The main story begins!!!!....

( Back to the present)

Maya eyes widened as she remembered and it only grew wider till it felt like they would pop out of their sockets. Dexter's fingers still under her chin, his lips twitched on seeing the reaction. She reeled backwards, her mouth wide open in shock.

" Dexter!" She screamed before clamping her hands over her mouth, stupefied. Dexter allowed his lips to stretch into a smile, his eyes glowing.

" You remember." He said, his voice low.

Maya's heart began thrumming. " Dexter!!" She repeated, still finding it hard to believe. Oh heavens...! Oh heavens!! How did she not see it!? How did she not recognize him!?!

She stared at him again, her eyes clear. Now that she remembered, everything had changed. The once intimidating man didn't look so... Intimidating anymore. He still had the aura around him yes, but he didn't frighten her anymore.

He walked closer to her, running her hands through hair before resting on her cheeks..." How could you forget that?" He asked gently.

Maya stuttered, her eyes darting around frantically. " I..." She began and cut herself off almost instantly. She completely forgot all about it! Her cheeks burned in embarrassment. " It wasn't my intention!" Adding quickly, " in my defense, living in that palace was much harder than I had imagined it to be!!"

It's been five years, so many things have changed. She wasn't sure if he had as well. Would he kill her for not remembering? She saw how he killed her family without batting an eyelid. Her body shook at the memory. " I'm sorry..." She began to say.

He waved her off. " I'm not angry." He said softly. Maya snapped her head up to look at him, startled.

" Y-you're not?"

He shook his head. " Why would I? " A brows furrowed a bit. " A little sad but not angry. What matters is that you remember now." He looked away. " It would have been terrible if you didn't though..." He muttered under his breath but she heard all the same.

With the knowledge, came more clarity. " Is that why you asked me to marry you?" She asked. He nodded, looking sheepish.

" Yes" he replied. As an afterthought, added. " You agreed."

Maya's head felt like it was going to explode. She'd only agreed to the marriage because she was desperate to get out of her family's control. To think he had completely different thoughts...!? It was still so hard to imagine. She'd been expecting a completely different first night with the highness. Still, she was glad he didn't do it because he hated her or wanted to make her suffer.

She groaned, facepalming herself as she remembered how they met. " You were not supposed to see me like that!..." she murmured to herself, embarrassed.

She heard him chuckle and peeked at him through her fingers. " It's okay, our first meeting wasn't that great either. If I remember correctly, I was almost dead. You saved my life."

Maya stared at him, confused. Are they comparing meetings now? This is not what she came here for. She glanced at him, unable to keep the realization from her face. It's their first night together. To think she was scared out of her mind before walking into this room. That feeling had long dissipated.

Dexter seemed to be thinking the same thing as his eyes darkened, his gaze turning smoky. Maya felt goosebumps break out of her skin, her cheeks burning up. He walked closer to her, his scent enveloping her, making her lightheaded. Gosh, but he was so tall now. She had to strain up her neck to look at him.

" Let's forget all about that for now..." He murmured, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine. " You're here for another reason, aren't you?"

" Yes..." She gulped, looking away. The initial fear gone, she sounded breathless. She wrapped her hands around herself, she'd never been so out of control before. He lowered himself till he was eye level with her, his gaze holding hers.

" Unless you don't want to... Of course." He added. Her eyes flared, indicating her refusal. Can she really refuse him? She wondered. Already, her body was already craving his touch.

" I-i don't think that would be necessary..." she whispered, feeling shy. She stared at him, subconsciously wetting her lips. His eyes darkened at the action.

" I'll take that as a yes..." Before the words left his mouth completely, his lips met hers, enveloping her in a soft, sensual kiss. Her eyes closed as quickly it widened, a sigh leaving her lips as she leaned in, letting him wrap his around her body. Instantly, he lifted her up from the ground, his huge hands firmly placed at her small waist. Her robe fell to the ground and she was just clad in her nightgown. Her hands stayed on his shoulders, letting him kiss her the way he wanted.

Raw heat burned through her as they pressed their bodies together, She found herself returning his kisses, whatever she was doing. Out of breath, she pulled away from him, drawing air to her oxygen-deprived lungs as she gazed into his desire-filled eyes. Why is he so beautiful? Her body thrumming with anticipation, she could barely think straight.

Her brain had shut down, every cell in her body tingling, toes curling and veins ringing. He carried her to the bed, his smoldering gaze giving her shivers. Dropping her gently, he removed the rest of clothes till just he was just clad in a loincloth and Maya could see the outline of his engorged phallus. She swallowed, her mind hazy with desire. He soon joined her, the bed dipping with his weight.

Dexter resumed kissing her, letting her get familirized with him before heating things up. He soon became greedy, taking everything she had to offer and demanding more. Already his hands had pulled of her nightdress—when that happened she didn't know— and she was naked under him.

Fingers teased her aroused nipples and she let out a gasp, arching her back. It only caused him to tease her more. She let out an strangled moan before reaching up to grab his head, pulling him closer,her fingers buried in his soft curls.

