If they hit one more rock Lucy was going to strangle someone.

She sat curled in the back of the luggage caravan, her horse attended to by one of the dozen servants that she was bringing from her estate. A twist of pain struck her side sharply, sending Lucy into a dull haze while she bit back her whimpers. Of all the times for this to happen…

"Oh would you stop being so dramatic?"

"Let us see how you would feel if your body's insides were attempting to reverse their locations and throwing a fit in anger when unable to do so." Lucy spat, keeping her eyes closed and focusing on breathing. She felt a gentle hand on top of her head, comforting coolness radiating despite the harsh words from it's owner. She leaned into the familiar touch, like when she was a girl and her mother would sooth her. Although she doubted Aquarius would enjoy Lucy's motherly view of her.

"It is that bad, eh?" she asked, Lucy only nodding in response. "Well, that witch Porlyusica did warn you that your moon week could be more violent on that potion."

Lucy scowled at Aquarius' nagging, curling tighter. "I refuse to be with child before the ceremony." Lucy pushed through her teeth. A wave hit her again, muscles contracting harshly in her abdomen as her body attempted to either tear itself in half or implode. At least, that's what it felt like to Lucy. She also couldn't tell if she wanted to be sick or cry. She shifted onto her side, head resting in Aquarius' lap as she stifled another whimper. Lucy ignored her head maid's scoff.

"Still acting like a child in your twentieth year." Aquarius grumbled, stroking Lucy's hair kindly regardless. "A simple solution would be to control your urges for the king until you are wed," she said, voice haughty. Lucy could picture her maid's eye roll and upturned nose.

"If I recall correctly you are not wed to Scorpio, Aquarius," Lucy reminded her, words tight from the strain of speaking. She smiled weakly at Aquarius' low mutterings, tucking a limp piece of blonde hair behind Lucy's ear.

"Brat."

The two stayed in silence, Lucy finding herself relaxing when Aquarius began to hum a soft melody. Lucy felt herself start to slip into unconsciousness, still too tense and in pain to call it something as peaceful as sleep. She recognized the tune her maid was humming, soft smile curling her lips slightly. It was the one her mother would sing to her when she was sick, even when the woman herself was no longer in good health.

"Thank you, Aquarius."

Aquarius remained silent after Lucy's quiet words, fingers gentle and kind as they trailed along her head. After several minutes of silence, the carriage they were in rocking along with its low groans of shifting and nature full of birdsong and rustling foliage, Aquarius spoke. "You are welcome, My Lady."

Lucy forced herself to say nothing in response, fear of upsetting her maid lest she learn that Lucy was indeed still awake keeping her lips sealed tightly. It was not often that Aquarius shared any tenderness with Lucy, and the girl would take whatever she was willing to give at the moment. It was nice to be reminded of the care Aquarius held for Lucy in her heart.

"How is she?"

Lucy focused on the sound of Natsu's voice, soft enough and laced with worry to make her heart twist in fondness. The gentle feeling was soon crested by the pain lancing through her lower abdomen that held her curled in a tight ball on the floor of the luggage carriage and her head in her maid's lap.

"I hope in this new country we are being taken to that seeing a young and healthy woman reduced to a quivering contortion of herself is not a marker of being 'fine'." Aquarius said dryly, hand protective as she rested it on the side of Lucy's head.

"Should it not be a sign of the country you are joining that I am so concerned for my betrothed?" Natsu bit back, tone cut off and colder than Lucy knew him to be. He reminded her of the night they had met, no hint of informality found in his tense voice, strength of a king palpable in the authority he carried with him. Lucy would rather have her Natsu back, but she could respect the necessity court life would bring for such a duality to a man.

"I suppose," Aquarius sniffed. Her hand resumed the comforting strokes, nimble fingers combing through Lucy's hair and massaging her tired scalp. "I hope you know, if you do anything to harm My Lady," she said, voice reserved and low as she spoke, "then there will be no law or knight that could protect you from my retribution. This I promise you, Your Majesty."

Lucy's eyes opened at Aquarius' threat, unfocused on the chests before her that housed either her wardrobe or her novels. She knew that she would have to keep her conscious state secret now, or the maid would never forgive her. The stars knew Aquarius could hold a grudge.

"I am glad she has such loyal staff," Natsu said. Lucy could hear the smile in his voice as he spoke, tension gone from before. "And I would not stop you, if I ever did anything to hurt Lucy. This I promise you."

Aquarius grunted in reply, Lucy having to bite her tongue to hold her soft laughter at her maid's rudeness. She was quite done with the conversation, and held no qualms with showing that to whomever she spoke to, including kings. "Be useful then and take my place. Your betrothed has a weighted skull and I would much rather be with my own fiance than trapped under her as I am."

Lucy feigned waking up when Aquarius shifted beneath her, the act of lifting her head causing actual aches to resurface in her midsection, a low moaning pulling from Lucy without permission. She curled tighter in on herself, fabric of her dress dragging along the dirtied wooden carriage floor, sharp scraping sound loud and unwelcome in her ears. The sound of knuckles rapping on the wooden echoed through the vessel, Lucy's tired mind latching on to the sharp and hollow sound and emphasizing it to the point where it felt as though Natsu had struck her temple rather than wood a foot away.

The wagon slowed and eventually rested, Lucy feeling Aquarius leave and a warmer body replacing her as Lucy's cushion. The smell of smoke filled the air around her, Lucy's heart thumping fondly as she snuggled into his lap, centre still sore and contracting violently from time to time.

