Kiera, decided, as she woke, that morning had come too soon. The throbbing in her temples and dryness of her eyes and throat rivaled the misery she had experienced from her first and only hangover. A groan escaped her as she buried her face into her pillows as the events from the night prior played through her memory. Mortification threatened to kill her at the memory of those howling sobs that had escaped her as if she were nothing more than a feral beast.
Her bladder, the annoying thing that it was, insisted she get up instead of hiding in the safety of her bed forever. Kiera untangled herself from her blankets and searched around for any sign of footwear. None were forthcoming; a minor annoyance as she headed towards the tent opening. The soft diluted glow of early morning sunlight peaked through the slitted opening and it offered reassurance that she hadn't overslept by any means.
Her usual two guards sat to one side, this time a small table was set up where they ate their breakfast of the simple grain porridge that made up the bulk of their traveling breakfasts. An expression close to guilt crossed their faces as they heard her step from the tent. Self-consciousness she attempted to smooth her hair as she looked between them and the edge of the camp where the unspoken latrines were. Nervously she shifted her weight from foot to foot as she fought the urge of her bladder against embarrassment from her breakdown the night prior.
"Just go, we aren't going to stop you." The one Alessi called Uncle waved her along. Kiera paused a second longer before walking hurriedly towards a private place to relieve herself. It appeared, her guards at least, were not going to bring up her episode last night. After last night she would take any bit of grace she could to salvage any dignity she had remaining. Grown queens did not have emotional fits that sent males fleeing into the night to escape them.
As she made her mincing way back towards the relative safety of the shared tent Kiera looked over the camp. While most of the entourage were at work with their appointed task, things seemed subdued. The usual hive of activity had taken a leisurely pace this morning. All the tents remained up and the livestock was still grazing where they were hobbled the night prior.
Confused she ducked into the tent unsurprised that she remained the sole occupant. The only change to the interior was a clean gown set out for her, draped across Alessi's bed of all places. The fabric and design looked familiar and as she stepped closer, eying the pale green damask with the golden leaf brocade motif she was pretty certain it was one of hers. The skirts were pleated but less full than the sacrificial dress she had worn when Alessi had first taken her. Beside it a pair of worn leather shoes, and her underthings.
Aware of the implications of the outfit, that he had clothing and shoes that fit her the entire time, Kiera looked around in annoyance. Was this some sort of trick, payback for her losing her damn mind on him last night? When the Warlord Prince didn't appear from thin air she just sighed before changing clothing. The well-washed linen of her chemise and drawers was soft and comforting against her skin. Her hose were woolen and while thin would protect her legs from the cold; the ribbons she tied around her thighs to hold them up were slightly frayed; but they matched the dress too well for her to discard them.
The gown itself was simple. Long loosely fit sleeves came down to a buttoned cuff at her wrists, and the neckline was modest showing off only the hollow of her throat and the faintest hint of cleavage. The skirt was simple with just a few pleats to give freedom of movement. All of the fastenings for the dress were hidden eyelets in the front, allowing her to easily tighten and tie the outfit into place.
"No food, but at least I have shoes." Kiera sighed and fought the urge to sit down on the edge of Alessi's bed. That implied far more than she was willing to give the Warlord Prince and more than he was willing to accept anyway. Restless she neatly folded her previous outfit before finger combing her hair again and working it into a simple plait down her back. Time seemed to drag on and she found herself idle for longer than she had expected.
Annoyed she sat down on the only chair in the tent. Was she allowed out to freely roam the camp? It wasn't like she could ask her missing captor. Her stomach grumbled again and Kiera made the judgment call that she would just go find her food this morning. Just as she rose from the chair the man in question appeared. His dark hair appeared freshly washed and his clothing was clean and neatly pressed. Gone was the road-weary soldier and instead, a court-ready male stood before her.
"Oh good, you are dressed." He crossed the space to her before offering his arm to her. "We need to leave now to make the meeting with the other leaders." Her confused expression didn't seem to slow him down as he was unaccustomed to explaining things to those around him. Years of telling people what to do and them just obeying him made the explaining and asking portion of interactions a bit rusty. The offered arm at least was something that made sense as she put her hand on his forearm letting him take the place of escort.
"I haven't had breakfast or coffee yet." Kiera felt that her protest was a bit inane under the circumstances. Her focus was primarily on him, watching the tiny micro-expressions that crossed his face. The way his jaw subtly clenched, or the tightness around his eyes all indicated that something was not going in the direction that Prince Gerodi wanted it.
"We will eat once there." The assurance came easily as he stopped before his saddled mount. At her soft, almost inaudible groan, Alessi fought a grin. Her reaction told him that the little queen was not looking forward to riding with her ass pressed against his lap for however long they needed to ride. A sense of pride filled him as he watched her square her shoulders and step forward to mount the horse on her own.
"Hopefully, then it isn't terribly far or I may be forced to eat your horse, Prince." She quipped, trying for the superficial relationship they had displayed before last night. Kiera barely bit back a gasp as the Prince's hands circled either side of her waist before lifting her into place on the saddle. A slight shift of the tack indicated his mounting before she found herself being drug back to rest against him.
"Not too far. I think my horse is safe from your appetite for now." Alessi wrapped one arm around her as he clucked his tongue urging the horse forward. Kiera looked to either side and her guards from the morning were mounted and riding along with them. Again her stomach gurgled and she felt her cheeks heating in remembered mortification from the night prior. Alessi hadn't brought it up and she had a faint memory of them speaking sometime in the night. The memories were hazy and fogged from sleep.
