Chapter Twenty-Five

When evening fell and both the King and his future Queen were fully satiated and exhausted, Sinbad called for a hot bath to be drawn for Naima. The King's bathing room was connected to his chambers, and once it was ready for her, Sinbad carried her to the large bath and settled her into the warm, scented waters. He originally hadn't planned to join her, but she tugged on his hand and playfully pouted at him. It was too much for him to resist, and he sank down into the tub behind her. She leaned back against his chest, sighing softly when she felt his hands on her shoulders, thumbs pressing into the tense muscles of her neck and upper back.

The smell of roses and gardenias filled the air with the steam of their bath, and Naima felt as though she were in a dream. The sun began to set, and she watched it disappear beneath the horizon of the ocean's blue waters. The wide window, covered by a sheer, embroidered fabric, showed an amazing view of the city and the wide world. It was an amazing sight, and she was grateful for the deep tub they were in. He eased her worries, and she relaxed into his arms again. She felt the coarse but wonderful feel of a loofa sponge against her back, and she stretched in his arms. He washed her arms and her neck, and he watched her when she dipped her head back in the water, wetting her long hair.

When the suds washed off of her, she turned and did the same for him. She slipped behind him, sliding the sponge over the large expanse of his back. She saw the scars there, against his skin, regarding them in a different light. When she'd seen him bare before her, she'd noticed them, but she'd been too distracted to truly consider what they meant. She touched them tenderly with her fingertips, then kissed his back softly, laying her cheek against him. She hugged him to her chest, her arms around his stomach.

"Naima?" he wondered, turning his head, though he couldn't see her. Her hand splayed against his chest, and he smiled softly, sliding his own along her thigh.

"You have so many scars," she said quietly.

"Does…it bother you?"

She shook her head against his back. "No, Sin. I just didn't connect your stories to how much your body has been through. You've fought so hard for so long to bring peace to this world. You've accomplished so much…and yet you've been hurt so many times."

Sinbad leaned back against her, sliding down in the tub until he could lay his head back on her shoulder, his forehead against her cheek. Her smaller but strong hands moved the sponge over his chest, his arms wrapped around her bent knees that he laid between. He propped his feet up on the edge of the tub, flexing and extending his toes, ankles crossed. He closed his eyes and enjoyed her caresses.

"Becoming the King of the Seven Seas wasn't without strife," he explained. "I fought many battles, some I didn't start and some I did. Wars I didn't want to partake in, but I did for the sake of my friends and the people I love. Peace is something that I strive for, and even if I can only bring peace to Sindria, I have accomplished something. Part of me still hopes to fight for peace across the world, but there's a small part of me that has resigned itself to believe we'll never accomplish that. Too many countries will fight for more power and more land, and innocent lives will be lost. I can only protect those within my power to protect, even if that means I lay down my life." He was solemn, staring out the window into the distance.

Naima remained quiet, her head rested against his. She listened to the sound of his voice, the vibration of his chest, felt the weight of his solid, toned body against hers. She felt herself tremble at the thought of his life ending in the battle for peace. One moment, he was here, laying in her arms in a hot bath. In the next, her arms were empty and cold, the water frigid and smelling of blood and death. She squeezed him tighter, closing her eyes against the horrible thought. He kissed her hand and held it in his own.

"Stop stressing," he said softly. "I'm not going anywhere." He kissed the inside of her palm and then placed it back on his chest, encouraging her to continue her gentle caresses.

"I just don't…" she felt a lump growing in her throat, and she swallowed it, stifling the tears that were suddenly pressing against her eyes.

"I will do everything in my power not to leave you," he said, turning his head to look at her fully. "I won't leave you, our friends and Sindria." She kissed the corner of his mouth softly and he smiled. "I promise."

Nodding her head, Naima wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him again. "I promise, too," she said, and she watched him move from her arms to climb out of the tub. He wrapped himself in a towel, and reaching for her, helped her out of the tub as well.

"Are you hungry?" He wondered, plopping a towel on her head to dry her hair. She nodded, laughing softly as she went to work on her hair. He watched her brush her fingers through the long locks, and then deftly braided it into thick ropes she curled atop her head. In moments, she was done, and Sinbad was very impressed. "I like the look."

Still wrapped in her towel, she made a show of her hair and sauntered back into the bedchamber. She paused when she arrived at their bed, and she picked up the fabric that had been her dress. "Sin?" she turned, looking at him as he approached her. "I don't know the first thing about turning this back into a dress."

He laughed. "Well," he pulled a twisted and tasseled rope that hung near the bed. "One of the attendants will be here momentarily. We'll have something new brought for you."

"I don't know if I'll ever get used to this," she shook her head, sitting down on the side of her bed.

Dinner was a much more reserved, relaxed affair that Naima had expected. She was seated beside King Sinbad, her siblings to her other side, and the eight generals were present, as well. Their wives and children dined with them, and much of the evening was spent getting to know the future queen. Naima liked the people Sinbad had befriended, and she was so grateful to have been welcomed into their group. Kikiriku had taken a liking to her siblings, and Rurumu still hovered over her and Sinbad. Naima had experienced a great deal of trouble trying to hold back her laugh when Rurumu scolded Sinbad for accepting Naima into his bed the night before. It was a lot easier to not laugh when Rurumu turned on her, and though she was scary when she was mad, Naima learned that Rurumu only reacted in such ways because she loved them. Sinbad had told her what it was like being raised by Rurumu, and Naima loved the story.

