A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.
WARNINGS: NON-CON LEMON, VIOLENCE, OOC, LANGUAGE.
Chapter 7: Realization
The room was dark and chilly as the early hours of the day continued to tick by. The rest of the world slept on, and yet she stood, awake.
It was still dark out…and her chambers were equally bathed in darkness…She sighed as she reached for the candlestick.
She lit it promptly, and there, she set it on the table by her bedside. She then proceeded to light a few more candles, letting the light conquer her enshrouded chambers.
Jenna clutched her heart as a means to calm herself. The battle was to be waged that day. It was supposed to be a happy day seeing that her sister was to marry…Even if she was to marry a pathetic excuse of a man, the prospect of marriage was livelier than the prospect of an upcoming battle.
A battle would mean the loss of lives…bloodshed and tragedy.
The sun had yet to rise; she was supposed to be asleep…but she couldn't sleep. No. Gale was going to the battle…He was going to oversee the battle and give commands from afar.
Suddenly, her throat felt very dry…
'What if he died?' she asked herself, worry creeping up her spine.
The rational, albeit spiteful, part of her worried not for her green-haired fiancé, rather, stressed the point that should he die, she would be free from the bondage of a promised marriage to him.
But suddenly, as she thought about the "benefits" of having Gale killed and having herself removed from him, an unknown feeling wallowed in her gut and another part of her emerged.
'If he dies…you wouldn't have anyone else to argue with…There's no one in Arkanadara like he or you…No one like us…' the voice said to her.
Jenna gulped; she may not like him, but in the event of his death, she would be free only for but a moment, before the king would reshuffle her back into the marriage game and probably give her to someone else…
'Someone that's not like Gale…' she said to herself, aghast at the realization.
What realization?
The realization that she cannot afford to have Gale killed; even if it would bring her outmost pleasure.
Unlike many people, she was proactive. She thought of the future and not merely momentary bliss. His death would provide her with only that and no long-term benefit. In short, she would be lost should Gale die. She would have no one while her sisters were married…They wouldn't be able to help her either seeing that their husbands were possessive.
No.
The three of them had been torn apart the moment their country fell. Their lives were no longer their own; their fates were no longer within their hands.
Jenna herself had her fate sealed and intertwined with Gale's. She didn't want to admit it but…that was the plain truth.
Her self loathing and repulsion towards fate was rudely interrupted as a person entered her room. She gasped at the intrusion.
But relaxed as she saw that it was Gale.
She looked at him, clad in his armor. He was ready for battle. They had a long march ahead of them…
At that moment, Jenna had the overwhelming feeling to run over to him and tell him to return to her safely…
But she remained rooted in her spot, gazing at him with her still dead silver eyes.
Gale was surprised to see her awake. It was but three hours before sunrise…And she was still awake. Blood rushed and coursed furiously within his veins as he drank in her appearance.
She was not in her traditional elaborate robe but was within a simple one. One thin robe with a tight sash around the waist. Her long hair was unbound and flowed freely on her shoulders; its wavy ebony locks framing her face beautifully with only a few burning candles to illuminate her.
He raised an eyebrow; why was she awake at this hour?
"Jenna, you're awake." he stated calmly, his voice and face neither betraying his true opinion.
"And you're still here." she deadpanned just as calmly, "Aren't you supposed to be marching towards the marshlands by now? The hour for sunrise draws even nearer as we speak…"
Gale nodded; this woman was affecting him in such a manner that no woman had ever had…He should be insulted by what she had said and by the manner in which she spoke to him. He himself was surprised to find that it wasn't the case though…
That tongue…that spiteful tongue was what drew him to her. It was the cruel words that flowed out from her lips and rolled off her tongue that beckoned to him every time that he would find himself within her malevolent presence.
He knew that she hated him…
He also knew that hate wasn't the only thing that she felt for him either…It was something else…Familiarity perhaps? It was too early to give it words…The only thing that he knew was that…he felt different, less cold, when he was with her…
That was why he brought her there…He wanted to ensure that what he was feeling for her was for her and her alone…When they rode the horse together, he could feel her heart beating rapidly against her ribcage. Her chest heaved up and down as the stallion galloped faster and faster…That…and the fact that she held onto him…She held his hand…
He felt it then…the electrifying feeling that he had known only from her…
Only from her…Only for her…
Ignoring her comment, he made his way towards her. His actions must've startled her as she visibly stiffened.
Jenna's mind told her to back away as she saw his advancing form, but the proud side of her prevailed still and she held her ground, her chin and eyebrow raised in open mockery and challenge.
As soon as she was within arm's reach, he stopped and pulled her to him. Jenna's heart stopped, "What are you doing?!" she hissed as he pressed his body against hers. She squirmed, attempting to free her arms by twisting and turning left and right but to no avail as his grip was like a vice.
He inhaled her scent…wildflowers…and breathed it in deeply, closing his eyes. His heart was beating faster as he thought of the battle. Granted, it wasn't a big battle, but a battle nonetheless. He was confident that they would be victorious but there still remained the fact that they were outnumbered.
This preemptive strike was what they were counting on…
And for that…he merely wanted to make sure that his princess was safe within the castle. He would return to her…He would…but he merely wanted to say goodbye…for the time being. That, and to give orders outside not to let anyone in or out of her chambers.
It was for her betterment.
Jenna hit him over and over again. But seeing that their distance from one another was almost nil, her hits served more as gentle pats rather than aggressive punches, "Let go!" she squealed. But he held on, ignoring her protests.
Her heart thumped and raced. At that moment, she shrank in her robes. She prided herself in being proactive, but how was it that she failed to perceive the fruition of this event? And now that it was happening, how could she have been unable to formulate a valid reaction? She merely hung within his arms…unable to do anything!
But suddenly, as she continued to be within his embrace, she felt only warmth. Blood rushed to her face; it was a familiar feeling…
'It was just like a few days ago…With the stallion…'
'Why am I feeling this?' she asked herself in contempt. She was supposed to hate him with a passion! Not feel drawn by his touch!
He released her a moment later and looked within her silver eyes…They weren't filled with hatred as he imagined they would be though…They were filled with uncertainty and confusion.
Not trusting his words, he made for her hands and kissed their fingertips.
He took a step back and bowed, "I shall return by sundown. Please do not leave this chamber."
And with that, he was gone.
"Milord…" she said to no one in particular, "Be careful."
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Today was her sister's wedding. The ceremony would take place later on in the evening…There were many preparations that were being made…
She had yet to prepare herself; but she deemed that it was too early in the morning to do that…That was why she took to reading instead.
Sera had been reading in their chambers for almost an hour now. She closed the book momentarily and yawned.
Her eyes suddenly caught something.
It was a door.
She raised an eyebrow; there was another room within their chambers other than the one that led to their private bath? How could she have not noticed it before…?
Hm…Setting the book by the table, she slowly stood and walked towards it. She stood in front of it and suddenly felt an eerie air pass through her. She shivered.
She grasped the handle and made to pull when suddenly…
"Do not enter that room Sera."
She immediately turned around and saw her husband, "Oh…! Milord…I…I'm sorry…" she said meekly, bowing submissively before him.
"Do not ever enter that room or even ask me about it. Ever. Understand?" he asked sternly.
She nodded, "O-of course…I apologize…" she said meekly. She was afraid of suffering his wrath all over again as she did a few nights prior…She shuddered at that thought…
Heat's hardened eyes softened and he walked over to her, tugging at her shoulders for her to rise from her position. She did so and let their eyes meet.
He smiled warmly at her, "Come. It is too early for you to be all caged here."
She smiled in return, "Where are we to go milord?"
He chuckled, "Call me Heat Sera…It's Heat. Not 'milord'…"
She blushed, "I'm sorry…Heat…"
He offered her his arm, "Come, I shall take you somewhere…"
She giggled.
