Captured by the King

I glared at the king before me, even as I was in chains at his feet. The guard behind me tried to push me onto my knees but I refused to budge. "Here is Princess Scarlet, as requested, Your Majesty."

King Titus stood up from his throne and walked towards me. "Those chains won't be necessary. Please free her and leave us."

The guard obeyed. As soon as my wrists were free, I rubbed them, feeling the circulation get restored to my hands.

"Are you okay?" Titus asked as he reached me. "Did they hurt you?"

I slapped him across the face in response.

He rubbed the side of his face. "That's understandable."

"You send your soldiers into my home. They kill my father and kidnap me. I think you deserve more than a slap."

Titus clenched his jaw. "I didn't want it to end this way, Scarlet. You know that. I tried for years to reach peace with your father. But he still sent troops into my kingdom. He was kidnapping my people and selling them off as slaves. What was I supposed to do?"

I was silent. I knew he was right. My father was a greedy, cruel man. He was foolish for trying to make a fool out of Titus, whose kingdom and armies tripled our own. "What do you want from me?" I asked. "You kill my father in private only to save me for a public execution? Is that it?"

"No, of course not. I had you brought here to ask for your hand in marriage."

I frowned. "I don't understand. My kingdom is yours. I have no army to fight you. Why would you want to marry me?"

"With you by my side, it will be easier for your kingdom to accept the transition of power. The fewer rebellions on my hands, the better. Unlike your father, you're beloved by your people. You know them and what they need. You can help me provide them with what they need and help me create a stronger, more prosperous nation."

He made a good argument. Titus was always skilled at diplomacy. I was never allowed in the meetings when he visited my palace to negotiate but I always listened at the door. Even though my father lost his temper and took every opportunity to insult the other king, Titus always kept his cool. It was impressive, admirable, even. And I knew his argument was sound. But I couldn't trust him. He had just destroyed my home. "I can't marry you."

Titus sighed. "Let's go somewhere less formal to talk."

I followed him out of the throne room. It wasn't like I had a choice, after all. He led me to the gardens. They were beautiful, with a winding cobblestone pathway leading us through a maze of flowerbeds. The air hung thick with the scent of flowers, and it hummed with the sounds of bumblebees and birds. I looked up, letting the sun shine onto my face.

Titus was studying me, a small smile on his face. "Do you enjoy walking in the gardens, Scarlet?"

"I might as well savor the sunshine. If I'm lucky, I'll spend the rest of my life in your dungeon after you give up trying to persuade me."

"Do I repulse you that much?"

"You killed my father."

"I didn't have a choice and you know it."

"Why don't you kill me and be done with it?"

"I don't want to. I want to marry you."

I rolled my eyes. "Like you said earlier, the people didn't like my father. You don't have to marry me to keep the peace. I'm sure there will be few objections to you ruling them, especially if the rumors are true about you providing aid to the poor, sending doctors to towns infected with plague, providing emergency rations in times of famine..."

"I only do what any leader should."

"Which is more what my father ever did." I turned to examine a lilac bush, not wanting to look at Titus. "I know my father wasn't a good man. I know you're a better ruler than him and most likely my people will be happier with you. But he was still my father."

"I'm sorry, Scarlet. I wish there was any other way." His voice was soft with regret. I wanted to believe it was real. But why would he regret killing his opponent, especially one who had caused him so much grief over the years?

"You can drop the act, Your Majesty. I'm at your mercy, after all. No need to be diplomatic with me."

"There's no act," Titus said. His expression hardened. "I never wanted to hurt you. If I had the choice, I would have spared your father, just to spare you from grief."

"Why would you care if I grieved or not?"

Titus reached out and gently grabbed my hand. I wanted to pull away from him but his hand felt warm and almost comforting. "The peace talks with your father were torture," he said. "For hours, I would sit in that stuffy room with him and listen to him berate and insult me and I would have to take it because I didn't want war. You were the only thing I had to look forward to when I visited your kingdom." He started to rub small circles in the back of my hand. "Every chance you got, you tried to make me feel welcome. You would start conversations with me at meals and offer to show me around the palace." He smiled softly. "I know you were just trying to smooth over your father's mistakes. But I grew to care for you anyway."

I swallowed. "You did?" He was right-- I had been trying to make up for the abuse my father was putting him through. But I enjoyed it anyway. Titus was easy to talk to. In another life, we might have been friends.

