The Betrayal Of Maldonia
The Heir Pt. 3
Several months flew by and thankfully for Tiana, Nereus has not asked for her. It took a while before he tired of her with carrying the baby so small, but now that she was obviously showing she was free to taking care of herself and Naveen's child.
She was outside in one of the garden enjoying the mild summer air as Lydia approached her with a basket.
"Tiana, I found the blue berries you wanted to use for the blueberry cheesecake!"
"Oh, thank you, Lydia! This will be enough to make some other blue berry dishes!" Tiana took the large basket filled with the blueberries.
The servant grew concern with the queen holding the basket. "It's heavy." She reach out to take the basket
But Tiana shook her head. "I can handle it!"
"I also don't want the king to see you holding the basket." Lydia said.
Tiana rolled her eyes. "He hasn't been in my presence for weeks. Not with his concubines keeping him busy," she said with sarcasm.
Lydia shook her head. "You are very brave to have taken his hand. I know how much you despise him! We all do!"
"He isn't a very good man but I also don't want you getting into any trouble. He isn't a fair ruler with his punishments," Tiana warned.
"Your majesty, your mother Eudora and grandmother Odette have arrived," announced a female servant before walking back in the palace.
Tiana smiled happily as she spotted her family. "I didn't know you would come here today."
"We wanted to see how our babycakes was doing!" Mama Odie said, giving her granddaughter a hug and smiled when she felt the bump. "I see Naveen's son is growing out!"
"Mama Odie!" Eudora frowned.
"What?" The older woman smiled.
"You cant go around talking like that!" Eudora said, not trusting Lydia, who was nearing the door to the palace entrance.
Mama Odie waved her hand. "That spoiled little king cant hear us."
"But followers can," Tiana reminded them. "Come to my room. We'll do better there."
()()()()
"So ya six months pregnant?" Mama Odie noticed how clear her granddaughter's arms appeared. "No bruises. Nereus stopped sleepin' with you!"
Tiana sighed. "Yes, for about a month and half now. The first time he saw me me with my bump he looked disgusted and left the room. Five minutes later I was asked to leave for my own room. It was one of the happiest moments in this marriage so far."
Eudora shook her head, feeling bad for her daughter despite her showing a brave face before them.
"So anyway I've been trying to think of names if it is a boy or a girl. I'm leaning toward boy and naming him James Naveen or Naveen James," Tiana said, rubbing her tummy.
"Does Nereus mind you naming his so-called child after his dead brother?" Eudora asked. "He seems too self-absorbed for that"
"I don't know," Tiana said. "I'll always call him Naveen in secret," she placed her hand on her tummy."I've been dreaming of him a lot more lately."
"Of Naveen?" Mama Odie smiled. "He's still in ya heart, baby, and always will be."
Tiana sighed. "Everything about the dreams feel so real. We could be in the same room or far away. Its as if he's apart of me."
"He is!" Both women said.
"His child is growing inside of you!" Eudora said in a whisper. "He will always be a part of you. And you will raise him to be a good person like you and his daddy."
Tiana's eyes watered. "I miss him so much!"
They all hugged.
"There is a way for you to talk to him, but it might be too early to do so," Mama Odie told her.
Tiana sniffled as Eudora wiped away her tears. "Alright. I'd love to speak with him."
"I believe that I can arrange that. Hold my hand," Mama Odie instructed. "Now repeat after me...Nal gula stanazi po..."
"Nal gula stanazi po..." Tiana repeated.
"Nal gula stanazi po..."
"Nal gula stanazi po..."
Mama Odie frowned then frowned. "Hmm. He isn't responding. It could still be too early."
"Its okay. I still have my dreams," Tiana rubbed her tummy, she couldn't imagine speaking to only Naveen's spirit at the moment. It would be as worse as waking up from the dreams. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"
Eudora shrugged. "Why not?"
Mama Odie nodded. "Nereus doesn't eat with you?"
