Chapter 65: Married ... Twice

The observation car was empty as I left Kalani’s stateroom, so I headed for the Dining Car. As I crossed the connecting vestibule between the two cars, I could hear the raucous crowd inside. It seems like everyone else was already at dinner. And having a good time!

When I enter the Dining Car, I was greeted with “... ‘bout time!” and “It’s sleepy-head!”

I was headed for the galley in the center of the train for some iced tea, when Vickie grabbed my hand and pulled me close. Whispering in my ear she said, “That was beautiful, Michael!”

I jerked back, as my temper flared. She must have sensed my time with Kalani!

“I’m sorry!” she reacted immediately.

The helplessness of her plea shot through my mounting anger, deflating it like the proverbial pin-pricking-the-balloon. As I looked into her eyes, I realized how scared she had become when she sensed my anger.

I calmed myself quickly, hoping I had not hurt her.

“I guess now I know what everyone else feels like,” I chuckled sheepishly, hoping to ease her fears. “Thank you for what you said,” I told her.

Then leaning down, I whispered in her ear, “if you think that was something, just wait until it’s your luscious body beneath mine.”

She blushed all the way to the roots of the red hairs on her pretty head as she recalled the scenes she had imagined when she had tapped into my time with Kalani.

I continued down the aisle between the tables, with all the girls making cracks and teasing me. I soon realized that they thought I had been in my room taking a nap all afternoon.

“They’ll figure it out when Kalani walks in,” I thought.

“I don’t think they know that you were with her,” Vickie thought back to me.

At least Vickie hadn’t told anyone.

I sat down at an empty booth to drink my tea. Kip had promised me dinner in a few minutes. I asked him to make it two. I figured Kalani would be hungry too.

“Come sit with me?” I thought to Vickie.

She was on her feet in a heartbeat, headed my way.

I slid over and she sat down beside me.

“Vickie, have you made your decision yet?”

“Of course! You already know that if you’ll have me, I want to be with you,” Vickie said excitedly.

“I want more time with you,” I told her. “I may have been rushing things a little before, but I know I want to spend time with you and get to know you better. And I’ll be glad to teach you what I know about using your gift.”

“Oh ... okay,” she said without enthusiasm. I could sense her sadness at my words.

“Vickie, my life is crazy at the moment. And I have so much catching up to do. It’s like I’m meeting my family for the first time. And then there’s the company and my other obligations, and well ... I just want to make sure this is right for you,” I tried to sound convincing, But it still came out like I was making excuses not to commit.

Which was exactly what I was doing, I realized.

“Okay, Michael. What do you want me to do?” Vickie sighed. She had recognized the lameness of my excuse also.

I thought for a moment. Vickie was a submissive. And here I am trying to give her room to make a decision, when the truth is, she’s already made her decision and was waiting on me to make mine.

However, I had actually made my decision to help her before I had ever made her the offer. And having made up my mind to help her, I was now letting other things get in the way of fulfilling my commitment to her.

Vickie was smiling as she read my thoughts. She must have been practicing. I could tell as I read her now that she had heard and understood my thought process.

“Time to man-up and honor my commitment,” I thought to myself.

“Do you have a dress?” I asked Vickie suddenly. “I mean with you?”

She just kept smiling, as she said, “I think I have something appropriate for a board meeting.”

“This is gonna be fun!” I thought with anticipation and maybe a little bit of fear of the unknown mixed in.

“Good! You’ll need to get it ready for tomorrow morning. We’ll be leaving the train when we get to Newark,” I told her.

I could sense her excitement growing. She really did like it when someone she trusted made her decisions for her.

“You will sleep in my berth tonight. With me,” I added. “I’ll decide later if I’m ready to take your virginity.”

“Okay, Michael,” she said, her excitement growing.

“Tomorrow, you will be coming with me to the office. I have decided that I want you near me as much as possible. You will become my personal assistant, and you’ll need to know as much as you can about me and what is going on in my life. It will be tough for a while, until you catch up on the last couple of weeks. Catherine can help you, and so will I. Be sure to ask me about anything you are unsure of, or unclear on. I’ll have a list for you tomorrow, of the things I want you to get started on.”

Her megawatt smile had returned as I spoke, and she nodded her head.

“I sure hope she realizes what she’s getting herself into!” I thought as I felt my heart begin to melt from the glow of her aura.

“Helping you change the world?” she replied still smiling that bright smile.

At the time, I didn’t realize how much truth she spoke with her simple belief in her powerful statement.

“When we finish here, go inform Catherine and your mother, of my decision. You may tell them about your new position and our plans. Tell Catherine I instructed you, on my behalf, to seek her assistance on whatever you need to be ready for tomorrow. Then, when I call you, you will come to my stateroom,” I told her. “And for your information, we will be leaving New York on Monday evening. We will not be back for several weeks. So be sure you spend a little time this weekend with your mom. It’s the last you’ll see her for a while. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Michael. I am now your assistant. I’m to check with Catherine and Mom and get ready to go with you to the office tomorrow, including a dress. Then I’m to come to your stateroom tonight when you call me. I understand you may or may not take my virginity tonight and will tell me later,” she summarized. Her eyes glinted with anticipation and a shiver ran through her as she said it.

