A Court Of Hearts And Spades

by Tiffa Caelum

A strange place, masquerades and dances under firm and strict rules. A King of Swords, Noctis Caelum. A Queen of Hearts, Tifa Lockhart. One dancing with the other to the sound of a lethal melody. BookCover by /ElenaChatNoir

A COURT OF HEARTS AND SPADES

Clarifications:

AU set in a Dark Fantasy world. Here you will find explicit sex and explicit violence (blood, decapitations). Not recommended reading if you don't like this kind of content.

My mother tongue is not English. The shot is translated with the help of online translators so it is possible that there are some grammatical mistakes. I apologize in advance for that.

Noctifa and only Noctifa you will find here. Refrain from reading if you don't like the ship.

Shot written for Noctifa's celebration week, following the prompt: King of Swords & Queen of Hearts.

I hope you like it, good reading!

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The huge wooden door opened creating a loud creaking sound, one that echoed through the vast meeting hall.

The only man already there turned his cold, hard eyes toward the source of that shrill sound.

—Why am I not surprised to find you here before anyone else? —a soft, velvety voice asked as high heels clacked against the polished, squeaky-clean marble floor.

That floor was composed of black and white diamonds interspersed, creating a pattern very similar to chessboards. Its surface was quite reflective. One could look at oneself in it as if it were a mirror.

A huge, black, long rectangular table stood in the center of the gigantic room. Dozens of chairs surrounded it. Their backs were long and thin.

From the ceiling hung large chandeliers covered with countless decorations. They followed a very gothic and baroque style.

It was a lavish hall, although quite dark and... gloomy.

The steps stopped in front of one of the chairs. One that was occupied by a man well into his thirties. His hair was black although some strands had begun to take on a slight gray color. It was tousled, as always, giving him a more youthful and jovial look. A three-day beard populated his chin, making him look terribly sexy. He wore an elegant, sober and neat black suit that matched his shapely physique. His eyes, a deep blue color, sank into those of the woman who had just entered, alone, the building.

She was tall, voluptuous and undeniably beautiful. Sexy, too. She had very long, straight brown hair that fell free like a waterfall down her back. Vivid, intense, blood-red eyes. Pale skin that contrasted with the soft red color of her cheeks and her delicate and very subtle makeup. She was wearing a tight and short red dress that highlighted her attributes very well. The end of it fell above her knees and would be in a V-shape in the back, leaving her entire back uncovered. It also exposed a good portion of her perfect breasts. It revealed enough to excite anyone. It invited anyone who looked at her to fantasize about her. But it could never be said that she showed too much. No. She showed just enough to make anyone drool over her. But not enough to be singled out for exhibitionism.

In fact, many would kill to be able to see more inches of her skin.

Something that man sitting spread-legged in front of her had done several times.

A smarmy smile spread across his weathered face.

—Because you knew damn well I would —he said in a deep, raspy voice, one that made her skin crawl. That reaction did not escape him —That's why you've come early too, Queen of Hearts.

The girl grinned rakishly and without any contemplation or hesitation straddled the man's lap. He kept his hands on the armrests of the chair making enormous efforts not to touch her. Also to keep his expression from revealing how much she turned him on. How much she could provoke him with just a caress.

—Oh, Noctis —she brought her red lips to his —you know me so well... —Her tongue traced the outline of his mouth. Noctis tightened his fingers around the wood of the chair. She then laughed, pulling away from his face to look at him haughtily—. Are you really going to play cold with me tonight? —she asked, bringing her delicate hands up to his face.

There her fingers played with his beard, stroking his chin and outlining the shape of his jaw. Noctis continued to be impetuous even though inside he felt like he was going to explode. His heart yearned to beat wildly at the caresses and the sight of that woman. His crotch was eager to sink into hers. But he kept those urges under control.

—It's too soon for this —he looked at her with a veiled warning in his eyes. Tifa.

That warning and that cold tone of voice would have deterred anyone but her. And that was something they both knew. Something Noctis, King of Spades, hated and loved at the same time. He hated it because it made him feel weak and at her mercy. He loved it because it made him feel human again and... at her mercy.

Tifa gave him a lovely laugh, making it harder and harder not to touch her. She was fucking beautiful. And she was too good at flirting. Especially with him. She knew where and how to touch him. What to say and how to say it. Not for nothing had she come to hold the highest rank in her family.

"At what point have I given her that power over myself?" he thought, feeling her hands move up his face and into his dark hair.

There her fine, delicate fingers massaged his scalp tenderly, squeezing just enough to make it a thoroughly pleasurable massage.

—There's no such thing as too soon or too late when it comes to me, Noct— she told him, rubbing his scalp, testing his power of will—. I'm always in the right moment —she laughed again, making the air around her vibrate.

Noctis narrowed his eyes from the pleasure of the massage but hid it by feigning annoyance and irritation.

—No one calls me Noct.

"Not anymore."

That was what he had been called in his mortal life. When he was still human. But now, inside that macabre court he had come to stand in countless years ago, he would not allow anyone to have such trust with him.

Trust in that place was deadly.

Something he had learned with time, experience and above all observation.

Tifa feigned a pout, playing along. Her fingers left his hair to trail down his neck, his shoulders and end up on his chest. On his strong, solid chest. There she began to fiddle with his tie. He felt her clench her thighs around him. His nails dug into the wood of the chair, increasingly unable to resist her charms. Any other woman he would have taken him off by now. But Tifa... Tifa was not just any woman. She was the Queen of Hearts. She had a lot of power of her own. And besides... After tasting her body, Noctis couldn't pretend that he wasn't completely obsessed with her. That he didn't feel a sickly vice when it came to her, to her kisses, to her caresses, to her laughter... To her love.

—I think you'll allow me to take that little license, Noct —Tifa replied at last, convinced that it would be so.

He raised an eyebrow.

—I think you'll be the one to take it yourself.

—I don't think anyone in their right mind would take such liberties with the King of Spades —she slowly twisted the tie in her hand, pulling it towards her—. I heard you have little patience and a taste for bloodshed.

—I have patience. And a lot of it —he countered —. It's just that some people use it up too quicly —he gave her a meaningful look.

Tifa smiled, feigning innocence and naivety at his words.

—What about the taste for blood? —she insisted.

Noctis allowed himself a tiny half-smile. It was barely noticeable, but the Queen of Hearts saw it and couldn't stop her damp crotch from getting all wet. He was too attractive.

—I won't deny it —he confessed in a tremulous voice—. It's the only fun in here.

Tifa tugged at his tie in a swift, violent movement that caused his back to part from the backrest. Their faces were mere millimeters apart. Noctis' orbs turned blood red. He would have killed anyone for daring to move him like that. But not her. If his eyes had left the usual blue it had not been from the awakening of his killer instinct but from wild excitement. He grunted, not knowing whether to be more annoyed or pleased. Those little games had never appealed to him but she played them so well that it was hard not to be manipulated.

Tifa licked her lips, brushing Noctis' in the process.

—The only amusement, you say? —Her velvety voice came out of her mouth as a warm, soft murmur—. Are you sure about that?

Noctis took a deep breath. Big mistake. His nostrils filled with that exquisite and irresistible fragrance that always accompanied her. One that managed to make even the King of Spades himself tremble. He parted his lips, letting out a tiny trickle of air. He wanted to kiss her with all his might. To take her red lips and taste them until they were worn away. To throw her against the table, tear off her dress and take her again and again until he was spent. To hear her moan and cry out for and to him. He longed to see her naked and flushed. Unprotected and shy, as she truly was under all that royalty. Under all that charade she had been subjected to, just like him.

He was about to give in to his desires when a clapping sound echoed throughout the room, shattering the excitement and the intimate moment into hundreds of shards.

Tifa pulled away from him quickly though she did not get off his lap. She continued to sit astride him, her hand still clutching his tie.

Noctis leaned back against the backrest, annoyed. And that time it was for real.

—For me, of course, there are endless amusements here —a haughty young voice flooded the room—. The Queen of Hearts trying to win back the King of Spades. Very interesting.

—And as usual the King of Cups has to show off his long, incautious chatterbox tongue — Tifa replied in a honeyed voice, though Noctis knew very well that she was irritated. If there was one thing she hated, it was to have her games interrupted —. Are you a voyeur too, Reno? —she asked, slowly loosening Noctis' tie.

The red-haired man shrugged, smiling a wide, pearly smile. He was dressed in black, maroon and orange. A bison cloak draped down his back while in one hand he held an ostentatious goblet riddled with precious stones. It was filled with wine.

—I am —he admitted unabashedly—. I really enjoy watching theater and porn. So I won't refuse to watch both together —he raised the glass to his mouth —. Let alone if I can see the Queen of Hearts herself in action —he took a long sip—. You'd be better off with another kind of man, though. I think the Jack of Golds would do much better with you —his amused smile turned into a lecherous one.

Noctis' gaze hardened like a block of ice and, for the first time, he brought his hands to the woman's body. Tifa felt him touch her waist firmly, something that made her inwardly rejoice even though outwardly she denoted no emotion. She wrinkled her nose and pursed her lips in disgust just imagining this... Guy even coming near her.

Reno laughed, taking a step back as he watched the reaction of both king and queen.

—All right, all right, calm down —he soothed them —. It was just a suggestion —he winked at her—. Noctis is too boring for show business.

—And you're too incautious to hold the title of King of Cups for long — Noctis answered him so coldly that Reno could notice a slight drop in the temperature of his own body, always very hot from the effect of the alcohol he was ingesting at all times.

—Oh, come on —he laughed a little hysterically, for he knew very well that Noctis had no problem beheading kings of families. He had already done it twice and he was pretty sure he would not hesitate to do it again—, don't you guys have any sense of humor?

Tifa sighed and stepped off the King of Spades' lap gracefully and smoothly. Her legs were numb but did not betray her as she walked, wiggling her perfect hips, following the perimeter of the table, caressing its surface with her fingers under Noctis' icy gaze. He wished those fingers were still touching him. He had gone cold as soon as she had withdrawn. In any other situation it would have satisfied him, but when it came to her? Try as he might not to desire her, he couldn't. And he found himself cursing Reno for causing her to pull away from him.

Reno, like all Kings of Cups, was a loudmouth. A hard-core alcoholic who enjoyed the biggest binges. Wine, women and partying were his hobbies, in that order. He also liked to snoop and whisper about anything that could lead to drama or tragedy. His tongue had been responsible for many nobleman and commoner ending up on the scaffold. If there was wine, sex and blood, there he would be, clapping like a child.

