15

Ian

I was glad to have explained myself and cleared up some of the many misunderstandings, but I didn't know what came next, and that left me feeling agitated. My hawk especially was acting over the top because he liked Mabel now as much as I did and wanted to spend more time with her.

And unfortunately, an animal didn't understand human emotions always or like smothering was normally frowned upon.

But when two days had gone by and Mabel hadn't reached out to me, I couldn't take it anymore. She was at one of the factories grinding herbs and working with the lotion that was sweeping the capital and soon the whole kingdom would be desperate to get their hands on.

James was still on her detail and was kind enough to keep giving me updates. Plus, he knew I would beat him if he didn't.

I showed up to find her hard at work and looking like she was long overdue for a break. Perfect. My heart skipped a beat when she smiled at me.

"Oh good, I was hoping to see you," she said, making me feel like I was ten feet tall and we were okay. "I wanted to speak to you about handling matters with your family."

And just like that I felt small and discarded. I couldn't even hide my disappointment. "Of course. Whatever you need, Mabel." My chest ached so much I had to stop myself from rubbing it. "Outline whatever you need and have it sent over." I cleared my throat and waved the basket I'd brought. "I was dropping off a break for you to—"

"You just lied," she whispered looking around my head. "And your sparkles just drastically changed. What just happened?"

"You have a lot going on." I offered her the basket, but when she simply stared at me, I set it at her feet. "Remember to take breaks, Mabel. Good day."

She grabbed my arm and then moved in front of me when I didn't turn. "Why are you in such pain? Please answer me and do not lie. I do not understand."

"Will you let me leave then?" I whispered.

"Yes, of course."

"I came here to see you," I said quietly so others couldn't hear us. "You did not come see me after what I told you, all I told you and explained. I gave you time and you did not reach out. So I did. I wanted to see you and spend time so we can mend this." I met her gaze and let her see I was hurt. "And you are glad I am here to help you with my family."

I felt better when she winced, but it was too little too late right then. I'd never been selfish with her, even if I was a bull who did not always pay attention and plowed forward.

"Good day, Mabel." I stepped around her and left. I focused on work and tried not to take my bad mood out on everyone else and kept my tone in check as I handled correspondences, especially with Colin when I knew he was swamped.

There was a knock on the door to my study and the butler came in. "You received an invitation, Your Grace."

I swallowed a sigh. "Put it with the others I will probably ignore. Thank you."

"This is from Countess Phoenix to dine at her home tonight," he said, smiling when my head snapped up. "The messenger who delivered it was paid extra by the countess to make sure I was told directly that I had to get it in front of you and she was worried I might toss it."

"Give it here, man," I demanded as I stood and waved for him to hurry up. I ignored when he did with a smirk. "Thank you."

"I will inform the kitchen your plans for dinner have changed and we can eat the lamb tomorrow." He chuckled when I didn't bother arguing and left.

Ian,

I am very sorry for how I behaved today. My head was in work and I was not expecting to see you. Please know I value you as a person and that is always most important to me. Still, no matter what is going on, and even if you are surprised, you put it to the side and check on me, Mabel, and that is your priority.

You deserve the same. I want to give you the same. I simply do not know how yet. I have not had the best examples of it. We were at a place of work, so it is still the time for work and work discussions. I have not yet learned how to cross those lines yet. It is also easier—and more acceptable—for you as a man.

Too many will not take me seriously as a female employer. So while you do deserve better and I do want to treat you better, please understand that in front of any workers, I will never feel comfortable acting like a woman being courted instead of assuming you are there for business. I hope that is acceptable and you understand my position.

But I do also want to treat you better and I do very much want to see you. Will you please join me for dinner tonight? Kathy is eating out and staying over with a friend. Colin has approved and knows the parents well, so we can have a quiet meal, just us, and everyone else can eat as they want. I would like to have tonight be only about us.

I hope to see you soon,

Fondest regards,

Mabel Phoenix

I was so wrapped around the woman's finger that even seeing her handwriting made my heart race. She was right that at any of her business properties, it should always be business. I fully agreed with that. I would have to let her know that I didn't talk about my family with others around, and that was a healthy line for me to say to her as well.

And it made me smile that I felt I could.

I sent a knight to accept and ask what I could bring. It seemed the store had been short on flour, so there would not be bread for the meal. I had someone run the errand to not only pick up what was needed but a few extra loaves of basics for Mabel's house while they were out.

I was ready and out the door so I arrived twenty minutes before the time on the invitation. She showed up to greet me herself, and I could tell that she'd cleaned up and put some thought into what she was wearing as well.

"Thank you for accepting," she greeted.

"Thank you for inviting me, lovely," I murmured as I leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. "And thank you for apologizing and taking my feelings into consideration. I fully agree with what you said about your places of business."

