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You Belong to Me

Chapter 68

For Eva, supper with the Kingsleys went surprisingly well. Each Kingsley acted exactly as Jenny Bottom had predicted, and because of Jenny's help, Eva was able to tiptoe through the minefield of each Kingsley's quirks with ease. She avoided bringing up Robin, never once called Duke Richard "Dick," never brought up the late Duchess Evelyn Kingsley for whom she was named in the presence of Duke Charles, and she even managed to use the right fork - though that had been more of a guess, really. By the end of the evening, Duke Charles had called Eva a darling angel and Duke Richard seemed content enough to have her in the manor, while Jonathan seemed to approve of Eva's valiant efforts and Corene even seemed proud.

Hadly was the only one who remained strict, scolding, and disapproving. She kept comparing Eva to Duchess Evelyn, to Eva's great chagrin. Evelyn Kingsley had mastered shooting and riding as well as any male, but the late Evelyn Kingsley didn't simply pretend_to be a lady. Evelyn Kingsley had been the epitome of femininity, all beauty and grace, and Hadly expected Eva to live up to previous duchess completely. But Eva didn't think she could do more than pretend to be a lady - holding back belches in public instead of never belching in the first place baffled her; how did one avoid having gas? - and she resented Hadly for pushing her so hard to be someone she could never be. All she could do was _pretend to fit in, and that seemed to be enough for everyone else.

In fact, Eva felt very proud of her successful facade. No doubt they'd all thought she'd bungle supper, but she had proved herself as capable of ladyship as she was of wielding a shotgun. Everyday she attended breakfast, lunch, and supper, and though her speech and grammar still needed polishing, she was all elegance and manners. The Kingsleys were so impressed with her ability to adapt, they started inviting her to court, parading her around as the Lady Eva Vandort, future duchess of Howlester. Dogs at court who remembered her parents curtsied and bowed to her and wished her well, while rivals for the arm of Jonathan Kingsley's unborn son held back barely concealed sneers through fake cheek-kisses and smiles. Eva was in her element, envied by her helpless rivals, adored by the Kingsleys, and pleasured each night by Jenny Bottom, who more than lived up to her name.

Despite having mastered a more genteel nature, Eva insisted on continuing in her previous pursuits, riding out to hunt, fencing with the guards in the practice yard, returning home covered in mud and blood. Hadly naturally continued to scold her for her "beastly" behavior, but Duke Charles and Duke Richard - to Eva's great delight - were so amused by Eva's stunts, it became something of a daily ritual that Eva would sit down with the dukes over tea to relate her adventures before supper. Sometimes Duke Charles would cry and tell Eva she was "just like Evelyn."

Eva was surprised when Jonathan began to bear something resembling affection for her as well. He resisted at first - as he seemed to resist all things - but slowly over time, Eva found herself strolling through the garden on Jonathan's arm each morning after breakfast, laying out what she had planned for the day and laughing at his disgust and disapproval. Jonathan would then fuss over Eva, dabbing her face, telling her to be back in time to meet so-and-so and attend such-and-such. When he wasn't being a belligerent ass, the arrogant and insufferable marquis of Howlester was actually sort of . . . sweet.

As time went on, Eva became suspicious when the old fox Motsumi didn't move along but stayed in the manor, caring for a very pregnant and distraught Corene, who had fevers and fits almost every other day. When the old fox wasn't caring for Corene, he was sitting at his leisure with Jonathan, sharing one of his long, tribal pipes that stank of some weed he'd gathered from Crinnington.

Eva felt her irritation rising each time Motsumi whisked Jonathan and Corene away. She had come to expect their total and complete attention, and she hated it when that attention was given to the old fox instead, who she suspected was using magic on them in order to bend them to his will. Or why else would they let him stay when their very lives, when the discontent of their realm, was at stake? After the fox incursions, the court was entirely against a fox living in Howlester, and Jonathan heard no end of it from his father, Duke Richard, almost every evening at supper. But Jonathan and Corene insisted that Motsumi should stay. It had to be magic or mind tricks. How could they love a fox so dearly?