"Oh good. He does look a bit tough to chew." The rumble of laughter behind her tempted Kiera into pinching herself. Prince Alessi laughing at one of her quips? Typically he enjoyed baiting her just to bait her. What had happened in those hours between her falling asleep and waking up this morning?
Ahead she could just distantly see the flicker of a flag that matched the banner Alessi's group marched under. Identifiers for the different factions of the rebellion? He had told the truth about the meeting not being too far away then. The steady gait of the horse and the shape of the pommel soon had her squirming as she tried to find a more comfortable position.
"Careful witch." She startled at the warmth of his breath over her ear. Her hands shot out to grasp the horse's mane in front of her even as his arm tightened around her middle to keep the jerky movement from toppling her off the horse. Kiera shot an irritated glare at him over her shoulder as she recovered from her surprise.
"Mother darkness.." Her hissed epitaph was a testament to her annoyance at being startled. Again she shifted her hips and Alessi could only groan at the soft curve of her ass rubbing further against his cock. Another reminder of why he hated court clothing that these meetings demanded. His thicker pants would have at least hidden his reaction to the woman in front of him.
"Will you stop squirming?" Kiera frowned at his hissed demand. Whatever was beneath her was digging at the tender flesh of her bottom.
"There is something hard poking my buttcheek. This isn't exactly a comfortable position." A long-suffering sigh escaped her as she gave up wiggling away from the thing threatening to leave a bruise along her ass.
"That would be my cock. Your squirming caused that particular issue so I would appreciate it if you stopped." The words, growled low into her ear caused Kiera to freeze. She could feel his mouth and nose press close to the crease of her neck and shoulder; the subtle flex of his fingers against her stomach as he managed to wrangle control.
"Oh! oh, maybe I should walk. Or ride with Illario? He's your uncle, right? Safe as houses there." Kiera sputtered in reply. In response his arm tightened around her middle; making it clear he would not be handing her off to anyone. Even if the person was a blood relative.
"Just try to sit still." Alessi rolled his eyes and prayed to the darkness to save him from this inexperienced queen and the temptation she offered. Never in his centuries of life had he felt possessive over a member of the distaff sex. Not even his mother had elicited the protective and possessive instincts that this little slip of a queen pulled out of him.
The first hints of their reaching the small rural city, once a ruling seat for one of the many corrupted district queens, the city showed signs of the war. Buildings were in the process of being rebuilt or torn down. Lean-to shelters lined along back alleyways for the displaced families to live while they worked on rebuilding their lives.
Market stalls had been set up in the main square with various vendors offering goods that ranged from hot food, preserves, clothing, and other extravagances. The scent of frying dough caused her mouth to water as it floated over the air, overwhelming the less-than-pleasant smells of horse droppings, body odor, and a mixture of offal from the butcher and fishmonger.
The few people up that morning watched their small procession with curiosity. Kiera could feel their eyes on her and she shrank further into Alessi as if she could disappear into him. In her nervousness she was unaware of the image presented; with her pressing her face against his chest and his arm wrapped around her as she rode nestled against his lap. Captor and Captee appeared more like new lovers; which was something far more interesting than the truth of what they were.
Her reaction only confirmed his suspicions that she had been kept away from those outside her immediate family and their servants. Alessi nudged his horse to set it in a trot to head towards the main government building. A massive stone building that had doubled as the court residence and public office. It showed signs of freshly repaired damage with patches of stone that were several shades darker than the existing stones.
At the entrance, Alessi dismounted smoothly before offering his hands to Kiera for her to slide down the horse's withers. Once dismounted she focused her discomfort on smoothing her skirt and getting all the little bay-colored hairs off her clothing. Anything but focus on the ominous feeling that standing in front of the house gave her. Alessi gave her a few minutes to steady herself before placing her hand on his forearm to lead her inside.
The interior of what once was an opulent building proved shabby. The open foyer should have been entrancing, but the large chandelier was covered in cobwebs, and half the bulbs burned out. The once ornate Pruulian rug was stained and worn until the nap was compacted down. The floor's tiles showed cracks and chunks missing.
Toward the back of the foyer was a double staircase. Along the steps, a few of the rebels lounged. Their backs propped against the step above them as they took shelter from the cold in the relatively warm house. Small lazy trails of smoke escaped one of them as he lifted a lit cigarette to his mouth. The dust alone made Kiera's eyes water and the smoke finished her off as she started sneezing.
Alessi didn't linger as he rushed her under the staircase and through the central hallway. The condition wasn't much better with peeling wallpaper, more stained carpet, and vandalized paintings of previous queens and their courts. A shudder ran through her as she surveyed the hate poured out to the members of her caste who had once lived and ruled from here. Their destination became obvious with one of the doors open, revealing what was once a breakfast buffet turned now into a meeting room.
The warmth of the light within promised warmth and she could smell the hints of coffee, bacon, fried potatoes, and the sugary sweet baked goods. An unconscious half smile reached her lips as her stomach again growled in a complaint about being hungry. Now she was the one trying to half-pull Alessi along faster. As they reached the open double doors Alessi stopped and with his hold on her arm stopped her progress toward food as well.
"Inside there are other warlord princes, as well as high-ranking members of the rebellion. I need to know if you can manage your emotions before we go in." She felt the weight of his focus on her and Kiera squirmed slightly. Hunger threatened to make her peevish even as she understood this was Alessi's coarse attempt at protecting her from himself and his compatriots.
