A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.
WARNING: LEMON, OOC, LANGUAGE
Chapter 18: Through Veiled Eyes
He walked into the darkened room with calm eyes. He looked from left to right…
Ah…there she was.
The object of his "hidden" affections…
Well, it wasn't that it was hidden; she knew…Or at least, he thought she knew. He had told her, hadn't he?
He sighed.
Of course he did…
But it was just that…she would never consider him to be anything but a child…A jester who smiled and laughed…making a fool of himself for a moment's silly diversion…
He frowned bitterly at that…
He looked at her, seeing only her silhouette…He saw that she sat by the windowsill, staring out at the moon.
He could only wonder as to what it was she was thinking of. His heart suddenly constricted and he couldn't breathe; of course he knew what it was she was thinking of…
She was thinking of "him".
"It's been two weeks now…" he slowly spoke, penetrating the thick air of apprehension and anxiety between them.
He heard her sigh in sadness, "I know…"
"They had announced it. They had a public funeral…"
Her heart suddenly became caught up in her throat.
"They were saying a final farewell." he spoke just as calmly as before.
She nodded, "I'm glad…"
"Are you alright?" he asked slowly, his eyes scanning her intently.
She finally turned her gaze from the window and smiled at him tightly; her silver bright eyes twinkling, "I'm alright. Do not worry about me…"
He laughed at that, "I can't not worry about you…You know that already."
She giggled, "I'm sorry…"
He chuckled, "Hey, what did I tell you about apologizing?"
She blushed, "I'm sor-" she suddenly paused and then continued, "Ah…well…"
He chuckled, "That's better…"
He walked over to her, and there, took her in his arms. It had been a risk. She could have chosen to push him away…But much to his relief and glee, she didn't push him away…She had welcomed him within her arms…
The hour had flown by quickly. At one moment, he was within her warm arms, and the next thing he knew, he was there, sitting by her bedside, stroking her loose ebony locks within his long and slender fingers, just looking, gazing longingly at her gentle sleeping face.
He found himself smiling…
But, in the midst of his smile, a thought suddenly came to him.
He had remembered that fateful day…
A fortnight past…
Flashback
Cielo gritted his teeth as he heard Heat yell. He turned back and saw the Imperial Guards with the archers.
"Sera…!!"
His heart pumped maniacally and his blood surged furiously through his arteries and veins. He had been on his way back to his adversary when his keen eyes caught sight of the explosives attached to the arrows of the Imperial Guards.
The arrows rained.
'With all of my strength and speed! Let me make it!!' he thought with most utter resolution.
And so, he blurred once more, using all of his power to beat the speed of the aforesaid projectiles.
He landed within the caravan, and there, grabbed her as fast as he could, having only a quarter of a second of escape time. He, along with her disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
And there…
The caravan exploded.
End Flashback
That was why…she was alive…
"Sera…" Cielo spoke out loud, whispering into the cold darkness.
He looked at her sadly…wondering…what was to become of him…and his unrequited feelings.
The figure before him stirred and he froze.
"W-what is it Cielo?" she asked gently.
Cielo stiffened and blushed; he was thankful that the darkness concealed his face effectively, otherwise, he wouldn't have any excuse to explain his beet red cheeks.
Drat!
She was awake!
Damn…He really should learn to keep his mouth shut.
"Forget it Sera. Get some sleep." he told her in a firm voice.
She giggled.
He raised an eyebrow, "What's so funny?"
She giggled again, "You are."
His heart sank at that. A part of him felt angry and wanted to lash out at her. Why couldn't she see him as anything but?
Why was it that he always appeared funny to her? Didn't she consider him to be a man? Didn't she consider him to be good enough?
'Doesn't she consider me to be good enough for her?' he seethed internally.
But still, he kept his feelings hidden.
"Cielo…"
"What?"
She sighed and sat up, "I couldn't sleep…"
Her statement made him blush once more. She had been awake all that time? And he didn't even notice?
She saw as he stiffened and as if sensing his bemusement, she giggled, "I learn from the best." was her simple statement.
That was right. He had been teaching her the art of breathing low; breathing silently, without a sound. It was necessary in stealth missions. Pretending to be asleep was also a paramount skill.
He scratched his head sheepishly. She was good.
'Perhaps too good…' he said to himself.
"Why couldn't you sleep?" he asked; still in that low and firm tone, wanting to distract her and change the topic.
She sighed.
He let loose a breath of relief; it worked.
"I can't sleep knowing that…I just feel guilty." she said, biting her lip tightly.
Cielo said nothing but nodded, holding her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze, encouraging her to continue.
She nodded back, "I'm putting them through a new hell…But…I believe that it's for the best Cielo. I want them to forget about me…I…I have chosen a different life. On that day…at the battlefield…seeing you fight Heat…" she paused as she sobbed a bit, and then, she paused again, fighting it, calming herself, "I nearly died from worry…Heat…he was looking for me. But…on that day, Cielo, I realized that…I still loved him. I love him."
Cielo said nothing…but within, his heart broke. But for her sake, he dared not say anything. She trusted him and he wouldn't betray that trust…
Even if it hurt him.
"But even knowing that…I knew I could never go back to him again…" she trailed off, her voice cracking as she gritted her teeth, fighting futilely to not let her tears escape…
But her efforts were all for naught, as a tear did escape her eye…and rolled on her cheek.
