Summary: The feast and announcement after Azura’s defeat.
Part 1 (PG-13) Part 2 (NSFW) Part 3 (NSFW) Part 4 (PG-13)
The feast is in full swing when Kenna walks on to the fields outside the castle, drinks flowing freely and the scent of food wafting through the air. She can’t help but smile at the celebration going on around her, the raucous noise a welcome sound. It’s been a long time since the Five Kingdoms have experienced a period of calm like this, what with worries about the Iron Empire, and then Luther’s reign of tyranny.
She makes a toast, keeping it short and sweet so everyone can return to the celebration, the cheers and whoops nearly deafening. As she takes a seat and sips from her goblet, Jackson smiles as he surveys the scene in the fields below.
“Never thought I’d see the day…the shadow of war has passed,” he muses.
Kenna can hardly believe it herself. This war had gone on for generations, countless lives had been lost…it’s strange that it’s over. The peace won’t last forever, she knows, but Azura is a heavy weight that’s been lifted off of all their shoulders.
She winces as she reaches for her plate, the stitches in her shoulder pulling.
“At least Diavolos made the right decision, in the end,” she says. “That fight could have gone very poorly if he hadn’t chosen our side.”
Kenna has had no doubts about Diavolos’ loyalty recently, but she knows that up until today, several of her allies and advisors had still been suspicious of him. It’s understandable, of course, but she hopes that they trust him more now.
Jackson nods thoughtfully. “Agreed. We have much to be thankful for this day.”
“He’s a good man, Jackson,” Kenna says, turning to face him.
Jackson is silent for a moment before he nods again. “I’ve had my doubts about him, Your Majesty. But after his actions today…I agree.”
Jackson laughs as he takes a drink. “I never thought I’d say a Nevrakis was a good man.”
Kenna grins. “Neither did I.”
She catches Diavolos’ eye, a few tables away, and he smiles, raising his goblet. Kenna raises her goblet back, unable to take her eyes off of him.
“So, Your Majesty. How do you plan to celebrate?” Jackson asks.
Kenna keeps her eyes on Diavolos, a smile creeping across her face. “I’m going to marry the man I love,” she murmurs.
She can see the brief look of surprise on Jackson’s face out of the corner of her eye, then his smile. “That so? Better go get him then,” Jackson says.
Kenna stands, winding her way between the tables towards Diavolos. Even though she knows what she’s about to do, and that Diavolos knows what’s coming, she’s still exceptionally nervous as she approaches him. Excited beyond measure, of course, but also nervous.
Diavolos stands as she approaches, grinning at her.
“Diavolos…” she greets him.
Diavolos bows, taking her hand in his and brushing his lips over her knuckles. It reminds her of the first night they’d met, just a few weeks ago, even though it feels like it’s been years.
“Your Majesty. How’s the arm?” Diavolos asks, pulling a chair out for her.
“Could be worse,” she answers, leaning in to him as he moves his chair closer to hers. “How’s the succession?”
“Oh…Zenobia’s being her usual, calculating self. I think she started plotting my assassination the moment I told her about Father,” Diavolos says easily.
Kenna laughs. “That sounds like Zenobia.”
She slides her hand over Diavolos’ under the table, tangling her fingers with his and squeezing. “I suppose she’ll be disappointed when I announce that you’ll be King of Stormholt, then,” she says quietly.
Her tone is casual, but her heart is pounding, her slightly shaking hands giving her away.
Diavolos turns, bringing his hand up to her face and turning her towards him. He presses his lips to hers briefly, soft and sweet, and she can hear the sudden whispers of the troops sitting near them.
“You still sure?” he asks, but he’s grinning, his eyes shining slightly.
“More than sure,” she murmurs. She wants to kiss him again as she leans into him, but she knows the crowd is probably waiting for an explanation of why she’s kissing Diavolos Nevrakis.
So she stands instead, Diavolos rising next to her. “Let’s introduce you to your people,” she says.
Diavolos swings her up on to his shoulders and she laughs as he steadies her.
“Friends!” Kenna announces. “It is my delight to present to you…King Diavolos of Stormholt!”
