by Alex Tryst

Dedication & Author's Note: To Carla, as always, you have been a tremendous help to me on this project and throughout our many years together as writer and editor. To Amy, for always fixing my historical inaccuracies.

Author's Note: Even though this is technically the second book in a series, I have been told by my betas that it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone piece. You will find characters from book one here and find resolutions to some loose ends from the last book. However, it is not a necessity that you read it to fully enjoy this one. In fact, since it’s been six years between the books, I recommend just jumping into this one.

Feedback: Drop me a line if you’d like at alextryst@e-scribblers.com.

Copyright © June, 2008 by Alex Tryst. All Rights Reserved.

---

Alexa Washington looked skyward in her boredom that afternoon and sighed. She had come to the Kentucky Derby as part of a family tradition presumably started generations previously with her great-grandparents King George IV and Queen Victoria. Historians recounted that the king had a great love of horses, which began his annual pilgrimage to the state of Kentucky with his wife and in later years his wife and their daughter Alexa who had become the country’s first female ruler since its inception and for whom the current princess was named. However, her reign lasted only days when she laid down her life to save her greatest love, her wife Queen Lara, and their child Faith, mother of the current Alexa.

The second queen, Alexa Georgianna Faith Washington, had officially ruled America since that fateful occasion even though she was merely an infant, allowing her reign to be the longest in American history. Sixty years Alexa’s mother had been the queen, and apparently she had inherited the love of the derby from her mother and grandfather, so every year the entire royal family was required to attend the event. Princess Alexa herself did enjoy riding as well, but at her age of twenty-five, she was more interested in activities other than sitting in the royal box pretending to be enthralled in a horse race.

Her eyes shifted around the box at her other family members. There were her parents, Queen Faith and Prince Thomas. Her brother Prince George and his wife Princess Kelly were there engaged in conversation with each other and hardly paying attention to anything going on around them as Kelly rocked their infant daughter Princess Morgan. Her extended royal family of aunts Princess Victoria and Princess Katherine, as well as Katherine’s wife Princess Nicole, was chatting amiably about what she couldn’t quite discern. Her one uncle, Victoria’s husband Prince Edward, was talking with her father, and her twin cousins Princess Lara and Princess Kate were obviously interested in watching people in the crowd and commenting on everyone’s formal attire.

Princess Alexa just sighed to herself as she thought how odd it seemed to be there at the Kentucky Derby without her grandmother, The Queen Mother Lara Washington. Lara had passed away only months before, and the idea of being there without her weighed heavily on Alexa’s heart. She always had a special relationship with her grandmother. Lara would often tell the heir to the throne stories of her grandmother, Queen Alexa. Her grandmother was a beloved icon in not only the country’s history but also the royal family. Although the shortest reign of the Washington dynasty, Queen Alexa had moved the country with her eternal devotion to her wife and child, her benevolent sacrifice the cornerstone of her legacy. The Queen Mother had spent the rest of her life fulfilling what should have been Alexa’s destiny in her memory and filling Princess Alexa’s head with the grandeur of the woman for whom she was named. Furthermore, her grandmother impressed upon her the duties of following such great leaders as her grandmother and mother.

There were many times over the course of Alexa’s life that she would sit with her beloved grandmother and listen to how much alike she was in look and personality to the former queen. The mere gaze Lara would get in her eyes when speaking of her late wife was of such fondness that Alexa cherished being thought of as the closest relative to being like her. However, it was not only her family that conceded the likeness. The media and country constantly compared her to the late ruler. In fact, it was widely thought that Alexa would fulfill her grandmother’s legacy as the greatest sovereign the country had ever had. Although at that moment she was just the heir to the throne, with her own mother a powerful yet genteel ruler who brought true aristocracy to the position, while Alexa was seen as the wild child who would one day be queen.

Deciding she needed a change of scenery from her own family, the princess stood from her seat and turned toward her mother. “Mother, I am going to go call on the Adams,” she said.

The queen nodded her head. “Very well. Mind your manners and stay out of trouble, will you?” she said with a smile.

“I will try. Meredith said she would be attending, and I have not seen her in a few weeks,” she mentioned.

“I know. She has been far too busy with her position at the Musical Arts Foundation. She has not been to any functions at the palace in the last several months. The press is beginning to wonder about your lack of time together.”

“Well, seeing us here today then should only make things better,” she stated.

“Yes, it should.” As Alexa turned to go, her mother took her by the hand. “Button your shirt properly, Lex.”

