It was easier, he had thought, to keep the young woman sedated. By his calculation, he expected he had a good twelve hours' head start before the palace would grow suspect of Caecelia's disappearance. It was just as well, and so, he took leave of the tent long enough to relieve himself. His fingers freed himself as the sound of urine hitting the ground filled his ears. He lifted his head and stared at the stars. A sudden rustling sound in the bushes brought his gaze back toward his surroundings. With an uncertain disposition, he shifted, removing his scimitar with a quick arcing motion. His dark eyes flashed over to the tent. Ahriman quietly began to creep on tiptoes toward the tent entrance, flinging the flap open cautiously. His eyes pierced through the darkness but found nothing, save for Queen Caecelia resting quietly in her sleep. She stirred with an exhale and rolled her to her side.

  Ahriman entered to look over her. A grin tugged the corners of his lips as he watched the beauty sleeping serenely. "Ah, indeed, such beauty," he whispered.

  In a sudden movement, Ahriman felt massive hands wrapping around his neck as his body was pulled into the sturdy chest of a man whose voice gave away his identity t as soon as he spoke.

  "Who are you, bastard? Answer wisely, or I shall have your head on a pike! What do you think you are doing with my wife?" Xenocrates seethed into his ear.

  Ahriman shifted and brought his elbow back directly into his gut, slamming his arm with full force into his abdomen.

  Xenocrates tightened his forearm around the man's throat, squeezing tighter and tighter, until Ahriman felt he would pass out. He threw him forward and nodded towards him. "I asked who you are, man!" Xenocrates roared in his face.

  Ahriman rolled and hopped to a stand, waving Xenocrates closer, nodding towards the girl.

  "Ahriman Khursheed!" Ahriman bellowed in his face. "The man you will pay to save that pretty face." He chuckled, pointing at Caecelia, whose eyes had barely managed to flutter open. In her intoxicated state, she could make out nothing and soon fell back against the canvas.

  Xenocrates motioned towards him and took off running at full speed to knock the man off his feet and pummel him to the ground. He balled up his fists and hurled them into Ahriman's cheeks and nose, breaking the bridge of his nose to the point of unfamiliarity.

  Blood spurted from Ahriman's nostrils, and he laughed more as he spat in Xenocrates face.

  "I will kill you!" Xenocrates roared as he brought the man's face to his own and slammed his forehead into it with a forceful head-butt. Everything turned pitch black, and seconds later, Ahriman Khursheed was slumped over, knocked out cold by the king. Xenocrates turned away from the man and lifted Caecelia over his shoulder, carrying her out of the tent quickly. Her eyes parted and she peered up at him as he mounted his steed and began galloping off into the darkness. He held her closely against his body and rode as fast as the animal could carry them.

  "Woman, if you only knew how far I would go to show you that I could love you and you are safe with me, you would not loathe me as you do," he whispered gently down to her as she nestled against his chest.

  Caecelia gave a sweet sigh and whimpered into him, "If you would kiss me like the sky does the sun every morning and caress me as the moon does the stars each night, then I would believe you could love me, Xenocrates. Even if it is only a dream."

  Xenocrates felt a pang in his chest and focused on the ride ahead, lifting his gaze from her resplendent face solemnly. "I would do all of that till the end of time, my Sass," he whispered, but Caecelia had once again fallen victim to the sedative Ahriman had given her and rested softly in his arms.

  The two of them arrived, just after the sun began to peek up behind the hills of Pretus and whilst the rest of the palace was at rest. A few guards noticed the king arriving and announced it across the courtyard. Xenocrates thrust the reins on the horse into a guard's hands and pulled his wife down to rest atop his shoulder again. Without a single word, he turned away from the guards and continued in stride towards the palace. Somehow, someway, he was going to show her that he could love her as she desired for him to, but the sad reality that Caecelia did not seem to accept was that Xenocrates would be making himself weak because of her. That she had now shown others how much she meant to him, and that he was willing to risk all for her safety, it was a flaw in his armour, and the king had just unwittingly revealed it. Would Caecelia's stubborn pride be the downfall of the man all revered? Xenocrates cared not, anymore. For now, all the reverence in the world meant nothing beside the love of the woman he now held. He slowly peered back down on her and leaned forward to press velvety lips against her crimson pout. With a lingering sigh, he eased them from her lips and walked into the palace.