Heat had taken her with him on his horse and rode away. Half an hour later, they found themselves by the waterfalls…
It was a secluded place within the woods by the outskirts of Arkanadara. The rocks beneath it weren't sharp and neither were the rocks around it…The water was clear and sparkly…There were beautiful flora and fauna around her…
Sera's eyes twinkled, "This is…this simply beautiful Heat…" she said, turning to him.
Heat smiled in return and walked up to her, holding out his hand to her. She took it and held it firmly. He then took her slowly across the smooth rocks and there, let her sit on a large one, her feet within the crystal-clear water.
"How did you find this place?" she asked, her smile never leaving her lips.
He sighed and walked over to her and sat down beside her, "I'm not just about killing Sera…I too need to rest my mind and heart. I found this place not too long ago…I was returning to Arkanadara when I noticed this part of the woods…I haven't told anyone of its location; not even his Majesty or Gale. This is a place that need not politics…It's just a place for solitude." he said, breathing out easily and soothingly.
Sera smiled; she felt privileged that Heat had decided to share this with her…She was…grateful.
She turned to him and rested her head on his shoulder and he, in turn, wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. He had never felt this way towards anyone…
Was it love? Lust? Passion?
'…'
He knew he wanted her. He had wanted her from the very first moment he saw her. But love her? Was it really love that he felt for his wife…?
He knew not. And neither did he want to know. And as sure as the sun would rise tomorrow, he'd never let the woman in his arms know it either.
'What I feel for her is something that is only for I to know. She need not be informed.' he thought firmly.
Why should she anyway? It was none of her business. And he wasn't about to appear weak and god damned emotional or sentimental in front of her.
'Never…'
However, he was determined to make this marriage succeed… Love wasn't always an integral part of a successful marriage…but he vowed, to himself and before the gods, that he would protect the woman that was his wife…
She sighed and then pulled away.
She had something to say…
He nodded and urged her to continue. She blushed, "Well…I merely want to…thank you. I had thought that…you and I could never…really connect with each other. But…I know now that…I do feel strongly for you milord…"
His heart felt light with happiness as she spoke her meek words. He had hurt her not too long ago and it seemed as if she still felt it even days after it had happened…
'Women and their foolhardy emotions.' he thought with disdain at her weakness. She had yet to get over that, he reckoned.
Granted, he felt guilty about it but justified his act, thinking that he had no choice. He just didn't like being provoked. She, being his wife, would do well to remember that. But her words just now made him realize that she was, now, alright.
Saying nothing, he instead leaned in and kissed her passionately.
A moment later, it had ended. They stayed that way for a while longer, just being entranced by the beauty around them…
Sera had all but forgotten all that had transpired between them a few nights past… He had hurt her and violated her. He had told her that she was practically nothing to him…But his actions on this day, at this moment, had her doubting that…
He really did care for her…
She didn't know how long they had been there…when Heat suddenly moved, "Come. We must return to the castle. The king and I have much to discuss. Besides, it's your sister's and the king's wedding today. You had better prepare."
She nodded, "Alright."
The two made their way out of their secret place and rode back to the city of Arkanadara. Heat led her back to the castle and within their chambers, "I shall return as soon as I can. The morning is still early…Do not fret."
He kissed her chastely and there left her altogether.
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The fateful day had finally arrived. She was to get married today. She looked gravely at herself at her full-length mirror. She was clad in a most stunning white sari with golden embroideries of elephants and depiction of people. Her sari told of a story…between lovers.
She looked at herself gravely; if only the story within her apparel could be applied to her life as well. But she knew that it would not. It wasn't possible.
She neither loved the king nor did she like him.
And then there was the issue of her sisters. Sera was here, yes. But Jenna was not. Argilla sighed. Jenna had still to return…Argilla gazed at herself sadly. A wedding was supposed to make the bride happy…and complete.
The thought of belonging to the person that she was in love with…That thought alone would send her through euphoric waves…But it wasn't so for this bride.
No.
She loathed the man that she was to marry. But when she stepped out of her chambers…when she said her vow…when she completed the ceremony…she would belong to Serph and Serph alone. She wouldn't be her own person any longer. She would live for him and his pleasure.
She shivered at that thought. And at that moment, she was disgusted with herself. She felt dirty and filthy as she imagined him touching her…
Argilla shut her eyes tightly as she fought the persistent images within her mind. 'That's enough.'
She couldn't afford to be selfish anyway; not even when she wanted to. The marriage was an exchange. She was to marry him in exchange for her countrymen's lives. She had said yes to that offer and she was going to keep her word. Not just for her countrymen, but for herself as well; for her sense of honor and blind loyalty.
Blind loyalty to herself; no one else.
Not wanting to continue looking at herself, she turned her body from the mirror and met the eyes of her guard.
Their eyes met and as soon as they did, she felt her heart beat erratically, her breathing quickening.
'Why was that so?' she asked herself, troubled.
Roland had been a good servant to her the past few days…She had only spoken to him once, on the hills outside the castle but since then, she found herself all the more curious about her guard…About her ever faithful, unquestioning guard.
'What is this?' she asked herself, slightly aghast. Shaking her head, 'Enough. Such thoughts are considered treason!'
What thoughts?
The thoughts that she may very well find her guard to be as interesting as if her were a candidate for her affections; affections that Shailendra had already claimed for himself…Thinking of them now and most especially after she married Serph, would be considered as treason…
In their land, treason or unfaithfulness would be punished by death unless the charges were dropped by the persecutor…But here…she had yet to know…
'Why am I thinking of this?! It's not as if I've committed a crime!' she defended herself.
His deep voice broke the unsuspecting crowned queen from her reverie, "Are you ready Highness?"
She snapped up at him as she heard his voice, "I am."
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Roland watched her intently as the ceremony progressed. He watched from within the shadows, looking left and right, scrutinizing anything and everything that might be amiss…
But no matter where his eyes would meander, they would always find themselves back on her; on his queen.
'She's not my queen. She belongs to the King.' he told himself. He gritted his teeth as he felt a pang of unexplained pain within his gut.
He looked at her painfully as she said her vows…holding the king's hand in hers…
He looked at them with envious eyes…
He blinked; why was he feeling this way?
'Because you lost her…'
''Tis foolishness…' he said to himself, shaking his head, 'One could never lose what never belonged to him in the first place…'
He gazed at her again, relishing in the sight of her blinding beauty, 'She was never mine…Not even for a fleeting second…'
He had seen the queen look at him strangely of course. He wasn't blind and he wasn't stupid. Chances were, she felt something for him as well…But was afraid to give it names…
'Of course not.' he scolded himself, 'She would never think of me other than what I really am. A servant. I'm beneath her…'
He dismissed any more thoughts of the queen. He had met her only a few days. This feeling wasn't supposed to exist.
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Sera looked at Argilla with saddened eyes. This was the moment that she knew her sister was dreading and it was happening right in front of her. From the corner of her eyes, she watched her husband.
And as soon as she did, did she feel a slight giddy feeling within her chest. She sighed; her thoughts had wandered to their special moment by the waterfalls only a few hours prior that morning…
She could only wish that he had been that way more often…When she and he were speaking…the air around them was calm and serene…
But, at other times…
She winced as she felt the all too familiar sting of his slap. That, and the all too familiar sting of his words.
"As a woman, you are nothing."
She felt her tears threatening to fall. She immediately let her hand fly up to her eyes, pressing her fingers to her eyes, preventing the escape of renegade tears.
Taking a deep breath, she focused on the other aspects of her husband. Their secret place. Yes; the one he brought her to. She smiled; she liked seeing that side of him…She only wished that he would let her see it more often…
But still…The memory of the agony of his words and his hands that made her suffer still gnawed the back of her mind, enshrouding her in a mental maelstrom.
