FORTY-EIGHT
Moving together, their bodies entwined in the most intimate of embraces, Folken and Jindra Lacour soared higher towards the ultimate expression of their love and desire. Just as he had promised his new wife, their love making had become more ardent and passionate as each partner reached that dizzying plateau that promised pleasure and ecstasy. Jindra arched up to meet Folken as she cried out his name and wrapped her arms even more tightly around him. Feeling his wife's body shake with the power of her release, Folken covered her face with kisses and soon joined her. The two clung to one another as they rode the waves of pleasure that brought tears to Jindra's eyes.
As her fingers dug into the skin of his back, Jindra felt it ripple underneath her hands as two white wings sprouted from Folken's back. Although still somewhat startled by his wings, Jindra let her hands trail across the silky feathers. Feeling her touch on his wings, Folken let out a small groan and covered his wife's face with kisses. As he once again devoured her mouth with his own, Folken slipped his arms under Jindra and then quickly rolled over so that she was now on top of him. Jindra let out a small sound of surprise as Folken's wings curled forward and gently settled around her, wrapping the two of them within their soft, sensual warmth. Resting her head in the crook of her husband's neck, Jindra Lacour smiled and closed her eyes as a feeling of utter joy and contentment settled over her.
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Propped up on her elbow, Jindra watched the steady rise and fall of her husband's chest as he slept next to her. She had shifted and now lay along Folken's side so that she could watch him as he slept. A smile played across her lips as she reached out and gently brushed the hair from his face. Once again, she let her hand trail across the feathers that still cloaked the two of them like a blanket as her eyes strayed towards the mechanical arm that was half covered by Folken's wings.
Jindra had long ago accepted Folken's metal arm. At first she had been a little frightened of it -- such a thing had seemed so alien and cruel, even for the sorcerer's of the Zaibach Empire. But attached to that metal monstrosity had been a man -- a man whom she had fallen in love with, a man that she was going to be spending the rest of her life with, a man who had given her such pleasure and joy that she never could have imagined it. Yet still, she could feel the pity and sadness that crept into her heart when she looked at what the sorcerer's had done to save Folken's life. But if it hadn't of been for the sorcerer's and their science, she and Folken would never of had met. As much as she hated the sorcerer's tower and everything that it represented, Jindra was reluctantly grateful to them as well; for without them, she and Folken would not together -- joined for the rest of their lives as husband and wife.
Jindra leaned over to brush her husband's lips with a gentle kiss. "I love you Folken Lacour . . ." She smiled as she watched his eyelids flutter open.
Folken blinked a few times before his gaze settled on the woman next to him. "Just the beautiful face I wanted to see when I woke up." He smiled and shifted on to his side so that the two were facing each other. Folken's metal hand moved to lightly settle on Jindra's hip as he kissed her tenderly. As the two kissed, Folken slowly drew his wings back in. The touch of his feathers trailing across her skin made Jindra catch her breath and Folken smiled at her when the kiss ended. "You're looking awfully pleased with yourself."
"I am." Jindra replied with a shy smile. "I've managed to marry the most handsome, most perfect man in the world -- and it's all I can do not to throw open the window and shout it to everyone!" She moved closer into his embrace and put her arm around his waist. Folken chuckled and kissed her forehead. "Such lofty compliments, my love -- I'm not sure I can live up to such praise."
Jindra looked up at him, "Don't make fun of me, Folken -- I'm just so happy . . . I can't help it -- you've made me so happy . . ."
He kissed her forehead again, "Not as happy as you've made me today." Folken rested the side of his face against Jindra's hair, "I love you, Jindra . . . I don't have the words to tell you how much . . ."
Jindra snuggled closer to him, "I can't believe it . . . I can't believe that we're really married -- it's like a dream . . . I'm just afraid that someone is going to wake me up and I'll find out it wasn't real at all . . ."
"Shhh," Folken kissed the side of her face, "Don't talk like that Jin . . . you are my wife -- and I'd die before I let anyone separate us. You are my mine, Jindra Fanel; and I dare anyone to try and change that."
