Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
Having been firmly dismissed from the Queen's chambers, I decided to locate Aaron and hopefully, the visitor he had been expecting on behalf of the King. Tracing his scent back to his quarters was easy enough, however he had already fallen into a deep slumber. Frustrated, I returned to the hall outside the Queen's chambers and listened.
The women were sleeping in their beds - their wet heartbeats and occasional soft snores the background noise to the one heartbeat for which I listened. The Queen slept soundly in her bed, no further nightmares to plague her sleep. I was amazed at how the time slipped by as I listened only to the sound of her breathing - wishing I could watch her as she slept, yet stubbornly remaining outside in the hall. I reminded myself over and over to keep my distance until I had seen this investigation through to the end.
The moon waned in the sky and soon the morning birds were heralding the rise of the sun. Her handmaidens began to rise and prepare for their day. Each morning they ventured down to the kitchens to gather food for the outlying villages where they would take whatever they could gather to feed those in need. Later, the Queen would venture down to the same kitchen and feed those in the village outside the palace as I had observed her do the previous day. They wanted to return so they could assist Her Majesty in preparing for her morning training in the maze. Interesting. I wonder what that entails? In order to find out, I knew I would need to separate the handmaidens from their mistress so that I could escort her to her training.
How to best get them out and away from the Queen's chambers? Thinking quickly - I decided to visit the kitchen. Not hearing any thoughts, I ran through the hall and down the stairs towards the kitchens. Slowing to a human pace, I walked down the final steps and looked around at the kitchen staff. The youth who was turning the bread in the oven was singularly focused on not burning the bread. He had already burnt two loaves and had received swift punishment for his carelessness. There were a few men and women all busy with tasks from slicing fruit, stirring pots of oats, roasting meat, or adding honey for the bread to small bowls. In the corner, observing the bustle of the kitchen was an older woman - probably the one who punished the boy for burning the bread. It seemed she was the one I needed to speak with. Maintaining my human facade, I shuffled uncertainly to the woman, "Excuse me."
Her sharp eyes looked over at me. "Yes, young man."
"I am Jarpr - the Queen's new House Karl and was sent to check on the loads for her handmaidens. I am told they will need to pick them up earlier than usual this morning."
Her brows pulled together and she frowned. Sighing deeply - a frustrated sound, she replied, "Yes, yes. - that is fine. We will have their baskets ready. When will they be down?"
Doing my best to look sheepish I answered, "In just a few moments. They are preparing to head this way shortly."
Throwing her hands up she looked out to the boy with the bread, "You! Hurry it up! That bread needs to be finished before the Queen's ladies come down!" Then turning towards an older man tying together leafy vegetables, "And you! Finish up three more bundles before Her Majesty's ladies arrive!" She paused to look at me again, "Are you going to stand there in my way? Get out or get to work."
With that, she walked away from me and pushed aside the old man and directed him to help the boy while her weathered hands began bundling together the leafy vegetables and with a speed shocking for her age, began tying them together before moving on to the next bunch.
Sliding between the now hurried bodies moving about, I slipped from the kitchen and traveled back to the Queen's chambers. When I returned, all of the women had woken and were preparing for their day. Among their morning movement and tired chatter, I could still hear the rhythmic breathing of the Queen, sleeping soundly in her bed. It was time to get her handmaidens out of their chambers so I could have more time with the Queen.
I rapped my knuckles against the thick wood a few times and listened for the handmaidens to approach. The door soon opened and Ava stood in front of me, she appeared more rested, but still tired. Yawning she asked, "Yes? What is it?"
"My Lady, the kitchen said the loads are ready. Should I let them know you will be there soon?"
She nodded tiredly and closed the door. On the other side of the door, I could hear her sharing the information with the other women. Feet shuffled across the floor as the women hurried to finish readying themselves to depart the room. A few moments later, the door opened again as the women began to spill out of from the room. At the end of the line was Nada, who turned to see me again standing next to the door. She paused, as if considering whether she was willing to leave me with the Queen, then as another woman tugged on her sleeve - decision made, she nodded once at me and left. As they walked down the hall, Nada paused and looked back, "Please let Her Highness know that we left early and will return after."
"Yes, My Lady."