She stared at me a moment. "But?"

"But I would also ask for consideration that you not bring up my family or issues with the royal family so offhandedly. I always make sure others are not around and it's discussed privately."

Something flashed in her eyes before her face blushed so deeply that it went all the way up to her ears. She quickly looked away and stepped back for me to enter. "Yes, of course. How silly of me. I apologize. I was not thinking at all and—of course, I will."

I stepped inside and closed the door behind me before crowding into her space. I leaned in and pressed my lips to her ear. "You were startled. Why? What just went through your pretty head, lovely?"

"It's embarrassing," she mumbled, sounding a bit petulant which I loved.

"I think it will heal my hurt, so please tell me anyways and I promise not to laugh," I pushed.

She let out a huff, probably miffed I'd played that card and was steamrolling her again, but I felt it was only fair this one time. "I see you as only Ian now. I know they are your family, but I forgot you were a prince and like the royal family. I forgot today and—it's embarrassing that I could ever make that slip and—"

I slanted my lips over hers and kissed her deeply, not caring who might see us. I kissed her like she deserved after making my heart feel so much better than just a few minutes ago. "It's not silly at all. It's what I want in life. I want you to see me as Ian and not that I am a Brooker. Thank you for telling me and healing the misunderstanding. I needed that so much today."

"I am still sorry I did hurt you."

"It's a sensitive topic and what everyone always wants from me," I murmured, running my nose along her cheek. "I know you never did. It was the one time you have said it even. It just—I want us to be okay. I want it so much, Mabel. And that was what you brought up like that is your priority. I do not want that to be your priority when you look at me."

"It's not. You are my priority. I promise, Ian. It was simply bad timing and a conversation not five minutes before you walked in that was still on my mind. I swear it."

"Good, then let's put this behind us and spend tonight mending our relationship so we can be in a good place again, yeah?" I offered, glad when she beamed at me and gave me a soft kiss.

Perfect.

And so was dinner. We had it in her sitting room at the smaller table. I thought it funny since she had a formal dining room, but that was off the kitchen and the main hallway where people were coming and going. This was tucked back towards the rear of the house and we were in our own bubble.

Something I knew she'd thought about and had taken into account.

The food was perfect, and she thanked me again for bringing the bread. I told her how everything had been handled in my area that had pulled me away and how I'd missed her. She admitted that she'd missed me too and was really glad I hadn't done what she thought I had and we could work things out.

But she was holding back. There was clearly something else she wanted to say or was on her mind. It was as if she was bursting to tell me something or was waiting for the right moment? I wasn't sure, but it was cute.

She was always cute, but the glances she was giving me as if waiting for something to come were really cute.

We decided to wait for dessert a bit, and I thought maybe we could sit by the fire and talk more. I stood and went to pull out her chair, but she snuck a kiss. I was startled but liked this bolder Mabel who was affectionate.

I pulled her to her feet and gave her a soft kiss, obliging when she came back for another.

She moved her hands to my chest and up around my neck. "Will you please my cunt again, Ian?"

I swore I must have lost my mind. My dreams and need for her finally made me snap and I was now having auditory hallucinations. I slowly leaned back and stared into her big, gorgeous green eyes… That were glazed over with lust. "I beg your pardon?"

She swallowed loudly and said it again, but a bit louder. "Will you please my cunt again, Ian? Please?"

I simply blinked at her before nodding. I lifted her up and moved her to a bare section of the sideboard but then realized that might not be comfortable for her. The sofa was much better. I sat with her straddling my lap and kissed her desperately as my hand moved under her skirts.

A deep groan came out of me when I found her wet and quivering for me. How had I not noticed she was in this state?

Right, all the smells of dinner and I'd been hungry. Stupid, stupid man.

I plunged my fingers into her hot, wet cunt and moved them in a way that made her whimper. She kissed me and I used my other hand to keep her head to mine as I devoured her mouth. I did everything to her until she cried out in pleasure.

I slowed the kisses and let her body recover. "Is that what you wanted, lovely?" I leaned back and was shocked when she was frowning. "What's wrong?"

She worried her lower lip. "Did I not say it right? You did not use your mouth."

My brain exploded. She wanted me to lick her?

Oh, yes please.

"I will do that to you and more, Mabel. Tell me anything you want."

Her frown deepened. "So I did not say it wrong? I thought that's what I had to say for… That." And then she looked away, almost like she was guilty of something.

It took me a ridiculous amount of time to put it all together. I blamed the lack of blood in my brain because it was all in my groin.

"Yes, Mabel, you say exactly that and I will eat out your sweet cunt all you want," I promised, glad when that glazed-over look came back. "Let me hear you say it, Mabel. Say it for me."

