THE COLLAR OF MY SHIRT is suffocating me. Still, I need to wear the field commander uniform with large rosettes of white satin on my shoulders and maintain the rigid posture. It’s my wedding day. The bell has struck midday, and everybody who was anybody in my kingdom is in the church, waiting for my bride. My loyal subjects are on the streets, eager to see their new queen. My marriage reassures them that I’m on the right path to secure them an heir. My wife’s dowry will allow us to reconstruct our fleet of merchant ships and continue to prosper. All of that is a necessity, yet I would marry Mirella even if she were a peasant.

Church bells peal forth when my mermaid queen crosses the door. My breath comes to a halt. She’s wearing a blue, fitted dress and a veil covers her face and trails down her back. I’ve never seen anything as beautiful in my whole life. The red flowers decorating the church and the bouquet of white roses in her hands pale in comparison to her beauty. Happiness makes my heartbeat accelerate as I force my feet to be still and wait for her to come to me.

Her two sisters are her bridesmaids. After arranging her train, they walk to the altar where they wait. The Sea King takes my bride’s hand and walks with her. He gives me her hand, and she steps to my left, leaving a place for the minister to proceed with the ceremony.

All of it happens fast, and I barely have time to savor the moment. When we leave the church as husband and wife, a rain of bird seeds falls over our heads—a sign of fertility to my people. We run to the wedding carriage drawn by four white horses. The streets are filled with my subjects, eager to see their new queen. Mirella waves and smiles graciously. My right arm circles her waist. I still have to endure the party before being able to touch her. I need to play nice until we retire to our quarters.

Upon arriving at my castle, I take my bride in my arms and enter our home. The servants have done a good job at adorning balustrades, doorways, windows, and fireplaces. We’ll have a feast that will last for days. Still, I need to go to my office and take my vows before the Sea King, taking her as my wife according to their customs. Only then, Mirella will be truly mine.

With our hands entwined and our wrists bound together with seaweed, Mirella and I stand before her father as he blesses our union. Happiness flows from her to me and vice versa.

Protocol demands that we sit and receive the guests. I have to introduce my queen to the members of my court. After, there will be dancing.

***

MY FEET HURT AS I FOLLOW the maids to my quarters. They are going to prepare me a bath, so I can get ready to receive my husband for my wedding night. As much as the party was entertaining and I danced and laughed, I’m ready to be alone with Duncan.

A warm bath waits for me, and I welcome the sensation of the water caressing my skin and relieving the tension in my muscles. Closing my eyes, I dream of Duncan’s lips kissing my skin and his hands on my thighs. I choke a moan and fist my hands on the borders of the bathtub. Waiting for him is torture.

My stomach hurts. I hadn't eaten much because my nerves were getting the best of me.

Duncan enters the room, wearing his royal clothes. I'm seated on the bed, hugging my stomach and chewing my lower lip. His eyes light up when he sees me and my heart flutters out of control.

“How are you feeling?” His voice is hoarse. Striding to my side, he squats in front of me and holds my cold hands. “You are freezing!”

“I'm nervous. I'm happy, but my stomach keeps twisting and turning. What took you so long?”

“I was saying goodbye to some of the guests. You were bathing, and your feet were sore. How are you feeling now?”

“My feet are less sore...”

His hands reach for my feet as he kneels and rubs them.

I gulp. “That feels nice.”

His fingers press against the sole of my foot. He leans down and kisses my ankle. “You are gorgeous, my love. Don't be nervous. I'll be gentle.”

My breathing halts as a tingling sensation spreads from my stomach to my core. “You are always gentle.” I somehow manage to speak. Leaning down, I cup his chin. “Come closer. I need to kiss you.”

Grinning, he reaches up and our mouths meet. His lips are soft and create havoc on my self-control. Snaking my arms around his neck, I slip off the bed and fall in his lap. His arms entwine around my waist as his lips respond with passion. Our bodies, up close, feel like perfection. I can hardly breathe with the idea of undressing him and exploring every inch of his tanned skin.

His hands rub my back. His muscles flex under my touch as the warm temperature of his body makes mine shiver and burn.