"How's my princess?" Natsu asked softly, his hand stroking her back as he pulled her closer to him.

"Miserable," Lucy groaned. She looked up at him, smiling softly at the concern in his pinched brow and worried eyes. "But thank you for asking."

"Are you sure it's worth it for you to be in this much pain?" Natsu asked, concern still lacing his expression.

"Ask me again and I'll wear the black lace slip Virgo packed and deny you the bed, see if you would be thinking these thoughts then." Lucy said, eyebrow raising. Natsu snorted, running his thumb along her forehead and resting his palm on her crown as he did so.

"I would leave you be until the Falling of Rael, Lucy, if that's what you wanted. If it kept you from pain."

Lucy rolled her eyes, smiling as she shifted so she used Natsu's thigh as her pillow and her face was tilted towards his body. "I would never wish that." Lucy sighed. She closed her eyes as nausea washed over her, and she wished from the twisting and pain of her muscles instead. "I do at times wished I had been born with a boy's body, though."

"Then you would be my prince." Natsu said, stroking her face gently. Lucy pressed into his tender touch, humming at the warmth of his hand on her skin. "Maybe some of the herbs Wendy gives me for my motion sickness would help?" he asked.

"Just lay with me," Lucy sighed. She curled tighter around herself when she felt Natsu shift, bringing wool blankets to replace his lap as he curled around her back.

"Are you sure you wish to be seen in such a familiar position, Lady Lucy?" Natsu teased, breath hot on her ear, his heartbeat and strong arms coaxing her aching body to relax against him.

"Shush," Lucy snorted. "So cruel to tease a pained woman."

"Then sleep, princess, and I will keep you from pain until my last breath."

"Isn't someone waxing poetic," Lucy mumbled, placing her hand over Natsu's as he rubbed her stomach in soothing circles. "This is a new side to you."

"Well I thought I should act more like the type to bride a star reader," Natsu said, dryness in his voice making Lucy's brow furrow. She kept her eyes closed, giving his hand a sharp squeeze.

"I agreed to your proposal because you acted as no other than yourself," she said softly. "And that is the man whom I will spend my life with and give children too."

"Aye, sir," Natsu breathed, grinning as he kissed the back of her neck. "Then sleep and dream of our future, 'kay, Luce?"

"Okay." Lucy sighed, already losing grip on reality in Natsu's embrace.

"Lady Lucy, perhaps you would feel better if you didn't sample the Ki'gan's… travel cuisine."

"Cancer, be nice. We are to join their house, and their culture. Does it not make sense that we should familiarize ourselves with it sooner rather than later?" Lucy gently chastised. While she had to admit, the broth was thicker than she was used to and contained… meat chunks that Lucy could not for the life of her specify, the scent was enticing and new.

Her head chef wrinkled his nose, thick braids leading from his hairline to the base of his neck, a symbol of his heritage from an island off the coast of Fiore, as well as his brown skin. "A fortnight of travel and not a hint of seafood or fruit," he muttered under his breath, "how does an entire country sustain themselves on such heaviness."

"Oi, Bunny Girl, your cook's a real snob."

"I was going to say prick, but snob works adequately." Rogue said dryly, eyes sharp as he looked over Cancer. He and Gajeel sat beside one another, Gajeel shameless as he stole pieces of meat from his younger brother's bowl. Rogue only gave long-suffering sighs, having grown under this treatment Lucy assumed.

"It is called finesse," Cancer snapped. "To cook is an art! A skill with blades and palette and-"

"Hello, hello, Chef Cancer, the horses are into your travel grain again."

Cancer ran off, hissing vulgarities under his breath. Lucy smiled at her stable master, who nodded his tall frame at her with a wry smile before following behind the irritated chef. She tried to smile at her companions around her, stirring her bowl aimlessly.

"I apologize for him. He does not enjoy being landlocked, he comes from the island you know. My mother was very fond of his cooking when she visited him and offered him a position, and you see how that led to this…" she trailed off, sighing as she ducked her head. She chastised herself mentally, rambling would do her no good in gaining friends among Natsu's house.

"It's fine," Sting waved off, wiping his chin after drinking his broth from the bowl. Lucy's nose wrinkled at the lack of manners, but she smiled gratefully nonetheless. "He's just crabby."

"So," Lucy began, fidgeting as yet another lapse in the conversation swallowed several minutes, each second painfully reminding her of the divide between herself and her new court, "how long have you all been Natsu's escorts? I would have expected the King to be accompanied by court members with more… seniority." Her attempted smile fell as she watched Gajeel and Cobra exchange a smirk, the other men around her stifling their own chortles. How wonderful, one sentence in without Natsu or Wendy around and she had already made a fool of herself. Lucy placed her bowl beside her, appetite lost as she gathered her skirts and stood. She would not stay where she was not welcomed.

"Oi, sit back down, Bunny Girl, we ain't gonna bite ya," Gajeel said gruffly, nodding his head at where she had sat on a felled tree. Lucy eyed him warily, sitting as requested but not settling herself.

"She's from Fiore, you have to remember she ain't used to our level of formality," Sting snickered, yelping when Rogue dug his elbow into his side.

"You were raised in the Expanse. As if you're one to talk about culture shock." Sting pouted at Rogue's words, twirling his spoon in the thick broth of his dish.

"I was a kid! How was I supposed to know you weren't meant to ride the guard cats?"

"Asking literally any soul you had come across on the way to their stables would have been a good start," Cobra drawled, eye closed as he leaned against the wheel of one of the carriages.

