"Uncle!" Sebastian's blood froze and he immediately narrowed his eyes when he recognized that voice. It always send a cold shudder down his spine when he thought about him, but now when he actually heard his voice he felt sick. His head snapped to where the voice came from, only to see him getting closer to the Sultan...and his baby. Sebastian couldn't help himself, he stopped in front of Richard to block his way towards the Sultan, but mostly to his daughter. He didn't want that bastard so close to her. Richard looked him straight into his eyes and smiled, never breaking eye contact as they stood face to face. Now Marian saw they were the same height, and her heart beat frantically in her chest as she watched those two standing face to face, none of them backing down.
The Sultan turned to Marian and gave her the baby hastily before he turned to Richard. He put his hand on Sebastian's shoulder and gently pushed him backwards. Sebastian never broke eye contact with Richard as he took two backwards steps until he turned and stopped in front of Marian, still glaring at Richard. Marian placed her hand on his upper arm in hope to turn his attention to her, but it didn't help. His eyes were filled with anger and Marian knew he hated him more than anything else.
Richard still smiled at Sebastian, his sky blue eyes directed at him. Sebastian barely made it without losing control. Luckily, the Sultan stopped in front of Richard and crossed his arms behind his back as he took a deep, cleansing breath. Richard broke the eye contact with Sebastian so he could look back at his uncle. He bowed his head to him before he spoke.
"I'm so glad you're well, uncle." The Sultan just watched him and Sebastian wondered how he will react to Richard. Aleksandra came and stopped next to Sebastian, giving him a quick hug before she looked at her father and Richard, her eyes narrowed. The Sultan took a very deep breath again and narrowed his eyes before he spoke, his voice firm and low.
"Tell me...who are you?" Richard swallowed hard as he stared at him, confusion written on his face.
"Uncle?" The Sultan grew even angrier.
"Whoever you are, bring back my nephew, because I have left him to look after the castle, not to rule over it and the people!" Richard narrowed his eyes and he immediately knew something was wrong.
"Uncle, I don't-" The Sultan took a step towards him, silencing him immediately. He knew he could order to kill him right now, and Richard felt scared at that moment.
"Pride and ambition are two dangerous things. Pride doesn't allow you to fall where ambition pushes you higher and higher." Richard never took his eyes off of him as he spoke, but he wasn't done yet. "Pride shatters easily, ambition is quickly reversed, and what's left of it..." he silenced again for a while "is humiliation and the fall from the heights. But sometimes the fall...can be fatal." The Sultan patted his shoulder hard before he strode past him. Richard didn't even knew what the hell just happened, but he knew someone who could be responsible for this. He immediately turned to Aleksandra and saw her mocking smile. He strode over to her and stopped right in her face, seeing her smiling at him made him only angrier.
"You," He growled as he pointed a finger to her face. "you did this." He still pointed the finger into her face, she crossed her hands before her chest and sighed frustrated as she answered.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Then she smiled again and he lost it.
"What the hell have you done? What did he talked about?!" Then Sebastian stepped up, confused of the entire situation. He thought that Richard made a complete mess, but now...
"Aleksandra?" He asked her as he stopped next to them. Aleksandra let out a frustrated sigh before she looked back at Richard, a victorious smile on her face.
"You were so wrapped up in your plotting that you didn't notice me sending a letter to my father. In this letter you're referring to yourself as Sultan Richard. That you're ordering the people around and such." Sebastian shook his head as her words settled in. He couldn't believe that she would be capable of doing such a thing, yet again, it was Aleksandra. Richard shook his head his eyes narrowed, his hands balled into fists as he watched her.
"You will pay for this Aleksandra...remember my words." Then he turned and stormed off into the palace. Aleksandra let out a sigh of relief, she turned to Sebastian and Marian with a smile on her face. But the smile died when she saw the angry look Sebastian gave her.
"What?" She raised her eyebrows at him and Sebastian just shook his head.
"The message made your father furious, Aleksandra. I was there when he received the letter from the messenger. He was so angry that he beheaded him!" He slowly raised his voice until it almost turned into yelling. Then she took a step closer to him, her wide and narrowed eyes looking into his.
"I had to do something which would make my father angry at him. Besides, there's no proof that I did that. And you know very well we have to get rid of Richard, so don't lecture me!" She raised her voice as well, then Bethany came to them to lower the tension.