Jindra pulled back from him a little and Folken could see the question in her eyes, "Yes, Fanel. It is my name after all -- although it means nothing now. But it is the one thing that I can give you, Jindra." There was sadness in his eyes and she could hear it in his voice as well. "But it's a name that you can never use in public -- to the rest of the world you'll always be Jindra Lacour."
"You've married into a very old, proud and noble family, Jin . . . I think my father would have been happy to have you as daughter-in-law -- I know he would have liked you a great deal."
Jindra reached up and stroked Folken's cheek, "I'm honored Folken . . . honored to be a part of your family." She reached up to kiss him, "I'd be just as honored if your were a beggar or a farmer . . ." She smiled at him and let her fingers trail down his chest, "I love you for yourself, Folken . . . Folken Lacour is the man that I fell in love with -- and he's the man that I plan on spending the rest of my life with. The past is the past -- all we need to worry about is the future . . . our future -- together."
Folken pressed himself closer to Jindra, rolled her onto her back and looked down at her silently for a few moments. "How did I ever get so lucky?" he whispered. "What did I ever do to deserve someone like you?"
*"Luck had nothing to do with it, Folken. It was fate -- destiny. We were meant to be together." Outside, a gentle rain began -- the drops falling against the glass of the windows in a soothing rhythm.
"Why does it always seem to rain every time we make love?" Folken asked softly.
Jindra gave him a small smile as her hands made their way across his back, "Does it? Well if that's the case, then I hope it never stops -- I hope it rains forever." Without a reply, Folken covered Jindra's body with his own as he covered her face and neck with kisses.
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". . . Yes my emperor, I fear it is true. Considering the source of my information, I trust it completely. I expect to have confirmation from the registrar shortly."
Emperor Dornkirk turned his cold dark gaze to the man kneeling before him. "This is your fault -- this little game of yours has gone on far too long. How dare he -- it goes against every oath he took!" Dornkirk could barely contain his rage. "Enough! I will not allow this to go on any further -- do you understand? I want an end to this -- and I want it now!"
The cloaked man bowed more deeply, his forehead almost touching the cold stone floor. "Y-Y-Yes my lord. It shall be done -- plans are already in motion. Let Lacour enjoy his little tart for a while longer -- she'll be taken care of soon enough. No more than another two weeks -- three at the most, I assure you my emperor. Folken Lacour will be broken and cowed -- and she will be the means of his undoing."
Dornkirk's eyes burned in the shadowed chamber, "No more games -- I'm warning you. My patience is at an end -- and as amusing as this was in the beginning, it has gone beyond that now. I want that miserable girl gone and I want Folken back in the tower where he belongs. You cannot grasp how important he is to our future -- to the future of Gaea. He must not be diverted from his destined path. Three weeks -- do not fail me."
"Y-Y-Yes my emperor . . . I swear on my life -- three weeks, no more."
"You had better make it so -- or you'll wish your life was over long before I get through with you. Get out of here -- get out of my sight!" Emperor Dornkirk turned away from the prostrate figure and moved into the shadows.
The cloaked man rose and bowed as he backed out of the chamber towards the entry doors. Damn you Lacour . . . A cold smile played across the man's lips, hidden by the cowl of his cloak. I'd give my soul to see your face when that little whore betrays you . . .
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Folken listened to the fall of the rain as he held his wife in his arms. Jindra's head rested on his chest and he imagined that she was listening to beat of his heart. He trailed his fingers through her hair and she let out a small sound as she snuggled closer into his arms. Despite admonishing Jindra earlier for the same thoughts, he still couldn't believe that they were married. There had been so much heartache and disappointment between them in the last few months -- and much of it had been his own doing -- that he had despaired over it ever happening. His only regret was that they had not been able to leave Zaibach that same day. It worried Folken that the longer they stayed in the city, the more they risked discovery -- it was almost inevitable that someone would find out what they had done. He had no qualms about sacrificing himself to keep Jin safe -- he had meant every word when he had sworn his life to her.
He looked down at Jindra's sleeping face, I just wish we could have left here today -- I'd feel a lot safer with a couple hundred miles between us and the tower. He tightened his embrace around her. But I won't ever let anyone hurt you Jin -- if it ever comes to that point, I'll make sure you're safe . . . Brushing the top of his wife's head with a kiss, Folken closed his eyes. They'll have to go through me first . . .