Chapter 2: First encounters of the royal kind
The announcement ceremony resembled an auction except all the goods were already sold and the new owner wanted to put them on display. Afterwards there was a grand feast prepared as a welcome to the new ladies. There were four in total but Kagome hadn't listened to their names during the ceremony. Her mind was occupied with the events that led to her ending up there in the first place. The dinner was being held in the center dining hall. An enormous room with vaulted ceilings and a table fit for the entire royal army. Even with all the courts members in attendance, more than half the table would still remain unoccupied.
Kagome made it a point to sit at the far end, the further she could get from the king the better, right? He would surely choose one of the fresh young girls that sat closer to him and she could just float through undetected. Yup, blend in with the rest and this would be over sooner rather than later. The seat directly next to the head of the table was occupied by the Queen. She wore an elegant red gown with diamond accents and a brooch with an arrowhead carved into it. Her long black hair was pulled up and secured with several hair pins in the shape of arrows. Her excellent marksman skills were her most recognized quality only second to her eerie beauty. She sat poised, silently scanning the table of women. Her sharp gaze kept all the women sitting up straight and looking down at their empty place mats. The grandiose seat at the head of the table was unoccupied, the king was late or maybe they were early. Either way there the women waited until four servers entered the hall. They scurried in and out setting down plates starting with the queens and making their way down the table. Finally they made it to Kagome's seat, she frowned at the small plate before her. The early dinner she had with her family was heavy on her mind and had spoiled any appetite she might have had. By the second course the king still hadn't arrived and Kagome still hadn't taken a bite. She contented herself with sipping wine instead and hoping she could bring herself to enjoy dessert. As the main course was being served, Miroku stepped into the room and bowed before speaking.
"His majesty, King Inuyasha."
Right behind him Inuyasha strolled into the room as if he was what everyone was waiting for. The newer members of the court glanced at him quickly before returning their gaze to their plates, except Kagome, who's eyes remained on her untouched meal. The king took his seat without a word and a server hurried out to greet him with the main course of the evening. The silent dinner ensured the memory of her final familial meal, haunted the rest of the evening. Finally the course she was waiting for, dessert came out. Servers removed plates and replaced them with a slice of decadent chocolate mousse cake. After sipping on two glasses of red wine Kagome forgot where she was for just a moment. She quickly scooped a piece into her mouth and let out a big sigh.
"Mmmm, I wove choclate." She mumbled out with a mouth full of mousse. It took her a moment to realize everyone at the table was now staring at her. Eyes wide with embarrassment, she swallowed hard and forced an apologetic smile. At the end of the table, Inuyasha glared up at her and then back down at his plate. Finishing his cake in two more bites he stood up front the table.
"That one and that one too." He said pointing at a young girl next to him and then at Kagome. He then turned and walked out of the room.
'That one?' Kagome thought to herself, what did he mean by that? Her answer came shortly after when Miroku walked in and collected the girl Inuyasha chose and then made his way over to her.
"My lady." He said offering his hand. Kagome swigged the rest of wine in her glass and took the offered appendage. The women were led to a small room with a wash basin, dividers and huge doors to the right of them.
"Please refresh yourselves and dress in the garments provided, the king will be with you shortly." Miroku started with a bow before leaving the women alone. Kagome looked to the young girl by her side who was already beginning to undress beside the basin. Kagome blushed and looked away but her curiosity peaked and glanced over her shoulder. The woman had medium length black waves cascading down her back. Her skin was smooth and even all over her body, especially her breast. The blood rushed to Kagome's face when she realized how perverse she was behaving.
"Come and wash, the king will fetch us soon I am sure." The young girl smiled at Kagome, not at all embarrassed by her nudity. Kagome nodded and joined her in undressing. She scooped the water up and washed her face, taking a moment to stare at her hands before speaking.
"Is this really happening? When he comes to fetch us, will we be laying with him so soon?" She questioned without really expecting an answer but instead the girl just smiled at her.
"Well I hope so." She replied
"After all that is why we are here, is it not? I am looking forward to bearing the heir to our kingdom. It is a great honor for us and our families as well." The young girl smiled at Kagome softly and moved to retrieve her garments. She handed Kagome a thin nightgown with small light blue flowers embroidered around the hem. So this was really happening, she was to put on this sheer gown and wait for the only thing she had left to be taken away. The tears behind her eyes threatened to overflow as she clutched the gown in her hands. It was barely an excuse for clothing, practically see through but still beautiful and shimmering in her hands.
"How rude of me, I am Ayumi. It is lovely to meet you. I do hope we can be friends." Kagome looked up at the young woman and smiled.
"The pleasure is all mine." She replied, stepping into the gown.
