Nelina was lost in a euphoric fog of carnal excitement, the kisses on her neck with his hands on her thighs gave her a warm rush from head to toe. “I- you know that I,” her words trailed off with a gentle moan.
“What do I know? Other than you’ve begged me for your precious freedom from me,” His thumb glided over the soft, swollen nub between her legs, where he had found her aroused waiting for him. “Convince me of it, or perhaps it is simple pride speaking for you?” His fingers pressed against her slowly and steadily while stroking her. “Tell me how much you want to leave, whisper in my ear how you’re not my bed slave.”
Another sound of pleasure escaped her. She was his instrument, while he was the virtuoso. He kept pulling back, not letting her reach her desired threshold, she tried to chide herself against her own ignited passions. ‘Tell him, it’s all you have to do.’ she thought. Instead, she responded wantonly by moving her legs further apart and wrapping her arms around him.
Ru’ark’s lips brushed against her lush, inviting mouth, which lead into a deeper, longer kiss as his tongue mingled with hers. Her long flaxen hair fell around her shoulders carrying the smell of lavender and roses. In the throes of their kiss, he pulled away. “Master,” His smile was seductive and intoxicating. “Say it once for me Sweetling, and I will reward you with an exquisite rapture.”
She could not resist the lure, the temptation, of him. “Master,” inviting and willing, she gave in to him.
“Easy, in the end wasn’t it?” He did not disappoint her in allowing her to step off his torturous edge and fall into the tantalizing bliss of pleasure he promised. “You will learn to serve me in all things Sweetling.”
“I will,” She clung to him, arching against his hand, as her thighs and belly quivered with her release she was shaky from the intensity of her own gratification.
“I’m glad that things are settled between us then.” He kissed her forehead. “You have things to do until I see you at the evening meal tonight.”
“I do?” She smoothed the silks of her gown down while sliding off the end of the table.
“Indeed, both the Queen’s seamstress and armorer will be paying you a visit today in your chamber.” His victory over her made it hard for him to tear himself away and not sample more of her.
“The armorer?” Confusion crossed her face, “Whatever for?”
“Because, I don’t keep people around me who can’t defend themselves.” His seductive smile dared her to challenge the staying part. “We’ll have the evening meal together tonight.”
“I- Of course, I will see you then Ru’ark.” She inclined her head.
He stepped closer to kiss her cheek. “That was both delightful and pleasing.”
“I am glad,” it was barely more than a whisper as she departed the solar.
Ru’ark made sure she was gone before he ordered Gwendolyn to him, he was in sore need of a woman after Nelina. Gwendolyn had similar features in that they shared in the same light colored hair and both had an attractive figure. He did not bother with any pleasantries when Gwen came to him and nor did she expect any from him. He hiked up her skirt, and wasted no time bending her over the table. After a few thrusts, he could not help but to want the woman who had just left. He closed his eyes, thinking of Nelina. He should have slaked his lust for her when she was here. Instead, he finished off with Gwendolyn to be done with it. It was unsatisfying and disappointing. It did naught to satiate his appetite for his newest slave and left him irritated instead. “Leave me.”
Gwendolyn curtsied. “As you wish, Milord Magus,” she made haste out of his chamber since mood had changed to a darker one.
The eastern tower’s arched window overlooked the harbor with its bustling boats near the jagged Cliffside. Danthamore’s heat held little in comparison to the radiating heat of Aghadine. Once again, to his own displeasure, his thoughts returned to Nelina. Trying to push her from his mind had been to no avail as he replayed their earlier exchange in his mind. Finding her had taken him too many years, and he could not allow this fleeting attraction for her to dictate his priorities. She was a vessel, a soon to be host to the Nivecus Waraeu. Getting her in one piece to the Ortus chamber required her concentrating on her training. Spending morning meals as they did today was not conducive to that. Keeping her close and yet at a distance would be a delicate balance without question. Nevertheless, his reward would come when she proved capable enough to defend herself; then and only then he would allow himself to indulge in her. Leaving the window, he sat down at his desk. “Adar, the young Captain Elian approaches, do let him in,”
Elian’s hand did not make it to the handle before the door creaked opened with Adar looking at him. Grinning, he clasped Adar’s shoulder. “I’m never going to quite understand how you manage to do that.” Stepping further into the room, numerous shelves with books and scrolls lined the walls except for a window or a well-placed wall hanging or two. Casually, he seated himself in the chair across from Ru’ark. “Master, you sure can pick them, while she’s fair enough to stir any man’s loins I swear she’s a shrewish spitfire. I thought she was going to take off my hand before you arrived.”
