raised in her skin. "Will it hurt?" Her question was whispered. The spectators were still present. They were waiting until the deed was done.

"I will be gentle." He promised placing her hands on his chest guiding them down. Down and further down her hands moved along his body. Maxwell shivered at her touch. He had craved this moment for so many nights. He continued guiding her hands down until they enclosed his rigid member. Her breath stilted. She had never even dabbled in foolish bed play. Things that would bring shame if others learned of them. The knowledge caused Maxwell's chest to swell with pride. Hesitantly, her hands were up and down his member stroking him. His hands went back to the inside of her thighs caressing up until his fingers graced her center. He leaned closer to her. His mouth enclosed hers in a fevered kiss. "Are you ready?" He did not want to rush her, but their marriage had to be consummated. The witnesses were waiting. To some, the ritual may have seemed archaic, but it was important to the functioning of the kingdom, especially, in the case of Doraland. The Vatican opposed their marriage. He would oppose any children Abbie birthed and denounce her as a heretic. Maxwell had to follow the tradition in order to protect his wife.

"Abigail, are you ready?" He repeated his question with veiled urgency.

"I am ready," she nodded her head.

Maxwell removed her hands from his member and pressed his hands on her thighs. He adjusted his body and took her mouth in a deep kiss. He hoped to focus Abbie on it in an attempt to ease the pain. He knew he had hardly succeeded when her body stiffened upon his entrance. Maxwell held her waist and guided himself further. He pulled his face from hers. His heart ached as he saw the silent tears that fell upon her cheeks. He pushed himself further until he was seated deep within her. Outside of the curtains, there was abated silence. They were waiting. Barely could they hear the king's murmurs. Abbie's soft whimpers filled their ears. There was a moment of charge silence before they heard it. The king consummating his marriage with tempered thrusts.

Elizabeth sighed a breath of relief. She gathered her skirts from her place at the forefront and turned to the others. "The deed is done. We should leave them, now." She suggested before making her departure. Slowly, everyone followed. There was nothing more to witness.

"Good night this is." Luis commented walking beside his sister. Elizabeth frowned with silent disagreement. Maxwell and Abbie were truly man and wife now, but that would not end their opposition. Elizabeth suspected that Chelsea had forced an early birth of her child as a means to thwart Abbie's marriage to the king. Thankfully, it had not worked. In God's eyes, Abbie was Maxwell's wife. She was the queen of Doraland. If only that would be good enough.