CAPTIVE AND CAPTIVATED

Chapter 5


The festivities below were intriguing. Hikaru watched them, only slightly nervous, for she was distracted at the moment. It was the colorful streamers and bright dresses of the people below that enchanted her. A summer festival. It was very beautiful.

Lantis stood beside her on the balcony. He, too, watched the crowd mill about. Hikaru chanced a quick glance at him before studying the horizon. It was a pale violet color. Soon, the sun would set. The people below were preparing to light fires.

On her chair, she sat upon a thick, comfortable pouf. She'd also been provided wine to drink and some small sandwiches to eat. Lantis seemed to be concerned with her level of comfort. Unfortunately, though, he'd requested that she remain nude in the typical slave fashion. She'd never been naked before him before and was humiliated when her Page came to undress and bathe her. Lantis took some time to study her, but he mostly allowed her privacy and peace. When she glanced at him, she saw that his eyes were always elsewhere. Perhaps he was trying to be polite. Or maybe he'd seen enough naked women in his lifetime and didn't feel particularly interested in her own nude form. Hikaru liked the former better.

Of course, as always, she found she didn't notice her nudity after a while and so could focus on other things. She was squinting up at the horizon, right where the sky was beginning to form a darker shade of purple. Curious waves of white light caught her eye, very, very far up in the sky. They danced in and out of view, waved about, winking at her like light on water.

"It looks like," she began to say, bewildered. She turned to Lantis. "Aurora Borealis. That's what it looks like. You have that in your world?"

Lantis turned a puzzled look to her. "I'm sorry?"

"Look, up there," she pointed. "The lights in the sky. They get bright and grow faint on and off, but they stay in the same spot. What is that?"

Lantis looked up at the phenomenon with narrowed eyes. "I believe that is our fissure."

"Fissure?"

"Yes. The breach in the veil. I have never seen it before. Perhaps only the evening light will reflect it." He looked long and hard at the lights. Hikaru studied them as well. She found them very beautiful. In Tokyo, she'd never actually seen the Aurora Borealis, but she'd seen pictures of them. Yes, they looked very similar, flashing blue, then green, then white, then red… And only in that one small spot. Yes, this was a different phenomena entirely, yet manifested itself in a similar way.

"Perhaps that is the magic flowing out of the world," Lantis mused. "It is illuminated when it encounters another universe. Magic may react oddly to a parallel world's air." He shrugged and sat back in his chair, taking a casual sip of wine. "I wouldn't know, though. Better you consult the Master Mage on such affairs."

"The Master Mage?" Hikaru repeated. "Is he the one who is now master to Umi?" Lantis frowned at her and she said, "The blue-haired girl."

"Yes, that is he. He is old and wise and very learned in astronomical affairs."

"Old? He looked to be about ten years old!"

"Appearances matter not in this world, lady." He looked almost amused. "Mage Clef is a powerful man indeed. I suspect he could transform himself into any shape he desired."

Hikaru was awed. If someone had so much power, why would they decide to look like an impotent little ten-year-old? Well, she supposed she'd never understand these Cephrans. She took to looking up at the lights again. Lantis said that the way through to the other world was high up in those clouds. It was a great tear, apparently a tear that no one had been able to fix yet. Perhaps people could move through it into the other world…

Lantis was looking at her, making her blush. "Here," he said, holding out his plate of food. "I have not much of an appetite. Please, help yourself." He also motioned for a servant to bring more wine. Hikaru gingerly plucked a sprig of grapes and a small cube of cheese from the plate. She didn't want to eat either, but she felt her stomach growling viciously at her and so decided to oblige it. Oh, yes, she was hungry all right. She placed a hand on her forehead, feeling slightly dizzy. If only there were some meats to eat.

"Hikaru," Lantis said, meeting her gaze once again. "I enjoy your company immensely. If it's not too forward of me, I request that you tolerate mine a bit longer."

"Mm." Hikaru paused with half-chewed cheese in her mouth. "Um… well, I don't mind, really…"

He nodded curtly. "I will not participate in the festivals this year. Later tonight, as the moon rises, they will dance around the fires. But, rather than join them, I'd prefer to watch. It's a lovely evening. The air is warm and the breeze is soft. A fine night for a festival." He looked contented; at peace. "Yes. I believe I'll retire early as well. Of course, I'd like for you to join me."

