Journey to the Past Chapter Nine

In The Dark of the Night

Author's Note-And now, a tender moment. Hope you like.

There was three days left to go until the Grand Celebration, and all of Underland was working harder than ever. The shops were overflowing with the finest foods and goods that had ever been seen, and the aroma of cooking permeated the air at all times. The excitement grew with each passing hour, and the only thing anyone was talking about was the Celebration. And no wonder-it had been ten years in the planning, and many Underlanders believed that with this Celebration, the specter of the Red Queen that had haunted and persecuted the innocent citizens for so long would finally be exorcised.

At Marmoreal, Alannah felt herself being swept up in the excitement shared by all her friends-and especially by her husband. He was showing more excitement and anticipation than even Tarrant-and Tarrant had set a new record by making over a hundred hats in less than three days. Alice later told Alannah that he had been practically dancing about their house for three days. "You should have seen him, Alannah! He was happier and madder than I have ever seen him! Josiah and Arianna were laughing themselves silly at the antics of their Daddy!"

Alannah laughed in understanding. "Ilosivic is acting the same way. He's happier than I've ever seen him before, and it's wonderful."

Alice smiled gently. "Perhaps he has more reason to be happy than any of us."

Alannah shook her head. "We all have equal right to be happy, Alice. What you did that Day saved this world from a terrible fate. I know how terrified you were, and I know the kind of courage it took you to overcome that fear."

"It did take a great deal of courage, but I think you also have a great deal. Not because you slew the Boojum, but because you were willing to give your heart to Ilosivic Stayne. I think that is the reason he is so happy-or have you forgotten that it was ten years ago that you first met him?"

Alannah smiled. "No, I haven't forgotten. He told me once that the first time we made love; he lay awake for hours after watching me sleep. I always wondered what he was thinking during those hours."

Alice smiled, looking over Alannah's shoulder. "Why don't you ask him?"

"Ask me what?" Stayne replied, walking into the main hall. He walked over to Alannah, gently kissing her. "What did you want to ask me, love?"

She blushed. "Well, do you remember the time you told me about our first night together?" At his nod, she continued. "You said that you laid awake after watching me sleep. Were you just watching, or…" she paused, unable to continue.

Stayne grinned. "Are you asking me if I was thinking about anything? Well, I was. I remember that night as clearly as if it was yesterday."

Stayne sighed quietly, looking over at Alannah. He had just had the most amazing experience of his life, he thought. He had never thought he would find sex enjoyable again. His sessions with Iracebeth-even now, he refused to think of them in any way except a necessary evil-had been quite unpleasant. Fortunately, she was extremely easy to satisfy-a few kisses in the right spot; a gentle stroke of his fingers over her breasts, and a few quick thrusts was all it took to finish the task. As a bonus, she allowed him to leave her once she was satisfied-and he would spend the next three hours rubbing his skin raw to get the scent and feel of her off him. Even when he scrubbed his skin bloody, there were times when he was sure her scent was burying itself into his very skin. It wasn't a pleasant thought.

'But now', he thought, looking over at the beautiful woman curled up next to him, 'everything has changed.' He had become so used to merely giving pleasure that he had almost forgotten how marvelous it felt to receive pleasure in return. Even the whores and courtesans had stinted in that department. He had received pleasure from them-and there was no denying that many of them were quite good at their jobs-but he knew that they viewed everything as simply being a business transaction. With the Red Queen, it was a small way for him to reclaim some of his power over her. Many times, he had been able to pacify her rages through what he secretly referred to as 'bedroom politics.' Indeed, he had been forced to use that tactic the night Alice escaped, assuring the Queen that he had been telling the truth when he had said his heart belonged only to her. She had believed him-as she always did.

Alannah stirred in her sleep then settled back down. Stayne reached out and gently stroked her bare arm, marveling at how soft and silky it felt. He gently kissed her shoulder, and inhaled her scent-a mixture of sun, flowers, and-he inhaled slightly deeper-cinnamon, and some other exotic smell that was simply her. He gently took a strand of her hair in his fingers, gently stroking the soft silkiness. He smiled, recalling the way the setting sun had caught her hair, making it look as though it was on fire.

He pulled her closer, and sighed happily as he realized that her scent was on him as well. He hoped it never went away.

For the first time in a very long time, Stayne was experiencing something he had almost forgotten existed, and he wanted more.

Alannah grinned wickedly at Stayne. "Well, you certainly did get your wish!"

He laughed, and then kissed her as deeply as he could. "Indeed I did my beauty. Indeed I did."