Warnings: More intense sexuality in this chapter, in two paragraphs.

Chapter 7 - The Assassin

Chandi quietly removed all accessories from Solita's hair and neck, and helped her into a fabric Leo had insisted she wear. It was merely two pieces of red silk loosely tied together, and could be easily pulled apart. Who is the guest and who is the host? Solita was furious. She had the blade Alaric had given her in its leather sheath, strapped to her upper right leg and covered with a layer of silk. She knew how to use it, and she would if she had to.

She knew clearly what would happen had she murdered Leo. She would be imprisoned by the queen for murder, and her crown passed to Ethel. And then… Solita would spend the rest of her days with the rats, nibbling on stale bread and water.

"Good luck, my lady," murmured Chandi.

Nodding, Solita bid Chandi goodbye and was escorted by a few servants to Leo's chambers.

Leo was sprawled on a few cushions, obviously having a merry time. Servant girls were at each side of him, giving him massages and feeding crimson grapes to him. Beside him stood many empty glasses. A few musicians were playing the traditional melodies of Nivalis. Leo himself was wearing a cloak, displaying his broad chest, which was strewn with battle scars and old wounds. When he sighted Solita, he grinned, and motioned for the servants to leave, until it was just the two of them in an empty room.

"Come here." He motioned Solita to step before him. Slowly, she did so, her hand resting upon the leather sheath that held the knife.

Leo stood a few inches taller than her, and lifted her chin up to face him when she lowered her eyes. He stroked her neck softly, still staring intently into her eyes. Solita did not move, and hoped desperately this was all he was going to do, knowing that she would ultimately be disappointed.

With a swift move, Leo threw Solita to the floor and pinned her down while delivering passionate kisses on her lips, and across her neck. His breath smelled of too much wine. Solita stiffened in horror, her wrists aching from his vise-like grip. Leo was surprised she showed no signs of resistance, and at that moment he used his teeth to tear away the silk which guarded her breasts. Solita closed her eyes as he savagely licked them, and slowly moving down to her waist. Leo released her hands at that moment, and began to stroke her. Solita whimpered instinctively, and then seized the moment to get up and remove the blade from its sheath. She hid it behind her arm as he advanced on her again. She ran as far as possible away from him, her hands tightening around the blade and her eyes fiery.

Suddenly Leo laughed manically, and lunged forward to pick her up and throw her on his bed, locking her down with his arms. Solita panicked. Leo stripped, until they were both naked atop the bed. Solita gave a cry of rage and rolled so that Leo was on the bottom. She gripped the knife with shaking hands, holding it at his neck.

"Are you really going to kill me, Solita? Really?" His words were slurred, and he laughed openly, amused by Solita's behavior.

"That's suppose to be my job, you know." Solita stiffened as she realized what he meant.

"I was hired…" he started blabbing openly, due to overdose of alcohol. "…to either kill you… or get you pregnant! Ha! I selected the one most pleasing to me…" he started laughing, while struggling to keep his eyes focused.

Taking him by surprise, she plunged to give him a passionate kiss while one hand was still griping the knife, and the other reaching for something else. Being in the drunken state he was, Leo did not notice anything but her sudden willingness to kiss him. Solita was breathing hard, and stopped her kisses as she took an empty wine bottle and rammed it hard on his head. He lay still, knocked out.

She removed herself from him, and cloaked herself, stuffing the knife into a pocket. Still griping the wine bottle, she smashed the expensive stain-glass windows and slipped outside into the night.

Solita climbed onto the balcony of the ballroom. Her eyes were wide with horror and her heart beating at the events that had happened. He is an assassin.. Hired by the queen, no doubt. What was the use of living if she would be constantly sought after by her stepmother's hired killers? Where was her dignity now? A chilly wind blew from the north, and she clutched the cloak closer to her naked body. She looked down at the cobblestone road of the West Gardens below. It was a twenty feet fall. Perhaps poison would be a better idea…

Suddenly strong arms embraced her from behind. Solita jerked, and instinctively took out her knife.

"Solita… are you alright?"

It was Alaric. Solita looked at him gratefully with teary eyes and leaned on his shoulder, crying uncontrollably. He gave her spare robes, saying, "Put this on. You will catch a cold."

Sniffing, Solita removed the cloak and slid into the blue robes without even trying to keep her modesty in front of Alaric. At this point, she did not care anymore.

She did not need to tell him what had happened. Alaric knew well enough.

"The real Sir Leo died two years after we left Avienal." He had a hard glare in his eyes that was not there before. "He… was truly a great man."

"I am sorry, Solita… I was surprised my mother would do something like this." Alaric's mouth was drawn in a tight frown. "I am against her actions, but there is nothing I can do to stop her."

Solita had a sudden thought. What if Alaric gave her the knife so she would have a way of killing Leo, thus opening the pathway of her being locked away forever? No… Alaric would not do that. Besides… engraved on the knife was peace. Solita was ashamed of herself for even thinking of it.

"Here." Alaric offered Solita his hand. "Let me take you back to your own chambers."

Before closing the door, he gave her a brotherly kiss on the cheek and left her in blissful sleep. Alaric's reassuring smile quickly faded as he turned around and walked to his own room. Alaric was overcome suddenly with anger that someone dare pose as the legendary Sir Leo and advance on Solita. He loved her like a sister. His mother had forbid him to say a word about it beforehand, but seeing Solita like that… looking so helpless and scared. Alaric knew she would not keep her chastity or her life for long, with the assassin targeting her.

Dawn came with bold crimson streaks. Alaric rose, and quickly motioned for a nearby servant to come.

"Princess Solita had a dispute with Sir Leo last night, and she is now in her own chambers. Go to Sir Leo's chambers and help him rise. I will be there soon to wish him a good morning."

The servant nodded and set off quickly.

Alaric dressed, and opened his drawer to find a few items. He slid them discreetly into his robes.

The shadows in Alaric's eyes darkened as he turned to leave.

Solita slept in hours after the sun had been glowing in the sky. Occasionally she would grip the sheets in horror, murmuring, "No… Don't! Please… I am not afraid… no.. not afraid to use this knife… I'm not afraid…"

She awoke only after Chandi had shook her, saying, "Princess. It's urgent! Something has happened!" Her voice was panicky, and Solita managed to sleepily murmur, "What is it, Chandi?"

"They say that Sir Leo was found by the fountain… dead!"

Well, I hope it's not TOO obvious who killed Sir Leo...

warrior-wolf : Yay! My first reviewer for this story is back! I know he is a bad boy, isn't he...?
CareBearErin: Yep... Alaric does care enough to help her, as you see in this chapter...
EvenSong:) Yes, power to Alaric! .:hinthint:.
SmileyFacePerson: .:nervous laugh:. Haha... I'mvery pleasedyou enjoyed it! .