"Well now I have this cool scar," Sting huffed. "You think it's cool, right ham'an kal?"

Lucy cocked her head at the strange phrase Sting said to Rogue, the dark haired knight flushing brightly and ducking his head further towards the bowl in his lap.

"What does the phrase ham'an kal mean in Fiorian?" Lucy asked, curious. She would be the first to admit that she loved languages and such things related to books, though she had never crossed the phrase in her time amongst her piles and shelves in her library.

"Directly, it means 'of my heart'. In layman's terms it's about the same as saying 'my love'," Cobra sighed, obviously displeased at having to participate in the conversation, despite the fact that he was not required to. "Why they insist on being public with their affection is beyond me."

"Oh, you're only being pissy 'cus you haven't been able to kiss your wife or punch your husband for a cycle," Sting sneered, throwing his arm over Rogue's shoulders and making the still flustered knight stammer more and turn a fiercer shade of red.

"A wife and husband?" Lucy asked. She had never heard of a marriage between more than two before, even if in court life the couples rotated like the stars amongst the sky. Escorts were not unheard of, for both the wives and husbands, but it was rare for a couple to share the bed with another at the same time.

"You sound shocked," Cobra said, opening an eye to look at Lucy. "Surely you have heard of lords bedding many for one night. I just happened to grow attached to my pain in the ass husband while courting my wife. Neither of us are meant to inherit great land deeds or wealth, so there is no fear of lineage mixing."

"Pretty sure you're as happy as a Griffon's beak 'cus Mest ain't here to be a pain in your ass." Gajeel grinned at Erik lewdly, cackling at Lucy's stark blush and his cousin's barred teeth.

"Watch your tongue Redfox, or maybe I will let slip your penchant for singing in the bath next time I pass through the library."

Lucy turned to the knights, lost at what was being discussed before her but finding them 'ooo'ing at Erik's threat, Sting and Rogue snickering into one another as Gajeel snarled crude threats at Erik, who returned them with a stoic expression and dry tongue.

Unease built in her gut as both men leaned into one another across the dull campfire, tension under their skin and bodies readying for a fight. "And how did you meet?" Lucy asked loudly, court smile plastered to her face as she looked at Erik. "Lord Erik, I am sure it would not be a boring tale that led to such an unconventional marriage?"

"You can tell she's on edge 'cus of her fancy speak," Sting whispered loudly in Rogue's ear. The dark haired knight smirked but swatted at his lover's knee, chastising him. Lucy felt an embarrassed smile pull at her lips, and she busied herself gathering her skirts. Perhaps Virgo or Lyra would enjoy her company until it was time to turn down the camp.

"She is on edge because of the fighting she had not experienced in her previous court, not because she holds views of those from the old generations." Erik snapped, silencing Sting's low chuckles. Lucy squeaked when he turned his sharp gaze on her, lips twitching in either a smile or frown as he examined her face. "And it would do your nerves good to accept that my cousin's have no such thing as manners or best behaviour to offer you. Though considering how you were able to tame our King I doubt your sensibilities are too fragile to stand amoungst his court."

Lucy flushed and stammered over her words at his insinuation, stilling when she felt a heavy weight pat her crown. "No worry, Bunny Girl, Cobra 'ere has some weird sixth sense about people's personal lives." Gajeel grunted, pulling back his arm and returning his attention to his food. Lucy blinked. Cobra? How did Erik's name turn into the deadly snake from the Expanse?

"They call me Cobra because of my skill with poisons," Erik explained, biting roughly into a piece of charred meat before swallowing and grinning at her. "Coincidentally that is also how I met my partners. They were on the same assassin squad as I was."

"Assassin?" Lucy whispered, blinking in shock. Why would Natsu have need for a squad of assassins?

"After my dad was killed the old geezers in my court put together a squad to hunt down who had organized it and to wipe 'em out." Natsu said beside her ear, causing her to scream slightly and jump away from him. Lucy pouted at his broad grin, eyes dancing at the reaction he had pulled from her. "Glad to see you're better. Wendy's a miracle worker ain't she? She was the one to patch up Rogue's face after he got attacked by that pack of Ki'ganian wolves."

Lucy looked over at where Rogue sat, eyes drawn to the pale scar that sat stark on the bridge of his nose and under both eyes, the full extent of his facial marr revealed by his drawn back hair. She had made a point at not assuming how he had received it given how wrong she was about Natsu's own marks, but she would be lying if she said she had not been curious.

"I'm glad to see that a scar was the only mark to come from your encounter, Sir Rogue. I've read that the forest wolves can be quiet brutal in an attack." Lucy smiled at him. She brightened when he grinned at her, Lucy sensing that he did not show that expression often.

"No need to be so formal, Weirdo! He's gonna be your family in a couple moon cycles, you don't need to be calling any of these assholes Lord or Sir." Natsu teased her, grin widening at her pout and he nuzzled his nose against her cheek.

"I rather enjoy her properity," Rogue mumbled to his stew, grunting when Gajeel dug his elbow into his ribs.

"You just like not being looked on as the baby of the family," he smirked down.

"I am a knight!" Rogue shot back, cheeks flushed and lips pressed together. Lucy grinned when she realized it was a pout that Rogue was glaring up at his big brother.

"Gi hee, whatever you say Ryos," Gajeel continued to pester him, cackling loudly when Rogue sneered at the odd familiar name, ruffling the black hair on his crown and displacing strands from the pulled back style he wore, dark purple tie matching his single shouldered over-robe which was cinched at his waist before falling to his knees.

