Juniper still wasn’t used to the silly shoes that the Atlanteans had given her. Their soft soles had caused her to slip in the stone stairwell from her room and she had arrived several minutes after Cecil in the main foyer of the palace. Foyer was perhaps the wrong word for it, she thought. It was a massive space, with two towering doors that reached nearly four stories high and were made from solid rock. They had been painted intricately and it was only when they were swung open did she realize their composition. The rest of the room was a mishmash of architectural styles. Columns that looked Greco-Roman, mosaic walls that had the geometric patterns of the Middle East, and an intricate bejeweled floor that Juniper had no idea whose culture it was borrowed from. Perhaps its opulence was truly Atlantean. She stood slightly behind Cecil, who stood between Lord Manfred and his mother. It was a small welcoming party, but she could tell that Cecil was tense, his hands clenched at his sides. The Queen Regent was passive, staring off into space as if waiting for the inevitable. Lord Manfred seemed uneasy, his headdress moving slightly as he wiggled his head every few moments.
The world outside the palace seemed far away to Juniper. The long winding marble steps that lead down to regular life seemed endless and it seemed to take forever for Luxor’s party to reach the top. “What’s he returning from? What’s all the commotion about?” she whispered to Cecil.
Cecil stared resolutely forward and his response came through lips that barely moved. “Luxor is the honorary holder of my previous position in the Guard. He is an imperial legate of several legions of expeditionary forces. And he has just returned from a successful campaign, apparently.”
“Oh. I see,” said Juniper, not wanting to seem ignorant of rankings or positions. Perhaps she really did need to learn Atlantean, she thought. It seemed that there was so much to learn about the world down here. It was mix of so many different cultures and systems. It was as if she had to learn them all just to make sense of how things worked down here. “Where has he returned from, and why?” she asked. If there any time to learn, now seemed like an opportune moment.
“Elsewhere,” muttered Cecil. His mind was elsewhere, that was clear, so Juniper decided not to press the matter.
Not that she had an opportunity to because Luxor and his men marched through the palace doors. They looked resplendent in their military attire. They each wore bronze plated pleated armor, swords strapped to their sides, horned helmets under their arms, and what looked like some kind of small mechanized weaponry at their side. She couldn’t tell what they were, but they looked dangerous.
Juniper’s eyes could only look at their attire for so long, because her eyes were fixed on who she could only guess was Luxor. Where Cecil was rough and hewn, Luxor was smooth and seemed to glow. His muscular arms were beautifully oiled and proportioned. Cecil didn’t care for such things and his arms were knotted and veiny. Luxor was muscular in a beautiful way, while Cecil was muscular in a rougher, more masculine way. Luxor’s hair was short and shined from the lights in the room, while Cecil’s hair was dull. Juniper’s stare deepened as she realized that her and Cecil’s unfinished business upstairs had left her even more ravenous, and Luxor’s unadulterated beauty was making her boil inside. She couldn’t tell if she wanted him more than Cecil, or the other way around. They looked nothing alike, so that was helpful, but her mind went into overdrive and she tried to tamp down her roiling sexuality.
Luxor nodded to Manfred, then embraced his mother. They let go quickly and he moved over to his brother. Cecil stared at him for a moment. Neither said anything. Luxor broke into a smile. “Brother, it is good to see you,” said Luxor. His voice was like velvet. It was smooth, mellow, and matched his looks perfectly. He was a beautiful sight and Juniper could immediately see herself enjoying his voice in any conversation they could have.
Cecil, however, stared at his brother with cold, almost dead eyes. His brow furrowed, his face became hard, and he didn’t move a muscle. “It is good to see you as well little brother. I believe it is customary for you to swear your fealty to me now. You and your men.” His tone matched his look. Juniper had never seen this side of him. He seemed as if he was ready to strangle his brother if he didn’t cooperate.
Luxor leaned in close to Cecil. “I do not believe you are King quite yet big brother. Best save your tip top commanding voice for a later time.” With that, he tapped Cecil on the nose, turned on heel, motioned to his men and began to leave. Cecil didn’t try and stop them.