"Yes. I couldn't bear the thought of you getting hurt or killed." He sighed. "I'm afraid I won't take no for an answer when it comes to marrying you. If you wish it to be in name only, then I'll understand. But at least give me the chance to show you how much I want you and how good I can make you feel."

I bit my lip. I knew what he meant and despite myself my pussy grew wet at the thought. I had always been attracted to Titus. It was difficult not to be. He was only a few years older than me, with dark black hair and bright blue eyes. I knew he would make me feel very good. My resolve started to weaken.

He stepped closer to me, until we were mere inches apart. "I know you're attracted to me, princess. I can see it in your eyes." He cupped my cheek with his hand. I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of it. "I can make you feel so good. I promise. I can show you it's not an act. I can show you how much I want you. If only you let me."

Before I could respond, he leaned down and kissed me. His lips were gentle, yet firm. The kiss was only for a mere moment before he pulled back with a gentle sigh. A moan escaped my lips.

He smiled. "Let's go somewhere a little more private." He led me through the gardens to a small gazebo. It was completely enclosed with stained glass windows that would conceal us from prying eyes. He opened the door for me and closed it behind us.

The inside of the gazebo was lined with cushioned benches. Just enough light shone in to illuminate the small but comfortable place. "Do you like it?" he asked. "This is where I go when I need a break from my responsibilities."

"It's beautiful," I said honestly. I knew this gazebo was only a small scrap of the wealth Titus possessed. I couldn't imagine what it would mean to be Queen of such a wealthy kingdom. And I couldn't believe I was even considering it.

Titus walked up behind me and put his arms around my waist. "Are you nervous being alone with me?" He whispered in my ear. His warm breath on the back of my neck sent shivers down my spine.

"It doesn't matter if I'm alone with you or not," I said. "It's your kingdom. You may do what you wish."

"It's your kingdom too. At least it will be once you marry me." He pressed a kiss to the curve of my neck and I gasped. "Do you like it when I kiss you there?"

"Yes," I admitted.

He smiled. "Good." He trailed kisses down my neck. Every kiss sent a small shock of pleasure through me. He spun me around to face him. With one hand, he raised my chin so I was looking directly at him. "Do you want me to continue? If you say no, then I'll stop and escort you to your bedchambers. I won't throw you in the dungeon. You'll be treated as a guest of honor."

I bit my lip. It felt too good to be true. We were enemies only a few hours ago. But he had no reason to lie to me. I was helpless against him. Even if I did manage to escape his kingdom, which was highly unlikely, I had no money and no connections to help me survive, let alone take back my kingdom. So why waste the energy of lying to me? Could it be he was telling the truth?

He brought my hand to his lips. "What do you want, princess?" he asked. "Please, tell me." His voice almost pleaded with me.

"I-I want you." I felt my cheeks burn and I looked down, feeling suddenly shy. I couldn't believe I just admitted to wanting Titus, my father's sworn enemy. My father's killer. But I did. Right now, I wanted him more than anything.

He smiled, looking relieved. "Good." He leaned down and kissed me again. This time, I only hesitated a little before giving into the kiss. I wrapped my arms around his waist as our lips melded together.

His hands went to my back and he slowly started to undo the laces. "You're so beautiful, Scarlet," he whispered as he slowly pushed my dress down.

Only in my chemise, I felt so vulnerable. My nipples were hard and completely visible through the thin fabric. Titus's eyes darkened at the sight of them. I resisted the urge to cover myself.

He unbuttoned his own shirt and took it off, revealing his hard, muscular body underneath. I bit my lip. Before becoming king, Titus had commanded the military and insisted on always leading his troops into battle. Clearly, he still trained with his army, because he had a warrior's body. I couldn't help but look at all the scars dotting his skin from various battles.

"Do you want to touch me, Scarlet?" he asked.

I felt myself blush again. I had never touched a man before. I wouldn't even know how or if it was proper.

Titus grabbed my hand and pressed it against his chest. "It's okay," he said. "You can touch me wherever you like."

His chest was warm and his muscles were firm under soft skin. I slowly ran my hands over his muscles, feeling the soft rise and fall of his chest as I explored him. Titus held still, letting me run my hands over his shoulders and arms. His muscles flexed underneath my touch and I could feel their quiet strength. I laced my hands in his and stood on my tiptoes so I could kiss him.

