by Ann Bakshis
It takes us a few minutes or so to reach the gate that opens up onto the town portion of Longemere. We take our time getting to the square as people mill about bowing and crying adoration for me. Upon our arrival, the crowd parts to allow us entry and they all cheer. I dismount and wave to them as their never-ending devotion to me continues. Welland has Honora dismount and then stand with several of his men while he takes the reins of my horse after he’s gotten off his, and pulls the animals off to the side to make sure no one’s view is obstructed.
“To the loving people of Longemere,” I begin, “I’ve always promised to keep our kingdom safe from those who intend on destroying us. Never before have I ever had to deal with a traitor so vile as the one you see before you.”
I point to Kerron, whose wrists are bound by metal clamps to a tall post that’s been anchored to the ground. Every piece of clothing has been stripped from his body, leaving him naked and vulnerable. Beads of sweat glisten on his back, which is facing everyone. I’m also getting rather warm given what I have on, but a king doesn’t show when he’s uncomfortable, especially in front of the people he’s in charge of ruling… nor his wife.
The crowd shouts obscenities at my uncle while some throw rotting food. I notice a couple of the guards having to hold a small group back to prevent them from charging Kerron, and I smile at their hate for him. Honora cowers among the Vagter, probably praying she doesn’t suffer the same fate, but I have other ways to deal with her in little while.
“This man claimed to be a dedicated soldier to the throne, dating all the way back to before I was born. He’s not only betrayed me with his vicious acts of subterfuge, but he’s also betrayed you, the people he swore to protect until his last dying breath.” I pull my longsword from its scabbard, holding it high above my head. “And his dying breath you shall have.”
Cheers and shouts erupt from the square and it fill me with pride. I relish at how easily manipulated these peasants are, regardless of where in our society they fall. The noblest of families could be here and they’d still be fodder to my commands. These people hang on my every word and need me to ensure their existence. Without me they will perish, and I will always remind them of that.
I turn towards Kerron and slowly make my way up to him, my sword gripped tightly in my hand. I swing it swiftly across his back, slicing through his skin. He hollers from the pain, which causes the people to applaud. The next wound I inflict I make sure to go deeper into his back, piercing his torso, then with great force I wrench the weapon across his spine, severing it, which causes his body to go limp from the waist down. He screams from the immense agony he’s suffering, and it spurs me on. I raise the sword above my head and impale him through one of his shoulders, but I make sure I don’t amputate his arm, though I leave it dangling only by a few muscles and the bone, which is showing.
Blood pools around him like a lake as his skin grows pale, but he’s still breathing so my work isn’t yet finished. I step up to him and stoop down so I can whisper into his ear.
“Tell your sister I send my love,” I say, then step back and run my sword into his upper back, puncturing his heart and splitting his chest open.
The crowd relishes his death, and many begin calling for a celebration, which we will have. I pass my sword off to an officer to be cleaned as Welland steps up to me.
“What now, Your Majesty?” he asks as we both stare at Honora.
“First my wife has some repenting to do, then we’ll not only celebrate Kerron’s death but also my marriage,” I reply. “Make sure the people are aware of their new queen. I expect much pomp and circumstance to be had from all. In a few hours I will formally introduce Honora to the public in the castle’s throne room, then we shall have a feast in the great hall where only the finest of families will be invited.”
“That sort of task will take some doing, Your Majesty.”
“Then put as many people on to it as you need,” I say, annoyed by his attitude. “This wonderful day will not end without a banquet in my honor.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Welland says, then he hands me the reins to my horse.
“Come, my love, we have much to discuss,” I say, holding out my arm for Honora to take, which she does with a trembling hand.
We ride back to the castle, entering through the main door, and I whisk her up to our bedchamber. She quivers before me as I close the door, locking it to make sure we’re not interrupted. I look down at her as she stares straight ahead. My fingers caress the outline of her face as a lone tear bursts forth from her terrified eyes.
“Why are you shaking?” I ask gently to show her I mean her no harm.
“I’m afraid of what you’re going to do to me,” she answers in as firm a voice as possible, though it’s weak because of the injury to her neck.
“You’re scared I might butcher you like I did our uncle.”
She nods.
“I could never disgrace a lovely figure such as yours,” I say as I bend down to kiss her cheek. “But do you understand now the lengths I’m willing to go to for obedience?”
“Yes,” she replies, biting her lip to hide the anger I detect in her voice.
I place my hand under her chin to raise her eyes to meet mine. I stare into them, absorbing the deep green into my soul as I apply a little bit of my abilities onto her.
“Love me, sister, as a wife loves a husband and you shall be happy for all eternity,” I say with care as hints of brown begin to emerge around the edges of her irises.
She scowls at me as she fights against the war I’ve begun inside her mind. It shouldn’t take much to turn her just ever so slightly, as I don’t want her to lose her drive and determination all together. That’s what makes her a strong queen and lover. “Yes, brother,” she finally answers, though stubbornly. “I’m yours until our last dying breath.”
I kiss her and this time she willingly returns the gesture.
