"Kelina, is there wine? I require wine, immediately. Before anything else, wine," I stated.

  The servant glanced at me and gave a nod. I strode over to Althea and lifted both of my arms for her to beginning undressing me. "Althea, tell me of the nature of the relationship between Juleppa and Xenocrates," I commanded. If I were to be the queen by force, I figured I should begin the process of taking ownership of my situation in haste, and so my questioning of the girl commenced with the most important query I had so far.

  Kelina exited the chamber to retrieve the wine, and Althea gave a light sigh before answering. "Milady, Juleppa was Lord Xenocrates' wet nurse. After the death of his mother, Queen Callisa, Juleppa was the woman to raise him from boy to man," Althea replied.

  The revelation came as a shock to me, and I began to reassess my assumptions. "Is Juleppa known to be jealous over him?" I asked.

  "No, Juleppa wants him to have what she feels he deserves. She loves him as her own son, and there was only one other child she loved as much," Althea said.

  "Who was this other child?" I asked, intrigued by the offer of more information.

  "She was the girl who was stolen from House Thessaly, years ago. The girl who was betrothed from birth to Lord Xenocrates," Alathea responded.

  "Alassea of House Thessaly?" It dawned on me that Juleppa must have been the woman whom my mother had used as a midwife and wet nurse. I now had reason to forge an alliance with Juleppa, and it appeared that Althea was a great source for further questions. I smiled as my toga drifted to the ground and then stepped into the bath, armed with a few answers but many, many more questions than I had even had before.

  "Yes, milady, that was her name. Mistress Juleppa spent a great deal of time with the child before she was kidnapped. People say that ever since she lost that baby, Mistress Juleppa has been different. There was a time she was a kind and docile woman who so many Pretan women turned to in their time of need. Now Mistress Juleppa is callous and distrusting of everyone. Some say she blamed herself for the child's disappearance and the murder of her parents. It is a tragic story we would all rather forget," Althea said.

  I wondered how many people knew that Xenocrates' recent return was from a voyage to regain the girl Althea now spoke of, but to think the girl she spoke of was me, I still could not quite grasp. Though I knew that Juleppa did not like me from the moment she met me, I now knew that to find out the truth, I needed to forge a friendship with her, and that by securing her trust, I could find out the truth about my past that I otherwise never would have known. My curiosity was piqued to full height, and I relaxed against the bath with Althea's tender hands lathering my hair as I thought of what the day held in store. This was my fate, and if it were to be, I needed to start finding ways to cope and assimilate to my new people's culture. I needed to befriend Juleppa.

  "Today is my wedding, Althea," I said suddenly. "After today, I will be a queen of Pretus, and I need to know all the proper customs of my new people. Will you teach me?" My smile spread out across my lips, and she gave a nod as she rinsed my locks.

  "Milady, I will do my best to serve you, in any way you may need," Althea replied.

  I noticed she had grey hair at the roots, but only framing her face. She was a remarkably beautiful woman but evidently older than I had assumed her to be.

  "I am sure you will, Althea," I said coolly. I completed the bath and stepped out onto the tiles with my arms raised again. Althea quickly wrapped me and began drying my skin. Kelina returned with the wine, at that moment, and I smiled pleasantly. The two slaves would work out my look, I knew, but I was much more concerned with devouring the wine and being as intoxicated as possible when the nuptials began. She placed the wine in my hand and immediately took to lifting my garments, as she and Althea proceeded to dress me. I brought the wine to my lips and paid little attention to their work. I was used to servants dressing me, and the wine was my only concern. The two women tediously worked to prepare me for the ceremony, and within the hour, I was the picture of a beautiful bride for their king. I smirked as soon as the mirror was brought before my face.

  "Are you displeased, milady?" Kelina immediately asked. The expression on her face clued me that she suspected I was dissatisfied and worried about a severe punishment, as a result.

  I turned to look back at her with a shaking of my head and flashed a soft smile. "No, dear Kelina. The two of you have done a phenomenal job on dressing me for this occasion. I am only slightly disappointed that my marriage was not in my homeland and to someone I had chosen, myself," I stated solemnly.