The princess sighed but did as she was told, buttoning the white starched shirt all the way to the top sans the button on the collar. Brushing over the lapels of her formal morning suit jacket, she inquired, “Better?”

“Much. You now look more like the princess you are. Go have fun and give Lord and Lady Adams my regards.”

With that Alexa headed out of the booth under escort to where the Adams family box was. The Adams, one of the noble houses, had always been close to the royal family. In fact, her aunt Victoria had married an Adams herself, but thankfully Meredith Adams was far enough removed in relation to Alexa’s uncle Edward that the public did not frown upon the relationship they had begun two summers previous. Strolling down to their box, she was greeted by all the passers-by with the utmost respect as they all bowed before her. She just gave a charming smile to all her constituents, as she knew was proper, but her mind was really on seeing her girlfriend.

When she arrived to the place where the Adams always sat, she was greeted with fanfare typical of a royal arrival. Her girlfriend curtsied in her presence before giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek. Alexa returned the affection as she complimented, “You look radiant today, Meredith. Your dress and hat are stunning.”

“Thank you, Lex. I must say you look dashing. Suits definitely become you.”

Alexa simply smiled at the comment. She hated dressing up, but she knew it was unavoidable. The only consolation was that she was allowed to wear whatever she wanted, so often she and her brother would use the same tailor. That day she was wearing a morning suit, the gray trousers with a white shirt, gray vest, and black coat with tails. Instead of the traditional white tie like her brother was wearing, she opted for pearl buttons to complete her outfit. Of course typical of the young heir’s personality, her dark aviator sunglasses hid her dark eyes, and her brown chin-length hair was carefully disheveled, giving her the edge of magnetism and danger people had come to expect.

“My mother sends her regards, Lord and Lady Adams,” she said once everyone had been seated once again.

“How is your mother?” Meredith asked. “I have not seen her in awhile.”

“I know. We were talking of just that very thing earlier. Your absence at the palace has been noticed. My mother feels you are being over-worked at the foundation.”

“Well, then I shall make more of an effort to spend more time at the palace lest my presence be forgotten all together,” she replied with a smile, placing her hand on Alexa’s forearm.

“That could never happen, Meredith. You have the admiration of the queen. Nothing can change that, not even months apart.”

“Yes but months apart from you could cause her disapproval. After all, it is my duty to attend to the land’s greatest ruler-to-be.”

Casting a charming one-sided grin at her girlfriend, she leaned toward her ear. Softly so no one could hear her, she whispered, “Speaking of attending to me, I was wondering if I might convince you to take a stroll.”

Meredith returned the smile and nodded. “Whatever you wish, your highness,” she said placing her hand in Alexa’s. The princess stood and then helped her tall elegant girlfriend to her feet. Turning to her parents, Meredith said, “Lex and I are going for a walk. We will be back later.”

Her father gave a grin in Alexa’s direction. “Take care of each other, you two. The press is about.”

Alexa guided Meredith out of the box. Immediately her security escort that had been waiting stepped to them and then fell several footsteps behind, seeming to instinctively know the couple wanted some privacy. Hand in hand they walked through the grounds, greeting patrons pleasantly and even posing for a few photographs, but they managed to make their way to a small grove of trees in solitude. Coming to one tree in particular, they stopped. Meredith leaned against the trunk slightly and gave her girlfriend a pretty smile. “I have missed you, Lex,” she admitted, putting her hands on the lapels of Alexa’s jacket.

The princess gave her typical dashing bright smile. “I have missed you as well,” she confessed, leaning in and propping her forearm up against the trunk over her dark-haired girlfriend’s head. Instantly their lips met in a soft exchange.

Meredith moaned but then gently pushed her suitor away when Alexa tried to make things more intimate between them. “Lex, we are not alone.”

“So? It is no secret that we are seeing each other. It does not bother me if they see us.”

“But your mother. She would not look highly upon people seeing us this way.”

“My mother. You know what my mother truly wants? She wants the media to see us happy. She is concerned about the speculation in the news that our relationship is on the rocks with all our time apart. She would not mind the public seeing us enjoying each other’s company a little,” she pressed, trying once again to kiss the brunette.

Meredith allowed her to do so. However, after a few minutes, she suggested, “Take off this coat. It must be hot to be in all this wool.”

