Disclaimer: The usual... I don't own Final Fantasy IX© or Zidane... *pouts*
Dedication: To *Sagittarius Girl*, Maki, Siena & Taemyr...
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~~Chapter 2~~
~Plans for The Queen~
' Excellent. Everything is going as I had planned. Now all we need next is for those two nimwits to get in here... ' Anomen thought to himself as he watched the commoners of Alexandria go about in their everyday life.
He snorted in disgust and moved from the window, snapping the blinds shut behind him. Anomen walked over to his desk where it was completely covered with glass vials of all sorts and in many sizes. He looked at a meduim sized vial that was set upon a bunsen burner. Green gooy liquid leaked from the top and it slid down the side of the vial slowly.
Anomen grinned evilly as he closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. He threw his arms up above his head, crossing one arm over the other. He exhaled and then inhaled deeply once more.
" Vita, Mortos, Carirum..." the words slipped through his lips in hushed whispers. He repeated the same words over and over again until his hands were glowing a light blue. He slowly lowered his arms and placed the vial in his glowing hands.
Anomen then chuckled evilly once more before bringing the weird looking green goo to his nose. He grimaced slightly and placed the vial on the flat surface of his desk, he then threw his head back, laughing like a mad-man. " Mwuhahahahahahahaha... "
Anomen outstretched two glowing fingers. He placed them on top of the green liquid and it turned to a clear water like substance. He pulled his fingers back and placed them to his nose, inhaling the light scent, he groaned. " Ah! It smells just like her -- yummy and delicious to devour in one bite. You will be mine, Garnet, and so will all of Alexandria. All under my command! "
Anomen laughed again before he placed the water like substance in a fancy perfume bottle. " Once she sprays this stuff, she'll be mine. I'll be able to control her and Alexandria... all of it will be mine.. "
" Ahem! Am I missing anything? " a soft seductive voice called from the doorway.
Anomen turned to look at Lani who was leaned up against the doorframe with her hand under her chin as if she were thinking about something. He frowned and then motioned for her to come in. " Hurry, close the door before someone sees us or this..."
Lani lifted a light brow and stared at what Anomen was holding up. " See what? Lemme see that, " she said as she closed the door behind her and advanced on Anomen and his creation.
He raised a hand and grinned a lopsided grin at her. " I'll need something in return for you to bestow your greedy looking eyes on this creation, Lani...."
Lani frowned and cocked her head to the side. " And what would th - " she stopped as she saw Anomen advancing on her this time.
She backed away and soon was pressed up against a wall. Lani looked at him and noticed that he had placed the strange looking vial back onto the desk. She knitted her brows and then brought her attention to his hungry gaze. Anomen licked his lips and then placed a hand on each side of her against the wall. He leaned forward, his mouth so close to hers that she could feel the warm breath on her suddenly dry lips.
" You know what I want, Lani," he whispered seductively.
Lani looked into his eyes and swallowed thickly. She then nodded slowly, never tearing her eyes from his. Anomen smiled lightly and leaned in the rest of the way. His soft lips brushed up against her in an easy gentle manner. Lani closed her eyes and returned his kiss, slowly slipping her arms around his neck. He pushed down on her small mouth with more need. She groaned lightly under the pressure and tightened her grip on his neck.
Anomen slowly parted her lips with his warm, moist tongue. He felt her soft tongue slid up against his lips and he pressed his tongue against hers. They played tag with each other for a while before Anomen groaned and wrapped his arms around her tiny waist, drawing her lower half against his own. Lani gasped against his lips as she felt his hard member rub up against her thigh through his black and silver robes. Anomen chuckled lightly and then lifted her from the wall. Twirling her around the room while still kissing, he quickly spotted the bed and gently eased her down onto it without breaking the flame that they had just ignited.
Lani pulled away gasping deeply, her face slightly red. She looked at him and shook her head while grinning. " I never knew... you could do... that, " she said between breathes.
Anomen grinned at her. " Well... there are a couple of things that you don't know about lil ol' me, Lani. For instance this, " his hand traced her right cheekbone then slid down to her neck. He looked into her eyes and then slid his hand farther down until it was resting lightly on her right breast.