  Althea gave a sigh and urged Kelina towards the door. "Milady Caecelia, you will be given the best Pretus has to offer, and a husband whom all the women vie for. Kelina and I must go now, but the guards will come for you, when it is time to for your processional," she said gently. Kelina gave a grin as she eased out of the door, and Althea closed it gently behind her with a curtsy and a smile of her own.

  In a matter of seconds, I was left to the solitude of my chamber, and the only companion I now had was the decadent wine Kelina had brought me. Within the next two hours, I would become the wife of Lord Xenocrates I of Pretus, and yet I was anything but happy about the plan. I strode quietly over to the window and gazed out over what was to become my kingdom. The sun's rays fanned out across the hills and gave the wheat upon them a golden glow. I smiled tenderly at the sight and mused at the beauty of the landscape. It was a beautiful country, and I found that the coastal scent of the breeze was reminiscent of the breeze that would blow through my childhood window. It gently blew across my face, catching a golden tendril of my hair and dancing with it leisurely for a second.

  "Today is the day you become a queen, Caecelia. You might as well enjoy the beauty of what you've attained," I whispered, before seating myself at the window to stare out in silence and relish the rest of my remaining wine. This was to be my life.

  Not an hour later, I found myself sauntering down the halls with a guard on either side of me. They were completely empty and the silence that filled them would have been deafening, had it not been for the rapping of our heels upon the tiles. My hair had been fashioned into elegant curls, which were gathered into buns and strands about a golden olive crown. Kelina had allowed me one last glance in the mirror before she and Althea both left, and admittedly, I was the perfect picture of a beautiful bride. A bride both women had worked hard to make appeasing for their master. Each of the guards strode some safe distance from me, and as we came around the corner of the hall, the reality of the celebration finally dawned on me. My eyes scanned the crowd nervously, and I felt my stomach begin to twist and turn in knots. I slowed my pace a bit before turning the next curve and found myself standing at the start of a long red carpet. As my eyes drifted down the staircase, I found myself facing Xenocrates. Our eyes met just then, and I felt the hair at the nape of my neck arise almost instantly. It seemed like an eternity passed before I finally broke from the enchantment he had placed on me with a mere look. I shook my head and proceeded to descend the staircase slowly. With each step I took, I carried myself closer and closer to Xenocrates. My entire body shimmered with a line of nervous perspiration until, finally, I stood beside him and the priest began to speak.

  "Caecelia of House Servili, you present this day to tie a bond with this man, our king, Xenocrates I of Pretus. By giving your vow of fealty and honour to your king, you agree to abide him in all. Do you accept?" the priest asked with a look of disdain and suspicion.

  I gulped in horror and closed my eyes tightly before weakly speaking. "I do," I muttered.

  "And do you, King Xenocrates I of Pretus, present today with the full knowledge that you agree to care, provide, love, and cherish this woman, Caecelia of House Servili, your chosen queen?" the priest asked.

  Xenocrates cleared his throat and gave a nod. "I accept," he murmured gruffly.

  The priest gave a nod and began fastening our hands. I understood the custom, as my country was known for binding bridegrooms and brides in such a way. Seconds later, the priest moved away and gave a wave as he spoke. "Seal your vows by kiss."

  Suddenly, I felt my palms begin to perspire even more, and looking back up at him, I breathlessly parted my lips to accept his. Xenocrates slid his hand up my spine and cradled my neck whilst dipping my body gently into the crook of his arm. His lips met my own with a sweet and velvety graze that coaxed my mouth to part even more to receive his tongue. My breath become lodged in my throat, and with my eyelids fluttering closed, I relished the sensations his mouth and tongue brought me, oblivious to the fact that anyone else was watching. My eyes opened widely when the sound of overlapping applause crashed into my ears, and with a gasp for breath, my cheeks singed in humiliation. He was right. My lips denied what my body begged for, and there before the entirety of my newfound kingdom, I had fallen victim to the passion in his kiss. Anger fuelled through my body like a potent gas that immediately caused my anger to flare, but Xenocrates seemed completely unaware of the fact, as he slid his hand into mine and urged me to follow his lead back down the carpet. I quietly followed and soon found myself standing within the banquet hall yet again, seated beside my new husband.