Maybe it was because of what had happened earlier today, maybe it was because of their unexpected reunion, but there was a desperate need to get lost in themselves and they did, kissing and touching every part that was available in a frenzy, their sweat-slicked bodies plastered together.

Even as she felt inundanted by him, a part of her felt he hadn't really unleashed his desires on her yet. He rised above her, his usually bright grey eyes darkened by desire till they were almost black. He was way larger than her, his aura dominating. Then why did he feel so small

" Dammit!" He cussed, his voice husky,

Her guess was confirmed when he pulled away, their bodies seperating. A pained whimper tore from her mouth and she reached her hands to him, trying to draw him back to her. He caught her hands in his, kissing the fingers one after the other even as he stared at her, hsi gaze sexy.

" Not tonight..." He stated, his breath uneven. " You're exhausted." He kissed her forehead then, "get your rest."

Maya paused, surprised. She didn't feel tired. If anything, she wanted him to finish with her. Dexter didn't share the same sentiment as pulled away completely, leaving her bereft.

" Where are you going?" she asked in a drawl, when he stepped out of the bed. He turned back to her, his eyes back to normal. Maya watched disappeared into one of the door in the rooms, her blood singing in her veins.

Maya didn't think she'll fall asleep but once her heart rate calmed, bone-deep exhaustion swamped her. He was right, she was tired. Today had been an awfully long day, filled with surprises and it had her nerves standing on edge. Her body relaxing, she closed her eyes and fell asleep almost instantly.

Dexter joined her much later and saw she was already asleep. She lay sprawled on the bed, her brown hair a wild mess on the bed, some sticking to her face. He stood at the edge of the bed, watching as slept. Already he could feel himself getting aroused again. He shut his mind to it, taking several deep breaths to calm herself.

He joined her on the bed, gathering her to himself. She sighed, melting to him. His hands tightened around her waist, pulling her closer to himself. Kissing her hair, he nuzzled against it. His voice so low it was almost inaudible, he whispered the words into the night. " You don't know how glad I am to have here."

He closed his eyes and drifted to sleep as well.

.

.

.

It was late in the morning before Maya finally woke up. Her eyes adjusting to the dark but glimmering wallpaper in the room. This wasn't her room. This wasn't her room, where is she? With the question, came the answers. Memories of yesterday flooded her brain and she blushed, squirming.

It was later she noticed the arms wrapped around her. She froze, wondering who it belonged to. Right, she's married now. Her eyes settled on the window, it was already bright outside. Did she sleep that long? Without nightmares too!? That's a first...

She tried to move away from his hold but he only tightened it further. " You're awake." He voice spoke and she stiffened. She bit her lips worriedly. Did she wake him? Slowly turning around to look at him, she found him already staring at her, his eyes bright.

" Good morning... Your highness." She whispered, her voice soft.

He frowned. " Call me Dexter." He said and she nodded. " How was your night?"

It was the first time she slept so deeply and without nightmares too. " Great." She replied, a smile touching her lips. They didn't say anything for so long, just staring at each other.

" Is this real?" Maya finally asked, breaking the silence. " Are you real?"

" Of course. Was last night not enough proof?"

It was more than enough proof. She just wanted to be sure he was still here with her. That this wasn't a dream. That he was still the same Dexter she knew and from the smile on his face, he was. She reached her hands to touch his face, running her hands on her faint stubble he had sported. His gaze was still so soft. It's been so long since anyone had looked at her with such gaze, she'd almost forgotten how much she loved it.

" You came back. You remembered your promise."she said, her voice trembling, tears filling her eyes. And he did when she needed him the most.

" You protected me once. It's my turn to do so now." He told her, his voice serious.

She grinned, tears leaving her eyes. " I'm so happy. Thank you."

He leaned in and kissed her. She returned them this time, already tutored by his lips. These past few years have been terrible for her and for the first time, she was feeling something close to happiness.. She couldn't hold the tears in. Another surprise because she never cried... At least, for the past five years.

They finally pulled apart, sharing the same breath. Dexter cleaned off her tears with his thumb. His forehead resting on hers, hands cupping her cheeks. She was trembling. And grinning. " I'm sorry for crying..." She muttered.

" This is quite an emotional reunion." He replied and she chuckled, raising a brow.

" Really? We're both naked." She muttered. Then her eyes widened. " We're both naked!!"

It was Dexter's turn to chuckle. Maya hurriedly pulled the sheets, wrapping it around herself, her face beet red. " You found out early." He said in between sniffles.

Maya wanted to argue but she was distracted by the sound of someone shouting outside. She turned towards it.

" Let me in! " The voice screamed, furious. Before long, the huge door burst open and a very beautiful but angry lady stormed in, her blonde hair flying around. The guards followed immediately after, pausing at the entrance. She froze when she saw the two of them on the bed, both unclad. Her cheeks flushed, she gasped.

" The rumors are true! You did get married!!"