Just as he reached the door, Luxor turned around and looked directly at Juniper. “And brother, you should have introduced me to your beautiful companion. She deserves better.” Luxor winked at Juniper and then continued on his way. Juniper could hear Cecil grinding his teeth and decided this was one confrontation that she had best not get in the middle of. If Cecil wanted to talk about it then he could do so on his own time, she thought.
As soon as Luxor walked through the palace doors and began bounding down the steps, the crowd below began chanting his name again. “That used to me,” muttered Cecil. “They to used chant my name. And I deserved it more than he ever will.”
Princess Marabella
Juniper woke up in her chambers, her hands reaching for the spot where Cecil had been when she fell asleep. It made her sad to not see him there, but she was slowly understanding that this was going to be her life if she stayed. She would probably always be second to whatever his duties to the City were that day. Her mind drifted to Luxor. She was embarrassed to admit to herself that he had crossed her thoughts when she had sex with Cecil last night. She had to admit it was just sex, and not love, that occurred. Cecil was distracted, he seemed robotic, and his distance made her doubt her place in the city. She hadn’t been satiated last night, and by the way he had acted, it hadn’t been a pleasurable experience for him either. Neither had really tried and both had failed. Were they failing each other, she asked herself.
The sheets were soft, whatever eternal warmth the city held came in through the open windows, along with that unnatural breeze that permeated the city. She tried to put her mind at ease. She remembered the Queen Regent’s suggestion that she come to Court and see how affairs were handled. She hadn’t cleared it with Cecil, and she didn’t know what appropriate attire was for Court, but she decided that it was better than just moping around the palace. Besides, the Queen had invited her, so Cecil didn’t really have a say in it, did he?
In the closet in her room, she found hidden at the back behind all the plain clothing a series of dresses, shawls, and even shoes that were covered in sequins and stones. Each was a different color and some were many colors, from burnt orange to deep lavender. She chose a light lavender dress, a white shawl, and a nice pair of black shoes which she tightened as much as possible as they were about three sizes too big. Whoever had stocked her closet didn’t know her shoe size, but the dress seemed a good fit, if perhaps a little too roomy in the chest.
She found her way down to the throne room. She had found it and many other odder palace rooms on her many escapades, but she could never find them again. The hallways were twisty and then led to grand arena like lobbies, resplendent with marble and other glazed rock she didn’t know. The palace was huge, confusing, and she couldn’t imagine how many weeks, years, it would take to put it to memory.trying to remember finding it the other day on her.
Before she entered she found herself facing two Guardsmen, each of whom held a lancer in one hand and a shield in the other. “How shall you be announced ma’am?” asked the left Guardsman. “It is still a few minutes before the Queen Regent begins proceedings, it is customary that the Court know who is joining to view the day’s doings,” he added.
Juniper looked at him, unsure of what to say. “Juniper Nesbitt should be fine, I think,” she replied.
The Guardsman nodded, turned around, slammed the butt of his lance on the ground three times and the giant doors of the Throne Room swung open. Juniper had thought that the Foyer and most parts of the palace were opul
ent, but the Throne Room seemed to be beyond decadence. Jewels and gems encrusted the walls, in elegant and intricate patterns. The floor was an elaborate mosaic of the spring harvest, and the plush lavender rug that ran the length of the room to the upraised throne was enough to take her breath away. The room was a large rectangle, larger than a football field, and around the edges, standing near pillars that also ran the length of the room, were the members of the Court, she assumed.
“Juniper Nesbitt, entering the Court,” boomed the Guardsman to the room.
All eyes turned to her then. She felt slightly uncomfortable as she looked at the similarly dressed ladies and the intricately dressed nobleman who stared at her with curiosity, passivity, and even hostility. She knew that everyone knew of her, but this was the first time most of them were seeing her in person. Instead of matching their gazes she nervously averted her eyes to the Throne, which stood nearly two stories above the rest of the room. It was flanked by two pillars sitting under an intricately carved arch. She made her way towards it and to the left, thinking that she’d stand as near as she could to it. Perhaps to show her influence or perhaps so that the Queen would see her and possibly nod, giving her some strength. She leaned against the pillar to the left and closest to the throne, trying not to meet anyone’s eyes.