"Maybe we should head into the palace. Dinner's ready." Sebastian and Aleksandra still eyed each other, a young man had to sacrifice his life because of her, and he didn't approve of it at all. But somehow he broke the eye contact and turned to Marian forcing a warm smile on his face.
"Leannan, let's go inside." She smiled and all of them started to walk inside. Sebastian would have another talk with her, and show her that not everything can be solved with killing each other.
####
The dinner went on in silence, the tension clearly between them. Aleksandra sat to her father's right, Richard to his left. Sebastian sat next to her and Marian next to him. Bethany sat next to Richard because the Sultan ordered it. Why he ordered so, no body knew. Richard was grinning at Sebastian all the time, but Sebastian was busy looking at his beautiful daughter. He was so happy to see Marian with the baby that he couldn't think of anything else. He stroked the baby's forehead and she yawned, and all the other giggled at the display.
"She's adorable." Bethany said and Richard just rolled his eyes. Sebastian looked up at Marian, remembering that he didn't ask for her name.
"Marian, what's her name?" Then she blushed hard and lowered her head. She wanted to choose a name with Sebastian, but now she found the idea highly stupid. She swallowed many times and Sebastian wondered why she was so nervous.
"I, uhm...didn't name her. I wanted to name her when you return." All of them watched her confused, but Sebastian was kind off happy. He stroked the baby's forehead again and smiled when he thought of a name.
"Why not name her after my grandmother?" Marian blinked at him confused.
"What was her name?" Sebastian smiled at the memory of her.
"Amalia. Amalia Vael." Marian smiled and looked down at the baby.
"Then Amalia it is." Sebastian though, had another name to add.
"Amalia...Leanndra Vael. How's that sound?" Marian slowly lifted her head and locked her eyes with his. The memory of her mother always brought tears in her eyes, but now they were tears of happiness. She looked at Bethany and saw her nodding to her. Marian's smile widened and she looked down at the baby, the tears threatening to fall again.
"Then so shall it be. Hello, Amalia Leanndra Vael." Sebastian hugged her by her shoulders and brought her closer to plant a sweet kiss on Marian's forehead. All of them laughed, only Aleksandra kept her narrowed eyes and stiff face on Richard. Both shared deadly glances, both never breaking eye contact even though the Sultan was sitting next to them.
They ate slowly, both holding their knives and forks as they stared at each other, both having the urge to kill each other. Aleksandra took her mug with wine and took a small sip before she placed the mug back on the table. She gave a sideways glance to her father only to see him absorbed with looking at little Amalia. She looked back at Richard only to see him smiling mockingly at her. Aleksandra almost lost it, but she remembered that she wasn't alone now. Her father was here, and she didn't need him seeing how the two of them argued. She sighed and looked at the meal in front of her, ignoring him completely.
Richard took that as victory and his eyes darted at Sebastian. He could vomit at the sight of him being so pure and perfect and nice. It seems everyone forgot what a rakish boy and bad person he was. Richard took a sip from his mug and smiled when he put the mug back on the table. Aleksandra saw the smile, and she knew that this dinner just couldn't pass in silence and peace.
"Sebastian." Sebastian immediately tensed at the sound of his voice calling his name. Marian snuggled the baby close to her as Sebastian turned to Richard, his face stiff with anger. Tension fell inside the room and the Sultan's eyes immediately fell on Richard as he spoke.
"Congratulations for becoming a father, Sebastian." He was mocking him, but Sebastian had to stay calm. Maker give me strength.
"Thank you." He flatly answered and turned back to his meal, but Richard wasn't done yet. He loved to mock his once best friend.
"I never would've guessed that you, of all people, would get married and become a father one day." Aleksandra eyed Richard with wide and angry eyes, but he ignored her. Instead he was staring at Sebastian, the mocking calm smile never leaving his face. Sebastian lifted his head and locked his eyes on Richard, the anger growing more and more, but again he couldn't allow himself to lose control. The baby was sleeping and the Sultan was here.
"People change, Richard." He chuckled, his shoulders working with his chuckle as he put a piece of meat in his mouth.