"The Resistance have a noble purpose Cielo…You all fight for the people…For commoners. For slaves…You fight…for freedom…" she paused again and this time, smiled tightly, her silver eyes eyeing their intertwined hands and fingers, "That was something that I never had…Freedom…And through your help, I had gained strength of my own…But…now, it wasn't enough."
She narrowed her eyes firmly and looked at him, blue meeting silver, "What good is strength if you have nothing to protect…? What good is strength when you misuse it for the sake of arrogance?" She shook her head vigorously, "At first, I wanted to use the Resistance to gain power…and show it to Heat…in the hopes of making him love me…But…along the way…it wasn't like that anymore."
Her other hand came up and there stroked Cielo's face affectionately, "You…you fought for me…and almost died for me Cielo. You had helped me without question…without condition and without asking for anything in return…"
She smiled, "It's time that I do that for others as well…This is the life I've chosen…I want to spend my life fighting for what I believe in…And by being with you…it made me realize that there are more important things in life than a futile wish for love."
Cielo blinked; up to the point before her last statement, he had completely agreed with her sense of reasoning…But…now…
He never taught her not to love…
Love…was the cornerstone of their faction…
"The Resistance has strength…They have pride…honor…" she paused and then nodded, smiling warmly, "And now…I've found someone I want to protect…"
"…"
Sera took both of her hands and held his, "I want to protect you Cielo…Just as you had done for me…"
Cielo's heart stopped; she wanted…to protect him?
She nodded again, "That is why…that is why Heat, Argilla and Jenna are better off thinking that I'm gone…Cielo…I could never go back to that life…Never again. And so…our worlds would forever be separated. I cannot have them hoping within each of every second, of every minute, of every day that I might return…Because, I will never return. They need to let me go…I need to let them go. They need to move on with their lives…as I need to in mine."
She sighed, "Others may think this is selfish of me…But I don't see any other way. I know my sisters Cielo…They would never leave their husbands…They love them…"
Cielo raised an eyebrow, "But you love Heat too. How was it that you were able to leave him?"
Sera laughed, "The king…loves my sister Cielo…I see it in his eyes…Gale loves Jenna too. That is the difference…Heat doesn't love me…"
Cielo sighed, "I doubt that Sera…He left his post to find you."
Sera's heart got caught up in her throat but she fought against it and spoke once more, "Maybe he does now…But it's too late…I've found my path in life…Sad and tragic as it may be, but…I do believe…that we are no longer made for one another, no matter how much we love each other."
She had been right of course. It was almost impossible to love someone from the side in which you had been fighting against.
If she did allow herself to love him again…she would be betraying the Resistance…
And as stated before…
This was her life now…
"This is my path. I've chosen it…and I intend to live it." she finished; her silver eyes burning with resolve.
"A foolish wish of love…That would never happen again." she told him firmly, her face and eyes stern.
Cielo could feel his heart sink; she would never…love again?
Sera sighed, "It would be different from hereon. I would never again use power for love. When I would love someone, I would do so without the aid of things like strength in hopes of making that person notice me or love me. I would love that person with the whole of me…That's all…"she finished, smiling at him.
He, in turn, smiled back at her; so, she had not abandoned love after all…
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Five fleeting months have now passed. Argilla stroked her protruding belly. Being as that the case, she had decided to wear her kimono once more, as to conceal parts of her body that was revealed by her sari.
She had first thought that Serph would object…but he didn't.
She sighed as she thought of him. He was still a mystery to her.
But now, she was glad…somewhat. He treated her better…well, as good as he used to before he found out about her medicinal herbs. He had successfully bridged the gap that was formed between she and he.
At first, she had resisted and had openly ignored him…But as he persisted…she finally gave in. It wasn't just for her own peace of mind either. She promised herself as well as her unborn child, that she would bring him or her within this world with loving parents…
And she would never be able to fulfill that promise should she continue to butt heads with Serph.
And so…she let him…
He even took her back to Flavius Adeodatus…
She closed her eyes…He was a man after all. She understood him better now. Serph was easy to deal with. Just do whatever it was he asked of her and there would be no problem…
And now, more than ever, with the impending arrival of their firstborn, it wasn't the time to fight. It was time to lay down her arms…for the child's sake.
She stroked her belly once more and smiled…The seeds of life continued to grow within her and she was glad.
She suddenly thought of her late sister.
She blinked; she stared at the stone floor in deep thought. She had conceived at the time of her sister's death…Maybe it had been significant…maybe not…
"Sera…I wish you were still with us…" she trailed off, sighing, "You could have been my child's godmother. I know you would have been a great aunt…"
She smiled tightly; Sera had been a good person. She might have even reached Nirvana! But…if she didn't, Argilla believed that she would be assigned a life that was befitting her kindness and compassion.
She utterly believed that.
Sera deserved nothing but the finest things in life after all…
"Sera…I hope…that wherever you are, you are happy…" she smiled.
Her mind then drifted over to Roland.
Since her announced pregnancy, she hadn't spoken to him. He had reverted back to his former self. The one that was detached and unfeeling.
She frowned; but she knew…
She had hurt him.
But she couldn't do anything about it anymore…She could see the mixed feelings within his eyes every time that their gazes would meet.
He wanted to leave…but at the same time, he wanted to stay.
She sighed; perhaps it was time to decide for him since he cannot seem to decide for himself.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Jenna smiled as she eyed Gale from the corner of her eyes, as she embroidered a white piece of cloth in her hands.
