It Started With a Kiss
There were rules for these things. You never went against the rules. No exceptions. The moment they broke the rules was the moment things would unravel. The moment they broke the rules was the moment they began down a path they had to finish.
Chapter 2: Get used to it
Rikku stretches and sighs as she awakes the next morning. She had slept so peacefully. She couldn't even remember why. All she knew was that her mind was free and when she sat up in bed everything was refreshingly beautiful. The sun's morning rays came in from her balcony and bay windowpanes. It had not reached that far into the room but it illuminated everything. This is odd. It had never done that before. She pondered as to why it was like this as she rose out of bed. Then something caught the corner of her eye. Something gold almost?
She slowly approached the golden spot which was at the end of her bed and her breath catches when she finds the source. Lying comfortably asleep at the end of her bed on the floor was Gippal. She remembered everything now. But couldn't get pass the awe to start worrying again about anything. She had to take a moment to look.
His features were like ones chiseled from marble. His blouse had come undone a bit and gave her a peek at his Adonis chest. This glowed. In fact, everywhere his skin showed in the sunlight it glowed. A subtle golden glow washed over him. It wasn't sparkly. It was as if someone had place golden sheer silk over his skin. It was lovely. She found herself kneeling down beside him with her hand extended. She wanted to feel his skin. To see if it was as silky as it appeared with his glow. But just as her fingertips touched his cheek, he inhaled and moved. This scared her. She felt as if she was caught with her hand in her father's jar of jellybeans. But Gippal didn't open his eyes and scold her. He didn't even open his eyes. When he inhaled, he moved to lie on his back and stretched.
"Milady, there is no reason for you to fear consequence from touching me. Conscious or not." He says so charmingly. Rikku blushes and withdraws her hand even more.
"I wish to do nothing of the sort." She regains composure and stands. She heads to her vanity and has a seat.
"What your mind is telling me seems to contradict your words, Milady." Gippal says as he rises. There is a smile in his voice.
"Are you calling me a liar, sir? If so then i suggest you bite your tongue!" Rikku cuts her eyes at him in the mirror. He has his back turned to her as he adjusts his blouse.
"Then it must have been my mistake. Pardon me, Milady. "He says, she doesn't hear the smile. She sighs. Damn his sexual arousal. Damn him.
"It's just my abilities have been with me since the beginning, which was about 126 years ago and they've yet to fail me..." Gippal says. The smile is back in his voice.
"I said bite your tongue, sir." She says again trying to sound lady-like. She began to stand but in a few strides Gippal was by her side.
"If that is what you so desire." He says. She feels the heat from his body as he stands so close. It gives her a foreign feeling. And it doesn't help when he kneels beside her. "Or i could sink my teeth into something else of your wishing. Something much more…delectable."
His words didn't register at first. It wasn't until his lips touched her hand, which had been taken into his own, that she understood. She should have been appalled but it only made her have that foreign feeling even stronger. She couldn't take her eyes from his. She couldn't bring herself to move. Was this witch craft? Was this another of his sorcerer powers?
"It is of no witch craft, Milady." He says to her. He moves closer to her. His hand coming up and sliding her robe away and exposing her collarbone. "But you may call it one of my powers if you desire. Though I am no sorcerer."
When his lips touch her skin, she feels her heart skip a beat. This man had no reserve. She had just met him the previous night and here he is making this pass. Being so close. Closer than any man ever had been. Who did he think he was?
"I am only a Sire. I am your Sire. I am yours" He says.
He continues to kiss her. His kisses were leading lower. She blushed. Was he really going to go to her bosom? She panicked. She was raised better than this. This is unladylike-like foolery. She didn't even know this man. She must stop him before he charms her into something she did not wish. But before she could say or do anything he stops. He sits down on the floor and rests his head on her lap. Stroking her shin through her robe. Why had he stopped?
"I will not force you to do anything you do not wish. I wish to pleasure you but only on your terms and by your desired means. I may not be human...but I am no monster, Milady." He says it so sincerely and the same calming feeling comes over her.
She looked at him wearily but decides to continue to do what she had wished. If he did not try any more charm tricks he shouldn't be any trouble. Right?
"I'll be of no bother. I promise." He chuckles. He turns and sits with his back to her but his head still rested against her lap.
She picks up her brush and begins to brush her hair. She could not remember the day, but she knew she had things that had to be done. She had since this whole Becoming began. She sighed. It seemed like a huge hassle for nothing. Brother was the heir to the throne. She was to always be a Princess. So why make a big deal of her turning 18 years of age just to do the same thing afterwards? It seemed unnecessarily tedious.
