Whispers and Promises (restarted)

[DrStein]

Before too long Rath was giving her the fucking he knew she craved. His breath came in as sharp gasps and left as drawn out groans and growls. "After this there may be more adventures we can try. Why confine ourselves to only the bed?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll follow you wherever you lead me, my sweet prince." Kyra said with a happy grin on her face, a low moan escaping her lips as she fucked her harshly. "To the ends of the earth, just you and I."

"Oh, Rath. Gods..." She murmured, licking her suddenly dry lips as she pressed her forehead against the window, shaking as she struggled to contain herself.

 

[DrStein]

"Let go," Rath groaned to her. "Don't hold anything back." The pace was intense like the power behind each stroke. His core was tightened like an animal preparing to pounce. He held himself back from the edge waiting for her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra sucked in a deep breath, holding it as she felt her belly preparing to burst. She wriggled on his hard driving cock, her entire body tensing. Then, with a great rush, she let go. She didn't even realize she was cumming until she felt her body pressed against the window. The cool glass was shocking against her heated skin, her cry of pleasure finally bursting from her lips.

 

[DrStein]

She came hard and Rath let go of her hips to pull her back up flush against his body. He rolled his hips for two more strong thrusts and fired shot after shot of his seed into her as his strong arms held her tight against him. They stood together staring out the window as the waves of pleasure slowly ebbed away. Rath was the first to make a move as he turned Kyra's face to his and kissed her passionately.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra melted into his kiss, her body pressing against his as they held one another after their powerful orgasm. She loved this man completely, with her heart and soul, and she let him know it as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself close to his body.

"To be your wife...that can't come soon enough." Kyra whispered to him as their kiss ended and she was left looking into his dark eyes. "There is so much I want to share with you, Rath. So many moments that we have to live together. A kingdom to rule and shape. Children. So many things."

 

[DrStein]

Rath gently guided Kyra back to bed where he laid with her and draped the silk sheet over the two of them. "Someday. Someday soon," he promised. He would move mountains for her. Making her his bride would be simple by comparison. "For now we've removed another obstacle between us. When we free your brother, and I swear to you we will, we'll be a step closer."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra gave him a smile and kissed him gently, stretching out on his silken sheets with a satisfied sigh. Her eyes closed quickly, sleep washing over her as she felt safe in the circle of his arms. This is where she had belonged her entire life. She simply didn't know it.

 

[DrStein]

6 Months Later

There was an anticipation in the air, but only four people in the whole palace could feel it. For most, the air was thick with joy and revelry. The irrigation ditches that the wizards had proposed had been built quickly and the first seeds had already been sown. The harvest following the Enshar rebellion had been leaner than usual, but that was soon to end. For now, it was time for the Kasran Festival. From dawn to dusk, music played in the streets, games and contests were held among neighbors and the whole city came alive with celebration. Even the wizards stood on the library steps and dazzled the crowd with ostentatious displays of light, chemical and even mechanical wonders.

Rath and Kyra were turning to the palace in a lovely chariot. They had spent the morning among the citizens and at the library. Rath had grown out his beard again, keeping it short and neat, and was dressed in his finest clothes with an impressive turban and a ceremonial sword at his hip. He smiled and waved to the people who bowed their heads respectfully at his passing. Many in the crowd that day had also expressed kind words for the Lady Kyra as well. Her history of Rhagal had been enshrined in the library and the wizards quoted from it frequently when telling tales of the people's history to visitors.

Once they were inside the gates of the palace walls, Rath looked to his beloved. They were expecting guests today. The merchants of house Jindoor, the very ones who had once sold Kyra as a slave. They wanted to find out just who they had bought her from. It was a risky move, but a necessary one. "Do you want to see them for yourself when they arrive?" he asked her. "I'll understand if you don't. I can have an escort take you to the library..." They hadn't been apart since the pretenders left the court, but Rath worried still for her safety. There was always the chance that the dogs would talk to others of what they saw and learned, leading to the risk of the conspirators connecting the dots. That Kyra's book was being quoted so often by the wizards was enough to cause talk that would eventually leave the kingdom as it was.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra had been looking forward to the Kasran Festival for weeks. It was a welcome distraction from all of the planning that had been going on in an effort to free her brother. She didn't like to think about the alternatives that were being brought forth should the effort fail. He very well might end up dead and she might face the same fate.

She had been happy when Rath had taken her to town in his chariot, letting her see the sights and listen to the music being played. She enjoyed the shows that the wizards put on, always entranced as they showed off their displays of lights and mechanics. Her newest writing was a history of their order, delving deeply into the parts of their history that many people might not have known. Master Ithros had told her that it was shaping up to be even better than her history of Rhagal.

After she had purchased a few new trinkets for her vanity table in Rath's chambers, they rode in his fine chariot towards the palace. She couldn't help looking to her prince every so often, admiring the way that his new clothing fit him or his newly trimmed beard. She had teased him about how long it was growing lately, but he had surprised her that morning with a short new look.