Hikaru bit her tongue and yelped in pain. Lantis rose to pat her on the back. "I--!" she spat, trying to compose herself. Ah, her tongue hurt! And she tasted blood now… just wonderful… "You want me to sleep with you," she managed to gasp.

"To sleep," he reiterated, "Yes. Unless you'd prefer the Slave Hall."

"No!"

"I thought not. I would like your company as I rest tonight. I'll make no move to defile you, I swear to that." He looked away from her. "I… assume you are untouched. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Well… as you should be. You'll remain that way this night. Have no fear. I only ask that you lay beside me, as a lover would, for I long that kind of touch." He sighed. "Warm flesh next to mine is something I've felt all too little these past years."

Hikaru wondered how old he was. Short-man Clef was very old from the way Lantis hinted, but what about Lantis himself? He looked to be a young man. No boy, of course… certainly in his late twenties or early thirties. He looked that way, anyway. Well, he wanted her company for the night. Who was she to say no? After all the time spent in the slave hall, being ignored by him, she supposed she should relish what time she was allowed with him. Better to play it meek, or even seductive. She should make him want her around.

"Prince Lantis," she sighed after a time. "I'm sorry you've been lonely. I'll do my best to make you happy tonight."

He nodded at her. "Your presence is surprisingly soothing. Though I don't know you well, I feel at ease around you. Perhaps it's this festive atmosphere as well."

Hikaru made a show of flipping her unruly locks over her shoulder to halfway reveal her naked bosom. "You know, I've never actually slept in a bed with a man. I hardly know what I should do." She shrugged. "I expect you'll want me to remain nude."

"As always," he began, "That is your decision. I've not forced you to be unclothed."

She paused. It was true. He only requested it, but she could have refused. Oh well. She'd gotten used to the nudity. "Well, Highness, I'll clad myself however you'd like me to. Or unclad myself," she added with a soft grin.

He was looking at her hair now. It was falling thick over her shoulders, and, windblown as it was, it also caught the last few dying rays of the sun, gleaming around her face like fire. She cast her eyes down to allow her long lashes to rest across her cheeks. The plate of fruit and cheese was at her feet. "Highness," she said again. "I am cold. Please—" She rose and gingerly stepped into Lantis' lap, curling her legs against his chest. He looked surprised. As he should have.

This is so bad … I can't believe I'm doing this. But I can't bear the thought of being sent back to the Slave Hall… She hid a shameful grin against his shirt at the thought, remarking that the Prince really was quite warm. Also, his armor was gone, allowing her the feeling of his actual flesh.

She leaned down to pick u the barely touched plate of food. "Hungry?" she asked innocently. She plucked a grape from the tray after setting it in her lap and popped it into her mouth. She chewed slowly and thought, Oh, I should have done that differently. I should eat like a lady…

Lantis was watching her warily. He seemed neither impressed nor repulsed by her actions. He was waiting to see what would happen next. Well, so was she, in a way. He allowed her small arms to curl around his neck. She was pressed into him, with her face against his shoulder, purring contentedly like a kitten. After a time, Lantis took to watching the field again and absently plucked bits of fruit and cheese off of the plate in Hikaru's lap. She seized his hand and held it fast in her own. It was daring, such a daring move, but why not? She smiled up at him and, with her free hand, picked up a cube of cheese. His face resumed that indecisive look again, that unreadable look that she just couldn't decipher. Was he about to throw her over the balcony?

But no, he was intrigued. His eyes, dark and formidable as they were, held hers fervently. She placed the cube of cheese against his parted lips, and to her relief, he opened his mouth and allowed her to feed him. He pulled her farther up into his lap and leaned back with her, closing his mouth around her fingers. If she closed her eyes, she remembered the smell of flowers, and felt warm grass on her face. Yes, it felt very nearly like it had with Eagle.

He watched her avidly, tasted her fingers as they slid out of his mouth to glean another grape from the tray. To her delight, his interest was not in the food. He allowed her feeding, pulling her closer against him, letting her feel his warmth. Actually, he was very warm. Nearly hot. Hikaru felt her whole body was hot. Surely her face was shining red as a beacon, watching his lips close around her fingertips. Ah, his mouth was hot…

She could feel his hand against her thigh. It had always been there, supporting her tiny frame against his chest, but now she noticed it burning there like a brand. What was she doing? What a foolhardy endeavor, acting the careless woman with this strange man!