“It’d be best if you stood up straight, arms held in front of you my dear,” said a soft voice to her left.
Juniper turned and looked at the source. From the shadows on the other side of the pillar walked a woman clad in a light gold dress and lavender shawl. The dress, although intricate and opulent, paled in comparison to her natural beauty. Her face was delicately curved, her cheekbones were high but almost barely noticeable because Juniper’s attention was on her eyes, which matched Cecil’s bright lavender. “I’m, uh, I’m sorry,” Juniper stammered, pushing herself from the pillar and trying to match the woman’s posture.
“Princess Marabella,” said the woman, holding out a thin and delicate hand to Juniper.
“Juniper. Juniper Nesbitt,” Juniper replied, accepting the handshake. Marabella nodded to her and Juniper pulled back into the shadows. “Are you Cecil's sister? I didn't know he had a sister.”
“Extremely distant relations. But our families are linked in so many ways that I was born with the title,” Marabella said, smiling. “So you’re the one who’s with our dear Cecil?”
“Yes, I suppose so,” answered Juniper, unsure of how to talk to a Princess.
“Well, you seem a little strained, dear. Is everything ok with you and him?”
Juniper was taken aback at this comment. Could this Princess read her mind or read her face? Was it that apparent that she was in a bad mood, that perhaps she just needed a good lay? Finally, Juniper answered, “Everything will be fine in good time, I suppose.”
“Well, my dear, take it from me, that perhaps it’s not anyone’s fault but your own,” Marabella whispered.
Before Juniper could process the statement, the Queen Regent entered the Throne Room, bowed, and waited as a Guardsman brought in a brass studded leather chair which he placed in front of the stairs to the actual throne. Apparently everything grinds to a halt when there is no King, thought Juniper. The Court erupted into a light and quiet applause as the Queen sat down and nodded again. She caught Juniper’s eyes and the corners of her lips curved up in a slight smile. She gave Juniper a sideways nod. Juniper felt enlightened and tried to curtsy slightly.
“The matter at hand is the reason for the high attendance,” said Marabella. “It’s one of our own, you see. We’ll see how the Queen Regent decides to rule in this situation."
"Straight to serious business then,” mumbled Juniper under her breath.
"Actually, only the King is allowed to talk to citizens and hear their concerns, as only he has the full power of the throne and the Kingdom," answered Marabella, patting Juniper on the shoulder lightly. She pointed to the other end of the throne room. Large double doors opened and a small man flanked by four Royal Guardsmen entered the room. "However, today is a special occasion, and a special case, because that man is a Knight, who has made an egregious error."
“If the accused will kindly step forward and in front of the Queen Regent, please!” bellowed a frail woman who had stepped beside the Queen Regent’s makeshift throne. She wore pale lavender robes that pooled at her feet in ripples of cloth. Nothing could be seen of her olive skin except above the neck. Her figure was completely hidden. Wrinkles stretched across her forehead. She seemed to similarly aged to the Queen Regent.
“That’s the Speaker,” whispered Marabella. “She speaks for the throne until the King, or in this case Queen Regent, wishes to speak for the Kingdom. They’ve been paired since the Queen Regent married.” Juniper nodded.
The small, and rapidly balding, man stepped away from the Guardsman and onto the long carpet that led up to the Queen Regent. He wore simple cotton garments, unadorned, and loose fitting. He seemed complacent, Juniper thought, as if he wasn’t really aware of the gravity of the situation he was in, or at least the gravity of the situation that Juniper thought he was in. If she was to appear before the Queen in such a manner, she thought, she would probably be scared witless.
“The accused will now have this last testimony to be heard by the court and the Queen Regent,” bellowed the Speaker. Juniper wondered if this would eventually cause the Queen Regent to go deaf.
“Your majesty, I am fortunate to have once called you sister. I am fortunate to have been able to serve this humble Kingdom for so many years, both domestically and afar in our sister cities. And it is regrettable that I was unable to fulfill my oath. I take full responsibility, as I have before, and I prostrate myself at your mercy,” the little man said. He slowly bent down on his knees and laid himself face down on the carpet.