A seductive grin turned the corner of his lips upwards as he squeezed gently, the pad of his thumb brushing across the hardening flesh of her nipple. Anomen heard her gasp and then cry out for some more. His grinned expanded as he lowered his face to her breast and began to suckle it through the fabric, his tongue making her shirt damp. Her hands raked his back gently, but then they apply pressure as Anomen sucked harder, making her cry out. Lani bucked her hips against his and he groaned in pleasure.
His left hand slowly slid down over her tiny waist to come to a rest on her crotch. Anomen then slowly slid his hand in between her thighs and he stroked her through the fabric of her shorts. Lani arched her back and groaned in pleasure. " Oh... Anomen, don't stop...."
Anomen frowned lightly and thought to himself in pleasure. ' Maybe I have to go for it... I mean what harm could come to the both of us if we just fool around for a while? '
Anomen then nodded and slowly made his way to her crotch, trailing demanding kisses along her stomach. He kissed the top of her crotch lightly and gently nibbled at the fabric of her shorts. It made Lani hiss in pleasure as she moaned quietly. He slowly undid the belt to her shorts. They was a loud knocking at the door and Anomen cried out frustration.
He jumped off the bed and looked down at Lani. " Don't speak a single word of this to anyone. You got it? "
Lani looked up at him slightly confused, but she nodded. " Alright... whatever you say..."
Anomen nodded and then straightened himself out before hurrying to the door and throwing it wide open. Zorn and Thorn frowned and looked up at him. Anomen growled lightly under his breath before barking at the two jokers. " You're late! You were suppose to be here an hour ago. What happened? "
Zorn walked into the room followed by Thorn. " We were sent to the dungeons. Garnet came and talked to us. We're allowed back into Alexandria. So now we can serve our master without any complications, " he answered confidently.
Anomen eyed them suspiciously before slamming the door behind them. " Riiiiiiight... I want you to send a present to the Queen for me. You think you two nimwits can manage a simple task? And not mess up on it? "
Zorn and Thorn both nodded in agreement, their bells jingling. " I believe me and Thorn can do so... it is our master's wish... we will see that it is done, and done well "
Anomen nodded and Lani came to stand beside him with her arms crossed over her chest. " What are you going to send to the Queen? A bomb? What? "
" I'm going to give her her favorite perfume, she'll like I'm sure, " he replied as he directed his attention to Zorn and Thorn. " I want this delievered by at least today... if not today then tomorrow morning before sunrise. Got it? "
They both nodded in unison. Anomen quickly wrapped the vial of perfume in fancy wrapping before he handed it to Thorn. " How will we give it to her? " he asked.
Anomen frowned. " Just go to her room and placed it beside the real perfume. I want you to then take the real perfume from the dresser top and throw it out the window. Make sure do that task before you leave. Understand? "
They nodded once again. " Right. We will go now.... "
Lani nodded. " As will I... I must get back to my hunting. See ya you guys... I'll be back later on Anomen. Remember, we have unfinished business to complete, " she added as she quickly stepped forward and disappeared from the room.
Anomen frowned at the door before looking at Zorn and Thorn. They looked up at him and nodded before leaving him in the room by himself once again that very same day....
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Garnet opened her eyes and she saw two brown ones peering down at her in genuine concern. " How are you Garnet? Anything hurt? " Beatrix asked softly.
Garnet slowly sat up and scratched her head. She looked around the room and spotted Steiner standing by the door. He was arguing with someone invisible to her eye. Apparently they were on the other side of the door. Something was shoved into his arms and he slammed the door shut. Steiner looked up to find her frowning at him. He shook his head and gently settled the wrapped package onto the dresser top, beside her favorite perfume.
Beatrix looked at Steiner. " Who was it that you were arguing at the door with? "
Steiner grunted disapprovingly. " Just those two traitors... they wanted to give the Queen a present. I guess for letting them back into the castle... "
Beatrix frowned and looked at Garnet. " Would you like to open it now? Or later? "
Garnet looked at her and she cocked her head to the side. " Later I guess... right now I'm a little hungry, " she admitted, blushing a light pink.
Beatrix and Steiner laughed lightly and shook their heads. Steiner looked at her and grinned. " Still same old Garnet, huh? "
Garnet returned his grin with a sincere and soft smile as she nodded. " Always have been...."