"It is you becoming a woman; an occasion to be celebrated to the highest degree." Gippal says in the midst of her thoughts.
"Pardon, but I would prefer it if you did not intrude on my thoughts." She says to him with a sigh.
"I cannot help it, Milady. It is not something I can just cease."
"So you're always going to be in my thoughts?" She sighed. Great.
"When I am by you in this manner, your thoughts are my own. It is second nature to me to respond because it feels as though we are conversing aloud; only I'm the only one that can hear both sides." He explains.
"And were we apart?" She asked.
"It would be as though you are whispering to me. It would be gentle yet clear. The further you are from me the softer your thoughts become. But i will always hear them."
"Always? Even if I were in another part of the country? Like Western Albhedia?" She asks him.
"Always, Your Grace." He says. He looks to his left as if he had heard something but Rikku hears nothing but the morning birds. She is about to ask what it was that he was looking at but he didn't give her a chance.
"Someone approaches. Your chambermaids are waiting outside because they believe we are indisposed." He says to her. He rises and heads to her door without a look back at her. He knew she was going to say to let them in. So he opens the door. The chambermaids, Yuffie and another younger Albhed, come in... Rikku notices they do not look at Gippal. At least not eye contact.
After they enter, Gippal sits at the table. Leaving the two chambermaids to help her dress. She dresses behind her curtain so she does not feel that uncomfortable but Yuffie and the younger albhed do. Why? She wondered. She was given the man. Not them. So why were they so uncomfortable? They had been around her father and other royals all the time. It boggled her mind...
As she finished dressing in her day gown, a lovely light violet gown, she heard a knock come to her door. Was that the person Gippal said was approaching?
"Yes it is. If you are done with your dressing, shall I open the door?" Gippal asks. She comes from behind the screen adjusting her hair.
"Yes. Please do so." She consents. He opens the door and there is her father, King Cid, her mother, Queen Andorra and their royal entourage: Two handmaids for the queen, one servant boy for the king, 2 advisers and the guards that follow them. About 2. This is light compared to when they're outside. They all came in her rather large living area.
"And for what do I owe this pleasurable visit, mother, and father?" Rikku addresses. He father sternly looks at her.
"We wish only to speak with our daughter. No official business, my darling daughter." Andorra says approaching and giving Rikku a hug.
"Speak to me? Would this speech happen to do with the arrival of this quite odd and irrefutable gift I was bestowed last evening?" Rikku asks respectably. The two look at each other guilt bidden.
"I was in no state of inform when this message reached me. I was barely able to prepare myself before the event. And I find it quite odd that I be bestowed such a rare yet absurd gift. "She says in a reproaching manner, only caught by her mother, of the man.
"Do not speak of him as a mere object and as if he were not in the room. We reared you in better graces." The queen chastises. Rikku looks away in a pouting child manner she quickly recomposed to her age. She turns to Gippal, who had positioned himself to the side respectively.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." She greets with a slight nod of her head.
He bows in acknowledgement of the ranks. No greeting is made and Rikku finds it odd but The queen and king see no problem of it.
"Had we known you were coming, we would have had accommodations ready upon your arrival." The king tells him, though Rikku sees an odd look of suspicion in his eyes. Gippal doesn't respond.
"Why won't you speak? Has your tongue magically ceased in function?" Rikku speaks up saucily.
"Rikku, he does as he should. Do not reproach him. "The king tells her. Then he straightens himself. "I suppose more will be informed at breakfast. Do not leave the cooks waiting. "
"Wait, father, what do you mean do not keep the cooks waiting? Will you not be joining me?"
"Your mother and I have business to attend to in the Highlands. We will be gone for 3 morns. "
"Three morns? That is just before my Becoming. Why must I hear of this so late?"
"We just heard word this morn, young one. Please forgive us. If we had known sooner so would you. We shall return swiftly, we promise. "The Queen tries to explain her best.
"We must leave now, but have no fear. You're new companion will be with you in our absence." The King says. There is that look. The royal party leaves without any further conversation and Rikku watches in slight distraught.
She was to be left alone with this strange man. Brother was in the moors of Western Albhedia. Her mother and father were leaving her. She did not like this. And why had Gippal said nothing? He merely knelt and stayed silent! The coward! Well he had no way of knowing but still! It would have been nice to have some answers on his part. Especially if he were in the presence of the King and Queen.
"Upon first meeting, I cannot say anything. It is an apology and respectful ode to any future actions I perform in distaste or their dislike, for what I do is only in your consideration. No one else's. "Gippal speaks. It startles her how he had somehow appeared by her side so swiftly. She would've fallen back if his hand had not suddenly been at her back to catch her.