Heat wasn't blind or deaf to what had been transpiring all those seconds. He felt his wife's eyes on him. It was irritating really. First, she would smile, then frown…then smile once more…only to frown once again.
'Won't she make up her god damn mind?' he thought in irritation.
She was slightly shaking now. He frowned; she had been this way for days now. At first, he paid no attention to it, ignoring his instincts as it told him that there was something amiss.
Her soothing and gentle silver pools were no longer soothing, they weren't calm or at ease. They were filled with turmoil and unrest.
Heat didn't know why.
What had happened? Her cheeks drooped more than usual and she always had that faraway look about her that almost unnerved him.
She was all the more quiet as well. Whenever he would speak, she would remain quiet and not utter a single syllable.
That was why he had taken her with him that morning; so that he and she may settle some of their growing problems…And he had thought that they had done that; but it would seem that there were still remnants of their marital problems within her still.
He felt his anger rise.
Was she hiding something from him? Or did she think that it would be him crawling to her, asking her what was wrong?
He didn't like the two options. Both of them were damning to him. He would explode should he find out that she was foolish enough to hide something from him…
'Or is it someone…' he thought with malice.
But at the same time, he was equally displeased with the other option. Should the second option be true, it would mean that he would lose his masculine pride and tend to her needs…
'Like a common servant!' he growled.
She seemed to have noticed as she slightly shivered at hearing him growl.
Sera could feel Heat's overwhelming aura. He was angry. She calmed her rapidly beating heart. What had she done now? She had done everything that he had ever asked of her.
She felt her heart ache once more.
She weakly smiled as she recognized the painful feeling. This feeling wasn't the result of his sharp and unfeeling words…No. This was a result of longing.
No matter what she did or what she said…No matter what he did or what he said, one simple truth remained…She was still in love with him.
Sensing his aura now and wanting nothing but to calm him down, she scooted closer to him and reached for his hand within the long and loose sleeves of his robes. Her small hand found his and intertwined their fingers within the fabric.
Heat blinked as he felt a hand on his. He immediately looked at her, turning his head and there, he saw her smiling weakly at him.
His heart melted…
He hadn't seen her smile like that in while…
Feeling his anger dissipate as her hand squeezed his, he let their fingers intertwine tighter. At that moment, he felt a smile, not on his lips, rather, within his heart.
But still, being the man that he was, he would never reveal that to anyone. Not to Serph, Gale, Sera…not even to himself.
Sera would never know…
Oh no.
He scowled inwardly as he thought about it. She would never get the upper hand in their relationship. Never.
'Relationship?' he inwardly sneered, 'She's just a woman. She's nothing more than a tool to bear my heirs…'
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Argilla stood nervously within her husband's chambers. She let out a shivering breath as she held her hands, tightening her grip as she fought to quell the growing feeling of fear and nervousness within.
This was it.
This was the night that she had dreaded.
Tonight, she would give herself to him…her husband…
She looked around; the room was large…The four-poster bed was what caught her attention though she found a lump in her throat hindering her speech.
The room was dark and gloomy…It had no paintings, no tapestries…The only things it had were a large bookcase, a table, a chair and a large wardrobe closet…She blinked. It wasn't what she expected. She had expected him to be grandiose…But it wasn't the case…
His tastes were bland…and dull.
She snorted, 'He doesn't have any imagination…' she thought to herself. But, aside from the mundane furnishings of the room, she did notice something else.
He wasn't there with her. She blinked; where was he? He had her summoned to his room and yet, he wasn't there.
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Serph looked at her from the shadows. He watched with hungry silver eyes as she turned her body left and right, surveying the room. Her body, her hips and tiny waist…as they swayed together in one fluid moment as if they were clear water within a river…aroused him.
He suppressed a low growl within his throat as he continued to appraise her. Long had he dreamed and fantasized about the moment before him; about the woman before him.
He chuckled lightly, almost inaudibly as he realized that she had yet to understand that he was watching her. She thought that she was alone the room.
Serph slowly stood, his long robe not making a sound. His manhood was twitching in anticipation…He had held back for the last four days…He had held back from his much-needed release from his other women as he just thought and fantasized about his queen…
And now that she was here, now that they had been properly and officially blessed as husband and wife, he would finally claim her…Both body and soul.
With the grace of an agile feline, he made his way to where she stood…where she stood with her thin sari, and embraced her from behind, "I'm right here…" he whispered seductively into her ear.
The woman stiffened, "Serph…" she said unevenly.
He chuckled as he licked her earlobe. Finally.
Finally he had a taste…
And now…
His hands touched her abdomen gently as his hands slipped through her sari. She gasped and had her hands cover his, gently prying them off of her.
"Sire…!" she gasped again as he now suckled her neck from behind, his hands still persistently caressing her now heated skin.
Serph allowed his tongue to flick at her neck naughtily, while his teeth nipped at it expertly. His hands, still covered by hers as a means to get them off now marched upwards, up to her ample breasts.
"Serph…! Please…!" she whined as she felt his hands dive within her bodice, tugging and tearing slowly…
Her small hands were on his, her fingernails digging into the skin, as she gripped the hands tighter, telling them to leave her be…
Serph was smirking within…Didn't she know that her efforts were futile?
With that invigorating thought, his hands took a fistful of her bodice's fabric and ripped it altogether from her body, freeing her breasts. She gasped as her bare chest came in contact with the chilly air around the room and immediately, her hands flew to cover the exposed flesh.
Serph disengaged his lips from her neck and saw that she wanted to cover herself…
"Shy are you?" he whispered silkily.
She growled, feeling her anger grow, "No…! Don't…touch me!" she squealed as his hands overpowered hers, fondling her breasts playfully.
"Why not?" he hissed by her ear, "You're mine now…"
She growled again, "I'm not yours!"
He suddenly squeezed her breast and she yelped.
"Aren't you now?" he replied huskily.
Argilla stiffened as he pressed himself closer and tighter against her. She could feel a rather large bulge within his robes pressing by her buttocks. Her hair stood on one end as she knew what it was…
Serph was getting quite annoyed at her pestering hands. But no matter how annoyed he was, he was also amused. It wouldn't be fun if he broke her easily. He needed a challenge. And the moment that he saw her as a queen, on that throne, on that day…the moment he saw that the valiant soldier he was fighting on that battlefield was her…He knew…he knew that she would be the woman that he would most enjoy breaking…
And now…
This was his chance. This was the chance, the opportunity that he had long begged and agonized for…
Serph suddenly abandoned her breasts and made for her waist while his other hand grasped her shoulder. And then, he slammed her on the wall, her chest meeting the cold wall.
"Serph…!" she squealed.
He chuckled but said nothing, playing with the fabric of her sari. Sensing her shiver from the cold, he turned her around and looked within her pink eyes. She was panting now, and her eyebrows were knitted together…
"Sire," she began, her voice firm, "I…" she hesitated, her face turning away from his.
His fingers touched her chin and brought her back to him. Now, their eyes met once more, "What is it?"
Not that he really wanted to know. What he wanted was to hear what it was she wanted to say. Not for the purpose of complying to whatever it was she desired. Of course not. It was far from the truth. He was merely curious as to what ludicrous statement would pass through those luscious lips of hers…
Why was she making him wait this long?
"I'm not ready."
Serph could've sworn that he had heard her wrong.
"What?"
She narrowed her eyes at him as she had her arms folded vertically in front of her chest, "I said I am not prepared."
Displeasure suddenly erupted with his gut. Did she just say that she wasn't ready? Did she just say that she wouldn't give herself to him that night willingly?
