver

Over the next month, Addison and I take things slowly. We don’t want to shock the general population of either of our kingdoms with our public displays of affection. I’ve gone to dinner in Azure, Reid has accompanied me twice. Addison has also come here, along with Ryland. King Azure thinks it’s a good idea to get him used to the politics of running a kingdom, which includes visiting with other dignitaries and getting involved in daily activities.

Elliott has been absent, as has Luke, even though he’s returned recently. The invitation was extended to them to attend dinner in Pine as well, but both declined. I have to wonder if the reason Luke won’t attend is due to me previously having feelings for his wife. Luckily, Reid knows it’s not personal to him, but rather to me. He offered to talk to King Azure about it, but I told him not to bother. They will come around in their own time. Both are still speaking to Addi, and for right now, that’s good enough for me. Her happiness matters above all else.

With each visit, we try to steal a moment to ourselves where I can kiss her and tell her how much I desire her. Then we meet in our dreams, and it takes everything in me not to have her naked beneath me, but I want to do this right. I want to be able to bring her to my bed and make love to her properly.

Which brings me to today. She’s visiting Pine and will be spending the night in my arms and my bed. We think it’s time to become more public. Reid has been behind us all along and said whenever we were ready to become more open, he’d have our backs. King and Queen Azure said the same. Our people have seen us together quite often, and we’ve done nothing more than hold hands in front of them. Rumors are running rampant. I’m fine with it all, as long as no violence befalls Addi in response to us being together. So far, so good. It’s time we take the next step.

Like a true gentleman, I take off on Lyras to get Addison. She’s waiting by the gate of the castle with a small bag slung over her shoulder. Upon landing, she walks to me with a beautiful smile. This woman can bring me to my knees with her looks alone.

Lyras nudges her as she walks by, earning her a pat on the head. With my princess at my back, we circle to take off toward Pine. I don’t miss the tall, imposing figure standing on the Azure wall, watching us go. Wesley has continued to make his feelings known to Addison, despite her insistence that she won’t be getting back together with him. I do feel bad for Wes. I was there with Ali, except I didn’t have any relationship with her whatsoever when she made her decision to be with Luke. Looking back, I’m grateful they are together. If they weren’t, I would never have connected with Addison. It took me a while to feel that way, but I now know Addi is the one for me.

Her warm body wraps around my back as Lyras flies through the air. The ride is short, but the entire time Addison rubs against me, placing kisses on my neck, doing everything possible to wind me up into a lust-filled frenzy.

We touch down outside of the large building the dragons sleep in. I hop down first then take Addi’s hand in mine to assist her. No, she doesn’t need it, but she lets me care for her and do everything a proper gentleman should. Once we get to my bed, I can’t guarantee that gentleman will be anywhere in sight.

Taking her bag from her, I drop it over my shoulder before walking Lyras back to her spot inside and close the gate. She quickly curls up with her tail wrapped around her body.

Hand in hand, Addison and I walk out of the building. Both guards nod, but also stop to check out the gorgeous woman by my side. I glance over my shoulder, catching them both staring at her firm ass. With one eyebrow cocked high, I give them a hard look. They both quickly regain their rigid stance on either side of the door.

I think due to Addison’s gender, everyone in the Pine Kingdom was more accepting of her. On the other side, those in Azure are not very accepting of me at all. It’s one of the reasons we chose to spend our first night together here, and not in her kingdom. I had a feeling I’d wake up in the night with a blade pressed to my neck, and Wesley hovering over me. Not that I can’t handle myself, but if something were to happen to Addi in the scuffle, I wouldn’t forgive myself.

“Let’s drop your bag off first, then the day is ours. We can go anywhere you like,” I tell her.

She looks up at me, her eyes sparkling with delight. “The forest. I’ve always wanted to walk within it.”

“As you wish, love.”

We drop her bag off then stroll through the courtyard to the front of the castle. In the past weeks, more vendors have come to set up shop. Reid is very pleased to see them here, as am I. When we walk past each cart, Addison’s eyes take in all of the merchandise. Everyone watches as she goes by yet she seems not to notice. Her navy blue shirt stands out in the sea of green we have within our kingdom.

She stops in front of a man who supplies leather goods. Her fingers dance over a pair of tan boots. There is intricate scrollwork embossed on the side of them, from the heel to the top, making them truly unique.

“These are beautiful,” she says, admiring them.

“Try them on. If they fit you they’re yours.” I would buy her the entire cart if she so desired. The amount of money I have is more than I’ll ever know what to do with. I’m sure she has her fair share as well, being of royalty.

She looks up at the vendor, who is an elderly man with white hair and a matching white beard. He’s slightly hunched over. Walking from behind the cart, he carefully picks up the boots and hands them to Addi. She kicks off her current boots which look well-loved; the tips are worn and the leather is cracking in spots. Her small feet push into the new boots. When she has them both on, she stands up straight and takes a few steps. By the look on her face, I know she loves them.

“We’ll take them,” I tell the man.

His smile is bright, lighting up his entire face. “Thank you. Your business is most appreciated.”

“I’ll be back in a few moments with payment.”

Reid just happens to walk by as I turn to Addison. All of the people in the courtyard bow or curtsy to him. “Your Highness, would you mind keeping Princess Azure company, while I run home quickly?” He gives a look that tells me to stop calling him Your Highness.

“It would be my honor,” he says, bowing slightly at the waist.