It would seem that she had been mistaken about him once more…
It was shortly after Sera's funeral, did they sort out their problems.
Flashback
Jenna played with her food with her chopsticks…clearly uninterested in eating. Gale raised an eyebrow. He had decreed that her meals would be served within their chambers.
Gale had been watching her for the last few minutes, nothing with irritation that lack of enthusiasm within his wife's countenance.
"Jenna." he spoke firmly, "Why aren't you eating?"
"I'm not hungry." she told him defiantly, her tone low and monotonous.
"Would you prefer to eat within the dungeons again?" he asked; totally irked at her behavior.
She snorted as she looked at him, "Excellent choice Your Excellency! I've grown accustomed to that place you know…I cannot imagine eating anywhere else!" she finished with feigned enthusiasm, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Gale narrowed his eyes and immediately grabbed the plate from the table and flung it out the window, earning him shocked eyes from Jenna. Shocked, before narrowing down in pure contempt.
She said nothing and turned away.
Gale was losing his patience.
"What is the matter with you?" he asked with utter vexation, "I've been nothing but patient with you. And now, I must warn you that my patience has grown thin."
Jenna boldly stood up, letting her chair tumble on the floor noisily, "Then let it grow even thinner. Let it snap! I care not."
She sneered, her silver eyes challenging his cool emerald eyes, "What are you going to do to me? Going to hit me?! Going to starve me in the dungeon!? You're going to sentence me to a hundred lashings…?!" she screamed at him as her silver eyes burned brightly, her tears cascading down her cheeks.
Gale's anger slowly dissipated as his eyes softened…
He walked over to her while she took several steps back, "Don't…!"
He froze.
She hugged herself defensively, "Don't come…near me…Gale…" she finished, releasing a quivering breath as she glared at him.
He stood there, steadily gazing at her broken form…He had no idea that she felt this distraught.
"Jenna, tell me…"
She glared at him further, narrowing her eyes even more, "Why don't you just go back to the king like the dog you are?!" she barked.
Gale was taken aback, "What?"
"Did I stutter?!" she hissed venomously.
Gale had had enough; he marched up to her and grabbed her by the arms, shaking her, "What are you saying!? Why are you being this way?! Have you gone mad?!" he yelled angrily.
She struggled against him, twisting her body left and right, shoving at him futilely as he held onto her tightly, "Gone mad? Gone mad?!" she screamed, "How can I not go mad when I lose my husband's affections, not to another woman, but another man?!"
Gale froze; what? She thought that he did not love her…?
Seeing his surprised demeanor, she slipped from his arms and slapped him right across his face.
She wanted to hit him over and over. She raised her hand and there brought it down…but it never landed on his face as he had grabbed it in midair, only to bring it to his lips…kissing it.
She growled and tried to yank her hand from him but he didn't let go, "Unhand me!" she squealed as he continued to fondle her hand.
He closed his eyes and pressed her palm on his cheek, nuzzling it affectionately, "I'm sorry Jenna…I'm sorry…" he said over and over again.
Jenna's heart softened but she held her ground. She would not be swayed by his pitiable attempts to regain her trust and her affections! She sneered at him venomously, bitterly, wondering silently as to why he even did all of those things for her…
Why did he bother to get to know her? Why did he bother to marry her if his loyalty and affections laid with the king?
She narrowed her eyes; maybe it was because of the king that he had decided to marry her. At that thought, she pulled her hand away nastily, letting out a growl, "Why are you apologizing Gale? Did the king put you up to it to soothe me? Why Gale? Why?!"
She knew she was being hysterical…
But she didn't care.
Gale grabbed her arms again and looked at her with firm eyes, "Because I want to. Not because of His Majesty."
Jenna's silver eyes dilated and she ceased her movements as she peered within his eyes. He wasn't lying.
Then why…?
"Gale," she choked, "then why…? Why do you do everything for His Majesty…?"
Gale shook his head, "Is that even a question Jenna? I do it because I'm loyal to the crown…Serph is my friend and king. I am his servant as well as his friend."
Jenna's heart sank as she cast her face down, "Is he…your whole world Gale…?" she asked in a small and low whisper.
Gale could have sworn that he had heard her wrong, "Jenna…What…?"
She shook her head and gently pushed him away, "Just forget it Gale. I said nothing of importance milord…" she trailed off, walking away from him.
Gale stared at her in total bafflement. Did she think that…his friendship with Serph was much greater than what he felt for her…?
He followed her and there, massaged both of her shoulders. She didn't object and he pulled her to him, her back meeting his firm chest, "Don't…Jenna…Just don't…"
She hated those words…He always said them whenever she would get too curious or too forward. She stopped herself from crying; biting her lip tightly.
"Just don't…what Gale? What is it this time? What have I done wrong now?" she asked him, whispering…
The issue wasn't Serph anymore…Not really…It was that Gale had always restrained her…He gave her what she wanted, yes, but there were some things that he always kept from her…There were always some things that he considered out of her "mental capacity" as a woman.
Of course, he wasn't blatant either.
But she could tell…
He spoke to her whenever he wanted to and he would send her away whenever it suited him.
"Don't think that I've done this for the king…" he said in a low tone, "I've done this…I've done everything I've done for you…for you. Not for anyone else and not for anyone else's behalf. I have done them because I wanted to."
She pried his hands that had now found their way around her waist and turned to look at him, "Why?"
"Why Gale…?"