"I will be fine as long as I get fed and some coffee." Quickly she glanced up through her lashes to look at her impromptu escort. He was dangerous, but had proven time and again that he would protect her even if it was just because of her caste. He must have seen something in her expression because he gave a sharp nod before leading them into the room. As the combination of warmth, food smells, and the sight of other women washed over her, Kiera felt herself relax.
The room hadn't escaped the damage that came from looting by any means. The buffet that ran along one side of the wall was gouged and bare chunks of wood were a garish contrast to the dark stain of the piece. The central table listed slightly to one side and beneath it, a piece of wood was wedged under a leg that appeared to be lopped off shorter than the rest. Minor things she glossed over at the moment as she looked at the food trays.
Fried potatoes with their delicate golden skins seasoned with her favorite mixture of spices, eggs so fluffy they could double as pillows, simple flaky biscuits, and both fried sausage as well as bacon waited on their serving trays. Rough clay plates sat next to the silver serving platters for occupants to serve themselves. Kiera tried to pull her hand away from Alessi's arm to do just that; barely noticing the other men in the room with the notable feast before her.
"Sit lady, I will bring you a plate." The brush of his lips against the hair just above her ear caused her to freeze. Why did his breath have to be so warm, or the particular pitch of his voice so compelling? He was already too good-looking for sanity and deadly. A perfect predator ready to strike and all his rumbling in her ear made her want to snuggle closer against him even as he terrified her.
"I can get my own." She turned her head to glare up at him. Her eyes narrowed at the barely suppressed smile the beastly man dared to cast down at her. He looked at her like she was adorable in trying to carve out some independence from him and his constant hovering over her. Kiera understood clearly she was his captive; the first two days of that awful march made it abundantly clear; but she thought she could at least be trusted to get her food in the enclosed room.
"You can, but you will allow me the pleasure of serving you, Lady Kiera." Alessi's tone didn't allow room for argument and her mouth tightened as she gave a little huff of annoyance. One last covetous look was cast to the buffet and its steaming plates. So close to potatoes and coffee; the two things that offered her comfort no matter how hard the day was.
"Is this the queen you went out of your way for?" Another male's voice broke through their stare down and Kiera jerked her attention away from Alessi. Already angry and hungry she wasn't willing for another delay in her breakfast arriving. Her fingers curled against the thick wool of Alessi's dress coat in a subtle reminder that she had her demands and needs.
"She is. Lady Kiera Domani, meet Prince Draco Matteo, leader of the second division." Kiera managed a curtsy proper for a male whose jewels outranked her own. The flash of a purple-dusk jewel set as a pendant indicated at least one of his jewel ranks, while the hand that clasped Alessi's other arm in greeting bore a ring set with a green jewel. Dark jeweled the pair of them. Both were warlord princes and both were unleashed or restrained.
As Prince Matteo appraised her, she returned the favor. Where Alessi was a sleek creature; strong but lacking any bulk, Matteo was stout. His hair had just started to thread with silver and the lines around his nearly bronze eyes were deep set from squinting against the sun. His mouth was thin, but at least had laugh lines around it, and more importantly he wore a simple gold band of a wedding ring. Someone did hold his leash; not as effectively as a queen, but Matteo wasn't hostile to all witches.
"A pleasure. If you gentlemen don't mind though it has been a long morning..." Kiera pasted a smile on her lips as she tried to pull away from Alessi and his second to head towards the promise of coffee and breakfast. The scent and temptation were starting to make her feel lightheaded reminding her of just how far away dinner had been. She had already skipped too many meals over the past couple of days and the demands of her body were finally catching up.
"Sit. I will get your plate. Matteo, you don't mind keeping the Lady company for a moment." It wasn't a question but a subtle order for the pair of them. Kiera sighed before sullenly plopping into the chair without even attempting a hint of grace. A huffed noise that sounded suspiciously like laughter came from a burly general.
"At least you have something of a brain. Prince Gerodi seems to think you rather stubborn." The idle remark caught her attention as he sat beside her, taking the position to her left. The honored position at her right left open for Alessi. Nervously her fingers rubbed over a gouged groove in the table in front of her.
"I am afraid I do not understand Prince Matteo. I have been a perfectly biddable goat since given to Prince Alessi." Kiera fought the urge to make a noisy bleating sound to add emphasis to her words. Her finger pressed hard enough into the groove that it left a small impression against her skin.
"A goat? They are not exactly known for their obedience Lady." His half smile hinted at some amusement. Kiera studied him silently, doing her best to cast the image of a doe-eyed innocent. Despite his charm and deceptively mild demeanor Kiera did not forget that he was just as deadly as the tempestuous Beast that had dragged her half across the territory.
"She seems to think herself a sacrificial offering." The warmth of Alessi's body crowded into her space as he leaned forward to place a plate in front of her. The portions were generous and filled with the items she had been coveting since the moment they walked in. Alessi followed the plate with a heavy clay mug of coffee. The normally bitter mixture was sweetened with both cream and honey.
"It seems more dignified than spoils of war" She used a quick smile to soften the bitterness that laced through her voice. "Thank you Prince Gerodi." Kiera sat frozen as she decided what to start with before picking up her fork to start on the eggs. Bites of food were alternated with sips of coffee. While the men arranged themselves for business she just focused on filling her stomach without near immediate danger of bringing it back up.
"Can't let my warprize waste away.." He murmured against her ear before taking the seat to her right. Two sides of the four-pointed blood triangle. Alessi's taking a seat and starting to drink his cup of coffee seemed to be a silent signal for the rest of the gathering to settle themselves at the table. The women who had come arranged themselves in small clusters between the lower-ranking males.