"My apologies for startling you, Milady." He says in his suave demeanor. She momentarily gazes into his eyes and finds herself mesmerized. His hues seemed like one of an angel. She couldn't think straight for a moment… a moment. Then she realized what she was doing. She up righted herself and looked away blushing. She had let herself get caught up in his craft. She couldn't let him get to her. She would not. Wait! Rikku realized he had heard that. She looked to him for an inevitable response and got none. He merely stood beside her waiting patiently. What was she to do with him now then?
"I can accompany you with your morning tasks if you'd wish." He suggested.
"That will…" She began to refute but then thought about it. If she left him here she'd have to come back to him. He would be full of energy from the cooped up state. And she would be too tired to fight his witchcraft. Render him exhausted after the day's events, she'd have no problems getting him to obey and leave her be. No stamina, no action.
She comes out of thought to notice he is smiling.
"My stamina is quite astonishing as you will find upon the day of your request." He looks at her with a look that ignited something in her. She felt heat rise. It was a rush in the pit of her stomach that made her want to…
"Unless your request is today..." He speaks gently. She can't look away from him as he comes closer. He puts a hand on the small of her back and she catches her breath. He leans in closer and his lips loom upon hers. "Upon which I will happily give you a thorough…demonstration."
She feels her knees go weak and knew if he had not had a hold on her back. She felt her lips quiver when his breath mingles with hers. She...what did she want…she wanted to feel his lips on hers…his body on hers…or hers on-
"Whoa!" She burst out of her trance in an abrupt jerk. Her arms shot out against Gippal's chest and he didn't stumble back a bit. Instead she was the one falling back and onto her rump in a pain filled yet slightly shocked 'oof'. And he was by her side in the instant.
"Milady, my apologies. I meant no harm. Never will I mean harm to you. "He seemed utterly sadden by her state. But she ignores him and his hand as she rises flustered and rose flushed.
She fixed her clothes and marched out the room without a further word, more upset with her own self than him. She should never have let him get that close. She told herself to forget it but that was what was exactly on her mind all day. Through breakfast, studies, athletics and lessons, her mind was only on what happened. It was on him. And he knew. He stayed quiet though. He ignited no response in her displeasure. He only watched her mindfully. The day came to an end, and Rikku managed to focus on the accommodations for Gippal. To her pleasure, they had been completed in time and he didn't have to return to her room.
So as the day came to an end, she once again came to her wing of the palace. She was escorted to her door by her royal entourage and her new edition. She turned and dismissed them, all of them, and watched in delight when everyone began to leave. She was overjoyed until she saw a guard show Gippal to a room precariously placed a stone's throw from hers. She hadn't noticed there being a room there. She huffed in annoyance. Now he was even closer. And to her displeasure, he was once again on her mind. She contemplated the effect of this man in her life then paused, he was no man…he was a sire. Then her mind roamed to how sires came about and the abilities of such. But the moment her mind went to abilities, it went back to the moment she was near his lips. There was such a strong pull that she couldn't fathom. Luckily for her, she was able to try and ease her mind of the subject in her sleep. Or was she?0
ooo
Everywhere it was dark. It surrounded her, consumed her. She heard nothing but the rapid beat of her heart as it race in her chest. She was afraid. Greatly fearful, yet she knew not why.
"i….can't see…." She whispered to the darkness. She didn't understand why but it seemed natural. As if someone was there.
"You don't need to see. You have me." It whispers back. The voice so sweet to her ears and the only one she wished to hear, yet it was not familiar.
"Who are you…?" she asked desperate for the voice. She reaches out in the darkness yet her fingertips feel nothing but space
"I am…" The voice's response began to fade. And she felt a feeling in her stomach. Sadness, loneliness, filled her due to this voice leaving.
"Wait…I can't hear you. Don't leave. Come back! Please! I beg of you! Please! Who are you?"
She felt a tear stream down her cheek when the voice began to fade and the darkness became too much. But then a small spot of a light appeared. It seemed a far distance away but that didn't stop her from running towards it. Nothing else mattered but that light. She reached out to it as it came closer, its golden hues easing her from the darkness. And just as she reached it, she heard the voice again.
"…I…am….light."
ooo
Rikku jolted away with a gasp. She sat up immediately looking frantically for whatever she had seen in her dream. But she only found her empty royal chamber as it was illuminated by the moonlight. She got her bearings for a moment. It was hard to go back to sleep, so what would she do now? Sighing, she eased out of bed. She slid into her slippers and took her robe from the morning that she asked to be laid on the vanity. Tying it tightly around, a venture is what came from her awakening. The dream was heavy on her mind, so maybe a stroll would take her mind off the dream. It was long off until morn and she needed to be able to go back to sleep.