Apparently satisfied with my reply, she turned and continued down the hall.
I waited until they were collecting food from the kitchen before I moved into the Queen's chambers and slipped into her quarters. Despite my earlier decision to distance myself from her, I needed to look in on her before she woke. Her face was relaxed with sleep, her heart beat a steady, soothing rhythm. Instantly, I felt my body relax as I drank her in. I found that I had missed her during the night. Concern shot through me - if I missed her already while the bond was new and weak, how would I feel weeks from now? Did the bond strengthen the more time we spent together? I needed to put more effort into maintaining distance from her, yet only a day after meeting her - I was so drawn to her.
Although I understood the bond on an a basic level, I could not fathom how someone so small, so insignificant, could hold such a pull over me. She has always been so close. I realized with a shock all the little details that happened for me to come to Dagez. Without the vision or her father's death, I doubted I would have thought to search for her here. I may have missed the opportunity to find my mate. Frustrated, I shook my head to clear my thoughts. No. I refused to allow myself to think of those things. First, I had to finish the mission, then I could allow myself to know the Queen - to understand who she was as a person.
Slowly, she began to stir - her heartbeat picked up and her breath quickened, her body's signal that she would soon wake. Silently, I slipped from her sleeping quarters and waited on the other side of the door for her to wake. When she woke, she rolled around in her bed and the most beautifully disturbing sound occurred - she moaned. It sparked something inside me, jerked me closer to the door, alerted every sense - and overall generally irritated me as I noted my body's response to her. Grinding my teeth, I stubbornly remained rooted to the spot where I stood.
I could hear her slowly exiting the bed and then opening the heavy doors to her wardrobe. I could hear her hands as they shuffled through the garments in search of an outfit. When I heard the soft sound of fabric hitting the ground, I lost the battle of wills with myself, and loudly entered the Queen's chambers. She turned to me - surprised at first by my presence - then jutted her chin out and upwards, met my gaze, and greeted me with a firm, "Good morn, Jarpr."
My body had two opposing reactions to the sight that greeted me. The Queen was dressed only in her undergarments and my eyes quickly traveled down and back up her bared flesh. Exquisite. The sun kissed the tops of her bare shoulders - her dark locks ghosting past the curve of her chest and down to the middle of her back. The other warring emotion - hunger. With her skin so exposed, I could easily see the veins pumping her life essence through her body, could hear the rhythmic thump thump as her heart beat.
A breeze drifted through the balcony window and tickled her skin - in that moment, she realized how bare she was and blood colored her cheeks. Quickly she directed me to turn around, which allowed me the opportunity to control myself.
However when she allowed me to turn back to face her, I was unsure which sight had been more tempting - her bared skin from her state of undress, or the cloth that clung to every inch of her skin - teasing at what lay beneath. Quickly, I composed my face into a blank state - careful not to give away the feelings that swirled beneath, the feelings and temptations that whispered to me.
The young Queen walked quickly about the room - piled her hair high atop her head exposing her slender ivory neck, and pulled on buttery leather boots that also seemed to mold to her as a second skin. Evenly I asked her if she was ready to leave her chambers and with a curt nod she walked quickly past me.
The night before Aaron had prattled on about the Queen's schedule and the important items I needed to be prepared for - including that she enjoyed walking through her family's gardens. I absently wondered if this was what her maidens had meant when they had thought of preparing her for her training in the maze. Stealing a glance to my side as walked, I lazily drank in her outfit - the bone colored cloth that clung to every curve and valley, that left little to the imagination of what lay beneath. Yet, when I took a step back - put aside the reactions she evoked and the lust that her presence alone sparked, the outfit seemed more appropriate for evasive training. The material appeared thin - breathable even if the body was covered in a layer of sweat - while also thick enough to protect the skin against surface scratches from stray branches and thorns. The material protected her wrists and the tops and palms of her hands - leaving only her slender fingers exposed. Yes - it was a training outfit.
Training for what?
My mind attempted to conjure reasons for the Queen to train in evasive techniques - perhaps part of a larger more comprehensive training routine?
