Whispers and Promises (restarted)

Rath slowly drew his hips back before pushing deep into her body again. Every stroke was slow but intense. "My princess..." His voice was husky with desire. Never had he imagined that he would find himself with such a woman. He had scarcely dared to imagine such a woman existed. He would move the heavens themselves to be with her, to see her smiling. The pleasure came in waves and he gradually picked up speed. He always gave her time to adjust to the feelings washing over the both of them before going faster. Their first nights together were pleasurable, but now that their hearts were open and joined it was a feeling unlike anything he had ever felt before.
 
Kyra felt tears prick her eyes as he whispered against her ear. It had been so long since anyone had called her princess. She had lost that title when her family was murdered, but it seemed that Rath wanted to see her as she'd once been. She turned her head quickly and captured his lips with her own, kissing him as she felt him increasing his pace.

She whimpered and moaned for him, her hands moving to cover his as he continued to massage her breasts. She enjoyed everything that he was doing to her body and she knew that she would find her release soon.

It was a few moments later that she felt her body tighten, her belly quivering with that telltale feeling. She pulled her lips away from his own, letting out a cry of passion as she came for him in a warm, wet rush.
 
Kyra's body and face in orgasm was a wonder to behold. The way her brow knit, her mouth open and body trembling. Her wailing cry of release rang in his ears. The flow of her juices washed his loins and with a sharp buck of his hips he emptied his seed into her belly with a loud groan of intense pleasure.

Rath drew back to let her put her legs down and relax. He held her in his arms as she shook from the last waves of her orgasm. He saw the tears in her eyes and softly brushed them away. "Are you alright?" For a moment he worried that he might have hurt her.
 
Kyra gasped as she felt him press against her tightly and his seed flooded her belly. It was a sensation that she would never tired of, she thought to herself as he slowly helped her relax and wiped away her tears.

"I'm fine." She said softly as she pressed her head against his shoulder. "No one's called me princess in a long time."

She glanced up into his eyes, letting him see the wealth of sorrow and emotion that she carried still.
 
His heart ached to see the sadness in her eyes. He kissed her forehead and cupped her cheek in his hand. "You are a princess. The usurpers can pretend all they want, but I know the truth. There will come a day when you will return to Dath, restore your house to the throne, and the people will know you as Queen Kyra of Rhagal, returned from the dead fulfill the balance foretold by the heavens. I swear to you that day will come."
 
"I trust you, Rath." She said softly as he kissed her forehead and promised that she would be on her throne again one day. "I trust you with all my heart and soul."

She did trust him and his beautiful words. She, however, knew that it would be a hard road ahead of them. She was in danger and he still had to appease his temperamental father.
 
"And you know that my heart is yours." He held her in his arms and continued to whisper to her their dream. The day of her return, the day of their wedding, the life they would build together. Rath knew there were difficult times ahead, but he would make it happen. For her, he would change the world. There would be time later to think of keeping his father happy, of the intelligence their spies would need to gather, or formulating the plan. In this one moment they were together and happy. He would find solace and strengths in nights like this. It would make the time and waiting easier.
 
Kyra dozed to the sound of his voice. Her dreams were full of the images that he described. It would be a happy life, one that she could be proud of. She would be his queen, she would bear his children, she would be the strong leader that she always knew she could be.
 
One Year Later

Rath stirred from sleep at the knock on the door. He groaned slightly but rolled onto his back reluctantly parting from Kyra. "One moment," he called out. He and Kyra had made love again the night before and he was still groggy. He kissed her as she stirred. "Time to get up. Father is bringing another envoy in today with another spoiled sow for me to inevitably turn down. He didn't say from where."

He got out of the bed and went to the dresser. "You may enter."
 
"Be nice, Rath." Kyra murmured as she yawned, making no attempt to rise from bed as he kissed her and started to dress. "It's not their fault that your father is so persistent."

She pulled the blanket around her nude body, turning her back to the door as his attendants came to help him get ready for his day.
 
Amina went straight to Kyra and gave her a fine white silk dress to wear. Meanwhile, Rath sat in a chair and was prepared for a shave. Despite his desire to grow a beard, his father was insistent he be clean-shaven for the envoy that day. "What news do you have for me?"

Darius stepped forward. "Reports are saying that the architects you have dispatched have managed to repair most of the old buildings. The carpenter's guild sends you their thanks as well. They've managed to work steadily enough that they've taken on a dozen new apprentices to help keep up with the work."

"Good to hear," Rath mumbled as his face was lathered.

Darius reported on the movements of a group of pickpockets in the market, the rebuilding of farms, and the preparations for the upcoming harvest festival. "Also, the wizards tell me that young boy you sent to them, Shar, is doing quite well. In particular, he seems to have a gift for medicine. He's learning to draw so that he can make anatomical charts himself."