Beatrix and Steiner exchanged a suspicious look between each other and Beatrix turned her attention to Garnet. " Garnet? What made you collaspe this morning... in the hall by the dungeon door? "
Garnet frowned at her. " What are you talking about? I didn't collaspe... did I? "
Steiner and Beatrix nodded slowly. " We're afraid you did...." Beatrix informed her.
Garnet flashed them a reassuring smile. " It was just a fainting spell... no need to worry..."
' How come I didn't feel that strange feeling again that she felt earlier this morning? What's going on here? '
Steiner frowned and then clapped his hands together before looking at Beatrix and then at Garnet. " How about that food we just mentioned? I'm starving... how about you, ladies? "
Beatrix laughed out loud at his stupidity and she stood. Garnet giggled and pushed the covers back. She slid out of the bed and began to follow the other two towards the door. She frowned lightly. " Hey, would you guys mind if I got changed before we set foot down stairs? "
Steiner looked at Beatrix and shrugged. " It's alright with us... go on ahead we'll be in the dining room if you need us. "
Garnet nodded and quietly closed the door behind them, making sure to lock it. She slowly made her way towards the dresser. She reached for the wrapped perfume and quickly unwrapped it. Garnet threw the paper to the ground and frowned as she looked at the small vial of her favorite perfume. Her frowned deepened and she looked at her old perfume bottle that was sitting on her dresser, gleaming in the sunlight that was shining through the window above her bed.
Garnet placed the new perfume on the dresser and walked away from it to go to the closet in search of a light gown to slip into for the day. There was a loud jingling and she blinked once. She turned around quickly and searched the room for the source. Garnet found none and quickly went back to her closet. She outstretched an arm to skim through the selection of gowns, but it wouldn't lift from her side. She knitted her dark brows in confusion as she was quickly spun around.
Garnet let out a cry of surprise as she felt her body go numb once more. Alarms went off in her head and she was slowly walking towards the dresser. ' Oh, no... not again. What's going on? Is it only when I hear that jingling sound? '
Garnet watched helplessly as her hand clutched the old perfume bottle. She quickly leaned over and pushed the window open. The old bottle of perfume then went sailing out the window and it disappeared from sight. Her hand then reached out for the newer perfume. She uncapped it and placed the sprayer under her nose. Garnet inhaled and she heard herself groan in pleasure. She quickly sprayed some of it onto her wrists and onto her neck.
Garnet then turned away from the dresser after placing it in it's place. She walked to the door, unlocked it, and stepped out into the hallway. She slowly made her way towards the stairs. Beatrix was quickly hurrying up them and she bumped into Garnet. Beatrix stumbled back a step or two and her hand shot out to grasp the railing. She looked up at Garnet and noticed that she was wearing that same pale expressionless face as she was earlier this morning.
Beatrix frowned and straightened up. " Are you alright, Garnet? You look pale again... you want to lay down? "
Garnet slowly shook her head. " No... it's alright. I'm just hungry, I need to get some food into my body, then I'll be as good as new, " she assured her gently.
She then glided past Beatrix quickly. Beatrix watched her go before she began to make her way back to the dining room with a very confused look on her face....
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Anomen frowned as he walked through the halls of the Alexandrian castle. He sighed through pursed lips as he walked past Beatrix. She looked up at him and then frowned. " Hey... how have you been Anomen? "
Anomen shrugged. " I've been better... how about you? How have you been holding out? "
Her frowned deepened. " I don't know... I guess I'm just not cut out for this kind of thing.... "
" What kind of thing? " Anomen said with the lift of an eyebrow.
" Keeping up with her Majesty. She's been actin rather strange these past days...." Beatrix informed him as she scratched her forehead lightly and then brushed her right thigh off.
" Really? How so? "
Beatrix got a thoughtful look on her face. " Well... she's always pale. She's always giving me and Steiner the cold shoulder. I don't even know how he manages to keep up with her, I mean he's been here longer then I have... but still... "Anomen chuckled to himself as he plastered an expression of fake concern to his face. " Well... I hope her Majesty gets well soon. Maybe you should try to see if she'll see a doctor or someone. Maybe I can have a little talk with her. What do you say? It might help since I am her supervisor..."
