-Jade-

They parted by the stairs that led to his chamber. Jade walked back to hers and had to focus very hard on her breathing. It was still heavy but she had managed to keep it from William while they walked back to their chambers.

As soon as she entered her own room she let her lungs fill quickly and then released the air again. Her heart was pounding inside her chest and she was so disappointed that they had been interrupted. There was never a moment that they were either being watched or disturbed! She could still feel the wetness between her legs and it frustrated her even more.

Jade ran her hands through her hair and closed her eyes while smiling from ear to ear. The throbbing sensation between her legs was everything right now. Her body longed for the next time William would touch her so ravenously and kiss her as deeply as he had done just a moment ago. Jade let her hands descend from her head to her lips where she could still feel his.

The sight of William had brought her so much joy and the amount of it had even surprised her.

I guess this won't be so bad after all...At least now that he is back... She thought to herself and studied the floor while trying to calm herself down. She just hoped that he wouldn't leave her here alone again, at least not for a while.

Jade sent after Elizabeth to get help with filling her tub. The king hadn't been wrong, William had completely ruined her dress and a lot of his dirt was now on Jade. She didn't mind though...

"I cannot believe he would do this!" Elizabeth sighed in great displeasure when she helped Jade with taking the dress off. "That boy knows how much work it goes into making these!" She said and pulled the dress quickly over Jade's head when she had undone all the buttons. Elizabeth's frustration was amusing to Jade since she herself couldn't relate to the problem. She didn't care at all that he had ruined the dress. The memory of how he had tugged her closer on the table made her bite down on her lower lip.

"At least I can wash you..." Elizabeth muttered bitterly as she put a robe around Jade. Not noticing that Jade's thoughts had wandered off... and rapidly returned at the sound of her governess' complaints.

"Elizabeth, it isn't that bad is it?" Jade laughed. The eyes that met hers were not impressed or amused - at all.

"It sure is!" She exclaimed. "It is almost worse that you don't seem to care at all!" Jade couldn't hold back the laughter Elizabeth's frustration brought forth. "Don't you dare laugh at me, girl." She warned Jade and looked at her with stern eyes.

For a second, Jade felt a bit bad but then she saw it. The corner of Elizabeth's mouth twitched.

"You're not upset." Jade laughed.

"I am!" Elizabeth objected. "I am very upset, with the both of you. But I will not lie and say that this..." She held the dress up to Jade as evidence of the progress in their relationship. "... doesn't bring me some sort of happiness. Finally." She added and Jade knew exactly what she meant. Finally Jade and William were talking and not acting like stubborn children. Finally they were... getting somewhere...

-William-

William sat down in his tub and let his body sink into the hot water. Soon he could see the dirt run off his skin and the water was stained with swirls of soot and dirt. He stretched his arms out alongside the tubs edge and grabbed it lightly.

Slowly he leaned back and let his head rest as far back it could, almost touching his shoulders. The hot water felt so good he let out a tired groan and stretched his legs out. They were sore and stiff from the time he had spent on Dimma. Another part of him was also quite stiff... but that wasn't as unpleasant. The only thing he didn't like about it was that he didn't get the chance to feel Jade around it.

The image of him taking Jade on the table in the library made him rock hard again. He would have given everything to have her here at this very moment.

He had had about two minutes of peace when someone decided to knock on his door. He kept his eyes shut and tried to keep calm and make his erection go away. He had his back to the door and would not turn around for anything... The person would have to wait or come in and say what they wanted.

"What?" He called out. The door opened and he could hear from the way it quickly screeched that the person was stressed and had opened the door fast.

"Your grace."

"Yes, Loren?" He sighed, partially relieved but also annoyed. Loren knew how much he needed to be alone after he came home from a long ride.

"I am sorry to bother you, but there is something you should know..." Loren said and William heard how he closed the door behind him.

"What is it?" Apparently it was important and William needed to know it right away. "If it is not about Jade, it can wait."

"It concerns the future princess." Loren stated clearly and confirmed that his message would interest William. "And me..." he added. William's eyes opened immediately and he sat up. "And you." William cocked his head in confusion to the right.

"What the hell are you talking about, Loren?" He asked and turned around so he could see the guard. William's thoughts ran off to the worst scenario possible; had Loren and Jade...?

No... She wouldn't have greeted me like she did earlier if she had...

William couldn't even finish the thought of Jade with Loren. He wouldn't have betrayed him like that either... Loren was almost like a brother to William. Not to mention that his mother would kill him before William got the chance.

"It is not what you think." Loren assured William and put his hands behind his back and shot his chest out, exuding honesty.

"I know, and don't assume that I would expect the worst of either of you." William said, even if he almost had done just that, before he had gotten to his senses. "What is it that you need to tell me that concerns all three of us? It seems very strange that something would involve all three of us." William added.

"During your absence, I did my duty and guarded her." Loren said and William made a waving motion with his hand so he would get to the point faster. The conversation made him uncomfortable and he still needed to relax... Loren wasn't helping with it. He had, however, helped with destroying Jade's hard work...

