-Karen-I felt his lips attack mine and then my neck. Mm… My eyes fluttered open as he kissed me again. Before I could say anything he set a small white box on my chest and then laid his head down on my left shoulder. A ring box? “Morning handsome… What is it? A present?” I asked sleepily picking up the box. I felt like I was asleep for a lot longer than a night. I feel kinda groggy… How long was I asleep for? I chalked the thought up to just being exhausted from the sleepless nights I had previously.“Close your eyes, my love.” He replied with a sweet smile. I closed my eyes and waited. Maybe it’s a new promise ring? I told him he didn’t have to get one… But we’re both stubborn. I could hear the box open and then it was gently placed back on my chest. “Keep them closed, Kay.” He instructed as I grinned anxiously. But I want to see what it is! I felt him move next to my left ear and breathlessly whisper, “Open...”I opened my eyes and saw a gorgeous ring sitting in the middle of the b
-Karen- I opened a quick portal to the Rose Garden. I closed it promptly after Joanne walked through behind me. I looked out over my garden and my jaw dropped. Oh, my goodness! All the beds had been replanted with new rose bushes and smaller ground flowers covered what had originally been dirt. I love this! My garden is alive again… So many purple roses… Joanne hugged me and whispered. “Surprise Kay. We wanted to make this as special as possible for you both. I hope you are happy with the choices we made.” I hugged her tightly and nodded. “It’s magnificent! Thank you so much! I absolutely love it!” I looked over at the now running fountain and saw Bart and Conor standing there with Charles. “And the fountain is working again too! It’s been so long since it was running. I didn’t have the money for the part, so I had to let it go… It’s so beautiful!” How sweet! How thoughtful and amazing… Now I just have to take care of it and make sure it doesn’t die again!“Time to face the music, K
-Karen-“What am I giving you in return, Conor?” I asked him with a frown. “I don’t have any gifts for you…” Always giving me things and I can’t return the favor. It makes me sad... Husband.“A lifetime of happiness will suffice.” Conor replied motioning for me to open the box. “You can give me something tonight.” I laughed lightly shaking my head. Those aren’t a real present Conor! “I was already going to do that though…” I grumbled while he chuckled. I opened the box and saw an odd, shaped disc full of shiny purple, gray, clear and black stones sitting on a velvet pad. What the hell is it? A necklace maybe? Or some type of weird bracelet? It’s pretty but I haven’t seen something like this before… I picked it up and tried to figure it out for a few minutes. It’s slightly pointed towards the center and the gems are in no particular order that I can tell… “What is it? A necklace?” I asked him slightly confused. I placed it around my neck, and it clattered to the table. “This necklace
-Karen-Forty minutes later, “I can't take this, Kay!” He hissed trying to catch his breath. “Mercy! Please grant me mercy!” He shouted as I kept pushing him towards the edge of oblivion. “I’m begging you!” He cried out as I continued working him down. I squeezed him tightly as he tensed up entirely. He looks like he wants to kill me or marry me all over again. It took him ten full minutes to catch his breath entirely as I watched him in amused silence. “I begged for mercy several times… And you still threw me over the edge… You devious vixen!” He pursed his lips. I enjoyed that. Not even going to lie!“Just returning the favor… Dispel.” I giggled as he glared. I felt the additional strength vanish immediately “Well? Did I at least do a decent job?” I asked lying down on top of him, grinning from ear to ear.He laughed after a few more minutes. “That was thoroughly impressive, Karen. Talk about raising the damn stakes… How the hell do I compete with that?” He rubbed his face and gave
-Karen-After our secret honeymoon of three days, we started back on the lessons quickly and with gusto. In the first week, I learned a new dance, memorized more Zargan-related town names and what they produced for the Empire, and how to properly address members of the king’s court including Conor. Each time I addressed him as the ‘Highest Prince next to the powerful and great King of Zargo and the Empire’ he would roll his eyes at me and scoff. “I hate that damn title.” Conor grumbled as I would giggle out of amusement. Conor had been required to do a scouting mission a week after we got married. He made sure to take his ring off whenever he left the room as we were trying to keep this a secret as long as possible. He kept the ring in his pocket and then slipped it back on when he came back in the room. The next three weeks slowly ticked by as Joanne helped me learn the most important customs of Zargo. The four of us made sure not to act like anything was out of the ordinary. Just
-Karen-When I woke up, I was in my apartment with Bart and Robert standing over me watching me carefully. I feel horrible. I hurt everywhere. “Kay, can you hear me?” Bart asked as he knelt down next to me. I nodded once and rolled onto my side facing the wall. I want to be in the darkness… It’s too bright in here even with the curtains closed. “You’ve been asleep for three days… We’ve been worried since Robert and I haven’t been able to wake you…” Three days? What the hell did he give me? “What happened when you were with the King? Do you remember anything?”Ugh… My head hurts so badly… I feel sick to my stomach too. “He asked about my jewel. And then gave me a drink- Two glasses… And then I can’t remember anything.” I feel terrible. I must have been mumbling because Robert turned me onto my back. “What did you say, Karen? We couldn’t hear you.” He looked just as concerned. I squinted at him while trying to get my thoughts together. “Light sensitivity…?” I nodded at him. “Did the Ki
-Karen-“But I still have lessons-” I started to protest.“No baby. I want you to take today off from your lessons. Even Charles agrees that you deserve a break. So, today, I’m going to pamper you.” He leaned down and kissed me. “And I don’t want to hear one word to the contrary, stubborn.”“Conor, the king has set forth-” I attempted to protest anyway. He started making out with me to stop me from talking. I cupped his face and pulled away from him so I could continue talking. “I have to-” He pulled my hands away and persisted in shutting me up. “Conor!” I firmly said as he chuckled“I want you to rest, Karen. I mean it! You have been waking up early every day to tend to the garden and then you do a full ten hours of lessons and then we dance… You need to rest. You’re going to burn yourself out. Even Robert says you need a day off!” Conor countered as he cuddled up to my right side as I pursed my lips shaking my head. “I’m worried about you. I’m so proud of your progress but you’re g
-Conor-“Ha! She’s out too.” Conor said proudly as Karen groaned in her sleep as he continued rubbing her down. Ah, my sweet love. You deserve this for all your hard work! I know you’ve been putting a lot of time into your studies.“Joanne’s been asleep for fifteen minutes… I know she’s been tired from trying to keep up with Karen’s arduous schedule. She had no idea that Kay was going to go all in on her lessons.” Bart explained as he rubbed Joanne’s left leg. “I don’t think any of us anticipated her working this hard honestly.”“She said she wants to be a Zargan… She wants to be accepted by our society… And not to have to marry Michael. I’m so proud of her, Bart. I know she has been pushing herself really hard though. I’m worried she will make herself sick with all the effort she is putting forth.” Conor replied as he continued rubbing Karen’s back with a different technique Bart showed him. “I’m happy she has done so well but I want her to take a break. I know she won’t do it volunt