  Acquiescence

  Caecelia slept for most of the day, and Xenocrates sat at her side in silence for the duration of her slumber. He arose only on the rare occasion that the urge to urinate came over him and dined at her side, when evening finally arrived. Still, she slept like an angel on a cloud, wrapped up in the silky sheets they had copulated on, just nights before. As he watched her, Xenocrates began to grow restless and sombre. To any onlooker, the king appeared worried and distraught over her wellbeing. True as it was that he had no idea what potent toxin Ahriman had used on Caecelia, he had made the wager that it was a hash, and that soon enough, the young woman would awake in perfect health. He hoped she would recall little, if anything, about what had transpired. In his haste, Xenocrates had not made sure to check if his wife's abductor had perished or merely been knocked out cold by his bruising fists, and the reason was because of his overwhelming fear for her health. Caecelia's words to him on the horse ride back had not drifted far from his mind, and he continued to ponder on them when, finally, the queen's voice broke free.

  "Wh..." I began as my eyes focused on the room around me. I recognized the interior quickly and turned to peer around me, only to find my husband sitting at my side. "What happened?" I asked, softly bringing my palm up to massage my temples and squinting slightly in the dim light.

  "You were abducted, Caecelia. Lie back down and rest. I am certain your head will pain you much, if not," he reassured me as he leaned closer to my body.

  "Oh, yes. He said he would return me in good health, if you paid my ransom," I answered as it dawned on me what had occurred.

  "I paid him the ransom he was due, for taking what is mine away from me by force," Xenocrates replied.

  "How did you measure my worth?" I asked.

  "I would pay the price in my own blood," Xenocrates whispered as his eyes locked on mine.

  "I hope it was not too much to extract from your treasury," I retorted. I felt a pang of anger in my heart as if it hurt me to think he would have paid, instead of saving me himself.

  "What price would be too much, Caecelia?" he asked gently.

  "I am most uncertain, milord," I fired back. The venom in my tone was becoming more potent by the second, and I did my best to hold my tongue from shooting out another dart in a haste.

  "Ah, you truly think I paid for your release?" He chuckled. This was amusing him a great deal more than I had imagined.

  "Well, what else would I think with such admissions?" I inquired confusedly. I was beginning to wonder if the revered King of Pretus might be a bit mad or perhaps uncertain of his own desires. I had no way of knowing.

  "I paid the man with a broken nose and, I am certain, several ribs. Yet, you presume to know what I paid him? I paid the man a fate deserving of which the only price is death," he concluded with a seriousness I had not expected. He almost seemed to be offended by the lashing of my tongue. An epiphany overtook me as I realized that Xenocrates actually did care for me, evidently even more than I believed he could. It was all I needed to acquiesce to the recognition of the truth; the King of Pretus, Xenocrates I, was in love with me. No matter how many trials or tribulations I put him through, my warrior king had driven himself to all ends just to keep me safe. Far more had he done, than the average suitor would have. In that moment, my heart began to melt into warm goo. A pleased smile began to sprout up on my lips. Like a twirling vine, it grew larger and larger in its captivation, until my entire face had been overtaken in a happy, glowing aura. Never in my life had I felt such appeasement or enjoyment. Could it be that we were fated to be one, and that my soul's true mate now faced me, finally? I could scarcely believe it was possible, and yet as my eyes lifted to meet his own, they never wavered. As if the target of my affection was now visibly attainable. Left with a choice to either fall farther into the pit of emotion he had stirred within me, or to run as fast as I could, I made a decision. A decision that only time and dedication could prove. But prove it, I would.

  "You did all of that to save me from his clutches?" I finally asked quietly.

  "I told you I would do anything for you, and now I confess; Caecelia, my heart beats in your chest. Never again, will I dare attempt to live without your graces in my presence. For, in your eyes, I see the nectar of the gods, and how can I break free from it, now that I've savoured its taste?" he asked.