He narrowed his eyes at hers and looked at her angrily as he snatched both of her arms and pried them away from her chest, exposing to him her plump breasts, "I don't care whether or not you're ready to receive me Argilla. I will have you tonight…"
She opened her mouth to protest further but instead was silenced by his hungry mouth and tongue. Serph couldn't contain himself any longer…The way she looked before him, pressed against he wall, her eyes daring him silently…her lips parted, begging him to kiss them…
Well, he had succumbed. He had succumbed to her beauty and her innocent seduction…He had surrendered to her alluring persona.
Argilla gasped as his face attached itself onto hers, making her head hit the wall behind her. She screamed and shouted within his mouth but no words came out as he continued to hungrily kiss her; only muffled ones. His tongue was like a sharp whip, darting in and out of her mouth, lashing furiously at hers.
Her hands went to his shoulders, grabbing his robe, pushing him away.
Serph growled as he felt himself being pushed away. No! She would not outdo him that easily! She would not make him relinquish his hold on her just like that! He had come too far!
He pressed himself tighter and closer to her, sandwiching her hands in between. He slanted his face closer to hers, his tongue diving deeper still within her wet cavern…He moaned as he continued to kiss her; her kiss…her feel…her taste. They were all different. It was different from his whores…
No…Argilla had tasted different. She tasted…
'She tastes pure…and sweet…' he thought lustfully.
She was intoxicating…She was driving him to the point that he actually and truly felt drunk.
Even now, as he continued to devour her now bruised lips, she tried to speak to him. But he didn't let her…Oh no…
Argilla's eyes were wide opened. She couldn't breathe; his tongue was gagging her! Balling her hands into fists, she struck him on his chest, pounding on it as hard as she could. But it proved futile as her attacks barely managed to have any force to repel him since their distance was almost nil.
Serph's hands slipped upwards and grabbed onto her breasts once more. Finally feeling the need for oxygen, he allowed her lips a moment's rest as he immediately dove for her swanlike neck.
Again at that moment, her hands attempted to pry him off her. Serph had had enough of it. So, with lightning speed, he grabbed both of her arms and pinned them on either side of her face and melded their bodies closer together.
Argilla growled, "Serph! Stop this! I…I'm not ready!"
She yelped as he bit her neck, hard. Serph let his teeth sink into the sweet, sweet flesh, letting the blood ooze freely from the wound. His lips and tongue immediately set themselves to work as he licked the blood off, his lips sucking the drops of it, then, finally, letting the warm crimson liquid flow within his throat.
He swallowed with great pleasure…Her blood was unlike any other wine that he had ever tasted…He was once more proven right; she really was unique…
He drew his face from her neck at that moment and pasted a dreamy look on his face as he looked at her defiant face and whispered, "You're unlike any woman I've ever had…"
She looked at him disgustedly, "Shailendra…I'm not ready. Unhand me!"
The dreamy look on his face as well as his cheeky grin dissipated and was replaced by a menacing look. He loomed over her and narrowed his eyes, "It matters not to me woman. You belong to me. I've warned you."
Yes. He had warned her. Back then, as she repelled his advances, weeks prior, he had warned her that nothing could stop him from claiming her as his once they were married.
She read his eyes and refused to submit, "Get away from me!"
Feeling insulted by what she had said, his hand let go of her wrist and grabbed the veil on her head along with the ornament and pulled it roughly from her, throwing it carelessly on the floor.
Feeling that again she would attempt to distract him with her useless words, he sealed her mouth with his. Both his hands now let go of her wrists and grabbed her torn bodice, widening the tear and pulled at it in order to pull it away from her body altogether. She, realizing his intention, made to grab for the torn piece of clothing and attempted futilely to let it stay on her chest.
Serph was getting annoyed. His hand momentarily let go of the torn bodice and made for her neck. She gasped as his hand on her neck lightly squeezed. Her eyes shot open and widened as she found it difficult to breathe.
His tongue once more darted deeper into her mouth as his hand continued to squeeze. She gasped and gasped again as he continued to constrict her. Her hands came to claw at his face and they did…but it didn't bother him and he continued to do as he pleased…
Sensing that his wife would pass out from the lack of oxygen, he allowed both his hand and his lips to abandon their current positions.
He took a step back and she fell on the floor, her hand grasping her bruised neck while she panted and took in deep breaths of oxygen.
He got in behind her and there, he made for her bodice and tore it. She squealed as she heard the tearing of the fabric and crawled forward. He followed her and there, as they sat on the floor, he embraced her from behind, his hands gripping her wrists together tightly.
His lips found her earlobe again and chuckled, "Ah…you taste so different…"
"I don't care!" she hissed, testing his grip on her. No good. He wasn't going to let go.
"But I do…" he whispered again, leaving the care of her wrists to just one of his hands. Her hair stood on one end as his other hand massaged her breasts, lightly squeezing them before massaging them again.
She groaned at the touch and felt herself heat up. Her breathing became erratic as he continued to touch her.
"Please…"
Serph's manhood twitched again in agony as he heard that precious sound escape her lips…It was the sound that he had longed to hear from her…She was begging him…Queen Amadeus never begged…But now…here she was…begging him…
"Please what?" he urged her seductively.
"I don't want this…"
He refused to hear any more of this. Standing up, he grabbed her by her waist and dragged her over to his bed. She yelled, kicked and screamed but he did not beseech her. He had waited too long, too hard for this.
And now that he had had a taste, he was all the more determined to have the whole of her. And the world could just freeze or die for all he cared.
Argilla fell on her face on the bed. She attempted to turn herself around but again failed as she felt his weight on her, pinning her to his bed.
Serph laughed as he sat on her, his legs trapping hers while his hands grabbed both of her arms, putting them behind her.
"I'm having a lot of fun…" he said truthfully, "Aren't you?" he asked mockingly.
She growled and said nothing. She turned her head to the side in order to breathe. She gritted her teeth as she felt nothing but discomfort. She yelped as he pulled her arms painfully.
Leaving his one hand to tend to both her arms, his other hand now made for her skirt. He tore the long and expensive textile from her body without hesitation. His heart beat rapidly at the anticipation.
Seeing that it would be difficult in his current position to unclothe her, he dismounted her and turned her around.
Argilla knew what to do. As soon as Serph turned her around, she had hit him square in the face. She didn't hit him that powerfully; seeing him imbalanced was her real purpose. Pushing him off of her, she immediately jumped off the bed and took a defensive stance, "Don't come near me!" she warned as she took steps back.
Serph touched the spot where she hit him; on his cheek, and followed her out of the bed. He stood a foot from her and outstretched his arms, "Come here." he softly beckoned.
She shook her head and looked at him defiantly, "No."
"No?" he repeated.
"No. I can't do this with you." she whispered.
"Oh? Why not?" he asked, distracting her. He needed to get her to talk. Should she talk, it would weaken her concentration, thus making her response one second too late.
She felt for the object behind her with trembling fingers. It was a table. Her hands shakily glazed the wooden furniture and there, she felt another object. She felt a book. She took it in her hands and held it protectively in front of her.
Serph raised an eyebrow, "What are you supposing you do with that?" he snorted.
She said nothing and continued to hold it against her bare chest. Serph playfully pouted, "Oh…and I was just enjoying the view…"
She gave him a disgusted look.
There.
That was the moment that he had been waiting for. With the speed that he was known for, he bypassed her defense and tackled her on the floor. Argilla cursed herself but it wasn't a complete loss either. Serph had thought that it was the book that she was aiming for.
Did he really take her for a fool?
No. It wasn't the book. As she held the book within her hand, she felt that it was hollow. There was a niche within the book and as he tackled her, she immediately opened it and took the small dagger within.
Serph pinned her body on the floor with his, grabbing the book and throwing it away; far from her reach. Argilla gritted her teeth and there, seeing that smirk on his face, had made her all the more livid. Seeing his moment of gloating as her opportunity, she took the small dagger within her hand and quickly made to stab him.