Beatrix smiled lightly and nodded. " Sure... you can try, but I'm sure it won't help. She's in the dining room as we speak. I'll take you to her..."
Anomen nodded and followed her as she walked up the hall and then quickly passed through a pair of swinging mahogoney doors.
Beatrix looked at Garnet and cleared her throat. " Uh... Majesty, Anomen is here. He wishes to speak with you privately about some matters that need some serious attending to..."
Garnet looked up from her plate. Her dark eyes laid to a rest on him and she frowned slightly before nodding. She slowly rose from her seat and glided to him. He outstretched his arm to her and she accepted it. Anomen looked at Beatrix and bowed slightly. " Thank you. I'll try to see what I can do for her. I'll return her to her room as soon as I'm done talking with her. "
Beatrix nodded, slammed her fist against her chest and then left them alone. Anomen looked down at Garnet and he spoke gently into her ear. " So... how is my Queen these days? "
Garnet looked up at him with confused eyes. " I'm doing fine Anomen, " she replied in a monotone like voice.
Anomen smiled gently. " Are you really? That's not what you're friends are saying, my dear. How about you tell me what's going on in that little beautiful head of yours? What do you say... we... go to my room and you can explain it all to me there. Alright? "
Garnet's lips curved slightly up and she nodded. " Whatever you say, Anomen... I mean you're my supervisior. I believe I can trust you in not doing anything too devious....."
Anomen nodded and returned her smile. " You can trust me, my Queen, for I'd never let anything come between us... nothing... not even Zidane Tribal or your friends. It'll just be me and you. Alright? "
Garnet nodded absentmindedly as he led her up a long dim staircase to his private chambers at the top of the castle. He slowly opened the door and led her into the dark room. He closed it quietly behind him. Anomen locked it and then slipped the key into his pocket. He heard Garnet sit down on the bed. He grinned as he walked up to her and sat down.
Garnet turned to look at him. " So now what do you want to talk about? "
Anomen couldn't help but grin evilly. " Us... "
Garnet's eyebrows furrowed together. " Us....? "
Anomen nodded. " That's right. There will be an 'us', Garnet... and you're going to be so glad that you decided to choose me as the one... who will lead Alexandria by your side, " he quietly whispered into her ear as his tongue slid out of his mouth and gently licked her ear lobe.
He then bent in closer and nibbled on it softly. Garnet's breath began to quicken as did her heartbeat. Inside her head her mind screamed out to her. ' Don't! What do you think you're doing? He's not the one. He doesn't love you at all... he's just using you... don't do it...'
But, her body wouldn't listen. She was screaming for no reason. It was all hopeless. Her body would only give into the pleasure and excitement.
Garnet outstretched her hand and softly ran her fingers through Anomen's hair. She then reached behind him and undid his braid that held his long silver and red hair tightly. His hair cascaded down his back in ripples that she ran her fingers through contently. She placed her face into his neck and inhaled his male scent that she loved doing so often with Zidane.
' Zidane... '
The name echoed through her mind and it didn't register at all. The only name that meant anything to her at the moment was Anomen. She felt his hands cup her face gently. His mouth felt soft but demanding against her soft lips. Garnet felt her lips part slightly as he slid his tongue into her mouth and rub itself against her own tongue. She responded to his need as he own took control of her.
Garnet slid her arms around his neck and she pulled him to her as she fell back onto the softness of his bed. She bounced once before coming to a stop. Anomen slowly pulled his tongue from her mouth as he trailed a line of awakening fire down her slender throat. He quickly chose a place where he make her moan out with need.
When he placed his mouth down onto the spot where her juggular vein was, he began to suck the flesh hard. Garnet tightened her grip on his neck and he sucked harder then he normally would've.
When Anomen finally pulled back, he knew that he had bruised her pale, smooth skin. He didn't really care. All he cared about was trying to get her to be his. But how?
Inside, Garnet was trembling with fear. She felt like crying, but she couldn't cry without any tears. ' This isn't right. I shouldn't be here... '
Anomen frowned as he felt her slowly withdraw. He sighed lightly and slowly got off the bed. He felt around in the dark for a lightswitch. When he found one, he quickly switched it on and looked at Garnet's face. His eyes trailed from her eyes to her mouth, to rest upon her neck. He was right. It was bruised. Anomen cocked his head to the side as he walked up to her and knelt before her.