Alexa nodded in agreement and shed her jacket. She tossed it over a low hanging branch. Looking back at her girlfriend, she asked, “Would you mind if we dispensed with this beautiful hat?”

“I do not mind as long as you do not mess up my hair. It took a long time to get it up this morning,” she warned.

Alexa nodded her head in understanding. Taking the hat from Meredith’s head, she placed it on another branch. “Your hair looks good like that,” she said, gazing at the long dark hair that had been swept up into an exquisite twist. “Of course I love being able to run my hands through it.”

“I know, but for once you must resist your urges.”

Giving a low laugh, the princess nipped her girlfriend’s ear lightly. “Oh the urges I have when I am with you, Mere,” she growled, pulling the brunette’s body closer to her own by sliding an arm around her waist. “Tell me. What is the most convenient access into your dress?”

Meredith laughed and slapped at the hands running over the bodice of her formal gown. “You are incorrigible, Lex. Absolutely scandalous,” she giggled, raking fingers through the heir’s dark hair as Alexa kissed along her jaw. When their eyes met again, Meredith gently removed Alexa’s sunglasses and hung them from the buttonhole on her girlfriend’s collar. “I much prefer seeing your eyes when we kiss,” she said, sliding her arms around Alexa’s neck.

“And I like kissing,” Alexa whispered seductively before finding soft lips again. “I just wish you would cease torturing me so. You know I need more than your sweet lips murmuring soft nothings. You know my needs extend beyond holding your hand and tasting your enticing mouth.”

“I know, your highness, but you know the law.”

“Probably not as well as you do, Meredith. Surely there is some loophole. I am sure the law says nothing about making me suffer cold lonely nights, not when there is such warmth in your embrace.”

“Oh no. The law is specific, and even if it was not, the queen has made it quite clear. It is only the chaste that wins her favor for your hand. Pure in heart and body is a requirement to be your bride. Queen Faith would accept nothing else.”

“But it is not my mother’s choice. It is mine. No one has to know, Meredith. I will not tell a soul. Just let me sample the treasures you possess.”

Meredith gave a pretty smile but rebuffed her sovereign. “You may taste my pleasures only after we have been wed. After that I am yours any and every time you desire me.”

Moaning in frustration, the princess pulled back. She knew she would not sway her girlfriend of two years. Meredith would do whatever the queen wanted in order to ensure Alexa’s hand. The princess knew Meredith was her mother’s preference for Alexa’s bride, and even as tempting as the graceful woman was, the heir had her doubts about taking her girlfriend as a wife. Nevertheless, she didn’t voice that. Instead she simply wrapped her in her arms once again and placed a wholesome kiss on her forehead. “You drive me delirious, my darling Mere.”

“Do you honestly think that I do not think on what it might be like between us, Lex? Trust me. Under other circumstances I would have already succumbed to your magnificent enticement.” Meredith cast her eyes around them to make sure they were in privacy before bringing their bodies together tightly. Taking the crowned princess by the hand, she pressed it against her left breast and held it there. “My body aches for your caress,” she breathlessly confessed.

Alexa’s eyes flashed wantonly at the feeling of the soft flesh in her hand. Meredith had never allowed her to touch her that way. Knowing they could be caught in the compromised position, she reluctantly let go but not before giving a tender squeeze, just enough to elicit a mewling sound from her girlfriend. “I wish we had time to explore this conversation more, but I fear I cannot without doing something inappropriate, my sweet. Perhaps when we return back to D.C. we can take the opportunity to discuss this further.”

Meredith nodded her head. “We should return. My parents may begin to wonder about us.”

Alexa nodded as well as she picked up her girlfriend’s hat and extended it to her. She then retrieved her own coat and slipped it on. “Do I look suitable?” she asked.

“You look fine except for this lipstick.” Meredith wiped it from Alexa’s mouth with her fingertips. “What about me?”

“You are beautiful. Come along now. Let me escort you back.”

Later that day the royal family returned to D.C. in one of their jets. Alexa had made arrangements to spend time with Meredith the following day at their estate in Virginia to go horseback riding and be alone together, so she retired to her quarters when they got home, because she knew she had an early morning ahead of her.

The next day when Alexa arrived for her breakfast after an early run along the grounds, the sight of her parents discussing something that appeared to be in the paper greeted her. Both of them smiled at her as she came into the room. “Lex, good morning. We were just talking of you.”

“Good morning, Mother, Father. What have I done now to be the object of a hushed conversation?”

