Victory and More *CONTENT WARNING*

Posted on Sun Jan 2nd, 2022 @ 12:21pm by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]

Mission: Tales from the other side of the Mirror
Location: In orbit of Erisia
Timeline: A few weeks after Mattias liberated Penelope.
7649 words - 15.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Penelope sat in Mattias's Command chair, a rare honor for anyone to be sure as he co-ordinated their attack on Erisia.

Her concerns were that civilians be protected where possible and anyone choosing to change sides be watched but allowed to do so.

They had several of the ruling council of kings on their side already, through threat, victory or simply that they believed in Penelope rather than Pallas. She held the PADD with their Allies and enemies listed.

* HIgh Lord/Emperor Pallas Lalor - Ruler of Erisia, Husband in Name only to High Lady Penelope Lalor
* King Kyian Lalor, of Hiran - Younger brother to Pallas and Penelope, on their side. - Location classified.
* King Edward Mirenth, of Mir - On Pallas's side
* King James Lath, of Tirath- This king's alliance is murky at best. - Neutral so far
* King Jules M'Ligh of Yesth.- On Penelope's Side
* King George Wels, of the High Reach.- On Penelope's Side
* King Nathanial Laslor, of Sirth.- On Pallas's Side

Around her, the bridge was a flurry of activity and she, dressed in just a simple black dress with her family's flame emblem embroidered on the hem, did nothing to distract them.

The large doors to the war room, located on the port side of the bridge, slid open and Mattias strood purposefully onto his bridge. Moving up to stand next to Penelope, he said, "King Laslor is dead. The Blood Rose Squadron just ran him down on the other side of the system. They made sure to retain his head, as proof. They are heading back to regroup with us now."

She smiled up at him. "His son's son is an infant, there will be no more resistance from his family."

This made Mattias grin darkly. He leaned down and gently caressed her left cheek. "Soon, my Queen. Soon Pallas will be dead, and you will be anointed Erisia's first High Queen and Empress." His eyes danced with exactment at the thought.

Penelope's smile widened and she nodded "We will make it an empire that will last generations." she said so only he could hear.

He started to nod in agreement, when suddenly, the ship rocked violently to port, tossing him away from Penelope. Sparks flew from several blown circuits. One of the aft stations exploded, killing three junior officers. The ship protested loudly to the sudden attack.

Picking himself up off the deck, Mattias's first thought was his love.

Pene had been tossed to the deck but she picked herself up. No tears were in her eyes despite the fact that the shockway had broken her left arm. She stood straight and turned to face him. "That was close."

Seeing her arm, Mattias slapped his commbadge and shouted. "Medical team to the bridge immediately! We have casualties and Queen Lalor has been injured!" He then moved over to her. "Sit down, please." He indicated his command chair. He then barked out to his officers. "REPORT!"

"Admiral!" The tactical officer spoke first. "One of High Lord Pallas' escorts attempted to destroy us with a suicide run. Damage is heavy, but the new shields took most of the impact. Currently, weapons are at eighty-percent capacity, shields are at fourty. Aft torpedo launchers are offline, ventral phasers are off line as well. We have hull breaches on decks twenty-five through thirty-two, emergency forcefields are active and holding!"

Penelope stayed out of the way in silence, she did not want to distract him.

The medical team suddenly arrived. Two went to treat the injured crew, while the CMO and her assistant saw to Penelope's injuries. "Your Majesty," the CMO began, "are you feeling any other pain, other than your arm?"

" No just my arm" She replied softly.

As Penelope was being treated, Mattias was able to focus his attentions on the matter at hand. "Tactical, have the Hellspawn and Demon Wing form up on our ventral hull, act as buffers. Then, get me targeting solutions on the rest of the enemy vessels. This war ends now!"

A few moments later, the Tactical officer had the requested information. Mattias then issued orders to the rest of The Grand Fleet to engage the indicated targets at will. They were to take no prisoners. The enemy had tried to assassinate their Queen, using a cowardly attack. From this point on, no quarter would be given.

The space around Erisia blossomed in a kaleidoscope of colors, as ships on both sides started to launch weaponry and explode when too much damage was accumulated. The grizzly battle lasted for another two hours.

Finally, the final enemy vessel was destroyed, leaving Erisia wide open for the final assault.

Moving to kneel in front of Penelope, Mattias spoke. "My Queen, all enemy space forces have been eliminated. Our ground forces are closing in on the High Lord's private castle. What are your orders?"

"Bring me my brother." she replied softly. "Arrest those who surrender, but Pallas is to be brought to the Centre Square. To await our arrival, Admiral."