No matter. She threw her sensibilities to the wind for the time being. Her mind was becoming murky and slow, anyway… perhaps it was the strong smell of the ritual fires below, or Lantis' warm, warm shoulders. He sat fully back know, nearly lying vertical, with her face close to his. He kissed her nose tentatively, and she noticed his lips trembled slightly. She closed her eyes and turned her cheek to be kissed. Don't be nervous, she wanted to tell him. Just… care for me deeply, and I'll do the same.

His lips on her brow were still so hot. It made her almost dizzy. How could someone possibly be so warm? It seemed to her that he radiated heat. Eagle hadn't been nearly so warm. Lantis was a veritable furnace. She felt she might swoon. With her hand trapped in his and his thumb smoothing the lengths of her slender fingers, Hikaru was sure she would faint. His mouth found her fingers again and she sighed heavily.

"Come my girl," he said suddenly, kissing her soft hair. "You must not fall asleep here. Come to bed with me. Come, beloved."

Umi awoke with a start. Darkness, darkness all around. And cold! Where was she? Oh, the dream had been horrible. She'd been stripped and placed on a plate for all to see. She was to be sacrificed! Naked and buttered and cooked and eaten, all to be sacrificed to the Gods!

"Ohh," she moaned, clutching at her naked bosom. "No, no…" It was so dark, why was it so dark? The cold!

A hand found hers in the dark and she cried out in fear.

"No," said a voice, "No, be still."

The hand took her arm and pulled her down. Her face was buried in pillows, soft pillows. A bed. Yes, she was in a bed. But not his bed. This couldn't be the same room. She opened her eyes and saw the open balcony doors, the softly fluttering curtains, the sliver of moon in the sky.

"Umi," said the man, pulling her face to his and pressing kisses to her cheeks and eyes. "Be still, be still, my beauty!" The voice, that gentle voice…

She began to weep. "I never woke up. I never woke up! This is a nightmare, too!"

"Hush," he whispered, pulling her closer to him. She allowed it. There was no use fighting it. The arms around her were strong, strong and large… She was so confused, surely these wasn't Clef's arms she was in. She'd woken up permeated by a smell, a masculine smell. Clef's smell? She couldn't be sure, had never been so close to him. She remembered feeling hair on her face as she slept. It was soft, like hers, and his skin was smooth… warm against the cold of the castle rooms.

She shivered against him. "Save me," she whispered.

He said nothing, only touched her gently here and there to soothe her back to sleep. No, certainly not Clef, who never used such gentle words. Warm breath ghosted over her forehead as she fell back into her dark, fitful sleep full of monsters with reaching hands…

When she opened her eyes again, she was curled beneath a fine fur blanket. The room was bright, adorned with gleaming blue and gold wallpaper. It was no longer chilly in the room and after a time, Umi found herself sweating. She rolled over and reached out to touch the man who'd been sleeping with her. But none was there. That side of the bed was untouched. Even the pillow bore no mark of a head having rested upon it.

She rubbed her eyes. Another bad dream? She certainly did not welcome the unknown company, after all. What time was it, anyway?

She sat up and, as she did, the door to the room opened. A tall, dark haired young man walked in. Her Page, who she'd only seen once or twice before. "I've come to groom you," he said tiredly. "The King and Queen want you for their own sport today."

Umi's jaw dropped. "Sport?! What--"

"Come quietly, please," he said. "I haven't much time to prepare you." He moved forward and Umi clutched the fur blankets in fear.

"No!'

When her Page left the doorway, she saw a small, familiar form standing there. Clef eyed her sharply.

"You!" she gasped. "What's going on here? What am I doing in this room? This isn't your room, what happened last night?" She clutched her face, groaning. "I don't even remember…"

Clef leaned against the doorway and continued to look reproachfully at her. "No, you wouldn't, would you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He crossed his arms and sighed. "You were loud and unruly last night. I grew weary of you, so I had you drugged and brought in here."

"What!"

Clef narrowed his eyes. "You refused to behave, and I punished you. See that you behave today, or it will be the lash for you."

"Oh, but you didn't hesitate to crawl back into bed with me and spend the night in here, did you?"

He scowled at her. "I didn't sleep last night."

Umi began to tremble. "You mean you weren't…" He only continued to glower at her as she drew the blankets around her shivering frame. Had the man in the night been a dream? As she studied his face, she began to see the signs of fatigue that marked his features. Dark heavy lids and red eyes. He hadn't slept at all the night before! "Well then what were you doing?"