"But old habits die hard." He countered, and that's when Sebastian dropped his spoon, creating a loud noise with it. Bethany shifted uncomfortably next to Richard, Aleksandra kept staring angrily at him as Marian kissed the babies forehead to keep her asleep. Sebastian was angry now, Marian could tell from the look of his eyes. He would kill him if Richard doesn't stop now. The Sultan just sat at the top of the table and observed the situation, he wanted to see Richard's true face. Sebastian took a few deep breaths as he fisted his hands, his knuckles turning white when he thought about what to say to end this bloody conversation. He just wanted to eat in peace for Makers sake!
"Apparently." Richards smile died and he stopped chewing for a second before he spoke again.
"You would be surprised at how much I changed Sebastian." Sebastian smiled at that as he took a sip from his wine.
"I see that. The new Richard would never mock me or try to ruin my life, just like the old Richard did once." He said sarcastically, Aleksandra let out a long breath to warn Richard, to show him to stop, but he wouldn't heed it. He was furious, but he kept it hidden under his calm facade.
"Ah of course. No body is as perfect as you. I forgot that." Sebastian eyed him angrily, his finger silently tapping on the table. Richard ate his meal but never stopped smiling at this entire situation. "Because if you weren't so awesome, you would've never married the Champion of Kirkwall." The Sultan eyed him angrily, but he wanted to hear more. Sebastian shook his head as he looked away for a while, then he looked back at Richard, his eyes narrowed even more.
"I am not perfect." He wanted to show him that he's not thinking too highly of himself, but Richard just let out a mocking laugh as he locked his eyes with his again.
"Apparently you are, because no body remembers your wild youth or the problems you have caused. No body seems to be remembering how many people's lives you have ruined."
"Yes I was selfish, a bad person that only watched his own benefit from every situation. But I changed and I atoned for my sins. Wait," He pointed a finger at Richard. "I also atoned for your sins." Aleksandra turned to Sebastian and placed a hand on his upper arm.
"Sebastian, he's just trying to mock you." But Sebastian wouldn't heed her.
"Because you were a coward to admit your mistake! And I was the one who was send to the Chantry even though I haven't done anything!" Sebastian was speaking in a slightly raised voice, he couldn't keep his temper hidden any longer. Marian hugged the baby close to her chest as Amalia seemed to wake up from their loud talking. Richard threw his knife on the table and looked at Sebastian, his face angry and temper at edge.
"Again, you're perfection itself, even though you were a bloody whore!"
"Richard!" The Sultan's voice rang through the dining room and everyone froze. Richard slowly turned his head to his uncle and watched him with fear written on his face. He totally forgot that his uncle was here, and now that he watched him with anger written on his face he froze, and suddenly his tongue disappeared too.
"Uncle-"
"Retreat to your chambers Richard." He swallowed hard and send a deadly glare at Sebastian, but he did as his uncle ordered. He stood up, bowed his head to him and strode out of the dining room. The tension left the room with Richard, but little Amalia was awake now. She cried and Marian stood up. Sebastian watched her with sadness, he blamed himself for waking his little daughter. Marian just send him a reassuring smile before she too bowed her head to the Sultan. She walked out of the room, leaving only Aleksandra, Sebastian and Bethany with the Sultan, and Sebastian took the moment to apologize.
"I'm sorry, Sultan, I didn't mean to ruin the evening." He just chewed his meal and watched Sebastian, an unreadable expression on his face.
"It's not your fault Sebastian. Richard is...well, you should try and ignore him." Sebastian just nodded to that as he hurried to finish his meal. He wanted to get to Marian as soon as possible. Moments later, he ate up and greeted everyone before he made his way towards their bedroom. Aleksandra eyed Bethany, she still feared that she has some feelings for Richard so she used the opportunity to talk with her father. To show her that she should stay away from him.
"Father." He looked at his daughter and smiled. Aleksandra smiled weakly and she didn't know how to approach the subject. Then she thought, what the hell, so she started talking anyway.
"I wondered when Richard will return home. You're here so we don't need him any longer." He reconsidered for a while as he never looked away from her. Bethany eyed them both, she wasn't stupid. She knew Aleksandra talked to him on purpose in front of her but she kept silent. Then the Sultan took a very deep breath and Aleksandra hoped he would send him away, finally.
"He will stay a little longer Aleksandra." That struck her hard. Even after the letter he still kept him close, and that thought made her furious, but she had to stay calm. For now.
"Why? You're here so he doesn't need to be here." The Sultan lifted his head again from his meal and looked deep into her eyes.