She had been given a beautiful gown of pale green, one that shined like a piece of jade in the sunlight. Her hair had been braided back from her face, tumbling down her back in a cascade of dark curls. She had noticed the way that many women in the marker were adopting her style and she was certainly flattered. It wasn't a secret that many people thought very highly of her, even if she was still nothing more than the prince's concubine.

When they pulled into the palace gates, she glanced at Rath as he gave her a simple choice. Her belly clenched painfully at the thought, but she knew that she had to face her fears sometime soon.

"I think I'm done with hiding." She said softly, taking his hand and giving him as strong of a smile as she could muster. "As long as you're with me, I know I'll be alright."

 

[DrStein]

Rath smiled in response and kissed her cheek. As they rode up to the palace he glanced at her and said, "When you first came here, I wanted to give you a new life. A home to replace the one taken from you. But I didn't think you would ever love me. At most, I hoped you would come not to fear me. People treated me differently when I became the heir. After my rite of passage... Many of the servants were afraid of me and how quiet I'd become." He laughed at the memories. "Believe it or not, as a child I was always getting into things I shouldn't. Samir was so embarrassed when I talked him into sneaking into the kitchen one night and stealing some sweets only to have Father catch us with honey and crumbs on our faces as we snuck back. He never let me talk him into another one of my 'adventures' after that." He let out a sigh at that. "It must have been unnerving for the court to see me change so."

Perhaps, he thought, that was why Kyra didn't fear him. She had no context for his change in demeanor, no experience with him prior. Being closer to him than most she was able to see through the distant, stern facade he put up in an attempt to be more regal.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Oh, I know at heart you are still that same trouble maker. It is the reason why your father trusts me. He expects me to help keep you in line." Kyra teased, laughing softly as she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "You can't fool me, my sweet prince. I can see right through you to the heart of gold that you possess."

 

[DrStein]

"I wouldn't have the courage to show it if not for you." They entered the palace together and the courtiers remained polite, though it was obvious over the last few months that they still couldn't accept a concubine as one of them. The king had said that Rath's mother experienced much the same treatment when they first married.

Darius caught up with them near the library. "Good day, your grace. My lady. I trust the festival is going well?"

"Wonderfully so," Rath replied. "I thought we might enjoy some time in the open air among the people before entertaining our... guests."

"Yes, they're due to arrive any moment now. Your father is in the throne room preparing to receive them when they arrive. He's discussing plans with Master Khalid and a few of the wizards about those monuments with the laws I heard about. The king seems quite amenable to the idea."

"I would think the success of the new irrigation ditches taught him to give our learned citizens more deference." Rath looked with a subtle smile at Kyra. He offered her his arm again and they proceeded to the throne room.

King Athmir was seated upon his throne of sandstone and steel with a great sun disc over the top. He held his chin in his hand, thoughtfully considering the words of Khalid and the three other wizards in the room. Without interrupting, he waved Kyra and Rath in.

"We have considered several types of material to construct these from," Khalid explained. "We believe that granite would be best as it would last the longest and require less upkeep in the long term."

"Hmm... Compared to other stones, granite would be more expensive." The king looked up at Rath and Kyra at last. "What do you think?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra willingly took Rath's arm as it was offered to her. She didn't care what anyone thought about her relationship with him. She knew that he loved her and that was all that mattered. The whispers and the comments about her didn't phase her one bit.

As they entered into the throne room, she listened to the wizards speak about the plans to improve irrigation. She knew that the king had to keep his budget in mind when considering his options, but as he asked Rath and her for an opinion, she knew immediately what she was going to say.

"Perhaps it is expensive, your highness, but you will pay for quality. If you had to repair a lesser stone, the costs would add up over time." Kyra said as she looked towards Khalid. "And perhaps there is some agreement that could be made from the place where we would buy the granite. Maybe something that we have that they could use in trade."

 

[DrStein]

Athmir thought on Kyra's words as Rath turned to Khalid. "Have you and your fellows written a master copy of your discoveries about light?"

Khalid furrowed his brows in question but replied. "We have, your grace."

"Queen Galitta of Narain has worked with your order previously on recovering old books," the young prince explained. "She gave you free passage through her lands, offered you guides. I think it is time we repay that kindness. I propose you make a copy of your book and we'll send an envoy to present it to her as gift. A gesture of good faith to open new trade negotiations. Perhaps even a sample of what we can offer."

Khalid smiled as he thought of the prince's plan. "What they say has merit, my king. You would be investing in your people and your allies at once."

The king nodded softly after a moment's thought. "Begin writing the book. I will see to the envoy. You may go."

Khalid bowed to the ground before the king before offering a smile and a second bow to Rath and Kyra. He gathered up his scrolls and books and quietly exited the room.

Rath smiled at Kyra then looked to his father. "You still have to pause dramatically before even an obvious choice, don't you?"

"Says the one who had to play hero in front of the usurper's brats?" the king shot back with a chuckle.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Boys..." Kyra warned with a low tone to her voice, glancing between the king and the prince as they ribbed one another. "Your highness, have you gone to the festival yet? If you haven't, I insist that you come with Rath and I when we return this evening."

 

[DrStein]

Athmir stood, stretching his legs and stepped off the dais toward Kyra and Rath. "I haven't been able to go to the festival in years. Running a kingdom is more difficult than I make it look."