Serph cursed himself as he saw the dagger from the corner of his eyes. He only had a partial of a second.
Argilla's eyes widened as the blood oozed from him.
Serph smirked as he took the dagger that was imbedded on his arm and threw it far away in some dark corner of the room. Argilla couldn't believe that she had just done that…She wasn't intending to kill him; for if she did, her countrymen would suffer…When she took the dagger from within the book, she merely wanted to repel him…
But as she saw his gloating face, that smirking face that she loathed, she saw red, her previous sentiments fading within the chilly air of the room. It was then that she had indeed wanted to kill him…
She was now glad though that she didn't.
Argilla blinked and looked from his bloody wound to his smiling face. He was smiling! He wasn't bothered by his wound at all! He looked like he didn't care.
Serph smiled at her, amused. She had actually managed to hurt him…not that it hurt anyway. But he was impressed. She was quick-witted enough to feel the niche within his book. That, and the fact that she managed to imbed the blade on his skin only hinted of her advanced mental acumen.
He then gave her a toothy grin as he took in her surprised countenance, "Come now Argilla. You should know that it would take more than that to hurt me."
Argilla hated that face of his…What she wouldn't give to wipe that smirk off his face. Seeing as now that he pinned her body with hers, she immediately took advantage of the situation and thrust her knee upwards, aiming to hit his manhood.
He felt her body move and saw her intentions. Understanding what it was she was to do, his hand reached behind him and stopped her leg's movement. He waved a finger in front of her face and smirked, "Try something new Argilla…That one is a bit overdone…Don't you think?" he asked mockingly.
She growled, "Get away from me!"
Serph sighed, "Your back is on the floor…You will get ill Argilla." He stood from her, freeing her body. She blinked as she saw him stand and she wondered what it was he was doing.
He held out his hand to her, "Come."
She turned away from him, still lying on the floor, "I don't care if I get ill…If it means that you won't touch me…then…I don't care. So be it."
Serph could feel his patience wearing thin. She was making it especially difficult for him to continue to try to be hospitable…He frowned at her and knelt down. Seeing him kneel, Argilla immediately sat up and scooted away from him hurriedly.
Serph grabbed her forearms and pulled her back. Seeing that she was within his arms again, he roughly pulled her to her feet. He then proceeded to push her against the wall. She yelped as her bare back made contact with the cold stone wall.
He quickly positioned himself in between her legs while his hand grabbed both of her wrists, effectively immobilizing her. She turned her body left and right but proved useless as he pressed himself closer against her.
She scoffed at him, "Try something new Shailendra…This one is a bit overdone. Don't you think?" she mockingly said, repeating his earlier statement.
His finger lightly traced her face and chuckled, ignoring her comment, "I will take you…Argilla…" he whispered seductively as he again kissed her.
She gasped and whined within his mouth and she again renewed her struggles. Serph growled and pulled away from her. He licked the blood from his lips. She had bitten him. She said nothing but panted, her pink eyes never leaving his.
Not having any more patience, his hand flew to her face and struck her. Argilla yelped as he backhanded her. His hands grabbed her wrists and pinned them beside her face, "You're mine! Understand?!"
She looked at him defiantly, "I'm not yours!" she yelled.
Now feeling angry and no longer amused, he grabbed her shoulders and shoved her roughly on the floor. She fell on her palms and crawled away from him. He clenched his jaw as he saw her move, and there, he quickly followed suit and grabbed her long sari skirt. Argilla snarled as she felt herself being pulled back.
Serph had had enough. The time for playing had come to an end. He roughly tore the skirt from her and there, only left her in her thin underwear. His body rose in temperature as he regarded her almost nude form.
He licked his lips. He grabbed her shoulders, now that she was within his reach. Argilla turned around and made to strike him. He saw right through her flimsy move and grabbed her arm, twisting it painfully.
She yelped in pain, "L-let go!"
"Enough games Amadeus." he spoke lowly.
His voice sent chills to her spine. But even as she hurt, she allowed him no quarter. He was there, leaning towards her but she did not allow her resolve to waver. No. She continued to move her body left and right.
Serph could feel his anger rising; they had played long enough. He had humored her irritating insolence long enough. Now, it was she who must humor and entertain him.
Balling his hand into a fist he struck her on her abdomen. The body beneath him that struggled suddenly ceased. He looked at her angelic face and saw nothing but pain in her expression. He chuckled; that wasn't even going to begin to define what the word "pain" meant within his vocabulary…
Seeing that she was practically disabled, he took her in his arms and laid her on his bed, receiving no physical or verbal protest. He looked at her again and saw that she still felt his punch in her gut.
Smirking, he got off her and discarded his long loose robe, revealing to her his all. Argilla's eyes widened as she beheld him. He indeed was a beautiful man; his body was lean with broad shoulders, a finely muscled chest and abdomen…But be that as it may, it didn't change the fact that she did not want to be taken by such a man…
Getting on her again, he made for her underwear. He saw her trembling hands shakily moving towards his to intercept them but he easily swatted them away. He tore the flimsy garment from her easily.
He cackled lightly as he saw the whole of her…His heart raced and his blood pumped furiously within his veins and right down his manhood. She was easily the most beautiful that he had ever seen…Her white pearly skin was glistened in sweat and practically glowed in the moonlight. She had long creamy legs that were spotless…In actuality, her whole body was perfect. Her chest was firm and voluptuous; her ample breasts were round and in perfect proportion and her nipples were perky and of the shade of the shiest pink.
He smirked; his children-to-be would be well fed…
And now, she was right before him for the taking.
Argilla gritted her teeth as she saw the lustful look within his face and eyes…His eyes were filled with so much need and want that she found it overwhelming. She shut her eyes not wanting to look at him any longer…She shut her eyes because she did not want him to see her cry…
Yes…she was on the verge of crying…
Her hair began to stand on one end as she felt him grab her legs, pulling them apart. Sensing her strength return, she quickly sat up and slapped him as hard as she could. Serph was shocked; he thought that he had disabled her. It would seem that his little filly still had quite the brimstone within.
Retaliating, he backhanded her again, sending her back on the bed. She groaned in pain.
Serph grabbed her legs once more and positioned himself by her core. Without hesitation he dove within her world. Her eyes shot open as she felt a thick and hard intruder within her little passage.
He sensed her barrier as it hindered his manhood from moving forward. But he didn't care. He pushed onwards deeply, quickly. He groaned in pleasure as he felt the thin layer of flesh tear and break. A moment later, he felt the warmth of the leaking of liquid from the torn barrier…
Ah…her blood…
Her sweet, intoxicating blood…
She screamed.
Serph was deaf to her though…He couldn't hear her…The only thing that he could hear was the sound of his own heart beating…that and the surging blood within his veins…
He sucked in the air deeply, throwing his head back as he relished in the feel of her…
'Finally…I'm here…' he told himself.
He felt nothing but sheer and complete triumph. He had bypassed all of her defenses and was now seated within her throne…Her barrier had been breached. He had finally claimed her as his…
Her final resistance was the symbol of her chastity…her modesty…her character…her soul. And now it was he who had claimed it. It was he who had taken the precious jewel from her…No one else…
He ventured within her cavern happily. This was what he had waited and lusted for, for days on end…And now it was here. He had done it. At that moment, nothing comprehensible passed through his mind and heart…Kingdoms, wars, battles…soldiers…Nothing made sense to him except the unfathomable bliss that he felt at that moment of victory…
This was the moment of his success…Nothing and no one could take it away…
Argilla gripped the bed sheets around her tightly, willing herself to think less of the pain. Her eyes brimmed with tears. And now, as she felt the overwhelming feeling of agony within her ripped flesh, her tears trickled down her face.