"That's none of your concern."

Angry tears welled in her eyes as the Page attempted to remove her from the bed. The blanket fell away, revealing her nakedness, and she began to cry. She couldn't struggle… was far too humiliated to do so.

The Page carried her from the room, and as he passed the doorway occupied by Clef, her hand was briefly caught by his. The fleeting look he gave her was strange; unreadable. She snatched her hand away and hid her face against the Page's chest, sobbing quietly.

"Hush now," said her Page as he patted her hair. "Keep that pretty face of yours looking nice for the King and Queen. Come now, dry your eyes. You'll be doing something very special today."

Umi rubbed her nose and hiccupped. "What do you mean? Where are we going?"

"I will freshen you up a bit before I bring you into the Grand Hall. There's a large banquet being held in a few hours. You're to participate."

By participate, Umi doubted seriously that he meant she'd be eating. She paled and pressed her cheek to his fine, velvet doublet. Surely she wouldn't be made to serve the lords and ladies. If she did, she was certain they'd order her to do it unclothed. She felt her skin grow hot; she was still naked, had in fact not been dressed in days. It hadn't bothered her until that very moment.

Hikaru kept a watchful eye on the horizon all night. She could see, through Lantis' open window, the curve of the hills, the dark ribbon of black sky beyond them, dotted with pale stars. She had studied those stars for quite some time. They didn't twinkle as brightly as they did on Earth. They seemed dull, flat, without life. Like holes poked in the thick, blanket of a sky with a sharp object. And no moon. Perhaps the moon was in its dark phase, but as of yet, she'd seen no moon in that world.

Lantis held her close in the crook of her arm. As he slept, his grip had tightened, and now her face was pressed flush against the soft cotton of his shirt.

Surreal. Yes, that's what the whole situation was. Days ago she'd been stolen from her happy field trip and brought to this strange world. Now, she was tucked into the arms of the man she'd been pledged to. And while she lay there in that luxurious bed, swallowed by the infinite blankets and soft pillows, she thought of the pale-haired man and his warm, amber eyes. How he desired her, and, at the time, she'd wanted him as well. But now her dark, stoic man had her, and she found herself questioning her motives. Lantis had ignored her for days, this was true, but now… Well, he'd been so kind to her that night. He'd cared for her and treated her as a person and not as a slave. And out on the balcony… God, what had come over her? His lips had been so hot against hers…

So, she didn't sleep a wink that night. All she could do was look at the curve of his face, illuminated by the soft glow of torchlight from the balcony. He looked just as stoic in his sleep, just as much like a marble statue of some Greek god. Only the soft rising and falling of his chest betrayed his mortal life.

She closed her eyes and thought of her home. The braided tatami of the kendo rooms, the smell of wood and student's sweat, the laughter of her brothers…

No longer did those things surround her. Only the cold stone floors and wide beds, the zing of the lashes and the stiff astringency of the noble men and women around her. But this world had its own beauty, after all. The hills were nothing but an eternity of rolling, green grass. The mountains in the distance were also quite beautiful. The sun seemed to shine very softly in that land as well. And there were so many interesting things to look at! Mountains floated in the sky, the sea sparkled from leagues away and, far in the distance, Hikaru thought she'd spotted the inky smoke of a volcano.

She sighed. Her situation haunted her, keeping her from enjoying the beauty around her. If her man woke up, he may try to have his way with her. There would be pain. She would not enjoy it. She was a virgin… there'd be blood. And pain. The man was five times bigger than her, for God's sake.

As she thought her unending string of thoughts, she watched the horizon, waiting for the faint signs of blue that would bring the sun.

Lantis stirred. He rolled over, dragging her small body over his. Now she nearly straddled the man, who still remained in a deep sleep. Hikaru's face burned hotly, naked and exposed as she was over this massive man. He'd decided to remain clothed but insisted upon her nakedness. He was said it was only proper slave etiquette. Despite her wanton behavior hours before, and despite what had happened with Eagle, she'd never even so much as kissed a boy, and now her breasts and womanly parts were naked and bare for all to see.

A terrible feeling, waiting for the sun. For, though it would mean freedom from this bed, it also held unknown horrors of the day to come. And something within her told her that this day would be a long, arduous one, indeed.