Noctis hated practically everyone, but he recognized that, in spite of everything, Reno was not as machiavellian as the one who once took his place. But he was more talkative. And that made him unbearable for someone like the King of Spades, always cold, silent and solitary.

For Tifa, Reno was just another puppet in that place. Of that court. He played his role like everyone else. She, unlike Noctis, hated almost no one. After all, they were all prisoners of that world. Everyone had to obey and respect the same rules. Even kings and queens, like herself, had to do so. Still, she had been displeased that he had interrupted her conversation with the King of Spades and his allusion to the Jack of Golds.

Tifa paused for a moment to observe Reno. She sketched a flirtatious smile and batted her long eyelashes. The king felt his whole body weaken under her gaze. Her red eyes were beginning to engulf him as if they were two pools of blood. Little by little he felt how the oxygen was escaping from his lungs, how his whole organism began to feel an enormous pressure that threatened to break his bones and muscles.

The wine glass fell from his hand, spilling its contents all over the previously clean marble floor. He gasped and shrank back a few hundred paces, holding a hand to his throat. He wanted to tear his eyes away from her but he couldn't. He was mesmerized.

Noctis watched the whole thing without flinching. He had a slight idea of what he might be experiencing. He knew that Tifa had used her powers on him only very lightly. Just enough to make him abandon his hard and cold outer shell and show himself more as he really was. As he had once been. When he was still a mortal man.

—Your sense of humor, Reno —Tifa's voice cut through the tense atmosphere that had been created like a knife —has led to many people losing their heads. Literally —she waggled the fingers of her right hand gracefully, her smile becoming more and more addictive to the two men. She was so charming it made you want to throw yourself at her feet. And that's what Reno did. Throw himself on the floor like a possessed man and start crawling towards her—. So many heads have rolled because of you that you could fill a whole room with them —the queen continued, tossing the unruly locks of her brown hair behind her back. The fragrance of her hair reached Noctis again, numbing his joints. Even without being the target of her power, he was receiving all that stimulation. He controlled himself from rising from the chair and pouncing on her as he had been wanting from the beginning. Reno whimpered and panted like a dog as he closed his distance from the queen. His long, ostentatious bison cape trailing heavily behind him—. Many of those people hadn't even done anything wrong. They had simply broken some stupid, insignificant rule. No one deserves to die for something like that — the harsh words were spoken in a very delicate tone of voice more suited to angels than humans—, but you condemned them. Being able to kill others who do deserve it, you focus on the weakest and most unfortunate to offer yourself this... Theater that you like so much —she watched him raise a hand, full of rings, towards her ankle —. A theater in which there are no representations. In which nothing is false. Where everything happens for real. Where people die —she pulled her leg away, causing Reno to let out a pain-filled moan.

He was dying. Tifa looked at him with feigned tenderness. Under her bloodshot eyes was fury. Noctis began to worry. She was taking it too far. If she killed him, she would have to sympathize and explain herself. And the reasons she had were not enough to justify killing a Family King. It was clear to him that, if necessary, he would stop her himself. He had no sympathy for Reno, but he should not die like that. Not by endangering the life of the girl who meant so much to him.

The King of Spades moved, but Tifa waved him to stay in place. He did so, perplexed. He had felt that movement on his own body, as if she had made him fall back on the seat. Underestimating the power of the Queen of Hearts was a mistake.

Tifa squinted, watching Reno drool, his body wriggling like a worm.

—That's your sense of humor —she murmured—. So excuse us, King of Cups, if we don't share it.

She looked away at last from the red-haired man, who could do nothing but struggle for breath, coughing loudly and whimpering like a wounded animal. He felt terribly exhausted. He had been on the verge of death, after all. His whole body was trembling. He got down on all fours and vomited.

Tifa grimaced and turned away from him. She turned to look at Noctis, who was watching her with something she recognized at once.

Desire.

She jerked. Only one man in that whole damned court could make her feel this way. He was the King of Spades but to her he might as well be the King of Hearts. The power he held over her was not unlike the power she herself wielded. She felt her body burn under that icy, sharp gaze.

They were both succumbing to lust when a fourth presence appeared.

—What the hell is going on here? —A sharp voice irritated the ears of the two kings and queen.

Reno stood up, wobbling like a rag doll. He was emaciated, drenched in cold sweat. He ran the back of his hand across his lips, still breathing heavily. With his other hand he leaned on the table.

Tifa looked at him sideways, amused.

—We were just sharing our best jokes, weren't we, Reno?

He nodded, waving his hand.

—Yes, yes... Jokes — he coughed and, not daring to look at Tifa again, added—. Jokes so good they'd make you die.

The Queen of Hearts smiled a radiant smile as if she hadn't been about to murder him.

—You see? —There's nothing to worry about, Yuffie.

—Jack of Cups to you —the short black-haired girl grumbled, approaching her king to check his true condition.

She was wearing a dress in her family colors only these had been taken to very saturated and garish shades. She wore sandals on her feet instead of shoes and a bandana on her forehead that served as a low rank crown.

—What have you done to him? —she groaned at the sight of the red-haired man's pale face.

—Let it go, Yuffie —Reno told her.

—B-but...

—I said leave it —he raised his voice, something that made his head spin—. Fuck. I need a drink.

Yuffie nodded and immediately pulled out one of her saddlebags. She filled it with wine and handed it to her king. The latter gulped down the drink as if it were water, letting out a sigh of relief at the end.

He looked at Tifa not without still feeling the terror biting at his bones. He had never been subjected to such torture. He had no idea that the Queen of Hearts could ever do such things to one's mind and body. His respect for her increased considerably.

—I regret my words, Queen of Hearts —he muttered—. I meant no disrespect.

—I'm sure you didn't —she laughed, flirtatious, as she always had to be—. Apology accepted —she added sweetly and then walked back to her chair.

This one, like that of all the kings, was different from the others. It was larger, with a longer back and a multitude of gothic ornamentation all around. The leather of his seat was not black like the others but of a deep red color. There he sat, looking at the King of Spades with longing. A longing that only he could discern amidst all that charade of charms. He could see it in the tiny glow of her irises. A glow that only shone when she looked at him.

He took a deep breath, settling into his own navy blue leather chair, not taking his sapphire orbs from her ruby ones.

He was smitten with her. Mesmerized. Obsessed. Addicted.

And not because she was letting her magic work on him. No.

Noctis knew those feelings were coming from his own heart.

And that was... Extremely dangerous for both of them.

They didn't stop loving each other with their eyes until that gigantic room was filled with lights, people, music, food and drink.

The party had just begun.

️ ️

Noctis was still sitting in the same place with the same bored expression as always.

After the meeting that had taken place between the families, the usual revelry began. Joyful music, laughter, dancing, food, drink, sex and quarrels filled the vast meeting hall with noise.

The King of Swords had had plenty of time to become accustomed to such debauchery and yet he still disliked it immensely. He preferred the quiet of his throne room. A solitary environment, free of noise save for, perhaps, the soft sound of a piano or harp. Or, perhaps, of a velvety, soft, delicate female voice.

His eyes, cold as ice, searched for and found Tifa at once. She was standing, savoring a bonbon while being surrounded by males belonging to all families. They were all trying to win her favor by showering her with gifts and compliments. They all hoped to be eloquent enough to arouse her interest and be intimate with her. All of them were trying so hard to share a bed with her...

It was a pitiful spectacle.

Noctis did not understand how she could put up with all this so calmly. Nobody approached him because they all knew he wasn't looking for any kind of company. He had made it very clear many times, the last being when a pair of blonde twin girls tried to win his affection. They both ended up crying.

He frowned, disgusted to see so many men all over Tifa. It wasn't like him to be interested in anyone but ever since he had met her he hadn't been able to help but be attracted to her.

He searched in his memory for that memory. The first time he had seen her...

The first time he saw her she was not yet Queen of Hearts. She didn't even occupy a high number on her family's ladder. She was number three. Only two was below her. She had no power, no privilege, nothing of value.

She had only had a perfect body, beautiful hair and gorgeus eyes. She had only had a sweet, beautiful, shy personality.

For Noctis that was enough.

It had been at a party exactly like that one, only several dozen years ago.

He had come up for air on the balcony, seeking to get away from the party and the people, as usual.

There he had leaned against the white stone railing, unfastening his tie to make himself more comfortable.

From there he had an excellent view of the labyrinthine garden in front of the mansion. It was a labyrinth made up of unconventional hedges. It was constantly changing. The plants never seemed to be still but you could not appreciate their movement with your eyes. It was like a mirage. If you looked too hard it could cause dizziness and headaches. You simply had to accept that it was a living maze.

So Noctis looked up at the night sky, littered with hundreds of thousands of stars. A gentle breeze caressed his hair and his sleek black suit.

He sighed, his mind increasingly disassociated from the party going on behind him until...

He blinked, snapping back to reality when he felt something tug at his jacket. He turned his head and was startled to see a pale, delicate face decorated by a pair of intense red eyes. These were watching him, frightened, under thick, long black lashes.

Noctis' first thought was that she was a porcelain doll. With that snow-white skin, that delicate nose, those full red lips, those puffy cheeks, that beautiful brown hair... Yes. A porcelain doll was what she most resembled. And not just any doll. A really beautiful one.

—P-please —her lips moved, trembling, letting out a sweet, sensitive little voice—, help me —she begged.

It was then that he noticed her dress. It was of a strong red color, decorated with some black details. It was by no means lavish but it fitted her perfect forms so well that it was impossible not to notice it. One of its straps was broken, letting a piece of fabric fall from her cleavage, revealing a large part of one of her breasts. The smooth skin on it was marked and irritated, as if it had been bitten or scratched. On her collarbones and neck there were also marks. On her wrists, the same.

Noctis' eyes then took off from her to focus on some figures that had appeared a few meters away.

The girl noticed his gaze and followed it. She shivered like a little leaf in autumn and pressed herself against him almost unconsciously, as if seeking his protection.

The five men approached first taking long, quick steps. Then, noticing that they were approaching the King of Spades, they changed to a slower, more cautious pace.

Two of them were Cups, one of Golds and the other two of Hearts, like her. The Cups and Hearts were of low rank. The one of Golds, however, was not. This was the Jack of Golds. A fat, tallowy guy who liked to call himself Don Corneo.

Noctis instantly understood the situation. He was not surprised.

Those guys at those parties were dedicated to chasing, capturing, beating if necessary and raping women of lower rank. The more beautiful they were, the better. And the one he found clinging to him was, without a doubt, the most beautiful they had all ever seen.

She had already been assaulted. The surprising thing was that she had managed to escape.

The King of Spades did not flinch when Don Corneo addressed him.

