The Crown's Entrapment

Gideon couldn't help but hum in satisfaction as he led Freya on their journey back towards the capital. They had spent almost the entire morning making love, and their travel time back to the capital had taken a hit as a result. It also didn't help that his mate was currently exhausted and yet refused for him to carry her on his back using his wolf form.

Despite her words of not wanting to impose on him, the Bond made it as clear as the bright sun above them that she simply didn't want to have too much bodily contact with him after their rigorous love making. Not because she didn't want to, of course.

No... It was because she apparently couldn't trust herself not to try and goad him into having another round of bed-breaking sex in the middle of the road.

[A-And I'm more than justified for it,] Freya weakly whispered beside him, her cheeks burning red at his thoughts. [You... I did say you changed something in me... I just didn't think it would be like this...]

"Well, I'm kind of glad that it was more of a positive instead of a negative," Gideon cheekily replied, noticing just how much Freya was avoiding even holding his hand while they walked. "Though I will have to admit that this would be a problem if it continued for longer than a few days."

"This... This isn't my fault," she sheepishly retorted. "You're the one that decided that I should be... insatiable..."

It all started earlier that morning right after they'd finished their last-minute love-making session before they left for the capital. They decided to take a bath together, and Freya all but practically straddled him as soon as they were in the bathtub. As much as Gideon loved her actions, they were actually pressed for time, and they had to leave as soon as they were able. Unfortunately, his wife seemed to be in a trance the moment her eyes locked itself against his shaft.

Needless to say, he was powerless against the fact that Freya wanted him just as much as he wanted her.

"Hey, I wasn't the one that decided to cut off all skin contact," he jokingly teased.

"I'm just making sure I won't get us to stall again," she half-heartedly glared at him. "And you were the one that wanted to get here as quickly as possible once I got that key as a present from you."

Gideon excitedly smiled at her. "It's your gift, and we've been putting off visiting the place for a while now."

"You could always just tell me what this is for, you know," Freya scoffed. "We didn't have to rush all the way back to the capital."

"And spoil the surprise? I want to see the look on your face once we get there," Gideon excitedly chuckled. "I'm sure you'll love it."

Freya's blush burned brighter even as they entered the market square. She saw her hand try and reach out to his, but she quickly withdrew it as if she was afraid that even a small touch would set each others off.

Gideon could only chuckle at his mate's cute actions. He was sure that this minor problem was going to disappear sooner or later, but for now, he had yet another thing to give her in celebration of their joining.

"And we're here," he announced as they both came right in front of what looked to be an empty store front. It was something that he had been cooking up for a while now, and looking to his side, the confusion and disbelief on Freya's face told him everything he needed without even consulting the Bond that they had.

"G-Gideon... This is just an empty store front," Freya weakly pointed out, her disbelief apparent as she alternated between looking at the key in her hands and the massive stall in front of her. "Don't tell me this key is for this one building."

"But it is," Gideon cheekily nodded, his glee coming through his Bond as he gestured towards the building. "I bought this entire building in the middle of the market square just for you to display your wares and sell them. Granted, even I think it's a bit too big, but I'm sure that you'll think of something to do with the space."

"Gideon... I-I don't know what to say..." Freya weakly remarked, her voice cracking as tears started forming in her eyes. "This is... This is too much..."

"I know, right?" he joked. "But this is the perfect place in the market square with the perfect exposure and coverage for your wares. I didn't want to get you just a small stall or a pop-up store. I wanted to give you a whole boutique fitting of both your beauty and skill."

The pride in his chest only swelled further the more her gratitude and happiness filtered through their Bond. He watched as Freya stepped up to the closed door of the building, using the key he had just gifted her to open it and step inside the building.

Immediately, she couldn't help but squeal.

"This is... All of this just for my pottery..." she whispered, her voice bouncing off the walls as the empty building showed nothing but potential. "I can even see myself selling other things... maybe a few collaboration projects if I had the time for it..."

"Right?" Gideon readily agreed. "The way I see it, the extra space will be useful if you ever decided to expand beyond your current passions. Maybe we can even-"

Gideon stopped himself, his thoughts drifting towards the idea that they could use all of the empty space to somehow set themselves up and start a family. Nevermind the fact that they both already had bigger dwellings than a single building in the middle of the market square. The fact that he was already going there almost made him hope that Freya wasn't listening in on his thoughts at the moment.

Unfortunately, she had caught him before he could change the topic.

"Oh? I didn't think you were one for simplicity," Freya teased, her cheeks already burning even as she cooed at him. "I... I don't think I would mind, but Big Brother might take offense to us living a normal life with the rest of the populace."

"W-Well, if you want it, I'm sure King Darius wouldn't oppose us," Gideon awkwardly replied. "If you wish for it, I'll petition for it with you."

"And if not, then you'll help me run away?"

Gideon gritted his teeth in embarrassment. "Y-Yes..."

He could only shake his head at being caught off-guard like this. Sure, her happiness was his top priority, but he could only hope that none of this particular conversation ever reached his King's ears.