  "Now, let us truly celebrate a king's marriage!" Xenocrates announced, lifting his goblet high enough to splash wine out on the floor beside us. He laughed upon seeing it and brought the remaining liquid to his lips to devour greedily. I turned to lift my own goblet and quickly began to drink myself to a stupor. I knew what lay ahead of me, and being of sound mind the first time he took me was the least of my concerns. In truth, I wanted nothing but to vanish into the air around me. But it was hopeless by now. Juleppa seated herself directly across from me, and when I sat the goblet back on the table, I took notice of her steely gaze burning into me. A smile broke out and slithered across my lips, claiming the apples of my cheeks like a hot knife through butter.

  "Lady Juleppa," I began, as I lifted my goblet towards her. "Should we not be celebrating the nuptials of two of your own very favorite nurse children?" I finished.

  She looked back at Xenocrates and scoffed. "What is she talking about, milord?" Juleppa asked.

  "She's had too much to drink, Juleppa. Ignore her," Xenocrates said commandingly.

  "But milord?" Juleppa persisted.

  "I said ignore her, Juleppa!" he growled loudly.

  "Yes, milord." Juleppa acquiesced.

  I grinned wider than usual and found myself stifling my laughter. "Oh, surely, I have not drunk so much as to not know what I speak of, milord," I said. "I speak of the fact that I am Alassea of Thessaly, of course!" I said.

  Xenocrates frowned and slammed his hand down in front of me. "I said that was enough, Caecelia!" he shouted.

  "Oh, dear gods, strike me from where I sit!" I murmured and lifted my goblet, once more.

  Juleppa's mouth flew agape, and she began shaking her head in disbelief. "No, no, it cannot be! All of House Thessaly were slain!" Juleppa screamed.

  Xenocrates was now furious with me, and he made no qualms about it with his next statement. "Take her to my chambers, now!" he ordered the guards, pointing down the hall towards his room.

  I huffed and threw my chair back behind me before pulling my arm away from the first guard who approached. "Do not touch me!" I screamed, quickening my pace to march several feet ahead of my escorts.

  "We must escort you properly, my Queen," The first guard said gently.

  I shook my head and began walking faster.

  "I need nothing from any of you, and I want even less," I retorted. I could hear Xenocrates throw the banquet table over, and in seconds, the two guards dispersed from my sides as the king came running down the hall after me. His fingers wound about my right wrist, and with a quick jerk, he pulled me into him and tossed me over his shoulder angrily.

  In shock, my eyes widened, and I balled my fists to begin punching him in the back. But it was all to no avail as he roared his orders to the guards and made way to his room. "Keep the guests company and mind your asses! Stay out of the hall before my chamber!" he directed, holding me tightly in place as he kicked open the door to the room. I heard the slam of the door behind me and then found myself tossed atop his mattress like a straw doll.

  "Take off your clothes, now!" he barked.

  In terror, I sat on my knees, with trembling hands, and began to untie my gown. I shuddered and watched him with fearful eyes until, finally, the toga fell free of my body. Full, creamy breasts spilled out of the fabric, causing the tips of my nipples to harden from the coolness of the air. Xenocrates grew still as a statute, his breath shallow and heavy as he watched. I cast my gaze away and frowned slightly.

  "Are you afraid of me, Caecelia?" he asked suddenly.

  "No, I am not afraid of you," I whispered.

  "Then, why do you tremble?" he asked.

  "I-I have never been with a man," I confessed.

  "And you fear a man's touch?" he questioned.

  "I fear that I am not made for rough touch," I murmured.

  He stepped forward slowly and placed his knee atop the mattress, easing forward until both of his legs rested fully atop it. With a tilt of his head, his eyes grazed over my body, raking my flesh with an intensity I could not comprehend. He lifted his palm and delicately stroked my cheek, brushing a strand of hair from my face as his eyes met with my own.

  "Oh, my precious princess, you are meant for cherishing and ravishing, like the jewel you are," he whispered, but before I could speak further, his lips once more found my own, and the decadence of his tongue was once again coaxing my mouth to part in acceptance of all he had to offer. His palm slipped further up my cheek until his fingers grazed my scalp, and I felt him grasp my hair. He pulled gently back and forced my chin upward to deepen his kiss.