“Now, my love, where’s your Geron medallion?” I ask as I continue to hold her mesmerized.
“It was in my quiver, which I lost in Nysa when I was attacked by your men,” she answers.
“Did you not always wear it like our father instructed?”
“Yes, but Caster and my mother forced me to part with it right before we journeyed to Latrest. They didn’t want you noticing it and discovering me.”
“That was very foolish of them,” I say, brushing her wet lips with my thumb. “But I will retrieve it for you, my wife. You shall have it within a few days. Now, let’s prepare to celebrate our union with the kingdom.”
I order the head maid to bring a more formal gown to our bedchamber from the storage wardrobe in the second-tallest tower as the dress Honora has on is dirty and stained. The garment the older woman brings matches my cape. It’s crimson with thick strands of gold filigree lining the bodice and trailing down the center of the skirt. The arms are white, tapered down to her delicate wrists, and tied with red ribbons. The color makes her green eyes shimmer and her chestnut hair radiant. As she dons the gown, Honora glares at me with such hatred that I smile at her pain. I escort her up to the throne room, which is on the third level of the castle and occupies the entire floor. Heavy tapestries adorn the cool stone walls, all embroidered with the Geron symbol against a crimson backdrop.
Candelabras sit along the runner that lines the center of the floor leading up to the two thickly cushioned thrones in dark gray, their frames glittering with jewels as they sit gloriously on an elevated platform several steps above the floor. I have Honora sit on her throne, then proceed over to a vault in the wall where all the family jewels are stored. I place my heavy crown of gold and rubies upon my head, then take the smaller one that resembles mine but in a more delicate fashion and bring it over to my blushing bride, then I place it on her head, making it official. She doesn’t say anything, she only glowers.
I kiss her lovingly before taking my seat beside her. Welland enters with several Vagter to stand guard as our people begin to file in to
welcome their new queen. They adore her immediately and comment on what a perfect fit she is for me and the kingdom. Jewels and gold are laid down at our feet as humble presents along with furs, paintings, and statues. I glance over at Honora and relish her smile, though it’s fake, as she thanks each person. It takes a little over two hours to get through everyone and we’re both exhausted by the time it’s over, but we still have the feast to endure before this day can properly end.
The guards take care of the gifts while Honora and I retreat to our room for some needed relaxation. She still wears the crown as I slowly remove the gown from her body, leaving her naked as I disrobe as well. We lie down on the bed, her soft flesh begging for me to join her. I kiss her and we instantly meld, our bodies becoming as one. She now willingly moans my name as she arches her back and I suckle on her breasts as her breathing accelerates. We take our time enjoying each other now that we’ve found our rhythm and Honora has finally started to accept her fate with me.
“Love me, brother,” she utters as her pulse quickens, her body yielding to my subtle touch. “Love me like no other.”
“Always,” I reply as my lips brush hers.
I cradle her in my arms when we’re done, my hand brushing along her tender spine as her hot breath blows across my chest. She lets out a sigh and I feel a shift in her countenance.
“What’s the matter, my love?” I ask.
“This isn’t right,” she says, sounding concerned. “I shouldn’t be feeling this way about you. Everything in my being keeps telling me this is wrong, but I’m now finding myself wanting no other but you. Does that make me weak? I always thought of myself as a strong individual, one that could never be easily persuaded, but now… I’m conflicted and I don’t like how it makes me feel.”
I roll her onto her back so I can look at her as I respond. “My strength is your strength. Your weakness is my weakness. The Geron kingdom has always been ruled by powerful men and women such as us, and I’ll do everything in my ability to maintain that. So, my love, you’re not weak at all, but are beginning to flourish in your new role as queen and my wife. It may seem a bit overwhelming at this moment, but you’ll be stronger for it and no one will be able to stop you from ruling the world as you deserve no less. You’ve been fed lies your entire life. No one ever explained the truth about who you are before now. Your true calling has always been to be Queen of Geron, my wife, mother to our children, and warrior to the realm. Don’t ever think you deserve anything less than that.”
“Then do me a favor,” she says as she pushes an errant hair from my face. “Call me Ore. It’s the name I gave myself to ensure my existence was as my own self and not someone else’s.”
“Yes, Ore. I’d love to say your true name,” I reply, smiling.
She smiles as she places a hand on the back of my head and pulls me down to her. Our lovemaking goes on for what feels like hours and the only reason we stop is because there’s a subtle knock on our door. I call out to our visitor and my manservant cracks the door open ever so slightly.
“Your guests are arriving, Your Majesty,” he says.
“We’ll be along shortly,” I reply, then he closes the door.
We help each other redress, then go down and meet our guests in the great hall. Ore and I sit on thrones similar to those up in the throne room as our people dance, drink, and laugh below us. An older well-to-do gentleman asks if he may dance with the queen and I happily oblige. Ore moves as if she’s as light as air, her smile filling the entire room, and I can’t keep my eyes off her, and I notice I’m not the only one. Normally I would be jealous of other men ogling my beloved, but now that I have her securely in my arms, I’m no longer afraid of her wandering.