When we arrived to the maze, I recognized it instantly. This was the maze Carlisle trained Kiev in. I remembered her ancestor, King Kiev who had visited us shortly after we had killed the Wolf King and his soldiers. Kiev had arrived with an offer of assistance from Dagez for the rebuilding of Tyr and with food and supplies for the people whose homes had been destroyed by the Wolf King's tyranny. Carlisle had been touched by the human's thoughtfulness and invited Kiev to stay at the palace. During Kiev's time with us, Carlisle had trained Dagez's King in strategy - teaching him the importance of critical and creative thinking when it came to survival. While the two men became fast friends - we had not crossed the mountain range during his lifetime to visit his palace or kingdom and were unaware of the maze that had been built. It seemed that Kiev had duplicated our maze to the best of his memory - from the sprawling trees no doubt intended for stealth and archery training, the small armory at the yawning entrance, and undoubtedly traps were laid throughout the small maze. A small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth from the fondness we had all felt toward Kiev and his heirs.
It reminded me why I was there, in the palace, play acting as a human servant to a mate I may despise.
Scowling, I adjusted my face into an impassive mask and waited for the Queen to release me. The Queen however seemed lost in her own thoughts. Absently, she chewed on her bottom lip - her eyes seemed distant as if she were deep in thought and her body seemed to draw closer to me.
Does she feel the pull?
In the distance, I could hear approaching footsteps and one heartbeat. Although I could remain with the Queen, I felt an urgent need to hide in the shadows to observe unseen. Quickly I requested the Queen's permission to leave and departed at a frustrating human pace. Once out of sight, I took the trees of the maze to observe the young Queen as she paced about the armory, apparently debating which weapon she would choose. Decision made, she reached for two small knives and tucked them securely into each boot before she entered the maze. Eyes closed, breathing deeply, she stood quietly for a moment, and in my mind I recalled Carlisle standing there with Kiev.
Kiev had stood in a similar spot in our maze with his eyes also closed as Carlisle had instructed him, "Keep your eyes closed. Inhale deeply and tell me what you smell, what you feel - use your senses to tell me about your surroundings." The rest of us had listened to Carlisle's words to Kiev with some humor from different sections of the maze. We knew Kiev's senses were not as heightened and sharp as ours, but it was a skill Carlisle was determined to help Kiev hone - to sense his environment, to be alerted to danger or identify resources. It appeared, as I observed the little Queen below, the practice had been handed down through each generation.
Initially, Kiev had been frustrated with his early attempts to identify his surroundings without using his sight. However, as Carlisle had continued to push him each session, he had improved. In his final session, when Carlisle had instructed him to close his eyes and reach out with his senses, Kiev had chuckled before sharing with his friend what he felt around him, "Your son is here, I can hear him in the maze - most likely in search of somewhere to ambush me from. The air feels dry - I will need to be mindful of my footing because the leaves are also dried and while make too much sound."
The King of Dagez had surprised us - his ability to adapt and learn and his sincerity made him unique and special to us. His departure from Tyr had come too soon and his death - while several years later - also felt as if it had come too soon.
The little Queen hastily scrambled from the front of the maze in search of a hiding spot, possibly to ambush someone from. Keeping the entrance in sight, I followed her through the trees as she pushed deeper into the maze. I paused as she lingered at the fork. What is she waiting for? I was curious and though I did not need to be closer to her for a better view, I still moved further down the tree - perhaps to only be physically closer to her. The hum washed through my body and I paused to enjoy the moment as I felt her nearness. Her breath hitched and I could see her eyes scan the area - falling to the shadows where I hid. With a shock, I realize the human Queen felt my nearness. It seemed the bond impacted her through more than just skin to skin contact. When she sprinted down the path, I returned to the treetops to watch the entrance.
I did not wait long before a guard approached the maze. As he stood by the entrance, another guard approached him and clasped a hand to the first guard's shoulder. "You are released. His Majesty has asked that I work with the Queen today."
The first guard - a man with braided auburn hair, eyed the second warily. "I'm afraid I don't know you sir," the first guard responded.
"I'm new," the second man explained, "And was assigned to the Queen's Guard."
Alarm shot through me - assigned to the Queen's Guard? From what I had observed, she had no Queen's Guard. Apparently, I was not the only one to acknowledge the slip. "Er, Her Majesty does not have a Queen's Guard. Perhaps whoever assigned you was mistaken?"
