The lack of exercise of the last weeks, when I stayed indoors to recuperate and didn't venture far, if not for rare events, starts having its effects.

I can't keep up with my husband.

I've lost count of how many times we fulfilled our duties already, but we never managed to get to the ropes. I'm too tired to even think about it.

After so much abstinence, our bodies don't let our lewd minds fly too far. Every smile is the most alluring, every caress so tempting.

In the end, we roll in the bed, kiss, and fulfil duties until I can't even move anymore.

«I need to rest,» I moan.

I haven't reached the silken scarfs, and I don't want to do that anymore. I can't even keep my arms lifted now, let alone fight for supremacy.

«Already?» Alexander chuckles against my ear. He hugs me tightly and covers us with the blanket.

I have envisioned a whole night of passion, but it's not going to happen. I have overestimated myself.

«I'm not how I used to be,» I point out. The nightgown, even though translucent, hides just enough.

I'm round, and my breasts are swollen. What more, they're full of milk that starts flowing whenever Alexander presses too much. As a result, it's all wet and sticky.

Without moving the covers away, I make the cloth slip over my head and throw it away. It will be more comfortable to sleep naked rather than like that. And the sheets will hide my body from Alexander's keen eyes.

I pretend not to know how he's able to sense my changes just by touch. It's different when seeing it, by the way.

«Come here,» he murmurs, dragging me in his invincible arms.

I sigh, surrendering to his stern muscles. I press a finger on his chest and draw circles, feeling the stone built by his training and adventures. His heart has calmed down and is now beating steady against my ear.

His breath tickles my hair. So much that I'd move my head up and kiss him. But that would lead us to another round, and I still want to sleep.

«You fulfilled about half of your promise, Thea,» Alexander says after much thinking. «When will I have the rest?»

«I fulfilled almost everything!» I point out. I just couldn't take out the ropes. And I wasn't planning on being the one tied, regardless. «But I'm too tired now. Next time...»

«When will the next time be?»

«I don't know,» I sigh. I don't want this to become a habit of his.

He travels pretty often while we stay in the capital. It would be difficult to organise such a welcoming event every time.

«What about in the morning?» he chuckles.

I bite his shoulder as remonstration and lean my head back on his chest. He's too teasing right now. I haven't tired him enough.

He turns on the side and hugs me with both arms. His lips peck my forehead, and I look up to check what's the matter now.

«I love you, Thea,» he whispers.

Oh, it's that.

I press my lips on his in a chaste peck, and then I close my eyes to sleep.

«I love you too,» I reply before falling prey to slumber.

Waking up in the morning isn't as much of a trauma as I imagined. My body recovered through the night, and my head is clearer after some sleep.

Alexander is still snoozing next to me.

I snuggle out of his embrace and start getting up from bed when I realise that this is just the perfect opportunity.

The drawer full of red scars is waiting to be opened, I understand with a wild grin.

This husband of mine is so calm and cute while sleeping. His expression is relaxed and loses any threat or teasing grimace.

It would be a pity not to take advantage of such an opportunity.

I make the drawer slip just enough to catch a few scarves, and I return on the bed and grab Alexander's hand.

His other arm surrounds me, and his free hand squeezes my butt.

I was expecting something like this, so I don't even wince. I focus on the hand I caught and try tying it to the headrest. It's difficult to find a way not to make him feel uncomfortable yet to keep the knot firm enough so that he doesn't free himself.

I have to admit that my husband has a talent when it comes to tying.

When I'm done with the first arm, I try moving the second up. As a result, I'm overturned and glared upon by a couple of black, threatening eyes.

The shiver that crosses my spine is all but fear, even though I'm sure Alexander's expression isn't a fake one. He must have got up all of a sudden, thanks to his fine senses. He could feel the danger...

He realises it's me, and he lets go of my hand. The threat in his expression disappears, and I sigh, displeased. I would have liked his glare on me for some more.

Then, I realise that I managed to tie his right hand, but not the left. I can't even start imagining what he's going to do now, with that left hand. This failure will cost me so much.

«What are you trying to do, Thea?» he murmurs, observing the clumsy knot around his wrist. I've used the knowledge from my dreams to make it, so it should be firm enough.

«Tie you to the bed,» I confess.

I point at the rest of the scarves, in the corner of the bed, and his eyes follow my finger with curiosity.

«You just like getting in trouble,» he comments.

«I couldn't resist.»

«What am I going to do to you, now?»

«Oh, whatever you want. But let me tie your other hand first so that you're more symmetric.»

«Isn't a single tied hand already enough?»

«No,» I sigh. «You're too powerful for me... I don't have any chance of winning unless I tie you perfectly.»

A couple of tears decorate my eyes, and I blink to make him realise my sincerity.

«I'd really, really like to tie you,» I continue. «So much that I couldn't resist the temptation and tried doing it in your sleep.»

«What would have happened if I didn't wake up?»

«It's not an option. I need your collaboration for this. I was going to find enough good arguments.»

«What kind of arguments?» he murmurs, now interested.

I knew it.

«I wanted to try being on this side. So, if you let me tie you, I will allow you to do something you want to try but didn't dare to ask me. Anything.»

I've been in his skin, in the dreams. I know there were many things he waited for long before asking Queen Theodora to do. There must still be something so wicked that he didn't ask her yet.

«Anything?»

«Yes, of course.»

Tying is just the beginning of his weird fantasies, isn't it?

«Then, I might accept your bribe,» he says.

Oh, this easy? No need to relaunch my offers?

Ah, better!

He offers me his wrist, and I fix it on the headboard next to the other. I leave enough space so that my husband can sit up.

«Now, the eyes,» I murmur.

«I want to look at you.»

«I don't want to be seen.» I've covered myself with a sheet till now, fearing his disappointed glance.

My waist isn't as tiny as it used to be. My breasts are swollen, and even my hips are large.

«Only for this time.» He surrenders.

I cover his eyes with yet another scarf, and his evil grin makes me gulp.

Like this, with a husband tied like this... I have to do it all by myself!

I haven't thought about this little detail before.

Alexander leans on the headrest, his face relaxed, and he waits with patience.

I straddle him and kiss his neck. Why does it feel like he's still the one guiding me, by the way? The calm with which he accepts every my caress makes me believe it's as if he just ordered me to touch him there. The smile that welcomes every kiss is approving my motions...

Oh, dear, I hate being in this position. I thought I would like a tied Duke, but it's not nearly as thrilling as when the roles are reversed.

Whatever my thoughts, I have now to finish what I started.

Then, I'll release him and admit my mistake in the hope he'll take the chance and return to his usual, shameless self.

«Thea,» he whispers.

«Hmm?» I moan, still intent on kissing his chest.

«You're going to pay for this, you know that?»

I shiver, already imagining his evil deeds. Oh, damn it. One has to earn something if they want it, right?

This might have a better ending than what I was expecting.

«We'll see about that, husband,» I whisper. I will make him reach the limit; I'll anger him so much that he won't have a gram of mercy when my turn comes.