Suddenly the big doors flung open and there stood the king wearing only a pair of low hanging britches. Kagome froze, one foot in the night gown and completely exposed. Her mind flipped from her naked body and to the half naked Inuyasha. Eyes scanning his seemingly perfect physique and wondering about what was hidden under the royal red pants. She scanned up to his face and noticed he was eyeing her, hunger in his eyes. With a squeal, Kagome hurried to cover herself, holding the gown in front of her exposed breasts. Inuyasha started towards her forcefully, grabbed her by the arm and began dragging her through the doors. The sight of the bed in the neighboring room floored Kagome, literally. She pulled back away from him but could not break his vice grip on her arm.
"No! Unhand me!" She shouted, snatching away. Surprisingly he let her go and she fell to the floor. His eyes burned her to her very core, the golden hue penetrating her effortlessly and she almost wanted to go with him.
"What did you say?" He asked. His figure towering over her was very intimidating but Kagome refused to back down. She jumped to her feet and stared up at him, the fire in her eyes rivaled his own amber embers.
"You can not just barge in here, grab me and drag me away! I am not a toy or a pet! What if I do not wish to go with you? Did that thought ever cross your mind?" Her words fired off like bullets, she couldn't seem to stop them.
"Who do you think you are? You don't own-"
Kagome's words were cut short.
SlapShe fell back to the floor and there she stayed, bewildered. The king had just slapped her to the ground. Kagome raised a hand to her throbbing cheekbone and looked up at the infuriated ruler.
"I am your king! You are never to speak to me that way again, wench!" He thundered, taking a step towards her and raising his hand again for another strike. Kagome's arms went up defensively but it was not needed. Ayumi had stepped between them and bowed low to the ground.
"Please my lord, no more. If it pleases you, I will go with you tonight." Ayumi stayed bowed until the king's hand found her head. She looked up before standing. Inuyasha turned Ayumi towards the door with a hand on her shoulder and gave a slight push. They entered the room together and before closing the doors, Inuyasha shot a glare at Kagome, still on the floor. The smirk that crept into his face chilled her blood.
The following morning, Kagome awoke to her curtains being drawn. The sun shone brightly in the early morning and it almost felt like home on the farm. Kagome sat up in her bed and was met with a swift good morning from a chamber maiden.
"Good morning milady, it's an early breakfast this morning so you'll be wanting to get dressed." She spoke quickly as she zoomed about the room, drawing curtains and then a bath. Kagome slid from the cotton sheets until her feet hit the cold wood floor. With a stretch and a yawn, she started with the bath.
"This smells amazing." She delighted sliding into the water. White flowers floated around her and she slid a bit deeper. A sting from her cheek reminded her of last night's events. Cupping the memory with her hand, she closed her eyes and decided to burn that moment into her mind. She would never forget how she felt and therefore would never lay with that tyrant king!
"The jasmine flowers were a gift, milady" the chamber maiden spoke softly, making the bed and laying out a dress for Kagome.
"A gift?" Kagome questioned. "Who is it from?"
Her spirits lifted a bit to know she had a friend in the castle walls who thought of her so fondly.
"The king of course, you are to have breakfast with him this morning. What a glorious treat, yes?" Answered the maiden smiling at Kagome with delight. With a sigh, Kagome's high hopes sank as she pushed the flowers away from her in the water. Every hand stroke only brought more floating jasmine flowers to her, a few clinging to her wet skin.
To hell with this bath! She thought to herself standing and wiping off the remaining stowaways. Upon getting dressed, Kagome looked at herself in the mirror beside the bath and sighed. Just like every dress she was given, it was low cut, pure white and hugged her bosom, revealing her soft mounds.
"Please sit, I will fix you right up, milady." Asked the maiden pleasantly, offering Kagome a stool. She got right to work brushing Kagome's raven locks, twisting the sides and fascinating them behind her head with a flower hair pin. She then placed a string of pearls around Kagome's delicate neck.
"Are these part of the gift?" She asked plainly, placing a hand on her beaded neckline. The maiden simply nodded and tossed her hair a bit before clapping her hands together.
"You look ravishing, if I do say so myself. Now let me escort you to the garden." The happy woman linked her arm around Kagome's and off they went.
"The garden? Will the other court members be present?" Kagome asked hoping her friends would be there. The garden was their favorite gossip spot and she longed for a sense of normalcy. The escort shook her head and giggled.
"You are having breakfast in the king's private garden, milady. I have never seen it myself but rumor is, it has every flower known to man. Quite beautiful, yes? You will just have to tell me all about it!" The maiden chuckled and patted Kagome's arm lightly. She was tickled with the idea of having her own gossip well she could dip into for exclusive information.
"Oh." Was all the response Kagome could muster, other than the deep sigh that preceded it. They walked through a long corridor and out a small side door. From there the path, lined with tall shrubbery, wrapped around to a small iron gate. The happy madien bowed and sang a farewell to her lady before making a swift exit. With a deep breath Kagome pushed open the creaky gate and entered the garden.