—That little heart is ours, King of Spades — he said in a sticky voice. He was drunk—. She slipped away from us in an oversight... But now she has to go back and pay for what she has done.

Noctis noticed some marks of blows and scratches on the faces of those guys. Their clothes were wrinkled and dirty. It was as if they had received a few slaps. He slid his eyes to the girl, paying attention to her knuckles. The skin on them was raised. Tiny droplets of blood were blooming from the open wounds. The red polish on her nails was similarly deteriorated.

That this little doll could have faced those five guys alone was something Noctis would never have believed possible. There, beside him, she looked like a wounded butterfly. Helpless.

The men of Hearts began to walk towards them with the intention of taking the girl away.

She looked at him in terror, pressing herself even tighter against him.

Noctis would have pushed her away and let them take her. He would have gotten rid of her like someone getting rid of an unnecessary problem.

He would have, yes. With any other woman. But that girl... That girl made him, for the first time in a long time, feel. He didn't quite know what.

Whether admiration, excitement, lust, empathy, desire? Maybe all those things at once...

Whatever it was, he found himself wrapping an arm around her protectively, clutching her to his chest as if she were his own. She snuggled against him like a small animal would, making him feel a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time.

The men stopped in mid-stride, bewildered. Don Corneo let out an exclamation of surprise and disbelief.

Noctis gave them an icy but calm look. Neutral.

—She stays with me — he said calmly.

He felt her tremble against him.

—But what are you saying? —Don Corneo hiccupped, his cheeks red from his drunkenness —. I just told you she's ours! —he squealed as a pig would—. Give her back to us!

Noctis didn't move.

—You'd better leave — he advised them in a calm voice.

Yet they all felt dread.

His tone was calm, yes, but they could sense the threat beneath it. Like a blade still sheathed.

Unfortunately for them, that was not enough to make the Jack of Golds relent.

—Take it off! —he ordered his henchmen.

The two men of hearts were the first and last to move.

They had only advanced a few steps when suddenly they stopped dead in their tracks.

Don Corneo blinked in perplexity.

The girl, who suddenly found herself alone against the railing, saw how the King of Spades made his royal sword disappear, a couple of meters in front of her, in front of her attackers.

—B-but what...? —Don Corneo started but could not continue.

The heads of the two men slid like butter and ended up falling hard, bouncing and rolling on the ground. The decapitated bodies collapsed like heavy sacks.

Noctis stepped aside so that the blood propelling from their sliced necks would not stain his sleek black suit.

A sepulchral silence fell over them until the King of Spades let out a sigh filled with weariness. His eyes had turned a deep red, however. Killing pleased him. It turned him on. Not because he was really like that. It was because of his position within that court. Because of his power. Because of his title of King. A sword was made to drink blood. And Noctis was so fused with it that he could not not enjoy the spilling of it.

He looked at the rest of the men, who after a moment of paralysis, ran away.

Don Corneo let out a roar of rage.

—Where do you think you are going? You cowards! Come back here! —He gritted his teeth and looked at Noctis with a deep hatred in his eyes. Then he looked at the girl, whose mouth had opened as wide as her eyes because of what had happened. When she noticed him looking at her, she looked back at him, frightened —. It won't end like this! —he threatened, pointing his chubby index finger at her—. Next time...! —he was abruptly silenced when the King of Spades stood in front of her, preventing him from continuing with the speech.

Don Corneo was anything but a brave man. At that moment, seeing Noctis' wine-red eyes, he felt he had to run for his life. And so he did. He let out a whimper just as pigs do and ran away as fast as his fat body would allow.

Noctis closed his eyelids tightly, letting out another sigh and relaxing his body. It had been a while since he had killed anyone and he had forgotten how much he enjoyed it.

—Damn it —he muttered, rubbing his face.

—S-sorry — he heard from behind him. He turned and looked gently at the girl, who was hugging herself to stop the tremors that were shaking her perfect body—... t-thank you for... helping me... —she mumbled unable to stop looking at the king's irises.

They changed from that red hue to the usual sapphire blue. They were truly beautiful eyes, though they had lost some of their luster and color over the years. Or maybe because of all the pain and hatred that was inside his heart.

He walked slowly until he was just inches away from the girl. She had to lift her chin to look at him. As she did so, Noctis felt something stir inside him. Those ruby eyes... They were the most beautiful he had ever seen in his life. In the past and in the new one. No doubt about it.

He reached up, wanting to wipe away a trace of blood those pigs had caused on her lower lip. He hesitated. He didn't know if he should touch her. Not for her but for himself. Because he didn't want any more reasons to be attracted to her.

However, he couldn't decide.

The girl made her lips touch his long, calloused fingers gently.

An electric shock jolted them both.

She let out a ragged breath and he had to clench his jaw.

His thumb then caressed the flesh of her lips gently. It was very pleasurable to do so. Too much so.

He saw her smile and his head began to spin. So much for being just a three of hearts.

He pulled away from her, leaning back against the white stone railing again. At that moment he realized that he had been holding his breath and that his body had gained considerable temperature.

He breathed in deeply, cool air rushing into his nostrils and lungs as he stroked his ebony hair.

She approached him, shy.

Noctis watched her from the corner of his eye.

He thought she would say something but she didn't. She just stood beside him, silent, as if she felt safer with him than inside the grotesque party going on behind their backs.

He liked her silence. The women who approached him never stopped blabbering, trying to blurt out something clever that would make him interested in them. It never happened. Instead, this girl was making him die of curiosity about her without even saying a single word.

He couldn't resist.

—What's your name?

A smile tugged at her lips as a soft red color took possession of her pale, smooth cheeks.

—Tifa —she answered in a whisper—. Tifa... Lockhart.

.

Noctis blinked, snapping back to the present as a hand caressed his shoulders. He turned his head and saw her standing right behind him.

A smirk decorated her mouth as those two tiny sparks shone inside her irises. She was as beautiful as the first time he saw her. The only thing that had changed about her was that she was no longer afraid. She was no longer a three of hearts that anyone could use. She was the Queen of the Family. She had a lot of power and she knew it. She was the most desired woman in the entire court and she knew it. She was the only woman who could ignite the cadaverous heart of the King of Spades. And she knew it.

—Follow me —she said over the sound of the music without giving him time to answer.

She stepped between the frantically writhing bodies at a rapid pace without looking back.

Noctis let out a snort of protest but found himself smiling as he chased her around the room.

He had to push several people, unlike her who simply glided with grace and ease between them. It was a long walk but eventually they both reached the terrace. This one was deserted, as it always used to be.

Tifa turned with a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. She giggled gently as Noctis caught up with her after he had pushed hard at a guy who had blocked his way.

She loved his manhood. His masculinity. It was something that was in short supply in that place. And it was something any woman there would kill for. But Tifa had made sure none of them dared to come near him. Never again while she still had her head on his shoulders.

He was hers.

Her prey.

Her dancing smile turned into a somewhat machiavellian one as she remembered what she had done to the last woman who had tried to outdo the King of Spades.

She hadn't killed her or done her irreparable harm. She wasn't like that. But she had made her beg for her life in tears and bawls. She had made her swear she would never dare try to flirt with him again.

In any case, she cared too much. Noctis did not desire any woman.

Not if this one wasn't... Her.

He stopped a few feet away from her, looking at her with mock boredom.

—You forced me come all this way. What for?

Tifa let out an amused laugh. She loved it when he was being cold to her because she knew that inside he felt the opposite.

—I didn't force you to come... —she walked towards him, making sure to mark the movement of her hips well. Noctis' eyes, still, remained steady—... you have accepted my invitation. I am innocent —she stopped a few centimeters away from him and took his tie again, just as she had done hours before—. Don't try to evade your responsibility —she teased.

Noctis sank his blue gaze into hers, longing to touch her small waist to draw her against his body so he could feel her everywhere. He resisted and twisted his gesture.

—I told you I wasn't up for games tonight, Tifa —he reminded her.

—Not tonight or any night — she teased, tugging at the tie like a kitten would. He laughed again, this time more softly, more flirtatiously—. This is where we met... Do you remember? —she asked softly.

Noctis let out a sigh and looked towards the terrace.

—Of course I remember — he nodded and then looked at her again. A slight trace of affection imprinted in his eyes—. I remember you.

Tifa's heart hit her like a hammer.

If she had remained human, she would not have been strong-willed enough not to throw herself into his mouth. But her position as Queen of Hearts helped her hold back. A little.

She didn't need to stand on tiptoe to reach Noctis' ears. Her high heels allowed her to do so with ease.

He stopped breathing as he felt her lips embrace his right earlobe. They were warm, soft and moved slowly over his sensitive skin.

He closed his eyes as he felt Tifa's arms wrap around his neck. One of her hands ran into his hair, sending a slight shiver of pleasure through him.

She knew exactly where and how to touch him. And that pleased and frightened him at the same time.

Tifa gently bit into the flesh of his helix, intensifying the pleasure she was already making him feel.

—You saved me from those pigs and asked for nothing in return... Only my name —she whispered, pressing her breasts against his hard pecs.

Noctis squeezed his eyes tighter, making enormous efforts not to hug her.

—It was more than enough payment —he murmured, turning his head to run his nose into her long, brown hair.

She smelled of chocolate. Strawberry. Sweet.

Tifa's smile turned into a tender one. Noctis noticed as he felt her against his ear. That made him smile too. He liked knowing he could make her feel that way. Human. Just the way she was. Not the Queen of Hearts but... Tifa.

—Not for me —she whispered before separating from him, laughing again when she saw his disappointed expression. Come —she asked him before running towards the stairs.

—Not again... —Noctis groaned in exasperation but did not hesitate to follow her at a fast pace.

The two of them went down the white and marble spiral stairs to end up in the courtyard, in front of the hedge maze.

Noctis watched her, in the starlight, take off her high heels. Her white, thin, small feet stepping on the tiny colored pebbles that littered the ground.

—What are you doing? —he asked when he saw her approaching the entrance to the labyrinth. Tifa turned to give him a playful smile. He shook his head seriously—. No.

—Yes —she countered, continuing on her way.

—If you go in there, I'm not coming to your rescue —he warned her.

Tifa looked at him for a moment.

—Of course you will.

And before he could stop her, she went into the labyrinth.

Noctis would have liked to put up more resistance. At least wait a few minutes. But he couldn't. He immediately followed her, confirming what they both knew.

That he would follow her to the end of the world.

As soon as Noctis entered, he felt the power of the labyrinth. He could no longer see the exit. The leaves of the hedges buzzed like bees even though not a breath of air blew between them. The grass under his shoes seemed to try to hold him down. The walls deformed, giving the impression that they were getting narrower and narrower.