"Who wishes to fill me in with the Draega situation? Has anything changed on that front?" Alessi leaned back, the hot mug cradled between his palms as he stared down the table at each of the subordinates below him. Men that they had somehow organized into a mostly cohesive fighting force. Now they had to play the parts of statesmen, spies, and eventually governing authorities.
"There are reports of a queen forming a court there. Young but she has the full backing of the Traditionalists." A warlord spoke up. His thick black hair was roughly cut and seemed to stand up in all directions from either the bad cut or frustrated hands riffling through the mess on his head. Kiera paused in her meal at reports of another queen; one who had the start of her court, coming forward. Her hunger disappeared as her perceived value as a hostage seemed to disappear.
Alessi, reached out casually with one hand to press her fork back into her palm. The silent gesture demanded that she keep eating. Kiera's fingers tightened around the metal of the utensil as she fought to keep her hand from shaking. Was this to be her last meal then? Another queen had survived The Tragedy and now was setting herself up to rule. Other queens would be needed for how damaged the land was, but there were no doubt women born from common families or short-lived queens that could come in once stability took place in the territory.
"And for our faction?" Alessi continued the question of reports; not indicating the reason for Kiera's presence. Everyone in the room knew exactly what her caste was. The aura even a scared and hungry queen gave was ever unique to the caste. Her fork was placed silently on the edge of her plate using the mask of nursing her coffee as an escape from eating food that suddenly tasted like sawdust on her tongue.
"Still making ground through Draega. We haven't gotten any eyes on their supposed queen. They seem to be fortifying one of the more presentable manors in the city though." Another voice rose out. This time a woman, a middle-aged witch, spoke up. Her hair was tidily combed and braided into a neat coil at the nape of her neck. Uncertain of the reason why Alessi even brought her, Kiera watched as the meeting went on.
Discussions of fortifications, inroads, and the various ways they could avoid an outright battle in the middle of the capital city and its denser population. Finally, as the meeting neared its end Alessi rose from his seat, pulling Kiera to her feet along with him. Her little gasp of surprise followed the slosh of her coffee cup as it tried to escape the confines of the mug.
"This is Lady Kiera Domani; one of the last whole queens from the hundred families. Bloodline and breeding make her a perfect appeasement for those looking for familiar things from the past, and untrained she offers us the best path forward with a queen who might just serve Hayll instead of herself." His callous words spoke over her like she was some sort of trophy being put forward. Made her think of a prize heifer offered at auction to strengthen the herd.
"Baaa.." Kiera made the soft bleating noise just under her breath; just loud enough for Alessi and Prince Matteo to hear her not-so-subtle protest. The latter of which hid his sudden laugh under the guise of coughing. Her Prince, however, seemed less than amused at her little outburst.
"Has she even started forming a first circle?"
"Can she be trusted?"
"Doesn't even look old enough to be out of the nursery."
"Not another aristo bitch!" The last one brought the volume of dissent up and Kiera stepped back stumbling as the back of her knees struck against the seat of her chair. Only Alessi's quick reflexes kept her from falling backward and making her look even more like a fool.
As the complaints continued to rise in frequency and variance Kiera fought to keep herself standing. She wanted to shrink down and try to disappear into obscurity. Her eyes lifted to focus on Alessi's stony expression. She could feel the slight change in his mood; the thin line of anger that he worked so hard to suppress. The noise threatened his balance for some reason and that was enough to motivate her. Later she would call her actions self-preservation, but in that moment all she could think of was the tension that tightened along Alessi's jaw. The way he struggled to seem completely at ease despite the tension he carried in the subtle lines of his expression. Kiera cleared her throat. Her hands pressed against the table as she used the wood to steady herself.
"Enough." Her voice didn't rise into a shout. She didn't need to have it carry for the command to roll through the room as she applied the small amount of power she still had available. The voices that continued over her soft command were stared down by the Queen standing there. No one needed to see how she had locked her knees to keep them from trembling. Only those beside her could see that she gripped the table so tightly the tips of her fingers were near bloodless.
"I am here and as Prince Alessi stated, I am your best option at reclaiming Draega without decimating our population and land beyond recovery. I won't apologize for what I am." She took in a slow breath as she took a few moments to organize her thoughts. "I am not trained, or experienced, but I am willing to learn. I will speak plainly if the other queen is a better choice for Hayll as a whole, then I will find a way to work with her for Hayll."
"There you have it. I will stand as Steward. Which leaves eleven more spaces open on the first circle." Matteo interjected. He didn't bother to rise as he looked past Kiera towards Alessi. "I already am in that role for the army, might as well make it court official."
"Ten spaces.." Kiera surprised herself at the correction that escaped her. Her tone sounded so firm even if she doubted the nomination would be allowed to stand. "Ten spaces. My cousin Luca is my First Escort." She did her best to bow her head down, attempting to avoid meeting Alessi's gaze as she stood there waiting for the rest of her court to form knowing rather well that the two leaders of the Rebellion would pick the majority of the males that would form her first circle.
"Nine, Lady. I will stand as Master of the Guard.." There was a weight of an unspoken promise; a silent 'For Now' that lingered in the air between herself and the volatile warlord prince that both infuriated her and enticed her.
"Nine then." Kiera sank into her chair, allowing Alessi to sort out the other six males and three females that would make up the foundation of her court. It seemed like hours as the nominations began and the debates began in earnest of who would take what spot or fill what vacancy that remained. Her fingers pinched her nose as she tried to ease away the headache that the debates brought into the air.
