Chapter 2

"Prince Ali, welcome," exclaimed Jafar as the prince was led into the throne room. He descended the steps until he stood before the younger man his surprise deeply masked. He had been expecting the prince to be young, but he was a bit older than expected. He had almost expected a boy, but this was a man even if only just. That didn't deter him though; nothing would stop the plan he had working away in his mind. It all made him think that his plan would work. The sultan that ruled the land before him had been old, it had been easy for Jasmine to seduce him, but this prince was about five to ten years older than her he had confidence it would be even easier.

The two men bowed to each other to show their respect; it was as he was returning to his upright position that he caught sight of his queen. Jasmine had out done herself in making herself desirable for the prince not that she ever wasn't. She was like a background jewel in that moment as she approached them slowly her blue robes standing out as the only hit of color. Their eyes met fleetingly before he motioned her forward the gold in her hair the only thing distinguishing her as a queen. Jafar questioned that, but didn't say anything. She knew what she was doing and he had faith in that.

"Prince Ali, this is Jasmine, the queen of Agrabah. Jasmine, the guest I was telling you of," whispered Jafar changing the tone of his voice with her. He was more demanding with her then he had ever been. He was almost cruel to her and even as that thought went through his mind he felt a pang in his heart. He would never like being purposefully cruel to her; he loved her, but now for the time being he had to hide that.

"Yes, I remember husband…my king," stammered Jasmine knowing her role without question not daring to look at him as she took the place where she knew she was meant to be.

"Welcome to my…our kingdom, Prince Ali. I hope your stay here is a pleasurable one," whispered Jasmine bowing herself letting her eyes meet the princes only briefly.

"With you around, Queen Jasmine, I'm sure it will be. It is a pleasure to meet you," whispered Prince Ali taking her hand kissing it undeterred as Jafar watched on. Jafar hid his jealousy well seeing as his plan was already working. The prince was flirting with his queen right in front of him. But then Jasmine was quickly forgotten as the two men began to speak between themselves. They entered the dining hall, Jasmine sitting between the two men listening to the business in their words without the prince knowing. She had to play the injured wife and in doing so she couldn't let him know how truly involved she was in the running of their kingdom. She had sit there and observe her pray from beneath fluttering lashes. She had remembered him the second she saw him again. His face brought back all those memories, those bad memories of that night, of the blood, and the time before involving him. For those memories, she would always have a hatred for him deeper than her very heart. For though he didn't remember her, she remembered him.

Long ago before she was queen, when she was merely a young girl and her father had tried selling her hand, he had been the one of many vying for it. Jasmine hadn't wanted any of them. She hadn't met Jafar yet, but none of them were him. He was the one for her and she knew that the second they met. But she hadn't had a choice then; she was a girl of thirteen and she had to do her father's will. She had almost been his bride, but she had made sure she wasn't by digging a knife in her father's back as he slept. She left that girl, the girl she had been, behind then, and found a new power in the love she shared with Jafar. Jasmine would never regret that, but she would always hate Prince Ali for nearly shackling her down.

"Jafar is the only man who will ever chain me," thought Jasmine letting her eyes linger on him only a moment as the memory faded vowing after Prince Ali was dead to tell him of the past he didn't know about, but never asked of.

"Jasmine!" snapped Jafar in that moment making her really jump. She morphed back into the scared woman she was supposed to be cowering at the feel of his eyes touching her skin in only a look.

"Yes, my king?" smiled Jasmine looking deliberately through him to keep with the façade.

"Why don't you go show Prince Ali around the palace before escorting him to his room," growled Jafar being deliberately demanding. Jasmine brought her eyes to the ground only nodding as she stood. She let the prince loop her arm through his and following her step she found a smile. Leading him from the room, Jasmine kept her fake fear wrapped around her not daring to say a word. The silence would be his to break. For now, she would let him think he was in control that he was saving her. She would pretend to be the pray when in all actuality, she was the snake waiting to eat the mouse.

"Set the trap, my love," whispered Jafar as the dining hall doors closed behind his guest and his queen his smile curling his lips. His queen was doing brilliantly, he knew the prince would be drawn right into her arms, and he was doomed. Soon Jafar and Jasmine would be the most powerful sultan and queen in the land. At the thought of that Jafar smiled more, he knew he couldn't have done it without her, he did truly love her, and suddenly the words he had told her before entered his mind. He could replace her easily, but he didn't want to.