Faith smiled as she extended the morning newspapers in her direction. “You made quite an impression with Meredith yesterday. The presses have published all kinds of photographs of the two of you sharing time together. They are speculating that wedding bells might not be too far away for the happy couple,” she teased lightly.

Alexa looked at the front pages of several publications. “Well, you did suggest we make ourselves seem close.”

“I would say you accomplished that and then some. I especially like this one. You two look so happy here,” Faith mentioned, pointing to the picture of Alexa kissing Meredith on the forehead. “It is so sweet. Of course some of these leave no doubt as to your desires to be alone with each other. I do not know if you have seen the news this morning on TV. They have footage of the two of you together.”

“I can only imagine of what.”

“Fortunately it was not too intimate. You two are only kissing passionately, but I am happy to know you were on good behavior.”

“Yes, Mother. Meredith is a lady. I would never take advantage of a lady.”

“I know that. However, after seeing these photographs, it does beg the question of whether you are prepared to make a proposal to Lady Meredith Adams. The time certainly is appropriate,” her mother hinted, taking a sip of her hot tea.

Alexa sighed her displeasure with the direction the conversation was suddenly taking. “Mother, I am not ready to marry anyone. I care for Meredith, and I enjoy spending time with her, but I do not wish to make any kind of marriage proposal at this time.”

“But, Lex, the country wants to see you wed. You are twenty-five, and people want to see you happy.”

“They want to see me having children is what you are trying to say, are you not, Mother?” she pointedly questioned.

“That as well. You are the heir to the throne. Your grandmothers were already well into having my sisters and me by your age. My mother had already taken on the duties of Regent, running the country due to my grandfather’s ailing health by the time she was twenty-five. She had the responsibility of the entire country. I have had it officially since I was twenty-one. You have not taken on any royal duties as of yet, and I feel it is time for you to do so. You should start by growing up and taking a wife. George is already married with a child. The people are ready to see the same for you. Meredith is your perfect match. I do not understand why you postpone the inevitable. The two of you would make beautiful intelligent children. She loves you, Lex. She has told me as much, and I know that you feel deeply for her.”

Alexa nodded. “I will concede that I have feelings, but I am not ready, Mother.”

“My mother was not ready when the princess proposed to her nor was I ready when your father proposed to me, but once we made that commitment to each other, I realized I had just been afraid of the unknown. It is your obligation to your country not to delay this any longer. You must marry Meredith. She is the appropriate woman for you.”

Alexa rolled her eyes and sighed. “And if I say that I will not?” she questioned defiantly.

“You would not do that. You know I would never wish to force my hand with you, Alexa, but as your queen I could do so. I am doing this for your own good. Once you are married, you will thank me.”

“Father, have you anything to say about this?”

“Best to listen to your mother, Alexa, and if you cannot do that, you can at the very least comply with the wishes of your sovereign,” he said firmly. “Your mother is correct. You have led a life of leisure up until now, but that will end with your marriage to Meredith. You will become the responsible princess and heir you are supposed to be. The people will rest easier knowing you are wed and planning a family. That is your primary responsibility to your family and your country.”

Knowing she was not going to win the argument with her parents, Alexa was quiet a moment. The queen had made up her mind, and Alexa knew once that had happened, she would not be swayed from her course. She had seen it since she was a child. That was the kind of leader her mother was, methodical but decisive. The princess knew the choice had been made for her, and she was obligated to adhere to her parents’ wishes. At least hoping to stall for more time, she said, “All right. I know when a battle is futile. I will propose to Meredith but not before I leave for flight school. I will do so on my return.”

Queen Faith nodded her head in agreement. “Very well. Three months will not matter much in the long run. In the meantime I will see to the rings, especially since you will not be available. That will give the jeweler ample time to create something for the two of you. The standard royal rings are most appropriate I think.”

“Of course.”

“Good. I am glad that has finally been decided. When are you and George heading for Florida?”

“The day after tomorrow. Today Meredith and I are going to the country estate to go riding and have some time together. I will not be back until tomorrow evening.”

Her mother raised a fair brow at her. “I do hope you plan on behaving while you and Meredith are alone. That is highly against protocol, Alexa.”

The princess shrugged her shoulders. “If she is to be my wife, you will have to start trusting me with her, Mother. She holds her virtue closely. You should not fear that an overzealous princess could divest the lady of her chastity.”

“See that you do not. You know the law is quite explicit on that subject.”