She would have liked to have chosen her first circle; to have felt some sort of connection with most of them. A ragtag court was better than no court at all; better than being deemed useless and her life deemed forfeit or something worse. Even with her misgivings having Alessi guard her and Luca be her escort felt right. A few missing pieces clicked into place as the morning dragged on. Two more warlord princes signed into her first circle soothing the invisible pull between the three of them.
By midmorning, the noise couldn't outweigh the sleepiness that came with a full stomach, warm body, and lack of sleep from the night prior. She fought to keep from yawning before looking around the room. No one seemed focused on her as they tried to out-volume or debate each other. Safe between the Princes Gerodi and Matteo, she found herself drifting off in the comfortable chair. They could sort this out themselves without her; it seemed to make them the happiest. She just needed a small nap; no one would notice after all.
She was comfortable, surrounded by something warm and good smelling. Kiera felt like she was floating and knew she should be bothered by this, but the firm chest beneath her cheek with the steady heartbeat was soothing. Her cheek nuzzled against the soft linen shirt as she tried to adjust the drape of her head and neck. Her eyes blinked open in alarm as her groggy mind tried to make sense of being curled up in someone's arms and being carried away from where she had dozed off.
"Awake now, Gattina?" Alessi at least sounded amused though he did not indicate putting her down. Kiera knew better than to try and slip out of his grasp and honestly between the options of being carried or being dragged along like a puppy on a leash she much preferred this.
"How long?" The partial question was enough for him to piece together what she wanted to know.
"Long enough. We are headed to your room now." His words earned another slow blink as she looked over the hallway they traversed down. The wood floors were newly stripped and repolished and devoid of any carpets. The walls on either side were also freshly scrubbed, patched, and painted and conspicuously free of any art or wallpaper; anything that spoke of design beyond the spartan 'clean' appearance.
"My room? Are you leaving me here then?" Kiera had no intention of sounding aggrieved and yet it was fully present in her voice. Fear of the unknown threatened to strangle her after the extreme changes over the scant few days since the fall of her family's villa. Already she had been hauled halfway across the country, injured, left helpless during an attack, and now had just been informed that she was supposed to be a figurehead queen for a sham of a court.
"Don't sound so bereft. The rest of the army will be joining us here later today. So only for a few hours." He had the nerve to give a little laugh as he shifted her weight enough to open one of the doors on the left side of the hall. Immediately they were washed with soft diffused sunlight. Almost tenderly he put her down, waiting for her to support her weight before releasing his hold on her. Kiera took a moment to regain her composure.
The pretense of looking over the room was made. The bedroom with ensuite bathing facilities and a sitting room indicated the room had been for one the Queen or at the very least a member of the First Circle. Bare walls, bare floors, and freshly hung draperies in a bland gray did not indicate the personality of the last occupant. The sparse furnishings indicated the room had been completely gutted, cleaned, and hurriedly refurnished.
"Not bereft, just better the demon you know." She uttered before turning to look at him. Her breath caught as she realized he was standing in her bedroom. The soft sunlight seemed to caress over the warm brown of his skin. The internal strain he had carried since she met him seemed to have lessened softening features that had seemed harsh. Kiera crossed her arms in front of her, trying to ignore the sexual heat he was throwing off just by existing; a heat she now could notice since she wasn't running from one crisis to the next.
The hint of a smirk told her that he knew just what his presence was doing to her. She took a few careful steps away from him to further inspect the room. Her palm pressed to the thick comforter on the mattress. The give beneath her hand earned a little smile; she would bet that sleeping on that bed would be like sleeping on a cloud. Kiera turned, catching an odd expression on his face. Something that bordered between feral and possessive. A yearning for something that they wouldn't name between them. Something she wasn't certain she would ever be ready to name.
"Alessi?" Kiera felt something shift between them. Her first use of his name instead of his title. The gentle concern that she offered reflexively at that moment as he stood there, stone still fighting whatever demon rode his mind. He was dangerous like this; Kiera knew it but something wouldn't let her abandon him to the emotions that seemed to consume him.
Kiera hesitated between each step toward him, letting him indicate if he wanted her approach or not. One hand curled into the fall of her skirt as she pushed down any fears or doubts that resided in her mind. He knew on one level she was afraid of him but he didn't need to be reminded of that right now. His head cocked slightly as a shudder ran through him as the internal struggle seemed to die back.
"Prince?" She scrambled quickly to give him something to do, anything that could get his mind off whatever was plaguing him. Kiera knew she wasn't truly a ruling queen. Not in the sense of those who confidently commanded courts, who ruled decisively, and who had access to their jewels; but in this instance, her caste had to be enough. "Can I meet with the housekeeper? I have a few things I would like to discuss."
There, his attention pulled from whatever unspoken torment held him. A little smile touched her lips as relief flooded her. The scowl on his face became a relief; it wasn't his usual dour countenance or even mocking half-grin but it was something other than the distanced conflicted expression he had worn.
"Room not up to your standards, Lady Domani?" Kiera frowned at his use of her court title. She found herself missing the mocking 'little queen', or 'gattina' rather than her proper name. The venom the words carried hurt in a way they should not have. Alessi was not her friend, nor was she his, and yet she hated the way those words fell from his mouth.
"This room is pure luxury compared to my accommodations of late, as you know Prince." She stood before him, close enough to remind him that she was living and breathing; not some phantom queen that haunted him from his past. " If you want me to set up court here, I want to discuss with the housekeeper the plans on lodging the court, as well as the restoration of the public-facing rooms."
