Chapter 13

“Enjoying the food?” A shrill voice calls out behind me, causing Alekai and I to look at each other and sigh. This ball has been an eventful night that we wanted to end as quickly as possible without any more headaches. But unfortunately for us, the biggest headache of them all just placed herself before us.

“We were until your over-perfumed body made the air too toxic to breathe.” I retort, pinching my nose and using a napkin to wave the air back in her direction. Lady Linnate gasps as if I seriously wronged her, her face contorted with rage.

“A lapdog like you has no right to speak to me like that!” She screeches, causing some of the guests to look our way. I shrug, turning to look at Alekai, who chuckles and kisses my cheek.

“Unfortunately for you, my Little Songbird has every right to speak to you how she pleases. You know what they say about pets, right? That they take after their owners.” I want to argue with him about his remark, but in front of Lady Linnate, I have to keep the smug smile on my face and behave, even if I hate the reminder that Alekai owns me.

“Hmph, just remember that your parents want me to be your Crown Princess. Enjoy your time with your little lapdog because I plan to get rid of her once we are married.”

“You have no power to get rid of me, Linnate. You’re just the daughter of a Lord while I have an Uncle for a Duke.” I admit, grinning, knowing that Uncle Elyse knows where I am and that he will have my back if something happens.

“My Song Bird is right. I am sure Duke Roland would love to speak with your father about threatening his niece. He accepts that I own her, but he has her best interests at heart. I know that if someone sells her back to the pet store, he will use everything he can to buy her freedom.” I watch as Alekai stands, ignoring Lady Linnate whose mouth opens and closes looking for words to refute our claim, but I just chuckle, taking his stretched hand and standing beside him. Knowing that Lady Linnate has no foothold to any of her claims brings some form of satisfaction to me, even if the two of us have only interacted a handful of times. Her pompous, entitled attitude rubs me the wrong way, making me want to bring her down to earth.

“If you will excuse us, Lyra and I have yet to greet my parents.” With that, Alekai places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me away from our table, leaving a floundering Linnate where she stands.

“So, how do you convince your parents not to marry her?” I ask casually, watching as Alekai frowns.

“I have no clue, but I am working on it.” I accept his answer, wondering if his way of working on it involves me and is why I was bought. It would make sense in a Cinderella type of story the public would eat up. A woman was kidnapped and sold as a pleasure slave for the Crown Prince; the two falling in love and, against all odds, got married. Although, I can’t rule out the possibility of Stockholm syndrome since I am being held against my will. But Alekai does give me some form of freedom to do as I please. The two of us soon quickly reach our destination, Alekai bringing me from my thoughts quickly with a kiss while we wait for the crowd before us to part. I immediately spy King Joseph and Queen Arabess, their bodies adorned in lavish clothing with crowns of gold and gems atop their heads. The Queen’s long blonde hair is left to fall around her in ringlets, her emerald, green eyes, the same as Alekai’s, light up the moment she spots Alekai making his way towards her, only to grow cold when they land on me. The King lazily leans against his throne, his attention on a young maid forced to stand too close, his hand carelessly groping her without the care of the public opinion. Instantly, I become wary of him. I could understand the Queen’s hostility, but the King seemed like those lecherous men who ogled me at the Pet shop.

“Good evening, Mother, Father,” Alekai bows, a silent reminder for me to bow as well. Being friends with Jaida has its benefits with high society as I drop into a graceful curtsy, my head bowed towards the Queen as her approval is the one I seem to need the most. I catch her shocked look as I peak from under my lashes, doing a fist bump in the air in my head. This seemed to have been the right move.

“You may rise,” A deep voice states, and I obliged. I stand silently beside Alekai, waiting for their next words as Alekai gives me an approving look.

“Alekai, I did not expect you to show off your new, um, Pet tonight,” Queen Arabess states, her eyes sizing me up. I smile at her, hoping to appear friendly, watching as the disdain in her eyes lessens.

“I figured since you threatened me to be here, I would bring Lyra to meet you,” His answer to his mother is monotone, and the hurt in the Queen’s eyes is evident. I seem to be in the middle of a family feud that Alekai has no problem dragging me into.