His silence unnerved her. She slightly narrowed her eyes, "Why Gale?" she repeated, her voice harsher and lower than before, "So that you might use me? Use me as a second opinion when you're planning your schemes?" she hissed.
"Is that all I am to you?" she choked pathetically.
Gale sighed and took her hand once more, his emerald orbs penetrating hers, "Jenna…the king is a friend…a brother. But he is not my whole world."
He released a slow breath, "You are. Everything I've done…is for you…Can't you see that?"
She narrowed her eyes, "Liar…!"
He held her tighter, "When had I lied to you Jenna…? When?"
She blushed as she contemplated his question. That was right. He had yet to lie to her. But still, she would not humiliate herself in front of him, "You're lying now." she bravely spoke.
He sighed again as he saw that she did not believe him. "Jenna, when you had committed your crime…didn't you consider that it was I whom you betrayed and not the king? I've done everything to make your life comfortable…hospitable. I've done everything that you wanted; everything that you asked of me…And yet, you had managed to do that to Serph, to the crown…and to me. You had not betrayed the crown Jenna…you betrayed me…and my trust."
He paused and then continued, "But despite all of that, I still did everything for you…I had you punished, yes, but it was for your own good. But even after that, I had given you everything…all of my patience…my time…my affections…and yet…"
"Nothing is enough for you." he told her firmly, his emerald eyes sad.
Jenna said nothing and turned her face away. Did he really mean what he said? Well…parts of it were correct. He really did make quite an effort just to be with her…And from that angle, it really did seem as if she had betrayed him.
But, so what of it?
Did he expect her to beg? To beg for his forgiveness…? Couldn't he see that she did it with a good reason?
'Probably not…All that he would ever care about is a man's opinion about a man's law and a woman's stupidity for breaking it!' she thought with contempt.
He let out a frustrated breath as he saw that she wasn't responding and let her go, "You are free to do what you will."
Jenna's eyes widened as she watched him walk away from her. She was free to do whatever she wanted?!
That was the entire problem! Didn't he see that?!
"Gale!" she yelled, "Don't walk away from me!"
He stopped and sighed, turning to face her, "What do you want from me Jenna? I give you whatever you want! Isn't that enough?"
She felt her blood boil as he spoke to her ignorantly.
"That's precisely the point Gale! You always give me what I want…You never take charge! You never decide for yourself! Someone always has to tell you or suggest to you of what to do!! Just like your king! Why Gale?! Why!?" she screamed at him, letting all of her fury lash out freely at him.
Gale stared at her with dilated eyes and with an even baffled demeanor. No one…and he meant, no one, had ever spoken to him in such a fashion…
No one but her…
He should he insulted…he should be angry…
But he was surprised to find, that he wasn't…
All the same though, his soul had stirred restlessly within the back of his conscious mind, waiting to be unleashed…Her words, her eyes…her passion had roused his…
And so…
Without words, he tackled her and kissed her roughly…She whimpered as he slanted his face on hers, slipping his tongue within her wet mouth, exploring her wet cavern amorously…
Her hands grabbed his and she let her nails dig into his skin. He growled and bit her. She whimpered within his mouth and tried to speak but with his mouth blocking hers, all that came out were muffled words.
He pulled away from her as he slammed her into the wall, his lips hovering over hers ever so closely, "You want me to take charge Jenna…?" he asked silkily, his voice husky as it was seductive…
Jenna shivered as he whispered, feeling the chills run down her spine but said nothing. She turned her head away but his hands grabbed her face and made her look at him once more, his emerald eyes no longer cool and cold, but now burning and fiery, "I want you Jenna…I want you…"
She opened her mouth to speak and refute him but he gave her no opportunity as he kissed her again…
This time, she complied…
His tongue surged within her mouth angrily…frustrated. He couldn't get enough of her. He pressed himself closer and tighter against her and she returned his enthusiasm tenfold.
Gale growled in her mouth as his lips and tongue continued to pillage her warm and wet mouth.
Feeling the fire within his soul burn even wilder, he grabbed her sari roughly and forcibly tore it from her. She screamed in protest in his mouth but it proved useless as she was effectively gagged and thus muffled.
Her hands grabbed onto his shoulders and held his shirt in fistfuls in her hands. Feeling the need for oxygen, Gale left her mouth reluctantly and pulled back, inspecting her now bruised and bleeding lips…
He had bitten her hard and had drawn blood…Seeing her, there pressed against the wall, with her defiant silver eyes and her mouth hanging open as she openly panted, her lips bleeding, sent powerful jolts of electrical surges through his veins and there, down his nether regions, snapping his manhood awake…and attentive.
And so, feeling the wild starving beast within him rage furiously, he tackled her again, their lips once more interlocked. His lips suckled on her wounded one and firmly, almost painfully sucking the crimson blood on them…letting its sweet taste travel within the pit of his throat…rejuvenating his otherwise dry shell of a being.
He moaned within her mouth and so did she, becoming intoxicated by the minute…by the second. His greedy hands, now given permission by the sultry woman against him, now gripped her tight bodice within his fist and there forcefully tore it from her. She struggled against him, getting angry at what he was doing…
He chuckled…
Within moments, her voluptuous body had been freed and he gazed at her appreciatively, "You are…beautiful Jenna…" he said in his low and husky tone.
Jenna blushed but said nothing. She wondered; did he really mean it…? Her pondering drew to a screeching halt he suddenly turned her around and roughly pressed her against the wall.