Mattias nodded. "I will see to it myself, my Queen. I will contact you when all is ready for your arrival." He then stood and, in a quick moment of love, leaned in and kissed her on her lips. He then stepped back and tapped his commbadge. "Transporter room, site to site transport to the launch bay." He then vanished in a flash of blue light.

Penelope watched him beam out with a small smile.

A few moments later, a trio of heavy starfighters flew over the bridge, towards the planet. The center starfighter, when in view on the bridge viewscreen, did a corkscrew spin to starboard, a move Mattias had always done, so Penelope would know which starfighter he was in. Then, the trio shot away on full impulse. In moments, they were entering the atmosphere.

Watching the fighters enter the atmosphere made her smile widen. She turned and headed for his ready room, where she had left the outfit she would wear when she set foot on her homeworld for the first time in nearly 2 years.

***Four hours later***

The war was over. Pallas' entire military force had either been destroyed or captured. There was no one else for him to turn to for assistance. Mattias had dragged him out if his thrown room, down to the public square, where he was currently tied to a pillar. Mattias stood behind him, his sword drawn and the blade resting on Pallas's left shoulder, to keep him from attempting anything.

There the crowds gathered, held back by members of Mattias's security teams. And from the landing pad came the sound of booted feet marching towards the square.

The crowd parted and two lines of Mattias's soldiers entered the square in formation around a slim figure. They parted so that Pallas could see the figure.

Penelope stood, still letting her gaze sweep her brother. Her twin. Her outfit had been specifically chosen for the occasion.

The simple black dress she had worn was replaced by a dark blue gown that had the flames of the Lalor family embroidered along the hem in red and gold. Her hair was down, and a silver circlet rested on her brow. Around her waist was a belt of beaten silver and a slim sword and sheath hung on her left hand side. A servant stood behind her, holding the train of her gown.

"Admiral Richardson, You have pleased me greatly." she announced. "A man of staunch loyalty who has kept his promise to me." She then turned her gaze back to Pallas.

"Brother, Husband, Defeated!" She announced in ringing tones.

Pallas sneered "Whore, Slut, defiled!" He snapped out

"Such words from the man on the wrong end of sword" She said as she stepped up to where he was chained. She held out her right hand and the servant handed her a slim dagger.

She held it very professionally and leaned close to her brother. "You will die, but not now, and when you do, it will be before our subjects, and our siblings will be here as well. But I don't think they will begrudge me this..." She cut his left cheek with the dagger, eliciting a cry of pain from her twin. "Just a small amount of payback, Brother dear." She snarled in his ear. Then, she stepped clear of him and moved to Mattias's side and touched his cheek with her right hand. "Thimaren, You won."

Mattias smiled proudly and replied. "No, my Queen. We won." In a fluid motion, he sheathed his sword dropped to one knee, facing Penelope, and pulled an item from his pocket. "Your Majesty, I have loved you since the moment our eyes met. I have always been loyal and honorable. I wish to remain by your side for the rest of my days, as your husband and consort." He revealed the object to her, a jewel encrusted ring, tastefully and expertly created. An infinity loop adorned the top, in one side of the loop, was her birthstone. In the other, his. "Queen Penelope Phoenix Lalor, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Penelope smiled, took the ring and raised him to his feet. "Yes my love, Yes." She let him slide it onto her hand.

As Mattias slid the ring onto Penelope's finger, his yeoman stepped forward and shouted, "All hail, Queen Lalor and Admiral Richardson! Hip-hip-Hoorah!" The crowd erupted in cheers, applauding even louder when Mattias kissed her.

Pene laughed as they kissed, ignoring her brother who was glaring at them both from his position.

Pulling back gently she cupped Mattias's cheek "To work my Love." She said softly. "We have things to do"

He smiled warmly, nothing but love in his eyes for the woman in front of him. Nodding, he replied, "Yes, My Queen."

Pene gave orders and Pallas was dragged back to his cell while she ordered the food stores open for the civilian population of Hiran, the capital city.

***Four weeks later***

Reconstruction was proceeding smoothly and on schedule. Mattias had overseen the rebuilding of Erisia's military and defenses. Already, the drydocks in the system were starting to deliver new scout and escort class ships. The larger destroyers and heavy cruisers were taking longer, but were coming along. His flagship had been fully repaired and was currently in geostationary orbit over the capitol.

He had just beamed down to the throne room and approached Penelope. Bowing to her, he spoke. "My Queen, the fleet is coming along. Should there be no delays, we will be back up to prewar strength by the end of the quarter."