And it’s a good thing because if I judge Kerron correctly, he didn’t arrive in Geron on his own. I’m sure Evander and Caster are somewhere in the kingdom and they’ll do anything to retrieve her. I need to have trust in my wife if I’m to release her back to them shortly. It’ll be easier to obtain the medallions if Ore does it for me and the only way that can happen is if she’s with the enemy. They’ll do everything they can to get a hold of her, they just don’t know I’m going to permit them.
As the evening grows late and the guests slowly leave, Ore and I retire to our bedchamber where we collapse in each other’s arms and peacefully sleep. When I wake early the next morning, I make sure not to disturb her as she’s resting comfortably, so I slip on my robe and head down to the dining room where breakfast is waiting. I’m almost done eating when Ore joins me wearing a white silk robe that clings to her sensuous curves, accentuating her ample breasts and leaving nothing to the imagination as to the other assets she possesses. I had my head maid purchase the garment specifically for Ore to wear, and I’m thrilled with the item. We’re in the midst of a delightful conversation when Welland enters and I notice the concerned look on his face.
“I’ll be right back,” I say, then kiss her before retreating to the library with Welland where I lock the door as soon as we enter. “What is it?”
“An hour ago, three strangers were seen traveling through the village,” Welland says. “They had hoods covering their faces, but the dwerg-reus with them was a dead giveaway as to who they are.”
“I knew they were here,” I say, simmering. “Do you know where they’re headed?”
“To a section of houses that rests between the village and town on the far east side.”
“Who could they possibly know there?”
“I’m not sure, Your Grace. Caster has no family and King Evander wouldn’t know anyone in Geron other than Honora,” he replies. “There aren’t any dwarf giants roaming or living nearby, so Argus isn’t the connection. I can send a group of Vagter to follow and arrest them.”
“No,” I say. “I have other plans for them. Please tell your men to stand down from observing these three and I don’t want the guards interfering when Evander, Caster, and Argus collect Honora as she needs to go with them.”
“Are you sure?” Welland asks, surprised.
“Yes, but she won’t be gone long.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” he says, then begins to head towards the door.
“One more thing, Welland. Make sure my wife has access to a longbow and arrows. Preferably the one from the trophy room.”
“I’ll need to have one of my guards retrieve it from the forest since that’s what she used when she tried to escape. It’s currently lying on the ground a few feet from the massive oak tree.”
“Do it, and make sure she has an adequate supply of arrows. She must be well-armed for when I send her off with the wolves.”
He nods, unlocks the door, and departs as I follow and make my way back to the dining room where Ore is still eating. I sit in the chair beside her and take her hand in mine.
“Love, I need you to listen to me very carefully, and do everything I tell you.”
“Of course, Lycus,” she says.
“Caster and the others have entered Longemere, and I need you to go with them.”
“Are you kidding me?” she asks, becoming irate. “Your men murder my mother to get me here and away from them. Now you want me to leave and return to those who’ve lied to me? Especially to Caster? What are you thinking?”
“You can get your medallion back, and steal Evander’s as well,” I reply. “King Job had given it to Kerron, but when I had Welland check his uniform it was gone, so I can only assume the traitor returned it.”
“Why do you need a Pelheim medallion?”
“To secure our reign over the entire realm,” I say with great enthusiasm. “I need one medallion from every kingdom to expand our power beyond Reynes, and I need you to help me with that, sister.”
“I’m not into controlling others like you are,” she says.
“I know, but there’s more to it that I’m just not willing to disclose right now.”
“Then why should I help you?”
I place my hands around her face as I lean closer. “B
ecause there’s more to you than meets the eye, Ore. A lot more. And obtaining those medallions will reveal your true self, and not the one that’s been forced upon you.”
I see her wavering as more conflict arises inside her.
“Have I ever lied to you, Love?” I ask.
“No, Lycus, you haven’t,” she says firmly. “And you’d be the only one.”
“Then do you trust me? Will you help me?”
“What do you need me to do?” she asks, smiling devilishly.
“Anything it takes.”
“What if that includes having to sleep with Evan to get what you want? Are you willing to sacrifice that part of me for your cause?”
I release her and scowl. “No,” I answer, angered by the suggestion. “That I’m not willing to do. You’re my wife, Ore, and I trust you to be as loyal to me as I’ll be to you.”
She rests her hand on my cheek. “Then I’ll come up with something else,” she says, grinning, then leans in and kisses me passionately.
It takes every ounce of energy not to have her right there since we need to focus on her departure as well as her retrieval. She pulls me towards her and slips her hands under my robe. I can’t help but do the same and we lose ourselves in each other’s flesh on the rug that covers the stone floor.
I’m going to have an extremely hard time letting her go, even if it is for a short duration.
Sixteen
Evan
I knew it was a mistake sending Kerron to the castle by himself. He’s been gone for nearly two days. I gave him that long to look, but he shouldn’t have needed it. Caster says I’m not giving the man enough time, yet I see the worry in his eyes every time he checks the tree line for Kerron’s return.