One evening, Motsumi went out to the forest and returned with a scruffy black wolf he had tamed. Hadly joked that at least the wolf was less beastly than Eva, who made a face but otherwise ignored the maid. Motsumi told them the wolf's name was "Kel" and that it would act as a guardian to Jonathan and Corene's unborn child. Needless to say, there was an uproar in the manor. Duke Richard wanted Motsumi gone at once, the maids - especially Brooke - went into hysterics, and all the nobles at court expressed differing variations of disgust, bafflement, and anger that Jonathan Kingsley would allow "filthy fox magic" in his court.

"How quickly they forget that my mother kept a fox in her court," said a weary Duke Charles -- the only one who hadn't lost his senses, Eva noticed. "Fassil lived here for many decades, serving the Kingsleys with complete devotion, and no one batted an eye."

"That's why," said Duke Richard in exasperation, who was seated across the tea table from Charles. "Fassil was here for several generations and before he earned his freedom, he was a collared slave. We don't know this Motsuki --"

"Motsumi," Charles tiredly corrected.

"-- from the queen of Sevra's knickers," went on Duke Richard just as angrily, "and yet he's allowed to prance about unshackled in my house! And now he's bringing around tamed creatures from who knows where and having long and very private discussions with my son and his wife!"

Eva never thought it would happen, but she actually found herself agreeing wholeheartedly with Duke Richard. Jonathan and Corene were giving Motsumi too much leeway, especially in light of the not-so-distant fox incursions that had left the countryside and most of the duchy burning and bloody. Distrust for foxes was still widely felt in Howlester Duchy, so to have one bringing a wolf to the side of the pregnant marchioness and calling it a "guardian" was nothing sort of foolhardy.

With his apparent influence over them, Motsumi also managed to convince Jonathan and Corene that the young prisoner Sodoe should be given to his care, and before long, it was not uncommon to see Motsumi in the manor gardens with the young fox Sodoe at his heels, carrying a basket of the herbs Motsumi had gathered.

If Eva didn't know any better, she would have thought Motsumi and Sodoe were lovers: while Motsumi remained serene and calm, young Sodoe looked at him with doting eyes, tripped and bumped into walls when he was around him, and became a stammering fool if asked to speak in Motsumi's presence. Thin and lanky Sodoe still had a very peculiar accent Eva could not place, and one day, her curiosity got the better of her. She decided to slip off to the chambers Motsumi occupied with Sodoe, intent on speaking to the young fox and learning more about him. After all, if she was to become the lady of the house, she should know about the fox servants who Jonathan insisted must live with her, especially if one had attempted to rape her in the past. _ _

Jonathan still thought Eva was mad for wanting to keep Sodoe alive, but Eva reminded him that she hadn't meant for Sodoe to stay. She had simply wanted Jonathan to release Sodoe back into the forest! For even though Eva did pity Sodoe, she had not forgotten what he had attempted. When she approached Motsumi's bedchamber that morning, she had every intention of threatening to have Sodoe skinned if he ever tried to touch her again, but she heard the moans and the slurps, and she stopped in the hall, frozen in place.

Eva was wearing a long, dark green gown to compliment her dark mane. Because it was morning, her bosom was hidden. The dress had a high collar, and her dark hair was piled atop her head in a bun shaped like a seashell. On her fingers were many rings, and they glittered when she clutched at her skirts, indecisive as to whether or not she should turn back down the hall. The sounds were clearly that of sex.

"S-Sodoe, my son," Motsumi begged hoarsely. "You mustn't . . . mmpfgh. You sh-should see to your studies . . ."

