After walking through a stone hallway that was crumbling under the ivy that coated and clung to the crevasses and fissures, Arthur entered what appeared to be a bedroom. It was too dark to make out any distinct shapes. With each echoing footstep, Arthur felt his way through the dusty and deserted room.
His fingers left lines in the stone dust that covered the armoire near the rotting wooden door. As he explored the piece, Arthur's fingertips caught on carvings of ivy, lions, dragons, and rooks. The King reeled as he moved away from the piece. He had expected to feel more carving, but his hand only grasped the air.
Disgruntled, Arthur shuffled deeper into the chamber. His arms were outstretched and his brow was furrowed as he squinted into the inpenatrable darkness. Bumping into a round table, Arthur found himself exploring yet another surface. There was a game board in the middle of it. When the Kig picked up one of the pieces that sat on the board, Arthur discovered it was a chess set. "Hmm," muttered Arthur as sat it back in its station on the board.
There was more bare space as he moved from the gaming table, but soon Arthur's legs met the four-poster bed. He knew he'd run into it sooner rather than later, but due to the inky blackness, his depth perception was distorted and so Arthur reached it in less time than he had anticipated.
Right in front of the bed was a dust-covered mirror. The film of grime was thin and so Arthur could see his reflection. As the King stared at his haggard face, another face was reflected in the mirror.
"Hello, Arthur," said the woman as she came over to Arthur's side. She looked over at the King with a pleasant smile on her face. In the darkness, her ivory skin and golden dress seemed to glow.
Arthur turned and faced the woman. "Sophia," said the King. His voice cracked ash is eyebrows arched high and touched his hairline.
"So you remember me," Sophia said. She took his hand and then she wrapped her thin fingers around his muscular ones. "You know, it's good to see you. I forgot how handsome you were."
"Of course I do! We almost married," exclaimed the King. There was a slight pained tone to his voice.
"Yes, we did. But, that's in the past. It was years ago," purred the woman. She reached up with her free hand. With one, elegant finger, she caressed his cheek and then his cheek.
It made Arthur shiver with pleasure. "Please, stop," he moaned. The King's stomach hardened. "This isn't right."
"Why? You're not married. I'm not married. We were to marry," cooed Sophia as she pressed a finger against Arthur's lips.
Even as Arthur kissed the finger pressed against his lips, he protested. "I can't. Merlin..." he whispered with a shake of his head.
"Yes, you can," the woman replied. She dropped her hand away from his lips and rested her hand on the back of Arthur's neck. Sophia pulled herself so close to the King that her hips brushed against his. Sophia looked up at the King and she locked her gaze with his. "Merlin will be fine. He's not your responsibility."
"Not my responsibility," muttered Arthur in a dazed voice.
"That's right. He's not your responsibility," repeated Sophia as her eyes glow red. Squeezing the King's hand, she pulled him to the bed. "It's just us."
"Always and forever," confirmed Arthur. He wrapped his arms around her waist and laid her on the bed. Straddling her, he stared down at the goddess as he hiked her skirt up and she undid his breeches. With short gasps, the King breathed in and out. His face and ears flush with vigor. His blue eyes widen and the dark pupils dilate.
Sophia wrapped her arms around his sinewy waist. With force, the woman pulled him closer so that she could feel his warm breath on her thin neck and he could fill her tepid breaths on his neck. As their bodies press together, she can feel his heartbeat against her squished chest. Sophia draws Arthur closer and locks her lips with his. Lightly, the woman bits down on his lower lip and with pleasure, the King moans.
"Oh, yes," squeals Sophia with delight. A wild cry escapes as she kisses him with the passion of a mating praying mantis. "You're mine!" She laughs.
A look of momentary confusing crosses Arthur's face. There's a moment of recognition. However, the King is drawn back into the throes of passion. It only lasts a minute or two more when a different scream rips through the air.
It's pain filled and every syllable he cries drips with fear. "HELP," Merlin wails. His voice cracks from the length and volume of the scream, but it's drowned out by the same manic laugh.
"There's no one to help you now, Emrys," hisses the stranger. "Not your king, not Gaius, no one! You're mine."
"Over my dead body," growls Arthur. He dismounts Sophia and pulls his trousers up.
"Come on, Arthur, come back to bed," says the woman as she sits up and pats a spot beside her.
"My friend needs me. Over my dead body will I rejoin you," replies the King.
She stands and walks over to him. "As you wish," Sophia whispers. The woman looks him in her eyes and her eyes, as well as Arthur's, turn red. "Do you wish to find your friend?"
"Yes," mutters Arthur. His head cocks to one side.
"Then, follow me. I know where he is," the woman with honey-blonde hair says. She heads towards the double doors at the balcony. Opening them, Sophia exits with Arthur on her heels. Stepping aside, she watches as he continues forward. "He's just on the other side of the railing."
Arthur nods. Grabbing it, he heaves himself up. He is just about to leap. One foot was in midair when Merlin's screams reached his ears again. The King blinks and a panicked look crosses his face. Miles below him were crashing waves. Shaking, he starts to get down, but Sophia pushes him. He loses his balance and for a moment, he is air bound. Before plummeting to the choppy waters below him, he grabs hold of the railing and clings to it for dear life.
Above him, Sophia's face looms. "You'll never get him, Arthur Pendragon," she tells the King. Turning, the woman leaves Arthur to the fates.
*Cue melodramatic music* It's a cliffhanger – literally and in both ways! I think the end was inspired by 'Dark Shadows'. I'm sorry for leaving you all hanging, but it felt like the perfect way to end this chapter. I'm also sorry for it being so rough. I didn't aim for it to be quite that graphic when I started. I hoped you liked it. Please R&R! The next chapter will be up soon. In the meantime, please check out my new Merlin fanfic, 'Aberration of a Warlock'.