When she headed out her room she greeted the guard and nonchalantly strolled down the palace hall, it was quite beautiful yet quiet. An eerie quiet. She went stopped by a window and gazed out at the moonlit hills of the country land. It was such a vast beautiful place. Such wonders were beyond the castle gates…and never had she been allowed to see them. Of course she had been out the castle gates but it was only to visit the town. She wished she could go beyond this country…but a wish had to stay as such. She was to possibly be a Queen someday. If Brother chose to release the throne to her. And he just might. He had no desire to hold a country on his back. She of course, had no choice of the matter. If he were to relinquish the throne to her, she must accept. The other options were not desirable.
She shuddered at the thought and hugged her robe closer to her frame. The future did not seem as open as others had it. How she longed to have one moment to have a chanceful future. Where every sunrise offers another day of possibilities and the sunsets confirm a joyful night to come.
'Silly girl, banish those ideas from your mind.' She scolds herself mentally. Just then she hears the sweetest sound. Its soft yet…made her heart flutter and her body yearn to be near it. She followed it curiously away from her quarters and the one Gippal just recently began to occupy. She got closer to the noise and recognized it as a piano. A baby grand she kept in her music room. This is where she finds herself standing outside of come the end of her travel. She didn't want to interrupt the cause and quietly poked her head into the room. The site she saw was…stunning.
Gippal sat at the Baby Grand she received as a 12 yr. birthday present. His eyes were focused on the keys but the moon favored his outline. His golden hair seemed slightly platinum now. His skin gleamed flawlessly almost like tan marble. She felt a lump form in her chest. This was an amazing sight. Yet she still wondered why he was up. Well, no use in hiding. He had probably already sensed her…or had he?
"My Lady, Please join me. " He says as if she just stood a few feet away. She blushed. He had known. Then she remembers what he had said.
'I'll always hear you…always…'
So she stood and strode in like she was planning to the entire time. He said nothing to disillusion her charade. He merely continued to play. She recognized the melody but couldn't pin it to a song. But it was so…lovely. She came toward and slid next to him onto the seat. He played so flawlessly, as if he had been playing daily for years. He probably had been. He was….how old again? 400 years old? Or was it 500? If he was 500 years old, why did he look about 23 years of age? She comes back to reality when she sees him smirk.
"Have I humored you in some way?" She challenges him.
"I stopped aging over a century ago, my lady. I am 126 years of age "He tells her as he had the day they met.
She didn't say anything. The fact that he could read her mind was unsettling. She couldn't have a thought to herself. If he could hear her thoughts, she'd at least wish to have the same privilege of his. This wasn't fair. She sighed.
"You may simply ask to say my thoughts at any moment, though I may tell you that they only consist of you." He says to her. She huffs. He listened again without her permission.
"I am displeasing you, for that I am sorry. I will only answer your verbal words."
"Thank You" She smiled. He looked to her and smiled, his hands never ceasing in creating the melody. The action made her blush and look away.
"My Lady, what is it about me that makes you feel so uneasy. I am a vowed soul of your will. You have nothing to fear of me or with me. "
"You are this person I just met that has been given to me like some sacrificial lamb. How am I to react to this? With open arms? I have been raised to be prepared for royal duties, political marriage or one of my choice and civil instruction. Not once have I been told of a Sire or to expect one. It's all too much. I didn't ask for this. For you." She looks at her hands in her lap. They were pale in comparison to his in the moonlight.
He says nothing at first. Just continues to play.
"No one may ask for our kind. We are granted rarely to whoever the mother sees fit or in deserving circumstances."
"The mother?"
"Yes. She is the creator of all Sires. A celestial being among man. Some call her The First because she has been here…for a very very long time."
"She gave birth to each Sire?" She asks. Gippal nods.
"She is mother of all."
"How many sires are there?"
"That is a very open question, Your Grace."
"What do you mean by that?" She questions. He looks to her and grins.
"It is nothing my lady. Excuse my response." He says. "There aren't many Sires. To my knowledge I have no siblings active in their Sire duties."
"Active?"
"Yes, my lady." He says.
"I don't…" She looks confused.
"When a Sire is dismissed or their master passes on, they are no longer active as a Sire and are thus relieved." Gippal explains.
"Relieved? They are executed?"
"No, My lady. They are sent to a land to live out their lives."
"How long do Sires live?"
"We live indefinitely." He says.
"You're Immortal?" Her eyes widen and voice rises a bit.
"This topic is bringing back you're unsettling. We can change the topic of conversation if you wish." He ends the song.
