The guests have finally left. She did not realize but as queen she is expected to stay until the end of the feast. When asking Hunith about it the woman laughed. Who goes home first my dear? The party starts when I enter and only ends when I leave! What a ridiculously amazing woman she is, her spirit in unparalleled by any she has met.
She takes Merlin's arm cautiously, she will be curious to see how he acts tonight. Through the whole festival her new husband was nothing short of chivalrous. He filled her wine goblet more than her maids did. He was polite, dancing almost a dozen times with her, but he did not speak much. He was very quiet. He only spoke when she got his attention. One would think he was being disrespectful, but she noticed that every time she addressed him he would blush and answer in the sincerest way possible.
They reach his – their - chambers. She realizes she has not entered them since her arrival only a few days ago. She has not really had a chance to explore the new luxurious castle. Their castle…the thought felt elemental, pure, right. Hunith has been rushing her about preparing her for the wedding since the moment Morgana stepped foot in Magi. She did not even have a chance to explore the white marble castle and all the mysteries it holds. When they reach the doors Angela and Gwen are there, and a man, the same man she saw at the coronation.
"Morgana, this is Bruce my high servant. He and Angela are brother and sister, she only one year younger. That is the reason I chose her to serve you. They are both very good and loyal subjects."
Angela and Bruce both smile and bow, still in their fine attire, Gwen is to the side a small smile on her face.
"Well she is quite a lovely maid, but I do love Guinevere too much to let her go." She blushes she has become fond of both women very much, but she will never abandon Gwen.
The woman uprooted her life to follow Morgana into this new world. She owes her that much respect. If she must choose between the two…she will always choose Gwen.
"Oh I did not mean…I meant…of course you favor your maid from Camelot. I was just saying that Angela could help with the knowledge of Magi. You can, of course, have both of them as your high servants if you wish."
He looks away, the red staining his cheeks make him look so young, so innocent. For a moment she lets down her guard for a moment her irises soften in his direction.
"Thank you my king. I am very grateful for your hospitality. I have grown fond of both of my girls."
There is a vibrating silence around the five, Bruce clears his throat.
"Well we have been standing and staring at this door for some time Merlin, wouldn't you like to actually, I don't know, go inside your bed chambers?"
Merlin shoots Bruce a look and Angela chuckles. Both women from Camelot open their eyes in shock and Merlin groans. He is sometimes too familiar with his manservant. His eyes narrow at Bruce for causing him embarrassment. Morgana and Gwen exchange looks, never have they seen a manservant act so boldly in front of a knight, let alone a king.
"Yes Bruce, let's do that. Remind me again why I don't just sack you for such insolence?"
"Ah, well we all know your life would be just that dull without me around."
Everyone but Merlin laughs, the poor king hangs his head. He looks at Morgana as her laughter dies down. He is sad to see it go. In the short time he has known her he has come to enjoy seeing the sparkle in her eye as she enjoys something…he has quickly come attached to the sight. When it goes it feels like a dagger to the gut, for he knows he is the one who has stolen her happiness. In the end, he is the one who has caused her pain. He takes a breath, hoping to even out his breathing.
"Would you like to enter my queen?"
Morgana closes her eyes. The king could almost see the spirals of breath leave her lips.
"Yes my king."
The room is even more lavish than the one she occupies - occupied. It has the same amount of rooms plus a weapons room for Merlin and jewelry room for her. Only the finest weapons go in here! Bruce had supplied while she walked around. There were two separate closets. One for her and one for Merlin, the same went for the dressing curtains. She looks around, it is quite lavish, and she can see why the Magi live so well. The click of her heels vibrates off of the marble. She is examining the bed chambers but halts when her eyes fall on the vanity. It is hers, from Camelot. Her steps are lighter now as her heels move her closer to the white piece of furniture. She sits down, tears threatening to spill as she moves her fingers over the familiar wooden surface.
"I had them bring it two days after we left. Uther almost didn't part with it but we struck up a deal. I thought you could use a little of home in this new kingdom."
She turns towards Merlin. His words were as soft as a whisper. It was the vibrations off of the marble that allowed her to hear him. He looks away. He fears her reaction to the present will be the same as her reaction to the dagger. He hopes she will not slap him again. She stands and crosses the room swiftly, catching him in the most unsuspecting hug.
"That was most considerate of you sire."
His shaky hands come around her. He lets out a breath he did not know he was holding.
"You're welcome your grace."