—Noct —he heard Tifa's charming voice to his right.

He saw her for an instant before she ran off again.

He chased after her without hesitation.

For several minutes, they were both running inside the labyrinth. Tifa barely made any noise with her dainty feet but made sure to lure Noctis either by calling out to him or laughing as if she were a mermaid bewitching an unwary sailor. The king followed her, less and less concerned with getting out and more with catching up with her.

There, he understood, they were completely alone. She had dragged him to the only place where no one could spy on them, analyze them... Judge them.

There they could be free.

Noctis ran faster, tuning his hearing, lightening his movements. He felt her very close. He could smell her perfume of chocolates, hear the fine trill of her laughter.

For the first time in a long time, the King of Spades let out an amused laugh. One that came as a surprise to him for it had sounded very human. Very similar to how he had laughed in his former mortal life. It was a strange laugh. But it soothed his heart, making him feel... Like a child.

His laughter became more usual, melting and mingling with Tifa's, who knew she could never forget or tire of hearing Noctis' true laughter. It was enchanting. Vibrant. Gorgeous. Worthy of a king and such a handsome man.

They continued to play hide and seek until, at an intersection, they suddenly collided.

They both fell to the soft ground, surprised since they had not expected to meet like this. They looked at each other in confusion but then began to laugh again.

Only the grass, the night and the stars were there as witnesses to their humanity.

Tifa was the first to stop laughing. Not because she wasn't happy but because she wanted to hear and see Noctis' laughter and smile. To enjoy it. Engrave it in her memory to treasure forever.

He was gorgeous.

His smile creased his features in a charming way. There were dimples in his cheeks and fine wrinkles in his eyes that made him look younger than he..."was."

Tifa blushed, surprised at how stupidly handsome he looked like that. She wished she could freeze that moment but at last Noctis ceased laughing to look at her with crystalline blue eyes.

She smiled at him and brought one of her hands to his face. He closed his eyes at the gentleness of her touch and let out a sigh of pleasure.

—Noctis —she called out to him, causing him to open his eyes again.

She forgot what she was going to tell him. The intensity of his gaze, the smile on his lips... It made her forget everything.

Noctis then pressed his lips against her palm, kissing her with an affection he had never professed to anyone. Not in his previous life, not in this one.

Tifa blinked in rapt attention.

—I knew you would follow me —she whispered.

He did not hide his emotions. In that place he didn't have to.

—Of course you knew —he murmured and then moved closer to her, lying on his side—. You'd make any man follow you wherever you went.

She pursed her lips.

—But I don't want just any man — she replied.

Noctis brought his hand to her delicate face.

—Tifa... You can't say that out loud. Not even here — he warned her, trying not to let his emotions make him lose his mind as they were making her lose hers—. You know all too well why the former Queen of Hearts was murdered.

Tifa snorted, annoyed. Not at him, but at everything else.

—I know —she turned on her body, facing the king—. But...

—No —he stopped her—. No, Tifa.

A pained expression took over her pretty features.

Noctis felt his heart heavy but he knew it was the right thing to do. He couldn't let her have the poise to say out loud how she felt. To do so could get her murdered. And he couldn't imagine another eternity in that place without her.

He couldn't stand it.

—Listen to me —he took her by the chin, forcing her to look at him—. Never say anything like that again, okay? Never.

Her eyes glazed over and a pair of glistening tears rolled down her face, wounding Noctis' soul deeply. If there was one thing he hated more than that place, those people and those games, it was seeing her cry.

—Promise me —he insisted.

She nodded weakly.

—I promise —she finally agreed.

He nodded, too, agreeing, though hurt.

—Don't cry —his voice abandoned its cold, authoritative tone for a warm, concerned one—. Don't cry... — He wiped away the tears from her cheeks with his fingers before pulling her in for a kiss.

Tifa responded immediately to his movement, snuggling against him, entwining their legs, hugging his body.

They kissed slowly, tenderly and intimately, as they had never been able to do before. They were alone. Safe. Protected by that labyrinth where no one dared to enter. There they could caress, touch and embrace each other as they wished.

Tifa parted her lips from Noctis' so she could cradle his face in her hands. She looked at him with something forbidden. Something dangerous.

Love.

Noctis didn't have the courage to ask her to stop looking at him like that. He liked it too much. He felt loved, something he never thought he would ever experience again, let alone in that place.

—Noct... —she called out to him, making his whole body tremble—... Make love to me.

It took him a few seconds to move. In fact, it was she who, with a smile and burning cheeks, whispered in his ear again:

—Make love to me.

After that, he could never look at her again without hiding everything he felt for her. Never.

️ ️

Noctis stirred, uncomfortable and dizzy. His throat felt dry and his mouth felt too cloyingly aftertaste. His muscles were cold and numb. He felt it when he tried to move and they resisted.

He wouldn't have made it very far anyway. He was bound. By the wrists and ankles. And judging by the softness of the surface, he was lying on a bed.

His head was spinning and he couldn't see anything since his eyes were covered by some kind of cloth. It was soft and skin-friendly even though he just wanted to get it off.

He pulled at his restraints hard but got nothing but hurt. He grunted, frowning and trying to recall his last memory.

Bonbons.

He stilled as he heard the click of a door opening and closing. Heels clacked on the floor in a slow rhythm. Very slow.

Noctis didn't have to guess anything. Even if he hadn't remembered, her sweet smell gave her away.

—What is this, Tifa? —he spoke in a scratchy, sticky voice.

He heard her laugh, and though the situation did not amuse him, he could not help his heart from throbbing.

—A bed, a room...

—You know what I mean —he growled—. Why am I tied to a bed with a blindfold on? Why did you... Did you give me those chocolates?

Tifa reached over the edge of the bed to reach out a hand and caress the outline of his jaw, so sexy.

Noctis enjoyed that caress. It was soft and gentle, unlike the ropes around his limbs.

—Because I've been dying to see you like this — Tifa tried to keep her voice from sounding terribly syrupy and hungry, but she couldn't manage it—, at my mercy. The King of Spades completely helpless for my enjoyment.

That made Noctis tense up. But it also made his manhood harden beneath his pants. It wasn't the first time he'd heard Tifa talk like this but he'd never heard it so openly. So direct.

So needy.

—You don't have to drug me and tie me up to enjoy me —he muttered in another growl.

Tifa bit her lower lip and with her finger she stroked Noctis' lower lip.

—I dont think so —she told him before inserting the digit into his mouth.

Noctis didn't resist but he didn't suck either. He didn't like his situation. Not so much because he was bound and blinded but because he could neither touch her nor see her. Something that over the years had become his favorite vice and pastime.

Tifa laughed.

She wasn't surprised that he played hard to get. He always did... In the beginning.

She took her finger out of his mouth and brought it to her own to taste it. Noctis could guess what she was doing and regretted not curling his tongue around that digit.

—Even after having consumed poisoned chocolates you taste exquisite —she complimented him.

—I only ate one —the man mumbled, confused—. How did you know which one I would eat? —he asked.

Tifa took her finger out of her mouth to stroke Noctis' black hair. He couldn't help but lean into that caress, he had always liked the way she massaged his scalp.

—I poisoned them all — she smiled, proud of herself.

He sighed, rolling his eyes under the blindfold.

-Of course you did — he murmured—. You never leave anything to chance.

—Nothing —she agreed.

—That's why you're so bad at playing cards —he said before receiving a sharp tug of his hair back.

He gasped, more surprised than hurt. His member grew harder still. He had liked it.

Tifa noticed and widened her smile.

—I'm in full control now, Noct — she reminded him—. And in this kind of game, I'm the best.

Noctis felt her climb onto the bed and sit on top of him. Tifa pinned her knees to either side of his body and settled herself on his hard, toned torso.

The King of Spades couldn't help but twist his lips into a grimace full of disgust.

—You're in your underwear —it wasn't a question.

—Yes —she simply confirmed what he already knew.

Noctis snorted.

If there was one thing he liked more than her, it was her in her underwear. She used to wear really exciting and pretty little lacy outfits. Ones that he used to rip right off every time they fucked. It disgusted him to no end that he couldn't see her like that. On him. In one of those outfits that made him so horny.

Tifa liked the situation more and more. She was glad she had decided to go through with it. She hesitated several times, for she knew that the King of Spades would never find pleasure in being helpless. But it turned out that, if it was before and for her, he didn't mind too much. Or that was what she was inferring.

She wasn't wrong.

Noctis felt her caress his torso and pecs above his shirt. He tried to swallow saliva but his mouth was dry. He stirred a little, wanting her to sit a little lower. On his member so he could press it against her.

Tifa noticed and did the opposite. She leaned forward, bringing her lips close to his.

—You must understand something, Noctis —she whispered, letting her breath flood his nostrils, intoxicating him—. Tonight, I'll be the one making all the decisions — she brushed his mouth with hers subtly. Noctis was dying to kiss her, but he held still, dismayed and aroused by her words—. Tonight, you will be my plaything — she motioned to kiss him so he did the same.

She pulled away before their mouths met, leaving Noctis disappointed and hungry. Tifa laughed, flirtatiously and machiavellianly.

He let out a long sigh.

—You always get your way — he spoke in frustration—. I've never stopped being your plaything.

She fiddled with the buttons of his shirt.

—But of my own free will — she reminded him— It's different now. You are at my total mercy. I can do with you... —she unbuttoned the first button—...Whatever I want — she laughed.

It was true.

Noctis had felt like a toy ever since he laid eyes on her. Not because she treated him as such, but because he himself enjoyed letting himself be dragged around like that. No matter how hard he tried to resist, he always ended up surrendering to her beauty and her games. And it wasn't Tifa's fault. It was his'. His' and only his'. It was what he wanted.

To be hers for whatever she wanted.

That's the same way he wanted her for himself. His little, naughty, precious porcelain doll. One that he protected under the cold, sharp edges of his swords even though he knew all too well that she had the power and strength to defend herself.

For all that, that situation did not displease him in the least. Being under Tifa's power was a fucking blessing.

Tifa slowly unbuttoned his shirt, leaving his toned and sculpted body naked before her. Her eyes darkened a little. She loved his body. His lines, his moles and even his scars. They were not few. These watered every corner of his body, reminiscent of all he had to suffer to become King of Spades.

The girl caressed them with her fingers, gently, outlining each one of them with care, watching him let out soft breaths of pleasure.

—It must have been very hard to get to your position — she murmured.

He nodded slightly.

—All of us monarchs have been through a lot —he replied.

Tifa smiled mirthlessly.