Pene nodded and dismissed the courtiers who had been lingering around, She had not chosen them but let them think she was considering their proposals. Smiling she stepped down from the throne to speak with him. "A job exceptionally well done Admiral."

Straightening up, he replied. "Thank you, My Queen. However, the praise should go more to my crews. They have all worked exceedingly hard to rebuild what was lost."

"Reward them appropriately Admiral, make sure they know their Queen appreciates their sacrifices. I assume the deceased's families have had their compensation paid?" Pene smiled.

Mattias nodded and smiled softly. "It was the first thing I did, after the civilians were seen to." He turned more serious then. "I fear, however, that if we are not careful, the other races out there might think that, following such a costly civil war, that we will be easy to pick clean. While we have the superior technology, our numbers are dangerously low. Perhaps it would be prudent to recall our ships back to the borders of our space, hold the line thete, until we are able to, once more, conquer new worlds?"

"Of course Admiral, please make that happen," Pene replied. She was no military specialist, she had learned the hard way, by doing. "I have a meeting with the high priest soon," she added in a low tone.

Stepping closer to his bride-to-be, Mattias reached out and took her hands into his. Smiling softly, he replied in a voice loud enough for only her ears. "And how goes the plans for both your anointment ceremony, and our wedding? I imagine new laws are needing to be written to allow me to become your husband?"

She waved a hand. "Laws? No. Because laws are from the Throne. But the High Priest is refusing to perform the coronation and wedding, he has 'theological concerns'." Pene rolled her eyes. "He will learn though."

This news gave Mattias concern. "What are this concerns of his, my Queen?" While their love for one another was known far and wide, while in the Throne room, Mattias always gave Penelope the respect to refer to her by her title.

"High Priest Halls, is the head of the church. My brother got special dispensation for his marriage to me, incestious marriage is not something my people normally do. But once Pallas made his pledge that it was to protect the line of succession and surely the gods, would understand that, Halls made it an edict. And now I need him to rescind it so we can wed. And he is the voice of the gods so rescinding it makes him look weak thus making the church weak. And he hates that. But I will give him a choice. Rescind it, or be replaced."

Mattias was quiet for a moment, looking to the side as he thought. When he looked back into Penelope's eyes, he asked, "Would It help any, if I rescinded my citizenship as a Terran, and proclaimed total and public fealty to Erisia, become one of her children?"

"No" She replied with a smile. "I know where your loyalty lies love, I will handle the Head Priest." She let her eyes dart around, they were alone. And she lowered her voice "Besides, I have someone more... open minded in mind for the role of High Priest. If he refuses to comply, he will join Pallas and Pallas's friends in the square next week for their public flaying and execution."

Smiling warmly, Mattias brought Penelope's hand up to his lips and kissed them tenderly. "My beautiful Queen." He smiled and gazed upon her with all the love he had inside of his heart and soul. This woman was truly the only one he had ever loved, would ever love. He looked forward to a long, happy life with her.

She beamed a bright smile at him. His praise had always made her stand taller, having been starved for it over the years. "Once we are wed Love, we will look to the future."

His smile grew a bit larger, seeing the effect his truthful praise of Penelope had on her. Then, after lowering her hands back down between them, he leaned in a whispered, "So long as we are together, the Future is a bright one." He paused, then continued. "Do you wish for me to accompany you to see the Head Priest?"

She considered it, her face went thoughtful. "Maybe that would be a good idea." She mused. "Very well. Dress uniform, Darling."

Giving her a lop-sided grin, Mattias quickly checked to see that they were alone. Then, seeing they were, spun Penelope down into a dip and, smiling down at her in his arms, he responded, "Only if you take it off of me after, My Queen." He had a mischievous glint in his eyes as he spoke. He then bent down and kissed her deeply.

Her hands were in his hair seconds later as she kissed him back matching his passion. When they broke for breath she said "Oh I will lover."

Mattias grinned again, then moved Penelope back up onto her feet. After releasing his hold on her, he step back and bowed. "I shall return promptly, my Queen." He then straightened up and activated his comm badge, beaming back up to his flagship to get cleaned up and dressed in his Erisian military dress uniform.

She watched him go then turned her gaze back to the Throne they had won. She was planning on having it replaced with two matching Thrones as soon as they were wed. It was an ugly black throne and she had plans that were way better.