"You have arrived. I hope you enjoy crepes." Inuyasha sat at a white iron garden table to her right. The table had a lovely spread of fruit and muffins and orange juice just waiting for her. Without a word Kagome strode over to the table and took the seat across from her king. Out hurried a server carrying two plates of fresh crepes drizzled in cream and topped with berries.
"They are from France, or so I am told." Started Inuyasha, beginning to cut his serving.
"They are quite delicious." He said, looking up at Kagome as he forked a piece into his mouth. A small tinge of arousal, at the way he licked the cream off of his bottom lip, stung Kagome. Although he was a rough and rude wretch, he was very alluring and her interest began to peak.
"I shall take your word for it, my lord." She started, pushing her plate slightly away from her.
"I do not think I am so hungry this morning so if I may be excused." She stood up out of her chair but that's as far as she got before the king shot a look at her. A look that reminded her of the events last night and she slowly lowered herself back into the chair. Kagome reached for a grape and popped one in her mouth.
"That's better." Chuckled Inuyasha, continuing his breakfast. How arrogant and haughty! He really did feel like he owned her and there was little she could do about it. Kagome contented herself with tossing smart remarks at the king instead.
"Better than last night for sure, my lord. I much prefer the sweet taste of grapes to that of my own blood." She said trying to remind him of how hard he had hit her. Inuyasha stopped for a moment and looked up at her, she almost thought she could see remorse behind his eyes, but quickly brushed the thought away.
"Was the bath not to your liking?" He asked, returning to his food. Kagome scoffed, he was trying to apologize with some flowers? How cliche.
"The smell of jasmine flowers have become repulsive to my senses. If that was your goal then you have achieved it, your highness." Kagome tried to hide the venomous intention behind her words but it read loud and clear. She watched the king's ears perk up and he paused a moment before finishing his crepe.
"And yet here you are, wearing my necklace." He shot back staring straight at her ample bosom. Kagome felt the anger boiling and rising up into her throat. She swallowed it hard and pinched the pearls in her fingers, lifting them slightly.
"Oh this? I thought I was nothing more than a trinket. They are not very impressive." She said with a sly smile, flicking the pearls from her hand.
"They are south sea pearls, cultivated in oysters off the coast of Australia. They are worth more than your life." Inuyasha responded with monotones. He spoke of the pearls as if they were sought after and still had no value to him, and she meant even less than the saltwater gems. Kagome lifted the pearls into her vision once more. They had a beautiful satin luster to them and she couldn't deny they lined her neck well, though she'd never admit it. Inuyasha reached for the fruit bowl and plucked a grape. Piercing it with this claw before devouring it. Kagome felt the pang of arousal hit her again, in retaliation, she stood and turned her attention to the garden. It was very beautiful, so many flowers she recognized and even more that she'd never seen in her life. The jasmine flowers, being held up by a trellis, caught her eye and she sauntered over to them. They used to hold such beauty in her eyes, now they were just a painful reminder of her current situation. She reached out and brushed the soft petals with her finger.
"It is enough to make one swoon, is it not?"
The feeling of the king's warm breath on her neck sent shivers down Kagome's spine. She froze, afraid to turn around. He was so close to her she could feel the heat coming off of his body and soon she felt him press his hard chest against her back. Her arousal began to bubble again and she fought it down with a hard swallow. Quickly it returned when she felt his nose graze her neck, inhaling her scent.
"They compliment your natural scent remarkably well." He breathed softly into her ear. Kagome wondered if he could feel her body shiver, she quickly stiffened and held her breath hoping she could remain rigid. The king's clawed hand snaked around her waistline, pressing her into his firm chest even more.
"I have never had a woman refuse me." Inuyasha whispered, pulling Kagome's soft body tighter with his words. His other had slid up her arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps and rested on her collarbone.
"And I have never been more infuriated." He spun Kagome around to face him, resting one hand on her lower back and the other lifting up her chin. He stared down at her for a moment, his nose twitched a bit before he pressed her against the trellis. Now stuck in between the wall of jasmine and the king's hard body, Kagome shut her eyes. If she didn't look into his golden galaxies, he wouldn't have such an affect on her, right? She felt his breath on her lips. Was this happening? He was going to kiss her? Right here, right now? Kagome's mind raced but her body remained frozen in place.
"So zealous and yet so vulnerable." Inuyasha breathed, eyes fixed on Kagome's pink lips.
Author's Note: Aloha, my darling readers! I have been getting questions on how often I will be updating. My goal is to get a chapter up every one to two weeks so be sure to follow for updates. Thanks for reading and reviewing! Critiques are welcome so please give me your ideas! Mahalo! XOXO - Jaz