"Let this be my decision, Aleksandra." He smiled again and continued to eat. Aleksandra was beyond angry, but from the corner of her eyes she saw Bethany smiling, just a little. She took a deep breath and ate up, before she walked out of the room. She heard Bethany walking out seconds later, so she decided to follow her, and have a little talk with her.
####
His heart was thrumming in his chest, his nervousness growing with every step he took as he walked behind the servant who led him to his bedroom. He didn't know why he was so nervous, it was his Marian he was walking to, her and their child. He took a deep breath when they walked a large hallway on the second floor, then he spotted a large door and wondered if this is it. He still remembered the palace, his memories were a little blurry but still he knew this hallway. Seconds later the servant stopped and lowered her head to Sebastian as she pointed with her hand to the door.
"These are your and Princess Marian's chambers. Whatever you need, you can call us." The girl bowed and left, and Sebastian felt like he was going to faint. He nervously placed a hand on the door handle, took a deep breath and opened the door. First, he saw the bedroom was empty, candles were lit all across the room, the curtains closed and the bed neatly made. But he heard someone singing, and his heart leapt. He entered as silently as possible and closed the door, then he walked in direction of the singing voice. He stopped at the corner when he saw Marian sitting on a large chair, Amalia cradled in her arms as she ate from her mother's breast. One curtain was open and the moonlight fell upon them, lightening them in a heavenly way.
Sebastian found this the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. But he didn't want to interrupt the moment. Instead he leaned his body on the wall and watched them, watched her glow from the moonlight like an angel, her voice so sweet and soft that it would melt even the toughest person. She sang an old Ferelden song sung to babies to lull them into sleep. She gently rocked back and forth as the baby ate, until she lifted it and leaned it gently on her shoulder. The baby burped and Marian chuckled, and Sebastian had a hard time not to chuckle too. He didn't even realized a tear escaped him. He was so happy that he never wanted the moment to end.
Marian walked towards the crib, she still didn't see him because the crib was on the other side of him. She leaned over and put the baby slowly down, and Sebastian slowly and silently walked towards her. The baby was lying in the crib now, Marian watched the baby with a content smile on her face when suddenly strong and large hands embraced her waist from behind. She immediately placed her hands on his and leaned her body into his. He kissed her temple and tightened his hug around her a little as he breathed in her scent. His heart was frantic and he was sure she could feel and hear it.
She turned her body to face him, never stepping away or breaking the hug. She leaned her rear on the crib and wrapped her arms around Sebastian's neck. He placed his hands on her waist, and suddenly everything just vanished. They stared at each other like this for what felt like an eternity, both relishing each others presence, both happy and content now that they're together again. Sebastian watched her face, her eyes, lips and freckles, he loved everything on her, every little scar or flaw. She was his princess.
Marian watched his eyes, his face, lips and wrinkles around his eyes. He was her love, her prince, and now they were finally together, and nothing would tear them apart again. Sebastian took a very deep breath, never looking away from her. She was just too beautiful to him.
"I love you, leannan. I love you so much." She smiled and her smile warmed his heart.
"I love you too, Sebastian. I missed you so much." Then he kissed her, it started as a gentle kiss on the lips, sweet and tender and caring, trying to put all his love into that kiss. Then she deepened the kiss, their tongues melding and dancing with each other. Soon she moaned into his mouth, soon she grew aroused. She knew though her body wasn't ready yet, and as much as she wanted it, she just couldn't. She broke the kiss in need of air, both panting from the kiss and both feeling extremely aroused. Sebastian leaned his forehead on hers and closed his eyes, her sweet lavender scent clouding his mind. He removed a strand of hair from her face and tugged it behind her ear before he cupped her face, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs. Then he leaned away, took her hand and guided them to the bed. Marian had to warn him though.
"Sebastian..." She said as he sat down on the edge of the bed and looking up at her.
"Yes, leannan?" She let go of his hand and hugged her waist while looking at him with sadness and disappointment on her face.
"Sebastian...my body is not ready for-" He hastily stood up and placed a finger on her mouth.
"I know Marian. You don't have to tell me. I know." Then he sat back and patted the place next to him. "I just wanted you to sit next to me. I want to enjoy every moment with you Marian." She smiled and sat down, her hands in his. They both stared at each other, both not willing to look away. Marian took a deep breath, she wanted to know so many things.