—You made sure I didn't have such a hard time -—she leaned over him. Thank you, Noct.

—You don't have to... —he fell silent as he felt her lips on his'.

He immediately reciprocated, thirsty. The soft kiss soon turned into a passionate and wet one. Noctis was still numb, so it was Tifa who set the pace of their tongues and also the one who won that first encounter, leaving him breathless.

—Fuck... —Noctis moaned, a trickle of saliva dripping from his mouth to his bearded chin.

She slid down, beginning to leave a trail of kisses, bites and licks down his skin. With each action she made sure to leave marks on his flesh. Ones that would last a few days. Too few for both her and him.

Tifa bit him on the shoulder, wringing the first cry of pleasure from him. She smiled, pleased and then kissed and licked the area before continuing her way down. Down to his pecs. Those she adored. Those she had so little indulged in. Widening her smile, she took one of his dark, small nipples with her lips.

Noctis did not expect this. He tugged at his restraints and arched up, moved by the great sense of pleasure it was giving him. He had seen how Tifa got extremely aroused every time he had touched, kissed, sucked, bitten and licked her nipples. Yet he never thought it could generate such pleasure for him.

His reaction made her want to give him more attention. With her other hand she played and pinched the other nipple, causing severe shocks of satisfaction in the king, who could barely sigh regularly. Tifa alternated between nipples, drinking in every gesture of pleasure Noctis made. She enjoyed watching him squirm just as she used to do when he was the one between her breasts. It made her resentful that she was indeed the one in control.

She spent no little time on that first part. She continued with her actions until she made Noctis end up trembling and panting.

Seeing him like this excited her greatly. She noticed herself wetting her panties and felt like ending all that nonsense, untying him and letting him fuck her like a beast on that bed.

But she restrained herself.

No.

He would please her. But in her own way.

Tifa stroked Noctis' face gently, helping him calm down a little. He gasped, frustrated and aroused in equal parts. He wished he could see her doing all that to him. To see her red eyes watching him as she gave him so much pleasure. To appreciate her pretty face crushing against his body to devour him with kisses and licks.

—Tifa... —he groaned.

She smiled and kissed his abs and then went down following the perfect V that disappeared under his pants. She took her time.

She didn't remove his pants quickly. She merely subtly stroked his bulging erection, sending him into spasms of pleasure.

—Don't play with me like that... —she heard him gasp.

Tifa framed an eyebrow in amusement.

—That's what I asked you once, remember? That time when I wanted you not to take your fingers out of me and yet you kept doing it just to provoke me.

—Tifa... That happened several years ago —he tried to excuse himself.

—And? —she slid her index finger across his covered, pulsating manhood, eliciting a moan from him.

—Cant you forgive me? —he tried to joke but his tone came out more like a plea.

She pretended to think about it.

—Mmmh... No —she gave him a light squeeze that made him touch the sky for just a second.

The king gasped in despair but already resigned to suffer this torture. It was only then that Tifa began to massage him without pause.

"Damn woman" Noctis couldn't help thinking but uttered a cry full of satisfaction.

She had led him to believe that she would torture him in such a way only to, unsurprisingly, play with him. As soon as he had been defeated, she had turned the situation around, giving him the pleasure he so desired to feel.

The Queen of Hearts smiled in pleasure, rubbing Noctis' member gently, squeezing just enough, never hurting him.

She did this for a while, letting him begin to get comfortable with the back and forth. Just as he was starting to get used to it, she stopped.

Noctis threw his head back, gritting his teeth hard. She was driving him crazy.

—Easy, Noct, we've only just begun — she teased with a wide smile on her red, wet lips.

She hadn't been able to stop herself from licking them as she saw Noctis' satisfied expressions. He was making her too horny.

Tifa then grabbed the crease of the king's black pants to begin slowly sliding them down his toned legs. He sighed, feeling the fabric caress his sensitive pale skin until it was wrapped around his ankles.

The girl caressed his rump, knees, quads and thighs, sometimes scratching his flesh a little with her perfect red nails.

Noctis tugged futilely at his bonds. He wanted her to return her attention to his manhood. He needed her. Badly.

And as she was wont to be, Tifa gave him what he wanted. It didn't please her to make him suffer too much. Just enough to make it fun and spicy for both of them.

She took the black boxers and got rid of them faster than she did with the pants.

Noctis held his breath. One, two, three, four, five... The caresses were not coming. He moaned in frustration and just as he was about to breathe in sharply, Tifa took his cock in her tender, soft, warm hands.

Noctis' hands balled into fists and his toes stiffened. There was a moment when he could neither breathe in nor hold his breath. She had sent him into a spin. And actually... He loved it.

He heard Tifa's laughter as if he were underwater. Distant. But no less beautiful.

—I don't know if it will be a good idea to release you after this is all over — she mumbled, putting on an innocent tone of voice as if she was doing nothing wrong—. I think you'll want to punish me.

—I will —Noctis managed to say in a gasp.

Tifa bit her lower lip, sliding her hand up and down his manhood. She was doing it at a perfect pace. Not too slow, not too fast. Just right to make him calm down as much as possible.

—You give me reasons to leave you here, bound and locked up for my enjoyment for all eternity —she teased.

The King of Spades couldn't help but bring a smile to his lips.

—It doesn't sound so bad, Tifa —he told her, his voice low from all the pleasure he was feeling—. I might prefer it.

She stopped her movement around his dick, making him moan without taking that smile off her mouth.

—... Might? —she asked.

—Might —he teased her.

Of course Noctis hadn't meant to say "might." He did. He absolutely did. He would give anything to stay locked in there with her forever. But even as helpless as he was, he knew he could irritate her with those words. He didn't quite know why he did it. He wasn't supposed to like games. Or maybe he did. Maybe she was making him take a liking to them. He didn't know exactly. What he did know was that he had enjoyed, if only for a moment, being in control of the situation even while bound hand and foot.

He felt Tifa pull away and get off the bed.

"I sure have pissed her off" he thought between amused and scared.

What if she left him there tied up, hot and horny as he was? What if she walked out of that room, leaving him with his throbbing member and his yearning body?

He groaned, trying to get rid of his restraints again. To no avail.

He gasped as he felt Tifa climb back onto the bed.

—So might— he heard her say with a tone of... Smugness? As if after being irritated she found it amusing. Noctis tensed. He knew her too well to know there was a certain danger in her soft voice—... might... — she repeated, straddling him again.

The only difference was that she was no longer wearing panties. She had gotten rid of them. The king felt the delicate, moist, warm skin of her crotch squish against his abs.

Noctis let out a grunt and squirmed, wanting to feel her vagina but lower. Down there where his manhood lay hungry.

Tifa let out a delighted if somewhat ghoulish chuckle. She was getting very horny from watching the King of Spades' helplessness.

He, a man who was always in control of the situation. Who never lost his composure. Who never flinched in the face of anything or anyone. Who had the power to assassinate practically anyone who stood in front of him.

He, a man with so much power, moaning for a simple touch from her. For a simple caress. For a single kiss.

Tifa couldn't help but salivate.

God. Noctis was driving her crazy like no other. Not even like the man she'd died for in her previous life had.

She threw herself on his lips to kiss and bite the edges of them. Every time Noctis tried to catch her mouth with his', she avoided him, teasing him, arousing him, frustrating him. She was dying to insert her tongue into his cavity and explore every nook and cranny. But at that moment she preferred to punish him for what he had said.

Might.

Tifa bit his lower lip until it bled.

Noctis moaned in pleasure at that kind of pain. He liked it. He liked it if she was the one inflicting it on him. He felt her lick his wound afterwards, tasting his blood.

The Queen of Hearts lay on top of him and began to rub herself against his body.

He gave a sharp tug on his bonds, which made a dull thud that worried Tifa a little. She took a moment to secure them better and then proceeded with her frantic friction dance on him.

It was delicious.

To rub herself against that man whose body seemed to have been sculpted by the gods themselves. Watching him sigh from the excitement and also the anguish of not being able to sink his member into her.

Tifa bit his chin, ignoring the tickling his three-day stubble on his face, and let her vagina rub directly against his manhood.

Noctis cried out at the feel of that contact.

—Fuck... —he snorted, noticing how wet she was.

He could feel her tender pussy throbbing as well, hungry for attention. He felt her warm and comforting there, allowing it to slide between his lips.

—Ti... Tifa... —he managed to say, losing his head—... Tifa...

She silenced him by kissing him passionately. A passion that clouded Noctis' senses so much that he didn't notice what was happening until he found himself locked between her thighs.

He gasped, surprised, when her hands closed in his hair and forced him to press his mouth against her intimacy.

It wasn't the first time Noctis had been between her legs. He had buried his head in that sweet spot repeatedly. But never while in that position. Not with her sitting astride him, denying him any kind of freedom of movement. He could only satisfy her.

And by all the gods... he would.

Snapping out of his momentary stupor, Noctis opened his mouth and took Tifa's pussy hungrily, making her let out a cry full of lewdness and pleasure.

—Oh... Noctis —he heard her moan above him.

Under the blindfold, he closed his eyes and began to taste her.

Tifa was hyperventilating. She loved it when she had him between her legs, licking her sex. But that position was definitely her new favorite for that kind of foreplay. Gravity itself was pulling her against his mouth and she could also control how much pressure to exert on him. He was hers. Completely hers. Her slave.

Her pink nipples ached at such a thought. She had to bring her hands to them to twist and pinch them, trying to imitate how Noctis used to do it. It was not the same. His hands were rougher, full of calluses. His fingers were rougher and bigger. She would have preferred it a thousand times to giving herself that pleasure. But she wasn't going to untie him. Not yet. So she rubbed her breasts, biting her lower lip as she looked down. Towards where Noctis was sucking her like he was sucking on a clam. A really delicious one.

She tasted like glory to him. Very sweet. Hot. Addictive. Perfect.

He let out air through his nose, shaking his head to intensify the pleasure he was giving her. He wanted to devour her.

Tifa squealed like a porn star as she felt it. His beard gave her pleasurable tingles that further stimulated that erogenous zone.

It was perfect. Really perfect.

—Noct... —she cried, grabbing him by the hair again, pulling him tighter against her.

Noctis thrust his tongue into her and swirled it in all directions not too slowly but not too fast either. Just the right cadence to make her melt with pleasure.

Tifa began to rock against him, making it difficult for him to breathe. But he didn't care. He wanted her to ride his mouth any way she wanted. After all, he was hers'. His mouth, his body... He was entirely hers. And she could take him as and when she wanted like the queen she was.

"My queen" he thought, being rammed harder and harder.