“Yes, I do. Although I have yet to figure out why.”

“It should be obvious. No one but the sovereign should know their spouse. Anything else would be inappropriate.”

“Even though that is true, I still do not see why an heir cannot enjoy their lover before the marriage. This notion of virginity on a wedding night is so antiquated. The laws are clear that an heir can enjoy anyone they choose before and after their marriage save their intended. I do not understand why they cannot savor the one person they wish to be with most. The idea is counter-intuitive and ridiculous in my opinion.”

“Well, as interesting an opinion as that is, that is not what the law states. It says you must choose someone among us, and Meredith’s family has been in the ruling class since this country was founded. The other stipulation is that they are a virgin. It is not just for the brides of royals, Alexa, but the husbands too. This is not some discriminatory law against women you know.”

Alexa glanced at her father who was nodding in her direction. When understanding dawned on her on what her mother was trying to say, she grumbled, “That was more than I ever wanted to know about the two of you.”

“That is the law, Alexa, and you will observe it, or you will have to answer for your actions. Meredith knows the laws and has been willing to comply so must you. If you so much as coerce her into anything other than dignified behavior, just know that I will be seriously displeased. When you become queen, you can feel free to change any laws that you like, but for now you will live under my rules. Do you understand?” the queen questioned with an edge to her voice.

Alexa nodded, knowing her mother was growing tired of her insubordinate nature at the moment. However, she too was becoming irritated with the entire conversation and wisecracked, “Yes, your majesty. I understand.” With that she stood from the table. “Now if you will excuse me I must be going. I have to pick up Meredith in a little while.”

Later that day Alexa and Meredith arrived at the country palace in the Shenandoah Valley. While the servants took their luggage into their separate quarters, the two of them headed down to the stables holding hands. Alexa looked over at her girlfriend as she thought of the conversation she had with her mother that morning. The woman walking next to her would become her wife and queen when the time arrived. Even though Alexa was nervous about that prospect, she figured Meredith was probably the best choice for her given the limitations she faced. She had always gotten along with her girlfriend. They had never fought, so she didn’t think quarreling would be a part of their marriage either. In fact, the only resistance Meredith ever showed her was whenever Alexa became too amorously inclined for what was proper in their stations in life.

The queen was right, she figured. It was her duty to marry and have children to carry on the Washington line, and Meredith was a perfect woman with which to do that. She had fine qualities and seemed to be capable of being a kind mother to any children they might have. Alexa’s only concern was the passion of their relationship. The longing to be with Meredith barely went beyond wishing to conquer her, and she just didn’t know if she could come to feel more. Furthermore, when she looked into Meredith’s eyes, she wasn’t sure of the woman’s feelings. Meredith spoke all the right words and acted the right way, but the princess just wasn’t necessarily convinced that her girlfriend was in love. Alexa had a suspicion that Meredith was more interested in the crown than her, but she would never be able to prove that notion. Alexa wanted to feel deliriously in love the way she thought her grandmothers had been. The Queen Mother had spun the most romantic notions about her relationship with Queen Alexa, and those tales became the basis the princess used to judge a prospective partner. By those standards she and Meredith would never be more than good friends who shared their bed for the sake of their country. There was no doubt that she wanted to bed Lady Meredith Adams, but once she had she wondered if that desire would fade or if their relationship might grow into more.

“You seem preoccupied today,” Meredith mentioned, squeezing Alexa’s hand. “Are you all right?”

“I am fine. I was just thinking about a talk I had with my mother this morning. Sometimes it is difficult to have the queen for a mother. I cannot just throw a child-like tantrum, because I wish to do something other than what my mother wishes. I still am obliged to obey her, because she is the queen. That has always been difficult.”

“I am sure it has, especially for you. You are not known for following orders well,” she teased. “But I love you for being a progressive thinker, even if it goes directly against the laws. You have passion for life, Lex.”

Raising her girlfriend’s hand to her lips, she kissed the back of it sweetly. “I love you, too, Mere,” she said, hoping that it sounded convincing to her company. The flush that appeared on the shorter woman’s face made her confident that she had been successful. For the rest of the afternoon the two women rode through the countryside horseback enjoying each other’s company. Alexa talked little as she contemplated the way her life was going to change when she and George returned from their military flight school.