She licked her lips. "While I still have my dress on?"

Oh, she was exploring and becoming a naughty girl and I fucking loved it… Even as I wanted to punch Andre too.

"No, I want you naked by the fire so I can finally kiss your lush tits and then lick your tight little cunt all I want."

She swallowed loudly. "I feel I might be a crass woman, Ian. It makes me titillated that a prince speaks to me like that. Something about you having been a prince and always perfect makes it more exciting for some reason. Please do not be upset about that."

"No, because you want me and that's just an extra perk," I told her gently. "I want you. You know I want you."

"But?" she hedged.

"Knowing that I was a bit of your knight in shining armor and helped rescue you from monsters fulfills my rescuing a damsel fantasy." I gave a half shrug. "I think those sorts of thoughts are healthy and fine as long as they are not the focus."

She seemed to sit with that a few moments. "Yes, that's rather reasonable. Are you taking off my dress or am I?"

Clearly, the goddess sent me this woman to test the strength of my heart.

And yes, I took off her dress.

Quickly.

I had her in front of the fireplace with it roaring like my need for her and half of my clothes removed before she knew what was happening. "Your breasts are perfection, lovely." I smirked at her. "Let me show you."

"Wait, later. Please? Will you please my cunt again, Ian?"

By the fucking goddess.

I kissed down her body and spread her legs, in heaven now that I finally got to see all of her and where I'd only touched. I took my time and licked every inch of her, reveling in the taste of her like the finest vintage. She bit her hand hard enough to leave marks, I pleased her so well.

I gave her time to calm down and teased her luscious, full breasts… And then I went back and feasted on her cunt again.

Brushing the hair off her face as her chest heaved, I stared into her gorgeous eyes. "I want to have you, Mabel." Fear was the first thing I saw but then worry. I kissed her when she tried to speak. "But you are not ready. That's more than okay."

"I do want to touch you too," she whispered. "For now. Is that enough?"

I smiled at her. "I was happy with the kiss you gave me earlier. The rest was all extra and amazing. Whatever you are ready for and want is all I want too. We are in no rush."

She licked her lips and stared over my naked chest. "I want to touch you too."

I let her and swallowed my jealousy that it wasn't her first time. She was shy but not scared and clearly had touched a cock before.

The fact it was a cock I'd touched as well made it all the harder for me to stomach somehow and I wasn't sure how that worked in my head either.

I finished on her skin and loved how it looked, something primal inside of me happy. I ate her cunt again and again until my sweet Mabel couldn't handle anymore and her eyelashes fluttered as she orgasmed again and her eyes rolled up into her head.

I chuckled. Well, that was a first for me. I'd never been so addicted to a woman's pleasure that I'd made her pass out from orgasms.

It was fun.

I redressed us both enough to bring her upstairs, glad we didn't come across anyone. I cleaned her up and tucked her into bed naked—planning on joining her in the same state. There were a few things I needed to handle first though.

And one person I needed to speak with.

I changed forms and flew over to his balcony, not surprised when he wasn't in his room but found him in his study. "You taught her how to beg for oral sex?"

Andre jumped to his feet, so lost in what he was doing he clearly hadn't heard me walking around his house. He rubbed his chest and I realized he'd been reaching for the drawer of his desk where he probably kept a loaded gun. "Bloody fuck, Ian, could you not give me a heart attack?" Then what I said registered. "The hell I did!"

"‘Will you please my cunt again, Ian?' She said that to me and asked me if she'd said it wrong because I did not use my mouth. So whatever you did, our sweet, innocent Mabel believed that it's what all women say to all men to receive oral sex like one might ask for a kiss."

He opened his mouth but then closed it, looking the most dumbfounded I'd ever seen him before slowly sitting back down in his chair. "Well, that's certainly not what I meant. I meant…"

"Yes, I am sure I know what you mean, but while I want to pound you for it, I also want to thank you for what I just enjoyed." I smirked at him when rage filled his eyes. "Now you know how I felt knowing she touched your fucking cock first."

He didn't even deny it. "You took advantage of her. You know that's not what it was and—"

"Oh no, I am not taking the blame for this one. Should I have mortified her that it was not what people said? Do you want me to go back over there and explain it to her that it's not what women tell men? How much trouble will you be in that she thought that after what you said?"

He went pale. Andre went full pale and glanced towards Mabel's house, swallowing loudly. "I apologize. Clearly, it was what she wanted from you and—"

"Yeah, that's what I thought you meant to say, you dolt," I chuckled darkly. I glanced towards her house as well. "We just need to make sure no other man gets on her radar or she might say it to someone else." I shrugged when he snorted. "She's gorgeous and will catch every eye now that she's come out of her shell. Some did not come after her because of her money."

