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There is no life for me now, truly. There are no dreams for me to aspire to, no hope to cling onto- this is the darkest moment of my life. The despair I feel is all encompassing, and even my feeble protests seem weak and hollow as I am consumed by hopelessness.
“Enough,” a sharp, clear voice from above me commands. It is a cold sound that cuts through the haze, and reverberates down my spine. Even the noble lifting my skirts seems to pause, and looks up- at the breathtaking, royal looking elf.
The other elves look to the one who gave the command. The room seems to have fallen silent at his command, and even I find the barest strength to look at him. It is difficult to tell through the pain, but I think I see his tattoos swirl across his skin.
“Enough of this.”
6
CARMICHEAL
All eyes focus on me. Dukes and zagfer alike dare not take a single breath.
Holding the room with my gaze I try to rationalize my actions. Cursing my lack of discipline, I feel my mood blacken in response to my momentary weakness. I keep my face impassive and unamused.
The vile image of the inferior noble preparing to bury himself inside of what is mine replayed in my head. One by one the threads of my control begin to snap. Her fear, an inaudible cry, reaching out for the help only I could give. The honeyed plea, a temptress luring forbidden desire to the surface.
She whimpers. A haunting whisper of hopelessness squeezes my chest, shattering my control. She was mine.
“Enough” I order, daring anyone to deify me.
I look at the noble, his menial form presses against the trembling limbs of my angelic human. She stares in my direction, her hazy orbs struggling to understand what is happening. Blood stains her full lips. Sweat sticking the matted halo of warm golden hair to her oval face. My muscles begin to twitch. The claws of death press down on my shoulders and demand I take revenge.
"Collect yourselves, we're finished here. All this noise is giving me a headache." I state, my tone void of emotion.
I take a deep breath, dousing the rage threatening to boil over. With my mask firmly in place, I stand, making my way to my human. The weight of the Duke's eyes cause me to stand straighter. I steel myself, unwilling to allow them to detect storm inside. I can't blame their suspicion, it's unlike me to deny the elves their pleasure, regardless of how gruesome it may have seemed. I have never been a man to take part in earthly pleasures. Yet, here I stand, no better than a boy still learning to control his magic.
I stalk forward, drawing out my approach, a predator assessing his prey. She looks up at me, my broken dove, trapped under the weight of this mongrel. I release my magic, the heat wrapping around him, the threat clear. His face pales, looking quickly between the human and me, before removing himself from between her legs and stepping back into the shadows.
"Should I repeat myself," I ask icily, turning to the men still occupying the room.
Instantly, the Elves spring into action and begin collecting themselves. Righting their garments, they begrudgingly start exiting the room. Most keep their eyes downcast, to appeal to my favor. The braver ones risk lingering looks at the worn, slumped bodies of the Eris House women before disappearing through the doorway.
“Human,” I look down at her. “Your beauty has granted you the privilege of pleasing me.”
Her eyes deepen, a rush of blue threatening to pull me under. Relief and fear clash behind the barrier of her lashes as she fights to hold back tears. Examining her, I made note of the breaks between her smooth skin. The muted purplish-blue hues of newly forming bruises bloomed over the valley of sinful flesh. They taunt me and my inability to protect her, forcing me to acknowledge the fact that I want to.
“I’ve never known you to be enchanted by women” Siderus’s mocking tone filled my ears as he took a step forward breaking off from the other Duke’s.
I turn to him, regretting the loss of contact with my enchantress. An unspoken challenge passes between us. With a smirk on his hard face he waits to see if I will react. I keep him in my sight as I ignore his comment and motion for the service of two zagfer women. They move quickly; rounding Siderus’s imposing frame with eyes cast down. I refuse to give him the pleasure believing he could best me in any way.
“Sir,” they nod respectfully, in unison.
"Take the girl, and ready her for travel," I order.
The zagfer made their way to my human, gripping her arms securely, before helping her onto her feet. She lost her balance for a moment before righting herself, not bothering to hide her exposed flesh. Even in her disarray, her beauty calls to me. The heavy swell of her breast causes my palms to ache. Her lips part, drawing my attention to her silent offering.
“Travel?” Siderus sneers, freeing me from my trance. “Is she to become your wife?” he taunts. “Or are you planning to share once you’ve widened her hips?”
Before I could move, Julius is between us. His back is to me, as he faces Siderus. I silently thank him, as shame fills me. I unclench my fist, certain that if Julius did not react as quickly as he has, we would have one less Duke in Protheka. How dare he suggest sharing what is mine.
I will not forget the insult any time soon.
I am losing control, and for what? A night with a human virgin? The feeling of her writhing body beneath me? Or is it the possibility of more I see when I look into her clear blue eyes?
I eradicate my next thought before I could become fully conscious of it. There is no more for me. My future has been decided since the moment of my birth. I will be King, and nothing, not even a woman as divinely crafted as the one who stands before me, will veer me off my course.
"I've yet to see you deny a woman," Julius said to Siderus, a bored expression on his face. “It's no concern of ours which women Carmicheal chooses to occupy.” He continues as he crosses the short distance and places a hand on Siderus’ shoulder.