Being born into royalty, she had always been given the most gentlest of treatment…She had never known any sort of pain…But as she fought for her country on that day…She knew what pain was…
But this pain…this pain that her husband had inflicted on her was pain on a whole different dimension. It wasn't just the physical pain either…It was the emotional pain that she worried for most…
She had not wanted to give her purity to him and she had openly expressed that. But he took it from her anyway…
She had wanted to choose the man that she would give it to, but it was Serph who had grabbed it from her, making it his own greedily.
She suddenly thought of her faithful guard, 'Roland…'
She wondered if he would have protected her from the king should she had asked…She wondered if his treatment of her would change as she emerged from Serph's chambers the morning after…
'Roland…!' she internally yelped as she felt her blood ooze from her continuously. Serph's hands were on her knees, pressing them further so that she spread her legs wider still.
She groaned in pain as Serph settled himself even deeper within her folds…
Recovering from the initial feeling of euphoria, he immediately set a barrage of frantic thrusts within her. He really didn't think of what she felt at that moment…He didn't really care. Like stated previously, he was practically deaf to her cries…All that he cared about was his release and his pleasure…
She was there to please him…And what happened to her along the way, mattered not.
He leaned his body close to hers and there, his lips settled on her breast, kissing it hungrily before having his hand guide her erect peak within his mouth. He suckled her roughly; biting her pink nipple.
He heard her gasp but didn't stop.
'I…I have to keep fighting!' she told herself as she could feel the seeds of pleasure being sown within her body…
His touches were making her mad…driving her from the arms of logic and into the arms of uncontrollable bliss.
He rode her rougher still as he continued to suckle her. Letting his hands meander, his fingers lightly traced her chest and her legs.
Argilla stiffened…His touches were soothing…The initial feel of pain from her violation now seemed muffled…It was as if she had grown completely detached from that pain and now knew of only his touches…his kisses and his thrusts…
Serph pulled back from her and there, he looked at her. Her eyes were looking at him but he knew that she wasn't there…She was looking right through him. Her eyes had the faraway look in them and her mouth hung agape in sheer pleasure.
He smirked within as he dove deeper and faster within her tight and wet core. Her walls have been breached; her defenses disabled. She may be queen…but she was still a woman…And as a woman, she too had fallen within the trap of pleasure within his touches…
But suddenly a thought popped in his head.
'She might be thinking of someone else…!' the inner voice raged.
Anger rose within him, 'There is no one else!' he thought pompously.
Growling, he grabbed her face, shaking her from her trance, "There's only me!!" he yelled in sheer anger and frustration. Argilla groaned as he thrust within her deeply, up to the hilt.
"There's only me!" he repeated, his hands gripping her face painfully. She yelped.
"Say it!" he commanded, his silver eyes flashing dangerously at her now frightened pink eyes.
He thrust within her madly, slamming in and out of her without reserve, without hesitation.
"There's only you!!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.
Serph laughed as he heard her scream for him…But still, it wasn't the scream that he was looking for. He wanted to make sure that after this night was over, she wouldn't be able to walk. He wanted to make sure that by the time that this night was over, that she wouldn't be able to speak, her vocal chords inflamed from screaming. He wanted to make sure that by the time the night was over…she would scream his name and only his name.
He wasn't going to stop until he made sure of that.
He rode her like a madman as he felt his inevitable release come into being…He grabbed her shoulders, to prevent her from scaling the wall from his mad thrusts…and soon…The gates of nirvana opened themselves for him…
And he gladly entered…
He grabbed her hair and pulled her into a sitting position, "You are mine…!! Scream it!!" he commanded, yelling.
Losing herself to the throes of passion, she complied unwittingly, "I am yours…!! Serph!!" she screamed as she herself felt her release.
That was the sound that he had been waiting for.
She had screamed for him. She had screamed his name…It was the most beautiful thing that he had ever heard. It was the most soothing piece of musical notes that he had ever heard in his whole life…
Serph's heart stopped for but a moment as he felt his seed enter her passage. He sighed happily…Those seeds would be the future of his country…and would serve as the eternal bond between she and he should the union be successful.
He groaned and collapsed on her. Argilla didn't know what to think or what to feel as she had experienced pleasure that she had never before known to be that powerful…
She was panting now, feeling the sweat on her temples flow to the side of her head. Her heart had yet to calm down. She closed her eyes momentarily, feeling exhausted. Nothing made sense for her…Seeing the bed, tables…chairs…she saw them perfectly…but did not comprehend what they were…
She was completely disoriented.
Serph chuckled as he saw her convulse…She had reached paradise…with him. It was he who took her there…He smirked at her as he saw that she now closed her eyes…
He raised an eyebrow. She thought that they were done? He shook his head. Hot blood still continued to flow and surge within his veins…
Oh no…
He was far from finished with her.
Argilla was tired…she was so tired. Her body felt as if it had been completely drained of energy. She wanted nothing more than to succumb into the realm of sleep.
'I…I want to rest…' she said to herself.
"I'm afraid that's not possible My Queen." his silky voice spoke, chuckling.
Her heart once more beat faster as she heard his voice; so he had heard what it was she thought…She had unwittingly spoken it aloud! But what was more pressing was the content and the meaning of his statement.
He wasn't going to allow her to rest?
She forced her eyes to open as she felt his hand on her arm and the other on her hair, pulling her pink locks roughly.
She yelped, "Serph!"
He said nothing but continued to drag her. He walked out of the bed with her in tow and there, he grabbed her by her waist, carrying her off the ground.
"W-what are you doing?!" she yelled at him frantically, trying to make sense of his actions. A moment later, she found herself forcibly seated on a wooden surface.
She looked around and saw that it was the table from where she had taken the book from. She turned to look at him who, by now was looking back at her…
No.
She was wrong. He wasn't looking at her. He was gazing at her.
She blinked nervously a bit. He had already seen everything of her and yet here he was, gazing and peering at her face as if it had been the first time that he had ever laid his eyes on her…He looked at her, not lustfully, but curiously.
Serph peered within her pink sparkling eyes and then down to her pink luscious lips that were now bruised. He looked at her neck and saw red marks, big and small. But what caught his attention was the large bite mark that was bright red in color. He felt a swell of pride as he recalled that it was him that gave them to her.
He smirked again. And then, his eyes found hers once more. She had a questioning look within her eyes…
Well, he supposed that it was time to settle her doubts, hm?
Without taking his eyes off of hers, he positioned himself in between her legs as he parted them. His hands then snaked around her tiny waist and pulled her to him gently…almost affectionately…
Her blood ran cold and she shuddered as she felt his hands around her body, tugging it towards his direction. Not having any ounce of control towards her own body, she let him do what it was he wished.
Her heart beat with urgent fervor as she now found herself against him, their bare chests touching. She also felt something else…
She felt him eager…
All too eager…once more.
She gulped. She still felt sore within her sacred area and here he was all the more eager for a more passionate coupling. Her hands found his chest and pushed at him lightly, "Sire please…I…"
What was it this time?
"I'm exhausted…" she told him truthfully, her pink eyes, no longer defiant and angry, but now submissive but truthful.
He was amused; so, she had finally bowed to his will.
But it would take more than that to suppress the all but unleashed fury of lust that he felt for her…
He pulled her back to him and heard her gasp in surprise and leaned down, their faces almost touching, "I…don't…care…" he drawled.
Her eyes widened as she heard the words passing through his full lips. How could this handsome and angelic-faced man be so cruel and cold? He was so insensitive to what she felt.
He didn't care that she was exhausted or that she felt pain…He only cared about the pleasure that he could derive from having her beneath him…screaming his name…
'How could I have married such a beast…?' she thought with regret and utter melancholy.
It was only a fraction of a second after he uttered his words that he once more pushed himself within her tight passage. Argilla threw her head back and shut her eyes closed, gritting her teeth at the unexpected contact. It didn't hurt the way her first time did…but seeing that their first contact was merely an hour ago, she still felt a sting of discomfort and soreness from within her core.