"I know that. I just meant we are both pains in the asses. She would not have any sanity left if she entertained the attentions of a third man."

Too right. "Well, thanks for teaching her to beg like that. I enjoyed it."

"Asshole," he called after me.

"Only most days," I hollered right back over my shoulder, almost feeling like it was old times.

And that thought almost made me stumble. It wasn't like old times and it never would be. I had to protect my heart against those kinds of ideas because I wouldn't survive another heartbreak when it came to Andre.

The next morning, I made Mabel ask me for what she wanted and then gave it to her, smirking at how ridiculously cuddly and happy she was. She was a woman who enjoyed oral sex. It made sense after all she'd been through. She had been mistreated all of her life and oral sex was all about the person receiving it.

We had a lovely breakfast and then I snuck out the back and caught my carriage about a block away. I told them to take me to the palace. Mabel had talked to me about what she had wanted, and I was more than happy to handle it and deliver the letter to the queen she wanted to give her.

So nothing shocked me more than thirty minutes later when Louisa read the letter and slapped Gerald across the face before storming out of their private dining room.

"What the bloody hell did I do now?" Gerald demanded, giving me a pissed look. "What did you give her?"

"I did not think anything bad," I admitted, hurrying to grab it before he could. "Mabel asked me to handle business with you and make sure you do not steamroll her because of some concerns. She asked me to pass this to Louisa. I assumed it was an invite." I quickly read it and shook with rage when I did. "I will show you, but do not you dare blame her. We should know this."

"Fine," Gerald agreed after a moment, rubbing his face even if Louisa hadn't hurt him.

Physically, at least.

Gerald read it and went visibly pale, setting down the letter with a sigh. "I did not know." He looked at me and there was a deep sadness in his eyes. "I swear to you, Ian, that I did not knowthis. I am never this much of a bastard. I knew later that his family died. I heard—I did not know. Please, please, do not add this to my valid crimes. I did not know."

I believe him. He looked upset, and while Gerald was a good actor—he needed to be as the king—he wasn't that good of an actor. "Did you know how drugged up he was?"

Gerald didn't answer right away but then sighed. "I do not know. I do not remember or—there so much going on, Ian. The war ended. So many had died. We were all so relieved it was over, but then it was really just getting started with the monumental task of what came next and how much I had to handle that… So much from back then is all a blur."

Again, I believed that. "He deserves a real apology from you, Gerald. Not just because he was my best friend or I love him. He saved my life and I am your family and you did him wrong. His whole life was destroyed and you gave him a shit deal and he called you on it. Then you lied about it so Louisa and I could not fix it. Apologize to him privately."

"I will." He sighed when I gave him a look that I didn't buy it. "I will, Cousin. He does deserve it and we need him. I can admit when I am a fool, and I was a fool this time. He is… I failed him. The police in general. I will apologize and let people see I went to him even if they do not know what it was about."

I nodded. "Restore my faith in you, Gerald. I was always your biggest supporter. Always. From the time I understood what Father wanted from me and what that meant for you, I knew I would never do it because I supported you more than I wanted his love. Do not make me regret that."

"I will do my best." He cleared his throat. "What did the countess ask you to discuss with me?"

"She wants to come up with a real plan to supply the kingdom's hospitals with her sleep tonic, severe burn cream that the doctor here used to save that boy, and the new stomach tonic that she's about to sell. But she's worried about people abusing it, especially the sleep tonic. She does not want people drugged. She wants people in pain to be knocked out."

"I was thinking of maybe founding a royal order of doctors and healers," Gerald muttered. "Like the royal guard level of the best knights but for doctors. Not for the palace and the rich, but for the hospitals. Even if they rotate around. It could be something for them when they are younger and to learn so much. We could sponsor them opening their own private practices later."

"The idea has merit. Mabel was clear she's willing to trust me with this as long as we listen to her objections since they do not always come from her." I nodded when Gerald did a double take. "She gets dreams from the goddess. Warnings. That's how she saved that boy. That's what's on her plate. The goddess was clear she had to save that boy."

"What will he be in the future I wonder?" Gerald muttered. "Good thing you made sure to arrange for him to be somewhere safe once… That's why you did it."

"Yes, if he's important enough for the goddess to give Mabel a nightmare and migraine and have to out herself to the doctor, the kingdom needs that boy. I will protect him and make sure he's educated, give him the freedom to find whatever he's supposed to."

Gerald nodded. "Hopefully, take over the rotten temple."

Wouldn't that be nice?

We spoke some more, and I promised to take the idea to Mabel and figure out a way to iron it out. It had potential as long as Gerald made sure it wasn't for the glory of him.