"Are they always like this?" Lucy asked in Natsu's ear, leaning into his embrace around her side.

"Nah," Natsu said, eyes crinkling at his large smile. "They're usually punching each other by now."

Lucy gave him a small smile in return, eyes drifting back to where the brothers continued to bicker with one another. She honestly did not doubt Natsu's statement, and she found she didn't mind it as much as she thought she would. Perhaps Erik hadn't been wrong when he observed that Lucy was built for Natsu's court.

Lucy stood beside the carriage furthest from the camp, breath caught in her throat as she looked over the scene before her. Never in her life had she seen so much openness.

The sky stretched endlessly above the equally infinite sand, the Expanse living up to its name as earth melded with sky on the horizon far, far away. Lucy felt so small, staring up at the cloudless sky and all the swirling stars it held, only a few days over a fortnight travel away from her old life and already a change in the arrival of the stars above her.

"It's beautiful." Lucy whispered, voice carrying over the moon drenched sand, pale gold and blue before her. The reason for her voicing her thought hummed in agreement, his warm hands eager as they gripped her waist and pulled her flush to his chest.

"Not nearly as beautiful as you, princess." Natsu murmured in her ear, teeth catching the sensitive flesh and pulling on it gently. His soft words betrayed the vice-like hold his fingers dug into her skin with, body hard and imposing as he moulded her to him, caging her with his very presence. Lucy hummed, saying nothing as she gave into his demanding pull. She grinned up at the North Star when she felt one hand leave her hip to pull at her ribbons, subtleness lost at his forceful tugging.

"Someone's a little restless, isn't he?" Lucy teased, doing nothing to help in his quest for her bare flesh. Natsu grunted, nipping at the hollow of her neck in retaliation to her tease. Her breath caught at the feeling of sharp teeth on her skin, the sensation sorely missed as she had been forced to recover from her moon week, and then the heavy push to reach the Expanse before the storm made it impossible to pass giving them no time for each other without alerting the rest of their party.

With a final harsh tug Natsu loosened her corset enough to slip his hands around to her front, hot pads of his fingers leaving burning wakes as they skimmed along her ribs and stomach. He wasted no time, lips hungry as he licked and kissed the column of her neck, one hand groping her chest with lewd rolls and the other slipping between her thighs and rubbing along her slit through her underdress.

Lucy moaned his name, her head falling back against his shoulder as he dragged her silk slip up her body to reveal her core to his wandering fingers. She slipped her hand between their bodies, palming at his growing erection through his riding pants and dragging a low snarl from the king. His hips canted into her hand, fierce and rough as he ground into her. With a victorious huff of breath Natsu drew her slip up the final inch, drawing a high whimper from Lucy when he ran two fingers along her already slick heat.

"Someone will come looking for us," Lucy breathed, turning her head to capture his lips with her own in a coy kiss.

"Let them try," Natsu snarled, hips rolling pointedly into her hand and crushing her body to his as he pinched her nipple and cupped her mound. "I've waited over a dozen and a half nights to have you to myself for more than a damn second, and if someone so much as thinks about interrupting us they will be crossing Expanse bound and trailing the horses."

Lucy giggled at his threat, high chime falling to a low sound when Natsu pressed his finger against her clit in harsh circles. "What happened to leaving me be until Rael fell?" Lucy teased, voice breathy with heated rasps.

"Oh Luce, I don't think you'd be able to last that long," Natsu breathed in her ear, finger pressing into her easily and dragging along her walls with slow and deep curls before leaving her to stir her clit more. "You're so wet, princess. Or should I say, my whore?"

Lucy melted against his body at his lecherous words, the memory of how Natsu gained the courage to call her that flashing through her mind and making her knees weak in an aching need. "Doesn't really what I call you, though, because you're mine. Right, princess?" Natsu breathed in her ear, the wonderful sensation of friction on her clit fading away as Natsu changed his focus, fingertips circling and rubbing at her needy entrance. "Say it, Lucy." Natsu demanded, hand leaving her breast to cup the front of her throat in a gentle but firm hold. "Say you're mine."

"I'm yours," Lucy said, quick and high as she fisted her one hand in her skirt and curled her fingers over Natsu's stiff bulge through the fabric.

"Who do you belong to?" Natsu snarled, fingers pushing into Lucy, demanding and eager to please at the same time as he narrowed in on the spot inside her that made her beg.

"I belong to you, Natsu!" Lucy whimpered, eyes turning starward as her body sagged against him, submitting to his touches as easily as the plains did to a forest fire. And how he burned her, stealing her oxygen and consuming her mind as he dragged his fingers along her slick walls. "Only you. Always you." She planted, squeezing on his hand tightly with her thighs and pulling his digits deeper inside her.

"Such a good girl, princess." Natsu purred in her ear, spreading his fingers inside her and making her whine and gasp at the burning stretch. "Do you remember what else is mine? From the first time we met?"

Lucy nodded after a few seconds, voice catching as the pleasure built with each roll of Natsu's wrist before she could answer. She felt the words fall off her lips, Natsu's mouth on her neck as he kissed along her skin lifting to ghost along the side of her face. "Louder, Lucy."

"My sounds belong to you," Lucy gasped, shoulders rolling in and her dress falling further down her body. She craved feeling him touch her, wanted to tear off his shirts and pants and stockings herself until she could claim him as hers. She was stopped from twisting in his arms by a third finger teasing her stretched entrance and his thumb pressing ever so gently onto her pulse, whine choking off in her throat as she was held how he wanted her and lust flared in her gut, hot and tight and demanding.