She felt him press himself against her and there, on her ear, she felt his breath.
"What's the matter…? Too much for you…?"
She gritted her teeth; she had never before seen this side of Gale…He had always been patient and gentle with her…
But it would seem that he had another side to him…Another side, concealed, hidden within the darkest abyss of his heart, waiting to be released…unleashed to the unwitting…the unsuspecting…the ignorant…
She groaned at that last word.
She hated that word…
And it would seem that it had been she herself who had served as a catalyst for the release of such a beast.
She gritted her teeth harder as she felt his hands grab her, fondling her chest roughly, hurriedly, like an animal gone mad…
"Just tell me to stop and I'll stop…" he said seductively, his voice low and husky, pinching her now erect pink nipple, earning a squeal from her.
She snorted at that. He didn't want her to "say" it; he was probably telling her to "beg" him to stop. Oh no; he wouldn't get that satisfaction out of her. And so, as a response to his taunt, she merely growled and held her ground.
Gale chuckled; this was what he loved about her…She was strong…and proud. She would never yield to him. Never. Well, the night was still young. There was plenty of time to make her scream his name. His hands roughly grabbed onto her ample breasts and massaged them gently, carefully before suddenly squeezing them.
"Gale…!!" she growled in annoyance.
He merely chuckled. His hands then left her breasts and now grabbed her buttocks and then her hips, pulling her to him. She stiffened as she felt his hard and stiff shaft pressing against her buttocks. She hadn't even noticed that he had undressed.
His hand left her hip and traveled to her shoulder, pushing her to bend downwards. She complied. And there, he thrust his stiff manhood within her already dripping passage. Her head curled backwards and she cried out in ecstasy as she felt him within her folds.
Without waiting for either protest or confirmation, he immediately thrust within her without reserve…without remorse…without restraint.
"Ah…! Ah…! Gale…!" she moaned and squealed as he continued to move frantically within her, his fingernails digging deeper into the skin on her hips.
Jenna's palms that were pressed against the cold wall held onto it for dear life…but she couldn't hold her balance as his thrusts began to make her knees buckle. And there, her legs gave way and she fell on her knees.
She thought that the sudden imbalance would drive her furious husband out of her but it didn't. He held on and had followed her fall. And now, his hands were once more on her shoulders and there spoke, "On all fours…Now." he commanded coldly.
She hissed as he thrust within her deeply, burying himself up to the hilt. And there she immediately complied as her current position, being on her knees, with her body still upright, with him still thrusting within her from behind was quite uncomfortable.
With her on her hands and knees, he grabbed her buttocks once more and thrust even faster and harder within her.
She moaned and groaned, feeling nothing but bliss…
"Oh God…Gale…! Gale…!!"
She was about to reach nirvana…There…she could see it…
Then…
Suddenly…
He pulled out of her, having already released his seed within her. She growled and turned back, "Gale…!"
"What?" he asked innocently.
"You…you…!"
He did not allow her to reach nirvana. He had left her hanging. She turned around and there tackled him on the cold floor, straddling him, "You…! You scoundrel!!" she screamed at him.
He shrugged his shoulders, "You told me to take charge…There it was. I did what I wanted."
She slapped him, "Gale!"
"What?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, "What is it exactly that you want me to do?"
She leaned in and there let their eyes meet, "Make love to me…" she growled.
He grinned and grabbed her hips, "If that's what milady wishes…"
And there, he lifted her and she understood. She eased herself on him and there, rode him. Gale thrust his hips upwards, matching her thrusts. Gale smirked as he saw pure ecstasy written all over her features…
Her walls clenched and unclenched evenly on his throbbing member.
She threw her head back as insane pleasure enveloped her being, holding all rational thought and reasoning prisoner…
And there…
"Gale…!" she squealed as she had finally reached the nirvana that had been thus far denied to her.
No longer having the strength within her, she collapsed on him unceremoniously. He caught her with his strong arms and embraced her.
"Did you like that?" he asked gently.
She growled and raised her head high enough so that their eyes met, and there, she slapped him.
"Hmph!"
He chuckled and there, slowly sat up, his hands never leaving her waist and hips. He then stood with her securely in his arms and there laid her gently on their bed.
The two laid there, side by side, with no words leaving either's lips…
Jenna watched with weary eyes as he rose from their bed and sat up. He was silent for a moment before he turned to her again, his eyes, tamed and subdued once more, possessing no hidden fire that they had only moments before…within their passionate dance.
"Jenna…I do not know how to convince you. Everything that I do just seems to be…insufficient for you." He cast his face down on the blanket for but a moment before looking at her once more, "You're right…"
Jenna raised an eyebrow; she was right…? About what…? He had never told her that before…
"You're right; I've always let someone else suggest to me what I am to do…I've lived within the shadows of Serph's majesty and cunningness and Heat's strength and force…But there was a time within my life when I wanted to be different…Like the way you did from your sisters…"
Jenna's eyes widened; so…was he saying that…?
He nodded, "Like you, I wanted to be different from my brothers…from my friends, from Serph and Heat. I became the chief military strategist…I was happy…I was content. For a while there, there was something that I could be proud of; a mark of ingenuity…My mind was something that was mine and mine alone. Heat and Serph never influenced my thoughts, not even for a second whenever I would plan my so-called 'schemes'. We won battle after battle, war after war…"
He paused.