He moaned against her intimacy, tightening his mouth around her pussy lips. Sucking and slurping hard, driving her completely insane.

Tifa showed no mercy.

She rode him like there was no tomorrow, forcing him to pleasure her until the sweet, exquisite orgasm overcame her.

She threw her head back, letting out a desperate, lustful cry. Her eyes were blinded by so much pleasure. Her whole body tensed at the sensation. It was magnificent. Especially when Noctis kept drinking all her juices as if they were a delicious chocolate milkshake. His mouth kept closing around her vagina until it was dry, until Tifa could see again without haze in her dark crimson eyes. Until she could control the trembling in her joints.

She stood up, letting him breathe freely. Noctis took in a great deal of air, feeling somewhat dizzy from the exertions. Still, he couldn't help but smile, completely lost in love for that girl.

He licked the contours of his mouth, savoring the traces of her vaginal discharge. Exquisite.

He was trying to calm down and think logically when he suddenly felt Tifa take his manhood in her mouth.

There was no foreplay. No play or caressing. She did it without warning and greedily, as if she wanted to thank him for what he had given her only seconds before.

Noctis cried out, feeling pleasure but at the same time displeasure since she was going too fast.

—Ti... Fa... —he gasped, not knowing whether to move his hips against her or to stay still. He felt like doing both and neither. His body was confused—. Slo... wer... Slower... —He let out a moan as he felt Tifa's nails dig into his pelvis—... Slo...wer...

Either she didn't hear him or pretended not to hear him. She continued that frantic rhythm, thrusting the member deep into her mouth, wrapping her tongue around it, tasting it. Her hands slid, clawing at his skin, down to his testicles. Noctis gritted his teeth, blind with pleasure, as he felt her play with them.

She was kneading them gently between her small hands, very different from the way she was devouring his throbbing phallus.

—Ti... —Noctis was on the verge of madness—...Ti...fa...

Tifa wanted to devour him whole. God, she wanted him so badly.

She loved him so much...

She couldn't hold on any longer. Her clitoris screamed at her for attention and her vagina lubricated again, demanding.

She stopped giving him that frantic blowjob, fit for a king, to sit on him, letting him plunge his entire manhood into her. Letting him insert it fully.

They both screamed like beasts.

—Noctis! —Tifa shrieked, bouncing on him like there was no tomorrow.

Noctis couldn't take it anymore. He wanted her to fuck him. For the first time, he wanted her to be the one to dominate him completely.

—Fuck... —he managed to say between gasps—... Fuck me... —he asked her as he had been thinking it in his head—... Fuck me... Tifa...

She moaned desperately.

She wanted him so badly it was hurting her.

She threw herself on top of him, clinging to his round shoulders to gather more momentum. She joined her mouth to his' and they shared a very wet kiss in which their tongues moved shamelessly. They licked and sucked each other in a frenzied saliva-filled dance.

The two had crossed the limit.

The snapping of their bodies as they collided, the hard shaking of the bed and their own moans flooded the room. Both were sweating profusely. They both noticed how his testicles bounced against her, making everything more lewd and lustful than ever.

Tifa buried her face in his neck, where she bit down hard, digging her fangs into him like a vampire.

Noctis cried out, mad with pleasure. Everything she did satisfied him like nothing ever before. Everything. Even the wound she was leaving in his throat. It felt extremely good.

They couldn't take it anymore.

Their burning bodies exploded, Noctis' slightly before Tifa's.

A strong shock of heat and electricity hit them both, leaving them exhausted and panting.

Noctis on the bed and tied up, Tifa on top of him and still being impaled by the hard member.

A position that both felt as perfect. A posture they held for long minutes, minutes in which they gradually ordered their thoughts and regulated their breathing. Their hearts gradually relaxed. Their bodies abandoned the tension to end up totally flaccid and exhausted. Their muscles were heavy.

Tifa moved, letting his manhood slide lazily out of her. Noctis groaned at his release. It was nice but at the same time not. He loved the feel of his cock buried in her tender little pussy. There her walls embraced him tightly and possessively, as if they never wanted him to leave them. It was his home. The place he would always return to for comfort. So warm... So cozy...

Tifa slowly removed the bindings from his hands and the blindfold from his eyes.

He parted his eyelids, gazing at her with intense blood red orbs. He wrapped his arms around her at last, caging her like a butterfly. His hands caressed her back gently.

She smiled happily and pleased, before giving him a tender, soft kiss on the lips.

She looked beautiful. Her hair was disheveled, her cheeks red and her lips puffy. Her eyes sparkled.

Noctis couldn't help but smile back. A smile filled with something very dangerous.

Love.

—I'd choose him every time —he murmured hoarsely.

She tilted her head to the side without understanding.

The King of Spades widened his smile, leaving her completely enraptured.

He was gorgeous. But when he smiled... When he smiled he was more beautiful than anything Tifa had ever seen.

—I'd always choose to stay with you, Tifa —he mused, watching her face transform into an expression of surprise, longing and... Also...

Love.

—Always with you — Noctis whispered before she kissed him with passion.

But not an unbridled one like before. No. This one was different. Calmer, more stable. Longer-lived.

It was the passion of the ashes. What remained when the fire had been extinguished. A passion that would never go away. One that would always be there, covering them both.

A passion that would drive them to bleed and shed blood.

️ ️

The Queen of Hearts did not understand.

They had been cautious, careful, discreet. They had done nothing in public that would be significant enough to... To condemn them both to death.

For wanting each other. For loving each other.

She did not know where, who, how and when they had accused them of that crime. One that was undoubtedly one of the worst. One for which the former Queen of Hearts and her Ace of Hearts had died long time ago. They had been taken to the guillotine, where the Ace of Spades had ended their lives in an instant.

She did not understand.

She had never gone overboard with Noctis in public. She had flirted with him as she should have done with all men she deemed fit for that game.

She had had a good time with other men doing that although she had never gone so far as to get into any bed that was not shared by the King of Spades.

Was that why?

No... The laws said nothing on that subject.

A Queen of Hearts had a duty to play with the hearts of men she deemed worthy of her. She had to be flirtatious and flirt with them until she made them desire her more than any other woman. And then, she could take them to bed or leave them with the horniness.

Noctis had been the only one to get the former.

Him and him alone.

But then again, there was nothing stipulated in the laws that condemned that. Nothing forced her to have sex if she didn't want to. It was strange.

Tifa did not understand at what point they could have been discovered.

It would have been... The way she looked at him? The subtle way she caressed him every time she passed him?

She hugged herself, feeling nauseous.

In spite of everything she was afraid of dying again.

But most of all...

Her eyes glazed over.

Most of all she couldn't bear the thought of never seeing Noctis again. Of him being ripped out of her existence.

If anything had made her want to go on living in that macabre world of madness, it had been him.

She loved him.

And as if that thought had been spoken aloud, the doors of the Queen of Hearts' hall swung open violently.

Tifa spun around in a flinch and before she could do or say anything she found herself in the arms of the King of Spades. He had teleported to her in just a split second, just as his powers allowed him to do.

The girl clung to him at once and began to cry.

—I'm sorry —she whimpered, clutching his black jacket with trembling hands—... I'm so sorry... I'm...

—Shhhh —Noctis shushed her, cradling her face in his hands so he could stare at her—. Tifa, is your source reliable? Are you absolutely sure? —he asked calmly, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs.

Tifa nodded.

—Yes... It was Genesis Rhapsodos. I trust him —she murmured.

Genesis was the Jack of Hearts. He was a secretive and mysterious man who liked the company of the Queen of Hearts. They had flirted on several occasions and he was one of the few individuals Tifa had come to trust. He had been the one to warn her of the worst:

The court knew that she loved Noctis and that her feelings were reciprocated.

The court was going to murder them just as they had murdered the former Queen of Hearts and her Ace.

Tifa's heart shrank at the memory of them. Remembering Yuna and Tidus. At the memory of how their love had led them to the scaffold.

Noctis nodded, taking in the information calmly.

Tifa on the other hand could not control her emotions at that moment, alone with the man she loved. In public she had always known how to pretend and act with grace and resolution but in private it was different. In private and, together with Noctis, she could show herself as she truly was.

A girl with more feelings than all those crazy people could put together. A warm, fragile, beautiful and kind girl. Compassionate. Without malice.

And that was precisely why Noctis had fallen in love with her from the beginning. Tifa's humanity shook his cold, high, thick walls, making him feel again. Reminding him of what he was really like:

Not a blood-lusting, icy, jaded king but a just, kind, regal, sensitive man. A good man.

—It's my fault, Noctis — Tifa sobbed—, because of me... —She looked at him with so much love that Noctis' heart melted—. You don't have to die —she suddenly said—. We can say that only I have broken the law. W-we can tell them that you had nothing to do with it... W-we can... —a fierce kiss from Noctis silenced her.

His lips were demanding. They drew her into a passionate kiss, charged with passion but also fury. A kiss that stole all the air from her lungs. A kiss that slowed down time and made her forget everything for the time it lasted.

Tifa gasped when he finally broke away from her to make her stare into his eyes. Those stunning sapphire blue eyes that always shone brightly when they were fixed on her. Yes... If those eyes looked at Tifa, the dense metallic haze that used to cloud them would lift, leaving a clean and magnificent ocular landscape to get lost in.

—Tifa —his voice reached her ears firm, calm and confident—.Tifa, we're not going to do anything like that —he warned her without hesitation—. If they want to kill you, they'll have to step over my dead body —he watched a tear slide down her cheek. He wiped it away with his thumb—. I'm tired of pretending I don't love you.

—Noctis... —she sighed his name, shocked to hear him say it.

She had seen love in his eyes many times but nothing like that had ever come from his lips.

He had always held back for both their sakes. But he had had enough. He didn't want to and couldn't pretend anymore.

—I love you, Tifa Lockhart —he confessed solemnly—. I will kill for your love. And I will die for you when necessary —he stopped cradling her porcelain face to slide his ring off his ring finger—. I am yours now and for eternity —a soft, comforting smile took shape on his lips as he took the Queen of Hearts' left hand to place the ring on her middle finger—. You are mine now and forever. I love you —he repeated before she kissed him with so much love and affection that he felt his whole body weaken.

He had loved her for dozens of years but had never been able to tell her. He had always had to hide it for fear of endangering her. But now it no longer mattered. Everyone knew of their love. There was no point in hiding it. Not anymore.

—I love you —Tifa reciprocated, hugging him with joy and affection—. I love you, Noctis —she repeated against his lips.

—I love you —he reciprocated, before kissing her again.

The two shared kisses, caresses and words of love for several minutes, enjoying the freedom that at that moment, threatened with death, they had.

