7

Monday morning I had a pass from my New Magical Development II class so I could handle something that happened during that time. Lageos asked if he could come watch the fun, but I told him it wouldn't be that big of a deal and to not waste his time.

But I was not surprised when I felt him at the Witches and Warlocks Council meeting already.

Brat.

I walked in like I owned the place right after they came to order. I dipped my head to Anya. "I apologize for being rude to you, but I didn't want to put you in the position of handling this potential headache."

"You are always welcome and invited to any meeting, Your Highness," she accepted, mirth dancing in her eyes because she knew me well enough to know that I was going to start trouble.

I thanked her and glanced around. "All of you are smart enough to know what ‘the carrot and the stick means.' I'm here to tell you of both. The carrot is a new class that's been developed for me next semester at my request. Advanced Healing I. The best of Faerie, plus several others in different species will be teaching me anything and everything about healing.

"I wanted this in preparation for my upcoming role and since I take being the shield of Faerie very seriously. However , I see crossover, and I am an advocate in people learning more in general—that learning should never stop." I frowned when a few people snorted. "Just because I won't share everything I know that you feel entitled to does not make that statement untrue.

"What you want is unreasonable. As unreasonable as me asking for your social security number and bank accounts as a random person in this community. And you ask it of the leader of a planet. Know your damn place." I raised an eyebrow challenging them to say something about that.

They wisely didn't.

Well, that was progress!

"As I was saying, the carrot is that I'm willing to include witches and warlocks who are willing to meet certain criteria and discuss that with the council."

"And the stick?" Anya asked, her voice even, but I knew her well enough to know she was amused.

"I will file a challenge of competency against the council member and make it public knowledge that I did so," I answered. I shrugged when people couldn't hide their shock. "I was fair and let people in who didn't like me. I didn't like them either, but that's not a job requirement for a council—even leadership directly under me.

" However , I made it clear that I wouldn't sit quietly and leave corruption and problems alone. I won't. So if you misbehave on this and try and throw your weight around because it involves someone I care about to stick it to me—you aren't fit to be council members. And I will say that. Publicly and push for someone to take your place."

"As you should after how this council repeatedly—constantly hurt you. Nip it all in the bud," a councilwoman said firmly. "This is about the Craftsman charter, yes?" She nodded when I did. "I would sign off to agree with that challenge as well."

"As would I," said several others, shocking the normal problems.

"Especially after all the help Dr. Craftsman has given our people with working on these trials to cleanse," the councilman who was an uber healer stated. "He could have done it with his mate and her magic and kept it quiet. We promised she would never be named and immediately people let it out to embarrass him and the princess. I wanted people out from that."

Ohhh, I didn't know that had been a discussion. Interesting.

I smirked at the three assholes. "It seems I'm not the only one who won't put up with the past repeating itself."

One of them didn't hide his dislike for me but surprised me with what came out of his mouth. "My personal feelings for how you handle matters and the secrecy of fairies have nothing to do with the Craftsman charter, nor helping your mate with it. He is an upstanding member of our community and it is our duty to help him. I take that pledge seriously."

The other normal problem agreed… Which left Kempton, but he wasn't bold enough to try and make problems on his own.

"Good, I'm glad to hear it. If there are any standard charters or guidelines for revision, please inform Geiger so we can make this process as painless as possible for all of us," I told them.

"Already done," one of the councilwomen told me, nodding when I couldn't hide my shock. "Not even as a favor to you, Princess. The amount of sexist, over-the-top charters in our community is sickening. I am heading up a team to review and evaluate many of the ‘elite' charters."

"If you need help, I'm willing to donate some billable hours or legal minds from Faerie to assist in that." I swallowed a sigh when people seemed hesitant to accept that. "I'm doing the same with a lot of our ordinances and laws. It's smart. Knowing who to trust is difficult so the situation doesn't become worse. I can get you people to help and keep snakes out."

She dipped her head. "That would be of great help, Princess. Thank you."

Done and done. I apologized for the interruption and left.

I met up with Lageos and he was amused, but I ignored it and focused on what I wanted to handle with the weather crystals. We managed to grab a few captains of the Faerie Guardians who weren't a pain and somewhat familiar to me.