Her hands that were on his shoulders, now gripped his shoulder blades tightly, her fingernails digging into his skin, tearing at it…
Serph laughed as he took in her appearance…She was in pleasure and he knew it. Grabbing her buttocks, he thrust within her madly. His hands held her buttocks and her thigh firmly, using their position to gain momentum.
Argilla wrapped her legs around his waist tightly as he moved within her fluidly. Serph buried his face at the crook of her neck as she tightly held him against her, biting her jugular deeply as her walls felt unbearably tight against his stiff shaft.
The table thumped loudly as it moved back and forth with accordance to their dance of wild passion.
He watched with evil eyes as her mouth hung agape, openly panting, moaning his name, "Serph…Serph…Serph…" she repeatedly moaned.
She didn't know why but she felt nothing but pleasure within his arms. Gone was the feeling of pain and hurt…Now it was just bliss.
She knew that she should hate him, be disgusted with him…but as he moved within her, she felt nothing malicious for him…That was why, that was why she hated herself…
She had surrendered to him.
He gritted his teeth and creased his eyebrows together as he gave it his all to please her…
To please her…?
He cursed himself. No; he didn't do this to please her! It was to please himself! No one else! Him!!
Letting go of her soft creamy leg, his hand grabbed hold of her plump breast and lightly massaged it as he continued to move frantically within her.
She was so damn tight…She was too tight…
Feeling all the more pleased at her state, he drove himself only faster and deeper within her, forcing her walls to squeeze his member tighter. Serph could feel himself nearing the edge…the abyss of no return…
No…
He didn't want to go there yet…He wasn't ready! He wanted to remain there…with her…for all eternity…
She was driving him mad! She was driving him to the point of insanity that the word around them began to be hazy and blurred…Nothing mattered except him and her…
Feeling that his end was at hand, he allowed himself one last powerful thrust before losing himself within her world…
Argilla screamed his name once more as she too felt the all too familiar call of bliss…Now, totally spent, she allowed her body to slump forward. Serph saw her body jerk towards his and he easily caught her with open arms…
He snaked his arms around her back and just relished in her smell…It was the same smell that he smelled in Flavius Adeodatus on that day that he had first seen her. He had asked around as to the origin of that smell and he was told that it was a flower that was indigenous to their country…
The cherry blossom…
He smiled as he held her tighter. She was no longer fighting or resisting him…Now, as she lay limp within his arms, her head resting on his shoulder, she looked to him and only him for salvation…
He had succeeded. This was what he had wanted from her all along…He wanted her to accepted him and accept her fate.
The fate that she belonged to him and only him.
He felt her relax within his arms and he was glad…He slowly pulled himself out of her and scooped her in his arms. A moment later, he reached his bed and slowly laid her on it. He looked at her angelic face…She was really exhausted.
He smirked; he really was in the mood for another round…but seeing that his partner was dead tired, he supposed that he could take a rain-check on their appointment…
Reaching for the warmth of his thick blanket, he draped it over their naked bodies. And now, as he lay there beside her, he pulled her closer to his body, wrapping his arm around her petite waist, his face burying itself on the crook of her neck.
He inhaled deeply…becoming drunk on her scent…
He whispered into her ear, "You're truly mine now Argilla…"
He knew that she was awake. Granted, she was exhausted, but she was awake. He didn't care if she responded or not, just as long that she knew that she belonged to him; that was the most important thing for him.
He touched his bleeding arm and smirked. She had exceeded his expectations…Even at the face of utter despair, she fought…Even if she knew that she would never be able to overpower him, she still tried her best. He supposed that was why she had managed to wound him in the first place…
The wound wasn't deep and was just superficial…But still, she had managed to do what many men had not.
Truly, he was proud of her…
He planted a chaste kiss on her lips and soon also departed in the world of dreams…
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Sera found herself watching her own reflection in her mirror with doubt. She had a question that she had been dying to ask her husband. Seeing that they had not been in the best of terms the last few days, she had spent her time wondering and wondering about her unanswered query.
She sighed.
She then smiled a bit as she looked at her timid appearance. They had gotten better that day, during the ceremony between the king and queen…
He had squeezed her hand back when she squeezed his… And then, there was their tender time at their secret garden…
That was reassuring enough.
So, a bit more bold and confident on what she was to ask him, she smiled and combed her hair more carefully.
"Don't you require a servant to do that for you?" a low and gruff voice interrupted her.
She gasped lightly and turned around, meeting the intense ruby eyes of her husband. She immediately stood from her vanity table and bowed to him politely, "I didn't hear you come in My Lord…"
Heat walked over to her and Sera immediately stood upright, facing him. He took her in his arms, "Titles mean nothing to me here Sera. Why do you insist in calling me that?" he asked with a hint of irritation within his voice.
Sera smiled as she embraced him, ignoring his irritated voice. A moment later, they pulled back and looked at one another. Heat turned from her, "You spoke to the queen a few days ago, correct?"
Sera raised an eyebrow; why was he asking her about that?
"Yes. I did." she replied gently.
There was something in his question…She just knew it. He didn't ask for the sake of making conversation. No. That wasn't the sort of person her husband was. Heat was never the sort of person to engage himself in idle banter or mindless babble…No.
When he asked a question, it was imperative that he was given the most accurate answer possible. It usually entailed something else; something big.
That was what got Sera to worry most. Heat was asking her about Argilla.
She felt a lump in her throat as she awaited his next question. She watched him with uneasy eyes and a nervous countenance as he walked around in the room, unfastening his cloak, dressing himself in a loose dark robe.
She liked that about him. He was never the extravagant type. She had expected him to be a bit more glamorous, having servants wait on him due to his position at the court. She was impressed and surprised to find none of those qualities within him.
He was the sort of person who preferred to do things by himself. She smiled again; but that was a quality that he derived from a more egocentric ideal.
He believed that it was more prudent to do things by himself since he did not believe that others were capable of doing them as well as he could. He had no faith in other people save for a very few…
He didn't believe that the people had either the motivation or the competence for them to do what he asked.
So, when it came to simple things such as dressing himself, he did it without aid.
"What did you and the queen speak of?" he asked, his low voice rousing her from her contemplation.
Sera walked over to their bed and sat down, "Nothing in particular…"
She heard him growl and she immediately realized that it was the wrong thing to say. It simply wasn't the answer he was looking for and she knew so as she looked within his displeased red eyes.
"She…she asked me how I was faring…" she spoke meekly, casting her face down.
Heat raised an eyebrow; the queen was probably asking how she was faring with him being her husband. He rolled his eyes; typical.
"I told her I was fine; that I was happy." she said truthfully, smiling weakly.
Heat didn't really care what she said about that issue. What he really wanted to know was what their conversation really entailed.
"Anything else?" he asked impatiently.
Sera could feel her heart sink as she heard him. He didn't even care that she told her sister that she was happy with him…He simply didn't care…
'And I thought that he…'
"Anything else Sera?" Heat asked gruffly, slightly irked at her for taking so long to answer.
"Nothing. She and I spoke of our marriages…That's all."
Heat walked over to her and grasped her arms, "Are you certain that that's all?"
She meekly nodded, "Yes…it is…"
Heat nodded and let go of her. He knew that that guard had felt something for the queen. That was why he was doing this in the first place. He had wanted to gather enough evidence so that he may present his case to the king.
What case?
'To have that bastard killed.' he thought angrily.
Sera thought for a moment; she wanted so much to please him…And now that her chance came up, she felt so utterly useless. She couldn't even help him in any way…He asked her a question and she could provide no assistance in the gathering of the information that he sought.
Suddenly a thought popped within her head, "Oh!"
Heat immediately turned to her, "What is it?"
