King of Faces: Part One (special preview)

I kissed his forehead. “I know, love. I have wanted to shout my love for you from the rooftops for ages now.” I press a finger to his lips. “But we must keep quiet. You’re so important and I wouldn’t dare be the blight on your history.”

Ludovico sat up and clutched my hand in both of his. “You would be the one most hurt,” he whispered urgently. I could see the twitch in his jaw and the fluttering of his lashes that signaled his change. I cupped my hand around his cheek and smiled at him, hoping to keep him calm and from spinning.

“I expect to be hurt,” I whispered to him. “So I don’t mind it as long as it is for you.”

Ludovico kissed me, wrapping me up in his arms again. Our passion was young and raging like a wildfire. Ludovico desired affection and acceptance so much, he was quite insatiable. It took awhile for me to get used to his desire. We also learned how to love even without sex. He brought me presents and helped get new equipment for the stables. I picked him flowers and placed them in his hair. I also baked sweets for him. I got so good at baking and decorating cakes that the kitchen staff often times asked me to help with special events. But I did it all for my Ludo. 

The years went by and soon Ludovico was crowned king. We have both grown up considerably. Ludovico is still beautiful, but he has become more manly in his appearance. His jawline could cut glass and his training with swords has made him lithe and strong. As I have aged, my young lean muscle has become more solid. I’ve also gotten a bit thicker from all my baking.

I had thought that once Ludovico became king, our time together would grow shorter and shorter and eventually he would marry. Instead, since his parents travel a lot now, Ludovico is alone more in the palace. This has led to even more stolen moments than when we were young. The fact I am head of his stable and basically king over his flock, he is able to call on me for official business. 

The rest of the staff and kingdom knows of Ludovico’s love for animals, so conferring with his Head of Stables isn’t something people think twice about. At least, in my silly head, I hope this is what they think. Our meetings are often proper ones, but more often than not, we give in to our love for one another.

During one such meeting, we had been discussing renovations for the barn. They are needed and I had laid out my best thought plans to Ludovico. He considers them with a keen eye and after a while of looking over blueprints, he takes off his glasses.

“I see you wish to expand the loft,” he replies. “Tell me, is there a need for that?” A knowing smile spreads across his lips.

I laugh and my tail fluffs up behind me. “More animals means more supplies, more supplies means more room. It’s logic really, your majesty. I need more room to properly care for your needs.”

Ludovico looks down at the table and sets the blueprints aside. He leans across the table between us. “As I remember it, the loft was quite big enough to suit my needs.”

I catch his chin in my hand and press my thumb against his lips. “Now, now, your majesty, I am serious here. I am not going to play games to get what I want.”

Ludovico holds my wrist and kisses my thumb. “Just one kiss and I’ll give it to you.”

I arch a brow at him and snicker. “I know you far too well to fall for that trap. One kiss leads to two. Two leads to seven. Seven leads to your naked body pressed against mine for hours.”

His long lashes flutter and his breath shudders. “You’re saying that on purpose. I really did just want a kiss, now I think you’re trying to rile me up!”

“I would never do such a horrible thing.” I swipe my thumb across his lips. “I wouldn’t dare try to get my king aroused in such an important meeting.”

Ludovico pulls me across the table, kissing me as his hands capture my face. I moan softly and we both laugh as our lips part.

Ludovico sits back and fans himself. “I thought by this point in our lives, we could control ourselves around one another. But I fear we are worse than teenagers.”

“Nonsense.” I relax a bit and pour us both more tea. “As teenagers, we didn’t need to talk. We just had to look at one another to pop a boner.”

Ludovico’s smirk goes shy. “I hate that turn of phrase.”

I pop a ripe strawberry into my mouth and take a bite. I look up, seeing Ludovico watching me with a lustful expression. His jaw shudders and his lashes flutter, he is getting aroused by me eating.

“Are you in heat, your majesty?” I tease. “If watching me nibble a strawberry is getting you ready to shift, perhaps I should go hungry.”

Ludovico clears his throat. “Forgive me. But the strawberry made me think of other things.” He quickly sips his tea as he tries to keep his head from spinning.

“I would rather be biting into a peach,” I purr suggestively.