By the end of class time, I managed to lock the magic of one weather crystal to one of the captains so he could use it. A bit more work and I was hoping they could recharge them as well. It would be one of their assignments basically to deal with when the councils or royals—maybe other leaders—petitioned to have access to that power.

Supes lived in areas that were burdened with forest fires and more as well. We couldn't be everywhere always, but we could hopefully curb a bit of this and that so the world wasn't always in such chaos and at such extremes.

It sounded nice at least.

I had my next class and then I had lunch with Julian… Or I was his lunch.

"I didn't even get to tell you the good news I had for you," I panted from his desk. "For fuck's sake, Julian. You weren't kidding that you would eat me out for all of lunch anytime I came to you. I really came to talk to you about adult stuffs."

"‘Adult stuffs?'" he chuckled as he kissed my clit again.

"There is not a lot of higher brain function going on right now and it's all your fault." I pushed up on my elbows. "Can I tell you the news now?" I studied his handsome face. "Or did someone snitch? Is that why you jumped me?"

He smirked at me as he stood. "Tams, I jump you every chance I get because you gave me permission. I'm a man obsessed with my mate. This is how that goes." He gave me a soft kiss. "But now I'm curious. What's up?"

I cupped his face and smiled. "The council agreed to change the Craftsman charter. You can—I know you haven't wanted to hear about the changes Geiger wants to make because you didn't have hope, but I got them to all agree. Do it now and free yourself."

He blinked at me for a full minute before attacking my lips. "I don't deserve you. I really don't deserve you. I cannot believe—how?" He snorted. "I know how. You're you. I can't believe you—no, I can believe you did this. I just—you have so much going on, and still you made sure this was a priority in between saving my mom and—I love you."

"I love you too," I chuckled, barely able to keep up with that ramble. "So go see Geiger, okay? Go get this off your chest and shoulders."

"Yes. Yes, immediately. I want this leash off of us ." He gave me a firm kiss. "And I'm going to spoil you rotten tonight. Dinner? All of the everything. We're—I'll set up some serious fun you need."

Yes. Please.

And it was everything I did need. He invited Darby and Hudson and they seriously spoiled me and did everything I enjoyed until I passed out. Only one thing was missing.

Lucca.

Clearly , that was what was on my mind the next morning in Practical Enchantments as I made enough charms to help with anxiety to fill a few classrooms. I shrugged when Sontar chuckled and said I had it down.

I had already texted Lucca and asked him to come over for lunch. I wasn't sure how to say what I was feeling, but it was all swirling around in my head as I set out the gobs of fried chicken and sides my security picked up. It was what my bear liked best and I wanted him happy if I was going to make him talk about such a difficult topic.

Even if I thought the end of it would be worth it.

"Yes, yes, Tams," Lucca growled as he grabbed me around the waist.

I yelped and was suddenly on the kitchen island with him between my legs. "What?"

He cradled my face and kissed me. "It won't be like last time. I promise." He kissed along my neck and his hands seemed to be everywhere. "I won't be such an asshole. I won't be so out of control and rough with you. I've learned a lot. I've learned what you like , not just—I won't be selfish with you anymore."

I tried to ask what he was talking about or meant, but then I was wrapped around him and he was carrying me upstairs. It hit me when we reached my bedroom. "Was I projecting everything I was thinking?"

He froze in dumping me on the bed, blinking at me half hanging off of him. "Okay, so yeah, I came through the portal and immediately heard that you wanted us to get back to having sex—all the sex—and it killed you that I was being excluded from hot sex times. But it was my fault and I deserve it. I get that."

"Just that I didn't know how to bring this up or what to do," I mumbled, nodding when he did. "So you heard all of my trying to figure out what to say to you and how to handle this?"

"And images. Lots of images of what you've been craving and hope happens." He chuckled when I groaned. "Yeah, so that's why I jumped you and brought you up here." He gently lowered me down to the bed as I immediately covered my face. "I'm glad I heard it. I know how difficult it is for you to bring up what you're feeling, cream puff."

"Yeah, but I'm trying. I'm really trying and—"

"You are— we are." He kissed my hands and pulled them away, giving me his kind, Lucca smile.

Lucca Von Thann was a ridiculously attractive man. From the first moment I saw him, I'd lusted for him like any straight woman with a pulse would. But we'd always had so much working against us that I was scared it wouldn't work out this time too.

