Tassette knew she should return to Ranelle. But she was so drawn to Julio, she couldn’t help herself. Julio whispered funny things into her ear as they walked through the Royal Gardens, making her giggle constantly. He had the curly black hair and dark tanned skin common to Estrellians, with almond-shaped dark brown eyes and a strong hooked nose. His features were almost godly in their comeliness, and the combination of his face and his lithe, muscular body made him more handsome than Tassian had ever been.
“My lovely Tassette, I cannot wait to wed you,” Julio sighed as they stood under a flowering tree. Tassette leaned her head on his shoulder, smiling. “When your father first reached out to my family for a potential match, I expected not a woman of your caliber. But I knew the moment I saw you that you were to be my bride.”
“I am honored,” Tassette purred. She stroked his strong chest. “I similarly cannot wait to be your wife and come to Estrellia to live with you. It is a good thing I am fluent in Estrellian.”
“Of course.” Julio kissed the top of Tassette’s head. “You will make a fine Estrellian Queen. You have the wide hips needed to birth Estrellian children and the large breasts needed to feed them.” Tassette felt a sudden stirring of fear and…excitement? Julio’s hand creeped around to massage her breast. Tassette moaned happily.
“My love, not yet,” she said reluctantly. “We must wait until we are wed.”
“I suppose I must follow the sensibilities of your kingdom,” Julio sighed, dropping his hand. “Though if we were in Estrellia, we could bed with each other even if we were not betrothed. My home is far more free in this regard.”
“That sounds lovely.”
“It is,” Julio said. He lowered his face to Tassette’s. The two kissed deeply. Tassette’s old life as Tassian was far away. All she wanted was to be by Julio’s side, to lay with him as man and wife, and even bear his children.