***A Short While Later***

Mattias, dressed in his full Erisian dress uniform, complete with the ceremonial saber that was presented to him by his first crew, after joining Penelope's secret fleet, rematerialized in the Throne Room. As he approached Penelope, he saluted, then reached up and removed his cover, tucking it under his left arm. "My Queen." He gave her a soft smile.

"My Admiral" She smiled back. Pene was glad she was wearing her court clothes of a sea blue gown with a silver coronet in her hair as it would work well against the man who they were about to meet. "We are to meet with him in one of the smaller audience chambers, his specific request." She rolled her eyes "And as I am a true daughter of the church, I must acquiesce to his request." Here she paused, "I chose one overlooking the formal gardens. And have assigned guards around it and two in the hidden passageways to the room. Do not trust this man Mattias. He is not to be trusted."

"When it comes to your safety, My Queen, I trust none more than myself." After putting his cover back on, he turned, offering his left elbow to his queen. "Shall we?"

"Yes, let us meet the man who considers himself the voice of the Gods." Her reply ended in a mutter, her disdain for the man obvious but as they entered the audience room, a well lit room, decorated in greens and golds, warmed by the sunshine through the floor to ceiling windows, her face was not disdainful but calm and regal.

The man who awaited them was 6f tall with snow white hair. His vestments were white with an overmantel of red trimmed in gold brocade. He watched them approach and his gaze swept from Penelope to the man beside her. Then even though his upbringing told him different he turned back to Penelope and gave a short bow, which was not as deep as it should have been but, Penelope ignored it.

"Ah, Your Grace," She said brightly as it she had not noticed the bow.

"Your Royal Highness." He replied and then added at her quirked eyebrow "Your Majesty."

"Yes that's right, Your majesty. Despite the fact that it was in name only, the marriage to my brother gives me that rank."

"A Marriage the church sanctioned and one that is for life, Your Majesty."

"His life? Or Mine, Your Grace?" Penelope asked curiously.

Jeremy Halls, High Priest of the Gods merely waved a hand. "You wish me to grant the annulment, and I told you, that I am bound by church law. You married in the Light of the Six, Your Majesty, You are bound by it, no matter your feelings for..." here he looked at Mattias "Your Admiral here."

"My Admiral, as you put it, is the man I intend to marry and he will rule with me, jointly, High priest. You have a choice to make. Annul the marriage my brother forced you to make between Pallas and Myself and preside over my marriage to Mattias, or," And here she left it hanging. "I will find the faith a new High Priest."

Mattias stayed silent during the conversation. Though, he kept his eyes securely on the priest. With Penelope's warning still in mind, he stood ready for anything.

"You said the vows, Your Majesty."

"I said no Vows as my consent was never asked for nor given voice to. As you well know, Pallas and yourself made it that way." Pene replied. "But if you continue to proceed with this line, I shall have no choice but to find a replacement."

"I hold my office for Life, As you well know, Your Majesty, and no one will believe you over me. You are, only a mere female."

"A female I may very much be, but I am not stupid or weak as you and Pallas have out about." She shifted slightly and moved to stand by the fireplace. "You can bandie about lies until your tongue turns black, Your Grace, but the truth will win out. Tell me, was it your idea to sell my sister?"

Halls was taken aback by the change of subject. "I... ah... no, Your Majesty"

"But you were there, when Pallas suggested it, correct?"

"As I am High Priest, I have a seat on the council as you well know."

"So selling my sister was not your idea?"

He was beginning to sweat. "His Majesty, Your Husband, had already had it suggested."

"Oh yes but you did nothing to stop it, like you did nothing to stop his marrying me, or sending me to the Terran Empire."

Halls narrowed his gaze at the mere female. "Your Majesty he said with an almost sarcastic tone. "Your Husband was High Lord. What is said and done by the High Lord is LAW and thus nothing anyone of us said would have stayed his hand."

"And now I am High Lord, Soon to be Empress of the Erisian Empire. As I hold his rank, what I say is LAW. You will go to the Temple of the Six, You will stand on the Steps and announce that the marriage between Pallas Lalor and Penelope Lalor is annulled and that I, am free to marry Admiral Mattias Richardson. And you will pledge your Loyalty to us. Failure to do so, Your Grace will result in you joining my brother next week for his.... Punishment."

Halls gulped at that.

To add silent support to Penelope's promise, Mattias gripped the hilt of his saber with his left hand and shook it slightly against the hooks holding its scabbard to his weapons belt.

Halls considered it carefully "Very well Your Majesty, I..I shall do as you say. And I shall be pleased to officiate your marriage and your.. coronation."

Penelope gave a bright smile. "I am pleased to see you come to that conclusion, Your Grace, I do hope this brings about better relations between the Crown and the Faith."

