A noise just outside the door broke through the lustpowered haze. Ellis, having perched himself in the hall, cleared his throat. “Your…discussion seems to be getting slightly heated. You might want to take it somewhere the walls aren’t quite as…public.” He called out to them, amusement evident in his voice.
Alex groaned into Rivka’s lap.
”He always spoils the fun,” Rivka pouted as she ran her hand down Alex’s braid.
“He isn’t spoiling it, just postponing it.” Alex’s muffled voice sounded just before she lifted her head and grinned at Riv. “You are suddenly feeling awfully weary and must retire to your room for a nap. I, of course, being your loyal bodyguard, must accompany you to be sure that you stay safe and satisfied.” She added that last part with mischief.
Rivka’s eyes sparked with desire, the promise of what would happen during her “nap” hung heavy in the air. Rivka’s breath hitched, as she quickly slid from the table and straightened her skirts before helping Alex quickly relace her vest.
“Let’s go, I have something that I would like to give you back in my room anyway,” Rivka said.
“I bet you do have something for me,” Alex said, wiggling her eyebrows.
“My nap cannot take too long,” Rivka’s tone sounded full of regret, “I have to speak with Drayke about the logistics of the upcoming Treaty Ball within the hour.” Alex tugged Rivka’s waist back, pressing her ass into her as Alex’s hot breath cascaded down her neck. “We’ll never make it to my room if you keep this up.” Rivka pulled away and made for the door, the flush on her face and collarbone would surely cause Ellis to tease her for the next week.
Alex backed away. Her demeanor changing quickly, assessing and shifting to the calculated bodyguard she was. “And you were going to tell me this when? You know all logisticsand planning have to be approved by me. The Treaty Ball is not exactly on friendly territory and Queen Vivian,” she said the name with a hefty amount of disdain, “is known to be devious on a good day.”
Rivka sighed, sounding exasperated. “I told you just now, didn’t I?” She reached forward and brushed a loose strand of Alex’s braid back behind her ear. “Now, do you want to stand here and discuss the Treaty Ball or let me bring you to my bed and give you your surprise?”
This woman and her soft curves, easy sultry laugh, and selfless heart had corrupted her. Rivka had swept in four years ago and Alex hadn’t seen it coming. She had shaken her world. Men had come and gone from Alex’s bed, a night here or there but none caused her stomach to flutter when they kissed her, or her heart to ache with loss after they had gone. She hadn’t known love until the lavender eyes of her queen embedded themselves in her soul. Sighing deeply, Alex followed Rivka to her room, just like she would follow her for the rest of their lives.
Chapter Four
The Citizen
Samuel
Samuel hated this job. He couldn’t stand being stuck pruning the massive gardens every week, but he guessed it was better than emptying the latrines. He was nothing more than a beggard citizen of Varon these days. Gods, how he longed for his home in the Seoid Mountains, his little cabin nestled among the trees. The Rune Province would always be where his heart was. He felt himself growing more bitter with each passing day that he had to keep up this charade. Queen Vivian would have him killed though, if he didn’t complete his mission, no matter how long it took him. No matter the tears in his wrinkled skin from thorn bushes, or bruises on his knees from kneeling for hours every day. Nevermind that the palace had offered him pads to use for the pain. He was not an invalid yet and would not suffer to be seen as weak even if his job was less than regal.
Standing and stretching his back, he took in his surroundings. He was in the back garden today, on the edge of the property that backed up to the cliffs. The neverending mists that clung to their edge obscured whatever death waited below. No one ever came out this way really, but Queen Rivka took pride in her estate and often wandered the back gardens in the early mornings, hoping to catch the sunrise as it lit the mists with pinks and oranges.
She really was such a soft queen, he thought, his lip curling back in disgust,always worried about the pretty things in life instead of truly embracing her power as a queen. I mean, she is constantly parading around the province listening as the citizens snivel about their trivial lives. That was no way to rule. She wasn’t even capable of producing an heir.
“Get back to work Samuel! It’s no time for daydreams!”, the head landscaper called out.
Throwing a mental dagger in his direction, Samuel headed to the next row of hedges, glaring over his shoulder. His foot caught on something mid step and he stumbled, face planting right in the bush, body slamming into the rock wall behind it. Pushing himself quickly to his feet, he looked around to see what he had tripped on, still fuming. There, peeking out from under the edge of the bush, was a beat up looking box. He bent and started working the chest free from where it stuck fast, half buried in soil and rocks.
It was beat up, but still seemed to be intact. Looking around to ensure that no one saw him, he quickly broke the lock using one of the sharper rocks. Easing the lid open he peeked inside. There were only three items: A small leather bound book wrapped in a swath of cloth, a partially burned black pillar candle, and a piece of rolled parchment, yellowed with age, tied with a thread.
Lifting the book, he carefully unwrapped it and opened it,his eyes growing wide as he read. Samuel quickly thumbed through the pages, his excitement growing. He put the book back carefully, before lifting the parchment. He gently untied the thread and unrolled it, carefully reading what was written, a huge smile lighting his face. This was it, this was exactly what he had been waiting for. This was his chance to finally prove to his queen, the rightful queen, that he was worthy of a title and all the riches that came with it. He was finally going home!
Samuel carefully tucked the chest into the hedge and continued working, biding his time, not willing to risk someone else stealing his ticket to freedom. After his shift he went home like usual, trying not to raise suspicions. Samuel grabbed a bite to eat and began gathering the things that he would need on his trip. His plan was to sneak back into the garden after dark to collect the chest and then slip off into the night.
Everything went according to plan, and he was able to slip away unnoticed. It wasn’t long before the forests swallowed him, on his trek up the mountains. Walking all night, not encountering any trouble, his singular focus and greedy drive urging him faster. However, by midday the following day his energy began flagging. His luck held out though, and a supply carriage happened by, on their way to Rune. The kind citizens allowed him to hitch a ride the rest of the way, for a small fee. Normally Samuel didn’t part with coin so agreeably or to anyone he couldn't connive or swindle. However, he would soon have more coin than he dreamed of, so the sting of the fee didn’t sour his gleeful mood. Sitting in the back of the swaying carriage he slept, clutching the chest to his body, so that no one would dare take it.
After three very long days of travel, the walls of the Rune palace came into view. The high stone walls blended seamlessly with the mountainside, giving the whole city a powerful look. The hillside was dotted with cabins, the smell of woodburning fireplaces tickling his nose. Queen Vivian’s palace was huge. It shone like a polished gem against the rough terrain. The spires glinted with shades of deep emerald green and gold, shone in the setting sun.
Finally, the carriage came to a stop in the market. Bidding the men farewell, Samuel started towards the palace. He climbed the gray stone steps with confidence but was stopped outside of the massive redwood entry doors.
“Who are you and what business do you have in the palace?”, the guard demanded.
“I am Samuel Vatik and I am here to seek an audience with my Queen. I have been on a mission for her and return with valued information. She will want to see me at once.”
Samuel pulled his shoulders back, standing tall, trying to portray an air of importance. Looking him over, the guard took in his worn clothing, seeming to be unsure if he should believe him or not. The guard must have orders to report any visitors to his queen but his pause made Samuel look down at his bedraggled appearance. Damn, he looked like a beggar. The guard must have decided that orders were orders though, as he gave a curt nod.
“Very well, I will send someone to let her know you’re here and Queen Vivian will decide what to do with you.” With that he turned, ducking inside the big doors, closing them tightly behind him, leaving Samuel standing there with the other guards.
A few minutes later he returned with an escort. “Her Majesty, Queen Vivian, has granted you an audience immediately. Follow him and he will lead you to her.”
