LUX EX TENEBRIS

“Please refrain yourself from moving your head miss,”

Said one of the maids who were attending me and preparing myself for my wedding that would take place in a moment, the wedding that I didn’t want, the wedding that I had no choice to refuse not only because it supposedly would ‘unite’ the two kingdoms that had been in eternal feud but also because my uncle, who took over my father’s throne, wanted to banish me far away from his now kingdom.

My name was Clara, the only daughter of Julien, Lord Lysander, the now deceased King of Lumien, the prosperous kingdom in the north that had made close allies with other kingdoms. I lost my mother when she gave birth to me and my father raised me with so much love, but he also trained me to be a fighter since he knew that I would have to be able to defend myself in case things turn bad.

Indeed, things turned bad when my uncle Martinien, my father’s own younger brother, finally made his dream come true, which was to claim the throne for himself. Shoulder to shoulder with my guards I fought like all hell’s broke loose with my sword when Martinien’s army attacked the castle and I was only a few feet away to give a deadly blow to Martinien when he ran to my father and swung his sword at his thigh and arm before plunging it deep in his heart. I was shocked and couldn’t move from witnessing the terror that was happening before me when one of Martinien’s guards disabled me.

Later I learned that he had made an agreement with the Tenebris Kingdom, the arch nemesis of Lumien, that he would give the princess of Lumien, me, to marry the King of Tenebris in return that Tenebris would be a close ally of Lumien. To add more hatred in my heart to Martinien, he made me promise, with the tip of a sword right under my chin literally, that I would be his spy and take over Tenebris.

I couldn’t help but being amused at how idiotic that plan was; not only because he thought it was brilliant -no it wasn’t- but also because he believed that I would work with him after what he had done to my father. In less than 48 hours he sent me away in a carriage on a torturous fourteen day journey to Tenebris Kingdom in the south.

So here I was in Tenebris that suited its name. Everything here was dark and gloomy. No vibrant colors, no laughter, everything and everyone was so intimidating. I watched the maid through the mirror who was making an elaborate coif of my hair for the wedding and the others preparing the dress and whatnot. The Tenebrians were all huge. The women were at least six feet and the men were at least seven feet and I couldn’t help but feel like a dwarf as I was only five foot three inches feet and one hundred and one pounds.

A huff from them and I might get blown away in the wind. After being here for two days I learned that the caste system was applied in the kingdom; those who had no wings worked as maids and servants and other blue collar jobs, those who had dark blue wings were appointed as the guards, those who had blood red wings were the royalty, and there was only one who had a pair of black wings, the King himself of whom I had yet to see.

The maid slightly tapped on my shoulder when she was done with my dark brown hair and I stood up so they could put the dress on me. It was a really nice deep emerald dress made from silk with thick golden threads around each of the long sleeve and the long skirt. The collar was high up my neck and covered with yellow gem stones that I didn’t need any necklace as the collar was a statement in itself. Sadly I didn’t feel pretty nor any kind of positive feeling knowing that I would be wearing this to the wedding that would be held without my consent.

I didn’t try to make any conversation with any of the maids as it was useless because the response would be silence. Upon my arrival in Tenebris I tried to strike up a conversation with Marsila, who was appointed to be my personal maid, and she didn’t utter a single word. I didn’t know if it was because I was their enemy or if it was their nature to not converse. Whatever the reason was I felt like I was mute and frustrated because I was a cheerful person in nature who loved to talk.

One of the maids placed a transparent veil on my head that draped down covering my face when one of them opened the door to inform the guard that I was ready. I took a deep breathe and dragged my feet out of the room with so much misery in my heart. 3 guards on each of my side in their armor suits walked me through the castle that was like a labyrinth until we reached a huge double door.

There were two women with blood red wings – the royalty, I whispered to myself- waiting at the closed door and they looked at me without trying to conceal their disgust. I was instructed to put my arms around theirs and so I did.

The door opened to a large hall filled with tall huge people and creatures and my knees almost buckled. Immediately I felt intimidated; I was the only human in Tenebris. I walked down the aisle and couldn’t help but notice the large man with a pair black wings on the altar that even though the wings were tucked in I knew they were large and wide. The women guided me up to the altar and one of them flipped my veil back. The man, the King himself, didn’t even bother to take a glance at me.

