Date : 29.12.2011
Title : The Hassansins' Secret
Author : ElaineDex
Chapter : 11 of ?
Rating : M
Pairings : Zolm/OC
Warnings : Some Sexual Content, Romance, Angst, Maybe Some Strong Language.
Spoilers : Possible references to Prince of Persia : The Sands of Time.
Disclaimer : I do not own anything to do with the Prince of Persia franchise. This plot and any O/C's are mine.
Summary : (AU) The Hassansins take on a mission that leads to the discovery of a secret from their past, one that could change their futures forever and Zolm finds out that maintaining emotional detachment isn't always quite that easy.
"We are going to need a bigger bed," Dasmine announced as she straddled Zolm and reached her hands into the air to stretch out the kinks that had formed in her back from sleeping at an odd angle draped half over his body all night.
Zolm looked up at her, his blue eyes darkening as they rested upon her high round breasts and he rested his hands upon her shapely thighs to stop himself reaching for the pink and pouting tips. He had already lingered in bed far longer than ever before and though the sun was only just rising he was used to being up a couple of hours before his men.
"I am sure there will be something suitable in the palace," he said and Dasmine grumbled a little.
"Do we have to live there? I like it here…" she said and though Zolm mostly felt the same he wanted better for her…for all of them.
"It is for the best…" he said. He had spent some of the previous night explaining their plans to her and explaining about Zarina's heritage.
He reached for her waist as he went to get up, but she stopped him and grabbed his wrists, pinning them either side of his head and even though he had allowed the action, Zolm still narrowed his eyes at her.
"It is past time I was not abed," he said and she nodded.
"I know…but I wanted to say that I need to go to market to get things for the wedding…"
"The other women are coming here…they will bring all that is required…" he said, attempting to get up again, but yet again she pressed him back down.
"The women are coming here?" she asked, clearly shocked and he knew it would be a surprise to the men too.
Clearing her throat and pushing the revelation aside for now she continued,
"I wanted to get…" she paused, blushing a little and he regarded her, liking the way the rose colour tinged her cheeks, "…I want to wear something…nice…" she said and immediately Zolm understood.
"I will take you later…" he said decisively, but she shook her head.
"No! Zolm! You can't see what I choose…it's bad luck."
Zolm gave her a look that clearly stated that he did not believe in bad luck, but he saw the expression on her face and sighed.
"Very well," he relented. "I will instruct Gool to go with you."
"Thank you," she beamed at him, leaning down to kiss him and Zolm enjoyed the taste of her for a moment before quickly reversing their positions and after a quick, teasing bite of one nipple he extricated himself from her and rose to dress.
Following him up, Dasmine moved to her wash bowl and jug and made herself ready for the day, surprised when Zolm waited by the door for her and she dressed quickly, smiling at him as she slipped her hand into his and followed him from her room.
They went their separate ways once they reached the ground floor and Dasmine got on with the breakfast preparations, eager to be off to the market and she didn't see Zolm again until she and Gool were ready to leave the lair.
He approached just as she was about to join Gool on the cart seat and instead she turned to face him, not at all put off by the stern look he was giving her as he attached a small bag of coins to the belt she wore at her waist.
"Be vigilant," he instructed and she smiled.
"I always am…"
Zolm grumbled in the back of his throat and lifted her onto the seat beside Gool, his eyes locking with the other Hassansins', no words necessary to explain what would happen to the man if any harm befell Dasmine.
She waved at him as they rode through the gates and Zolm remained staring after them until his view was obstructed by a couple of their apprentices closing the gates again and breathing in deeply through his nose he squared his shoulders and returned inside, his aim to begin seeing exactly what skills Zarina possessed when it came to the control of vipers.
OoOoOoOoO
Gool rolled his eyes with an inward groan as Dasmine headed toward yet another stall that boasted the finest silks and satins in the land, following her nonetheless, his eyes darting this way and that to check for hidden dangers. He watched with next to no interest as Dasmine began to barter with the stall holder for a length of chiffon and was glad when she finally came away with what she wanted.