Titus groaned and pulled me up against his body as he kissed me back. "Lie down on the bench," he said. "Now."

I shivered at his commanding tone but obeyed, lying down on the soft cushion. Titus followed me and got on top of me. As he kissed me, one of his hands went to my breast. He cupped it over the chemise, his thumb running over my nipple. I gasped and shut my eyes as tingles of pleasure washed over me. He trailed kisses down my neck and to my collarbone. Slowly, he pulled my chemise down to reveal by breasts. He groaned. "You're perfect. More perfect than I could have imagined." Gently, he took one of my nipples into his mouth.

I cried out in shock as his tongue flicked over my nipple. As he teased and tormented me, my pussy grew wet. I needed him in me. It was the only thing I could think about. I pressed my hips against his and I could feel his erection through his pants. It felt big, much bigger than I thought a man could be. How would that ever fit inside me?

Titus groaned and shoved my chemise skirt up to my waist to reveal my wet pussy underneath. He was panting as his movements became more urgent. He sat up and started to unbutton his pants to pull out his big, hard cock.

I stared at it with fascination and excitement, but also a hint of fear. How would he ever fit inside me?

He stroked it slowly while he watched me through hooded eyes. "Do you see how hard you make me?" he asked. "Do you finally understand how much I want you?"

I bit my lip. I didn't know what to say. Luckily, he didn't need an answer. He positioned his cock head at my entrance before slowly pushing in.

I cried out and gripped the edge of the seat under me. It felt like his cock was splitting me in two. He leaned down to kiss my hair. "Shh, it's okay, princess. Just relax. You're doing so well, my love."

As he whispered reassurances into my hair, I slowly started to relax. He held still, letting me get used to his cock inside me.

Titus groaned softly and started trailing kisses down my neck. Every kiss sent a shock of pleasure through me. I closed my eyes, losing myself in the pleasure.

He started to thrust in and out of me. He moved slowly. The control he needed was obvious with the way his breath came out in a shuddering gasp. Cautiously, I lifted my hips to meet his, which pushed him even deeper inside me. He groaned and his eyes darkened. A hint of a smile graced his lips before he started thrusting in and out of me, faster and faster. "You're so sexy, princess," He said. His hand slid up my thigh to touch my slick folds, right above where his cock was pounding me. His thumb brushed against the small, sensitive pearl right above my entrance. I gasped and gripped the bench below me as he started to play with it.

"What are you doing?" I gasped.

He grinned. "Have you never played with yourself before? Not even in the middle of the night when you are alone in your room?"

I blushed and shook my head. Aside from the mechanics of sex, I knew next to nothing about it or physical pleasure. I never knew it could feel so good to be touched right there.

"That's all right," he growled. "I can show you. I can make you feel so good, Scarlet. Better than you would ever believe." His lips claimed mine as his fingers teased my sensitive little clit. He thrust faster and faster into me and I moaned. All of the sensations were so overwhelming but better than I could have ever thought. He groaned softly as he licked my bottom lip before his tongue entered my mouth.

The pleasure inside of me felt like it was building to something even more, although I had no idea what that could be. It felt so scary but so tempting at the same time.

"Come for me, Scarlet," he whispered against my mouth. "Let me take you over the edge. Come for me."

I whimpered and he pinched my clit. Suddenly the pleasure burst inside me. My eyes flew open as it took over me, radiating through every part of my body. I shook from the force of it.

Titus kissed my forehead. "Good girl," He said. "You're perfect, princess." He started to thrust into me faster and faster even as I started to recover from the pleasure that had coursed through me. His breath started to come out in harsh pants and his movements became more urgent. My arms wrapped around his waist and I pulled him closer, knowing he was about to go over the edge like I did.

Suddenly he stilled and let out a shuddering gasp. Hot liquid spurted inside me and I whimpered. Titus groaned and buried his face in my neck as he recovered.

We lied like that for several minutes. Then he got off me and buttoned up his pants. I sat up, my skirt falling back over my legs. I struggled to right my bodice but I still felt so shaky from what I had just experienced.

"Let me get that for you," Titus said. Gently, he pulled my chemise and dress up to cover my breast before leaning over me to tie the laces in the back.

I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes as he did that. It felt so good.

Once he had finished, he kissed the top of my head. "I love you, Scarlet," he said. "I can't wait for you to be my queen."

I smiled slightly. "I'm all yours, my king."