Jasmine was his great love and no matter what happened between them that she would always be. If he ever was forced to replace her someday it would be with a heavy heart because he loved her with every inch of it. Any queen he had after her wouldn't compare to her, his Jasmine, she was truly remarkable. Though he would never tell her she was his guiding star. When he thought of her he found himself thrust with sudden bursts of inspiration and when she was gone he didn't know what he would do to replace that. And when the day came, whether by her own fault or fates when he would have to replace her he knew it would be a terrible day, a day that he wouldn't forget. He knew no other woman would ever replace her in his heart. In his bed, maybe, even as his queen, but Jasmine would go down in the history of his kingdom and his heart as his only true queen. The only one that would ever hold his heart and someday when he buried her he would put it in the ground with her. As he was thinking all of this, Jasmine was showing the prince through the castle.

"Your kingdom is beautiful, my lady," said Prince Ali attempting to get her to speak, but failing as she seemed to want to say nothing at all.

"Thank you," breathed Jasmine finally as they entered the garden seeing through the shroud of her façade that he was believing everything in front of him; their plan was working and he was doing nothing to fight against it.

Jasmine genuinely smiled, she couldn't help it upon entering the garden; it would always be her favorite part of her castle. It was radiant with its colored flowers from every land she could find, the entire project of it had been hers, and as she looked upon it she felt a pride she couldn't hide. Even if Jafar replaced her tomorrow this would be her everlasting achievement that was her thought as they came to the center of it; her favorite spot. In the very center was a huge fountain pond, it was there that they sat at the edge of the water, and prince Ali finally spoke.

"Your tour has been a delight, my lady, as has your company," whispered Prince Ali taking her hand. Bringing it to his lips, he kissed it like before his eyes kind in a way that she didn't let herself believe. He was the enemy and she never forgot that she was the one setting the trap. Jasmine remembered that her eyes kind as she smiled falsely. She could see it again in her mind, the blood on her hands, her father's blood, and looking at him now she wanted to repeat that memory. Only this time she wanted it to be the prince's blood.

"The pleasure is mine, Prince Ali, it's a shame your queen didn't come with you. I think she would have enjoyed my garden," whispered Jasmine.

The prince's stance changed as he stared down at her his eyes saying things that she knew his mouth never would. The very mention of his queen seemed to sadden him beyond words. Jasmine knew that would be her way into not just his heart, but his bed.

"Belicia was detained. She would enjoy this of that I'm sure, but we are not much for each other. She prefers to stay where I am not," whispered Prince Ali his eyes seeming to scan each flower. His entire form roared with sadness and his voice was a mere breath as these words were spoken. Part of Jasmine wondered even as she stared at him if she was meant to hear any of that.

"This is it," thought Jasmine in that moment realizing immediately that his poor marriage was her way in. Letting her eyes fill with sympathy, Jasmine peered up at him, and touching the overly soft skin of his cheek Jasmine drew him in. She could see immediately that he was hooked and innerly smiling Jasmine could feel her power just starting to reach its tendrils over him. With time, she would have him and with that Jafar would have his kingdom. Once he was dead they would have all the power there was to have.

"I'm sorry to hear that…she is a fool, if you don't mind me saying so, she is lucky to have a husband such as you," whispered Jasmine moving her body tantalizingly close to his.

He looked her straight in the eye one of his hands moving to the bare skin of her hip.

"Say what you want of her…I could say the same for your king. He obviously doesn't appreciate you as he should," said Prince Ali making Jasmine careen inside even as she played her part. Looking anywhere, but at him she let untrue tears fill her eyes and refusing to look at him she shook her head. She played him so well that when her tears broke the shell of her eyes he quickly moved to wipe them away. He didn't even suspect her treachery. Jasmine seemed to be dying in that moment to him. Her silence was like that of the dead as she wanted it to be.

"Speak to me, my queen," whispered Prince Ali drawing her face into his hands. Jasmine had no choice, but to look at him in that moment wanting to flinch away even as he peered into her eyes. Jasmine knew he was searching her soul or trying to anyway, but that was one thing he would never find. Everything she showed him was a lie even if he didn't know it yet.

"I have never found myself drawn to woman the way I am you," breathed Prince Ali and again Jasmine wondered if she was meant to hear that at all.

"My husband never ceases to remind me that I am replaceable. I fear every day that he will do so," said Jasmine looking at him with a practiced fear in her eyes.

"Then we are in the same like," whispered Prince Ali letting his hand stroke her cheek. Jasmine knew her words would draw his sympathy and she had been right. He was the easiest pray she had ever had. She knew that as she stared into his eyes locked there as he was. She could bring her plan to an end right now if she wanted, but she didn't. She couldn't, now was not the time; this would be a plan that she would draw out so that when the time came to kill him she would enjoy it more.