  I felt my heart race, and a sweet whimper emitted from me, only to be muffled by his lips. He slid his free hand up to rest upon my chest and gently pressed my body back to rest against the mattress. My acquiescence came as much of a surprise to me as it did to him, and as I flattened my back against the bed, I slid my hands down to grasp palmfuls of the sheets in my hands. With the anchor I had forged manually, I was able to maintain my position, but not for long. His lips broke from my own, only to find themselves covering my left nipple and tugging gently between his teeth. Gasps of shock and satisfaction fled me and I writhed, in response to his touch. It was so divine and intoxicating. The sweet mixing sensation of pain from nipping teeth on delicate flesh and feather light caresses on my most tender parts was more than I could bear. I clenched my eyes closed and sucked in a breath, drawing my lower lip into my mouth with my next inhalation. My own teeth slid into the flesh thereof, in an effort to silence my desire to beg for more.

  But silent pleas did not go unnoticed by my experienced lover, and he broke his mouth free of my breast quickly, in response. His mouth then lowered to trace his tongue around my navel, dipping slowly within and darting outward to trail down towards my loins. The heat of his breath fanned out across my body, alighting my arousal to a state of a near inferno, and my perspiring body now screamed in protest. Yet, I refused to submit to pleading. He had sworn I would do so, and I refused to give him the pleasure. His fingers slid down my pelvis, and with his index finger, he pried the folds of my core apart, dipping his index between them as his tongue delved into the inner most recesses of my body. I squirmed against the bed now, biting harder into my lip and daring not allow a single utterance to flee me further.

  Xenocrates continued with the onslaught of his invading finger and tongue, driving me closer and closer to the point of no return, an abyss I had never known existed, and yet without knowing what rested on its shores, I found myself yearning to see what lay on the other side. My mouth flew agape, and with overwhelming sensations flooding my veins, I finally did what I had sworn to never do,

  "Oh, no! No, please you torture me!" I squealed.

  Xenocrates grinned and lifted his head to peer up at my face. "Ah, does my princess now want what I offer?" he asked in a hoarse and concupiscent tone.

  "I cannot survive this torment!" I cried in a whimpering voice, turning my face towards the mattress.

  "But I have only just begun, my pet," he murmured as his lips once more found their place against my taut abdomen. He snaked his tongue outward and proceeded to trail it across my flesh. Each movement he made was scaling up my body, with lips pressing in gently to caress my skin every few inches. I shivered and tightened my thighs, in an attempt to cease the dull throbbing, which had grown from a tiny nuisance to an overwhelming need—a burning throb that slowly seemed to be turning to an aching compulsion. I needed him now, and it seemed that the only answer to my struggles was to confess it. He had made a declaration, and in the midst of our tryst, I subdued.

  Like a wanton whore, I purred into the night. "Please, I beg of you, milord. I cannot suffer this any longer!" I whined through clenched teeth.

  And that was all it took. Xenocrates' hands slid down between my thighs. His fingers snaking tenderly down my flesh. Suddenly, he pulled back his palm and gave a full force smack, grasping my flesh in his palm as he quickly widened my thighs and pushed himself upward. His eyes remained steadily focused on his target as he slowly crawled between my thighs. His palms continued to urge my legs wider apart until he had me spread-eagle, in wide display. Blood drained from my face as the height of embarrassment scaled, but the look on his face was one of extreme pleasure. I closed my eyes tightly and squeezed the sheets until my knuckles turned white, and as I focused in on each motion he made, I soon gasped in shock when I felt him slam his rigid prick within my tight recesses. He slid his hands down to pin me by the wrists, and staring straight into my eyes, he once more slammed himself deeply into my soul. And that was where I felt him. Deep within my core, piercing my heart, mind, and body with but one single stroke. He grinned like a fiend as he peered down on me, and I turned my face from his as I felt him bring me closer and closer to the peak of my climax. Slowly, my heart began to beat wildly out of control, and I felt my body begin to contract and shudder every time he thrust into my flesh. My mouth flew open, and a low, guttural moan slipped from me.

 

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