I forced myself to look at the old priest who had white wings –a stolen angel perhaps?- and began to speak in a language that was foreign to me. The speech or whatever that was was going on forever that I had to stiffen my yawn when the priest finally took a chalice in his hands. He motioned me to face the King who already turned his body around and I looked up to his face and my breath was stolen.

He was beyond words. Standing at 8 feet tall the word handsome didn’t even do justice to his masculinity. His black eyebrows framed his deep brown-red eyes perfectly, his nose was long and seemed like it had been broken for more than once which only added more to his manliness, and his jaws were just perfect.

The black suit he was wearing couldn’t conceal his muscular body. Everything about him was perfect except that he didn’t smile at me -he didn’t seem to be the person who liked to smile anyway- and he looked at me without any expression on his face. I gulped and gained my composure while maintaining my gaze at his.

The priest took the King’s hand and placed a knife on the tip of his forefinger while chanting something before piercing it and pressing on the finger to extract blood that dropped into the chalice. What the…?! Before I had the chance to react the priest took my hand and did the same. The priest then took the chalice and offered it to him of which he took and sipped on. What the fuck???

I felt nauseated but he already offered the cup to me and I had no choice but to take it and do the same. I sipped on what tasted like wine but not really since I knew there was blood in it. MY blood and his. Apparently that was how the Tenebrians held their wedding. After the priest chanted some more the King offered me his arm that I took and we walked down the aisle out of the hall to another larger hall with long tables and plates and cutleries on them.

He led me to the central table and sat me to his left. After the guests sat themselves on their appointed seats the footmen started to fill the cups with wine and placed appetizers on the table. I stared at the plate in front of me and couldn’t identify what it was. I took my cup and sipped on it while trying my best not to let my gaze around as I could feel people’s eyes on me. What was more unnerving was that throughout the four course meal the King didn’t utter a single word to me.

When the ordeal was finally over the King stood up and offered me his arm once more. He led me out of the hall, went through another labyrinth, ascended a few flights of stairs and took me to a huge room. I stood at the entrance looking at the masculine room that appeared to be his.

“From now on you sleep here.”

I heard the deep masculine voice that was his. I looked up at him who was looking at me before he bowed slightly and walked away. I had no idea if it was the custom of Tenebris for the groom to leave the bride after their wedding but I was relieved because his presence didn’t comfort me to say the least.

I stepped in and the double door behind me was closed by the guards who were standing outside the door. I stood in the middle of the room and studied it. There was a huge fireplace on the left side of the door with low sofas and cushions neatly arranged on it.

There was a huge canopy bed in the middle with curtains nicely draped around it. I walked to my right and found a large walk-in closet with nothing in it save for women clothes, shoes and accessories that seemed to be mine. That got me wondering of how he dressed up especially with those huge wings. I walked out of the closet to another door that revealed a large bathroom with a large tub that looked like a pool. Everything in this place was large.

I walked out of the bathroom and walked to the door on the other side of the room with tall windows installed along the wall. I opened the door to a large balcony that overlooked the vast forest. I walked to the railing and looked down. I estimated it to be a seven story flight down to the ground.

Looking back to the forest I contemplated on my life in this kingdom. I didn’t know what to make of my life here that seemed to be a banishment from my own people and an isolation from the Tenebrians, and I didn’t know what my marriage would be as it seemed like my own husband, whose name I had yet to know, didn’t have the slightest interest in me. I sighed and watched a few figures flying over the forest. How I wished I had such freedom to just fly away from my damnation here.

xxxxx

I woke up to a gentle shake from Marsila who informed me that I should be getting ready for my first lesson. I asked her what lesson it would be and she ignored me by going into the closet to do whatever. I sighed and got out of the bed and walked to the bathroom. I took a shower in the large shower cube stone next to the pool that I didn’t notice yesterday. Going out of the bathroom in a robe I saw Marsila standing outside the closet door waiting for me.

She motioned me to follow her and sat me down on a seat of a dresser and started to brush my hair and made an intricate bun. She then helped me dressing up. Apparently I couldn’t choose what to wear and this time I was wearing another long dress in blue that accentuated my blue eyes. She bent down and was about to put a dark brown leather boot on when I refused and told her I could do it myself. She gave me a stern look that unnerved me but I returned it with my own.

