Dragonbound
Chapter Fourteen:
Declaration
.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.
Jaden looked out the window. The sun was already high in the sky. It would soon be late afternoon and Atem had still not come down from his room. He glanced over at Yusei. He didn't know why the other man was not as concerned as he was with Atem's lack of appearance. He just sat there sipping from a cup of milk and looking over some paperwork. Jaden fidgeted restlessly. Both of their animal ears perked when they heard the sound of the castle drawbridge being lowered and shouts calling out. They didn't sound franticly terrified, as if they were being invaded, but they didn't sound pleased either. Yusei stood and motioned for Jaden to follow him.
"Shouldn't we get Atem?" The werewolf asked as he practically jogged to keep up with Yusei's longer strides.
"I don't want to bother him unless it is absolutely necessary." They both descended the throne room stairs just as the doors opened and three guards, escorting a young woman with long silvery white hair, entered. The pungent scent of blood hit their noses. Yusei turned to Jaden "Get the king."
.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.
"Stop nibbling my ear!" Yugi laughed as Atem rolled on top of him and began to kiss down his neck.
"I can not help it. You are so delectable." To emphasize his statement Atem nipped the juncture of his neck.
Yugi continued to laugh as he wrapped his arms around Atem's neck. They had been in bed for nearly the entire day. He was actually rather surprised no one had come looking for the king. He sighed as he felt Atem's warm body mold against his. The dragon's tail was currently wrapped around their intertwined legs. To say he was happy would be the biggest understatement. Atem leaned back to kiss him, "I love you."
Yugi grinned, "I love you too."
They were just about to kiss again, which possibly would have been the beginning of their third time, when there was a knock on the door. "Um... King Atem. There- is a... I mean-" Jaden's voice began nervously, "The spy you sent out has come back. Your presence is requested in the throne room immediately."
With that announcement the possibility of any additional romantic couplings for that day were pretty much shot. Yugi and Atem looked toward the door. Atem, after a second's hesitation, sighed. "Thank you Jaden. We'll be there presently."
Yugi turned too look at him, "We?"
Atem smiled as he rose out of the bed. Yugi shivered as his tail brushed along his skin. "Of course. You are my mate now, which makes you my queen... or rather my consort." He gave an apologetic look. "Unfortunately even in this society you may only be given the title of queen if you are able to bare children." He helped Yugi out of bed, "Still, you are now a member of my council. All decisions and anything involving me, involves you now as well. You, along with Yusei, will always be included in every part of my reign."
Yugi's eyes widened. He didn't know whether to be happy or terrified. It was such a huge responsibility. Yet, looking into Atem's crimson eyes as he was now, he realized he wouldn't want it any other way. Yugi nodded. Atem turned toward his wardrobe, and opening the door wide, skimmed through several various colors and clothes. His fingers paused on a soft purled white tunic with black leggings and a black belt. He selected the garment and handed it to Yugi. "Wear this. I know I am an inch or two taller then you but it should fit well enough." He also handed Yugi a pair of boots, "Try these as well."
"I could go back to my room and change?"
"We do not have time." He grinned, "Later on today I'll have Silent Magician, Kuriboh, and Jaden move your things into my room."
Yugi blushed a dark red. "Isn't that a bit sudden?" Without warning Atem kissed him again.
"My mate belongs at my side, whether in battle or in bed."
The king selected a red tunic for himself and dressed in black pants and boots before turning to Yugi. The angel looked positively adorable. The tunic was only slightly big on him, but it gave him a youthful appearance that Atem found he adored. He considered that when he purchased new clothes for Yugi they would all have to be in pastel of soft toned colors. He found it ironic that Yugi looked so good in lighter tones where as he preferred darker ones.
When they left the room Jaden met them at the door. Atem knew the boy's werewolf nose could easily pick up the lingering scent of sex, but neither he nor Jaden said anything on the matter. They followed Jaden to the throne room. When they entered Atem found Mana already tending to the elf's wounds. He decided against sitting on his throne and instead walked down the stairs to stand in front of the girl. Upon noticing him, the elf bowed her head in respect.
"You are Kisara of the Dewleaf tribe." It was more a statement then a question. He recognized the silver hair, which was a phenotypic trait particular to that tribe of elves.
"She is the spy I sent out to gather information, my king." Yusei clarified, more or less because he saw Yugi's confused expression.
"Gather information?" Yugi asked.
"I was more than concerned when you told me your brother died in a war between us and the humans. As far as I am concerned we are not at war. So I sent a spy to confirm what is truly happening." Atem turned back to the girl, "Report."
"My king. The town just beyond the barrier is occupied by zombies. Every town I encountered after that was much the same. I made my way across the hills and plains until I reached the coastal city of Domino. The city has changed since the last I saw it, my king. There is a large wall around the entire perimeter of the city and a massive army resting just outside it. I saw zombies in cages, horrid looking beasts, and I detected the aura of dark magic beyond the wall. I also heard screaming, as if people were being tortured."
"How did you become injured?"
"I was spotted by a scout but managed to escape."
Something was definitely not right. Atem turned away and began to pace, which he often did when something particularly disturbed him. Were the humans using dark magic to commit atrocities and then blaming it on the magical creatures to start a rebellion within the human population and thus a war? It seemed likely.
"I do not know how true it is my king," Yusei began, "But I myself have done some investigation. There is a rumor going around that Domino just recently came under control of a new king." A new king? That certainly caused Atem to believe his former hypothesis was ever more plausible.
"My king... there is something else."
Atem stopped to look at the women. "Yes?"
She seemed to start shivering "My king, the scout that found me... he told me to tell you that he knows what you did and that they are coming for you." She shook her head. "I didn't know what he meant, but it was what he said."
Atem's gaze hardened "Coming for me? That is a declaration of war."
"Should I draw up the papers and send a messenger." It was still military law that one country could not go to war with another without sending a declaration of war first. After the declaration would come the meeting and after that the fighting.
Atem turned to look at Yugi. His shining amethyst eyes were wide in shock as if he could not believe this was really happening. Atem understood his disbelief. Only moments ago they had been wrapped in each other's arms in blissful happiness. Life was so cruel and yet so wonderful at the same time. Atem closed his eyes. Why was it that just after he found Yugi and his world seemed complete, a war would have to loom on the horizon. He sighed. Maybe this was bound to happen regardless of Yugi's appearance in his life? If that was true, then Atem was glad that Yugi was here rather than not.
"Yes, draw up the necessary paperwork and arrange the meeting." He opened his eyes, "We are going to war."