The second man smirked at the first, "Well, she does now. His Majesty's Karl, Aaron assigned me to Her Majesty. Please, feel free to speak with him."
I did not like this. Who was this man? His mention of Aaron made me instantly suspicious of him. I could not imagine the cranky old man spending any of his time on a guard, even if it was someone being assigned to the Queen.
"Your name sir?"
The second man chuckled as he walked past the first guard, "Leif," he nodded and then turned quickly on his heel and entered the maze.
The first guard stood debating at the entrance for a moment - should he leave his Queen alone in the maze with this unknown man or stay behind just in case. I monitored the activity in the maze while Leif searched for the Queen, while listening to the first guard's thoughts.
The auburn haired man was loyal to the Queen. Like the old woman whose thoughts I had listened to the previous day, he worried for his Queen. He had known Izabel - the Queen - I corrected myself, since childhood. His father had been a guard in her father's service and his mother one of the Queen's ladies. As he grew up in the palace, he had known the royal family's secret - that the women were sometimes more lethal than the men.
Apparently, Kiev had taken our training with him very seriously.
The man turned on his heel to search for Aaron and confirm Leif's story.
Though I liked the guard, I felt frustrated that he left the Queen unattended. It seemed, he also felt that Queen could handle herself should the man prove to be an imposter.
I turned my focus back to Leif and the Queen. He was struggling to find the Queen and his thoughts revealed his frustration. "Where is she hiding?" He had a pressing matter he wanted to discuss with her. Probing further into his mind, I saw a young girl - beaten by other guards. He wanted the Queen to save the girl. Though something struck me as off with the man, I could understand if he had lied to the first man, why he had done so. Mentally, I tasked myself to keep a closer eye on this guard - especially if he spent any more time with the young Queen. Assuming that he found her.
The Queen had been nearly silent to human ears, Leif in comparison was loud - gulping in air as he ran about the maze, his boots smacked loudly against the ground - snapping twigs in his pathway.
Where are you little Queen? I wondered. Throwing my senses out, I searched for her heartbeat and the pull. Ahhh there she was. She had pulled herself into a tree, but again had felt my nearness it seemed and scrambled down from the branches. I chuckled to myself. It had been a good place to hide, slightly above the guard searching for her and out of sight. Humans rarely looked up - so she would have been safe there for a time.
Lief turned another corner, gaining ground on the Queen and she quickly ducked behind a tall shrub and crouched low to the ground. She was not as careful when she chose that hiding spot, and a stray branch or thorn must have scratched her skin because the scent of blood danced over the air to me. Without thought, I flitted towards her hiding spot, came from behind her in the underbrush. My mouth watered as her blood called sweetly to me. Again, she felt my nearness - but instead of fleeing, her body froze. I could hear her heart pounding and her shallow, erratic pants as she attempted to remain hidden. So close.
Although she felt me - she failed to hear me - even though I was right behind her. She smelled wonderful, and my treacherous body pulled me closer still until my breath fanned the back of neck. It was her frightened yelp that pulled me from the spell and immediately I withdrew to the shadows. When she darted from the shrub, she cut herself again - deeper, and ran into the guard.
The scent of her blood was too seductive, too powerful in it's call to me and I knew I had to force myself to depart. I turned sharply on my heel and flitted back towards the Queen's chambers. I needed distance.
The woman's call over me was too strong - perhaps I should risk explaining myself to her? What would I say? Would I tell her I had come to spy in her kingdom? That I had planned the King and her murders? Would I tell her what I was? That her blood called to me and though married - she was fated to be with me? With the last thought, I shook my head. No - I could not risk telling her everything, but perhaps I could tell her some of the truth. Perhaps it would be enough to gain her trust and possibly even her assistance to complete my mission. If nothing else, I could use the truth to explain why I would need to avoid her. Recalling how close I had been to loosing control in the maze, I knew I had to force myself to avoid her. Not just distance or keeping her at arm's length to focus on the mission - but I needed to physically distance myself from her until I had better control. Yet, I also needed an explanation for my prolonged absence. I had been assigned as her House Karl only the day before and could not begin disappearing without rousing suspicion.