She finally retreated and let me put the boots on myself. I then followed her out of the room to a long hall, took a turn to the left and opened a door to a room that looked like a library. I saw the priest from my wedding yesterday on the floor below standing behind the desk. He looked up at me and smiled, and for the first time since my arrival in Tenebris I felt like a subject and not an object. I smiled back at him and descended the spiral staircase. He walked around the desk and bowed down to me,

“Good morning, my Lady. I hope you had a refreshing rest from a rather exhausting day yesterday.”

“Good morning sir, and yes I rested well thank you.”

“Oh please just call me Lorant.”

He motioned me to sit down on a seat when a maid came in with a tray. She placed the tray in front of me and I noticed it was my breakfast. Lorant continued,

“I heard of your father’s death and I’m sincerely sorry to know that.”

I felt a pang of sadness and nodded at him,

“Thank you. You knew him?”

“Yes, I did. I had the opportunity to meet him a few times, that was before you were born. He was a good king and I pray he rests in peace.”

He smiled and continued,

“I believe that Marsila has informed you of a lesson you are going to get, but before we begin please have your breakfast.”

I poured a cup of tea and offered him to which he refused,

“There is no need for me to eat anymore, my Lady.”

I looked at him quizzically that made him smile,

“I am an angel you see, thus there is no need for me to eat or drink or sleep.”

He paused for a moment to watch my response,

“I understand you have a lot of questions not just about my being but also about this kingdom and everything in it so ask away.”

I sighed with relieve and said,

“You know Lorant, this is my first conversation ever since I got here. The people here, even Marsila, never answer any of my question and I can’t help but feel like I’m mute!”

I continued with my complaints and Lorant listened patiently.

“With all honesty my Lady, I am truly happy to have you here as I, too, have no one to converse with. Tenebrians tend to keep things to themselves and it is in their nature to not talk much. And as for their attitude towards you, I’m sorry to inform you this but they still see you as their enemy despite the wedding. It may seem hard and unattainable but I believe it is not impossible to make a truce between Lumien and Tenebris. I do hope the wedding between you and the King will make a change sooner or later.”

I idly nibbled on my toast,

“I do hope so. Speaking of the King, what’s his name?”

He looked at me in surprise,

“You don’t know?”

I shook my head.

“His name is Vidor, Lord St. Anguis-Antanelis. There are many things you ought to know about him but all in good time,”

“I see.”

I looked at Lorant and blurted out a question before I could hold my tongue,

“If you’re an angel, why are you aging?”

He chuckled at my question,

“It’s a rather long story my Lady, but to sum it up Tenebrians kidnapped me with the purpose to educate their children, the royalty children, at the cost of me being mortal. Thankfully I still got to keep my wings. Shall we start the lesson?”

I nodded at him.

“First thing you need to know is the King. His mother was Tenebrian and his father was Cimerian who belonged to the most powerful demon clan that went extinct with his death, which is why he is the only one who has black wings. He is a very quiet person and one may point out that he lacks of emotions, but that is understandable since the royalty especially the King is expected to never harbor any feelings that will lead to make any weak decision. He is a very smart and brilliant leader, and cold blooded too. I understand to you know that Tenebrians aren’t fully human?”

I nodded,

“Yes, from what I learned they’re a mix of human and demon,”

“Indeed, they are. Before we go on to another subject, I’m going to inform you of what you have to do for the King himself. He doesn’t sleep but he does eat regular food. Don’t expect him to be around for breakfast and lunch, but as it is the custom of Tenebris, when it’s dinner time you have to be in the room waiting for him, the food will already be prepared by then. You will have to feed him with your own hand and you will eat from the same plate with him. Regardless of the situation you may not strike up a conversation with him unless he starts it first.”

I felt my jaw dropped,

“What??”

“I know that’s a lot to take especially it is not in your culture to do so. But since you’re in Tenebris now you have no choice but to follow the customs,”

“I… I don’t know. The thought of sharing my plate with anyone is beyond my imagination, especially with a stranger. And the fact that I cannot freely speak is like an imprisonment of my own freedom!”

“I understand my Lady, but that’s all you can do,”

He smiled at me apologetically.

“I’m going to ask you a question that might make you uncomfortable. Did the King sleep with you last night?”