  "You speak such eloquent poetry, Xenocrates. Surely, the gods must have placed those words upon thy tongue, for if ever a woman heard what would draw heat to her loins, it is the sound of your voice when speaking thusly," I retorted.

  He squirmed slightly, and I could not decipher if it was because of my words or his attempt to maintain control over himself.

  "You tempt me to do things I ought not do to a woman in your state," he whispered.

  I chuckled softly and curled my finger up to coyly beckon him into the bed. "Come sate your beast, milord," I whispered and fell back into the mattress with a giggling smile and a happy heart.

  An Epiphany

  Xenocrates awoke to find his wife curled in his arms, after another night of long lovemaking. Once more, his woman had sensually bloomed beneath his fingers, and he savoured the sweetness of her beauty for hours afterward. The scent of her skin sent shivers through his body as he leaned down to inhale the sweet aroma of her hair. It was an overwhelming perfume that made him feel heady and light. He eased her from his arms and leaned over to peer down over her face. Fingers slid down her cheek until they just barely grazed her lip. She was like a goddess unto herself, lying with golden rays emanating from her silky tresses, the mane spread out all around her, engulfing her entirety. Xenocrates had not realized how long Caecelia's hair actually was, and at that moment, he had an epiphany as he watched her slumbering. She did appear just like one of the goddesses of Kanavisil, and he recalled the rumor of her parents. It had been said that her mother was a captured nymphaea, a magical creature who was connected to the very spirit of their planet. It was said that House Thessaly forced her marriage, upon her capture, to their son, Romulen, and if such was, in fact, true, and not mere legend, that made Caecelia a nymphae, also.

  "A wonder I must inquire of Juleppa," he whispered, tossing the sheets from his body and jumping up from the bed. He swung the door of the chamber open and began bellowing out orders.

  "Juleppa? Juleppa, come at once!" His voice reverberated throughout the halls, and he slammed the door to jog back to the bed and his wife. Now that Sass had accepted him as her husband, he intended to show her exactly who she was. Memories of the past filled his head in an instant and he recalled how few knew who Juleppa truly was. Disia never again wished to be called by her first name, after the tragic loss of her beloved mistress and her daughter. Xenocrates' movements brought Caecelia to stir and she sat up just as Juleppa eased herself into the chamber.

  "Yes, milord?" Juleppa inquired, peering at the new queen with a slight sneer.

  Xenocrates caught the look at once. "Juleppa, do not forget that you are still a servant in this house. Do not look upon a Queen of Pretus, my queen, with disdain, ever again, or I shall be forced to make an example of you," he said. "Now, I've brought you here to tell Caecelia about her family. To tell me about her family and House Thessaly," he finished.

  Juleppa frowned and shook her head, her mouth twisting into a disgusted frown. "She is not of House Thessaly," Juleppa replied.

  "Yes, she is. Tell us of it. Now," he reaffirmed.

  Juleppa shrugged and began to speak. "House Thessaly was burned to the ground and my charge, Alassea, stolen, murdered," she said.

  "What makes you think Alassea was murdered?" Xenocrates said.

  "I can only imagine so, milord, but I hope," Juleppa whispered. "I have hoped, every night, that upon seeing Hortis with the babe and riding away with her, she might have lived. I have always hoped," Juleppa stated as tears began to well in the corners of her eyes.

  "Was there any way to know if she was the child of a nymphaea?" Xenocrates asked suddenly.

  Caecelia looked back at him in shock and puzzlement.

  "It is true that her real mother was a nymphaea. It was a secret only few knew and only her most trusted. I was one of the few she allowed to keep the secret. I delivered the babe to her mother and cared for her as nursemaid, just as I had done to you, seven years prior," Juleppa said. "To know if she is the true child of Thessaly and a nymphaea, she had a birthmark with the appearance of a perfect circle, the color of the sky. It is a mark that represents the heart and soul connection of Kanavisil with the deities who protect her," Juleppa concluded.

  "How do you know this?" Xenocrates asked.

  "Because her mother bore the same mark, and Alassea is the only other I have ever witnessed, in possession of the very same mark," Juleppa replied.

  Xenocrates pointed towards the wall behind him.

  "Where was the mark?" Xenocrates asked.