As I neared her chambers, I heard several heartbeats. Her handmaidens had returned. I thought I had arranged enough for them to keep them busy for most of the morning. I slowed to a human pace until I reached the door and then rapped my knuckles quickly against the thick wood. Nada answered the door, "Yes?"
Inclining my head in acknowledgement, I decided to send the women on an errand. It would allow me some time to speak with the Queen alone - though I was still undecided what exactly I would say or share with her. "There is a girl in the guards' longhouse. She has been injured and Her Majesty wishes for you to retrieve the girl and bring her back to your quarters."
Nada's brow furrowed for a moment, considered my words. "Where is the Queen?"
"Training in the maze. One of the guards is searching for her." Though I knew the training was complete, and could distantly hear the guard - Lief, and the Queen speaking to one another - Nada did not need to know that information.
Thoughtfully she chewed on her bottom lip as she considered my words. In her mind, it fit with what the Queen would request - and Nada's thoughts surprised me. The Queen did seem to care about her people. Through the young woman's thoughts, I gathered that prior to her marriage, the young Queen had been very involved with her people. She had worked side by side with her handmaidens to serve the people, not only those in the village outside the palace walls, but those throughout her lands. Images of the Queen - covered in a dark leather uniform that hid her face - kneeling next to people and mending their wounds danced throughout her mind.
But why had the Queen stopped? What happened after her marriage that prevented her from continuing to work with her people? All we had heard in Tyr was of a distant and uncaring Queen. In the day I had been at the palace, I had yet to see the Queen venture further than the walls - and even that had been in disguise as a serf. Why did she conceal her identity?
After Nada considered my explanation and deemed it truthful, she waved the other women to her side and they filed out of the room to search for the injured girl in the guards' longhouses.
Silently I slipped into the Queen's chambers and waited. I considered what I had observed. The day had been interesting. The Queen did not merely walk garden mazes, she trained - in the same manner we had trained Kiev in Tyre. The auburn haired guard had thought of how lethal his mother and the previous Queen had been. Perhaps, Izabel did have a Queen's Guard - just one no one knew about or would have considered. Who knows about the secret Queen's Guard?
I paced the floors of her chambers as I waited for her return. The silence of the rooms without her was deafening and again I worried how quickly my body, my own state of mind had become so completely centered around her. I recalled that mates were unable to be parted, through distance or time, without a great deal of discomfort. Only now, I was personally experiencing the discomfort and I found it exceedingly distracting.
The door opened as she entered the chambers, her body hugged snugly by the bone colored linen. My mind recalled earlier when I had entered her chambers and she had been in only her underthings, the beautiful scarlet that had bloomed in her cheeks and the tops of her breasts as she realized her lack of modesty in front of me. However, she had looked no less tempting in the linen that hugged every curve and valley of her body. Just as it did when she entered the room and sensing a presence, dropped into a defensive crouch with her elbow raised as a shield while her other hand freed the knife hidden inside her boot as she crept forward into the sitting area.
Impressive. Most impressive little Queen.
Although I could watch her from my corner of her sitting area, I knew it would best to alert her to my presence. Unseen, I flitted behind her and teased, "I've sent them away," as I knew she was looking for the handmaidens I had encountered earlier. Turning sharply on her heel, one hand still gripped the knife, and the other still shielding her from attacks, she faced me.
I could feel my lips tug upwards into a smirk and felt as if I were glowing from the inside. Radiating heat and lust and desire. Slowly, she straightened in front of me, her form rigid as if her instincts still warned her against me or perhaps she also was battling the seemingly ever present want and desire. She did not lower the blade and this amused me greatly. "Your Highness, I am not here to harm you. You do not need that." Under my breath I added, "not that it would do you much good." Apparently, not quietly enough because it seemed she instantly heard the off handed remark and became irritated by my thoughtless comment. Her warning that I might be caught unaware only served to delight me.
"Unfortunately I was unable to spar with my opponent today, would you be interested in the challenge?" Though I knew she offered the challenge because of her wounded pride, my mind conjured several images of what sparing with the little Queen would entail. Or rather - how I would prefer to spar with her.
Yes - in my mind I imagined her body flush against mine as I allowed her the initial advantage. When she thought she had me conquered, I would flip her onto her back and ravage her mouth and drink the sweet nectar that pulsed under her skin. I warred with myself for control - the imaginings of my mind had hardened my body and if I really wanted to be even slightly truthful with the young woman before me, I had to maintain control.