“I can't believe we are married,” I say. “It's a dream come true.”

He smiles against my lips. “You are my dream come true.” As if I weigh no more than a feather, Duncan gathers me in his arms and stands. “There's nothing that can stop us from being together now, my queen.”

Utterly in love, I stroke his face and nod. My breath leaves my lungs when he lays me down on the bed and unties the lace of my nightgown. Exploring my face with kisses, his hands cup my breasts and rub my nipples. I squirm with pleasure as my feet press against the mattress. Duncan's lips explore my neck, shoulder blades, and exposed breasts. His hands grip my hips and slide down my stomach, creating a wave of heat that pools in my lower stomach and makes me pant. I don't know if I can survive so much pleasure and need.

My husband leans back and removes his coat and tie. Our gazes meet, and I see the passion in his eyes. Leaning between my legs, he caresses my inner thighs.

I gasp and sit up. “You are so gorgeous!”

He smiles and kisses my lips. “Undress me, sweetheart. I want to feel your hands on my body.”

I obey, starting by removing his shirt and caressing the muscles in his chest and stomach. He's breathtaking and muscular. My lips dare to trail kisses on his chest, and my tongue rolls around his nipple. Gripping his hips, I continue to explore his torso until I kiss his face and see his closed eyes and a blissful expression.

His skin feels smooth and firm. It's almost hypnotic to touch and kiss him. I leave small bites across his neck as my hands descend to his pants and free him from the buttons. The protuberance against the fabric pulsates and jolts to the closeness of my hand. I look down, and his shaft pops free and sticks out.

His hand rubs it as his other hand cups my chin. “Do you want to hold it?”

My throat feels dry, but I nod.

“Place your hand over mine, and I'll show you what to do.” I swallow hard but obey. His brows knit together as he guides my hand. “Like that. Hold it tighter. Yes...”

I kiss his chin and pump his shaft harder.

“Almighty... I... Mi-re-lla...” His hand stops mine and his arm circles my waist and lowers me down on the bed. “I'll take it from here.”

Falling back, I don't understand what he means. My nightgown slips up my body, and Duncan's head nestles between my legs as his tongue sinks into my core. Shivering with the pleasure, my fingers dig into his scalp and tousle his hair. My hips move back and forth, and my breasts dance with the rhythm of his tongue against my soft spot and inner folds. Moaning, I call his name and tense with the need for release even if I don’t want the pleasure to stop. Before I lose my mind, he stops the sucking and trails kisses up my stomach until he circles his tongue around my nipples.

Placing my legs over his as he kneels between me, Duncan holds the head of his cock against my entrance. He circles and rubs before pushing it inside. I’m wet with arousal and his saliva, yet the intrusion feels uncomfortable, and I tense and moan. Duncan stops, kneading my legs as his tongue licks my left nipple. My walls adjust to his length and size and my hips bounce back and forth. He thrusts in and out, igniting fire and longing. Increasing the pace, I moan and gasp for air. It's so good, I feel like I'm about to faint. Faster and deeper. I want him all. I need him to keep going. Grabbing his face, I pull him down for a kiss and entwine my legs around his waist. I'm losing control, but I don't care. Duncan is mine and making love to him feels like perfection.

Several minutes later, I scream in pleasure as my body shatters around his. He keeps pounding and pressing until he groans and falls between my arms, hiding his face against my breasts. I cuddle his head and hold him tighter. I could sleep like that, but Duncan has other intentions. He begins kissing my neck, breasts, stomach, legs, and inner thighs. Turning me on my stomach, his hands explore my behind, and his lips glide over my skin. His hand circles the nape of my neck. I whimper with his teeth nibbling on my shoulder. That feels great! His fingers rub my slit and his cock presses against my entrance. I feel tight, but he fills me, and I shriek in pleasure with the first thrust. My butt fits against his crotch as he sways his hips to take me to nirvana again.

If having this kind of intimacy and pleasure is what it means to be married to Duncan, then I never want to leave him. I feel tiny between his arms, but the gentleness of his touch, his moans, and the rhythm of our bodies making love is better than anything else I’ve ever experienced in my life.