Halls nodded. "And I assume, Admiral you will convert to the Six?"

Mattias dipped his head slightly, keeping his eyes locked on the other man's. "I will. Erisia is my home. I will gladly and proudly become one of her children."

"Good. I shall send one of our most Holies to speak with you later this week. You will need to convert before your marriage to her Majesty." Halls said with false joy.

Penelope's lips quirked "Thank you for your time, Your Grace."

Halls, recognising the dismissal, bowed and left the room.

After he left, and he was certain they were alone, Mattias offered, "I think you should still replace him. He is a snake just waiting to molt his skin. That's when venomous snakes are their most dangerous, when they're blind due the molting." He moved to the edge of the balcony and gazed out over the gardens. "It truly is beautiful here."

"My Mother and Aunt's doing. Women's work." Penelope said softly. "And do not worry, he will be replaced. I just have to bide my own time and when he leasts expects it. That said, I am sure he will make attempts on my life, on yours, on my siblings, more so when we have children, thus he will die after we are married and crowned."

Mattias turned towards her, building rage in his eyes. Then his brain heard the rest of her words and he calmed partially. "Sooner he is gone, the better, my love." He paused a beat before asking, "To do things the right way, which I want, how long until both are done? Our wedding and your anointment?"

"Three weeks, give or take" She admitted. "Coronation will take longer. And we will have battles to fight after that, to keep the Empire."

"Battles against whom? We have defeated all of those who stand against you for the crown? Haven't we?"

"For now I believe we have." She said softly. "But Halls is not alone in his thoughts and there are others who hide most likely. You said it yourself. We cannot be seen to be weak."

Setting his jaw, he growled. "If any fool decides to poke his head up, with the idea of harming you, in any way, I will serve you that head on a silver platter."

"hmm an interesting tableau to be sure" Pene smiled. "Oh and be careful around the man he sends. They pay lip service to the Gods."

Not an religious man himself, Mattias arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean, my love?"

"Erisian Religion is worship of the six, though there is a cult who worship a triad of goddesses, they wont speak of those, but those who follow Hall and are in the highest echelons of the church are often as corrupt as the lords they serve and are not at all religious. They speak the words but follow none of the edicts."

Moving over to stand by her, Mattias reached up and gently cupped Penelope's right cheek. "What would you advise me to do?"

"Be careful with what you say, do not agree to anything. They will try to trap you, praise you. Just be wary." She leaned her face into his hand.

He thought about what she warned him off, then nodded, a soft smile crossing his face. "Just as you trust military matters to me, I trust political ones to you, my beatiful Queen. We are indeed perfect for one another." The love he felt for here was plainly obvious in his eyes and on his face.

Pene smiled up at him and brushed her lips across his. "I am having new quarters done for us" she said softly. "And am converting my brothers chambers into a library."

Arching an eyebrow, he asked, "Oh? And what will our quarters look like? Or is it a surprise?" His lips twitched slightly in a smile.

"Hmm a surprise. You will see them soon though."

Reaching behind Penelope with his right hand, Mattias pulled her against his chest. "You are a wonderful woman. I don't know what I did to deserve your favour."

"You saw me, when others saw an ornament, you saw me."

Gently, he rubbed her right cheek with his thumb as he continued to hold her face in his left hand. "How could I not see you?" His voice was soft with admiration and love. "You are to most beautiful woman, that I have ever seen. I live only to be with you, love you, protect you. You are my world, my universe, my everything."

Even in the universe they lived in, she could trust his word unlike the word of others. Penelope smiled and stretched to brush her lips over his gently. "I love you" she whispered.

Inhaling deeply, Mattias took in her sweet perfume, and the delicious taste of her lips. Most men would day that they would die for their mate. Others would say that they would kill for them. Since the day they met, Mattias would not only do both, he would also live for Penelope. No one would ever hold his heart and soul as she did. "I love you," he whispered back, as he moved his arms around her, pulling her to him, as he kissed her back, deeply and passionately.

Even as she kissed him back, she heard footsteps coming their way. Gently she pulled back and sighed. "And now we have work to do."

After straightening his uniform, Mattias bowed to his Queen and grinned slightly. "Later, my Queen." He then stood up and turned to see who was entering the room.

Two servants entered the room, and paused, before bowing. "Your Grace, the council of Kings is here"

Pene merely smiled though inwardly she rolled her eyes. "Of Course they are. I will be there momentarily"

After watching the servants leave, Mattias asked, "What does the Council want, do you think?"