Applause pours out, whoops and hollers and shouts of congratulations echoing through the fields. Kenna catches sight of Zenobia and can’t help but laugh at the shocked expression on her face.
“What?” she cries.
Diavolos laughs as he walks amongst the crowd, his warm hands gripping her legs. “I could get used to this,” he says, squeezing her thighs.
“You’d better,” Kenna teases him. “You’re marrying me, after all.”
~~~~~~~~~~
The party will go on well into the night, so once she and Diavolos have made their rounds, she nudges him slightly and says, “I’m ready to call it a night.”
“Oh?” he says, raising an eyebrow. “And what did you have in mind?”
Kenna shrugs and murmurs, “I was thinking you could take me upstairs.”
“Is that so,” Diavolos says nonchalantly, shaking the hands of a few of the Abanthus Knights as they walk by.
“We could go to sleep,” Kenna offers.
She shrieks as Diavolos suddenly lifts her up and starts heading for the castle. “Not a chance, my love.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Diavolos kicks the bedroom door closed behind them, depositing her on the ground and pulling her clothes off. He’s impatient, but gentle as he touches her wounded shoulder, a frown crossing his face.
“Diavolos,” Kenna murmurs, snapping him out of his thoughts. She presses her lips to his neck and tugs at his clothes.
“Off,” she says.
“If you insist,” Diavolos smirks.
“I do.”
Diavolos strips his clothes off, then carries her to the bed, propping himself up over her and gently running a hand through her hair. His face is serious as she cups his cheek and pulls him down to kiss him.
“What is it?” she asks.
He kisses her again, deeper, and she sighs against his mouth. “I am yours, Kenna Rys,” he vows. “Mind, body, and soul.”
Diavolos leans down, pressing his mouth to her ear. “I love you.”
The emotion and conviction in his voice makes her throat tighten, tears pricking the back of her eyes.
“I love you too,” she whispers.
He presses another long, lingering kiss to her lips, then kisses down her body, nipping at her shoulders, sucking on her neck, his tongue swirling around her nipples as he moves down.
His lips and teeth are insistent against her hip bones as she presses her hips up towards him, groaning when he moves down to kiss up her calves. Diavolos grins, sitting up briefly.
“Patience, my love,” he murmurs, gliding a hand between her legs. “We have our whole lives to rush.”
His fingers are skillful as he pushes into her, knowing already what makes her squirm and whimper. Kenna moans as he brings his mouth to her center and slides his tongue into her, his pace making her come undone almost immediately. She cries out his name, her hands pulling at his hair.
He kisses his way slowly back up her body until he reaches her mouth, tangling his tongue with hers.
“Mmm,” she sighs, scratching her nails down his broad back and grinning when his muscles twitch.
Kenna winces as she goes to sit up. She’d forgotten about the wound in her shoulder. Diavolos helps her up and settles her over his lap, groaning her name as she slides her hands over him.
His eyes close in pleasure as she pumps her hands up and down, his head dropping forward, his hands wrapping around her hips. He curses as he bucks into her.
“Stop, Kenna,” he grunts.
Diavolos kisses her briefly, then slides her hips forward, pushing into her slowly. She moans as he rocks her against him, his hands steadying her and digging into her skin as he gets close to his peak.
Diavolos groans as she bites his shoulder, Kenna crying out his name as he grinds her down into his hips, pushing her over the edge. Diavolos thrusts into her hard and then comes, his hands squeezing her hips reflexively.
Kenna leans back, cupping his face in her hands and kissing him slowly.
“I love you,” she murmurs.
He smiles and his eyes brighten, and she doesn’t think she’ll ever get tired of that expression. After everything he’s been through, she loves that she’s the one who gets to love him like this and show him how many people genuinely care about him.
“I love you, Kenna Rys,” he says, laying them down in the bed so he’s facing her, his hand running through her hair.
“You ready to be an old married man?” she teases him.
Diavolos chuckles as he shifts them so her back is pressed up against his chest, his arm warm around her waist, his lips gentle against the back of her neck.
“Only for you, my love. Only for you.”