Narrowing his eyes a bit, "But when you arrived…I didn't know what to do. Serph and Heat had found their prizes, your sisters, and did with them what they wished…while I lingered on, not knowing what it was I must do. Whenever I would look upon your face, my mind goes…blank."
He laughed as he turned away, "That had not happened to me in a long time Jenna…Not since I became a man…But then, I realized something."
He looked back at her and there…smiled, "It was you…You make me feel…like a boy again."
"From the moment I saw you for the very first time, I knew I wanted you. But when you were finally…entrusted to me, I no longer knew what to do…I possessed no knowledge about you…How can I possibly begin to understand what you were like? Much less predict your behavior…?"
Jenna's eyes softened as she understood him. She slowly sat up, clutching the sheets around her naked body, "Gale," she began, breathing out his name, "why must you treat me as if I were a battle to be won…?"
That was the problem…
Since Gale wanted to be different from Serph and Heat, he developed a strategy to fend off his feelings of insecurities.
But there was a flaw in his strategy design…It limited his mind to work upon orchestrated scenarios usually involving no human emotion or personal interaction. To him, cause and effect reigned supreme. It was the universal truth in which he based his life…
It had worked wonderfully fine…
Until she came, that is.
She was unlike any battle scenario that he had ever confronted or concocted. She wasn't like any other woman either. She was as unique as he was…She was completely unpredictable. His lack of knowledge about her had also proved to be an addendum to his failure to reach a decision regarding her.
That was why he had never been forceful. Aside from the fact that he used his mind to reach his objective, he used his mind on her not because he wanted to reach his objective…it was because he himself, at that moment, knew not his objective.
And so…he did everything he could to gather information about her…
Once he had enough information, he acted accordingly. That was why he allowed her to ride with him back at Shankara…He had found out that she liked horses…
Now…in Jenna's mind, things began to become all the more clearer…all the more tangible…
She sighed and looked at him emphatically, "Gale…You don't have to treat me that way…I'm not some enigmatic wraith…Just ask and I'll tell you. I'm not a battle that you can plan for and achieve victory in a day…Can't you see…that you and I are the same?"
Gale drank in her pained expression but said nothing, egging her on.
She released a strangled breath, "You and I suffer from the same inner demon…The demon that had us thinking that we're inferior…But when are you going to see that it need not be that way between us…?"
She moved closer to him and embraced his bare torso, "Don't you see that I need you as much as you need me…?"
Gale looked at her with uncertain eyes, his heart thumping within his ribcage loudly, "Jenna…" he breathed out, still unsure of what to make of her over-night-gained audacity and empowerment…
Clearly, he had not expected this of her…
It was…surprising to say the least. He smiled. Surprising, yes, but what was more important was that, it was enlightening.
"I'm sorry…if you felt betrayed Gale. I won't make excuses for what I've done other than…I firmly believed that I did the right thing. But now…I realized that it wasn't. My sister's life is her own and my life is my own…But know this," she paused as she pulled away and peered within his emerald pools, "I would never betray you Gale. Never…"
"Jenna…" he breathed out once more, caressing her face. She smiled as she saw that he believed her. She was happy…
Now, he knew what to do. He knew what to say. This time, there was no assessment of problems, no gathering of information…
No hints, no suggestions…
It was all him. He would say what he wanted to say. He would do what he wanted to do. And at that moment, there was only one thing he had in mind.
Gale pulled her against his body once more and just inhaled her scent, "Jenna, I love you."
She embraced him tightly, smiling, with tears in her eyes, "I love you Gale…" She sniffed, and then chuckled, "It wasn't so difficult…was it milord…?"
After a long time of being cold and monotonous, he allowed himself to sink within the folds of those things that he called a mere frivolity…Those things that he deemed he would never allow himself to feel…
Those things called human emotions.
He laughed; heartily.
"No…it wasn't…Jenna…"
End Flashback
She continued to smile as she focused on her task, every once in a while glancing at Gale. He was planning another assault, she wagered. She would be glad to help…if he asked. But still, she was confident that there wasn't a need for her.
Gale was more than enough for that.
Her thoughts then wandered over to the rebels…They were the people that Gale was plotting against…And even farther still, her thoughts wandered over to late sister.
Again, her heart sank. She set the white cloth aside and there thought of her. She smiled tightly, 'She must be happy now…wherever she is…I just wished that…I could have said goodbye…'
"Jenna?" a cool male voice asked her, bringing her back to reality.
She blinked, "Gale?"
"Are you alright? You've halted your embroidering…" he said with concerned eyes.
Jenna smiled again, "It's nothing milord. I merely wish to rest my eyes…This poor light would diminish my eyesight even further…" she finished, motioning to the candles in front of her.
"I see…" Gale trailed off, "Well, why don't you get some rest? You need it." he said, smiling.
Jenna's soul felt uplifted as she beheld his mesmerizing smile. Now, he smiled more often…Now, he knew what he wanted.
He had expressed it to her.
He had wanted to start a family. Jenna stroked her flat belly. It had been months now; they had been trying and so far, there was no luck. She had yet to successfully conceive. The physicians just said that she was too strained to bear children.
That was why Gale had told her that he wanted her to get plenty of rest and not to over exert herself.
She smiled again, warmly, "I think I'll do that milord. Won't you join me?"
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
It had been seven whole months now, since her supposed death. Sera stroked her now fully enlarged and swollen belly as she arched her back, her other hand on her back, supporting herself as she walked over to Cielo.