"Are we done now?" he asked as she reached his side and she looked around thoughtfully for a moment before looking up at him.
"Yes, I'm fairly sure I have everything I need."
"Good, come, I am eager to get you back. We have been longer than I anticipated," Gool said grimly, putting his hand to Dasmine's elbow as he guided her back through the market to where they had left the horse and cart.
Dasmine smiled happily as she placed her purchases in the back.
"You should have known this wouldn't be a quick trip," she said, making sure her packages were secure and frowning when Gool made no attempt to make some kind of sarcastic comeback. Turning she gasped as she saw they had been surrounded by men in palace guard uniforms and she soon found her back flattened against the side of the cart as Gool put himself in between her and them, his expression set in a menacing glower.
"The woman comes with us…" one of the guards said and Gool grinned though the action held no warmth.
"I think not…"
OoOoOoOoO
Zarina stared hard at the viper that slithered toward her, Zolm stood by her side watching with interest as she raised a hand and the reptile followed its direction with its head.
"Good," he stated, suddenly grabbing the snake in one hand and Zarina started as the viper hissed angrily for a moment before falling under his master's spell and as Zolm held it up, it slithered onto a nearby beam and disappeared into the dark recesses above them.
"I shall never be able to control them as you do," Zarina said, turning to face him and Zolm regarded her.
"Mayhap not, but you can develop your skills to a much higher level than where they are now."
"With your help…" Zarina said, taking a step closer to him and Zolm held his ground and nodded once.
"I have been thinking," Zarina continued, resting a hand against his arm and Zolm looked down at her slender, pale fingers; a stark contrast to the blackness of his robe. "Do you not think that our…partnership would be strengthened if we were to make our arrangement…" she trailed off as she raised her hand to rest it against his chest before finishing, "…a little more permanent?"
Zolm raised his eyes to hers and angled his head to one side as he considered her words, his stare almost detached as he said,
"Was there something you had in mind?"
Zarina smiled coyly and pressed more closely against his unyielding frame.
"Do I need to explain…?" she asked, her hand beginning to move downwards from his chest, over his abdomen and beyond, almost reaching her goal before his hand clamped around her wrist and pulled it away from his body.
"A union between you and I is not possible," he informed her, backing away and she frowned and replied,
"Why not?"
Before Zolm had a chance to respond, Setam appeared in the archway, his Second's expression telling him that all was not well.
Zolm never felt fear, fear was a weakness that he could not afford, but he could not help the shiver of cold dread that made its' way up his spine as Setam finally spoke.
"Gool has returned…he is badly injured…I…" he stopped as Zolm began to move forward, shifting out of his leader's way as he strode purposely past him. He glanced at Zarina who also began to move forward as he left to follow Zolm.
Fury seeped through every vein as Zolm stalked down the stone corridor that led out into the courtyard. His robes swirled around his legs as he crossed the square toward the horse and cart where the rest of his men had gathered around their injured brother.
Gool flinched as Zolm's shadow fell across him and he squinted up, the action hurting his eyes.
"I…we were…ambushed…" he choked out and Zolm's eyes glinted dangerously as he took in the blood that covered Gool's clothing.
"Where is she?" he demanded, not noticing as his men began to back away slightly.
"Azzam…" Gool coughed, blood oozing from the wound in his stomach, "…they were Azzam's men…I am certain…"
Zolm's fists clenched by his sides as he stared at Gool from beneath hooded lids, his blood beginning to boil as he imagined Dasmine in the would-be King's clutches. Without warning he reached for one of his scimitars, withdrew it and snarling so that his lips curled back to reveal his teeth, he plunged it deep into Gool's chest, finishing what Azzam's men had started.
Zarina gasped and covered her mouth with her hands and Setam took her arm and moved her out of Zolm's way as he stormed back toward them.
"Ready the horses, we leave immediately…" he barked the order at Setam as he passed them, his mind set on one thing. "This ends tonight…"
OoOoOoO End of Chapter 11 OoOoOoO