Tiana shook her head. "He doesn't even acknowledges me now that I'm showing. Anyway, I still have the blue berries to add in my desserts. So I'll call in some servants to take you to some available rooms to relax or-
"You don't need to be on ya feet! Ya a queen!" Eudora reminded her.
"Who can still function properly." Tiana fired back with a wink.
"That's my babycakes!" Mama Odie exclaimed.
"Mmhm," Eudora said. "Well since you are still functioning then I suppose we can still help you with dinner?"
"I suppose y'all can!" Tiana smiled.
"Speak for y'all selves!" Mama Odie said, making Tiana laugh.
"Alright Mama Odie! You can rest and mama you can lend a hand even though I prefer you to sit back and enjoy your stay."
Eudora took her daughter's hand. "Ever since you married that devil I haven't seen much of my baby."
Tiana looked at her mother and couldn't suppress her own tears. "Oh, mama..."
Mama Odie sighed. "I see y'all done guilt me into wanting to help!"
Tiana smiled at her grandmother. "Really Mama Odie you don't need to-
"I insist!" T he older woman raised her hand. "Now let's get to that kitchen before I change my mind!"
()()()()
"That was a delicious dinner and blueberry lemon crumb cake!" Mama Odie said.
"Yes, it was!" Eudora agreed. I always told Tiana that she should've taken up being the royal chef!"
"That would've made my marriage to your daughter much easier! I would've promoted her as queen the moment I laid my eyes on her," Nereus said as he walked into the dinnertime with a well dressed brunette in heavy rogue behind him, obvious concubine.
Tiana rolled her eyes. "Come on, mama and Mama Odie. I'll walk you two out."
Mama Odie frowned at Nereus before leaving the room behind Eudora.
Nereus chuckled before glancing at Tiana and her growing tummy. "What a sight! My fat and pregnant wife and her fat and poor family!"
Tiana made sure her family was out the room before glaring at her husband and his concubine. "What a sight! My husband and his whore!" She then felt his hand grasp her arm. "Take your hand off of me..."
"What did you say?" He asked. When she didn't answer he pressed, "You're not speaking to me now?"
She glared only at him. "I wouldn't know. You're doing the exact same thing to me." Then yanked her arm away before leaving the king who chuckled and spat our more insults.
"I'm thankful that I no longer have to sleep with the log of wood I call a wife. Once my heir is born I thought about moving her further out of my sight," he looked at the concubine up and down. "And besides, I don't want her flaws to ruin your flawless beauty."
The woman laughed and Nereus rolled his eyes. The woman was nice to look at but her laugh was horrible. And the flawless beauty statement was a boldface lie. None of his concubines could even light match to Tiana, pregnant or not. As he watched Tiana walk further down he couldn't help but watch her walk. She was carrying his child and still had the elegance in every step which strangely turned him on.
"She obviously interest you if you're watching her that way."
Nereus ignored his concubine and sat at the table. He was hungry and ready to eat. Perhaps some food in his system will knock sense in his head for even finding his pregnant wife remotely arousing.
()()()()
Another month flew by and Tiana was now seven months pregnant and completely showing. She enjoyed walking out in the garden bare foot as the grass was cool even with the sun beaming down on the mild autumn afternoon. The weather was perfect for her and she would wish to change it one bit.
"Your majesty, the king has informed me that you return to your suite," announced Teresa.
Tiana frowned and asked, "Why?"
"He feels that you do not need to be out in the sun in your condition. "
"But I'm fine! I'm not sick! And its a beautiful day!" She gestured to the orange and red leaves on the trees.
Extremely annoyed at this point.
"King's orders your majesty."
Tiana sighed, following orders. "I really don't see what's the big deal. The midwife suggests I have get vitamin d!" She walked back into the palace and up the stairs when she heard her husband. As she made it to the top of the stairs she found him kissing another woman from outside his office.
Rolling her eyes, she turned the corner before he noticed her.