"If there is something about this room that bothers you, I am alright being moved. I won't pretend to know what happened before the Storm, but I am not them. I won't ever be them." She waited patiently for him to push down whatever memory rode him. Her hand rose carefully to press lightly against his chest. Alessi had never been shy about manhandling her and touch seemed to help anchor the warlord prince better than any words. She wouldn't pry about what had caused the sudden change in his mood. His hand pressed over hers, flattening her palm against him as he held her touch there before releasing his grip.
"I need to get word to the rest of the camp. I will ask Prince Matteo to set up meetings with the staff before I go. No one else enters these rooms while you are alone. Just myself and your cousin; do you understand?" She saw it then, it was a concern for her. Fear of what happened to young queens who were attempting to set up their first court. He had appointed himself Master of the Guard; it was his duty to keep her safe.
"I know the risks and I will be careful." The assurance was heartfelt. She had no interest in being purposefully broken and stripped of her strength. Until she had completed her virgin night the risk would always be there; yet the idea of completing the rite of passage made her stomach churn with dread. Kiera didn't know any males outside of Alessi, Luca, Matteo, and the brief interactions with her usual guards. None of which she would be comfortable guiding her through.
"Illario is going to guard your door. He will remain outside unless there is a need for him to enter. Once the meetings are set up he will serve as escort until your Cousin and I return." Before he could overthink his decision, Alessi called in the pouch holding her jewels. The bracelet and necklace were quickly pressed into her hand and he tried to ignore the guilt that filled him as her eyes welled with tears of joy and relief at being reunited with those pieces of her soul.
Kiera wasted no time in slipping the bracelet over her wrist before putting on her necklace. A sigh of relief escaped her as the teardrop jewel settled into place against her chest. The chain was long enough that the pendant dipped below the neckline and nestled in her cleavage. Once both were in place, a tension she had been unaware of carrying eased through her. A sense of safety and security that at last she had the means again to at least attempt to protect herself.
"Thank you.." The whispered words of gratitude were daggers straight to his heart. His little queen thanking him for something that should have been returned days ago; that should never have been taken from her. Pieces of her soul that still could be stripped from her with one malicious act. Alessi fought the too-familiar emotions of fear and anger down. He wouldn't fail to keep her safe.
A soft knock on the door announced his Uncle's arrival. Enough of a reminder that he had things that needed to be done; duties that went beyond this one little witch that unwittingly captivated him. Kiera watched as he turned away to storm out the door, closing it with a hard bang. A little snort escaped her as a sapphire-level lock went over the door as well.
~ You are not the best at listening to my orders. Stay put until I return ~ Alessi's voice in her mind caused her to glare at the door and the Warlord Prince who was no doubt just a few feet away. The intimacy of it alone was shocking and added to the lingering sense of smug male amusement and Kiera was ready to give him a piece of her mind. The temptation to bang on the door, or screech protest at being confined again, was weight against the fact he had given her back her jewels.
~Fine, but we are having a discussion when you return~ She followed the rose-level thread back. Her annoyance bled through and she was given the impression of laughter before the connection was severed leaving her alone. Fine, she could find something to entertain herself in the suite. Quietly she wandered looking over bare bookshelves, empty drawers and wardrobes, and finally the bathroom which was stocked with linens, fragrant scented cakes of soap, a bottle of shampoo and conditioner, as well as some oils to throw in the large soaking tub.
"I am going to take a bath Lord Illario.. If your beastly nephew returns before I am out, please remind him to knock." Kiera called through the door of her room as she carefully undressed. Her clothing was draped over the bed to keep it from wrinkling further. Shoes were removed and put to one side so she could slip them on again. The soft noise of hot running water was music to her ears.
She didn't wait for a response to return to the bathroom. The steam off the water seemed a suddenly novel luxury despite having only been deprived of less than a week since being deprived of living indoors. The bath oil left behind was a soothing mixture of lavender and pressed rose oil and she barely waited for it to be filled sufficiently before sliding in. As she leaned back Kiera grinned; for the moment completely content to lounge in the hot water until she was forced to get out.
Kiera lingered in the bathtub as long as she could. The hot water soothed away the tension of evils of the days since the fall of the Domani estate. She used the soap to scour away the filth of travel, and guilt of her complacency. Satisfied that most of the ingrained grime was scrubbed free, that her hair didn't have any remaining debris, and that it had been conditioned to her satisfaction.
Clean and warmed through she finally had to climb from the tub and poured herself into a couple of thin linen towels. The material, while not plush, absorbed away the majority of the moisture and contained the sodden mess of her hair. A little shiver escaped her as she walked back toward the main bedroom where her clothing waited for her. One more look around the room gave her no indication of other cosmetics, lotions, or grooming implements available for her needs.
"Gift horses and mouths," The little whisper was a reminder to be thankful for the small things. She was alive, not in threat of being broken, fed, clothed, and now clean. Lotion or combs were a small thing to miss after all the main needs were met. Quickly she slipped from the towel and into her undergarments and dress; thankful for the warmth it provided as she turned to face the door. Kiera used her fingers to comb through the tangled mat of her hair as she debated her next actions.
"Lord Illario?" Kiera called out as she started working the soaked tresses into a simple plait down the back of her head. Her nose wrinkled at the feeling of cold droplets of water dripping down her hands and wrists. Cold, despite having just come from a hot bath. "Any word from Prince Gerodi?" The question wasn't just idle curiosity. Kiera wasn't certain how well she could entertain herself in the spartan room with nothing to keep her mind or hands busy.
"None as of yet. Patience Lady Domani." The amusement in the man's voice came through despite the muffling effect of the door and sapphire shield that separated them. Kiera rolled her eyes not seeing the humor in her situation. Trapped behind a shield like a grounded rebellious juvenile instead of a fully mature woman without even a book to entertain her was not exactly a situation that she had trained to be patient in.