Her black cheeks growing hot, Eva drew close to the doors, and after taking a breath, she leaned down and peeped through the keyhole. She gasped to see Motsumi leaning back against a desk as Sodoe knelt before him . . . sucking wet and slow on his penis. Motsumi's deerskin skirt had been pushed up, and Eva could see everything: his pink penis wreathed in white fur, his heavy sack, his strong thighs. Sodoe, meanwhile, still wore the clothing of a dog, only he had long ago traded his bandit attire for a simple pair of pants and a servant's plain shirt. His pants were undone, and as he sucked carefully and hungrily on Motsumi's rigid penis, he stroked himself and rubbed his other paw up and down Motsumi's thigh. His lips pulled to the tip of the phallus, and when his tongue slipped out and gently flicked the head of the cock, Motsumi grunted and curled his fingers in Sodoe's hair. He pulled on Sodoe's mane, forcing the young fox to swallow him to the base. As Motsumi filled Sodoe's mouth, Eva saw Sodoe's own penis swell in his fingers, and he started sucking eagerly and deeply, letting Motsumi deep-throat him until he was gurgling on his own spit.

Motsumi started moving his hips, and before long, he was jabbing himself hard in Sodoe's drooling mouth as the young male grunted helplessly, his own penis dribbling in his paw. Then Motsumi's eyes began to glow a piercing yellow, and Eva gasped. Motsumi's ear twitched forward at the sound, and though he didn't stop what he was doing, his eyes turned toward the door. He went still when he noticed Eva's eye in the lock.

Eva froze with terror. She wanted to back away but couldn't move. Motsumi was looking directly at her! She couldn't tell if he was angry or not, but his yellow eyes were burning so brightly, it hurt.

Wincing with pain and seeing spots, Eva scrambled up, tripping over her skirts as she fled down the hall. She didn't know where she would run, only that she had to get far, far away, or else Motsumi might catch a whiff of her perfume and realize who had been spying on him! There was no telling what a fox that powerful might do!

Eva ran up the stairs and burst into the first room she came across. Breathless and breasts riding, she shut the doors behind her and was surprised to find herself in a study. Corene was sitting behind the desk with small spectacles perched on her nose, writing on a long bit of parchment with a quill. Brooke stood at the desk pouring tea, and both females looked up in surprise to see a breathless, frightened, and mussed Eva standing there.

"Miss Evelyn!" Brooke squeaked and set down the teapot. "What's the matter?"

"Come here, darling," Corene said with a concerned frown and set down her quill.

Eva held back a smile. She had to admit it: she loved the way Corene called her "darling." It always sounded so motherly and affectionate. Corene seemed to dote on her, and she secretly relished it. Sometimes she daydreamed about sitting in Corene's lap, laying her head on those big, soft breasts . . . Corene had such a sweet, heavenly smell. Eva sometimes wondered if her mother had smelled as good.

Eva obediently came to the desk, smoothing the wrinkled balloon of her skirts as she moved through the room. The other two stared at her in wide-eyed concern, and she silently cursed herself for not having some lie ready off the top of her head. What would a creature like Motsumi do to her if she blabbed about his sex life? Perhaps she'd go missing and would wind up in that night's supper. Or worse.

"Did you see Richie?" Corene asked solemnly.

Eva blinked twice. "Richie?"

Brooke wretchedly shook her golden head, as if "Richie" was something she'd heard of before and had grown weary of. "Please, milady," Brooke begged of Corene. "Don't go talking about ghosts and the like. Makes my nose twitch." Brooke picked up the pot again and continued pouring tea, then dropped in dabs of honey and stirred the cup for Corene.

Corene ignored Brooke, looking steadily at Eva. "Richie is a spirit who haunts the grounds," she said, looking at Eva with sympathetic green eyes. "Sometimes he gets curious about our guests. Plays pranks, hides under their beds. He liked Robin a lot." The marchioness smiled sadly.

Eva stared at Corene for several seconds, then looked away when she realized Corene was serious. Ah. So the stories about the marchioness being completely round the bend were true.