Nereus pushed the concubine from his arms, wiping his mouth as he walked over to his office door. "You certainly made my afternoon, Cara."
"I'm Carla, your majesty! " The woman then giggled.
"The way you took me in your mouth reminded me of how a Cara would submit to me," said the king, already over her.
The concubine was pleased despite him not knowing her name. "Anything for you your highness."
He opened the door. "Return to your quarters."
The concubine followed orders. "Will I see you tonight?"
He didn't answer the woman and slammed the door in her face.
Nereus exhaled and lit his cigar before sitting back at his desk, blowing the smoke at all the paperwork he didn't attend to. He just didn't feel that the citizens opinions mattered just as long as they paid their taxes. Especially since he was the one keeping the prostitutes and thieves off the streets.
That was one good deed he felt he should keep.
His blue eyes then moved the a portrait of Tiana and hated that she was pregnant. She no longer looked desirable to him which meant he had to stray to concubines. Sure they did their jobs, but lacked the warmth his wife possess. Tiana's company was something he looked forward to every night.
But if he wasn't attracted to her then why was he still thinking of her, even when he's with his mistresses? Could it be the fact that she's carrying his child?
Standing from his desk he went to check himself over in the mirror in his office bathroom before leaving both rooms altogether. He had to scratch his itch and see his wife and whatever happens will happen naturally.
()()()()
Border Of Maldonia
Imani watched as Naveen and her brother Kobe were building a birdhouse for her grandmother. For a king he was very good with his hands, showing that he actually has physical work ethic that didn't involve sitting on his very handsome royal bottom.
"Who taught you how to build bird houses?" Kobe asked.
"My father," Naveen answered, as the memory of him and his father spending time together. Building with him was one of his favourite memories. He was also starting to remember somethings about his twin brother, who despised any labor work, even one as simple as building. "We would usually do it together on less hectic days such as Sundays."
Imani heard enough and decided to join the two. "You remember your father?"
"Yes, and brother," Naveen held up the bird house. "How's that?"
"Perfect!" she said before Kobe could answer.
"Now all we need to do is paint it and Ebele will have a brand new birdhouse for the garden!" Naveen said.
"And I will have a lunch ready for you two as soon as you're done," Imani smiled.
"I hope there's some for me!" Called out a deep male voice.
Kobe's eyes brightened at a man with deadlocks approaching them. "Micheal!"
Imani frowned, looking back at him. "Micheal? What are you doing here?'
"To see my favourite girl!" He stopped when seeing Naveen and quickly bowed. "Your highness!"
Naveen thought the man was nuts and walked on.
"Um, Micheal?" Kobe laughed. "That wasn't the king! His name is Ophir!"
Micheal felt embarrassed while Imani really hated that he came. "Why are you here again?"
"To get another chance for us to happen! I know that I don't make a lot of money-
"You need a simple girl for your simple life, Micheal," Imani said.
Kobe watched on before chasing behind Naveen who has already started on painting. The young boy noticed the green and yellow colours he was using. "Why those colours?"
"Your grandmother suggested it." Naveen painted the roof. Finding something familiar about the shades in a way. He remember flags having those colours, as well as a dress his dream girl once wore for him...
…
'It's a beautiful combination...on the flag!' she told him in a joking manner.
He smiled, eying her figure. 'It suits your body very well.' He watched as she swayed her hips for him.
'How does it look now?'
He wrapped his arms around her and place a kiss on her shoulder. 'As much as I like the dress, I would like to see you without it on.' And heard her giggling as he kissed up her neck and cheek. 'Mi benita...'
'As much as I want to make love to you, we really need to get ready for the gala.'
'Do you we have to?' he asked, only wanting his wife.
She turned and gave him a kiss. ' Yes, unfortunately.'
…
"Daydreaming about that girl again?" Naveen heard Kobe ask. He then smiled at the boy. "I can't deny..."
"What is she like?"
Naveen thought about her for a moment and answered, "Gentle, kind, feisty, beautiful...from what I can see her as."
