Chapter 1 (Either of 1 or many, we'll see how I feel)
The sun bore down on Battahl and its people. Radiant and resplendent, its warmth filled the land and its people with life and joy. This was as it should be.
Yet Nadinia never found it to be so.
Despite the Empress's work and prayer, ere' were there problems and perils for her people. But a month ago an assassin had near ended her, and a week later one of her most trusted retainers revealed her betrayal. Nadinia wished to truly understand why, but she had to move on, stay strong for her people.
10 long years had she reigned. Peaceful though they were she wished to better all in Battahl, Beastren, Human, and Pawn alike. Naught else would truly still her fears.
Until yester night when the Arisen paid a visit.
Near silent, stoic, and compassionate. Nadinia was awed by him, Foriss, the current Arisen. A beastren of gentle and strong countenance. Eyes of emerald did he possess, fur of silk, and coloured like the dark stones of Battahl's forests.
Often was Nadinia visited in her chambers, her loyal ally and friend Menella, her sisters in worship, and her retainers who would see her safe.
None made her feel safe like the Arisen. None made her fears seem insignificant like he. None ever gifted her a gift of such sentiment as this ring. A ring that depicted the holding of hands in a never-ending circle of fine gold.
As Foriss was destined to be Sovran of Vermund, it was not a surprising gesture all in all. A act of diplomacy on its surface. To mend the wounds of both nations and seem them knit together. But in his eyes was more. More than a desire for wealth or power, more than the will that has defined the Arisen all. Love.
Love. Something an Emperor or Empress must often discard for the sake of their people.
"Ser Arisen, we accept this gift. It will surely serve Battahl and its people."
A practiced voice, and practiced sentence. Nadinia did not expect the Arisen to close the distance twixt, to loom close like a shadow. She looked up and met his gaze.
His mouth curled slight by a gentle smile, his eyes softened by contentment. A moment passed that felt alike minutes. In the Arisen's presence, Nadinia felt less like and Empress, more like a normal woman who was being held by the man she pined for.
He lifted his hands from her hips and gently lifted the shawl from Nadinia's head. Regrettably, she never could grow her hair long. Yet Foriss played with it all the same.
It had been too long since Nadinia had been allowed to forget her duties.
Now she felt normal, appreciated and loved not by thousands, but by a single man.
"Arisen, I… Hold me close, please."
His embrace was firm and gentle. Like him. By the Flame, how Nadinia had wanted this. To be normal for just a few minutes. To be herself. The few days she had to herself she imagined things like this.
Someone who could break through the we's and the our's and see the I that Nadinia is.
flumf*
Now here she was, laying on her bed with Foriss above her. Their clothes shed. His hands trailing her body as she did in kind. Every muscle, every scar, every wound became known to each other.
Their lips became more and more familiar as they shared their love. A kiss on the lips, a kiss on the neck, a kiss on the stomach.
The night they spent was both eternal and far too quick. They both wanted more. To forget their duties forever and spend their time in good company forevermore. Alas, the sun waits not for the rooster.