Disclaimer: Characters are not mine. Sigh. They're the brilliant work of Kaori Yuki.
Unrequited Love
I looked fondly at Rosiel's sleeping form as I sat on the edge of his bed. His long, silver hair cascaded over the pillows and his chest rose and fell with each gentle breath he took. He was beautiful. Serenely beautiful. It was almost unnatural for a man to carry such beauty as Rosiel did, but beautiful he was, in every way possible. I longed to touch him, to run my fingers through his silky hair. I wanted so badly to be with him every moment of every day and night, to please him, to care for him. I yearned to join with him in the only way two lovers can, but I could never betray my feelings for him. He was my liege, and his heart belonged to another, one who would never return his feelings.
"Oh, my lord Rosiel… my lord…" I murmured and slowly reached out to touch his pristine face. I felt tears well in my eyes as my fingers brushed against his warm, smooth cheek. I knew I should not be doing this, but I could not tear myself away from him. I was drowning in his presence. Trembling, I traced my thumb over his lips. I had waited so long to do that and it was almost killing me that I could not do more. I wanted more of him. I wanted him to tell me he loved me, to tell me he cared so deeply for me that Alexiel meant nothing to him. But he never would. He thought of no one but her.
"My dear sister…" Rosiel breathed. I froze as his eyes opened, my hand still poised above his lips.
"Katan?" he asked, baffled. "What are you doing?"
"My… my lord! I'm sorry, please forgive me!" I started to withdraw my hand, but he caught my wrist in a firm grip.
"Touch me… like you did before." he ordered quietly.
I bit my lip and nodded, my stomach tying in knots and my heard thundering in my chest as I gently caressed his face.
"More, Katan." He caught my hand and placed it on his neck. "Touch me here."
"My lord…" I said hesitantly.
"Do as I say."
"Yes, my lord." And my hands began to rub his neck and travel across his chest. I looked away from his eyes and down at what I was doing – I could not bear to see the icy look of hatred he focused on me.
My breath hitched in my throat as he sat up, his hair falling gracefully down his back. My hands stilled.
"No, continue."
Without a word, I placed my hands on his slender shoulders and began to massage them tenderly. He laced his own hands behind my neck and pressed his face into my chest.
"Am I beautiful, Katan?"
"Yes, my lord." I said, rubbing his back slowly. I ran my knuckles down his spine. "You are the most beautiful creature to have ever existed. There has been no beauty ever in heaven or earth or hell that can match yours."
He looked up at me. "I love to hear you say that." He pressed his lips against mine briefly. "Do you want me?"
"Oh, my lord…."
"Answer me."
"Yes." I whispered.
He slipped his hands up my shirt and deftly slid it over my head. He stared at my bare chest for a few moments and then pressed a kiss to my collarbone. I gasped as his tongue connected with my skin. He raked his nails gently across my chest. "Then take me." He moved his mouth up to my ear and gently sucked on my earlobe. I leaned into his touch and he tangled his hands in my short hair.
"M-my lord." I sighed.
Abruptly he pulled back and laughed. He backhanded me harshly across the face. My cheek stinging, I turned back to look at him, confused.
"Don't ever try something like that again, Katan." he said coldly and stood up, leaving me alone once again. I hunched over the bed, burying my face in my hands, my tears coursing down my fingers.
He would never love me.