Kobe nodded. "When I grow up I'm going to have seven wives. One for each day of the week."
Naveen gave the boy a pat on the back. "Kobe, if it's seven wives you want, then seven wives you will get. Though I have a feeling that you'll change your mind when you grow up some more."
"We'll see!" Kobe said as Imani approached their way. "Uh oh!"
Naveen watched the woman storming back into the house.
"Micheal must have gotten her angry again. We should stay clear from her!" Warned Kobe.
Then suddenly a scream was heard from the house. Naveen didn't know much about the relationship between the two, but was concern for Imani and went in the house to find her crying.
"Imani, are you alright?" he asked.
She looked up at him with bloodshot eyes. "Micheal ended our friendship because he was jealous of you living with my family!"
Naveen got down to her level. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Hold me," she said.
And like a friend he embraced her in his arms.
Imani smirked as she accepted his hug.
Kobe frowned. Knowing that she wasn't being honest. "Hey, you're not-
"Thank you so much, Ophir!' she interrupted her brother.
Naveen rubbed her back. "No problem, Imani. I'll always be there for you."
'Yes you will...' she thought convincingly. Her plan of being in Naveen's arms definitely worked, even if it was out of desperation.
()()()()
Maldonia – Queen's Suite
Tiana sat in her lounge chair bored when the door opened. She expected Teresa or Lydia, but instead, was shocked to see her husband.
She stood up and did a half curtsy, "King Nereus."
Nereus nodded, as the guard closed the door, leaving them alone. "Afternoon, Tiana. How is my son treating you?"
She raised a suspicious brow at him. "The baby is fine. It was kicking just before you walked in."
"Kicking?" He asked, intrigued.
She sat back down.
He felt somewhat concern for her. "Does it hurt?"
"Of course it doesn't!" Tiana felt the baby move again despite the awkward vibe in the room. "He's...very active."
The room then suddenly grew silent for a moment as Nereus continue watching her. Tiana looked away from his stare for a second only to return it a second later. It was an awful feeling that she couldn't stand and to break that feeling she had to start some form of communication. Even if she hated herself for asking. "Would you like to feel for yourself?"
Nereus couldn't hide his surprise and was hesitant for a second. "You want me to...touch you?"
"The baby," she corrected. "It's...he's very active."
The dark king went along and slowly put his hand on her bump. He was startled at how active the baby was. "I feel him moving!"
Tiana hated her husband but couldn't help but to feel for him as she watched his eyes glistened at the movement of her child.
"I've never really thought that this could happen," he said with emotion in his voice. Even he was shocked by how he was reacting. He was never known as someone who shares their feelings. Especially in front of a woman.
"What? Feeling the baby move?" She asked, looking at him.
Nereus gazed into her brown eyes, and for the first time felt a shortness of breath. She always had that power over him. He reached out his hand to caress her face. She looked absolutely beautiful.
Tiana let him touch her and knew that if she pushed his hand away will only anger him.
With Nereus acting this way made Tiana feel worse because it was almost as if Naveen was with her and as their eyes met it was like mourning for her first husband all over again because it wasn't him. It was blue. But she couldn't share those emotions with Nereus, who despised his brother and banned his name from ever being mentioned by her and his staff.
Nereus wasn't prepared to handle what he was feeling for Tiana. Since marrying her he thought that her only purpose for him was to produce an heir and to bed her, but it seemed much more than that to him now. Since seeing her she always had some sort of effect on him, at first it was lust but now it was something more. He was determined to be king, make her his wife and birth his heir. Now that he's almost accomplished everything he wanted, he needed more than that. With Tiana all he could think about was her, even when he was with his concubines. While seeing her from a distance he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her; as a man who enjoyed putting on a show he wouldn't mind showing the world his feelings for her.
No, he couldn't do that! He was a powerful king and will never show any sign of weakness!
But Tiana was obviously who he wanted and with her carrying his heir and opening to sharing their growth of their son with him he could see some happiness in their marriage on her part.