Not knowing how to respond respectfully, Eva bit back her rude skepticism and went to the window and looked out. In her mind, spirits and ghosts were a lie and magic was something evil. Talk of neither had a place in Howlester. When she was duchess, she would find some way to send Motsumi away. Far, far away. She must make certain Jonathan and Corene's son would not grow as attached to the strange fox as his mad parents.

"Yes, my lady," Eva quietly lied, her back to the room. "I think I saw Richie."

"I thought so," Corene said, sounding very tired. "Yfel left her mark on this place. The spirits here are restless. Well," Eva heard the quill scratching the parchment and knew Corene was writing again, "you needn't be afraid, Evelyn. Richie is harmless. Most of the spirits here are --"

"Please, milady!" Brooke begged.

"Oh, Brooke, don't be silly!" Corene scolded impatiently. "Finish pouring my tea and then send for Hadly. I must have this letter to the post before the end of the day."

"Yes, milady," Brooke said with reverence, then bowed her head and hurried out.

"Who are you writing, my lady?" Eva asked, enunciating "my lady" with care. The longer she stayed at Howlester Manor, the greater her awareness that she would one day rule the duchy. She had to learn how to play the game, how to wade through the muck and mire of political intrigue. Once she realized how easily she could master the basics of etiquette, she became determined to remain fully aware of everything that was happening in Howlester, thus she made it her business to know the contents of every letter that left the manor and arrived. She had already begun maneuvering Jenny as her spy, keeping an ear out for gossip and an eye out for things Eva could use as leverage against her rivals at court. Eva had every intention of ruling Howlester with an iron fist.She was going to be the master here, living as she pleased, loving who she pleased - not any son of Jonathan. No, she would master Jonathan's son as well. Because she would never again be the property of any male nor submissive to his will.

"I am writing a letter to Etienne," Corene answered at once, completely trusting and unaware of Eva's reasons for asking.

Eva found it a little ironic that Corene - once known as the clever puppeteer who'd pulled the strings of every grand ball in Wychowl - could be so naively trusting of Eva. So open. So honest. Not that Eva planned to betray Corene or harm her in any way. Eva simply wanted to play her cards right and survive, not be Jonathan and his son's tool. That everyone was completely oblivious of her scheming only worked in her favor.

"I mean -- his majesty the king," Corene corrected herself and barely held down a blush as she avoided looking Eva's way.

With her back still to Corene, Eva smiled. Corene was on a first name basis with the king, which seemed to embarrass her. As if Eva didn't know! Jonathan had already bragged about Corene having once been the crown princess of Varimore, which meant she'd once been set to marry the king. It had never occurred to Eva that Corene might have lingering feelings for the king, though. That could be used to manipulate the Kingsleys, if Eva played things just right.

"I suspect the princess will want to know that Motsumi arrived here safely," Corene went on.

Eva approached the desk, frowning with thought, fumbling absently with her fingers. "May I ask you something, my lady?"

"Of course," Corene said pleasantly.

Eva stopped beside the desk, and she hated the way her shadow seemed to fall over Corene. There was something . . . foreboding about it. "Do you really believe everything that old fox says?" she asked curiously.

Corene set down her quill and her eyes searched Eva's face. Her expression was so solemn, Eva regretted having asked the question. "I believe what I have seen with my own eyes," Corene said after a long pause. Her piercing green eyes turned away and she went back to writing. "I believe the gods are real - though whether or not they are beings worthy of worship and praise is debatable."

Eva laughed softly. "Aye to that."

Corene smiled, not looking up from her scribbling. "I believe nothing makes a lick of sense and life just is what it is. So enjoy it while you can, Evelyn."

"Best advice I ever heard," Eva agreed.

"Don't you like Motsumi?" Corene asked without looking up. Her voice had a lilting pitch to it, as if she was scolding Eva . . . or testing her loyalty.

"Can't say I ever liked most foxes, my lady," Eva admitted freely. "They ain't - they haven't given me much reason to."

Corene's lips tugged in a slight smile. "And yet how readily you defended young Sodoe."

