Distantly, she felt him climb on top of her, positioning himself between her thighs. She let her mind wander, dragging up images of the palace gardens instead, how they would look come spring, bathed in soft sunlight, alive with color and blooms. She clung to those thoughts, letting them carry her away, her mind leaping from one image to another in a desperate attempt to block out the discomfort she felt.
Only an hour ago, she had lain here waiting for him, hoping he would come to her and now that he did, she found herself wishing only for it to be over, so she could slip away and retreat to the safety of her own chambers.
But it went on far longer than she had expected. Even through the haze of her detachment, she knew that whatever soreness she felt now would pale in comparison to what awaited her by morning.