He nods to Angela and Gwen as they separate. She lingers for a moment, longer than appropriate for a woman bent on making a man's life miserable. Their eyes connect. A silent exchange. She is pulled away by her maid servants and Merlin follows Bruce away from her body. His changing curtain is in their bath chambers while hers is in the bed chambers. Both women quickly change her into her favorite red nightgown and sheer black robe. She fingers her new bracelet and ring. She looks down at the garment, is this appropriate?
He comes out in a white night shirt and black sleeping trousers, his eyes falling on her. He looks away and blushes, she is too sinful in that garment…I wonder if her skin is as divine as it seems…his thoughts are taunting him. He looks to Bruce and the maids.
"Will that be all?" The manservant asks.
Everyone in the room looks to Morgana. Apparently she has the power here. The authority to keep them for protection, or give her and her husband the intimacy nobles are supposed to enjoy on their wedding night. She fears being alone with Merlin, but must keep face. She gives a slight nod.
"Yes that is all, we can retire alone now."
The door clicks shut. They are finally alone.
He gulps but moves to sit on the bed facing the window. He cannot look at her anymore in that dress, he does not know if his body can take the torment.
"My king?"
He turns towards her, she looks absolutely shy. He looks at her side of the linens. His eye spies at the ring on her finger and the silk on her wrist. He knows she will come to hate those as well as her brands. He sighs.
"Please call me Merlin. You are my queen. You do not have to be so formal with me."
She sucks in a breath and nods. She must be familiar with him now…but to what extent?
"I meant what I said…Morgana," He looks at her, that beautiful sapphire gaze boring into her soul, "I will do nothing that you do not wish me too."
She moves around to his side of the bed, sitting close, but not touching. He is her king, and she his queen. She knows it is inappropriate. Everything she has heard about the king has convinced her that he is beyond infatuated with her…but he never shows it. He is always kind always gentle, she has taken advantage.
"I should apologize to you…Merlin."
His breath hitches when she says his name. It feels like honey dripping off of her delectable lips.
"Why is that?"
She sneaks a glance at him.
"I should have not kissed you at the coronation. In Camelot it is custom, I thought I would just keep with tradition."
He gulps and his eyes look down at the rejection, her words always feel like the paws of a cat to him. One moment they are soft and inviting, the next they are clawing at your heart.
"I understand, it was inappropriate for me to reciprocate, I apologize as well."
She closes her eyes. Your heart always overcomes your magic, Hunith's words wring in her ears, she holds onto them in hope. The hope dissolves into a wretched feeling as she finds herself feeling terrible at what she is saying, but her heart is somewhere else, with someone else.
"Please don't apologize. I've actually wanted to talk to you about something."
His eyes brighten, if only a little at her desire to speak with him. He prays it's a good talk, and not one filled with emotional fire.
"You can talk to me about anything Morgana."
She closes her eyes, willing the words to fall from her lips.
"I talked to your mother today, and she told me about my magic."
She sees him tense. He face moves forward, he will not look at her, the dread from before coming back full force.
"She did?" He asks the wall.
"Will you please look at me?"
"I cannot."
"Why?"
"I just…I cannot."
"I wish to speak to you about this. I wish to know your thoughts."
He can't gaze upon her. He knows this conversation will not end well, she will be furious with him, and that is the least of his worries tonight. He knows that if he allows his eyes to linger on her for even a moment, he will want…he'll desire…he closes his eyes, remembering he is the greatest warlock that will ever live. He takes a breath and turns to her, regretting it immediately. He realizes it is a mistake when he starts to stare at those magnetic jade eyes, so soft, so inviting. He could possibly stare at them for all eternity.
"Merlin?"
He shakes his head from his daze.
"I'm sorry, it's just…what do you wish for me to say?"
Her shoulders slump, but she quickly squares her shoulders again. She is a noble woman after all.
"I wish to know why you didn't say anything sooner."
His brow scrunches.
"Sooner? Morgana, no disrespect, but the last time I had a private conversation with you I got slapped."
"That was a very emotional moment for me. You should have tried to talk to me about it later, you should have tried again!"
He is in shock. She suddenly finds herself angry at him. This woman cannot be serious…
"At what cost? You have made it clear you to not wish to be alone in my company, that you love another, that I am nothing more than your jail keeper!"
He stands up, he is seething. She rises as well, he may be powerful but she is not afraid. She holds her chin high in challenge.
"Is that not true? You who married me without my consent and took me from my home? The man who annihilated half of Camelot's men?"
His teeth are bared, she does not falter from his look, and she will not back down.
"I did many bad things that day Milady, and you should know my power is strong."
"So you are threatening me now? Can I not speak my mind?"