Rath smiled at that before the razor touched his skin and he relaxed his face once more. "And the envoy? When are they arriving?"

"By afternoon, your grace. They've come a long way from Dath." Darius said the name of the country with a knowing tone that only the prince would pick up on.

Rath blinked and looked Darius straight in the eye. The man who secretly controlled Rhagal's spy network gave an almost imperceptible nod to the prince, who in turn did everything he could not to look towards Kyra for fear of giving away even the slightest clue of her secret. "Dath. Father really should tell me who is coming to the court."

"Perhaps he wants you to have fewer expectations before the meeting, your grace." Rath was always amazed by Darius's ability to keep his voice and face from betraying anything. He would need to speak with the man later in the gardens. He feared most for Kyra. It would be best if she took an honor guard into the city and avoided the envoy until Rath could send them away. Until that time, they'd be walking the edge of a blade.
 
Kyra finally rose from bed as Amina brought her a white silk gown to wear that day. The two women retreated into the bathing chamber to prepare for their day. Kyra sat dutifully at front of her dressing table, allowing Amina to style her hair. She had taken great pains to grow her hair long like it had been when she lived in Dath. It was how she preferred it, pulled back and trailing down the column of her back.

When that was finished, a ruby necklace that had been a gift from Rath for her birth day was looped around her throat. She sat patiently as Amina brushed a bit of khol around her eyes and a dab of rouge on her lips. When she was finished, she stood and slipped into a pair of fine silk slippers, reappearing into the room as Rath was shaved.

"I believe that I will check on your father's birds, my prince." She announced, resisting the urge to kiss Rath in front of everyone.

She had bred her kyra birds and given two to the king as a gift of peace. The two he was given were beautiful red and purple chicks that had grown into impressive adults that sang merrily all day long.
 
Rath's mind scrambled desperately for something to say to warn her. "Very well... Afterward... why don't you have Salemar show you to the city library? Visit Shar. Our guests from Dath are arriving after midday and I remember how bored you were with the envoy from Shansul around." He couldn't say more than that. Not with the servants around. Not even Darius knew the truth, though for how much longer that would remain so was anyone's guess. It was difficult to hide anything from the man.
 
Dath. The very word made her stop short and she glanced at Rath as he encouraged her to be out of the palace that afternoon. There was an envoy coming from Dath today? She wondered if they were bringing a princess for Rath or if there were another reason that they were coming.

"Of course, my prince." She answered, giving him a nod and a bow before she motioned to Amina to lead her from the room.

Her mind was racing as they walked to the king's parlor, the kyra birds chirping in the bright sunlight that filtered through the windows. She set about her task, changing their water and leaving them seed when she heard the king enter the room behind them. She turned to look at the man that she had a tentative peace with, bowing her head in difference to his position.

"Your highness, I hope that you are feeling well today." She said in a soft voice. "Are you still happy with your birds? Is there anything I might do for them?"
 
King Athmir looked at Kyra and without speaking went over the birds. He reached into the cage and gently stroked the head of one of them. "Master Ithros tells me that you have begun to write a history of Rhagal. The old sage thinks very highly of you. Almost as much as my son does." The king's voice was even. No accusations, no anger or malice. But there was obviously bait in his words. He brought up Rath for no reason other than to see her reaction.

He continued without waiting for her to answer. "By now Darius will have informed my son that the royal family from Dath are visiting, or at least some of them. They have a daughter, Inwana. Truth be told, I don't have much hope for Rath liking this one. My correspondence with this new king has been... I will be gracious and say terse. He doesn't seem to think much of southerners like myself. Typical, really."
 
"Yes, sir. Under Master Ithros' guidance, I have started a history of Rhagal. Your country is very fascinating in its long and storied history." She commented, her attentions on the birds as he brought up Rath.

He had done it before and she always refused to speak on her relationship with the prince. "Perhaps when my history is complete, you could read it and give me your thoughts. I am always open to criticisms. It is the only way to learn from a mistake."

She paused as he talked about the new royals from Dath. She didn't know Inwana. She didn't know the new king. All she knew was that her family was likely destroyed by the man that now sat on her throne.

"It is a pity that they do not think highly of you, your highness. I have never seen a more welcoming place then Rhagal." She said softly, knowing that she had to be very careful with what she said. "Surely they will see the same...and perhaps your son will find what he's looking for in Dath."
 
The king turned and looked at Kyra. He was silent for a long moment, his dark eyes seeming to pierce deep into her skin. "Whatever love you may have for your homeland, a monarch is not his people. You are Rhagali. Don't make the mistake of thinking you still owe the Dathish king praise."