"Such a fucking good girl, princess," Natsu praised, lips rough as they traced her ear and voice low and gravelly. "Don't want anyone finding us, so you need to be quiet. Don't worry, I'll be helping you with that."

Natsu led Lucy to the ground, her breath catching as he withdrew his hand from inside her and she braced herself in the rough grass that grew alongside the edge of the unforgiving desert. She was the one to free her arms and body from her dress, leaving her slip on as it rode high on her waist. "You love having me in my dressings, don't you, Natsu?" Lucy asked, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she looked at him finally. His cheeks were flushed, hair softened in the moonlight while his eyes caught the dancing light of the stars. Lucy whimpered at his ravenous look as he took in the sight of Lucy on her hands and knees before him, disheveled and improper, reminiscent of their first encounter almost a cycle ago.

"I love having you, period." Natsu said, voice roughened to an animalistic growl. Lucy shivered as his hands explored her skin, gathering her loosened hair over one shoulder, mapping her spine and the dimples of her back with reverent and memorizing touches. She gasped when the sound of fabric rustling was quickly revealed to be Natsu freeing his cock, the burning head running along her slick folds and teasing her entrance. Her head hung limp as he pressed into her, ridge of cock teasing her tight heat as Natsu pulled back and pressed in in soft rocks. She could imagine his lewd grin as he taunted her, playing with her body to his contentment. "I love you more though."

With that confession Natsu sheathed himself fully inside her, hips snapping at a brutal and quick pace as he filled and stretched her with his cock. "Natsu!" Lucy called, grass tearing in her fists as she fought to keep her mind intact under his wonderful assault, "Y-you, you cannot just sa-ahhh, say that!"

Natsu chuckled darkly at her cry, hand releasing her hip and covering her mouth instead, forcing her head up as she felt his fingers dig into her jaw and her sounds muffled by his rough palm. "Just did, princess. Can't let anyone see you like this, acting as the king's whore in the wild, so why don't we talk about it later. Fuck, you're so wet on my cock, such a dirty girl. I know Luce, I know you'd rather have my cock on your lips but my hand'll have to do to stop those pretty noises from drawing a crowd. Fuck, Lucy, princess, you're so excited at that thought, of being caught. My depraved whore, so good for her king. So fucking good, princess. I love you, fucking Joal, I love you." Natsu snarled, his voice low as his words reduced Lucy to a whimpering mess under him, cock pulsing inside her and rubbing along her walls with each intense thrust.

Whimpers tore through her throat as Natsu hissed praise and declarations of love into the hot night air, her body moving of it's own volition and matching Natsu's powerful grinds into her. Time was meaningless in her lust induced haze, pleasure tearing along her veins and sparks tracing her nerves with each deep stroke of his cock inside her.

Lucy's arms gave out as her mind was taken over by the burning stretch and pleasure Natsu made her feel, her cheek pressing into the grass even as Natsu kept his grip over her mouth firm, muffling her keens and begging. She gasped for air when he took it away, using both hands to pull Lucy to her side on the grass. She looked up, eyes widening when he pushed two fingers past her lips and along her tongue, muffling her moans when Natsu threw her one leg over his shoulder as he settled between her spread thighs. Lucy knew she'd be having sly looks from Virgo from the grass stains that would dirty her stockings and nightgown. Lucy whimpered and arched her back when Natsu's cock struck her clit repeatedly, sharp taps sending bursts of pleasure through her and making her toes curl. Natsu's low chuckle at her twitching further coiled the arousal in her gut, Lucy reaching for him without thought and twisting her hands in the fabric of his shirt after pulling off his scarf so it fluttered to the earth beside her abandoned dress. She tugged, crooning when she managed to undo several buttons through her desperate pulls alone before Natsu decided he was done playing.

"It's a good thing you're gonna be in the caravan, princess, 'cus there's no fucking way you're gonna be able to ride a horse by the time I'm done with you." Natsu snarled, hips grinding into her with deep, jostling strokes. Lucy pulled her head back enough to be freed of Natsu's fingers, ignoring the wet feeling along her lips and cheek as she looked at him.

"Maybe it should be you I ride instead," Lucy said breathlessly, eyes fluttering shut as Natsu snarled and thrust his fingers back into her mouth.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you my dirty princess." He whispered, leaning over her body and dragging his tongue along the side of her face before nipping at her ear. Shivers traced Lucy's spine at the lewd motion, Natsu's hot breath caressing her skin and the angle driving Natsu deeper than she thought she had ever felt him before in her core. "You talk about riding me but I already have you in a mess in my arms like this. Can't you imagine how deep I'd get inside you if you bounced on my cock? You'd be able to feel me for weeks."

Lucy nodded, forcing her eyes open so she could hold his heated and excited look, emerald wild and dangerous as sensual sparks flooded Lucy's mind. She loved when he looked at her with that predatory gaze, all animalistic hunger and lewd promises. Lucy sobbed in relief around his fingers when he pulled back, his head rubbing the spot inside her perfectly. She felt a wet heat on her inner thigh, forcing her eyes open in time to see Natsu rip through her stocking with his teeth and lavish her skin with bruising kisses where he could. His fingers bit into her where he held the place where her thigh met her hip as he rocked her on his cock, eyes sharp as he held Lucy's wanton gaze.