"Sebastian, how do you feel?" He smiled a little, the smile was warm and reassuring and it warmed her heart.
"Tired. So very tired." Then he placed his palm on her cheek as he saw the sadness creeping up. "Yet I'm happy, content, and most importantly, I'm here next to you." She smiled weakly at that as his hand nuzzled her cheek.
"I felt so alone when you weren't here. Then I gave birth to little Amalia and I felt hope again. But the thought of you maybe never seeing her tore my heart apart." A single tear escaped her and his heart clenched at the sight.
"Marian..." He cupped her face with both his hands and forced her to look at him. "...I'm here. Nothing will come between us ever again. Now I can give you and our daughter the life you deserve." He kissed her forehead and brought her into his embrace. Marian shook, the thoughts of maybe never seeing him still tearing her soul apart. But he was here, and he will stay with her forever.
"I know, and thank you Sebastian. Thank you for this life, for your love...and thank you for our daughter." He smiled and kissed the top of her head. Then he broke the embrace and cupped her face, his eyes gazing deep into hers as the words he spoke came from his heart.
"My Marian, whose heart is brighter than the sun, warm me with the light of your heart, for I am cold.
My Marian, whose eyes stole the light of stars, guide me through the darkness, for I am blind.
My Marian, whose voice is celestial, speak and chase the demons of the silence away, for I am speechless.
Your golden hair, your snow white skin, your lovely shaped face, your freckles that paint your skin like stars on the night sky. You have the face of my dreams and wishes.
My princess, carve your crown out of my heart and rule over it, for this man does not need a heart if he can't give it to you.
My princess, take my eyes and wear them as pearls of your necklace, for this man does not need them if he can't see your beauty.
Dear Holy Maker, take my life the second she passes away, for she is my heart, my soul, my entire being. Don't let me live without my heart, my soul, my entire being."
Marian blinked rapidly when he finished, a few tears already falling down her cheeks. She leaned into his touch as he gently stroked her cheeks with his thumbs, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment. Everything was perfect; her husband, their daughter, her life. She wouldn't be happier anywhere else. Then he kissed her forehead, a kiss as well a promise to never leave her side again. He broke the kiss and she locked her eyes on his face, only to see he's tired. As much as she wanted to talk with him, she couldn't. She saw the tiredness on his face and she didn't want to tire him further.
"Let's go to sleep." He nodded weakly to that.
"Aye." Both stood up from the bed. Sebastian removed his boots, the socks and at last, is breeches. Marian hesitated first because she still wasn't comfortable with her body, so she took the moment to look at him over her shoulder. Then he lifted his shirt, and pure horror overwhelmed her. She fully turned to him and gasped when she saw his scared back. Many wounds were new and her heart clenched at the sight. His back was still muscled and toned, but still the scars made her shudder. She came back to him and gently feathered her fingers over his new scars. He closed his eyes when he felt her warm fingers tracing the newly gained scars, he didn't want her to see them, but there was no way she wouldn't. He heard her shaky breath and he wondered if she was crying. Then he turned to her to reveal his chest to him, and again she gasped as she saw new scars on the chest as well.
"Leannan..." He saw the fear and pain on her face, he saw the sadness and guilt. He gently took her hands in his as they stood in front of each other, he in nothing but his underwear and she still wearing her dress. He was so tired, he wanted nothing else but to lie down next to her and wake up next to her. "...I'm fine, leannan. These scars were nothing compared to the pain I felt while being without you." She sniffed and blinked rapidly at his chest as she still stared at the scars.
"I'm sorry, Sebastian." He chuckled and kissed both her knuckles before he touched her chin with his finger, gently lifting her face to make her look at him. He smiled, his smile warm and reassuring and full of love.
"Don't be Marian. Come on, let's go to bed." He started slowly to remove the laces of her dress, one by one fell free, but Sebastian felt something was wrong. He felt her nervousness, and with every lace that fell open she shook more and more. He stopped removing the laces and narrowed his eyes at her as he tried to lock his eyes with hers, but she desperately avoided his gaze.
"Marian?" She looked up then and smiled weakly, still avoiding his gaze as she gently pushed his hands away from her body.