"To have me stand down in favour of a brother or cousin" She replied as she checked her gown for crinkles. "I will be disbanding them I think"

"Disbanding and disembowling?" He asked with a feral grin.

"If it comes to that." She smiled up at him. "I have no issue with their removal. Though as half supported us, I will see what they have to say. Will you be available for dinner Admiral?"

"For you? I will always be available, my wife-to-be." He grinned a loving grin at her as he replied.

"Good, 19h00 do?" She asked as she shifted and headed for the door.

"I will be here, my love." He gave her a wink, then let her head off to her appointment, signaling his men to escort her, keeping her safe.

***HOURS LATER***

The rooms, Penelope had commandeered were large and took up the entire 3rd floor of the south wing. Workers were working on the East Wing on the same floor in preparation for their new Emperor and Empress's living quarters. But for now, the South Wing, 3rd floor was where she and Mattias lived. Well when he was planet side.

Two guards stood outside the door, guarding as Mattias beamed in, they confirmed his identity and let him in to the suite, which was absolutely massive.

The Entry led to a large living area which had glass walls overlooking the city and gardens below.

Penelope was sitting, dressed in a long skirt and tank top, on a low long couch. Before her on a low table, their dinner was spread out.

Still in his dress uniform, Mattias smiled hungrily when he saw Penelope. "My Queen," he placed is cover down on a side table , then moved over to gently caress her chin, pulling her eyes up to his. Leaning down, he kissed her deeply, happy to be back in her company.

As the kiss broke she smiled up at him "Thiramen " she said softly. "How was your day?"

Smiling softly down at Penelope, Mattias let out a happy sigh. "There were ups and downs, however, now that I'm home, with you, everything is perfect." He released her chin, then held out his hands for her to stand. "How did your meeting with the Council of the Kings go?"

"It went ok." Penelope smiled at him. "I have put things in place, it will eventually become obsolete."

"Good," he said as smiled at her. "That antiquated system needed to be torn down, for Erisia to truly rise as a major power in the universe, let alone the quadrant." He leaned in and kissed her softly, then straightened up. "Help me take this off, please. I want to be comfortable and enjoy the rest of the evening with the woman I love."

She stood gracefully and dropped a curtsey "Of course Sir." And proceeded to assist him with his uniform.

Nearly ten minutes later, the heavily decorated and armored uniform was finally off of Mattias and place to the side, to be taken away and cleaned by the palace staff.

Mattias sat on the couch, next to Penelope, as she prepaired a dish for him. "You are far better than I deserve, my love." He reached up and gently brushed a few stray locks from her beautiful face.

Pene smiled at him. "And here I thought you were too good for me." she teased.

Mattias chuckled softly. "I am so glad that you are in my life, Pene. I am so looking forward to our wedding day." He smiled warmly as he spoke.

"You sure? A Erisian Royal wedding... it includes a very public bedding." She said softly.

A hungry grin suddenly filled his face. "I don't care if the Almighty comes down from on high to watch. I want to give you the wedding, and marriage, that you've always dreamed of, sweetheart."

She shook her head "Well the bedding is not something I am interested in having people watch." she admitted.

Mattias shrugged. "Then, do away with the custom, my love. As Empress, you will have the power to create new customs and traditions."

"hmm true" Pene replied as they settled down to eat.

A short while later, after they had finished dinner and the servants had cleared everything away, Mattias moved over to the large fireplace and got a roaring fire going for them.

Pene slid from the couch and moved to sit before the fireplace, tucking her skirt around her knees as she did so. "So... tomorrow, are you busy?"

Once the fire was going, Mattias moved over and sat down on the furs next to Penelope. "Nothing too strenuous. Just some admin paperwork to be signed off on really. Why do you ask?"

"Just wondered if you would like to spend the day with me? I have a meeting in the morning but I was hoping to go see Miran at the Summer palace."

Mattias smiled and nodded. "I would love to. I'll rearrange things to do my admin responsibilities while you have your meeting. Then, afterwards, we can both leave to go see your sister."

Pene nodded, then she slid into his lap. "I saw the doctor today as well"

Wrapping his arms around her as she straddled his lap, he arched an eyebrow quizzically. "Oh? Is everything okay, my love?"

**CONTENT BELOW**

Pene beamed a smile at him. "Oh yes very much okay. He said that we can try for children any time." She whispered in his ear.

His face brightened and a huge grin filled his features. "Well then, no time like the present." He then pulled her to him and kissed her deeply.