I felt my cheeks flushed and slowly shook my head. He nodded in understanding,

“I thought so. But in this case I can only advise you to wait for his advance.”

“Okay, alright.”

My response came out too quick but I hoped it would stop right there as it greatly made me feel uncomfortable. He smiled at me and moved on to another subject. He explained to me that the places in the castle I had access to besides my own room were only the library and the garden beneath. And if I were to read, I must do it in the library and never bring any book to my room as it would be a distraction from getting enough sleep.

“Great. Locked in my own house.”

He smiled. We then talked about my life back in Lumien and it made me longing to be home that wasn’t my home anymore. Sensing this he changed the subject to the culture and traditions to which I gladly answered. After the lesson that was more of a casual conversation with Lorant was over he left me alone in the library. I got up and walked to the lines of shelve filled with books and studied them carefully. It was a good thing I liked to read.

Taking a book from the shelve I read the writing on the cover, ‘The History of Cimerians and Tenebrians‘. It got my attention so I took it with me to a cushioned nook with a large window overlooking the garden and forest in a corner of the room with small cushions on it. I sat down and made myself comfortable and started reading. I was so immersed in my reading that I didn’t notice Marsila’s presence until she cleared her throat for the second time. I looked up from my book.

“It is almost dinner time my Lady, you have to get yourself ready.”

Putting the book down I nodded at her and followed her. After taking another shower and changing into another long dress, this time it was chocolate brown, I sat down on the low sofa in front of the fireplace that was already lit on and waited for the King. I looked at the food array that was set up on a low table and saw grapes, my favorite fruit. The waiting seemed to be forever and I started to become anxious when the door opened and the King walked in. He towered over me who was sitting down, and still towered over me when he sat down next to me. Stay calm Clara, he’s not going to eat you. Yet. I reminded myself. He put his right leg on the sofa and left the other one of the floor and turned his body around facing me.

I took a plate and started filling it with bread, a little bit of broth with a chunk of meat, cheese, and some other things I couldn’t make out of. Imitating his posture I faced him and put the plate down on my lap. Tearing the bread and filled it with the meat and cheese I folded it and brought it up to his lips. Here’s my first service as a dutiful wife to her cold blooded husband. He opened his mouth and let me put the food in his mouth. Apparently I put it a little bit further as his lips brushed against my finger that made me tremble slightly.

This would be one of the most awkward things ever happened in my life, feeding a stranger who happened to be my husband with my own hand. He didn’t say anything although he watched my every move. I maintained to lower my head and never returned his gaze when I took my turn in eating. After the food on the plate was finished I filled a cup with a wine from the jug and handed it to him. He took it and drank from it before handing it back to me, clearly expecting me to drink from it. I took a sip and put it back on the table. I heard myself asking,

“Would you like to eat some more my Lord, or would you prefer the fruit?”

I bit my tongue and cursed myself for breaking the law of no-talk-unless-he-talks.

“Yes, I’d like to eat some more.”

I felt the tension on my shoulders slightly eased and refilled the plate. When the food was finished I began to feel comfortable with this new routine. Putting down the used plate I took a smaller plate and filled it with fruits. He turned his body around more and I felt his interest when I expertly peeled an orange off and fed it to him. I took a grape off its stem and put it in my mouth, closed my eyes momentarily to savor the taste. I opened my eyes to see him watching me with a gleam in his eyes that I had to look down. I couldn’t hold his penetrating gaze. When the plate was empty he stood up and walked to the door. He opened the door and paused there for a moment to look at me who was looking at him. I felt my cheeks burned and lowered my head down once more before he walked out.

Clearly I had never been with any man before, that to say I was still a virgin, but it wasn’t me to not be able to say something to any guy, particularly to this guy despite the no talk rule. I blamed it on the weird custom, on his intimidating figure and on this strange kingdom, but deep down inside I knew it was his masculinity that robbed me off my speech and my composure. Two maids came in to take the dishes away and I got up and walked out to the balcony. Sitting down on a chair I looked up to the sky and gazed at the stars.