“Well, it seems you bought a cultured one, as she knows how to curtsy appropriately.” The Queen continues, giving me an approving nod. My smile widens, and I decide to take a risk.

“If I may speak, Your Majesty?” I ask quietly, waiting for her response.

“You may.” Relief fills me that the risk pays off, and I give a shallow curtsey out of respect.

“You see, I am friends with Lady Jaida Roland, and as such, I see Duke Roland as my Uncle. I was given etiquette classes alongside Jaida as children,” I watch as astonishment fills Queen Arabess’ eyes, and she motions me closer. Alekai gives me a light push of encouragement as I tentatively walk toward the Queen.

“I heard that Lady Jaida was missing. Is there a possibility she was captured and sold as a Pet like yourself?”

“I believe so, Your Majesty, as Jaida, our friend Aime and I were out the night before I woke up in the Pet shop. I was sold right away to Alekai, so I have no clue what happened to my friends.” I answer honestly, watching the Queen nod.

“Well, if she was captured and sold, she deserved it. You females have no sense of propriety these days.” My head snaps to the King, watching him chuckle in disdain at my answer while his eyes rove my body disgustingly, never looking at my face but taking in every inch of my body as if undressing me with his eyes.

"Father, if you would please, stop staring at Lyra. She is not one of your whores." I hear Alekai practically growl, his steps hurrying towards me as he brings me behind him protectively. Happy to have him block his father’s view of my body, I try my best to appear smaller than I already am, not wanting to be in view of the King any longer.

"You bought her with my money, making her mine as well. This carelessness with money makes me question whether or not you are fit to be King." His father retorts, causing Alekai to chuckle darkly.

“This is where you are wrong, Father. I have many businesses under my name, including restaurants and clothing boutiques. I bought her using my own money.” I catch sight of King Joseph sending a spiteful glare to Alekai’s way, then catch the Queen shaking her head in exasperation. I have a feeling this is one of many conversations like this.

"So you see, Lyra is mine and mine alone. Unlike you who is unfaithful to Mother with the many whores you have lining your bed, I only have Lyra, and I plan to only have Lyra." My heart flutters at his confession, not understanding the meaning of his words at the moment. To everyone else, I was just his pet, a toy bought for his amusement, but his words seem to hold a deeper meaning.

“If you excuse us, Lyra and I will retire for the night.” Alekai takes my hand, pulling me alongside him as we depart from his parents. The interaction with the Queen was not one I had pictured, but the King and his lecherous behaviour worried me. From now on, I would have to be careful not to be left alone in a room with him. Our departure is noticed as whispers follow behind us before we exit the ballroom and make our way up the stairs in silence. I can tell Alekai is brooding, most likely over the statement his father made. It just goes to show you everyone has a home life they aren’t proud of. Once we reach our room, I sit on the sofa while Alekai paces the floor.

"So, meeting your parents went swimmingly,” I state sarcastically, taking my heels off and placing them on the floor beside me.

“Yeah, just peachy. Doesn’t help that the monster I am forced to call Father ogled you like a piece of meat he wanted to devour,” Alekai growls, taking his crown off and throwing it onto a table, running his fingers through his hair.

“To be fair, you did the same thing when I was locked in the cage.” I point out, at which Alekai turns on his heels, marching towards me. He promptly sits beside me, pulling me into his lap while his mouth captures mine in a possessive kiss, his tongue pushing past my lips and plunging into my mouth, claiming and conquering me in this single movement.

“The only difference is you are mine, and I hate when he tries to take what’s mine.” His voice is husky as he pulls away from the breathless kiss, leaving me panting while he trails gentle bites along my neck. He smirks down at me as he pulls away, my body tingling with a need to be filled by him over and over again.

“Alekai, Lyra.” I jump in surprise, seeing a bemused Elisa walk into the room as she bows at us, most likely seeing how Alekai claimed me earlier.

“Elisa, help Lyra undress and remove her makeup. I’ll be in the bathroom.” Alekai orders, setting me back on the couch before getting up and striding to the door.

“And Lyra, join me for a bath when she is done.” He pauses, saying those words before resuming his departure to the other room.