The siblings had been looking forward to those three months together learning the lost art of military aircraft. The country had moved into unmanned crafts for the most common exercises, because the technology was reliable at much less expense. However, there were a select few pilots left throughout the Navy and Air Force, and all of them were gathering at the airbase in Florida for advanced training and a flight competition. The Washington children were among the Navy’s finest aviators and had been invited to participate, much to their joy. Both of them adored the rush of exhilaration at the speed and altitude of the jets, and given their natural rivalry were eager at the chance to outdo the other in the contest, even though it was widely thought that George was the best pilot in the military.

However, Alexa now had mixed feelings about the excursion. She was glad to be able to retreat from her real life. She would not have to be subjected to her parents or spend time with Meredith pretending to be content with her life. She could do as she chose at any time for a short while, but she also knew after that morning that it would be the last time such an opportunity would ever exist for her. Her life would change, and she would be forced to mature into a respected leader. It was something she knew she could do, but she enjoyed her freedoms quite a bit as well.

After a late dinner that evening, the two women were in the study sitting together on the sofa sipping wine and enjoying a fire in the fireplace. Neither spoke for a while but finally Meredith mentioned, “That argument with your mother must have been serious. I have never seen you so withdrawn in your entire life.”

Alexa gave a slow nod. It was true. She was acting highly out of character, and she wasn’t surprised Meredith noticed. After all, they had known each other for their entire lives. The Adams and Washingtons were close families. Alexa could remember when Meredith was born, and she never thought when she was eighteen that she would end up proposing to the twelve-year-old who followed George and her around incessantly whenever their families would congregate. How much Meredith had changed over her teenage years, transforming from an awkward and annoying kid into a beautiful intelligent young woman. “It was,” Alexa replied softly. “To make it worse my father sided with her.”

“Whatever it was, it will pass.”

“I know.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

The princess shook her head. “I do not want to burden you with my troubles.”

“Lex, I am always here for you. You know that.”

“I know.”

“I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better.” The women looked at each other, but then Meredith gave a shy little grin. “I have an idea,” she whispered, putting both their wine glasses on the coffee table in front of them. Turning toward her girlfriend, she leaned in and kissed her gently. Alexa responded in kind, bringing her arms around the younger woman. “I have been thinking about this since we were at the Derby,” Meredith whispered as both women became more involved with their mouths.

“Me too,” Alexa confessed. For several minutes they kissed before Alexa brought her girlfriend to sit straddled across her legs. Moving from Meredith’s lips, her mouth trailed down along her neck as her hands began to roam over the brunette’s back. “You feel incredibly good right now,” the princess growled softly.

“So do you, Lex,” Meredith breathlessly replied pressing their bodies closer. Taking Alexa’s right hand, she placed it over her left breast and whispered, “Touch me here.”

The older woman obliged moving her hands along Meredith’s breasts. Their kissing continued as Alexa’s hands fondled her girlfriend lightly at first but then with increasing pressure, enjoying the way Meredith’s body responded, her back arching pushing herself deeper into the caress. “Do you enjoy that?” needlessly Alexa asked as her lips moved to her girlfriend’s ear.

Meredith gave a moan and nod. “I like having you touch me.”

“I can touch more of you if you want,” Alexa offered as her fingers moved to the buttons on Meredith’s blouse. She didn’t wait for an answer before opening several. Not hearing a dissent, she kept going until it was opened completely. There was a brief pause as their eyes met. Alexa saw questions in her girlfriend’s eyes, but Meredith said nothing. Alex ran her right hand slowly over Meredith’s shoulder along her collarbone and down over the exposed skin of her of her upper chest eliciting a shiver from the woman astride her. Her hand methodically moved along the edge of the satin bra before her fingers slipped beneath the material to touch Meredith’s bare breast. The smaller woman trembled but still said nothing. Although her body spoke for her as a gasp escaped her mouth. Knowing that Meredith could pull away at any moment, Alexa moved slowly. Her lips went back to her girlfriend’s as her hand simply rested where it was. The heat that suffused Meredith’s skin made it obvious that she was enjoying the attention, but her actions were still timid.

The princess could feel her own body beginning to simmer. She had never been this intimate with Meredith before, and it was thrilling to be able to feel some of the body over which she had fantasized. Meredith’s skin was incredibly soft. Unable to control herself, her hands began to grope with more insistence as their mouths conveyed their rising ardor. Going with the moment, Alexa let her mouth wander over Meredith’s neck down her chest and over the clothed right breast.

Meredith gave a loud cry, but her hands were suddenly on the heir’s shoulders applying resistance. “Alexa, we cannot.”