"What?" said Eva, realizing. She scowled. "No! I don't like coc - I mean . . ." Eva stumbled over her words and fell silent when she saw Corene's small, amused smile widen the slightest bit. She suddenly felt foolish. Corene thought she had feelings for Sodoe, and her fumbling had practically confirmed it. Only it wasn't true. But Eva couldn't allow the Kingsleys to think she didn't like males at all. Then they would worry that she wouldn't love Jonathan and Corene's son. And what if they went and found a nice straight girl to take her place? She was caught. She had to pretend to like both sexes or else everything would be lost, as much as pretending to like males pained her.

"That is . . ." muttered Eva, feeling a well of frustration bubble in her throat. Corene had taken off her spectacles and was looking at Eva with intent green eyes, scrutinizing her, measuring her every gesture. Eva felt as if a hot light had been turned on her face. She swallowed hard. "If I ain't mistaken, milady, Sodoe's got it out for your old fox. Don't think he even looks twice at anything with tits."

Eva was relieved when Corene turned her piercing eyes away again and put her glasses back on. "Ah, you noticed that, did you?"

Unfortunately, Eva thought.

"Don't worry about it, my girl," Corene said soothingly. "So long as you love my son and are good to him, the house will be content. I am glad to know that Sodoe prefers males. It will keep you pure until the wedding night."

Eva felt her cheeks getting hot.

Corene's solemn face creased with a frown. "There will be no_commotion_ in my home."

It took Eva a moment to realize Corene was waiting for an affirmation. "None, my lady," she swore at once and curtsied for good measure. "I will be true to your son." As true as I please.

Corene smiled warmly at Eva, and Eva felt a flinch of guilt when she patted her arm and said, "I know you will. You are everything I could ask for. The perfect daughter-in-law. Jonathan brought you here and made you mine . . ." Corene smiled sadly and touched Eva's face. "He and I will grow old together, watching as you birth our grandchildren."

Eva tried to smile, but in all honesty, she didn't even want to think about birthing.

Corene went very still. She lifted her face and her eyes were distant, as if she was listening to something far away. Eva's heart skipped a beat when Corene clutched at her big belly, simultaneously grabbing Eva's arm in a vice grip.

"M-My lady?" Eva stammered.

"M-Motsumi," Corene said breathlessly and gave Eva's arm a hard shake that pained her. "Get Motsumi!"

Eva ran into the hall with her skirts flying, and not wanting to face the old fox herself, she grabbed a maid who was passing and ordered her to summon Motsumi at once.

Jonathan and Corene's son was born that night after ten hours of strenuous labor. They named him Edward Jonathan Richard Kingsley, though everyone was already calling him "Little Eddie" after the first hour of his birth. He was a foxhound like his father, white with red ears and a brilliant red mane that flopped in curls around his fat, sleepy face. The first time he opened his eyes, they were green, and several playful arguments erupted amongst the family over who the puppy had inherited his eyes from, the joke being that both Jonathan and Corene had green eyes.

Jonathan's mother Sarah arrived immediately, and between her, Corene, and the fawning maids, Eva thought she'd never meet her future husband. She wasn't sure she wanted to anyway. If she failed to manipulate the boy into her charms, he would grow up and attempt to dominate her, take away her freedom, and rule the duchy in her stead, and she had every intention of ruling the duchy herself.

As time passed, Eva was surprised when Motsumi never acknowledged her having spied on him, not even with a glance. He completely ignored Eva, except to offer her the occasional polite nod. And yet, somehow, Eva had the feeling Motsumi knew she had spied on him with Sodoe. He just . . . didn't seem to care.

The years went on, and Eva continued her affair with Jenny Bottom - or any other female she desired - and while there were whispers at court, no one seemed to begrudge her the affairs. Female love was becoming an acceptable secret for a lady to harbor, with males even finding it fascinating enough to gossip about at court. Those same females who once hated Eva as a rival for Edward's heart now found themselves in Eva's bed, naked breasts rising and falling as they sought to catch their breath after an orgasm.