However, they did not have much time.

Noctis took his beloved's face between his rough hands and looked at her solemnly.

—Tifa, they're coming to arrest us — he whispered—. Both of us. Probably the Aces from your family and mine —she nodded. She remembered how that worked—. They'll want to arrest us and hold a trial where they'll sentence us to death.

—I know... —She also took Noctis' face in her hands.

His gaze became a little reddish.

—I will not allow them to put us in chains —he said with aplomb—. I will not allow them to lay a single hand on you. When they come, I will kill them.

That was no solution. They both knew that even if he managed to kill the two Ace, new ones would appear in a few days. Families always had to be complete. Not a single member could be missing for more than twenty-four hours. In the end, they would have to barricade themselves in the Queen of Hearts' castle and fight for their lives and their love until they were killed. There was no escape. They could only try to delay the inevitable.

But Tifa wasn't going to let him fight alone. She wasn't going to stand idly by when the life of the man she loved was also at stake.

She pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

—We will fight together, Noct —she whispered to him. He started to shake his head but she stopped him by putting a finger on his lips—. I won't let you fight alone —she no longer cried. She no longer looked frail or weak. Now a new flame burned in her red eyes—. They will also have to kill me to get to you.

Noctis ran his hands through her long, thick hair. He didn't want to put her in danger. He didn't want her to take any chances. He had fought countless times, several of these being against other kings and even Aces. He was used to it. But Tifa had never had to fight to the death. He feared she was unprepared.

He had seen her lay men at her feet with a single glance and remembered how she had led them both out of the Labyrinth that night but...

—Noctis —she called to him, her voice no longer cracking. It was firm—. We will fight together —she repeated, leaving him no room to bargain.

She would do it whether he wanted to or not. It was her will. And Noctis couldn't stop her.

Besides, this way they would have each other's backs. Noctis couldn't bear to be defeated and know that he would have left her alone, to her fate, without his protection.

If they were going to die... They would do it together. And fighting until their last breath.

—All right, love of mine —he caressed her lovingly—. Together.

Tifa smiled, more sure of herself. She couldn't be fragile. Not when he was in danger.

They kissed again, full of affection for each other and then prepared for what was to come.

.

It didn't take long for them to arrive. Everyone was there.

The crowd of the lowest numbers of each family had thronged to the gates of the Queen of Hearts' castle. They were banging on its massive red chrome metal doors, shouting for them to surrender themselves to be executed as the laws stipulated.

Not that all these individuals cared about those stupid rules. They simply wanted to see heads roll for entertainment. And what better than to see two lovers being killed for their love?

Many of them still remembered the screams of Tidus and Yuna when they were beheaded. They had been brought to tears of grief as if they were watching a tragic play. The feelings of the two lovers had moved all those madmen, but not really. They had only been a training. And one of the best. They wanted to see it again.

Besides, this time it involved two kings. It involved Noctis, the King of Spades. A man who had come to his position by spilling rivers of blood, killing his predecessor in single combat. He was a legend. And everyone loves to see legends fall.

It involved Tifa Lockhart, perhaps... No. She was with no doubt the most gorgeous and sexy woman who had ever become Queen of Hearts. Everyone was morbid to see such a perfect girl be beheaded. Especially the women out of envy and jealousy. There wasn't a single man who hadn't been turned on by her. She had to pay for being the perfect symbol of love and beauty.

Yes, everyone there wished to see them die.

But only a few could measure up to them.

The Ace of Spades and the Ace of Hearts.

A woman and a man dressed in the distinguished armor of their families. Like almost all Ace, they were proud and arrogant overbearing individuals. They looked down on everyone over their shoulders and never hesitated to make blood flow from their weapons.

She carried a red sword, alluding to all the blood she had shed. He simply wore his massive physical strength. With a single punch, he could break anyone's ribs. He didn't need any more weapon than that.

People stepped aside, respecting the passage of both warriors. Many moved several meters away, fearing they could be killed. You never knew when an Ace was going to lose his sanity and kill someone. It was better to be safe.

The couple stopped in front of the door.

She looked at him with a cynical smile.

He mirrored the expression and approached the door.

Everyone fell silent, expectant.

The man waited a few seconds to create more tension, causing his partner to roll her eyes. She was only there to spill blood, not to perform in front of the plebs.

—Take it down now —she said impatiently.

He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, annoyed. Still he did what he owed her.

With a single punch he shattered the thick metal blades, hurling them through the air into the castle's front garden.

No one moved except the assassin, who entered the grounds with her companion. No one dared to follow them. Everyone preferred to wait outside. It was not safe to be near the Aces, let alone the King of Spades and the Queen of Hearts. Whatever happened, each and every one of them would make up a different story. One that they would share with each other until they created an implausible and crazy anecdote about how the Aces of Swords and Hearts defeated their own monarchs to bring them to justice for violating the first law of the court:

Never, ever and under any circumstances... Fall in love.

The assassin burst through a door for the third time. The throne room. This room was very spacious, with high ceilings and thick columns. Stained glass of red and pink decorated the windows, making the light entering the room tinged with those intense tones. There were several statues and paintings, all depicting love scenes. Some were a bit racy and others were overtly sexual. Still, as they were all elegantly and masterfully constructed and painted, they did not convey a feeling of morbidity or obscenity. They were, after all, in the royal hall of the Family of Hearts.

And there, seated on her ostentatious red throne, was Tifa.

She was not wearing one of her suggestive red dresses. What she was wearing were clothes completely different from what a queen should wear.

It was a black leather suit, sober and comfortable. It consisted of a black top with a platinum zipper in its center and shorts that revealed her beautiful legs. A dark cape fell from her hips to almost touch the floor. On her feet she no longer wore stiletto shoes. She had put on black boots with white soles. The only majestic thing she wore was a thick, thick red cloak. The Queen's cape. One that she had only worn on a single occasion: at her coronation.

The assassins looked at her, somewhat confused by her attire as it was not at all appropriate for her rank or the occasion.

Then they looked at the man leaning on the throne beside her.

The King of Spades, in his typical black attire, watching them with eyes as red as blood. Ones that defied the colors that sprinkled the room.

The assassins walked silently towards them. Their footsteps echoed throughout the room.

She wore a pale armor, he a dark suit. Her metal squeaked, his cloth rustled.

They stopped several meters away.

No one spoke for a few seconds... Until the Ace of Spades burst out laughing. His partner was quick to mirror his laughter.

Noctis and Tifa did not change the seriousness on their faces. They were tense. The Ace's weren't laughing in happiness, obviously.

—I thought you would at least try to escape — the woman laughed. Her eyes were a faded blue—, but I see you are as foolish as everyone else.

The King of Spades then flashed a half-smile that was nothing but menace.

—I fear foolishness is on your side, Ace —his voice vibrated through the room, making Tifa's heart beat wildly. It was a terribly powerful voice—. You dare to face your king.

She stopped smiling, showing a face full of hatred and contempt.

—We Ace do not answer to kings — she spat as she placed her hand on the handle of her sword—. We Ace assassinate them.

His companion nodded before pointing to the Queen's hand.

—What is the meaning of this? —he asked, his eyes widening.

The woman noticed what had caught the Ace of Hearts' attention. Her face contracted even more.

—Blasphemy —she blurted out in a venomous voice, tightening her grip on the pommel.

Tifa raised the hand that had been resting on her knee, her left, unabashedly revealing the ring that the King of Swords himself had slipped on her finger.

—The King of Swords has taken me for his own — she said calmly and poised, showing no weakness whatsoever. Rather, she seemed proud and delighted—. I am now his mistress and wife. His' and his' alone, just as he is mine and mine alone.

Noctis couldn't stop his smile from widening. Hearing her say that was fantastic. It was something she would never have been able to say under any other circumstances. Under threat of death. But there they were, confirming their love in front of the two Ace of their respective families. Before those whose mission was to arrest them and then murder them for the enjoyment of the plebs.

The assassins could not believe it.

The monarchs had more power than any other individual in the deck but no one was above the law. No one. Not even royalty.

—You have lost your minds — the woman spoke, her voice full of rage. —, such a thing is not allowed —she began to draw her weapon.

—No law will stop our love —Tifa lowered her hand, her whole body tensing under the thick, velvety red cloak—. And you are going to die —she warned.

The Ace of Spades could not hold her tongue. Anger had engulfed her.

—My main target was the King of Spades — she hissed—, but I think I'll take care of you first —she unsheathed her sword and pointed it at Tifa—. I will be the one to end the reign of another fury of hearts, I will be the one to behead you on the scaffold. I will be remembered for ending the life of another whore who thought she could defy the law... —she stopped suddenly.

It wasn't the first time Tifa had seen that and yet she couldn't help but be surprised.

The Ace of Hearts was slow to turn his head to look at his companion still not understanding the situation.

She had become completely mute, her expression turning to one of complete confusion. Behind her, the King of Spades stood up, wielding his sword. It was dripping with blood.

—You talk too much — Noctis muttered calmly yet harshly—. And no one insults my Queen — he added before turning away from them.

A moment later, the woman fell to the ground on her knees like a bundle. That's when her head detached from her neck, rushing to the ground, where it rolled a few inches. Blood began to gush out, staining everything around her. It bathed in red the pink hair that had spread on the floor.

Tifa watched this and couldn't help but get excited. Not because of the corpse of the Ace of Spades that Noctis had just killed but the reason why he had done it. And how.

He had beheaded her for having dared to insult her. And he had done it instantly. Without hesitation. Without mercy.

Tifa's intense red eyes connected with Noctis' equally red ones. They both felt warm inside. Had she been in another situation, Noctis would probably have thrown himself on her to fuck her hard against the throne. Or maybe against the floor. Maybe he would have started with the former and finished on the latter.

But they weren't in the position to think about that. The Ace of Hearts was still there, and he had pulled himself together.

Without thinking he closed the distance separating him from Tifa, ready to put her out of the game as soon as possible so he could then take care of Noctis. He hoped that, with that one punch to the stomach, it would be enough.

He couldn't have been more wrong.

His fist slammed into the throne, splitting it in half with shocking ease, sending thousands of splinters and shards of wood flying in all directions. But that's all it was. An empty throne.

He turned, startled, to see the thick cloak Tifa had worn fly through the air, discovering her as it touched the ground gently, almost soundlessly.

There was fire in her crimson gaze. A fire that sizzled so brightly that even Noctis gasped.

She was terribly beautiful. But with that look and that tense stance... She was scary.

He couldn't help but compare her then to a Black Widow. Beautiful, fascinating... But lethal.