Ru’ark’s mind strayed back to the sound of her compliant, yielding voice, calling him Master. “Indeed,”
Elian straightened out his posture. “I’ve heard it on a rumor that she was being fitted for armor.” He laughed, “Surely, since she is a bed slave and a woman, it is humor among my men right?”
“It’s true, in fact, you and Adar will be training my latest prize.” He knew well of the Ten Kingdoms and its stance on women being unfit for training in combat. “She needs to live in order to accomplish what I want done. It means that you will be training her in the use of a sword and shield, along with teaching her how to do it from horseback no less.”
“Ah,” Elian understood and accepted his directive. “As always Master, my steps are yours to command. They say though, that teaching a woman to use a sword is akin to teaching a stone to walk, I cannot give any assurances that she’ll retain a drop of it in her female mind.”
“I’ll not hold you to more than you can do Elian, although her training will begin on the morrow with you after she eats her midday meal.” Ru’ark motioned to Adar with a smile, “You my old friend in the mornings will train her in open hand fighting on the royal balcony overlooking the Torbian Sea.”
Adar always silent, nodded to Ru’ark indicating he would do as commanded. Unlike Elian, he was not from Danthamore or the Ten Kingdoms. He took no issue or had any hesitation about teaching a woman how to fight.
Ru’ark dismissed Elian, while Adar remained in the room with him. Treating Nelina as a lamb to the slaughter should not be such a difficult task. One woman was not worth Aghadine being a prison for his people. Yet, at the same time, he was infatuated with her to no end. In the last eight months, he had not spoken to his father. Since acquiring Nelina, he intended to use her to placate his father, and in turn the council, which left him hopeful of mending his prior lack of communication.
Nelina walked behind Lucas, who was leading her to meet Elian and Adar. She knew her focus should be more on the training she would receive today, but her thoughts were not there. Gwendolyn and Lucas preoccupied her mind to no end, her last bath was ice cold. “I am sorry for the offenses I have caused Gwendolyn and yourself.”
“I’m sure you are, and you’ll keep paying for those offenses too,” Lucas was eager to get Nelina to his Captain and to catch the morning meal with Gwen. Eating with the guards was standard fare, taking meals with Gwen consisted of the same food the Magus was having.
“I didn’t ask to be here or to take anything away from Gwendolyn.” She reached out to touch his arm.
“Yet, here you are.” Lucas spun around, clenching her forearm with an iron grip while his fingertips pressed hard into her inner arm. “If my Captain or the Magus asks me about your bruises, I’m going to have to tell them that you tried to grab me and how I defended myself. They’l
l believe me before you, so make no mistake about that.” He let go of her arm pushing her backward a little. “Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Fearful of him doing more to her, she stayed quiet the rest of the time walking past the private garden, atrium, and along the wall with the delicate tapestries depicting the history of the Kings of Danthamore. Finally, they arrived at the courtyard where she had first met the Magus. Lucas said nothing else and left her a few feet away from Elian and Adar.
She inhaled sharply walking toward the two men waiting for her.
“There you are,” Elian greeted a dour Nelina. “You’re late.”
“I am sorry and it won’t happen again,” incurring Gwendolyn and Lucas’ wrath was bad and the thought of suffering under either of these two worsened her fears of this new home.