Meanwhile, little Edward Kingsley was never far from Eva, to the point that many rumors began circulating that he was actually Eva's child and Eva Jonathan's mistress. The fact that Jonathan and Corene had never been able to conceive a child in the last sixteen years, coupled with the sudden appearance of a magical fox shaman in their court, only fueled such gossip further. If the rumors weren't saying Edward actually belonged to Jonathan's "mistress," Eva, then they were saying Edward's birth was the result of evil fox magic.

The Kingsleys ignored the rumors with their heads held high, though Duke Richard became infuriated enough that he wound up getting into a brawl at a soiree. Eva likewise kept on a mask of contentment and indifference and instead focused on building a rapport that would forever lock her in Edward's heart. When he was a toddler, Eva helped him learn to walk, and she played with him so often, her name was his first word. She tickled him, chased him through the garden, came to his bed in the middle of the night and whispered to him stories of magical kingdoms.

When Edward still a puppy in the crib, Eva would slip into his nursery in the middle of the night, and after settling with him in the rocking chair, she would unlace the front of her nightgown and take out her breast . . . and allow him to suck it. There was no milk, of course, and though the infant seemed to know as much, he suckled her breasts anyway, looking into her eyes with as much wonder as if she were really his mother. They bonded in this way for many months, with Eva smiling as she rocked him slowly in her arms, smiling as his small, fat fingers clutched at her soft, warm breasts with all the hunger of a fully grown male.

Unfortunately, wherever Edward went, Motsumi's blasted wolf was with the boy, sleeping beside his cradle in the nursery, following him as he ran on skinny legs through the garden. Whenever Eva would sneak into the boy's room in the night, the wolf would be there, curled at the foot of the bed, watching with its bright yellow eyes, and somehow, Eva knew that Motsumi could see through the wolf's eyes. The wolf existed not only as Edward's guardian . . . but also so that Motsumi might spy.

Motsumi's meddling infuriated Eva. She still did not trust the old fox - despite his years of loyal service -- and hated the idea of being spied upon in her own manor. By the time she was thirty, she viewed herself as duchess and ruler of the duchy in everything but name. Everyone in the manor - and the realm itself - showed her deference and respect, bowed before her, and acknowledged her as the ruling party. She even presided over court, with Jonathan and Corene content in their retirement and Charles and Richard having long ago eased from the public eye and into their twilight years.

Motsumi was the only one who ignored Eva's authority entirely and did exactly as he pleased, sometimes outright opposing her - in the most calm and dignified manor - by simply doing what he wanted instead of what he was told. In the back of her mind, Eva began toying with the idea of killing Motsumi's wolf. If she could not be rid of Motsumi, she could at least put him in his place.

As Edward was growing up, he and the black wolf remained - to Eva's chagrin - completely inseparable. He loved the creature dearly and called it "Kelly" when beckoning it to his side. He knew Eva as "Lady Evelyn," but no one ever told him why she was in the manor or who she was to the Kingsleys. Should Edward question her presence, she was referred to as a family friend, not a blood relation, and Edward seemed content enough with the explanation for years.

Eva never bothered telling Edward the truth, as it had come to her attention that the Kingsleys meant for Eva to tell Edward herself, one day when the boy was old enough to understand. He was seventeen when Eva - now thirty-three - decided to tell him. He had been looking at her breasts a great deal lately, and though he had long ago grown out of sitting in her lap, there were times when he made a point of pulling her into his lap_,_ and once she had even felt the bulge of his arousal_._He had crossed from seeing her as an older sister to seeing her as a bitch, a beautiful and completely desirable, fertile and sweet-smelling bitch. Before long, he would be putting his paws up her skirt. She thought it a marvel he hadn't yet done it years before.