“Yes, we can.”

“No, I cannot. The laws says...”

“I know what the law says, Mere. It says nothing about two lovers enjoying each other’s bodies before they are married. It simply states we cannot consummate the relationship.”

“But...”

“But nothing. We are not doing anything wrong,” she pressed continuing with her pace.

Meredith moaned but tried again. “Lex, please stop. I must protest. As good as this feels, I cannot allow us to continue. If I grant you this, I am afraid I will not be able to resist granting you all,” she confessed.

“That is what I want.”

“I know, and it is what I want as well, Lex, but we must abide by the law.”

“But I want to make love to you, Meredith. It will be a long time before we see each other again.”

“I know, and I want that as well, but we both must speak for our actions. I, for one, am not prepared to explain to the queen what has taken place between us. Are you?”

“My mother knows how I feel on this subject. We are not of the same mind.”

Taking the taller woman’s hands in her own, Meredith took several deep breaths. “Alexa, you know that once we are married, I will always be available to you, but until then I must remain faithful to the law regardless of my own feelings.”

“She will never have to know, Meredith.”

“She will know, Alexa. You may be able to lie to your mother, but I cannot lie to my queen. She will ask, and I must be truthful. Now perhaps it might be best if we were to retire for the night. Time apart will settle our desires.”

Alexa sighed. She knew she would not be able to sway her girlfriend, so she simply nodded her head. “Very well. I will walk you to your room.”

The women slowly made their way down several long corridors until they got to Meredith’s quarters. Alexa paused at the door, knowing she shouldn’t go inside even as much as she wanted to at that moment. Meredith smiled up at her and took a moment to brush some dark hair behind her girlfriend’s ear. “I love you, Lex. I hope you know that.”

“I know, and I love you too, Mere. This is just getting more difficult, though. I do not like being put off this way, even though I know you are trying to do the right thing. I guess I just do not like how much my mother seems to be in this relationship.”

“She is not really. It is just the two of us. If you were not the heir to the throne, our relationship would be much different. This is just the path we both must walk. You know it is true.”

Alexa conceded with a nod. “I know that, but I still get frustrated.”

“The sooner we are married the sooner the torture comes to an end. That is all it will take.”

“I realize that, but what you and my mother do not seem to understand is that I am not ready to give up my life as it is currently to be married. Once I am married, I have to be this responsible princess and live my life for others. Right now I am still more interested in living life for myself. I have very little time left to do so, and I want to use it to its fullest.”

“I cannot argue with that. I will wait as long as you need me to, but that only means you must also wait.”

“Yes, it does. However, at this point in time, it is a sacrifice I am willing to make. I hope you understand that.”

“I do. I know once we marry the pressure will be on us to produce heirs directly. I am not exactly looking forward to such time, but I know it will be my position to do so. I am only nineteen after all, and sometimes I feel as if I am sacrificing my entire life for this fate, but I am willing to, because I have a chance to serve you and the country well. Not all women can make such a claim.”

“No, they cannot. Well, I should let you retire. You know where I will be if you need me,” she said, leaning to kiss her girlfriend lightly on the lips.

“Good night, Lex. Sleep well.”

“You too, darling Mere.”

With that the princess took her leave, heading down the hall to where her quarters were. She spent the next several hours reading, but she was restless. Consulting her watch she realized it was past 1:00 and decided she should attempt sleep. Dressing in her pajamas, she got into bed, but her mind wandered to the woman not too far away. She really wished she was sharing her bed with Meredith at the moment, even if they were not having sex. Thinking on that for a little while, she decided to see if her girlfriend was still awake.

Getting out of bed and heading out into the corridor, she made her way down the long hall to Meredith’s room. She didn’t see a light on under the door, so she thought the younger woman was probably asleep. However, she knocked lightly anyway. There was no answer at first. Putting her hand on the doorknob, she found the door to be unlocked, so she quietly opened it. The light from the hallway flooded the darkened room to show Meredith asleep in bed.

Alexa just stood there for a moment regarding her. The nineteen-year-old’s long dark hair splayed across the pillowcase, and her lips were parted slightly. The princess thought she looked beautiful and innocent that way. Knowing she should announce her presence, she knocked on the door again. This time Meredith’s eyes fluttered and then sleepily opened.

“Lex, is that you?”

“Yes,” she whispered in reply coming into the room and shutting the door behind her. She locked it and then moved toward the bed.