"You go and lie down. I'll go and change." She turned to leave, but he grabbed her hands and stilled her. When she looked up at him she saw his narrowed eyes looking down at her, she knew he would be like that but she hoped there would be a way to avoid it. He sighed and raised his eyebrows as he started to remove the laces of her dress. She shook again and he felt he knew why she shook. After a while the dress fell on the floor leaving her in nothing but her underwear. Her hands immediately flew to hide her belly but he caught them. He walked them towards the large mirror and he put her in front, he stood behind her, wrapped his arms around her belly while her hands where at her sides. He leaned his chin on her shoulder and looked at her reflection. She was nervous, he knew it from the way her body shook and how she desperately avoided his gaze in the reflection. She thinks she's ugly to me, he thought as he took a deep breath.
"Marian, look at me." Finally her eyes found his on the reflection, he could see the doubt in them. Then his hands gently roamed her belly, gently feathering over the sensitive skin. She blinked rapidly but didn't break the gaze with him. "You are beautiful to me, Marian. Always. You will always be my sexy, kickass lass." She couldn't help but chuckle and he chuckled too. She smiled and turned to him, her eyes gazing deep into his.
"Thank you, Sebastian." He smiled weakly, took her hand and guided them towards the bed. He fell down on the soft mattress, his head resting on the soft pillow and he sighed, peacefully. Marian lied down next to him and snuggled her back to him. He wrapped an arm around her, bringing her unbelievably close to him. He took a deep, relaxing breath when her hair tickled his nose and he could clearly smell her lavender scent. He wasn't this happy and peaceful in a long time.
"Good night, leannan." She smiled and closed her eyes, to feel him next to her in the bed made her heart jumping.
"Good night, Sebastian." With that said, both slowly drifted into sleep, both happy that they're in each others embrace.
####
She walked back to her room, but she couldn't shake the feeling that someone is watching and following her. Her senses were at edge and she was ready to attack anyone who dared to follow her. Her fingers were already twitching with her magic, but she kept a cool head. Her head was lowered and she stared at her feet, when suddenly a strong voice called her name, and she froze.
"Bethany!" She slowly turned her body, only to see Aleksandra approaching her. She bowed her head to her before she looked at her face, she saw the stiff and worried lines on her face and she knew something would happen.
"Sultana." Aleksandra eyed her from head to toe.
"Follow me, Bethany." She turned and left, Ibrahim next to her. She stopped though and waited for Bethany to start walking. Bethany took a deep breath, wondering what she wanted from her at this time of night. All of them walked in silence through the large hallway, they walked around the corner and saw two girls standing in front of a door. The girls bowed and opened the door, it was a small room with a couch, a table, probably a servants quarter. Aleksandra and Ibrahim stepped in and turned to Bethany. She hesitated first, but she took a deep breath and entered the small room. The girls closed the door behind her and Bethany stopped in the middle of the room while Aleksandra and Ibrahim watched her. Then Aleksandra came closer and closer, until she stopped in front of Bethany, her eyes glaring down at her.
"Are you hiding something from me, Bethany?" She looked up at the Sultana and swallowed hard.
"No, what would I hide?"
"I don't know. Maybe the fact that you still care for Richard?" Bethany narrowed her eyes and looked at the ground for a while before she looked back at Aleksandra, a hurt smile on her face.
"Why would I care for him?" Then she shook her head slightly and smiled bitterly. "Why do you care about that?" Aleksandra took a small breath as she tried to reason with her.
"Bethany, he's a bad person. He is only using people for his own benefit, he doesn't care if anyone cares for him as long as he gains something from that. Bethany," She put her hands on her upper arms. "I'm just worried that he hurts such a pure heart." Bethany smiled bitterly. She had enough of this, everyone watching over her like a little girl. She gently shook off Aleksandra's hands and stepped back, her angry eyes now looking straight into hers.
"I'm not a foolish girl who doesn't know how to defend herself. And yes, I know who Richard is so no body has to tell me twice. But to answer your question, Sultana...yes, I do care for him but that's all." Aleksandra narrowed her eyes and took a step closer.
"He's no good for you Bethany." She smiled bitterly again, she had enough of this.
"No good for me or...no good for the palace?" Bethany knew she hit the right nerve, she knew from the way Aleksandra's eyes narrowed. "Because I think you all fear he could somehow use me against you." Aleksandra took a deep, cleansing breath before she spoke.
"I'm just worried, Bethany. That's all."
"Well stop being worried! I can take care is myself." She started to leave, thinking that she somehow intimidated Aleksandra, but she was wrong.