Eva was sitting in the bay windows of her room, enjoying a book, when Edward came to her in earnest. He was young and handsome, tall and fiery - everything his father was minus the foul temper - and his long red mane was pulled back loose around his shoulders, as such was the style of the decade. He wore a light gray coat that set off his eyes and tight tan breeches that did nothing to hide his full bulge.

Eva was irritated to see the great black wolf come padding into the room in Edward's wake, its yellow eyes glowing bright, its ears forward. Like Edward, the creature had grown over the years, until it was quite large and imposing, a real beast whose height nearly came to Edward's chest. The servants were terrified of it, and whispers at court said it was a demon, the result of evil fox magic. Eva agreed and made no attempt to hide her disdain for the creature.

"Not in my quarters," Eva said coldly, her lips tightening as she let the book in her paw fall shut. "What have I told you? You keep bringing that monster in here, and I'll take it out back and shoot it."

Edward stopped and glanced back, as if surprised to find the wolf there. He waved a paw. "Get going, Kelly," he said to the wolf, and the beast flattened its ears and slunk from the room whimpering. Edward turned back to Eva, his eyes bright and hungry as they traced over her.

Eva knew she was a sight, sitting there with her mane down, generous cleavage pouring, as the brilliant sun slanted across her in beams. She was wearing a pale green gown that was low at the neck, and she didn't fail to notice the lingering eye Edward cast over her rising bosom. Her breasts were more full than they had been at sixteen and were a source of silent torment for Edward, who was still a virgin, she knew.

It was winter, and outside the windows, snow spiraled across the gray sky, dreamily and silently.

"Eddie?" Eva said pleasantly. "What is it?"

Jenny Bottom - who was poking the fire - looked up when she heard Edward's name. She bowed her head, and at Eva's gesture, she scurried out, closing the doors behind her. Jenny's face had been unhappy as she was hurrying from the room, and Eva knew the maid dreaded the moment when her mistress would finally make love to young Edward. But it had to be done. If Eva was to secure her place as ruling duchess of Howlester, if she was to remain free and in complete control, then she must capture the heart of its future duke. She had to make love to Edward. She had to do it for her own sake, as well as Jenny's.

Edward came to Eva, who was smiling patiently, and sat beside her on the cushions. She saw him hesitate, and then he touched her face, staring with longing at her lips. He had never kissed her before - not on the mouth -- and the want was in his eyes. "What are you to me?" he asked, frowning in confusion. "I mean, why are you here? I finally decided to ask Father for a straight answer, but he wouldn't tell me. Instead, he sent me to you. The reason . . . It's me, isn't it?"

"Yes, Eddie," Eva admitted with a shuddering breath and let her breasts rise and fall, purposely arousing him. She looked him directly in the eye. "That's exactly why I'm here."

Edward's frown deepened. "Why did no one ever tell me?"

"Your father wanted _me_to tell you," Eva returned, using the gentle, patient voice she always used in private with Edward.

"So . . ." Edward's eyes traced down Eva's long neck to her cleavage. "You are to be mine?"

"Yes," Eva whispered huskily. She looked him intently in the eye and pulled the laces on the front of her gown, letting it sag open.

Edward swallowed hard, watching as her breasts poured free. He met her gaze and peered into her face intently. "Will you make love to me?" he whispered, taking her paw. "Climb on top of me . . . and ride me?" He kissed her paw. "My sweet goddess."

"Get on your knees," Eva replied.

Edward obeyed, slowly kneeling before Eva, looking up at her, enrapt. She cupped one of her heavy breasts and saw the bulge in his tight breeches lengthen into a hard-on. His eyes darkened with hunger and fire, but gentle submission was still in his gaze.

"I am yours," he vowed with emotion and pushed up her skirts, feverishly kissing her thighs.

Eva closed her eyes, and her lips parted when his hungry mouth found her sex. Her fingers curled in his red mane, and she whispered, "You are mine."