"I ordered you to guard her, so...?"

"So I spent a lot of time with her during the days, your grace." Loren answered. "I want you to know that there are whispers going around in the castle. Among the servants." Loren continued. "I wanted you to hear this from me first, and not from one of them."

"What are the whispers about?" William asked even if there was nothing to worry about.

"How the amount of time I spent with the girl isn't appropriate, and that some... suspect that we..."

"Loren, relax." William sighed and smiled faintly before putting his mask on again. "I know that you would never do that to me." He answered.

"I wouldn't." Loren confirmed. "It is very important that you know this, your grace."

"Thank you." William said. "Do not let the maids and servants get to you. They have always and will probably always gossip. If you ever doubt that, you should talk to your mother about it. She knows everything that goes on in this place." A chuckle left the guard and William made himself comfortable in the tub again. "If there was nothing more I would like to be alone for a while."

. . .

Afterwards William got dressed and left to go and meet his father in the study. When he got there the old man was sitting in his armchair close to the fireplace. In his hand he held a tankard of ale.

"Father." William said to announce his presence while he closed the door behind him.

"William." He answered without looking at him. "Sit down, we need to talk." William frowned a little but did what he was told. He sat down in the chair to his father's right side.

"What do you want to talk about?" William muttered. He wanted to go and see Jade again... maybe even see if there was a chance to finish what they had started before. He immediately regretted the thought when he felt his cock swell with blood. He swallowed and got rid of the thought so his erection wouldn't grow and become... visible.

"The girl." His father answered.

That's not really helping... I am trying to keep her out of my mind at the moment. William thought in a light panic.

"What about her?" William asked and squirmed uncomfortably at his now tightening trousers. His father fortunately wasn't looking at him, but at the flames in the fireplace.

"You have to marry her. Soon." His father stated like he was talking about the simplest of tasks that needed to be dealt with. William didn't appreciate his father's constant meddling, be it in him meaning them well or not.

I cannot pressure Jade into the wedding right now. She just accepted me. If I force her to marry me faster I will destroy what little trust she has in me.

"I do not see how that is important at the moment." William stated casually, wanting to lead his father into another subject. "We just got home. Can I at least get the chance to spend some time with her before throwing the wedding at her?" He sighed.

"The girl is aware that the two of you are to be married. What is the problem?" His father's voice became impatient and rather rude, also ignoring William's request for more time.

"The problem is that I want to give her time." William tried to sound patient and calm when he actually wanted to snap at his father to mind his own.

"You have had enough time for that! Hell, the two of you have spent more time arguing and snarling at each other than you have with anyone else, including your mother! " His father snapped and William regretted that he had held back. If the old man was going to throw punches, so was he... "You have wasted the months she has been here! Instead of acting like a child you could have just dealt with your issues and made her your wife sooner!"

"Where is this coming from?" William accidentally raised his voice when speaking and his father's eyes immediately locked on to his with a clear warning in them. He lowered his gaze to show his father respect.

"You will do as you are told, William." His father enunciated every word carefully like he did when he was on the brink of one of his rages. It was an order.

When he walked out of the study his thoughts were causing him great distress.

How am I even going to tell Jade about this? I will not scare her away just because my father is afraid that his grandchildren haven't been conceived yet. I cannot force Jade to marry me... at least not anymore...

-Jade-

After her bath she got dressed with the help of one of the servant girls. When she was getting her hair combed, someone knocked on the door. It was calm but still formal... Jade suspected that it was William but didn't want to put her hopes up too much.

The girl walked over to the door and it seemed that Jade was right.

"Your grace." The girl sighed and curtsied.

Jade turned around on the stool she was sitting on and watched as William stepped in and the girl left. Jade got up and squeezed her hair lightly to get the last drops of water from it.

"Can I help you?" She asked with a kind voice, trying to mask how nervous she was. Why was he in her chamber? Her stomach fluttered like it was filled with a hundred butterflies at the very sight of him. At the same time her core reminded her of how he had made her feel earlier. Good.

William didn't answer her. Instead he just stood there. It looked like he was taking in the sight of her meanwhile he was enjoying himself.

Jade waved her right hand in front of her in an attempt to catch his attention. He blinked but still didn't say anything.

"Is something wrong?" She asked with a lowered voice and approached him. He stood fast and seemed a bit distracted by her advance.

"No." He answered in a sigh and met her eyes.

He is lying. She thought and scrutinized the dark blue eyes. He must have noticed because a faint grin appeared on his lips.

"You don't believe me, do you?"

"No." Jade answered honestly.

A warm expression filled his eyes and he parted his lips slowly as he was going to speak. No words left him.

"Something is wrong." Jade stated. "Are you leaving again?"

"No, absolutely not. " William said with a clear voice and he awoke from whatever thought was keeping him from giving her his full attention. Something was wrong, he just didn't know how to tell her, or he didn't feel like he could tell her.

Does he not trust me or is it something else? She wondered but didn't let her thoughts reach her face.