Why did he care so much all of a sudden?
Bewildered by these thoughts and emotions he suddenly pulled away and stood up. "I should return to my office. I have paperwork to read over."
Tiana opened her eyes, tears running down her cheeks.
Nereus grew puzzled. "What is it?"
"Nothing." She got back up and walked over to her vanity table.
Nereus nodded. "Well, I'll see you later." He was leaving when he her turned to see her wiping away her tears. Could she be just as confused as he was about the feelings? He was sure that whatever he had was love.
His own father had this love for his mother obviously, telling him and Naveen how the emotion can make or break them. It obviously broke through Naveen as he had feelings for Tiana. Of course with his brother being deceased, Nereus finally had Tiana for himself and now that she was also with child he wanted to protect her more than anything.
So later that night he asked for her and didn't request for her to wear lingerie. He wanted to spend more time with her and the active baby that was growing inside her.
"Beautiful," he whispered with his hand on the moving figure in her tummy.
Tiana watched Nereus as he placed his lips on her flesh. She shuddered because despite him being gentle the ice was still there, or at least for her it was.
"How long is it now?" He inquired.
"How long is what?" She asked.
He gave her a small smile. "Until our son is born?"
"A month and three weeks is my due date." Knowing that it was actually a one month and a week.
"He will be incredibly handsome and strong," Nereus said as if it were a promise.
Tiana listened to Nereus and heard Naveen, without looking into his blue eyes she could see her husband and wanted more than anything for him to be here with her. His hand and lips touching her skin. She sighed, closing her eyes and pretended just as his hands rubbed up her thigh and felt one of his hands go between them.
Nereus loved how soft her skin felt under his hand and went further until brushing a few of his fingers at her heat. His blue eyes watched at how she reacted and decided to do it again. That was when he realized how much she missed being touched there, how much he missed touching her there.
Tiana didn't know what got into her, it was as if Naveen was there as she kept her eyes closed. The soft whispers of being his benita was heard instead of his rose while his lips feathered against her neck.
She let out an erotic exhale as his lips moved down her neck and between her breasts.
Nereus felt her heart beating while listeningto her soft moan, sending him to a place he never went before. A place where all he wanted was to please Tiana and give her everything she needed from him that very moment. So he continued his acts of love, while undressing and was soon becoming one with her.
Tiana heard the 'I love yous' and moans; the passion was truly there and with no pain. This was the way Naveen did with her. It was perfect.
And by the time it was all over she fell asleep.
Nereus never experience love making as he did with Tiana and the experience any genuine passion from her. It was as if he felt all of her for the first time. Not forced or with caution. It was no wonder his twin brother couldn't get enough of her. He watched as she slept; their son growing inside with a feeling of ease and satisfaction.
"I love you," he said, planting a kiss on her bare shoulder and put a possessive hand on her tummy, noticing how soft it was. Concerned he gently nudged Tiana who quickly woke up.
"The baby isn't moving! Your stomach. It feels soft."
Tiana frowned and closed her eyes. "The baby changed position and is asleep."
"Are you certain?"
Tiana rolled her eyes. "Yes." She couldn't believe how frighten he gotten. Perhaps the idea of fatherhood finally hit him. The idea could maybe even change him.
At least she hope it could.
She then felt his hand on her tummy.
"Just as long as my son is alright," Nereus said, not sure if he should trust her word.
Tiana heard his tone and knew he didn't trust her, but it didn't concern her at all. The midwife explained everything to her when she had similar concerns.
Nereus sighed in relief. "It's hard again...I just felt him move!"
She roll her eyes again, annoyed and tired. "Goodnight, Nereus."
Nereus felt relieve and closed his eyes. "Goodnight my rose."
Tiana closed her own eyes and could feel his hand on her tummy again. And to avoid feeling suffocated she thought as hard as she could about Naveen holding her, and with that in mind she too drifted back into slumber bliss.
()()()()