He had just gotten back from his mission.
She smiled.
He kept his promise.
He had told her that he would return early…and he did. It was just the early hours of the evening. She walked up to him and grinned; while he, removing his mask, grinned at her in return, "Hi Cielo."
"Hello." he said wistfully.
Sera giggled and there, tiptoed when she reached him and pecked him on the cheek; a habit that she had developed over the long and happy months that she had spent with him.
"How was it?"
Cielo sighed, "It was alright…But…"
"But?" she urged him, "What is it?"
Cielo frowned, "I have found out that there is a traitor among us…That was how the Arkanadarans have been able to intercept our raids…" He shook his head, "They seem to be cutting off all our supply areas…A blow to our operations…But something is amiss."
Sera blinked, "What?"
Cielo looked at her seriously, "If this traitor is from our league…here, now, amongst us, why doesn't he just inform the Arkanadarans of our location? Arkanadara has the military force to wipe us out. But this spy hasn't told them anything…And if he did, and Arkanadara is now aware of our location, why does it continue to be idle?"
"Idle?"
Cielo nodded, "Right now, Arkanadara doesn't even consider us as threats. They are too busy improving their relations with Radhakrishna…"
He blinked, realizing that they were both still standing. He took Sera slowly by the arm and led her through the living room and had her gently sit on a chair. She looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue.
Cielo nodded, "It's either that they consider the Resistance to be of little threat and focus on Radhakrishna instead…or that they are plotting something awry and devastating towards us."
Sera stroked his arm affectionately and smiled, "I suppose you haven't told your superiors about this, have you?"
He chuckled, "No."
She giggled, the back of her hand over her lips, "You're being paranoid again Cielo…"
"I'm not!" he protested, pouting childishly.
She continued to giggle, "You are!"
He pouted even more; his lips protruding, his cheeks drooping. She giggled harder, "Stop that!"
"Why?"
"You're too quaint…" she trailed off, breathing her words out as she calmed herself, stroking her engorged belly once more.
"Oh!" she exclaimed in surprise. Cielo leapt to his feet and was immediately by her side, "What's wrong?" he asked worriedly.
She chuckled and held his hand, guiding it to her belly, "Here…I felt the baby move…"
Cielo's heart skipped a beat as he felt a slight movement within, "Ah! There it is again!"
She nodded, "Come on! Press your ear towards the baby!"
Cielo, feeling his heart become overjoyed, knelt down and pressed his ear against her belly. He smiled warmly and stroked her flesh soothingly and there, he felt it. The feel of faint life within.
He chuckled and raised his head, looking intently into her eyes, holding her hand, "Sera…"
"What is it Cielo?" she asked, becoming concerned, as she read his demeanor.
He sighed and squeezed her hand tighter, "Nothing. I just want to tell you…that you mean a lot to me." She saw the strife in his eyes…and there, she knew that he wasn't happy. He was happy, to a certain degree, but he wasn't his happiest.
Sera got off the chair, and there, knelt on the floor, right in front of him, as she caressed his face affectionately, her eyes searching his, "Cielo…what is it? Please tell me…?"
His eyes avoided hers, "It's nothing."
She frowned and tugged his at face to look back at her, "I've known you for a while now. I know when you're hiding something from me…"
His breathing became uneasy as his stiffened in her hold. He may not appear it, but she knew. She read him like an open book; used to his antics and mannerisms alike.
And right now, she wasn't liking what she was seeing…
"Please don't hide from me Cielo." she said in a pained expression. She couldn't bear to see him this way…She was happy when he was happy and was sad when he was sad.
She had always felt that instant connection with him; right when they first met…And as the days with him turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months, that bond steadily became stronger…fortified, until it finally…evolved.
Her heart sank as she regarded him. He seemed to be in so much turmoil. Actually, she had been noticing it from the previous months but had always thought that he would pass that stage or tell her when he was ready…
But the months had gone by, and still, he fought his demons alone…No, "fight" wasn't even the word for it. He was subduing it.
Now, she had had enough. She wanted to know what it was that was bothering him so…
It was because…that throughout those months, her care for him steadily began to change…to steadily bloom…
She had fallen in love with her Raikiri.
And it was because of that, that she felt all the more empowered to discover the source of his strife.
"Cielo, I mean it." she said firmly.
Here, Cielo chuckled. She was not the forceful type…but now, she had changed, a bit. But he liked the change…No, that was a wrong word. She didn't change; she was still that kind and caring girl whom he found at the Arkanadaran castle all those months ago…
It was just that, now, she had discovered her hidden strength and had evolved accordingly.
But despite her strength, she never changed. And that was why he couldn't help but fall in love with her.
Which was his conundrum at the moment. The child was going to be born in a few more days…a few weeks, at most, and it still wouldn't have a father…
'At least, not a real one.' he thought with regret.
And then, there was the fact that she didn't love him the way he loved her. Her heart was still kept within the claws of the distant Red Dragon.
'Damn him!' he thought with pure contempt.
"Cielo?" her voice spoke softly, rousing him from his contemptuous thoughts.
"Huh?"
Sera rolled her eyes, "Tell me…What is wrong?" she asked gently.
Cielo looked within her eyes, debating with himself whether or not to ask her again to marry him. There was a good chance that she might say yes, for the child's sake…And then, there was a good chance that she might refuse him…
Like she did before.