Sera knitted her eyebrows together, "Well…Argilla was…acting strangely that night."
Heat could feel his body tighten in anticipation. She was acting strange? How?
"There was a man who interrupted us when we were speaking…" she said meekly.
Heat sat beside her and touched her chin with his fingers, turning her face in his direction, "What man?" He could feel his suspicion mounting.
Sera blinked, "It was a young man with…glasses; her bodyguard."
Heat knew it.
"What did he say to the queen?"
"Nothing. He just said that the king was asking for her and that he was to escort us back to the throne room…"
Heat was getting irked, "Why did you say that the queen was acting strange?"
Sera stiffened. She thought for a moment if she would tell Heat. She wasn't stupid as to what the silent eye contact meant between her sister and her guard…
It was obvious.
They were attracted to one another.
She was beginning to catch on. Heat was probably gathering information to ruin her sister!
'But why would he do that?' she asked, hurt. Why would Heat want to hurt the person important to her?
Why?
"Oh…well, I could tell that she was displeased with the message that he brought her…" she lied, "I mean…why is that Heat?" she asked, looking him straight in the eyes, "Why would Argilla not want to be with the king? Isn't he treating her well?" she prodded, turning the tables on him.
Well, she wasn't exactly lying… No. She really did want to ask him that question. Sera knew from her conversation with Argilla that she loathed the king. As to why exactly, that, she didn't know. She wasn't lying to him…She merely diverted the attention from Argilla's bodyguard and directed it towards the issue of her sister and the king instead…
Heat frowned as he read her eyes. They were telling the truth.
'Or hiding it.'
He narrowed his eyes at her and grasped her arms tightly, "Are you telling me the absolute truth?" he asked, his ruby eyes boring into hers heatedly, ignoring her previous question.
The more tightly he grasped her arms, the more intent he was of finding the truth, made Sera all the more firm to hide the truth from him. No; she would protect her sister from intrigues.
As a princess, she knew quite well how sensitive it was to keep their faces and dignity in front of the masses…
What more should she be the queen?
No.
Heat was planning something, and if it involved scandals and her sister, Sera would not help him.
But at the same time, she was aching to know his side of the story. Surely he wasn't doing this, questioning her this way to hurt Argilla…was he?
"I'm telling you the truth Heat." she half squealed. He let go of her arms and turned his back from her in deep thought.
Finding the inner strength to ask him, she took a deep breath and looked at him, "Why are you asking me all about my conversation with Argilla? Is there something wrong with my sister that you're not telling me?" she asked firmly with her voice still gentle yet steadfast.
Heat raised an eyebrow; she was questioning him? She was questioning him?! How dare this woman gain such impudent audacity?!
He turned to face her again and glared at her, sneering, "You dare speak to me in such a manner?!"
He grabbed arms again and backed her towards the wall. Sera whimpered as her back met the wall, "Heat please!"
Heat slapped her, "Hold your tongue!" he shouted at her, "What I do is none of your concern! Do you understand?!" he yelled at her.
She felt afraid at that point. She shivered and nodded vigorously, "I understand…!"
He could see how she trembled before him but he didn't care. All that he cared about was the fact that she had the foolish boldness to ask him about it. What did she do that for? What business was it of hers?
He grabbed her chin roughly and forced her to look at him, "If you ever…ever do that again, I will punish you…" he promised dangerously, "Do you understand me?" he asked, drawling his words.
Sera's heart stopped as she looked at him, her silver eyes containing nothing but fright. Sera was afraid of what he meant by the word "punish". But as curious as she may be, she dared not find out…No.
Heat may be her husband…but he was still Arkanadara's ruthless general. It was a repulsive fact that Sera should never forget.
She meekly nodded.
He wasn't convinced though as he continued to lock her eyes with his, his fingers gripping her chin tighter. She whimpered, "Heat please!"
A moment later, sensing that she would do as he told her, he let go of her and sauntered off, walking over to their bed.
Sera didn't know what she was to do at that moment. She felt so out of place at that moment. She didn't know whether she would stay rooted at her spot or walk over to where he was. She felt as though that everything she would be doing would only displease him.
She chose the former. She stayed, waiting for him to speak first.
Heat, who had not even noticed her, walked over to the bed and sat, closing his eyes. His thoughts were on Roland. There was something afoot and he knew it. He smelled a rat. And as a warrior, he learnt to trust his instincts…
That was why he was so adamant to find out Roland's intentions for the queen…His instincts told him to search. And his instincts had yet to fail him.
He opened his eyes again and noticed that Sera was nowhere near him.
He blinked and looked at Sera. She was still by the wall. He sighed and called to her softly, "Come here."
Sera's eyes flashed with hope and she did as she was told without a moment's hesitation, "Yes Heat?"
She walked over to him and knelt down in front of him on the carpeted floor; a sign of utter submissiveness. Heat sighed and caressed her face in his hand, "Don't sit there…It's filthy. A princess deserves only the best…" he trailed off, his voice nothing but a gentle whisper.
Sera could feel her spirit's burden lighten at the sound of his kind words…She meekly stood and he pulled her to him, letting her sit on his lap. She laid her head on his shoulder and sighed in contentment, saying nothing…not wanting to break the fragile moment within their otherwise maelstrom-filled world.
Heat sighed as well, allowing his mind a moment's rest and peace. She was the only one in the world who had the ability to calm him…to soothe him…
Before her, he was but a bloodthirsty beast…but now, he was a bloodthirsty beast with restraint.
Yes.
He held himself back…
For her…
Sera's eyes suddenly shot up; this was probably the best time to ask…
Heat raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"
"Huh?" she asked innocently.
"There's something bothering you. What is it?" he asked gruffly; he didn't appreciate being led around by the nose like a donkey.
She nodded internally. This was it.
"Heat…?"
"What?"
"Do you…do you love me?" she asked weakly, her final words coming out as a lowly squeak more than a firm sentence.
Heat wanted to burst out laughing at her face. Love? It was an elusive thing…it was. He…He loved once…He loved his mother. He felt strongly for Serph and Gale…They were his family…his brothers.
But other than that…
"No." he deadpanned as he continued to hold her on his lap.
Sera's heart felt constricted and she couldn't breathe as she understood his words. "No."; it was a simple enough word; a simple enough answer. He did not love her.
She took deep and uneven breaths as she calmed herself down. But it was no good…All that she could feel at that moment was searing pain within her chest, only to have the aforesaid pain spread throughout her entire body…infecting the rest of her system as if it were some unknown malady.
It had hurt; it had hurt too much. She had thought that maybe…he loved her…
She supposed now, that it had been foolish to have believed that perhaps he held even an ounce of affection for her…
No.
How could he even begin to love?
'He probably doesn't know what it is…' she thought sadly.
And now, there was another question that she must ask him. She feared the answer…but it was a query that refused to leave her mind. She needed to ask him this question, not for the sake of just knowing the answer, but for the promise of peace for her troubled mind and heart.
"Heat…?"
"What?" he asked quickly, feeling irked at her. She was asking too many damn questions!
"What am I to you?" she asked him. Her head rose from his shoulder and she looked at him.
Sensing her movement, he had his eyes meet hers.
She wanted it to be this way eh? Well, so be it.
"You are a woman Sera. You already know what women are, don't you?" he asked her, rolling his eyes.
"I don't Heat…I don't know." she said truthfully, still confused with his answer. He looked deeply within her silver eyes and saw the desperation within them. She wanted to know the truth.
"You are mine." he replied cryptically, before setting her down on the bed and leaving the room.
Sera, seeing that she was alone, now allowed her tears to cascade down her face. She knew it. She suspected it. She had been suspecting it for the last few days now…And she had been afraid to ask him. But now…
She was devastated.
"Heat…I love you…" she wept sadly.
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