Kissing him back Pene moaned into his mouth and then she drew back and smiled at him. "Amin Lian Aran, your Mila is at your disposal." she said subserviently.

Mattias growled deeply. Hearing her speak to him in her native tongue always got his fires going. When she added the submissive tone to it, he grew even hungrier for her. "Show your Emperor just how thankful you are for securing your throne, slave!" He took a handful of her hair and pulled her head back, exposing her slender neck to him.

She shifted slowly not pulling her hair from his hands and knelt before him and her fingers began to undo his pants. "Saes Lian" she said.

Mattias looked down into Penelope's eyes. Though his role was usually the dominant one, he sometimes wondered if she was the actual Dom, and allowed him to think he was. Whether this was the truth or not, he enjoyed their sex play very much.

Her silver blue eyes met and found his as she freed him from his pants and she slowly took him into her mouth.

Mattias threw his head back and moaned loudly. She drove all thoughts of the outside world from his mind. All that remained was the two of them, here and now.

She purred, knowing it drove him crazy, and she knew that he liked being driven crazy by her.

Mattias's eyes rolled up at the added stimulus. He sucked air in through clenched teeth and then looked down at her, as he moved his hand to the back of her head, holding her on his member as she continued to pleasure him. "That's right..." he whispered hoarsely. "Suck it...uhhh...suck it hard, you filthy little slave!"

For only this man would Penelope ever do this, consider herself his Mila. She did as he wanted, as she knew he liked, using the skills he had taught her to bring him pleasure.

Mattias grunted louder as Penelope gave him more. For several minutes, they kept going, until he started to feel that familiar sensation approaching. Carefully, he pulled her off of him. "Not yet...not yet!! I want to finish inside of you! Get out of those clothes and onto the bed, on all fours!"

Pene pouted but stood and slowly stripped out of her clothing as he liked her too and then walked over to the bed near the wall of windows and climbed onto it as he told her too.

Mattias saw Penelope pout as she got up. He decided that she needed some punishment. As he stood up, he quickly stripped the rest of his clothes off. He then moved over the the side of the bed nearest her. After reaching across to her, and without warning, he grabbed her hair, and pulled her to him, keeping her on all fours. As he continued to hold her with his right hand, he used his left to start spanking her bare ass.

"Who do you think you are, pouting like a petulant little girl who didn't get her way!"

SMACK

"I am the master!"

SMACK

"You are the slave!"

SMACK

"You will never behave like that again, unless you want me to return you to the whorehouse from where I bought you!"

SMACK

SMACK

SMACK

"Do you understand me, Princess?!"

SMACK

Pene nodded while she swallowed back her cries of pain. She took a breath. "Yes Master" her tone was properly submissive.

Seeing her submit to him turned Mattias on to no end. Satisfied in her obedience, he moved closer to her head, his member just a few inches from her open mouth. "Now then, is this what you wanted?" He asked hungrily.

"yes Sir" her tone was begging,

"Then you shall have it," Mattias pulled her up to her knees, and kissed her deeply. After several long moments, he broke the kiss and said, "I'm going to lay down on my back. I want you to sit on my face, then, as I consume you, you may be allowed to consume me at the same time. Do you like the sound of that?"

Pene nodded "Saes Lian" she said softly and then she waited for him to lay down.

Mattias kissed Penelope again. Then, after releasing her hair, he laid down in the oversized bed. Once in position, he nodded that he was ready for her to get into position.

Pene did as he bid and took him deep into her mouth and throat again, using all the tricks she knew.

Mattias moaned deeply, as he buried his face in her center, using his skills as a lover to drive her to the ultimate heights of pleasure.

Pene took it as a challenge to brink him to the brink before he did it to her so she focused and swirled her tongue and hummed around him.

Feeling Penelope really dig in, Mattias had to pull his head back from her and grunt loudly. After he caught his breath, he moved his fingers to spread her open and dove back inside of her. He knew that she was trying to get him to climax first, and, he had to admit to himself, she may just do so. Her attentions were causing him to loose some focus on what he was doing to her. While he was not slouching around, he was so wrapped up in how she was making him feel, that he wasn't giving her his absolute best. He moaned into her, vibrating her most sensitive bit with his tongue.

Her hips jerked as he did that and she gasped out around him, pushing hot air around the wetness.

This sensation caused Mattias to groan louder, as he sucked on her most sensitive part. He was trying to push her over first, but a few beats later, he knew he had failed. His body passed the point of stopping and his body tensed up and with a powerful push, exploded fully into Penelope's mouth and throat. As he tensed, he sucked harder on her, flicking his tongue against the base of her sensitive bit.