The wind blew quite strong as I was high up there above the ground. Embracing myself and rubbing my arms with my hands I looked to the left and saw a figure on another balcony. I noticed it was the King himself. I couldn’t see his face clearly as there was a distance between the balconies but I could see that he was looking at me. I couldn’t break our gaze and kept staring at him in awe. Suddenly he expanded his wings and jumped off the balcony that made me gasp before soaring high up in the sky and out of my sight. I forgot that he could fly.

xxxxx

Although I had been here for over a month and I still felt alienated except from my daily encounter with Lorant I had become accustomed to the routine that I actually found comfort in it. I hadn’t roamed the ground yet but I had made the library as my sanctuary. Upon my finding of papers and charcoals in the desk drawers I started to sketch and began to write on the small notebook Lorant had given me not long ago.

Dinner time had become something that wasn’t unnerving anymore that I actually looked forward to it as I enjoyed the company of the King despite the lack of word exchange between us. Each evening I could feel the King wasn’t as stiff as he was and he actually relaxed and leaned down to me when I fed him. Nevertheless tonight was different.

I fed him with the usual ease and grace when I noticed there was a little bit of sauce left in the corner of his lips. Without thinking I wiped it with my thumb and brought it to my lips to lick it off and continued with my routine. I brought the last piece of meat to my mouth and accidentally smeared my lips with the sauce. Before I got the chance to grab a napkin he took his hand to my face and wiped the sauce off with his thumb and brought it to his mouth, copying my gesture.

I looked at him in astonishment and smiled at him. To my surprise he twitched the corners of his lips of what I assumed as a smile and his gaze warm at me. I felt my cheeks flushed and busied myself with filling a plate with fruits. He took a bite of a piece of pear from my hand and once more to my surprise he took a grape from the plate and brought it up to my lips. I looked at him in amazement. He waited patiently for me to and I finally opened my mouth let him put the grape in.

We actually started feeding each other. I didn’t know what to make of it but it was quite a progress. A progress that made my heart race. When he left and after the maids cleared the dishes and took the table away I jumped into the bed and let out a giggle. I had never been happier although I knew it was still a long way for him to speak to me.

Later that night I woke up from my sleep and couldn’t go back to it. After tossing and turning around I decided to go to the library. After donning a robe I opened the door and the guards stopped me. I told them I was going to the library and one of them walked with me on the torch lit corridor and went with me inside the library to light up the chandeliers before going out and standing outside the door. I grudgingly closed the door behind as I felt like a prisoner and went down the spiral staircase. I sat down on the nook and began to relax when I started to read. It only felt like a second when the door opened and the guard flew down and stood not far from me. Bowing at me he said,

“Your Majesty wishes you to see him in his study room.”

I looked at him in surprise as this was the King’s first request ever. I stood up and was about to make my way when he continued,

“You may bring your book.”

I grabbed my book when he flew to the door and waited for me. I followed him to a door that I always passed not far from my room but I never found out what it was until tonight. The guard knocked on the door twice and opened the door. It was the King’s study room. He was sitting behind a large desk holding a piece of paper in his hand. The guard closed the door behind me and the King motioned me to come forward. Nervously I walked towards him and stood on the other side of the desk. He looked at me and his expression was unreadable.

“I was informed you were at the library this late at night.”

He actually spoke to me! I slowly nodded,

“Yes I was. I couldn’t sleep and I thought to read in the library,”

“I disapprove of you going to the library late at night. If you wish to read this late, you may do it here in my presence.”

I gawked at him. He continued,

“You may take a seat and read.”

He waited until I seated myself on a chair before returning his attention back to the paper he was holding. I opened the book and tried to read but my eyes only lingered on the same line while my mind and heart were racing at the thought of the man who was sitting in front of me. I glanced at him who was concentrating on whatever he was reading and couldn’t help but thinking how it would feel to be in his arms. I let my mind wander at things I never thought before and quickly returned my gaze to the book when he shot a glance at me. The awkward pressure from being in the same room with him began to bother me that I had to excuse myself to retreat back to my room.

“Leave the book here,”

He ordered. I stood up and placed the book on the desk. Walking to the door I could feel his gaze on me and I braced myself to take a quick glance at him before closing the door and making my way back to the room with the guard walking in front of me. Lying down on bed I thought of the ways to spend more time with him other than dinner time, and to actually get to know him.