“Is that really her brother?” asked Juniper.
“Yes, of course,” answered Marabella. “He was a Knight of the Kingdom and a member of the royal family.”
“What did he do exactly?” Instead of answering, Marabella pointed towards the Queen Regent.
“Brother,” the Queen Regent said. She spoke quietly, her voice barely reaching Juniper. The little man’s head came up from the carpet, his eyes imploring at his sister, and the look of complacency that Juniper had seen earlier was gone. “Brother. What you have done is not only an affront on this Kingdom, but an affront to this throne and a repudiation of all bonds of family and honor.”
The throne room had gone quiet. All eyes were on the Queen who was openly chastising her brother. “Brother. Knight of the City. It is my duty, as the one currently occupying this position in lieu of the throne not to grant you leniency in any regard.” A gasp went through the hall. Many of the occupants began chattering, filling the throne room with the dull roar of gossip. The Speaker held up her hand for silence and the Court immediately became quiet. “Brother,” the Queen Regent continued, “it is my duty, as I sit not in replacement of the Heir and King, but in bated preparation for his arrival, to uphold every law to its highest degree, especially for one of our own. Especially for a member of the King’s own family. Knight of Atlantis, you have been shorn of your titles, and now I will shear you of your honor, and, of your life.” The hall stayed silent this time as everyone soaked in the Queen Regent’s final words. She continued, “10AM tomorrow, you will meet our gods. And may they have more mercy upon you than I have had.” With that, the Queen abruptly got up and exited the chamber, in the same stalking fashion as when she had left dinner the other evening.
The Speaker nodded to the court. “Court is dismissed. Guardsmen, please contain the prisoner and prepare the gallows.” She nodded once again and followed the Queen Regent out of the throne room.
“Well, that was exciting!” said Marabella, her voice finally above a whisper. Juniper just now noticed that her voice almost shimmered through the air, a full bodied, ethereal sound that matched her impeccably perfect looks. Even her hair seemed to a hold a magical luster ma
king Juniper’s seem duller than moist dirt. She felt almost cowed by Princess Marabella. And it didn’t help that Luxor strode confidently their way.
“Yes, I say, that was one of the most exciting Court sessions we’ve had in quite a few years. I suspect it was all for Juniper’s benefit. Mother does like to put on a show,” said Luxor as he came into conversational distance.
“Ah! Prince Luxor, how’re you?” asked Marabella.
“Just fine thank you.”
“Wait wait wait. What did he do?” asked Juniper, her voice jumping a few octaves as it finally sank in that the Queen had just ordered her own brother to the grave.
“A matter for another time, perhaps,” said Luxor. “I was hoping I could borrow Juniper from you Marabella, I have a private conversation I’d like to have with her.”
“Of course, of course. Far be it from me to hold Cecil’s beloved,” Marabella responded.
“No hard feelings, then?” asked Luxor.
“Always, dear. Always. Please tell your brother that.”
“I’ll do my best. Come Juniper, follow me, we have much to discuss,” finished Luxor. He grabbed Juniper’s arm lightly and led her out of the throne room. She was in a haze. She quietly waved at Marabella in farewell as she followed Luxor out. It wouldn’t be their last meeting. Even Juniper knew, somewhere deep down, that Princess Marabella would enter her life again.
Luxor's Dilemma
Luxor’s cape flowed behind him in a dramatic fashion, making Juniper uncomfortable. He looked beautiful, luxurious, and powerful. His muscles rippled like a stone skipping over water and Juniper was sure he commanded all attention in whatever room he walked into. And with the uncertain quality of her relationship with Cecil, Luxor’s near perfect look of warrior prince made her wish that the previous night with Cecil had gone better.
She had followed him through the palace, twisting and turning, neither saying a word until he motioned for a set of guards to open another set of giant wooden doors and they were out in the open air. He had led them to the palace gardens, which held one of the most breathtaking views of the city that she had seen. The gardens were at the same height as the palace, and the view was of the southern part of the City, towards what she could see was farmland, pastures, grazing livestock, and even far off a massive forest that met the horizon line.
To Live With Ancients (Ancient Atlantis Book 2) Page 3