After dinner, the generals and Sinbad fell into discussions relating to politics and current world affairs. He'd encouraged Naima to spend time with Rurumu and Yamraiha, as well as Drakon's wife and the other women present, not because he didn't trust her, but he learned at dinner how they'd been chomping at the bit to start planning the wedding. Besides, Naima had a great deal to learn before she could partake in the political conversations. Rurumu explained that, if Sinbad were to be away from Sindria, the maintenance of the country would be expected to be led by Naima herself unless she were traveling with him. The thought was terrifying, but she was reassured that it was extremely rare that all eight generals would be gone at one time. There'd be someone to assist Naima throughout her journey to become Queen and then thereafter.

She watched Sinbad relax into a fluffy expanse of cushions, Drakon, Ja'Far, Masrur, Hinahoho, Spartos and Sharkaan around him. He cradled a goblet of wine in one hand, and he listened intently to what Ja'far was explaining. She was nearby, herself, sitting with Yamraiha, Rurumu, Drakon's wife, and Pisti, who appeared out of nowhere it seemed. She was startled out of her daydream when Yamraiha affectionately clunked her staff against her head.

"You'll get to see as much of Sinbad as you want later on," Yamraiha admonished playfully. "Why don't you give us some attention so we can start planning your wedding? You have no idea how we've all been waiting for this!"

Rurumu laughed, pulling Amira and Amal into her lap to cradle them. "It has been a long time coming that we've been talking about this. Do you have any ideas on what you'd like or expect for your wedding celebration?"

Naima shook her head. "I never thought I'd ever marry…let alone marry a King. I never thought about what to want or expect for a wedding! And he only asked me yesterday—"

"And you've been to busy to think about it since, huh?" Yamraiha teased, waggling her eyebrows at Naima who turned bright red.

"Well," Drakon's wife, the beautiful brunette who sat quietly next to Rurumu spoke up. "First I think you should choose a season to be married in. If you like the cooler seasons, King Sinbad would have the halls and banquet room made ready for an indoor wedding. If you like the warmer weather, we could plan you an outdoor celebration! You could be married on the balcony overlooking Sindria, before all the people!"

Naima hummed softly and then looked to Rurumu. "Could…could we be married overlooking the ocean?" She thought of how wonderful it would be to be married on the water, but she also saw how the people of Sindria loved their King. It was easy for her to decided to be married where the people could be present.

"The cliffside would be a beautiful place to be married." Rurumu agreed, nodding her head. "There are still several more weeks of summertime before the weather changes and starts to cool. I think we have ample time to plan a beautiful ceremony and celebration."

"I'll leave the planning to you then, Rurumu," Naima laughed, watching Amira play with Rurumu's thick blue braid. "I trust you will make it beautiful."

"No, you're not getting out of planning your wedding that easily," Yamraiha interjected, her hand on Naima's shoulder. "You're going to pick your flowers, and you're going to help pick the menu, and, of course, you have to design your dress!"

Drakon's wife moved forward and nodded. "I'll be making your dress for you, of course. I'd love for you to visit with me one day soon so we can design it for you. I have many ideas, especially since you love the water the way King Sinbad does."

Naima saw how excited these women were, and it made her feel very special. Having lost her mother so young, it was emotional to plan her wedding. She figured that's why she didn't want much to do with it, but seeing how excited and happy they were, it made her feel the same. "I like the sound of that," she said, nodding her head. "Amira will have to come, too, to help."

Amira cheered and nodded her head, hugging Rurumu again. "I want to help, too. Are you going to have hydrangeas, Naima? I know they're your favorite ones, especially the blue and purple ones!"

"Hydrangeas are beautiful flowers," Rurumu said. "I think they'd be a wonderful flower to use. And we'll have to have crab at the feast, too, since Naima is a fisherwoman by trade. I'll write to Imuchakk and have more imported once a date has been settled."

Naima bowed her head softly. "I can't thank you enough," she said, and she curled her fingers into the blue silk dress she wore. "I can't thank you enough for accepting me and my siblings without question…you've been so kind to us." She felt the tears appearing in her eyes, and she was surprised when she felt Yamraiha and Pisti squeezing her in a hug. Rurumu and Drakon's wife were laughing, and Naima sniffled again.

"Sin chose you, Naima," Pisti said, looking up at her. "And we like that you don't take any attitude from him!" She giggled.

Yamraiha nodded. "He's been lonely for a long time, and you've made him happy again. He's happier than I've ever seen him, and that says a lot!"

Naima leaned into their hugs and nodded her head, too. "He makes me really happy," she sniffled, wiping her eyes. "I haven't been so…relieved and happy for as long as I can remember."

"Except…last night and all day today?" Yamraiha teased again, and she threw her head back and laughed when Naima turned as red as Masrur's hair.

This chapter felt a little bit rambly for my own liking, but good things to come! Hope you're enjoying it! And don't forget to leave a review and let me know! :*

P.s. started physical therapy for my back today - a 6 week trial in Tae Kwon Do was probably not the smartest idea, but it was fun while it lasted. Now I'm getting my back fixed. xD And...today is my 2 year wedding anniversary! Seems fitting to be writing about weddings when I'm celebrating my own! :*