Inside, Garnet's lips were tightly pursed, her small hands balled into perfect fists. ' What does he want now? ' she wondered in disgust.
Garnet frowned as if confused. " What is the matter, Anomen? "
Anomen sighed and then cleared his throat. " My Queen, I was wondering how you really feel? "
Inside, Garnet snorted. ' I'm mad at you for violating me. What you did was unacceptable! '
Her frown deepened. " What do you mean? How do I feel? I feel... fine... "
Anomen shook his head. " That's not what I meant. What I meant was, how do you feel about... becoming my wife..."
Inside, Garnet was clutching her chest, her heart suddenly stopping at those words. ' He can't be serious! '
Garnet's expression of confusion was quickly replaced by surprise. " I... I don't know," she murmured softly as she lowered her head to look at her clasped hands laying neatly on her lap.
Inside, Garnet had her hands clasped together now as she prayed. ' Please don't say "yes" '
Anomen reached forward and he lifted her chin gently, looking into her eyes, he pleaded with his own clear blue ones. " Please, Garnet. It would make me the most happiest man on Gaia if you just said 'yes' "
Inside, Garnet was in despire. ' I wouldn't care! Where's beatrix? I need to see her... I can't go on like this! '
Garnet smiled kindly at him. She then slid from the bed to her knees on the ground in front of him, sliding her arms around his neck. " Yes..."
Anomen chuckled quietly to himself as he buried his face into the curve of her neck. He gently planted baby soft kisses up her neck to her mouth. " Oh, Garnet... we shall be wed by next week. Is that alright with you my dear? " he forced his voice to sound cheeful and glad. ' Wonderful... everything is going as planned... '
Inside, Garnet's eyes went wide as she nearly went into shock. ' Next week?! ' she nearly shrieked. ' No! This can't be happening...'
Garnet nodded slowly. " Of course... anything, just to be with you, Anomen..."
Anomen pulled away and helped her to her feet. Garnet brushed herself off and she let Anomen lead her to the door. He looked at her and planted a soft kiss on her smooth forehead. " Now, my dear... please get some rest. You look a little pale at the moment. We both have to begin planning, so we'll have to get a goodnight's rest to do so. I'm a little exhausted at the moment as well..." he lied.
Inside, Garnet was beginning to panic greatly. ' This isn't right... no, I can't let this happen. I must do something! '
Garnet nodded absentmindedly as she reached out and quietly pulled the door open. Before slipping out into the dim hallway, she looked at Anomen over her shoulder. Something flashed in her dark eyes and she whispered, " Goodnight, my love. Until tomorrow..."
Inside, Garnet growled softly in defeat. ' Dammnit! I lost my concentration... I almost had control.... '
Anomen closed the door and went to lay down on his bed. He began to think of the look that she had shot him as she was leaving. " Strange... I wonder what it meant..." he muttered to himself.
He then suddenly got lost in his thoughts of all the different possiblities that he had in bringing the downfall of Alexandria and her Queen. Soon after that, he quickly drifted off into a deep sleep....
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Beatrix walked around the castle aimlessly. She sighed lightly as she began to worry about Garnet. In her mind alarms went off when the Queen hadn't been in her room when she had last checked. She was walking quietly down the stairs when she caught sight of what looked like a mysterious phantom. She quickly placed her hand to the hilt of her ' Save the Queen '.
She walked down a few more steps when she realized that her mysterious phantom was the Queen herself.
Beatrix let out a breath of relief as she stepped in front of her. " Garnet... where have you been? " she demanded.
Inside, Garnet scowled at her friend. ' With Anomen... '
Garnet looked up at her, shock and confusion etched clearly on her face and in her eyes. " I... I... I don't remember where I was. Where have you been? "
Beatrix knitted her brows together. " Last time I saw you was when Anoman volunteered to see what was wrong with you. You've been gone for at least three hours. "
Inside, Garnet groaned and ran a hand over her face. ' Oh, boy... do I have bad news for you, Beatrix... '
Garnet lifted an eyebrow. " Anomen? Oh... yes! I remember now. I have happy news, Beatrix. Come, we'll talk about it in my room, " she nearly shouted in happiness as her dark eyes lit up and she grabbed her friend's hand.