"…No. No I am not unsettled. That is quite alright but I must be returning to bed. "
"Do you think your nightmares have subsided?" He asks. "Or shall I continue to play for you?"
"W-what? How do you have knowledge of my nightmare?" She eyes him.
"You speak to me; mentally, physically and emotionally. This gives me insight into your dreams. I felt and heard your disdaining slumber. "
"So you were playing for..me?" She asked.
"Yes." He nods. She smiles. That was sweet of him.
"Well, I thank you for your efforts, Gippal, but I will be fine." She assures him. Although ,she suddenly didn't want to go back to sleep now. She was actually enjoying his company. This was a drastic change from when she first met him and only wanted him gone. She decided that since he must be in her court then she will enjoy him. At that thought her mind wandered to his gorgeous physique. He was a sight. A small part of her said enjoy him in every way, even if those ways included touching…
'Dismiss those thoughts from your mind.' She once again scolded herself. She felt her blush on her cheeks. But why should she be blushing? He had pledged his servitude and loyalty to her. She should be able to think anything. Do anything. Then a mischievous thought popped in her mind. And she stood and immediately tried to cover that thought with an irrelevant one. Hopefully, he had not caught the thought. With the notion in her mind, she turned to him a few feet away.
"Gippal…." She began. And when he turned to look at her she almost lost her nerves at the mere radiance of his gaze.
"Yes, My lady." He answered.
"You've pledged yourself to me. " She stated in a questioning manner but didn't expect him to answer.
"From birth until universe end." He pronounced. His playing slows to a flawless softening end.
"So whatever I ask….you'll do?" She raises an eyebrow.
"Whatever you truly desire, it is my duty to bring to fruition." He tells her.
"How do you know what I say is not what I truly desire." She challenges him.
"Just as I hear your thoughts, I feel your body's wants, I sense your emotions, and I see to the deepest of you that possibly even you have not touched." He says this and she squints at him suspiciously.
"Really?" She questions. He nods. "A place I haven't touch? "
"Yes, My Lady. Shall I show you?" He says. He arises from the piano and makes his way to stand in front of her a foot away.
"Show me how-"She began to ask and he replies as if the answer was simple.
"A kiss."
She knew not of how to respond. She had never kissed a man before… This would be her first kiss. The man offering it was gorgeous and probably every girl's dream man but she knew not if it was right to do this with him. She might've panicked had he had not smiled and spoke.
"The connection will allow me to give you insight into my powers." He comes closer and she looks into his eyes. Did they mirror the desire she suddenly had or were those just his emerald orbs mesmerizing her? He didn't need a verbal response, did he? Apparently not.
With a delicate touch to her chin, which she didn't realize he was close enough to do so, he leaned down to press his lips to hers. . Just before his rose velvet lips touched hers, his hand pressed to her stomach and her heart skipped a beat. When his lips caressed hers, she felt a light grow. Not from him but from inside her. This light showed her visions. They weren't complete but they were so vivid and real.
One flash was of her smiling, riding along someone on her stallion. She seemed joyed. The skies were clear. The next was of a rainy day, she was dancing merrily. Someone picked her up, twirled her and she laughed. The rain drenched her and she looked to her playmate. The vision then flashed to something more intimate before she could get a view. Bodies were entangled and pure pleasure overwhelmed her. She couldn't think straight and her heart raced. She suddenly became breathless but couldn't pull away. Reality and this vision merged as one. Then that vision faded and black enveloped her. A feeling, stronger than anything she had ever felt, came over her. It was sweet, yet bitter, there, yet void and she couldn't pin point just exactly what it was. But suddenly she didn't want to know. This was too strong.
..Too strong…
…too strong…
…no...
She pushed away from a hard chest, reminding her where she was. And yet again, hands held her from falling. Her breath was ragged. She looked into green eyes that she could've sworn showed a hint of shock just like her but it soon turned to his usual look of obedience.
"Are you alright, my lady?" He asks. "Has my insight displeased you?"
She couldn't form words for a moment. She was honestly just trying to form a solid thought but everything was racing. She felt her heart still racing. Then with such ease, Gippal let his hand touch the side of her head. Her mind cleared and she no longer had a feeling of panic. Her heart slowed and she felt so calm. She looked to him and knew she didn't have to ask. It was just another one of his many abilities. This man was so ... intriguing. At that thought she excused herself back to her room. All these abilities, how did he handle them? That was just not something she could get used to…
To Be Continued…
I don't really have thoughts on this chapter. I more so want to hear yours. Tell me what you think. R&R
Xoxo,
Ayata-Ayumi