He slumps a little, his hands coming into his hair. Her eyes catch sight of his ring, if only for a second.
"What do you want me to say? Yes I knew you had magic, I could feel it down to my toes the second I walked into Camelot. What does it have to do with anything?"
"I has everything to do with everything! Is that the real reason you married me? You mother said my magical talent will only be surpassed by yours. Is it true you just wanted a powerful wife? So I could not be used against you?"
"That is ridiculous. Whatever my mother told you about your magic had nothing to do with marrying you. I took you because you are the closest to Uther. He gave you his name for Gods sakes! It was politics Morgana."
"Oh so that is what this marriage is, nothing more than politics."
Her arms fold, her eyes narrow. Her brain screams at her, she knows what this is, but part of her wishes for him to say something else…she just isn't sure what.
"Yes! I don't know what you want me to say! It's the truth. I only married you to keep my kingdom safe. You magic was only secondary when I found it out."
"You are a monster, marrying a woman to protect your kingdom."
His fists clench, his jaw tightens.
"Do not assume to know me. I wish I could send you back, I wish I could marry for love the way my parents did. I wish I could love someone, and they love me in return. I hoped, even a little, that I could possibly love you, but I saw you dancing with that knight. I knew…I knew…"
He is shaking, her eyes widen.
"You knew…"
"I knew before I made the negotiations. I hated myself every second. It is one thing if you were free, if your heart was not already chained to another, but it was and I saw it clear as day that night. I assume even Uther knows, and I have a feeling he would much rather you be married to an enemy king than to a knight."
Her arm comes up to slap him but he is ready. He grabs her wrist, the metal of his band searing her pulse, and brings her close, his arm coming around her waist, his face close to hers.
"I know you grieve for the man you've left. I know your magic is stronger now that you are surrounded by those who practice, I know it has been a while and it had cooled, since the purge started you dreams have slowed and probably stopped and now is flaring up again. I know."
His breath is hot on her cheeks. She braces herself under his gaze. He does not flinch when her eyes go gold.
"I can never ask for your heart Morgana and that kills me. I know I will never be him, but I will try to be what you need now. Besides going home, name what you want, anything, and I will give it to you."
His voice is quiet, a whisper, he is trembling at what she desires. She looks into his dark blue eyes. He is mystifying in this moment.
"If I asked you to bring him here, to let me lye with him, would you say yes?"
He tenses, his eyes close, tears slipping from them.
"If that is your wish, I will grant it."
He is so honorable, so noble. He is Lancelot but different, so very different. He is unselfish. He will hurt himself before he hurts anyone else, that day on the battlefield feels ironic now. Her free hand comes up to brush his cheek, wiping the tears away. The metal of her ring feels cool against his skin.
"I would never ask that Milord."
He opens his eyes slowly, hope clouds his irises.
"You will not?"
She gulps.
"No."
His eyes sift over hers, looking from one emerald eye to the next. His grip on her waist tightens. He cannot take this. He leans his head forward and captures her in a hungry kiss, she moans against her wishes. His hand releases her wrist and her fingers joins her others in his hair, too familiar with his soft locks. He tongue teases her bottom lip and she relents, it is so powerful, so right, when she kisses him. She can feel it, her magic. It is pulsating under her flesh.
His hands run over her spine sending shivers down her back. They come around, over her stomach. They ghost over the side of her breasts and up her shoulders, pushing her robe down. She allows this, she does not know why but she does. He runs his fingers up her naked arms, she feels so alive, so powerful. His lips leave hers to run down her chin and over her neck. She holds him there, urging him on, her body moving of its own accord, pushing into his sensitive area, he growls, she shivers. He bites down where her neck and shoulder meet.
"Ah Merlin!"
He is sucking, and it is magical, elemental, pure. She opens her desired filled eyes and they land on her vanity. Her body shakes and then stops moving all together. The object reminds her exactly of where she is not. He feels her stiffen and moves from her neck to look her in the eye. He releases her and backs away, her body feeling cold at the loss.
"Morgana…I am so sorry."
She is shy for a moment, her hands coming around her body, she suddenly feels very exposed.
"It's ok-"
"No. It's not ok. I made a pledge to you and the first chance I have I dishonor it. I am truly sorry."
She nods, but takes a breath. She looks over at her vanity again and notices the coloration on her neck. He has once again branded her. She cannot find it in herself to be upset. Her emotions are too fragmented for her to know her true feelings in this moment. She looks up at him.
"It was not unwelcomed, so you did not break your promise, Merlin."