"Fuck, Lucy, when you look at me like that it so hard to control myself," Natsu groaned, lips brushing her sensitive skin. A strangled cry tore from her without thought as he dug his teeth into her flesh, painful and erotic as he continued to grind his hips against Lucy's and fill her until she thought she might break. "Who do you belong to, princess?"

"You," Lucy managed around his fingers, moaning and sucking on his digits when he pressed in a third. The thrusts of his hand matched his cock pounding into her, Lucy's mind slowly turning blank from the molten heat spreading along her lips on both ends.

"Good girl," Natsu praised, grinning and kissing the bite mark he left on her thigh at her quiet mewls from his words. Lucy panted loudly when he pulled his hand from her mouth, her own nails tearing at the grass above her head when he lightly gripped her neck, hand large around her sensitive and delicate column. He squeezed, Lucy's eyes flying open as she gazed unfocused at the stars above her, all sensations suddenly heightened at his dominating touches. "My good, dirty, whore." Natsu sang.

Her leg fell from his shoulder as he repositioned his body over hers, his cock still stuffed into her heat so there was no part of his length not inside her. He resettled with her legs wrapped around his hips, one hand around her throat and the other pinning her arms above them. Lucy tried to lift her head to kiss him, breath catching when Natsu gave her neck and wrists a warning squeeze, falling still until she was told otherwise. She had never seen him this controlling before, and she basked in it for everything she could.

"Natsu," Lucy breathed, closing her eyes as he kissed her softly, deep and slow rolls into her intimate and different from how he had been carving himself into her minutes before. She returned his kiss, catching his lower lip with soft teeth before welcoming in his tongue as he tasted her. The hand from her neck slipped lower, fondling her breast with tight squeezes before slipping under her wrinkled silk undergown and gripping her hip. Lucy arched into his touch, fingers on her bare skin making her sigh in pleasure. His forehead knocked against hers gently, Lucy slow as she opened her eyes to gaze up into the emerald that burned into her soul.

"I've missed this," Natsu said in a low and gravelly voice, eyes closing and Lucy counted his eyelashes, one for each gasp of breath pushed from her lungs by his cock filling and hollowing her.

"As have I," Lucy murmured, tilting her head to brush her lips against his cheek. Her mouth fell open with a silent cry when his head dug into the spot deep inside her that unwound her in the most undignified way. She felt his cheek bunch against her lips, Natsu smirking as he nosed her jaw and released her wrists to cup the back of her neck in a tender hold. Lucy wasted no time, tangling her hands in his hair and tugging on him desperately, relief flooding through her and her gut twisting pleasantly at finally being able to touch him.

"Cum for me, princess," Natsu said, low command no more than a grunt against her skin as his hips lost the slow rhythm he had been using before. His grip squeezed on the base of her neck and Lucy was undone, her scream swallowed by Natsu's searing kiss as pleasure crashed over her and flooded her mind. She rode the hazy high for several seconds, falling back to reality in Natsu's strong and sweat covered arms, his breath hot on her collarbone as he curled over her.

"Natsu," Lucy cooed, wrapping her arms around his head and holding him against her as she felt him lose himself. "Please."

Natsu's groan was muffled by her skin, nodding his head in understanding and desperation. He kissed where he could reach her roughly, both arms sliding under the bow of her back as his hips slammed against hers only a handful more times. A breathy sigh escaped her lips as he stilled, cock pulsing thickly and burning her while he released his orgasm deep inside her. Lucy felt him coat her inside, almost molten heat making her toes curl pleasantly and a peace settling over her like a blanket at the intimate and lewd act.

They laid there, a tangle of limbs and bodies, both heaving as they caught their breath. Lucy hid her smile in Natsu's sweat mussed hair, hands drawing nonsense along his spine under his shirt. "I love you too," she whispered softly, half of her hoping her words would be lost in the locks of salmon or the gentle buzz of insects around them.

Luck had not stayed for Lucy though, Natsu stilling in her arms before burrowing his face into her skin. Lucy felt him grin, her own lips pulling up in return and a smile breaking across her face. A giggle bubbled from her lips, more following quickly until laughter was spilling from her like a river over a rock ledge. Natsu tried to quiet her, but was stopped by his own low laughter, the kind that shook his chest and made him pull her all the tighter against him. "We'll be caught if you keep laughing," Natsu warned, no heat in his words as his grin widened on her shoulder. Lucy buried her face in his shoulder as well, curling over him and tangling her legs with his once more.

"But I love you," she said gently, cheeks sore from the strength of her smile.

"I love you more, Werido," Natsu teased. He lifted his head, beaming down at her with tired and joyful eyes and a beautiful flush that made his freckles catch the light of the moon.

"No, I believe I love you more," Lucy hummed, tilting her head into the gentle touch of Natsu's fingers as he trailed them over her cheek, pushing back any stray hairs as he gazed down at her.

"Nu uh."

"Uh huh." Lucy said back, informal and childlike sounds awkward on her tongue but still reflexive as she spoke with Natsu. His beam grew at her weak retort, Natsu snorting before peppering soft kisses along her face and making her squeal quietly and her laughter return.

"Join me tonight," Natsu said as he pulled back, tracing her jaw with a soft touch as he looked down at her.

"That would be extremely improper, You Majesty," Lucy replied, Natsu rolling his eyes at her overly cautionary tone. Her lips twitched to smile, but she smothered the expression as she continued speaking. "Betrothed are not meant to be alone together, lest something scandalous occur."