"Bethany." Her name was almost a whisper leaving her lips, a whisper that bore a note of warning and threat. She stopped and turned back to her, her narrowed eyes shooting arrows at the Sultana as she slowly approached her. Aleksandra stopped in front of her and crossed her hands in front of her chest as her eyes roamed her face. Bethany didn't know how to react, so she stared Aleksandra right into her eyes.
"There's is nothing in this palace that can be hidden from me." Bethany smiled bitterly as she came right into Aleksandra's face, her eyes narrowed even more as she struggled to keep her magic under control.
"I have nothing to hide." She gritted out through her teeth before she walked out, angry and frustrated. Aleksandra watched her leave until she closed the door, then she turned to Ibrahim and he immediately knew what she was thinking about.
"Don't worry, Sultana. I will keep a closer look on her." Aleksandra nodded to him before they both walked out of the small room. She was angry, really angry, and she thought of telling Marian about this. But when she gave it a better thought, she wouldn't. She will see how Bethany will behave and if Richard will have any greater influence on her. If so, she would see to it, personally.
####
She leaned her hands on the railing of the balcony and took a deep breath. Why Aleksandra thought she had something going with Richard was beyond her, but she wouldn't allow her to treat her like a criminal. Bethany stood there and enjoyed the night, the stars and moon as much as she could, trying hard to forget the argument moments before. She couldn't wait to get back to Starkhaven, at least she would live in peace. She looked up at the night sky, a small smile appearing on her face when she stared at the blinking stars. It was a little cold, but the cold wind served to lower her temper.
She was in deep thought, her eyes closed and her head leaned back a little. Suddenly she felt someone standing right behind her. She turned her head and the anger immediately rose when she saw Richard looking down at her. Bethany just turned her head away and wanted to leave, but he ground his body into hers, preventing her to leave.
"Leave me alone!" She whispered angrily at him, hoping that would convince him, but no. He stood there like a living statue, his chest pressed hard to her back as his mouth rested very close to her ear. She could feel his hot breath on her ear and she almost moaned from the sensation of it. He didn't touch her though, he just stood there, frozen and breathing down her ear as he spoke.
"Bethany...why are you resisting me?" Bethany tried to wiggle out again, but to no avail. His body kept her pinned, but she wouldn't submit to him.
"Leave me alone Richard! I told you to stay away from me!"
"Your mouth said these words, but your eyes say something very different."
"What?" She turned her head to him as best she could, his breath feathered over her cheek now, and it made her shiver.
"I've seen the way you look at me with those eyes as black as night. You can say whatever you want, but I see the desire in your eyes." Bethany shivered, involuntarily. She didn't know what's wrong with her, why he always managed to make her knees trembling or her core instantly wet and hot. She shivered and gripped the railing harder, her knuckles turning white as she listened to the devils words.
"I know you want me, Bethany, as much as I want you." Dear Maker, Bethany thought, please let him touch me. Her eyes were closed and she hated her body for reacting the way it did when she's around him. He pushed the hair that fell over her ear aside, only so she could feel his breath feathering over her sensitive skin.
"Why are you denying yourself the greatest night of your life?"
"Please..." Richards heartbeat sped up.
"What?"
"Someone will see this. Leave me...alone." Richard cursed inwardly, stubborn girl, he thought when he leaned his body even closer to hers. He wouldn't give up that easily.
"Then let's go somewhere more secluded." She shook her head as her entire body shook with want, but no. She wasn't allowed to have this kind of feeling towards him, not because of Aleksandra, but because of her sister. Richard sighed and stepped away, but he didn't take this as defeat. He took a few steps away from her and turned one last time, a victorious smile on his face.
"Tomorrow night, Bethany," Slowly she turned to him, never stepping away from the railing because she feared she would devour him, right here. "I will come to your room. If your door is unlocked, I will give you the greatest pleasure you have ever received. If not I will stop. Forever." He bowed his head to her before he left, leaving a very upset and aroused Bethany behind. She watched him leave and reconsidered her possibilities. She knew Marian and Aleksandra would kill her if they found out about her seeing Richard again. But she couldn't help herself. She was physically drawn to him, everything on him was drawing her to him and making her unable to resist him. She sighed and shook her head before she walked back to her bedroom. She honestly thought about tomorrow night and came to a conclusion. Nothing bad could happen if they really slept together.
Or could it?