“Our first meeting was different to say the least,” He stepped closer until realizing she was standing still, almost frozen. He bowed gallantly and softened his tone as he often did with women. “Maybe we can start over?” He swept his arm forward from his bow in a playful manner, smiling. “What do you think, could we do that perhaps one day be friends even?”
She smiled back, disarmed by his chivalrous good nature. “I welcome the opportunity, Milord.”
“See Adar?” Elian put his arm around Nelina’s shoulders “My friendship is an opportunity you know.”
She laughed at his humor.
Elian gave her a light squeeze before letting go. “I’ll meet up with you after the midday meal, and don’t be afraid of old stone face who never talks ok?”
“Okay,” she was more at ease to go off with Adar after Elian’s kindness to her.
Adar stood a few inches shorter than Elian with his hair shaved to his scalp dressed in plain tan clothing and not armor. Politely, he bobbed his head and indicated to her to accompany him.
He backtracked with her past the private gardens and hallways leading deeper into the recesses of the palace. She recognized the hallway going toward her room and Ru’ark’s household. Finally, the hallway opened up to the arched doorways leading out to the Royal courtyard and Grand balcony. The courtyard consisted of small, elaborate tables interwoven with small trees and fountains. Adar continued on with her to the grand balcony with its expansive view of the Torbian Sea, which allowed her to see the harbor far below.
As instructed by Adar, with a tap on her shoulder and a pointed finger, Nelina walked into the center of the wide balcony. The first thing Adar did was teach her how to stand properly with her knees partially bent in a defensive stance. He also moved her arm several times to teach her a blocking maneuver against an opponent trying to punch her. Although he did not talk, he had no need to. If she did something wrong, he tapped her with two fingers. For what she did right, he would smile or nod, or both. When he seemed to think she had grasped that, he taught her a simple strike to the throat using the side of her hand, which she had worked on for the remainder of her morning.
When she was finished, he walked her over to the table where she was to take her midday meal alone.
“Adar, will you stay with me and walk with me to Elian, please?” She was too fearful of Lucas.
After a brief pause with his back to her, he turned around with a nod then stood at her side.
Rushing, she ate less of her food, figuring she could depart from the palace balcony before Lucas arrived.
“By the God of All-” Lucas was about to insult her and tell her she was similar to a pig stuffing itself until he noticed Adar. Squinting, he directed his glare at Nelina. “You don’t want to be late do you?”
Adar’s keen eyesight caught Nelina’s leg bouncing in anxiety under the table. ‘Fear.’
With wary green eyes, she answered her jailer. “Um, Adar is supposed to come with us.”
“That’s not necessary is it Nelina?” His question was meant to intimidate her into dismissing Adar.
Instead, Adar widened his step next to Nelina signaling his intent to remain with her.
“It’s not up to me,” She shrugged her shoulders, praying he accepted her words.
“No, I didn’t mean to imply it was.” His demeanor changed, “I apologize if I entered in too gruff of a manner having a charge such as yourself is new to me, I am gladdened by the company of the Magus’ protector.”
“Well, you two, let’s be off shall we?” Lucas brought them up through the tower and past the palace guard station. After pushing open a heavy iron door, they came out to the city guard post at the high point of the eastern outer wall of the city.
Nelina could see the whole expanse of the palace. The centered King’s Tower was the highest point dominating the rest of the palace, its construction while similar was apart from the form of the surrounding palace or city. Also, from this angle, the royal courtyard and rand balcony where she had spent the morning training could be seen. Continuing their walk along the outer wall of the city, the Torbian Sea stretched out to the left of her where she saw the docks with their waiting ships. They descended further down the cliff slope where she was able to distinguish between each of the city quarters themselves. Coming to the last guard post off the wall, they passed by the Northern barracks reaching the edge of the courtyard. “I can go from here, thank you both for the escort.” Getting Lucas in trouble would raise his ire against her so she did not want Elian to see Adar with them.
Adar’s sidelong stare unsettled Lucas to where he left before him.
Elian was waiting for her and holding a recurve bow and an arrow. “Good Day Nelina! I hope your morning with Adar was well spent.”