The Ace of Hearts turned to her completely, beginning to feel a greater respect for her. She was very fast. Faster than he was. And that wasn't entirely because of her Queen powers. That was something she had brought from her mortal life. Something inherent. Something that had been immensely enhanced in that place, like the powers of all monarchs, Aces and Jacks.

No words were exchanged. It was not necessary. Much less after what had happened to the Ace of Spades.

Tifa lunged for the assassin, starting a frantic dance.

A dance in which she moved like a butterfly, dodging all of the man's blows. Dancing around him with grace and beauty, connecting several blows repeatedly. She wasn't as strong as him so she couldn't damage him as easily but being faster she could afford the exchanges. The two moved around the room, twisting, rotating and sliding. The Ace then hit the wall, making a huge gaping hole in it. Tifa had only managed to dodge it by a few millimeters.

Noctis snapped out of his reverie at that, clenching his fists and clenching his jaw tightly.

If the assassin managed to land a single blow, he could break her ribs. He was not willing to allow that. She was taking too great a risk.

The king was about to intervene when he saw how he managed to grab Tifa's ankle. He watched in terror as he spun her around and around in the air, sending her crashing into the columns, and then hurling her with enormous force and speed towards the huge windows.

Noctis thought Tifa would be crushed against the surface. There was no way she could come out of that unscathed.

But then he saw her.

He saw her, with her own red eyes, brace her feet and hands against the glass, avoiding the fatal collision he thought would happen. Under the pressure, the glass cracked and burst into thousands and thousands of little pieces of red and pink. These fell in slow motion like rain over the entire room while the Queen of Hearts looked up at her enemy. Towards her prey.

A butterfly and a Black Widow at the same time. That was what she was.

It was clear to Noctis at that moment.

He had to stop underestimating her.

He wanted to protect her from everything and everyone, but he also had to let her prove her strength. Her worth. Her passion. He would always be at her side, but he must also allow her to be at his.

The King of Spades smiled, full of admiration and desire for that woman. His woman.

Everything happened very quickly.

Tifa gained momentum and lunged for the Ace of Hearts, who, blinded by the crystals and the surprise, could not avoid being dragged all over the floor. He howled in pain as he felt the shards of glass dig into his skin, tearing it to shreds in a matter of milliseconds. Blood gushed furiously from his wounds, leaving a trail on the ground as Tifa dragged him across it.

Noctis watched, still grinning, as she tossed him through the air like a rag doll and then caught him up and threw him back down. Towards the throne that he himself had shattered at the beginning of the fight. Towards a splintered throne, whose broken wood was pointing upwards as if it were a huge spear. There, the Ace of Hearts ended up impaled through and through.

He roared in pain, the hard, thick wood sinking into his back and gushing out of his stomach grotesquely.

Tifa landed gracefully beside him and, like Noctis, showed no mercy. She approached the Ace without batting an eyelash and with a single kick to the throat finished him off, ending his anguished bellowing.

The two monarchs heard the snapping sound his neck made as it snapped and then went still. Their breaths were ragged and their hearts were beating wildly.

Tifa, who had been watching Ace's corpse with dark crimson eyes, came back to reality. She turned to her lover, who also looked at her. Her irises immediately turned from that color to a bright, intense ruby. Noctis' returned to the sapphire blue that fascinated her so much.

Tifa ran to him, throwing herself into his arms.

Noctis embraced her immediately, hiding his face in the dense locks of her brown hair, inhaling her sweet scent. He was still in shock after seeing the fight. He had never thought that his fragile and tender porcelain doll could be capable of hand-to-hand combat against the Ace of Hearts himself. He pressed her tightly against his chest, keeping in mind that, despite that, there would come a time when they would both eventually fall.

They could not hide in the castle forever or fight forever. In the end they would end up being imprisoned. They could drag it out but the result would be the same.

But it didn't matter anymore. All they wanted was to spend as much time together as possible. Loving each other freely. Whispering to each other how much they loved each other without fear of being discovered.

They were like that, cuddling in the middle of the room, when they heard a giggle.

Tifa peeled herself off Noctis' chest to see who that third presence was.

Another assassin?

No.

Before them stood a very short, young girl. She wore a flowing, deep pink dress and red bracelets. She was barefoot. Her light brown hair was combed in a long braid. Her eyes were as green as emeralds.

None of them had ever seen her before.

From his appearance and his jovial smile he didn't seem to be a threat. However both Noctis and Tifa tensed, waiting for any kind of attack.

One that never came.

—Well, it's been a long time since I've been back to this Court —she said in an almost childish voice—. Mmm... I think the last time was before The Great Shuffle —she cupped her chin with her fingers, looking up at the ceiling thoughtfully—. Yes, I'm pretty sure it was —she confirmed to herself before looking at the couple sympathetically.

—Who are you? —Tifa asked her curiously.

That girl didn't even have a mark to distinguish her in any of the four families.

She laughed as a child would.

—It doesn't matter who, but why — she said mystically.

—The why? —Tifa blinked, confused.

The stranger then made a card appear between the fingers of her right hand. It was a large, black card, decorated with fine silver filigree.

Noctis frowned. He had never seen such a letter before.

—What is it? —He questioned slowly, still circling the waist of the Queen of Hearts.

—Your salvación —she said enthusiastically—. You have gathered enough characteristics and chance has been on your side — her face contracted in a pained expression—. The last time two people fell in love in this court they were not so lucky... But you did! —she shed the worry in less than a second, as if it had never been painting her features.

Noctis and Tifa still didn't understand what this stranger was talking about. She seemed to realize because she turned the letter between her fingers, letting them see her face.

The monarchs fell silent.

The Lovers.

That was what was inscribed in a beautiful, delicate silver card.

They had never seen that card, but they knew what it meant. There were times when the court they were trapped in collided with different ones. Others with another kind of structure, rules... And laws.

Noctis and Tifa understood then that this girl came from somewhere else. From another place. From a place very different from theirs. One in which there were no families but individuals who represented certain things.

That girl could only be one thing.

—Why us? —Tifa managed to ask, still surprised, beginning to feel a comforting warmth in her chest.

—Your love is true —the girl answered, walking towards them with little jovial hops—. You would die and kill for each other without hesitation — she pointed to the decapitated and impaled bodies of the two Aces— and as I said — she paused before them— you are very Lucky —she held out her hand with the card, offering it to them—. This happens once in a hundred years.

Noctis took the card. Tifa was too perplexed. They both looked at it, spellbound. It was a sober but elegant card. Its texture was smooth and soft to the touch.

The Lovers.

Tifa looked at Noctis, a pair of stars shining and in her irises.

—I never leave anything to chance — she whispered something that sounded very familiar to him.

He gave her a nice smile.

—Maybe that's why we've been so lucky now —he murmured, squeezing the sheet between his fingers.

They both startled to hear the stranger's giggle.

—It doesn't work like that —she held up a finger—. Chance is chance.

Noctis did not find it useful to disagree. It was clear that girl wouldn't understand.

Tifa raised her fingers to take the card. Noctis handed it to her, stroking his digits in the process, thinking that, now, he could do everything he always wanted to do in public.

Love her.

Claim her for himself.

Own her.

His queen.

The stranger gave him a broad smile, as if she had read his mind. Gracefully she turned on her heels and began to walk towards the throne room exit.

Tifa then realized that her feet were not touching the ground. She floated a few inches above it, avoiding cutting and lacerating her soles on the thousands of crystals.

They both knew who she was. Or rather what she was. But her nature was completely unknown to them.

The couple watched her disappear through the door without another word. She simply vanished.

Tifa watched Noctis, holding the card against her chest. He looked at her and stroked her lower lip with his thumb. The Queen of Hearts smiled, enjoying his touch.

—Follow me, King of Spades — she intertwined her fingers with his and then tugged gently. Her eyes sparkled like rubies in the sunWe have an announcement to make.

.

Outside the castle, the rabble waited. They had heard the crashing of doors and the smashing of the stained glass window as it exploded. They expected the Aces to appear at any moment, dragging the monarchs to the ground, ready to bring them to justice.

However, this was not the case. Not at all.

Everyone fell silent when they saw Noctis and Tifa appear holding hands. Unscathed.

They walked tall and regal, their heads held high.

Many noticed the black clothes of the Queen of Hearts but none dared to even whisper. To see them appear safe and sound was something no one had expected.

They had known that the King of Spades was a great threat, but had not expected that he could take on two Aces at once. No one there knew about what Tifa was capable of. And maybe that was for the best. The Aces had underestimated her and had paid the price for it.

The pair stopped in front of everyone.

Tifa then held up the black card for all to see. Many let out gasps, exclamations of surprise and words filled with confusion.

—The Ace of Spades and the Ace of Hearts are dead —she said calmly, still holding the card up—. They tried to arrest us and we took their lives — her gaze hardened—. We will do the same to anyone who dares to challenge us. Although I think that's already meaning less —she waved the card a little—. We are protected now, blessed by this card. The laws protect us — she lowered the sheet and squeezed Noctis' hand as she turned to look into his beautiful blue eyes. He looked at her lovingly, surprising everyone even more—. Now we are The Lovers of the deck — she murmured.

He pulled her to his body and made her show her ring. More muffled exclamations arose among those present, who could not believe what they were seeing. It was a unique moment. Historic. Unrepeatable in life.

The King of Spades and the Queen of Hearts protected by The Lovers card. A card that protected the love between two people regardless of their rank. A card whose power was above the laws of that court. A card that protected them. It made them untouchable. To them and to their love.

—The Queen of Hearts is now my wife —Noctis declared loud enough for everyone there to hear—. Anyone who attempts to violate the Lovers' charter will be executed, as stipulated in our laws —he shook his head. For the first time he liked the law of that damned place. For the first time, it did him some good—. Now, all of you go to your quarters — he told them—, there is nothing to see here —no one moved. They were all too perplexed. Noctis' gaze hardened—. Now.

That finally made the plebs react. Quickly, they all vacated the entrance to the Queen of Hearts' castle.

When they were finally alone, Noctis let out a sigh of exhaustion but also of relief. He smiled as he listened to the charming giggle of...

... His wife.

—You look exhausted, my King —she commented in her lovely velvety voice, gently placing a hand on his cheek.

He closed his eyes and leaned into her palm. Tifa's cheeks reddened. He was so beautiful.

—I am —he murmured without opening his eyes.

Tifa pressed herself against him, her lips moving to Noctis' ears to whisper to him:

—Let's go rest.

He nodded and, intertwining his hand with hers, they walked slowly back to the castle.

They would never escape that macabre court, but at least they would have each other. Forever and ever.

And that... Was all they needed.

The End