I didn’t have to wait for too long because after dinner on the next evening he sent one of the guards to fetch me to his study room. Walking towards him I noticed there was a wooden screen placed before a tall window in the left corner of the room. He motioned me to take a look and I found the window nook was cushioned for comfort. There were a few colorful bolsters and cushions and my book was on top of a pillow covered in moss green sheet.

There was a peach colored blanket throw neatly folded next to the pillow. The wooden screen was there for privacy so no one could see what was behind it and only the King himself who could, given the fact that his desk was only a few feet away from it. All in all the nook looked really cozy. I turned around to him, who was still sitting down on his chair, and smiled widely at him,

“Thank you my Lord, I liked it!”

He nodded at me and went back to his work. I settled down and made myself comfortable. After covering myself to my waist with the throw I opened the book on the page where I left and started reading. Trying to read would probably be the best description of what I was doing since I couldn’t help stealing a glance at him every now and then.

I was aware of the no talk rule but I wanted so badly to talk to him so my mind was working on some things appropriate to say. Since I couldn’t come up with anything, being within his proximity was good enough for me. For now. At least he allowed me to be near him despite Lorant’s warning that the King didn’t like to be surrounded with people unless it was necessary. But I wasn’t just people, I was only me and there was only one me so I was sure I wouldn’t overwhelm him. I comforted myself with that thought and focused on the book.

xxxxx

I woke up slowly and felt the sunlight on my skin. I turned around on my back and stretched when realization hit me: I was in the King’s study room last night and I didn’t remember going back to my room. He must’ve carried me himself to the bed. I blushed at the thought of that. I got up and made my way to the bathroom when Marsila entered the room. She nodded at me before busying herself with her usual chore: picking the dress for me to wear.

After taking a shower and donning the dress I went on my usual business; talking to Lorant and spending my time in the library. Sitting on the nook I paused myself from reading and looked out the window. The weather was nice and I decided it was time for me to venture the garden. I took my sketch book and a charcoal and walked out of the library. I asked the guards to show me the garden and they looked at me strangely before obliging to my request.

I followed them going through a series of staircase and I was finally out of the castle. I looked up the looming castle and realized that it was really huge, and my only venture between my room, the library and the King’s study room was nothing considering there was a lot to explore.

Walking on the gravel path I took a deep breathe of the fresh air and followed the guards who were walking instead of flying since I couldn’t fly and it was nice of them to actually respect that. There were hardly any flowers around since Tenebrians weren’t into such thing, but the vast garden was well kept and the trees were decorated with their own fruits that were waiting to be harvested. We stopped at a gazebo and the guards stood on the path.

Their guarding stance, standing up and not move a muscle, was beyond my comprehension and never failed to amuse me. I sat down on a chair and stared at the trees, thinking of what to sketch. Shifting on my chair I decided to make a sketch of the guards. I wasn’t aware that I spent hours out in the garden when one of the guards finally moved to inform me that it was time to go back inside.

I looked at the sky and realized it was almost dark. I followed them and almost ran out of breathe when I finally reached my room as it was a long way to go up there. Marsila was waiting for me with disapproval on her face but said nothing as I went to do my usual routine before dinner time.

Sitting down on the sofa while waiting for the King I realized that the bun Marsila had done was too tight. It was unbearable I began to get headache from it that I had to go into the walk-in closet and took all the pins away. I was braiding my hair when I heard the door opened and I quickly finished tying it and hurried to the King who was already sitting down.

He raised his eyebrows at me but I wasn’t sure if it was because he didn’t find me waiting for him or for me letting my hair down in a braid instead of the usual bun. I sat next to him and began to fill the plate when I heard him asking,

“How was the garden?”

I paused momentarily from taking a bread and asked,

“How did you know?”

“Nothing is out of my watch, my Lady.”

I smiled at him calling me ‘my Lady’ although he probably meant nothing by it. Still it brought a warm feeling to my heart as it was the first time he actually called me. Setting the plate on my lap and feeding him with my hand I answered,

“The garden was beautiful although there was no flower. The fruits on the trees, however, looked so exquisite I was actually tempted to grab one of them.”

I realized I was blabbing and I bit my tongue. He fed me a piece of meat and cheese folded in the bread and responded,

“You should’ve taken one. Make sure you avoid the black fruits, the spikes are poisonous. Have one of the guard removed them if you wish to eat it.”