“It was, I think I did alright.” She looked at the bow he was holding in hesitation. “I tried to use one of those once, I didn’t do very well.”
He dismissed her hesitation. “Come now, you’ll do fine.”
“Can we do the bow later? Do we have to do it now?” The last time she used one she barely had the arm strength.
“The bow is important, and you should learn to use it.” He put his arm around her shoulders and brought her to the archery targets. “How about you try it for me? I promise it won’t be that grueling.”
“I will, I’ll attempt it.” She remained doubtful of her ability, but Elian wanted her to do it so she was willing to.
“Good then,” Elian was sure he judged the weight of the bow correctly for her draw strength. “Take this,” He gave her the bow, then stepped behind her to help her shoot the arrow.
Nelina drew back the bowstring easier than she thought she would be able to “I can pull the string back on this one.”
“You couldn’t before?” Now things made sense to him. “Whoever taught you before probably gave you a bow too heavy to use.”
“Oh, it was my father and we only had one bow.” She took another arrow out to try again.
He smiled, “We can only do the best with what we are given, and I think with some practice you’ll find that your skill gets better with the bow.”
Nelina let her next arrow fly and watched it soar in the air to hit the outer section of the target circle “I hit it a little! I can’t believe it!”
He chuckled at her newfound enthusiasm. “That’s the key, to keep working at it.”
She practiced for an hour or so until her arms grew too weary to continue.
After her archery lesson, Elian led her over by two horses and commanded a couple of guards to pick up the courtyard. “You’ll need to learn how to ride,”
Nelina grinned with confidence, “I can ride a horse.”
Elian had his doubts about her ability to ride. “Then we’ll see how you do, won’t we?” The open courtyard was long enough for two horses to joust and would suffice for getting a basic idea of her capabilities.
Nelina walked over and patted the horse’s muzzle, then removed the reigns and the bit from the horse.
“What are you doing?” He was dumbfounded she took off the reigns.
“You wanted to see how well I can ride, right?” Adjusting the saddle she mo
unted her horse. She made sure her weight was evenly distributed so the horse would understand her cues.
He folded his arms intrigued, “I did say that, didn’t I?”
“I’ve been riding for as long as I can remember.” with no reigns, she signaled the horse to trot, to gallop and to come to a stop using her legs and weight.
Elian put his hands up, “You win, you’ve completely convinced me you can ride a horse.”
For good measure, she made the horse lower itself down in a bow before dismounting. “Not bad then?”
“Certainly not bad, I’m almost jealous.” He grinned, “But have you ever ridden a war horse?”
Her eyes grew wide, “No, but does this mean I will get to?”
“As a matter of fact, that’s what we’ll get started on the morrow with.” Her first day was not as bad as he had expected it to be. “You did well today Nelina, I’ll escort you back to your chamber, I need to speak with Master Ru’ark.”
“Thank you Elian,” Relief filled her voice since she managed twice today not to be alone with Lucas.
Ru’ark left his study taking the stone cut stairs leading upward to his private sleeping chamber. The room before his had arrival in Danthamore had once housed the King and Queen’s extended family, and on the rare occasion an important dignitary or two over the years. All of that changed once he had taken it as his own residence, along with a portion of the Grand balcony.
The large oversized bed, bookcases, and other valuables from before the First Kingdom limited the space in the room. Walking over to the wall with the tapestry depicting the Upper Kingdoms, he pulled off the shroud from the Dami Uiten next to it. The relic in and of itself stood in the normal eye as a long tall mirror with an intricate golden filigree frame. Ru’ark was by no means a short man, and the reflective glass was a head and half-taller than him. Few if any of the other Dami Uiten existed outside of Aghadine. Initially, he had doubts regarding its functionality yet through careful manipulation, he manifested the dormant properties within it. He stood centered in front of the mirror. “Tell my father, I have news, the wait has ended,” he knew that his father, Riga had a slave positioned in front of the Dami Uiten back in his homeland.
The Magus (A Chronicle of Rebirth Book 1) Page 3