“I’ll be right back, love.” I kiss her on the forehead before dashing home. I hate the idea of leaving her alone in the courtyard, however, I know no one would dare cross her in front of Reid. He might be a peacekeeper, but he would protect her with his life. Of this I am sure.

I’m back in no time with money for the man. I don’t normally keep any on me since I’m not a man who requires much. I only buy what I need and keep the rest of my money saved for another day. The vendor bows to the three of us and packages the boots up for Addi. She holds them close to her chest, thanking the man and me profusely. We need to bring them back to my home. The last thing I want is to carry them with us through the woods.

“Where are you off to?” Reid asks.

“Back home to drop these off then to the forest. Addison wants to explore.”

“Give them to me. I’ll drop them.”

“No, you don’t need to. It’s fine.” Reid is not only my closest friend, but a man who is very kind and generous.

“Would you stop and hand them over? Take Addison to the forest.”

I nod. There’s no use arguing with him. In the end, he always gets his way. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” We begin to walk toward the front gate of the castle when Reid says, “Oh, and Oliver?”

Stopping, I look over my shoulder. “Yes?”

“I think it would be good to show her all of the forest.” His emphasis is on the word all. I’m left stunned and speechless. He can’t mean he wants me to show her our cultivators and how we accomplish filling the orders, can he?

“You don’t mean…”

“I do.” He smiles. “We must learn to trust, Oliver. If not Addison, then who?” I’m frozen in place. It takes me a few beats of my heart to fully grasp what he’d like me to do.

Addison steps in front of me, facing Reid. “King Pine, that is very kind of you, but I don’t want to cause any problems. I merely wanted to go for a walk through the forest. You see, from my home, I can see the tops of the pine trees. I’ve always wondered what it would be like inside.”

Reid strides forward until he’s directly in front of Addi. “Princess, our kingdoms have been divided for so long. It’s time we learn to trust one another. Our families are already joined, and being as such, you will now be privy to our inner workings. You have shown great strength, going against your brother and others, by being with Oliver. I want you to know that you are always welcome here. I’m trusting you will only tell those within your family what you are going to see. Consider it another step in bringing our lands together and making us both stronger.” I simply stand and watch the two of them talking, all the while with a smile on my face. My best friend and the woman who drives me wild, yet soothes a part deep in my soul. Life is good.

“Thank you. I would never break your trust, or Oliver’s. You are bestowing a great gift on me, one I won’t take for granted.”

He smiles warmly. “I know you won’t. Now go, enjoy all our land has to offer. You are safe with Oliver.”

We part ways and pass through the open gate of the castle. Stopping at the tree line, I turn to Addi. “Are you ready? I hope it lives up to everything you’ve imagined.”

Her eyes twinkle in the morning sun. “I know it will and more. I feel like a child on my birthday, getting ready to open gifts.”

I laugh. “Come on, love. There’s so much for you to see.”

Hand in hand, we walk through the towering pine trees. Moss covers the fallen logs, wephals run in between our feet, almost tripping us. Addison takes it all in, not missing any detail, no matter how minuscule.

We encounter a small group of children weaving in and out of the trees, playing a game only they know the rules to. One little boy, who I realize is Maribeth and Sam’s son, Mason, runs up to me. “Oliver, come play.” Then he sees Addi beside me and freezes with his mouth open.

“Mason, I know you’re out here,” a deep voice calls. “I’m going to find you.” Then Sam appears. His copper hair slick with sweat from chasing his boy. He stops when he notices Mason gaping at Addi.

“He’s really giving you a workout, isn’t he?” I ask in a jovial tone.

“You have no idea.” He looks to Addison, cocking his head to the side. “I heard rumors of you two being together but didn’t know whether they were valid or not. It’s nice to see you again, Addison.”

“You, too, Sam.”

“You must have broken poor Wesley’s heart.”

She tries to act casual, but I know deep down she hated hurting him. “It was for the best.”

“I’m not here to judge, Addi. If anything, I want you to be happy, whether that’s with Sage or someone else. You deserve to be.”

“Thank you, Sam.” She looks him over. “That shade of green looks good on you.” Sam has decided to wear our colors to fit in better. Both Reid and I told him it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted.

He chuckles. “Maribeth thinks so.” Looking down to his son, he gives him a gentle nudge, and says, “Say hello to Princess Addison. She’s from Papa’s old home. You’ll like her, I promise.”

Mason remains slack-jawed, then slowly grins. I turn to Addi. “You’re talking to him, aren’t you?”

She smiles and Mason laughs. “I like her, Papa. She can talk to me without opening her mouth.”

Sam quirks an eyebrow at Addi. “What did you say to him?”

“Oh, just that if I ever bring Em here, I’ll take him for a ride.”

“Addison,” he groans. “I haven’t even taken him up on mine yet.”

“You need to, Sam. In fact, he should be getting his own soon. The bonding process is best to start when they are young. You know this.”

Mason’s eyes light up. “My very own dragon? Papa, can I? I’d take very good care of it.”

“You’re lucky you’re royalty, Azure.” He turns to me. “Good luck with this one, Sage. You’re going to need it.” I laugh. Then he looks back down at Mason, “Come on. Let’s see if we can find your friends.”

“I’m going to tell Mama all about the dragon I want.” They walk away, but not before Sam casts one last hard look at Addison.

As soon as they are out of earshot, she glances up at me. “I always loved torturing him.”

Still laughing, I say, “Poor Maribeth is going to have her hands full when they get home.”