"Bit late for that, don't you think Luce?" Natsu teased, rubbing his nose against hers gently. Lucy grinned up at him, returning the tender action eagerly. "It's been torture not waking up next to you."

"I feel the same," Lucy cooed, hands gentle as they tangled in his hair, stroking and playing with the soft spikes absently.

"So you'll join my tent tonight?" Natsu asked, eyes bright and hopeful as he gazed at her. Lucy thought he looked like her small dog, Plue, when there were scraps on the table and Lucy had snuck him bites of meat.

"Yes Natsu, I will," Lucy said, cupping his face and leading him down to kiss her. It was sweet and chaste, their lips brushing over one anothers so lovingly Lucy felt this had been the most intimate moment between them so far. The kiss ended when Natsu rolled over, tucking Lucy under his arm as they gazed up at the night sky together. Lucy pointed up at the first constellation that caught her eye, telling Natsu the story her mother had told her about the young adventurer who died protecting an old woman he hadn't known was a goddess being hunted, and how to honor his bravery and goodness she made him King of the Stars.

"His name was Loke, and he is said to be able to transform into a lion to defend those who are truly good of heart from peril. My knight Loke will gladly tell you all about the King of Stars stories if you ask him. I believe he thinks he's descended from him," Lucy laughed to herself as she thought of her flirtatious arch knight. Despite his constant offerings she still viewed him as a close friend, knowing he placed her well-being above all, even his own libido. Lucy looked at Natsu, snorting at the face he was pulling before pointing at a different constellation and telling it's story. Hours could have passed, the stars slow as they moved over head and Natsu asking questions about each constellation he could find, even conjuring new stories for ones he made up on the spot. Sleep pushed itself on Lucy, her eyes struggling to remain open and her thoughts fading as quickly as they came.

"Let's get you in bed before that maid of yours kills me for making you tired tomorrow, " Natsu suggested with a smile, fond as he gazed at Lucy. She made a sound of disagreement, curling tighter into his side, ready to fall asleep like this. Lucy pushed open an eye she hadn't realized had closed when Natsu poked her cheek, pouting at him when he cackled softly and poked her again. "Unless you wanna walk through the camp in your dirty and torn underwear," Natsu teased, smirking victoriously at her sharp blush and huff.

"I should just return to my own tent," Lucy grumbled. She pushed herself onto her hands, soreness radiating from her core, her skin tender and dirtied with mess. She hoped Natsu had a basin in his tent so she could clean before bed, she could only imagine Aquarius' rage if she tried to bathe in the river at night and got washed away downstream, or worse, lost in the forest trying to return from the half hour trek.

"Too late, you already said you were sharing mine," Natsu reminded with a proud smile, doing up the buttons on his shirt. He raised an eyebrow when he noticed several were missing, torn from Lucy's pulling. She pointedly ignored his sly look, standing on weak legs as she pulled her dress over her body. She left the back undone, not enough energy left in her limbs to try and do it herself. She did however find the strength to bend over and retrieve Natsu's scarf, brushing off the dirt and grass from the white fabric before turning and smiling at Natsu. He ducked his head, allowing her to wind it around his neck. Lucy giggled and pulled back slightly when he pressed a sloppy kiss to her cheek, his arms catching her and hugging her to his chest.

"Lets go to bed," Lucy sighed, wrapping her arms around his neck loosely.

"Aye," Natsu chirped, eyes squinting shut from the force of his smile. It made Lucy's heart flutter, the openness and pureness of his smile, and she silently vowed to herself that she would do everything in her power to keep it that way as they grew old together.

Lucy pulled away, threading her arm through Natsu's. They made their way through the tents by moonlight, Lucy painfully aware of the risk they were taking despite it being long past the time when most had gone to bed. The Drifter camp was full of tents of wild colours and varying sizes, gold and brass accents catching in the scarce light, a testament to their trader culture from the patchwork of fabrics. Lucy thought it was one of the most amazing and beautiful things she had ever seen.

Her appreciation was halted suddenly when they came across a Drifter, the man crouching as he tended to the embers of the fire in the centre of the camp. His skin was more tanned than Lucy's but much fairer than Natsu's own rich brown colour, the embers casting a orange mystic glow over him. He raised his head, sandy blond hair escaping in pieces from the deep blue turban he had half unwrapped around his crown, loose wraps hanging against his bare chest and under his chin. His lips curled in a knowing smile, blue eyes eerily similar to Sting's -as were most of the Drifters'- glinting with sly amusement. He nodded at the pair, turning back to the burning coals but keeping his lips curled up, though not unkindly.

Lucy groaned as she buried her face in Natsu's arm, ignoring his snickers as she hid her blush behind her hand. His laughter at her expense only grew as she ushered them on, Lucy desperate to reach his tent only ten more down. Her quest was again halted, Lucy finding vindication when Natsu too froze in fear.

"Well, well, look who's finally ready for bed." Gajeel smirked, eyeing Lucy's and Natsu's rumpled clothing, smile widening sharply with each second that passed. "And look who ya found, looks like the name Bunny Girl ain't too far from the truth with how much you two go at it."

Lucy's face burned, eyes itching in humiliation as she kept her face to the ground. "Oi," Gajeel called, catching Lucy's attention and causing her to raise her eyes to him. He scratched the side of his face, lips thinned and a blush of his own painting his cheeks as he avoided Lucy's worries gaze. "I, uh, ain't gonna tell anyone. Not that they'd care, 'cus if Natsu approves of ya then we don't have any reason to look down on ya. So, stop being so fuckin' worried all the time. You're good with us."