Pene purred as she took him deep and swirled her tongue as he finished. As he continued to tease her, she knew she could hold out a bit longer, so she set about keeping him hard.

Mattias moaned and grunted into Penelope's center as she continued to stimulate his member. Gripping her ass cheeks hard with his fingers, he pulled out ever trick he knew to do with his mouth as he tried sending her over the edge.

And it worked, she cried out a short time later, her body climaxing with pleasure.

Mattias kept stimulating her, just as she had done to him, giving her zings as she bucked against his face.

Eventually Pene sagged on top of him as she came down from the pleasure high he gave her.

Pulling his face clear, Mattias spoke to Penelope softly. "Come here, my Queen." He released his hold on her, to allow her to move easily.

She moved as he told her and was soon snuggled up against him.

Wrapping his arms around the woman he loved more than anything, Mattias sighed softly. "I wish we could just stay here for the rest of time. Only get out of bed to wash, eat and relieve ourselves."

"Hmmm, same but life isn't like that. And we won't even get what you humans call a honeymoon," she whispered as she snuggled against him.

"No," he replied with a sigh. "I suppose we won't. Too much work to do right now, rebuilding and solidifying our empire." He leaned his head over and gently kissed her forehead. "Perhaps later, we can take a few days, to a week, escape to one of the private estates up in the north country, just the two of us?" He didn't mention that it wouldn't just be the two of them. They would be traveling with a veritable army of servants and bodyguards wherever they go from now on.

"hmm yes, we may even be able to use the excuse of begetting an heir to ensure some time alone."

"Just one heir?" He asked with a grin. "If you are up for it, I was hoping for a few."

"oh? how many?" She asked almost innocently, "And what are your feelings on a female heir?"

He grinned at her reaction. "I will glass take as many as you bless me with. And as for the gender? So long as the baby is completely healthy, it doesn't matter to me which comes out first."

Pene nodded. "So ... shall we try then?"

A hungry smile crossed his face. "Oh, definitely." He then rolled her over onto her back and started to restoke her fires.

Not that they needed much stoking. Pene shifted beneath him eagerly wanting him to fill her and give her his child.

Soon, he was fully aroused and had moved up onto his knees between her spread legs. As he slowly slid his entire length inside of her, he leaned down and kissed her deeply.

Pene moaned into his mouth as he kissed her and her tongue stroked his as she shifted her hips, drawing him deeper.

Mattias growled into Penelope's mouth and he felt her shift against him. Slowly, the power and speed of his thrusts started to increase.

Pene moved with him eagerly and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing against him as their lovemaking grew more heated.

As their fires were near inferno level when they started, Soon enough, Mattias started to feel his climax approaching. "I'm...I'm...." he started to gasp. Then, he tensed and grunted loudly, exploding deep inside of Penelope's waiting womb.

His climax set her's off and she cried out his name and her form shook beneath his.

Fir several beats, Mattias remained, braced above Penelope, as he took in deep hungry breaths. "Whoa..." he said softly as his head spun from the rapid blood flow changes.

She opened dazed blue eyes and looked up at him. "Why is it every time we make love the world spins?" She mumbled.

He gave her a drunk grin as he responded. "Perhaps the heavens are jealous of us?" He then chuckled softly, before lowering himself atop of Penelope, bracing his weight more with his elbows now.

She laughed at that. "hmm maybe my love"

Hearing her laugh warmed Mattias's heart to no end. It had been far too long since he had heard that sound. He would do whatever he had to, to ensure she laughed happily more, for the rest of her life. "I love you, my Queen."

"I love you my Emperor" she said back softly.

Mattias felt a surge of pride rush through him, from both hearing in Penelope's voice, and seeing in her eyes, the complete dedication and love that she felt for him. They were truly a match made in heaven. He had zero doubt that she would do anything for him, just as would do anything for her.

She nuzzled his neck. " We should sleep." she said softly. "Tomorrow is a busy day"

He nodded slowly. "Next week, you will be my bride and I your groom. And then our life together can truly begin."

"Only a few more days darling" she reached out and turned off the lights.

Once the lights were out, Mattias pulled her back into his arms, then, tickled her slightly, chuckling evilly as he did so.

Pene squealed and snuggled down. "Dont" she whispered.

He was grinning like a Cheshire Cat. But, he stopped and held her to him. "Yes, My Queen." He kissed the top of her head and sighed contented.

Penelope drifted off to sleep content and safe in his arms.

A short while after, Mattias slipped into slumber as well.

OFF