"Patience.." She whispered, twisting her voice to a mocking tone as she glared at the door in irritation. Something about her being in here had set Alessi on edge. Kiera wanted to be understanding, a paragon of patience, but that wasn't possible. She knew she wasn't perfect; not even close. Most days she barely kept her temper on a leash and the events over the past week pushed at her self-control. Unable to sit still, or find any further need for napping, she paced the room before turning towards the private sitting area, complete with French doors that opened to a narrow balcony.
The room faced the inner gardens, offering a view of what could have been a beautiful landscape if it wasn't scarred with signs of violence and neglect. Quietly she tested the handles to the balcony doors and grinned as the door swung open without resistance. Alessi hadn't caught these in his warding. The cold air washed over her and while she shivered Kiera breathed in the fresh air. For a moment she allowed herself to feel free without the weight of watching eyes on her. At least until she looked down to see the mixture of townspeople and soldiers that loitered in the garden area.
Kiera sighed and wrinkled her nose as she gave a little wave of acknowledgment to the few who had looked up at the movement above them. Satisfied at the lack of noise or signs of aggression from those below Kiera walked to the edge of the balcony. Her hands pressed against the chest-high railing as she peered over looking for a trellis or anything that could later prove an escape route. Depressingly the walls to either side were smooth with no vines or other obvious foot and handholds.
"Damn.." The hushed curse word fell from her lips as she pushed away from the railing, undeterred from figuring out an escape route if it came down to desperation. The distance between the balcony and the ground wasn't great enough to kill her but landing it would, at the very least, sprain something if not break a limb. Absently her fingers played over the rose jewel once more nestled against her breast. Her teeth worried over her lower lip as she continued to review her options. The door to her room led out to the narrow hallway that seemed to always be occupied by someone and she had been asleep for part of the trip; so she would need to walk it at least once to try and get any feel for the layout of the house.
"Thinking of escape?" Warm breath teased over her ear as the weight and warmth of familiar hands curled over her shoulders. Somehow the rich dark feel of his presence had become a soothing anchor in the uncertainty of her new reality. Kiera stiffed slightly in surprise before relaxing back.
"It has crossed my mind." Somehow she managed to keep her tone droll even as she felt his nose press against her hair for a moment before the warlord prince pulled away. Glad to know her imposed isolation was released Kiera turned to look up at her captor. Her arms crossed in front of her as she did her best to appear annoyed.
"How unlike a queen, running away from setting up her court to arrange and rule." His tone wasn't exactly mocking, but at the same time, she couldn't put her finger on what emotion his tone conveyed. Surprise? Annoyance? Amusement? It felt like a combination of all three. Kiera stepped back, letting her hips and lower back rest against the railing as she looked over her warlord prince and bane.
"Mmm, it would be if she were going to actually rule instead of just sit and look pretty." Old Kiera wouldn't have dared to spar words with the darker jeweled warlord prince. Kiera of two days ago would have cowered beneath his gaze and let him cow her. Something in her had shifted over the past couple of days. Not enough to fully wipe away the trained timidity but enough that she felt safe pushing back against Alessi.
"But you do it so well.." Alessi's retort brought something of a blush to her cheeks. Inanely her takeaway was that he thought her pretty and that was a foolish thing to focus on. The heat across the bridge of her nose and cheeks earned another soft chuckle from the man and Kiera turned to hide her embarrassment from easy view.
"You said you wanted to meet with Matteo, so if you are done with your sulking we can go now." Alessi waited for her to turn on her own. He hadn't expected the sudden lift in her spirits, even if the faintest hints of a blush colored over her cheeks. Her expression was so guileless and transparent that it was hard to reconcile her as both an aristo and queen. A balm to the soul and probably the best queen he could find for men who had spent too long under the jaded and corrupt queens and priestesses of Dorothea and the rest of Hayll's ruling court.
"I would like that." She moved to walk past him and headed towards the door to her suite. The idea of doing something other than idling about or marching was pure heaven. Anything to give her some small measure of control in her world. " and Prince, I don't sulk" She gave a little offended sniff that he almost took as serious until he caught the faintest hint of a smile on her lips.
"As you say, Lady." Something felt right about this interaction. Not forced and no strain between them. They were a long way from normal and Kiera wondered if they ever would be. If she could ever put aside the pain and grief that she tied to their first meeting. Kiera knew that Alessi had been doing his perceived duty to Hayll and all those wronged by the Hundred Families. Nothing of their meeting had been personal, but those lingering threads of fear were still there ready to spring forth. Despite those small pockets of fear, Kiera confidently placed her fingers on his arm, allowing him to take over escort duty as he led her out of the room. A glance indicated that her two ever-present guards, and Alessi's family members, were following along as additional protection or perhaps deterant to any ideas of escape.
"Your cousin will take over official escort duties tomorrow, with either Illario or Orion as guards." Alessi started with the small peace offering. Guilt wasn't an emotion he felt often and yet there it was riding his mind like an itch that he couldn't quite scratch. He hadn't meant to care for the aristo queen. She was supposed to have been everything he hated about the Hundred Families; arrogant, bitchy, cruel, and self-centered.
Instead, he was dealt her. Vulnerable, innocent, and genuine Kiera. She wore her emotions openly and even in her best attempt to defy him, it was by being a queen concerned with the needs of others. None of Hayll's past queens would have tolerated the rough conditions of the camp and hard travel with the same uncomplaining dignity she had presented. Alessi wasn't certain how long she would remain just a token queen if, in only a handful of days, she had already gotten under his skin.