"Next, he will kiss me," thought Jasmine next unsure whether to let him or not. Slowly then he moved in close his lips dangerously close to hers, but just before they were about to touch Jasmine made up her mind.

"Stop," whispered Jasmine suddenly just in the very second that she decided to lead him on more than she already had planned her head moving before he fully heard her. Jasmine just barely kept from sighing as his lips touched her cheek making the skin there crawl. He pulled away quickly then, she could feel his confusion without even looking at him, and inside it made her smile. His eyes didn't leave her and all seemed to stand still as he waited for an answer to his unasked question as to why she had done that.

"We can't, my prince, if we should be caught my king would replace me instantly. That, and I cannot be unfaithful, he will grow to love me, I know he will. I just must wait a little longer. I must be a devoted wife if I hope to live a long and prosperous life," whispered Jasmine rising slowly to move away from him her fingers petting the petals of one of the flowers.

"As I said…he is a lucky man," whispered Prince Ali coming to stand behind her his chest touching her back. But the second it did Jasmine let her hand snap up looking around as if they were being watched.

"I had better take you to your room now. We cannot do this anymore…next time we could be seen," said Jasmine still acting scared looking all around her. Brushing past him then she barely waited for him to catch up before leaving the garden. Jasmine knew he would follow and she was right. Before she knew it, he was right there by her side making side glances at her. Nothing else was said, he stayed next to her as she moved through the halls of the palace, but then they stopped at the door to his room. Jasmine was pleased to find that her husband had made sure his room was on the other side of the palace from theirs. She would not have to hide her affections for her king when they were alone. Even if she had to Jasmine didn't think she could.

"Here is your room," whispered Jasmine meeting his eyes, but looking away not wanting to draw him in this time.

"I'll see you at dinner," whispered Jasmine.

"Yes, I'm looking forward to that, but only because you'll be there," breathed Prince Ali leaning closer to her then was necessary. Jasmine looked into his eyes in that moment letting him think she was the one getting lost. She was only drawing him in more finally drawing away with a shake of her head pretending to shiver as he ran his hands up her sides. But she could only manage that by pretending he was her king.

"Until then Jasmine," breathed Prince Ali before shutting his door only then did Jasmine let her façade drop hurrying across the castle to her room. When she entered, much to her surprise, Jafar was there waiting for her.

"My queen?" smiled Jafar the second the door closed. Jasmine suddenly felt whole again as she felt the eyes that should be running over her doing so. It made the very feel of his hands on her wash away.

"Everything went perfectly. I already have him chasing me as I play the lady in harm's way. He even already tried to kiss me," smiled Jasmine seeing a hint of jealousy in her love's eyes.

"He only tried…you didn't let him have a taste? Are you growing soft, my love," teased Jafar his steps precise in that moment? He approached her at his leisure his hands itching to touch her as their eyes met. He had been craving her since the moment she left his sight and now he would crave no more.

"Never, my king, your queen, soft? I just want to lead him on a bit. In the end, it'll make him long for me and when the time is perfect I'll pounce on him," hissed Jasmine smiling as her king made his. Suddenly she was trapped between the wall and the body she loved to be underneath. Jasmine found herself looking into his eyes and like Prince Ali fell into hers Jasmine was falling into the eyes of her husband. She had been since the day they met and always would.

"Your hands feel so good compared to his," breathed Jasmine feeling as they ran over her sides like Prince Ali's had done only firmer surprising her further as he hoisted her into his arms still holding her against the wall. Jasmine laughed in response, her smile tender as she nuzzled his cheek, and felt him kiss her brow. She let her legs curl around him and peering into his eyes still Jasmine felt his love wrap around her the same as his arms.

"Will you turn me away if I attempt what Prince Ali failed at?" whispered Jafar his voice a tone that only she had ever heard. His eyes left hers then seeming to trace her his tongue tracing his lips even as he asked the question. He knew the answer, but sometimes he just liked playing with her. Jasmine smiled in response as she brought her hands to his face.

"You, never, my king; I love you. I will never deny you anything," whispered Jasmine not getting a chance to say anymore as he attacked her lips as if he was trying to devour her. He pressed her hard up against the wall as his lips moved to her neck making her gasp.

"I can't mark you," growled Jafar in frustration kissing her once more.

"Sadly, no, but you can do everything else. Make love to me, my king," breathed Jasmine their eyes meeting before he lowered his head to her cleavage. She felt him smile as he pulled her away from the wall carrying her to the bed.