  "At the nape of her neck, it can be found," Juleppa replied.

  "Caecelia, stand up and turn around. Lift your hair from your back and do not move an inch," he ordered.

  I did as I was bid and erected myself to turn around. The next sound I heard was the shocked utterance of Juleppa's voice. In my nudity, I stood, waiting for Xenocrates' next command but I heard none.

  "Oh, it is she! Forgive my insolence, my Queen. I beg of thee," Juleppa wailed as she hit her knees and lowered her head to the ground, her skirts floating away from her face as she continued to mutter words I could scarcely understand. Slowly, I turned around, allowing my hair to fall loose. A sudden realization overtook me and I understood things that never made sense before.

  Xenocrates grinned and gingerly drifted the tips of his fingers across my shoulders, caressing the mark with admiration. "Indeed, my glorious Queen." He paused and look back down to Juleppa with a sneer, "I have chosen well, then, haven't I, my nurse? For now, we shall have both the waters and the lands on our side and the restoration of the balance in Kanavisil."

  I turned back toward the reflecting glass on the wall behind me and, noting the design thereof. I confirmed the obvious truth in my own mind. I was Alassea of House Thessaly, Caecelia, Queen of Pretus, and most importantly, I was Xenocrates' true love and honored wife.

  Juleppa still remained kneeling as Xenocrates arose from the mattress and growled, "Go now. You have many days to redeem yourself in the queen's eyes and many apologies to make, but know you will never again look at her with anything but respect. She is to be revered, Disia." Xenocrates said her original name boldly, "Leave milady and me to enjoy our new paradise."

  Juleppa, who I now knew to be Juleppa Disia, smiled as she arose to exit. "Yes, Your Graces, apologies from a humble servant," Juleppa murmured.

  Xenocrates looked me over with a ravenous glint in his eyes. "You need to be marked by me, nymphaea," he stated with a grin.

  I cocked my head to the side and peered at him.

  "Turn around, Sass," he demanded. As if he knew I would contest, he immediately snapped, "Do not argue. Turn around." His voice gave no hint of what he intended on doing to me but the enticing fear of unknown possibilities compelled me to do so. A sudden wicked delight overtook me as I slowly turned to place both palms flat upon the wall behind me. I allowed my eyes to fall closed, pressing my full breasts into the hardness of the wall so the slight brush of my hardening nipples would be bruised by my imaginary lover; His Majesty.

  With a catty voice, I murmured, "Like this, master?"

  Xenocrates huffed behind me, and the sudden sound of a snapping questriwhip resonated through the room. Just as I heard it, I felt the sting of its kiss as it lashed out across my naked ass.

  "Ah!" I screamed.

  He chuckled behind me and, once more, I felt the same stinging pain as the whip met my opposing cheek.

  "You scream little. This is good, Sass," he said, and the sound of a loud clack hitting the quartz floor was all I heard before his hands were once again fanned out across me. He slid his palm down over the welt marks upon my backside and drawing his hand back once more, he gave me a heavy smack, causing the cheek to tremble beneath his palm that grasped it eagerly as his lips met my neck. With my back pressed into his chest, he breathed in my scent. "Caecelia, you are mine now. Forever. For always, and for you, there is nothing I will not do, murder, maim, destroy." He snaked his tongue out to trail down the side of my neck, stopping to bite into my throat gently before laying a tender kiss to my earlobe.

  I shuddered; the pain had overtaken me long enough to cause my knees to fall weak and I felt myself falling into the wall. He pulled me into his embrace and caressed my cheek tenderly.

  "I will adore and revere you above all the stars. In embracing the empire with me, you embrace a love that will surpass eternity," he vowed, pulling me closer as he cradled me in his arms.

  My eyes steadied with his and I felt tears well in my own eyes as I saw the depth of the love this beast held for me, but in that moment, I learned even beasts can be tamed with compassion and love.

  Epilogue

  Smiling Fate

  Caecelia and Xenocrates became the greatest leaders of their time, and with the acceptance and revelations Caecelia had finally come to, the couple lived a happy, prosperous, and powerful life—a life filled with the sounds of children and a family like the queen had always imagined.

 

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