When Eva awoke an hour later, snow was still falling outside the window, and young Edward had gone, leaving a rose on the pillow in his wake. With her dark mane tumbling half in her eyes, Eva smiled at the rose, sat up, and brought it happily to her nose. Edward was an incredible lover, but she mustn't let him know that. He would become as cocky and overconfident as his father, and then there would be no managing him.

It took Eva a little over a minute to realize Edward's wolf was in the room. She froze when she finally noticed it sitting calmly before the fire, regarding her with its bright, glowing eyes, its thick tail sweeping back and forth over the rug.

Eva's face creased in anger and she fumbled to cover her naked breasts with the coverlet. "Shoo! What have I told you about coming in here, beast!"

:I come bearing a message,: said a voice into Eva's mind.

Eva scowled. "What foul witchcraft is this? Stay out of my head, fox!"

:Motsumi is not here,:_said the wolf, _:but has sent me with a message.:

Eva swallowed angrily. "Fine. Speak."

:Seventeen years ago, Motsumi entered the forest and asked me to guard and protect young Edward, because he had seen the future and what your union will one day bring.:

Eva's ears slowly pricked forward. "Why should I believe anything you say? Foxes are tricksters and liars!" She glared as she thought of her bow. "And bloody thieves!"

:Typical dog you are, that you would condemn all foxes for the actions of a few - actions which they took to survive your cold oppression. Motsumi's visions have never been wrong before, yet you have always suspected him, always treated him like a villain. For years, he has done nothing except help you and the Kingsleys. He is not your enemy.:

"Fine! Stop lecturing me!" Eva snapped. "What do you want? Speak and be gone - and don't ever barge in here again!" She pulled the coverlet higher over her naked breasts.

:In a year hence, you and Edward will bare a child,: said the wolf, :and that child will sit on the throne of the world beside a child of Emerald. Your child will rule the world, and they will bring an era of peace for fox and dog alike. Motsumi strives to ensure this peace, but he can not do so if you send him from here.:

Eva hesitated. ". . . how do I know Motsumi didn't make this up to save his own skin?" she said, lip curling in disgust.

:If Motsumi were a danger to you,: returned the wolf, just as disgusted, :would he fear you enough to share this information? You dogs. You treat the foxes like a menace, yet you are the ones who subjugate them and rule their forests --:

"Fine!" Eva growled. "I believe you! I . . . won't send Motsumi away."

:Good,: said the wolf, sounding content. :Make love to Edward a second time, and you will conceive his child, and his child will be a gift to Aonre. Duke Richard will insist on a wedding, to legitimize the child before it is born --:

"Yes, yes," said Eva irritably. "Go!"

The great black wolf quietly rose from the circular rug before the fire and padded heavily and slowly from the room. Eva watched its tail disappear out the door and couldn't help smiling after it was gone: her child was going to rule the world.

"Is it gone, miss?" said Jenny Bottom, poking her head into the room.

"Yes, Jenny. Calm down, eh?" Eva said with laugh.

Jenny came into the room, glancing around as if thought the wolf might appear out of thin air. "I can't help it, miss. That thing gives me the willies."

Eva rolled her eyes. "You're worse than that featherhead Brooke. Do me a favor, will you?"

Jenny came to the bedside. "Mistress?"

"Fetch Edward for me," Eva said. "I must make love to him again, and quickly."

Jenny hesitated, watching sullenly as Eva hummed happily to herself and smiled at her reflection in a small mirror. The future duchess thrust her naked breasts out and piled her mane atop her head, smiling at the effect as she held the mirror at arm's length. Eventually, she caught Jenny's eye and sighed.

"Oh, don't make that face," Eva begged.

Jenny continued looking unhappy. "You like sleeping with him. You like it more than me?"

Eva touched Jenny's face and looked into her eyes. "Nothing is better than being with you," she said in a hushed voice and she meant it.

Jenny smiled in relief.

"Now," said Eva, turning her attention back to the mirror. "Go and fetch Edward, darling. I'm going to ride him like a stallion."