His eyes widen, she did not realize what she has just confessed, and her thoughts are elsewhere. She moves away to her side of the mattress. He is at a loss and sits on his own. They stare at opposite walls, linens separating the two.
"I can sleep in the bath chamber if you wish."
She lightly laughs at his attempt to ease the situation.
"I would never allow a king to sleep in the bath chamber, but thank you for the offer. I am your wife Merlin. We can share a bed, if for nothing more than sleeping."
"Would you mind…"
She looks to the side. He has moved his face over his shoulder to look at her, blushing.
"Would you mind if I slept without my shirt on? I usually don't wear one but I felt I should and had Bruce put one on me before he left. I know that it's terribly intimate but I get hot and…"
She looks at the wall and shakes her head, a small smile on her face. He watches her long black locks bounce as she shakes. He itches to touch them again.
"It is alright, you should be comfortable as well."
They exchange relaxed looks, surprising because of the amount of emotion that has passed between the two tonight. He moves from the bed and picks up her robe and lays it on the vanity, his shirt following. She gasps, he turns.
"What?"
She closes her mouth, her shoulders slump a little again. She looks to the side, embarrassed.
"I have not had a chance to see your tattoo before."
He blushes and looks at the ink and nods.
"Would you like too?"
She nods and moves from her spot and touches his arm, a smile coming to her face. It is colored beautifully and she traces it with her fingers. He relishes in the contact. Her eyes come forward as if remembering.
"I haven't even looked at mine."
Merlin's eyes sparkle as he smiles.
"Would you like too?"
The emotions have been high, it has been a long night, but she is not ready for sleep yet.
"Yes please."
Merlin turns her away from the vanity. He pushes her hair to the side and pulls out a smaller mirror from her drawer and hands it to her. He cautiously pulls the strap of her nightgown down, just enough so she can see the brand. She shivers as his powerful fingers move over her soft skin.
"Here."
She smiles as she sees the intricate art on her right shoulder. It looks just like Aithusa, white with blues, red, pinks, and oranges around the edges, making her seem as if the sunset is reflecting off of her scales. She is breathing fire towards her heart, just like Hunith's, just like Merlin's. She smiles up at him. It reaches her eyes this time.
"It is beautiful."
"It is."
"Just like yours."
He smiles at the compliment. His hand motions to the bed as he walks around blowing out all the candles. She is surprised he does not just use magic to snuff them out. He looks back at her.
"I know it's mundane. I just don't like to use my power for little things, makes life too easy."
She nods, a smile coming to her lips. More knowledge of her new husband comes to her. She is under the blankets already. They are surrounded by darkness once he blows out the last candle on his end table. The moonlight is the only thing illuminating the room now. It bathes her luminescent skin, she looks beautiful, and his eyes linger over her bare arms, her silky smooth skin. He smiles softly as he crawls into the linens on his side facing her. They stare at each other, for a moment nothing is said, just quiet peace.
"Goodnight your grace."
Her eyes soften.
"Goodnight your majesty."
She falls straight back her eyes look up at her canopy. She hears him shuffle but does not peak. She is enchanted by the sheer cloth above. The blues, greens, and aqua come together reminding her of water. She finally looks away and over to Merlin, he is facing the wall, the tattoo on his arm shines in the moonlight. She finds herself longing to not stare at his back. She wishes he would roll over and allow her to run her fingers over his chest, playing with the hair on his pectorals and belly. She is a shameful woman indeed. She knows that can never be.
She cannot love him, for she still loves another, even if her body is weak, her heart is strong. Her thoughts drift to Lancelot. She feels shame as she thinks of her champion. She has, in essence, betrayed him. She has kissed another, she has passionately kissed another. The worst part is she has enjoyed every lip lock they have had, her body has defiantly enjoyed the sinful pleasure she gets from Merlin. She sighs at the indecent thoughts. Even if it is her own husband, she still feels guilty.
Fin.
So yay I updated again! Woo hoo! Ok a note, one I decided to change Aithusa to a girl...if you go back a chapter you can see I edited it so she is a girl in that chapter as well...I asked people on tumblr and the majority were like 'it ends in an a...your an idiot' so yea I made her a girl:) I like her as a girl anyway! That is what I got for ya people, I really do have to say...poor Morgana...seriously so torn. And am I going to make it any easier for her? Nope!
As always, I love the reviews, to those of you who review faithfully I really appreciate it. There is nothing greater than hearing your thoughts, I hope to hear from a few new people with this new chapter:)
Thanks again for taking the time to read! Hope you enjoy!