“Oh yeah,” she remembered suddenly. “From now on, I am where you are. We are leaving New York Monday night, so I should spend time with my mom this weekend.”

“Excellent! Now go talk to Catherine and your mom. I’ll call you soon,” I said as she scooted out of the booth.

She started towards the rear of the train. Then, on impulse, she turned back to me. Wrapping her arms around me, she gave me a very long and sensual kiss, filled with all the sexual tension and desire she had been feeling for the last few hours. Or maybe the last few years.

“Oh Michael!” she smiled as she let me go. “I may have been feeling that for the last few years. But definitely for the last few hours!”

“She is so incredible!” I thought.

“Thanks!” she thought to me. “And Master? Please ... don’t forget me! I want you so much, it hurts!”

“After that kiss, how could I?” I thought to her.

I watched the beautiful redheaded empath, bubbling sexual energy like a percolator, as she flounced down the narrow aisle towards the adults at the other end. Once more, I found myself wishing that I knew who to thank for my second chance.

I had barely taken a bite of my supper, before my booth was invaded by another pair of sexual dynamos. Their desire radiating from them like sunshine, bathing everything in its path with their excited radiance.

Ileana and Mikeya were giggling and full of animation as they piled in across from me.

“We missed you!” Ileana exclaimed.

“I thought you’d both be too sore to do anything yet,” I replied.

“That was yesterday. Today, we’re fine and ready to ... ah ... you know!” Mikeya said.

I couldn’t help but smile at their youthful exuberance. I was growing very fond of both of them. I admired Mikeya’s dedication to fulfilling her destiny, and the fun way she had embraced it with me. It was Ileana that I was the most concerned about though. I felt like I should do something, but had no idea what to do for her.

“You know...?” I teased. “You mean you’re ready to go home?”

“NO!” they both exclaimed together.

“We want to ... be with you. Like at the cabin. You know...” Mikeya tried to whine, but her big grin made it come out funny.

“Oh! You mean you want to continue trying to get pregnant? Right?” I asked.

“Oh yeah! That’s what we want,” Mikeya responded excitedly.

I noticed that Ileana’s enthusiasm dampened at the word ‘pregnant’.

Changing the subject without giving them an answer, I asked them, “Did you guys know that I now have a title on Tapato?”

Mikeya considered and then said, “Do you mean protector?”

There was a sudden ripple of excitement that flowed through everyone in the Dining Car as Kalani entered. She was dressed in a sarong style wrap that crossed only one shoulder, but went all the way to the floor. Simple and elegant, it was nothing compared to the radiance of her smile.

She bypassed the stares and questions of the others, looking only at me as she made her way straight to our booth.

Mikeya’s and Ileana’s jaws dropped. They stared as their mother approached the booth, sliding in beside me. Kalani took my hand in hers and squeezed it as she looked at me, then turned to her daughters.

“What? Is something wrong? Did I not do it right?” Kalani asked the girls, obviously referring to her make-up or other womanly preparations.

“Mother! ... You’re ... you’re beautiful!” Ileana cried.

“Yeah! I can’t even remember the last time I saw you looking this good,” Mikeya added.

Kalani smiled. “I can’t remember the last time I felt this good,” she told them, then turned to look at me.

“Thank you, Michael,” she said, intentionally letting her daughters know we had been together. “I will treasure our time together always.”

“The pleasure was all mine, Your Majesty,” I said smiling.

“Your Highness is too modest,” she replied.

“Your Highness?” Ileana blurted, then immediately covering her mouth with her hand, trying to pull back her words.

Kalani giggled as she said, “Prince Michael tends to be reluctant in accepting praise for his endeavors.”

“PRINCE Michael?” This time it was Mikeya who couldn’t stop herself.

Kalani, reluctantly pulled her eyes from mine, turning to face her daughters. “Yes, Crown Prince Michael, to be exact. You both were there. You witnessed the Ceremony of the Sword. Is there a problem?”

Her tone put them both on the defensive for a moment.

“I’m sorry, Mother, but we don’t understand. I did not know about the sword, and I cannot recall what it’s supposed to mean,” Mikeya said diplomatically, but not backing down from the Queen.

“As I explained to Michael, the Ceremony of the Sword hasn’t been used in over a century, but I thought it appropriate in the circumstances,” she told them without really explaining anything.

“But CROWN Prince? What is that?” Mikeya continued her questioning. I could sense that she wasn’t disagreeing, but wanted to know. “I’ve never heard of a Crown Prince in all of Tapato’s history.”

“It’s more of a European tradition. There, as the Heir, you would be referred to as the Crown Princess,” she said to Mikeya, “your husband would be referred to as the Crown Prince. Even though he cannot ascend to the throne,” Kalani explained. “Many years ago, in our culture, the ceremony was customarily used to designate the Royal Family’s protector. The defender of the throne. Often they became the queen’s unofficial consort,” she said bathing me once again in her radiant smile.