“What are you doing in here? Was there something you wanted?” Meredith queried.

Alexa didn’t answer at first as she moved to the unoccupied side of the bed and slipped under the covers. She could see her girlfriend’s eyes on her, even in the dark, wide in surprise at this sudden move. “Do not be afraid, Mere. You know I would never hurt you.”

“Lex, you should not be in here.”

“I want to be with you, Meredith, even if it is just to hold you.”

“Alexa, we should not.”

“I promise I will not act inappropriately with you. I merely wish to hold you through the night. Have I ever broken a promise to you?” she inquired as her left arm slipped around her girlfriend’s waist.

“No, your highness. You have never betrayed my trust.”

“Do you trust me now then? Will you allow me to stay here with you?”

There was a pause of silence as they looked at each other in the dark. Finally Meredith answered, “If it pleases you, your highness, you may stay as long as you wish.”

“Thank you,” Alexa murmured, leaning and kissing Meredith on the temple. She knew to do more would be breaking her word, so she simply snuggled closely, and the two were silent. Quickly sleep found Meredith again, leaving Alexa awake to ponder her life. She gazed at the sleeping woman next to her. She had never spent an entire night with another woman, even with all her tawdry affairs the public so avidly expected from the young heir, so she was eager to experience it to its fullest even if she could not consummate the relationship she had with Meredith. Long into the night she laid awake delighting in the pleasure of holding a beautiful woman in her arms.

The next morning the princess became cognizant when she felt something softly brushing over her face. Parting her eyelids slightly she came face to face with a vision. There was Meredith propped up next to her in bed, an angelic glow cast about her from the morning sun coming in the window. The teenager’s eyes were bright, and she wore a content grin. “Good morning, Lex,” she whispered as her hand continued rubbing Alexa’s brow and forehead.

“Morning. You are in a pleasant mood.”

“Because I woke next to you. You look so amazingly sexy asleep. I thought I was dreaming at first when I saw you.”

“It is no dream,” Alexa whispered reaching up to Meredith’s face. She cupped her head and brought their mouths together slowly. Feeling their bodies pressed together with only their thin sleeping attire separating them made Alexa’s desires from the previous night bubble up to the surface of her skin. However, Meredith was not as resistant as normal. Instead she began to move against the princess in earnest as Alexa maneuvered her on top of her own body. Their legs found their way between each other’s, and their hips began to rock as their kissing became deeper.

“We are getting dangerously close to doing something we should not,” Meredith mentioned with a giggle.

“I know, but it feels so good.”

“So good,” mumbled Meredith in agreement as she rolled her hips instinctively against the strong thigh she straddled. “However, we really should stop.”

“We should,” Alexa said, doing nothing of the sort. In fact, her hands wandered more freely, moving to her girlfriend’s backside and squeezing gently.

“Lex,” she moaned.

“I am right here, Mere.”

“We need to stop,” she said again.

“But I do not want to.”

“Neither do I. You know that, but we must.” Regretfully Meredith pulled back and put distance between them. “Come on. Let us get up and dress. Could we have breakfast outside on the veranda?”

“Certainly. We can do anything you want.”

“Except what we want,” she teased ironically, rising from bed.

“Exactly.” Alexa got out of bed and moved to encircle her girlfriend’s waist from behind. She kissed the top of her head. “It would be best if I went back to my room now I suppose. I will meet you out on the veranda in a bit.”

For the rest of the day Alexa acted much more like herself. She enjoyed her day with Meredith and then returned home around dinner to pack for her trip. Her mother appeared while she was doing so. “Are you still upset with me?” she inquired, taking a seat in the bedside chair while her daughter contemplated what she was taking with her.

“Not really, Mother. The time away with Meredith did some good. I had a chance to think about things.”

“And?”

“Perhaps you are right about Meredith. She is the appropriate woman to take as a bride. I am not quite ready to make that commitment, but I know it is my obligation to do it, and I know Meredith is ready. I suppose it will be a short engagement, possibly a winter wedding.”

“Good. I am glad you have decided to take the mature approach to this. I knew you would come around given some time.”

“Well, that means I am going to treat the next three months away as the largest bachelor party known to man,” she joked.

“Do not do anything to tarnish the family, Alexa. Play all you want otherwise.”

“Oh, I will, Mother. George and I are going to have a blast.”

Continued in Chapter 2

Feed the Scribbler: alextryst@e-scribblers.com.