I met his pretty hazel eyes and I saw the fear in them that I would reject him, wouldn't have faith in him that he'd changed. I wanted to have that faith, I really did, but I was wounded too.

"It won't be like last time, Tams. I'm not that man anymore," he whispered as he started undressing me.

Fuck, he was too gorgeous. Tall, dark, handsome, and adorable somehow. Over six-six and huge. Broad shoulders, completely filled in, and just muscles all over the damn place.

I'd always thought that, but it was even more so now that he'd stepped up his training. Also, his definition was unreal. People were floored anytime they saw him without a shirt or with shorts on. It was—every inch of him was completely defined, and his body rippled with strength as he moved.

"I won't survive going through that again, Lucca," I rasped. "Please? I know you're different and—please don't abuse me like you did. Please don't go back to that bad habit. Please don't be selfish with me."

I felt selfish saying it, especially in that moment. I felt horrible and went to turn away.

But he didn't let me. He cupped my face and made me look at him. I was shocked when tears were dripping from his eyes. "Never again, Tamsin Vale. I swear it to you. I will never—I can't treat you like that again either. It would break me. Because I love you." He nodded when I couldn't hide my shock. "I love you, Tams. It's real love this time, not… Bullshit."

I nodded and let him kiss me.

"Trust me to give you what you need, my Alpha, My Queen," he begged as he finished undressing me. He growled quietly when I nodded again and then kissed up and down my body. His large hands played with my breasts as he licked between my legs. Then he latched onto me and devoured me until I came with a scream.

I thought he was going to keep going, but he was simply staring up at me when I came down from my happy. I blinked at him in confusion.

"I'm always checking in now," he whispered. "That was the mistake I made. I didn't think I was being so selfish sexually. You sounded like you were having as much fun as me. I just… I need to check. For me too. To be healthy. To not…"

I nodded like I understood. I thought he was saying so he didn't go over the line, but I couldn't really be sure. I hoped that was what he meant because it was what I wanted too. "Can I sit on your face and play with your dick while you eat me out again? I want more loving from my bear before I ride you."

He groaned and his eyes about rolled up into his head. "Yes, yes, please."

So that's what we did.

I nuzzled his dick and gave it a few licks as I stroked him until he finished while he ate me like his favorite treat. I collapsed on him when I couldn't take anymore.

He chuckled and flipped me around so I was snuggled up next to him, my head on his bicep like a pillow. "That was perfect, Tams. Thank you." I opened my mouth to say something but he gave me a soft kiss. "Rest. You're tired."

Wait… That was it? I'd promised him sex.

Lots of sex even.

And he wanted to take a nap?

I shot up and blinked down at him. "What the fuck? What… Just what the fuck?"

He chuckled but then sighed. "Your reactions are too fucking adorable. Really." He yanked me to lie back down. "I told you that I won't be selfish with you anymore. I won't be. You're exhausted."

I frowned and then shot back up. "But you're also making the decision for me, Lucca!" I got upset and overreacted because it scared me. I felt like we were falling into the past. "I'm an adult too. If I say I want sex and—how can you just overrule me and—"

"I'm sorry," he whispered, giving me a soft kiss as he slid his arm around me. He lowered his forehead to mine. "Jesus, the fear that just poured off of you. I'm sorry. I didn't—I wasn't overruling you. I wasn't. Please, let me try this again, okay?"

I let out a slow breath and then another, realizing he was right and it was my fear, trying to get my heart to calm down. I nodded and then leaned away to see his eyes.

And cute pout. For the love of… How could a man that big have such a cute damn pout?

"Tams, I want you," he murmured as he ran his big hand over my shoulder and arm. "Like, fuck, do I want you ." He swallowed loudly as he looked over my naked body but then shook himself out of it. "But you're exhausted and I can feel it. I don't want to be selfish with you and—what we did is great. I'm happy with it. We can do the rest after a nap or another time or—"

"Stupid bear," I purred as I gave him a soft kiss. "That's what healing runes are for." I gave myself one and moved his hand to my breast. "Some of what you're sensing is because of what you did to me. So if you're worried, you say that and ask me if I'm okay. Ask me what I want. That's what partners do when they respect each other."

"Tams, you are completely right, but it's really hard to focus and think when your big perfect breast is in my hand and I'm so fucking hard for you." He gave me a kiss this time. "Tell me what you want, cream puff. Anything you want. Just tell me."