His response encouraged me to speak more,

“You don’t mind me venturing around the garden?”

“No, I don’t. However you must stay away from the woods,”

“Why?”

“It’s not safe.”

I waited for his explanation but he didn’t say anything more so I nodded and we continued eating in comfortable silence. When we were done I filled another plate with fruits and we fed each other again. Knowing him, although only a little of it, I could sense that he was about to say something. Putting a grape in my mouth he said,

“I’m leaving tonight.”

I held myself from asking but I couldn’t help,

“Leaving to where?”

He looked at me, clearly not going to answer that. I gulped and encouraged myself to ask again,

“For how long, my Lord?”

“3 days, at least.”

I looked down at the plate. The thought of not having him around was too much especially not knowing where he was going and what he was doing. I was aware the bond between us was still fragile yet I felt like there was a knot in my stomach being pulled and I missed him already. When the plate was empty he stood up and proceeded to the door.

“My Lord,”

I heard myself calling him. He stopped and turned around to look at me. I got up and walked towards him. When I stood in front of him I lost my nerves to say what I was about to say. He patiently waited for me. Inhaling deeply I touched the back of his hand with my fingers and whispered,

“Please be careful.”

He didn’t say anything, probably was surprised of my bold gesture. I was hoping for the worst when he lifted my chin up with his fingers. He slowly leaned down and stopped. Resting his forehead against mine his lips were hovering over my lips. To hell with this, I thought to myself and made my own move. I softly pressed my lips on his. I could sense his surprise but he didn’t bulge. He then returned my kiss softly and slowly yet it was brief. He pulled away and caressed my head,

“Read in my study room.”

After a moment he added,

“Wait for me.”

He turned around without waiting for my response and walked out the door. I felt tears began to develop so I walked out to the balcony, not wanting the maids to see me in such condition. After a few minutes I saw a few figures flying to the dark night and I felt tears ran on my cheeks. I was in love with the King and I didn’t know how to express it to him nor how he would react to that. I felt so lonely because he had to leave at the moment when we actually began to open up to one another. I wiped my tears unladylike and thought of what I would say to him when he returned.

xxxxx

It had been a week since he left and the first 3 days were the hardest because I missed him so much and it was eating me from the inside. Lorant knew I was brooding over his absence but he didn’t say a word about it. Instead he encouraged me to pick up my sword hobby that I had abandoned ever since I got to Tenebris.

So I put my sword skills into practice and my guards, Bastian and Lucien, took turn in being my sparring partner. They soon became friendly towards me after I showed them my skills and eagerness in learning new tricks and accepting advises. We used one of the spare chambers in the same floor of my room so I didn’t have to go up and down the stairs. I introduced them to fencing that was entirely new to them and quickly became fond of it.

I was thrusting my foil at Bastian’s chest when Marsila walked in and announced that the King had returned. Taking my mask off and holding myself from squealing like an idiot I asked of the King’s whereabouts. Not taking her eyes off the foil I was holding Marsila answered that the King was in his study and would join me for dinner. Without minding courtesy or whatsoever I dashed out of the room and stopped at the door of the King’s study room, debating with myself if I should enter or not. The guards looked at me quizzically and I made up my mind and ran to my room to clean myself. I couldn’t take a shower and wash my long hair quick enough.

I put a robe on and walked out of the bathroom while drying my hair with a towel when I saw him standing near the chest in front of the bed where I put my sketch book on. He was looking at my sketches when he looked up at me. Whatever that he was about to say was gone and I could see his guarded gaze roaming around my body. I was too happy to see him that I forgot all about modesty, and all the rules that had been drilled into my head went to the garbage bin along with the towel I was using to dry my hair with to the floor. I ran to him and hugged him tight. I quickly pulled away from him,

“I’m sorry my Lord, it’s just… It’s just… I’m just glad you’re back.”

I bit my lower lip and couldn’t bring myself to look at him. He then lifted my chin up and kissed my lips slowly that soon turned into a passionate one. He pulled the loose tie on the front of my robe that the robe slid down to the floor while still kissing me. Picking me up in his arms he brought me around and lied me down in bed. I was so self conscious of my nakedness but I wanted him so bad that I shoved my embarrassment away. I saw his clothes disappeared and I gawked at him in surprise.