"Your Highness, I would feel - uncomfortable with engaging in a match such as this with a lady," it should have been an acceptable excuse, but seemed to only incite her further. Blood rushed to her cheeks, her heart beat faster, and when she inquired about the ladies in Tyr - her voice was tight with anger.
I watched as she sized me up - and wished again I could read her thoughts. While I could read her emotions from her heartbeat and breathing, and guess her intentions from her body - I was limited to guessing and not knowing. However, it did not take me by surprise when she lunged for me, intent on attacking and therefor proving herself to me. My best guess is that she wanted to put me in my place, teach me a lesson for making assumptions about her skills. My little mate seems a bit prideful.
Too fast for her human eyes to register, I moved behind the Queen and pushed her body against the door while caging her from behind with my body. Gently I applied pressure to her wrist until she dropped the knife so that she was not accidentally injured with her own weapon during our scuffle. Slowly, I lowered my lips to the shell of her ear and whispered, "You see, Highness, that knife did you little good."
Her warm body felt so good pressed tightly against my own. Her delicate spine arched beautifully, pressing her shoulders and ass deliciously into just the right places on my body. As she struggled against me, her body brushed against my hardness. Unconsciously, I ghosted my nose down from her ear, down her neck, and to the bend where her neck met her shoulder and breathed in her scent. The thrumming of heart, laced with the tangy sweetness of her body's reaction to being caught off guard, and her tiny pants created a beautiful blend - a wine begging to be sampled. Oh how I wanted to open my mouth to her, lick her skin, bite down, and drink deeply. Inhaling again, I smelt the blood still on her skin from her cuts in the maze and felt the demon rattle inside me again.
No.
No.
Move away from her.
This woman always seemed to be unravelling my control. My hands moved to her shoulders and turned her quickly to face me while also stepping away from her to provide some space between us. "Highness, I sent your maidens away. I need to speak with you - privately." The words tumbled from my mouth and I asked myself again if I was really prepared to share any part of the truth with her.
Yes.
The answer was yes.
Breathing deeply, prepared to share with her some truth about who I was and why I was there, I smelled her blood again. The scent called again to me and I felt my body react. Already aware of the answer, I still asked "Highness, have you been injured?"
Her brows drew together - surely she did not expect that to be what I needed to discuss with her privately. Then she lifted her hand and pulled back the material covering her hand and wrist. There were faint scratches along her hand and continued up her forearm, most were minor scratches while others had cut deeply enough that they continued to bleed. The sight of her blood - not a blush in her cheeks or smelling it pump through her body - but to see the crimson nectar on her skin - seduced me.
The demon delighted in my dazed state and without thought, I encircled the injured wrist and tugged her close again. Heat rolled from her body in waves and I smelled her arousal in the air. How would her skin taste under my tongue? How would the heat of her body feel in my mouth? Unknowingly, my grip continued to tighten on her wrist as I brought her closer still. It was her pained whimper that broke the spell. Instantly I released her and stepped back until my back hit the wooden door. I had to get away from her. You are always running from her.
Regardless, I need distance or I will drink her dry while I claim her.
The danger loomed over us, and unwilling to risk another breath I quickly excused myself, "Highness, I must go."
Unconcerned with my speed or if anyone saw me, I flitted away from the little Queen and did not stop running until I was in the forest and the bond screamed at me to stop. Frustrated at my hunger, I searched for the first animal I could drain. The bloodlust pounded relentlessly in my head and only after draining several deer, did I feel back in control.
Dammit. Little Queen, you will be the death of me.
A/N: Hi there! I think this makes two updates in two weeks. Probably a first for me in awhile. ;-)
I don't have a lot of notes for this story, but am waiting on the edge of my seat to hear/read what you think.
Since Carlisle's only alternate ID in Ginnungagap was King Vanir, I decided to keep it simple and use his real name here. If you haven't read Ginnungagap, there are some spoilers already here (even in this chapter). Just giving you a heads up.
Side Note: I'm headed to the Windy City this week (for work) and the Twinerd in me is soooo excited.
Reviews are better than a sparring match with Jarpr.