I laid back on the bed and smirked up at him. "Fill your puff with cream, stupid bear. If you're worried about how exhausted I am, then do most of the work and be gentle with me." I tried to hide what I was really feeling, but he caught it, always paying attention when he wasn't being an idiot.

He caught my face before I could look away and moved over me. "That sounds perfect, Tams. I even love the goofy line that turns me on when it comes from you." He gave me a heated kiss. "Spread wide for me. Show me you want me inside of you."

Done and done.

"You're so fucking wet," he groaned, grinding his cock against me so it got all slicked up. "Tell me you've been dying for this too. Tell me I'm not the only one who's been aching for this."

I nodded, not wanting to say anything and risk this mood.

He moved my leg in between us and slowly pushed in me. He took his time to move deeper and then leaned over so he could kiss me. "I love you, Tamsin Vale."

I blinked up at him in shock. He'd said that and… My brain just sort of exploded in shock, pleasure, and overwhelm.

He simply smiled. "I love you." He gently thrust deeper. "Fuck, I'm so fucking in love with you, but I can't think when you feel this fucking good." He brushed his lips over mine and thrust again. "Shit, why is this so different than I remember?"

I didn't know, but I felt it too, moaning loudly and arching into him. We'd done this position before and… I blinked up at him. "It was always so rough, rushed. It wasn't ever like this."

He swallowed loudly and nodded, hearing what I meant without saying it.

He'd always fucked my body, not had sex with me or even whatever we were doing now. We were never so in tune with each other like this.

"This is so much better," he said as he moved his hips. He studied my face. "Or just for me?"

"No!" I cried as I orgasmed, my body going on a ride. He was hitting everything perfect inside of me, and the way he moved while stretching me so wide in that angle was just… Fuck was it good.

"I don't think you've ever come like that for me during sex," he whispered as he worked me through my orgasm. He moved his thumb to my lips and traced them. "Because it's not just sex this time. It's more."

It was. I swallowed loudly.

Yeah, it really was.

He worked his hips like a fucking champion in a way that drove me nuts . It was slow and controlled and with a rhythm that—fuck, it was so fucking good. I kept coming, the bedding under me getting soaked.

"Just when I didn't think you could get any sexier, you prove me wrong," he grunted as he got close. "This is—nothing is better than making love to you, cream puff. Can you keep going?"

I nodded, but then I realized what he was really asking me. "I think my body's tapped out."

He nodded. "I think I need a bit faster to finish. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, that's still gentle," I promised, getting what he was worried about.

He didn't go crazy or plow me, simply picked up the pace a bit. He looked ready to explode and then we did together.

When it was over, I was lying on him with his cock still inside of me and the covers over both of us. His heart was racing under me and mine was going just as crazy.

"I didn't know it could be like that," he panted as he rubbed my back. "Seriously, I didn't know. I thought what we had was so amazing and—I used to think if I did it better or gave you more that you'd react like you did with Hudson and go so wild. I used to get jealous that you would orgasm more for him and craved him. I really didn't get how much I was doing wrong."

I kissed his chest. "I forgive you for that one. I can't imagine how hard it is for you guys that I have multiple mates. I would be crazy jealous." I turned to look up at him, smiling when he moved a pillow under his head so he could see me better. "But you guys are all so different to me. What Julian gives me, Hudson can't. Same with Darby.

"You're all just different. I don't want another Hudson, Lucca." I snorted. "If you don't think this was just as satisfying as what he and I do, then you really are the stupidest bear ever. And I love that we have this together."

"Yeah, it was amazing."

"And they would be jerks if they tried to outdo this or replicate our fun like this. So don't do that to them, okay? Let's just find new stuff for us."

He let out a slow breath and nodded but then flinched. His eyes flashed shock, but then he smiled. "Do you have an idea of what you want to try, cream puff?"

"Yeah, this but against the wall with you holding me up," I admitted with a shrug. No need to deny it.

I liked shower sex best with Darby.

I like being plowed by Hudson on all fours.

I liked Julian sitting me on something and giving me those quick thrusts of crazy.

And apparently, now I liked this gentle, completely full, and overwhelmed sex with Lucca.

Now I just needed the energy to have sex against the wall. Next time?