But before I could ask him about it his muscular body was already on top of me and he continued kissing me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and let his tongue explore my mouth before caressing it with mine. I ran my hands on his back and along the frame of his wings as far as my hands could reach. He cradled my head with one of his hands, and his other one caressed the side of my body.

I arched my body towards him in need when his mouth ventured down to my neck, lightly nibbled on it before proceeding to my breasts. He cupped one of my breasts in his hand that filled it perfectly when his tongue teased the other one that made my nipple hard before put it into his mouth and sucked it. He moved to the other breast and gave it the same treatment when I felt his hand snaked down to between my thighs.

Involuntarily I clamped my thighs and he kissed down to my stomach and kissed down some more to my lower belly. I felt my cheeks burning with need and at his intimacy. He then moved up, back to ravishing my lips. When I began to relax he slowly parted my legs with his and before I realized it he was already in between my legs, kissing the inside of each of my thighs and slowly made his way to my sex.

He caressed along my glistening sex with his tongue and kept doing that for some time before clamping his lips on my throbbing bud and sucking on it, making me scream his name and throwing me to the edge of ecstasy. I gripped the sheet underneath and moaned out loud when he slowly inserted a finger into the delicate flesh without stopping sucking on my bud. He flicked his tongue on it while moving his finger in and out and took it out completely right before

I reached my climax. Frustrated, I thrusted my hips upward, begging him to finish what he started. He went back to my lips to kiss me and I could taste myself mixed with his own saliva. It was intoxicating. He rubbed the head of his sex along my wet slit and slowly nudged it in. His was so thick and long and it stretched my virgin sex that even his effort in doing it slowly still caused me pain that was mixed with pleasure. I dug my fingers deep in his shoulders when he pushed in and stopped. I coarsely whispered,

“Is it in?”

He looked amused and kissed my lips deeply,

“Only half of it.”

I closed my eyes and bit my lower lip.

“Look at me, Clara.”

I opened my eyes at his command and him calling my name, and held his burning gaze with mine when he thrusted himself forward that caused me to scream. He buried his face in my neck and held still inside me while trying to control his breathe. He then kissed my lips and looked me in the eye when he began to move slowly. The feeling of him inside me was strange yet the pleasure was beyond words as he filled me perfectly. Holding my face in his hands he couldn’t tear his gaze of mine just as I couldn’t do the same either. He increased his pace and sent me to my climax that was too much for me to bear before he reached his.

Afterward he rolled our joined bodies to our sides. He wrapped his arms around me and slowly ran a hand down my back before running it back up. I smiled against his chest. My cold blooded husband apparently wasn’t as cold as what the people said. He scrolled his fingers into my hair and pulled it down so I could look at him and whispered…

“You called my name,”

“Yes I did,”

“I want to hear you say it again,”

“My Lord.”

He briefly kissed on my lips,

“No, the other one.”

I softly whispered,

“Vidor.”

He looked at me warmly,

“Again.”

I smiled at him and whispered on his lips,

“Vidor.”

He kissed me slowly and deeply,

“I like it when you call my name.”

I ran a finger on his cheek and along his nose. He closed his eyes and seemed to enjoy it. Encouraged, I ran my finger along his jaw line when he opened his eyes,

“Fencing huh?”

“Hmm?”

“I heard you have been teaching your guards fencing,”

“Oh that.”

I chuckled and continued,

“Initially it was swording but I needed something more refreshing so fencing it was.”

I gulped and braved myself,

“When you were away, I… I missed you.”

He didn’t say a word though his gaze was warm. He put his forehead against mine and whispered on my lips,

“The feeling was mutual.”

I smiled at his brief response and I felt a hope began to grow within me. We might probably work this marriage out. I kissed him softly and stiffened a yawn,

“I’m sorry my Lord-”

“My name.”

“I’m sorry Vidor, it’s just the fencing took a lot of energy,”

“The fencing or this?”

I blushed at his teasing me,

“Both.”

He nuzzled his nose on mine and whispered,

“Rest little one, I’m going to watch over you.”

I smiled at him and planted a kiss on his chin before hiding my face in his chest. Soon I dozed off with his strong arms wrapped around me tightly. I had never felt this safe and content until today.

THE END