"Leave the old man be, my dear," Rath said with a grin. "He's a general. He'd prefer to be remembered staying behind the front lines."

At that the king stopped. "That's exactly the sort of thing your mother would say... I accept your challenge."

"I'm glad we had this conversation, Father." Even with Kyra prodding at them, neither man had still quite gotten over the feeling of being able to talk to each other after so long. "After we greet our guests, we'll leave them in our spymaster's capable hands and meet you at the gate. We'll have dinner among the people and show them their king is well, the line secure, and their land enjoying the first days of a new golden age."

The king smiled softly. "Again you sound like your mother."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra laughed softly as she watched the interaction between the two men. It warmed her heart to know that Rath had rediscovered the relationship that he had once lost with his father. It made her ache a little bit as her thoughts turned to her own father. She would never have conversations like this with him again. She would never take in a festival at his side. The smile faltered slightly on her lips and her eyes dimmed in melancholy.

Her father had been one of her greatest friends and the voice of reason in her life. He had been the one that had explained the way the world worked to her and educated her on lands that were spread far and wide. He had always believed in education for his only daughter, expecting her to have the same knowledge that her brothers had. She missed him greatly. She missed the sound of his voice and his jovial laughter. She missed life in Dath most of all.

 

[DrStein]

Rath looked over and saw the look of grief and longing on Kyra's face. He cupped her cheek in his hand and turned her to look at him. He said nothing, he only looked into her eyes and let her see the love and devotion he had for her. He could never bring back or replace everything that had been taken from her. But he would be the lover and husband she deserved. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. The king respectfully turned and walked to the doors to let the two of them have their moment.

 

[heartofcourage]

As Rath touched her cheek, Kyra was brought back into the present. She let her eyes drift close as he pressed a kiss to her forehead and when she opened them again, she found him staring deeply into her own. She gave him a bittersweet smile, knowing that she had ruined the little moment that he had been sharing with his father.

"It's not a day for bad thoughts." Kyra insisted, shaking herself out of her gloomy cloud. "This is a cheerful time for Rengal."

 

[DrStein]

"We're closer now," Rath assured his love. "Soon."

A few minutes later, the three of them received the two brothers from House Jindoor, Urael and Sarael. Rath recognized the elder of the two as the one who presented Kyra to him. It was the younger, Sarael, whose eyes kept flicking back to Kyra, only half-remembering her and wondering...

"I remember the favor you did my son," Athmir said casually, "and decided to look into you. There are many fine smithies in your line. And we still are slightly short on weapons following that rebellion years ago."

"Ah, your grace would like to do business?" Uriel asked with a certain glint in his eye. It galled Rath a bit to have to play into these foreigners' stereotypes, but they had already discussed this. His father and Kyra out-numbered him so he swallowed his pride. Later he would confess to a sense of satisfaction in watching the brothers fall for the act.

"Indeed," the king continued. "In return, perhaps we could open a few connections for you down south. Some of our neighbors would be very interested in what you can offer."

The king continued to talk circles around the two brothers. Rath began thinking that something was amiss. When the meeting ended and the brothers left, Rath looked over at Kyra. "Did that seem... too easy to you?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra took her position next to Rath, knowing that she would be safe as she stood next to him. He wouldn't let anything happen to her, especially since they ere so close to the end of their journey. The men looked her over, half remembering and questioning whether she could be the same scared girl they had brought to him so many months ago.

She made herself stand respectfully away from Rath and the king, hoping that they never figured the relationship that she really had with him. She silently listened to the king trap them expertly and she found a new found respect for the man.

When Rath finally spoke again after the meeting ended, she glanced towards him and gave him a soft smile. "Was it easy? Or does your father know the art of politics so well that he simply makes it seem easy?"

 

[DrStein]

"Both of you are correct," King Athmir said while staring at the door the merchants had left through a moment ago. "I've been doing this long enough that I can spot a fool like a hawk to prey. And those men are without a doubt fools. They're clearly used to dealing with courtiers and aristocrats in the north, but if they're the best and brightest their house has to offer..."

Rath looked between Kyra and his father. "You suspect that someone else was behind the coup?"

The king finally turned and looked back to them. "I do."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra stood there a little confused and dumbfounded. How could there be others involved with this entire incident? She had thought that it had just been a few and now they were saying that there were more.

"If not them, then who?" Kyra asked, reaching to take Rath's hand for support, squeezing it tightly.

 

[DrStein]

"Perhaps the leaders of their house. Perhaps an ally. Hard to say." The king pursed his lips and frowned. "During their stay, let us see what we can extract from these half-wits."

Rath held Kyra a little closer. That the conspiracy was proving deeper was distressing. "Should we have Darius's agents eavesdrop on them as well?"

His father nodded. "The two of you go back to your chambers and wash up. We'll meet again at the gates at sunset. In the meantime, I'll speak with Darius."

The two of them returned to Rath's quarters quietly. The prince removed his turban with a sigh of frustration. "I wish I was half as good at this as my father. Whatever demon invented headaches probably did so to give us one more painful reaction to political intrigue."