CHAPTER 2 – THE HANGMAN'S NOOSE

'Death is not the worst that can happen to men'—Plato

The house was silent when I woke. There were no voices coming from the common room. I looked around and realized it was still dark. Sighing, I started getting up to get a glass of water. My feet didn't touch the floor though. I squinted in the darkness and recognized Valek's silhouette on the floor next to my bed. The bed was small and he had probably wanted to give me space while I slept. That didn't mean he should sleep on the floor. I didn't mind sleeping close to him. And, if it was him who minded, he could always sleep on the couch. I tried to step around him, but I think I must have jostled him because he caught my ankle as I was leaving.

"Where are you going?" he asked, sharply. "Is something wrong?"

I shook my head, but remembered that he probably couldn't see me any better than I could see him in the darkness. "I'm just thirsty."

He was on his feet in an instant. "I'll go get you a glass of water. Stay here, I'll be right back." He pushed me down onto the bed and left the room quickly.

Ignoring his instructions, I followed him to the kitchen and sat down in one of the wooden chairs while he poured me some water. Placing it on the table, he took a seat beside me. Valek watched me as I downed the drink with such attention that you would think I was completing life's greatest feat.

He quickly snatched the empty glass from me taking my hands into his. Pulling me towards him, by my wrists, he touched his lips to mine. I almost swooned from the need that overtook my senses. There had been no contact between us for much too long. I pressed myself against him, climbing into his lap and straddling him. Valek leaned back against the table in response and secured a tighter grip on my hips. My hands tangled in his hair and I held onto him for dear life. When I finally released him, it was only for both of us to catch our breath. I stared into his eyes, which were now darkened with lust. "My room," I gasped as he lifted me and began to carry me off, his lips at my throat.

.oO°°°Oo.

I blinked several times against the sun that streamed in through the crooked shutters. Then I shut my eyes tightly and balled my fists, fighting against a yawn. A hand smoothed my hair. I forced my eyes open and squinted for a few seconds in the brightness that invaded. Then my eyes followed Valek's navel and chest up to his face. I smiled and lay my cheek back on his abdomen. I could feel him breathing; his stomach and chest rose and fell with each breath he took.

"Don't I get a Good Morning?" he asked, still brushing his fingers through my hair.

"Good Morning," I sighed happily. He seemed to be waiting for more so I continued, "Did you sleep well?" I looked up in time to see the quirk of his lips.

"Never better. Although the night wasn't nearly as long as I would have wanted it to be." My cheeks burned and I hid my face in his stomach. His hand dipped under my chin and he made me look up. "Do you disagree?" he asked.

I blushed even deeper. "No," I managed to whisper before I had to hide again. Valek's hands travelled under my arms and he pulled me up his body, adjusting the covers accordingly. He tucked me under his chin and held me tight with one arm while the other moved up and down my spine slowly.

"Did you miss me?" he breathed.

"Yes, very much," I told him honestly. The last months had been painful. He was with me, but distant.

Valek rolled me over and held himself above me. My breath hitched. "How much did you miss me, love?" he murmured, titling my head back to gain access to my throat.

"Enough to never leave your arms," I said, surprising myself with the fact that I could keep my voice even, with his lips devouring my neck.

He hummed gently against my skin. "I wouldn't mind that." His arms encircled me and his mouth ventured lower. Then he sighed with regret. "We can't though. The others are surely waiting on us. Probably to ambush us with new jokes about our sex life."

Valek untangled the covers from our limbs and pulled me up. I shivered at the absence of his warm body next to mine. He aided me in dressing and then put on his own clothes. Then he pulled me to his side and tucked me under his arm. With a lingering kiss on my forehead, he led me out of the room that had served as our haven the precedent night.

Ari, Janco and a few select from Valek's corps consisted of our group. They all sat in the kitchen and common room on our arrival. Most eyes turned our way and I blushed like a moron, knowing that I hadn't been the epitome of subtle or quiet last night. Janco burst out laughing. "At least she admits it to herself," he snickered. But that only increased my embarrassment and I turned to hide my face in Valek's side. All he did was chuckle good-naturedly and kiss the top of my head.

Cheeks burning with frustration, I went to the counter to cut myself a slice of bread. This was what I got for being the only woman around here.

"You know, Valek, this isn't exactly fair to the rest of us," a man from the elite spy group said. "Would you consider sharing from time to time?" I knew he was joking, but my shoulders clenched at the thought of being passed around.

A pair of familiar arms wrapped comfortingly around my middle. "I don't know, Noam. She's a lot of work. I'm not sure you could handle her needs," Valek joked from above my head.

Now I was mad. I turned to Noam. "No, I don't think you would be adequate. For a first, I change my expectations often depending on my mood… And I predict you want a steady partner," I said in a perfectly innocent voice.

"That won't be a problem, my sweet, he can just send you over whenever you're in a good mood," Noam said, opening his arms for me.

I slipped into his embrace, but kept on with my argument. "You didn't let me finish," I scolded. "Secondly, I don't like…" I cocked my head to the side, sizing him up. "No. Definitely not," I decided. "A boy would never be able to keep up with my desires. I need a man. Someone of proportion," I added, punching—literally—below the belt. He crumpled with a mildly pained expression.

Noam was rendered speechless as howling filled the air, and Valek's lips twitched with amusement. I started to eat my food. Noam's ego wasn't wounded as far as I could tell, but his shoulders had slumped from being 'busted by a girl,' as they put it. I sighed. Men were such children.

.oO°°°Oo.

I was out in town later on. No disguise on though. I didn't feel like walking around with layers of makeup and a wig on. It was annoying and I was growing tired of it. It wasn't as if anyone would stop me. The only ones after the refugees and me were Cahil and his circle of elite guards. Anyone else would just let me pass by, taking me for just another poor citizen of Ixia. I leaned on Ari's arm as we walked around. I had been able to talk him into leaving the house. I was sick of the banter and jokes constantly flying between the other men. Ari seemed more grown up to me and it was good to have a normal conversation—one that didn't have anything to do with sex or fighting in any way.

When we reached the main square, I caught sight of a rather imposing formation of screaming people. The hangman's noose was down and guards were pushing prisoners through the crowd. I pulled Ari towards the stand to get a better look. Valek was on his feet on the stockades. I let out a strangled cry and pushed through the crowd towards him. An exquisitely obnoxious carriage arrived. Everyone held their breath as Cahil—the King—exited. His guards followed.

"Ah, Valek. Finally," he crowed. I reached the bottom of the stockade and reached towards my love. He caught sight of me and his eyes widened. He motioned with his chin to run. When I didn't move, he locked gazes with Ari and the imposing man started to drag me away. Meanwhile, Cahil continued his speech. "You are mine now. I can do whatever I want with you. I think I'll have you tortured—a Chelsea Smile perhaps—and then I'll hang you publicly. Your head will make a wonderful decoration for my throne room, don't you think?" he swaggered on, his gleaming eyes fixed on Valek.

Valek didn't respond. He looked straight ahead. I couldn't take it anymore. "Stop," I cried. Ari, surprised by my outburst, lost his grip on me. I threw myself forward. "Don't hurt him. I'll do anything," I promised.

Cahil looked down at me from where he stood, his pale eyes calculating. "Anything?" he pondered.

"Yes. I'll…" I took a breath to steady myself. When Cahil had taken over he had told me one thing: 'Become my wife and your loved ones are saved.' "I'll marry you," I said. Cahil's eyebrows rose. "But you don't touch him. Any of them. They are under my protection."

I would have preferred to die than to give up love. If you love something, set it free…