But then again, he was no coward. And this feeling, this unpleasant feeling had been gnawing at his gut for months now. It had been dragging on and on…with the end not in sight.
He just had to face his demons. Again.
"Sera," he spoke firmly, "marry me."
Sera's eyes blinked; had she heard him right? Marry him…?
She frowned; was he doing this for the child's sake? So that it may not be called a "bastard"?
She would hate to think that it was the only reason. She wanted to marry for love…and not for anything else. Didn't he already know that?
"Why would you want to marry me Cielo?" she asked with grave eyes. She felt so tiny before his eyes that she could no longer bear the stress that his eyes gave her, and so turned away, ashamed, "Is it because of my child…? You don't want it to be born without a father…?"
"You don't have to do that…" she said, her voice cracking, her lips quivering as she felt a painful sting of insult and regret within her heart.
Cielo was taken aback; was this what she thought?
If she only knew…
Cielo gripped her shoulders firmly, "Sera look at me."
She shyly turned her gaze towards him and let their eyes intermingle. Cielo caressed her face and leaned towards her, "I want to marry you Sera, not because of the child…not just because of the child. I want to marry you because…because you are everything to me. I love you."
Sera's heart froze and there, her eyes brimmed with tears, her lips slowly tugging up for a smile, "D-do you…really mean that…?" she asked, whispering to him.
His heart raced as he read her eyes; there was hope within them for him yet!
He nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving hers, "Yes Sera. I mean it…I want you to be mine…"
She let out a cry and there lunged herself at him, burying her face in his chest as she sobbed, "Cielo…Cielo…" she moaned over and over again.
Cielo smiled as she pressed herself against him. But he was still afraid. She hadn't said anything about his proposal. What if this embrace was an embrace of consolation rather than acceptance?
Sera pulled back and smiled, "Cielo…I will…marry you."
Cielo's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. She was going to…marry him?
"S-sera…" he trailed off, too surprised to speak.
"Yes…" she nodded, "I will marry you…I love you."
Cielo's heart rested as he heard her beautiful words…She loved him…And her eyes…her beautiful silver eyes mirrored her words…
But still, jealousy was rearing its ugly head…and he frowned, "What about him?"
She chuckled; she already knew of whom he spoke. She shook her head, "Cielo…I love you. Just you."
His heart felt at ease then…He smiled and there, content, he leaned in towards her…And she didn't complain. They both closed their eyes…Sera's blood rushed through her veins as anticipated the feel of his lips on hers…
Then, a moment later, their lips met in a slow…and chaste kiss…
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Argilla had called Roland in and in did he come.
"What can I do for you Highness…?"
Argilla sighed as she gazed out of the window, "Tell me about her Roland…"
Her?
What was she talking about? Who was she talking about?
"I beg your pardon Your Highness, but I know not of whom you speak."
Argilla chuckled, "I've seen you Roland. I've seen the faraway look that you get at times…When…when you look at me at times, your eyes just seem to…drift away. I know I remind you of someone."
"Who is it?"
Roland raised an eyebrow; he had been that transparent?
He didn't even notice…It was true that she did remind him of someone…A woman from his past. But…it ended there. What he felt for the queen was completely separate from that woman…
That other woman belonged in his past…
That was all.
What he felt for Argilla was pure and had nothing to do with the other woman…
"…"
Argilla turned to him and gave him a coy grin, "Do you still distrust me so?"
Roland was taken aback by her assumption. He sighed and shook his head, "It is not that I distrust you Your Highness…I just believe that it is highly inappropriate for me to disclose such matters…It would only bore you…"
Argilla laughed, "You never bore me Roland…" she said, speaking softly, her eyes having that rare shine within them…
They were speaking to him…
Beckoning to him…
Feeling entranced, his lips parted and there…he succumbed.
"I was once a member of the Imperial Guards of my tribe…There…I met a girl…She and I felt for one another. I had…offered her marriage…but she had admitted that she had hidden something from me. I then learnt that she was the High Priest's daughter…Her father had found out about our affair…She was taken from me…"
Argilla frowned; such stories always pierced her heart…But she did not let it show. She urged him to continue as she saw the strife that was etched onto his features.
"She had married someone else…I saw her wedding…and I…I just wanted to talk to her once more. So, I snuck into her room…by her chambers and offered that we should run away together. Her husband…caught us. He…took her and…he killed her, right in front of my eyes…I had been arrested and…incarcerated. I had remained there for a year but I was eventually released when Arkanadara waged war against us…" He paused and sighed, "That's it. We lost and they won. I had been enlisted in the army but the king had handpicked me to protect Her Majesty…"
Argilla walked over to him and he backed away, "Highness…"
She chuckled and grabbed his hand and held it firmly as he attempted to yank it back, "I am…your friend Roland…Do not forget that…I am glad that you have shared this with me…"
He nodded, hiding his blush with his overwhelming willpower.
"Highness…please…His Majesty might…"
Argilla pulled away, "There is no harm in being friends Roland." she said, smiling.
Friends…
That was what Argilla told him. She didn't want to lose him. But at the same time she wanted him to know that he wasn't without value to her…
He was a friend to her…
Even if her feelings towards him would be unrequited…as he had rejected her not too long ago, she would tell him that he was a valued friend…
What he did afterwards…that, she didn't know.
If he indeed decided to leave, as she expected he would, then, it would be easier. There would be no ill feelings and no bad memories…
No regrets. None for him and none for her.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