-William-

He didn't want to tell her even though he had to. He knew that at some point it would be a conversation they had to have, but the soft and warm look in her eyes meant more to him right now. It meant more to him than his father's orders and approval. Jade's attention and the kindness she exuded made him feel at peace and his whole body relaxed. He didn't want it to go away just because his father wanted to rush things.

"I will not leave you here alone, again." He promised her, knowing that if he didn't keep this promise she would never take him as her husband. Jade's eyes glowed for a second.

"Don't promise me things you cannot keep." She said sternly but there was a spark of hope in her voice. She wanted his words to be true.

She is smarter than I give her credit for, she knows that I will have to leave at some point... but it will not be here. I will not leave her with mother looking for a chance to get rid of her. He thought.

Nevertheless, he wanted to keep it. He never wanted to leave her again. The last couple of weeks had made him exceptionally clear about that.

"I intend to keep it." He said with a dark voice to let her know that he was speaking the truth. A challenging but yet playful expression flashed in her eyes. She was daring him to keep his promise.

William reached out for her hand and drew her close to himself. He noticed how she was holding her breath as he lowered his lips towards hers, grazing them with his. Eagerly his hands crept up from her waist to the sides of her chest. A little aroused sigh slipped out of her and the air hit his lips.

"What are you waiting for?"

What did she say? William searched her eyes for the answer and the icy blue eyes met his with an intensity that could only mean one thing.

The words set him on fire. They had been a mere whisper but he felt like they had screamed at him. Jade had just given him what he wanted - permission and acceptance.

Without saying another word he pressed is lips against hers and savored the taste of her. The softness of her lips and the scent of her wet hair made him lose his train of thought.

He hadn't expected her to be this welcoming, even after their meeting in the library. He did not want to assume anything about her. Instead he wanted to be patient for her sake. But the lips that returned his kiss were not patient. They were hungry, craving his response.

-Jade-

He smelled so good she wanted to moan just from his scent. She could smell the remnants of soap on him and the smell of him. She inhaled his breath when he breathed against her lips in between their kisses. It went straight to her head, intoxicating her.

Jade put her hands on his coat and pulled him impatiently towards her. A dark chuckle left him when he noticed her eager. But he did not let her wait longer than that. The strong arms heaved her up like she weighed nothing and placed her legs around his waist like he had done earlier.

Their gazes met momentarily and it felt like their surroundings turned into a blur. William seemed to relax more and more with every second that passed, but he didn't let her down. Not that she wanted to be let down, at all. She was more than content in his arms. It was a strange, but very welcome, feeling.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked with a voice that had traces of lust in it. Jade was surprised by his question. Did he want to talk? Now?

"You." She answered breathing out and felt nervous about the very honest answer she gave him. The dark eyebrows rose in surprise but the eyes were calm. He liked it.

"How comforting that you're not thinking of someone else." He chuckled and grazed his lips against hers, teasingly. Jade laughed quietly.

"For you, yes." She replied and it made him laugh. The sound of it made her heart skip a beat. A playful smile appeared in William's face and he sealed their banter with a deep kiss.

Afterwards he walked over to her bed, still with her legs around him. A pulsating sensation erupted when she saw the raw lust in his eyes as he carefully put her down.

He towered over Jade and leaned down to get closer to her face. Jade placed her left hand around his cheek. William closed his eyes slowly and looked like he was at peace.

Jade felt the pulsating feeling slowly fade but the calmness in William's face satisfied her instead. The usually hard and stern face seemed almost serene, her touch brought him some sort of tranquility and it warmed her heart.

"Are you going to tell me what is wrong?" Her voice was low. William slowly opened his eyes and met her gaze.

"How do you know that something is wrong?" He asked. "Are you really that perceptive? Or am I so easy to read?"

"You used to be very hard to read." Jade chuckled. William smiled softly and crept up to her face, forcing her to lie down in the bed. Without struggle he placed himself over her.

"And now?" he asked while making himself comfortable over her, but very conscious not to crush her with his weight. Jade helped herself to run her fingers through his hair and he reacted the same way he had done earlier. Her fingers glided through the dark hair with ease and she held her breath as she did it. Afterwards her hand returned to his cheek.

"Depends." She answered. "But the way you hesitated earlier told me that you were, and still are, keeping something from me."

William licked his teeth from his right molars to his canines and then grinned. Obviously he was a little concerned about how easily she read him.

"I don't want to ruin this..." he sighed and was referring to their current situation. "And what I will say - if you force me to - will definitely ruin this." He continued.

Jade drew a deep breath. It would be a shame to ruin this... but the moment from earlier is gone. She thought to herself while studying William's face.

"Promise me that you will tell me eventually...?" she whispered and touched his lower lip with her thumb.

"I'll tell you everything you want." He answered her and replaced the space between them with himself and kissed her slow and deeply.

---------------------------------

I hope you liked this chapter, even though I am dangling their first sexual encounter in front of you without getting to it (Lol). Don't hate me. It is coming though...!

Love Jenny!