"That sounds fine. He could use a day of rest. Am I restricted to the grounds? Or is your prisoner being allowed freedom to explore the town?" Her voice was quiet without a hint of rancor. Kiera had accepted her role in this affair and after seeing the damage done to Hayll with so little done to heal the land; she counted her captivity as her penance for having not attempted to step up sooner. She was young, but not a child by any means. Sheltered but not stupid; she should have seen what was going on in the centuries before the Witchstorm.
"The grounds for now. We will consider outings into the village after your court is formed fully." Alessi looked down at her bowed head. Her eyes remained focused on the grooved hardwood floors in front of them. "For your safety. Queens, or any high caste witch, are not regarded well within Hayll."
"Yes, and that I still can be broken" Her nose wrinkled slightly in distaste at speaking so plainly about an intimate act. Kiera wasn't a prude and she knew the logistics of what happened between a witch and her consort. It was more the idea that her first night would probably be with a hired stranger to see her through safely. More than likely a warlord from outside of Hayll as an added precaution.
"Something we will do our best to prevent happening." Alessi took in her expression; her distaste read clearly on her face. Did she favor the distaff sex? No, he hadn't seen any interest in any of the women in camp and he had picked up her arousal several times around him. Perhaps it was the idea of him performing the deed; something he didn't trust himself to see through. She was already scared of him, forced into a position of having to cling to him for her survival, and none of that made for trust and calm.
"I know. A broken queen is worthless for Hayll." Kiera took a steadying breath before offering a faint smile as she looked up to review the view from one of the large windows that looked into the gardens. Funny how she had been outdoors the past couple of days and now that she was indoors and warm she wanted back outside.
"Here, Lady." Alessi tapped the back of her hand to pull her attention to an open door. The study within was all warm wood, half-full shelves of books and ledgers, with a large worn desk dominating the center of the room. Behind it Matteo sat, scouring through a ledger with several sheets of paper spread over the desk. His purple dusk jewel was on display with his formal jacket removed and draped over his chair.
"Ah, there is our wayward queen. I had hoped to see you sooner, but I understand some circumstances forced the delay." Matteo put down the ledger, sliding a piece of paper between the pages to mark his place before closing the book to sit it aside. His hands folded on his desk before in a subtle display of both his wedding ring and the green jewel set into a ring on his opposing hand. Kiera took in the display for what it was a signal that he was very much off limits for any pursuit. It made her wonder just what the normal had been in the ruling courts if even Matteo felt the need to warn her off.
"Yes, I think that would be Prince Gerodi's paranoia that someone might snatch me from under your combined noses." Kiera managed to keep her tone light as she settled in a chair across from Matteo. The quiet room, swimming in the presence of both warlord princes should have been stifling but Matteo's essence felt more paternal, far more fatherly than her distant sire had been. Alessi was a different sort of reading, definitely male and not platonic, but the ache she could push away.
"Well, my little goat, your sense of survival is very lacking when it comes to situational awareness." Alessi took the chair beside hers. His bemused tone earned a quirked smile of her own. She couldn't contest that she seemed intent on continuing to snuggle against the same wolf that threatened to devour her. The image that conjured had her pressing her thighs firmly together as she internally cursed the sensual heat that warlord princes seemed to bathe themselves in. She felt like one of the damn goats in heat; ready to bleat her way on up to the male. Decidedly annoying.
"Regardless, you asked to meet with me and I think it was for more than debating your survival instincts." Matteo looked between the two of them, reading the body language pretty clearly. Alessi had staked a very clear claim on the lady and while she didn't seem aware of just what his actions meant her body language read that she was feeling the effects of his claim. Mentally he added another thing to his to-do list: get Kiera through her virgin night before Alessi went into rut and endangered the entire plan.
"Yes, I think we need to talk about staffing as well as setting up a schedule for the equinox and solstice." Kiera barely drew a breath as she recited the main points that she had focused on while bathing. Thoughts revolved around how to bolster the fertility of the land and increase the harvest of Spring and forward. Her strength could only go so far and so the locations would need to be chosen wisely.
"Expound." Matteo leaned back as he waited for her to continue. Kiera sighed and shook her head as she tried to put into words something that made sense for her lack of experience. Absently Kiera chewed on her nails as she worked through her thoughts.
"First we need a skeleton staff if the budget doesn't allow for a fuller staff. Having a dedicated housekeeper will help organize getting the most important areas repaired while maintaining the care of the occupied rooms." She didn't know a great deal about running a household, but she had listened over the years to her maids and the idle prattle of servants who didn't realize she was within earshot.
"Also, unless there are other queens to assist, my strength will only go so far. So I wanted to know if we had decided for the focus to be on the worst of the land or the least affected to cover the most area." Kiera realized just what she had been doing and guiltily jammed her hands into her lap, hiding away the mangled nail.
"Carts and horses little queen." Alessi's soft taunt earned an annoyed look from Kiera. He looked smug and amused at her attempt to take some control of her environment. A little huff escaped her as she leaned back waiting for him to expound on his point. "We still need to complete your first circle before even thinking about official duties."
Kiera sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose as she leaned back in the chair. "Mirella, what about her taking the housekeeper position? Unless she has other duties after camp is broken." She focused on an easy fix for the issue directly in front of her. One box to check off as they went through a list of potential housekeepers before bridging over to the map of the farmlands that branched out from the ruins of Vanea and the adjoining districts. A conversation that made certain Kiera was aware of just how woefully underprepared she was for the task set before her.