"Thank you, Gajeel," Lucy smiled at him. She was still mortified at being caught, her strict upbringing about expectations of her and the approval of others that had been instilled in her unable to be dismissed so easily as by a few kind words, but Lucy took his sentiment to heart and appreciated it.

"Stop being so fucking mature," Natsu glared at Gajeel, concern in his eyes as he took in his cousin's face.

"One of us has to be," Gajeel bit back, lips twitching in a mix of a smirk and sneer as he loomed over Natsu. Lucy felt him tense, watching as irritation bled into his expression. She had been around him and his court enough to know when a scrap was brewing and she decided she was in no mood to be delayed from her rest any longer. Her body ached in too many places to name, mess was coating and leaving uncomfortable ribbons down her inner thighs, and she wanted to curl up and hide before anyone else came across her in this state.

"Natsu," Lucy whined, pressing her chest against his arm and batting her lashes at him. She watched the anger slip from his eyes, Natsu swallowing hard as his gaze flicked down to where her dress had slipped low to reveal her cleavage pressing tight together before returning to meet hers.

"Night, Metal Breath," Natsu muttered, stepping around Gajeel and leading Lucy away. She looked over her shoulder, smiling at Gajeel standing and shaking his head. He gave her a faint grin before walking towards his own tent by the piercer Drifter.

Lucy rested her head against Natsu's arm as they walked, giddiness returning at finding her place amongst Natsu's court. He looked at her curious as she squeezed his arm again, giving a fond, if confused, smile as he held open the flap of his tent.

"Thank you," Lucy said, meaning it for more than just his simple act. She didn't know if he understood what she meant, but she found she wasn't overly concerned about it. She would make sure to never let him doubt her gratitude for opening his house to her, a place and people she could truly call hers.

"Anything for you, princess."

And Lucy believed him.

A/N; Look who's back! With smut! I hope you guys didn't hate the break, trying to work on so many things at once is harder than it looks lol :D

Just a friendly reminder that this fic is basically porn with plot, so there will be a lot of smut. It's a smut fic. A period piece smut fic. Also there are some updated glossary terms if you guys want to check it out :D

Thank you all for the nice comments, and I can't wait to see what you think of this fic!

Glossary Terms:

Dame - female title for knight. Sir; male.

Drifters - nomads that live on the edges of the Expanse Desert and act as guides across for caravans between Fiore and Ki'gan.

Dya - (Die-ah) Deity of sexual pleasure and potency. Bigender.

Expanse Desert - only land connection between Fiore and main continent. Is South Eastern to Fiore and West North to Ki'gan. During the winter large sandstorms blow from coast to coast, deadly due to their suddenness and severity. No kings or rulers.

Fiore - (Fee-or-eh) Peninsula that is connected to main continent through Expanse Desert. Mild weather with moderate snowfall in winter and pleasant summers. There are three kings, one on the northern coast, one in the centre of the country, and one on the south east. Lords divide land between the kingdoms.

Frallon - (Fir-all-in) A small landlocked country. Main center of trade and culture of the continent as it is surrounded by several countries and is neutral to most conflicts, meaning travellers pass through it the most often. One Queen, powerful army and proud subjects. Major hub of high fashion, arts, and fine food.

Ham'an kal - (Ham-aan k-all) term of endearment in Expanse. Reserved for between close lovers. Roughly means 'my heart/soul/life'.

Ina - (Inn-ah) Goddess of trickery and deceit. Twin of Ani (An-ee), God of liars and thieves.

Isoun - (I-sou-en) Deity of Just wars, fought for revenge or freedom rather than land or greed. Patron deity of revolutionaries, but is said to have the most false followers. Those who are said to have been blessed by them bear the mark of a fatal wound but survived regardless.

Joal - (Joy-el) The place where the dead are punished for their wickedness while living. Opposite to Rael. Sand in Joal is commonly said by the Drifters and is a heavy curse as the worst possible scenario for Drifters would be to deal with the sand even in their hell.

Ki'gan - (Keh-gaan) Country across the Expanse Desert from Fiore. Further south than its bordering country. Three times the size but equal population due to a large mountain range that runs along the coast and wild forests. Summers are hot and 6 months out of the year, with heavy rains in fall and unpredictable snowstorms in winter. Only one king but many lords and sires.

Ki'ganian wolves - Similar to timbre wolves in size, with scaled paws and underbelly, as well as faces. Colours range from forest green to browns with yellow reflective eyes and horns that grow alongside their furred ears. Roam in packs in the mountains, and usually avoid interacting with humans.

Rael - Where the good are sent to rest after death. Is said to Fall when the sun does not set for a moon (month) and will be raised by Isoun and their warriors. Opposite to Joal.

Riders - Merchants of the Expanse desert, travel with sandcats pulling sleds. Go to the dangerous coasts and bring back herbs/fruits/stones.

Shadow crier - insult meant to imply either a young child or small animal. Weak/babyish.

Star reader - a person who reads the placement of the stars in the sky and uses it to predict season and weather patterns. Can also predict omens based on the conditions for the sky at night or which stars remain as the sun rises/sets.

Thoist - (Th-oi-st) God of battle in Fiore. Patron god of warriors and knights. Said to have gained a third eye after defeating a Cyclopes that tried to lead an army of monsters to take over the world. Thoist's Eye is a call to see all, or a prayer for information about a future battle. Taken as an everyday curse amongst knights.