“I will,” I answer, surprised by my honesty as Elisa chuckles. I glare at the Maid, watching as she winks at me before helping me to my feet. We walk into the bedroom, where she promptly removes my tiara and other jewelry, places them on the bedside table, and helps me step out of the dress.

“I am guessing the ball didn’t go well,” Elisa remarks, setting the dress on the bed before taking out what I assume to be makeup removal wipes from the bedside table.

“It was weird, if anything. The only bad parts were Lady Linnate and his father.” I watch as Elisa frowns, asking me to keep my eyes closed as she removes the makeup from my face. I can tell that Elisa is used to Linnate and the King causing trouble for Alekai, seeing as she has grown up with him. All I can think is how horrible his childhood must have been.

“Elisa, does the king have any-“

“Pets of his own, no. He prefers to trick maids and other lowborn women into his bed. Unfortunately, the Queen has had to silence the women with money and secrecy to have them accept an abortion. I feel bad for the Queen. She deserves better.” Knowing that the King has a bad habit, I can understand the Queen's hostility towards me. If I am not mistaken, she most likely wants her son to be with one woman and one woman only.

“She really does deserve better,” I agree. Elisa completes her work in silence before stating I am good to go join Alekai while she finishes putting away the jewellery and dress. I thank her before heading to the bathroom, where I find Alekai leaning back in the bathtub, his eyes closed, with the scent of mint and roses filling the air. I smile, my heart wrenching to see the stressed look on his face, wondering what I could do to help him unwind.

“Come here, Lyra.” His voice echoes around the room, and I oblige, walking towards the bathtub and stepping into the hot water, his hands instantly pulling me down to straddle his legs as his lips find their way to the sensitive skin on my neck.

“I need to destress with you,” He groans, one hand keeping me in place while another finds its way down to the entrance of my pussy. I gasp as his fingers enter me, his lips moving to my exposed breast, where he quickly latches on, sucking and nipping at the sensitive nipple and causing breast milk to flow out. I moan, pleasure taking over while I grind into his fingers, feeling him move inside me.

“You’re such a good girl, Lyra.” He moans, switching his mouth to the other breast while his hand holding me in place takes my left one, positioning it at the base of his hard cock. I gently wrap my hands around him, slowly moving my hand up and down his throbbing shaft and hearing him moan loudly. I smile, feeling accomplished as I increase my speed, massaging his cock with both hands now while his fingers work their magic inside me. I can feel myself getting closer to the edge, my hips moving faster against his fingers as I moan out his name. His free hand tangles into my hair, pulling my face towards his, where he claims me in a hungry kiss, our tongues in a tango of dominance. As I feel the walls of my pussy tighten, ready to feel the sweet pleasures of an orgasm, he pulls away, a smirk on his lips while I whimper at the loss and frustration of not cumming

“I never did get to punish you for getting lost in the Palace. What if you had stayed out past nine.” He chuckles out, licking the skin of my neck while making me shiver.

“But I still made my way back to you,” I argue meekly, getting another chuckle from the man before me.

“That may be so, but you deserve to be punished, and I know the best one.” With that, Alekai stands from the bath, stepping out before lifting me into his arms. I am carried to the bed, where he promptly throws me onto the mattress before climbing in after me. My legs are soon spread wide apart, his thick hard cock being plunged into my already soaking wet pussy as he thrusts in and out of me at a punishing speed. I call his name out in pleasure, grinding my hips alongside his thrusts as I reach the peak of pleasure, ready to be thrown over the edge. But before my orgasm comes, Alekai pulls out, one hand placed on my neck loosely to keep me down while the other strokes his cock. I whimper, begging him to let me cum, but he just chuckles, waiting for me to whither underneath him before once again thrusting deep inside me, filling me with his hot cum. I moan both in pleasure and frustration as the process repeats, his cock thrusting hard and fast inside me, only to be pulled out of me right before I can cum. He continues rotating between stroking himself and thrusting into me until the next time he is inside me, he fills me with his cum. His lips are on my skin, kissing, licking and biting, leaving a trail of marks for all to see if I wear a low-cut top.

It isn’t until late in the night, when his energy is spent and I ay away in his arms trying to find some form of sweet relief, that I realize just how much power the man sleeping beside me has over my body.