Beginning with Night
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. Disney's Aladdin belongs to Disney.
Agrabah, late summer
Jafar entered the bridal chamber. He stopped at the threshold, drinking in the scent of the flower-decked room. It took him a moment to locate Jasmine, who had drifted to the balcony while waiting for him.
He drew the door shut behind him and unhurriedly advanced towards her. His recalcitrant bride stood still, scowling at his approach. Jafar greeted her with a smirk. "Well, Princess."
Jasmine lifted her chin and turned away. "Sultana."
"Ah, yes," Jafar drawled, satisfied. He set his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. "How glad I am to hear you accept your position, wife."
"As though I had a choice," Jasmine muttered. She looked to the ground, refusing to meet his eyes.
He slowly stroked her arms, observing her in silence. When he spoke again, his voice was lower, softer. "No need to tremble. I'm not going to hurt you."
Jasmine glared at him. "You'd prefer me to swoon at your feet, no doubt."
Jafar tipped her face up. "Now don't be like that, Jasmine. I do love you," he said, smug yet earnest.
"You love nothing but power," Jasmine growled, not appeased.
"No, no. I love Agrabah. I want the best for our people. You and I together are the best, surely you see that?"
She shrugged away from him. "You need me to keep the courtiers from revolting. Otherwise -"
He leaned back on the marble balustrade. "Otherwise, you'd still want to be Sultana. You've always wanted to be Sultana, ever since you were a little girl insisting that your father explain war and trade and alliances. Now you'll have your chance, my love. You'll rule by my side."
Jasmine frowned, crossing her arms. "I don't delude myself that you will share rule."
Jafar gently drew her towards him. "But how could I not? You are the Sultana by right, after all. I could not deny your birthright."
"And yet you had no trouble denying me the right to choose my own husband -"
His hands settled at her waist. "Now, darling, you'll have to forgive me for that. Our realm needs stability. We don't have time for you to keep holding out for some perfect foreign prince. But, I promise I shall be a good husband to you, Jasmine. The very best. I'm always the very best at what I put my mind to, you know." His palm slid up her back, caressing circles through the silk of her robe.
"You - you are too self-absorbed and arrogant to begin to understand what makes a good husband!" Jasmine jabbed a finger at his chest, glaring at him.
Jafar smiled, and pulled her arms around his neck. "Not at all. I know, for example, that a good husband is patient and forbearing, and doesn't take his bride's insults too seriously when clearly she's just nervous about being bedded."
Jasmine stiffened, dropping her arms. "I'm not - I - there are bigger things at stake than -"
Jafar loosened her braided hair and watched her dark locks fall free. "Not tonight. Tonight is about us beginning together as husband and wife. We'll set aside discussing how to manage as Sultan and Sultana for the morning."
Jasmine closed her eyes and bowed her head, speaking at his chest. "Fine. As you please. Just get to it, then."
Jafar pulled back, holding her at arm's length and forcing her to meet his eyes. "Ah ah, not like that. There's another thing I love besides you and Agrabah, you know."
Reluctantly goaded, Jasmine asked, "What's that?"
Jafar flashed a predatory grin. "Bedsport. And I'm certainly going to take my time introducing it to you, my new and last partner." He tugged her forward, took her face into his hands, and kissed her.