She dragged Beatrix up the stairs to her room. When they were in the room, Garnet paced the ground, while Beatrix watched her from her chair. " Well? What's the good news? You're finally cured of your depression? "
Inside, Garnet made a face. ' Depression? Is that what it's called? ' she asked, her head tilted to the side.
Garnet stopped pacing. She looked at Beatrix. " I'm engaged! "
Beatrix's jaw fell open. Her eyes wide, she almost fell over in her chair. She looked at Garnet. " Who? How? When? " the questions tumbled out of her mouth in a rush.
Inside, Garnet couldn't help but chuckle. ' I know exactly how you feel, Beatrix... '
Garnet heard herself giggle like an overly excited little girl. " Yes! I'm engaged to Anomen. We're planned to be wed by next week... "
Beatrix jumped up from her chair. She looked at Garnet in confusion. " Anomen? " she exclaimed. " But how? Why? You can't! "
Inside, Garnet sighed heavily. ' I know.... do you think I want to go through with this? '
Garnet's eyes went dark and her cheery mood died. " And why can't I, Beatrix? Says who? "
Beatrix crossed her arms over her chest. " What about Zidane? "
' Zidane? ' the name echoed through her mind, as if trying to find it's right place.
Garnet shook her head hard. " He obviously doesn't care for me anymore. I'm sick and tired of waiting for to show up... "
Inside, Garnet rolled her eyes. ' That's one thing I won't disagree with... '
Beatrix's eyes widened. " Garnet! Why are you giving up on hope so easily? And so soon? "
Inside, Garnet sighed heavily and grounded her palms into her eyes to keep the tears from spilling. ' Because he isn't coming back....' she grumbled unhappily.
Garnet narrowed her eyes as she practically shouted at Beatix in a trembling voice. " How do you know what I'm feeling? You don't know what it's like to go on... each day, wondering when the one who captured your heart would show up! I sit by my window everyday, just waiting for him to come back. He's never shown up since!
" You don't know what it's like to have to rule an entire country by yourself. You don't have to carry that burden on your shoulders. But... I do. I'm lonely Beatrix," she concluded as tears formed in her eyes as she hugged her arms to her chest. " I... I can't keep doing this...."
Inside, Garnet was pacing. ' I couldn't have said it any better... but... what am I going to do? '
Beatrix swallowed as she watched her Queen's anguish and pain flow with the tears. " I'm sorry, Garnet... I really am. But... I'm sure if you just believe in him, he'd show up sooner. Have faith, my Queen... perhaps you're like to get some rest now? I'm sure you have a big day tomorrow with the plans for the engagement..."
Inside, Garnet's head flew in Beatrix's direction, fear clouding her eyes. ' Don't leave me... I don't want to be lonely anymore, Beatrix... just stay a little longer... ' she whimpered softly.
Garnet sniffed quietly. She looked up at Beatrix and a faint smile touched her lips. She nodded. " I guess you're right, Beatrix, perhaps I need some sleep... haven't slept well for a few days now. What about you? Will you retire as well? "
Beatrix nodded and bowed slightly. " Yes... I think I shall. You sure you're going to be alright? "
Inside, Garnet shook her head hard. ' No! I won't... please stay with me, Beatrix. Don't leave me alone... I can't bear to lose another dear person... '
Garnet nodded. " Yes... don't worry "
Inside, Garnet was jumping around screaming. ' Beatrix! Help me... please. Can't you see that this is all wrong? Me having to marry that... that pig!? When I could be marrying Zidane.... '
Beatrix smiled and turned to leave the room. Once Garnet was alone, she went to her bed. She sat down on the edge and quietly began to sing the 'Melodies of Life' song that Zidane had loved so much.
When she had completed the last word, she realized that she was back. She was in control of it all again. Garnet felt her body tremble as wet warm tears slid down her cheeks in silence. She brought her hands to her face and she moaned softly. " Oh Zidane...."
She then laid back onto the pillow and wept until it was soaked with her salty tears. Then she drifted off into a dreamless sleep....
To Be Continued...
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