He turned to leave. "And I will remind you once more not to give the prince any false hope. He will ultimately do what is expected of him. Continue writing your book. It is better that you serve a purpose besides warming my son's bed."

When King Athmir closed the door behind him, Amina breathed a sigh of relief. "I don't know what's come over the king lately. These dark moods he gets into are frightening."
 
Kyra stopped short as the king berated her and reminded her that Rath would have to do his duty. She lowered her head then, nodding her understanding as he left the room. She glanced towards Amina as she let out a breath and commented on the king's dark moods.

"It isn't our place to comment." Kyra reminded her handmaiden harshly. "And these palace walls have ears. It is best to keep your tongue."
 
Amina pursed her lips and lowered her head in contrition. "You're right, Lady Kyra. I only worry for the king and the prince."

Meanwhile Rath was already at the banquet hall when his father arrived. The two did not make eye contact. "Darius tells me the envoy today is from Dath."

"Try to contain your excitement," the king replied in a dry tone.

Rath glanced over at his father. No lecture this time. No reminder of his responsibility to the crown. "I will of course be a gracious host, father. You need not worry about that." The prince gulped down a cup of goat's milk before continuing. "I'm just surprised you invited northerners. I thought you didn't care for them."

"I don't." The king ate mechanically. "It was King Urides' decision. If I had to guess, he thinks marrying off his daughter to you will help trade between Dath and our neighbors to the south."

Rath showed no outward signs, but inwardly he wanted badly to roll his eyes and scoff. "Dath's people have always had a very mercantile culture, I suppose. But enough of that. How are you, father?"

The king looked over at his son and remained silent. Rath continued to eat, knowing better than to speak. His father was testing him again. "I'm not looking forward to our guests. But on the off-chance it finds you a wife, I'll set my jaw and bear it."
 
Kyra finished tending to the king's birds before she and Amina left his parlor. She said nothing more to her handmaiden as she made her way to the banquet hall for a quick breakfast before they left for the wizard's guild. She didn't glance towards the king's table, knowing that if she looked at Rath, it might draw ill will from the king. She dutifully sat in her spot by Amina, her eyes on her plate as she tried to shake the king's tirade from the morning.
 
Rath finished eating ahead of his father and left for the gardens. He explained that he wanted some time to himself before the envoy arrived as it would likely be the last chance he'd have for the next week or so.

Out in the gardens, the prince strolled by the fountain, staring into the waters. For Kyra's safety he would have to find ways to keep her out of sight. The trick was figuring out how to do that without arousing suspicion. In the last year he had already rejected princesses from Shansul and Kirn. There was talk of a lady from the coastal lands of Battoria. His father was certainly working hard to find him a woman.

Darius came to the gardens before long and walked up to the prince. "I apologize for not telling you sooner, your grace. The king gave us all orders to remain silent until today."

Rath waved his hand to say no apology was needed. "What can you tell me of our guests?"

"Nothing of particular interest. The Princess Inwana is by all accounts a spoiled brat. He brother is vain in the extreme and his wife has an unsavory habit of going out of her way to make servants miserable." Darius quickly looked around to ensure none were eavesdropping. "They have also admitted to their peers that this would only be a marriage of convenience. The princess only agreed to come because her father insisted on it."

Rath sighed in resignation. It was going to be a very long week.
 
As Kyra and Amina finished their meals, she was suddenly overcome with the need to see Rath again. Perhaps it was the confrontation with the king or perhaps it was the hurried way they had parted that morning. Either way, she knew that she had to see him before they left for the city that afternoon.

Amina led the way into the gardens where they paused as Darius spoke to the prince. When the conversation came to a natural lull, she stepped forward and gave Darius a kind smile.

"Sir Darius, would you mind if I stole the prince for a moment?" She asked him softly, glancing towards Rath. "I promise to return him to you in one piece."
 
The two men turned when Kyra approached them. Darius smiled and bowed his head. "Certainly, Lady Kyra." He took his leave, wandering about the gardens. Rath had no doubt that he was listening in on everything they were saying. It was after all his job. Nevertheless, Rath offered Kyra his arm and the two of them strolled in the opposite direction. A glance from the prince told Amina to wait by the fountain.

"This is going to be difficult. Our guests are the princess I'm intended to... court... her brother and his wife. And not a decent human being among them. Do you think any of them would recognize you?"
 
"I don't know." She answered honestly. "Your father has made it very clear that I am not to stand in your way though. I think it would be best for everyone if I made myself scarce anyway."

She looked up at Rath as they walked arm and arm through the garden. "I missed having my morning kiss." She suddenly whispered against his ear, giving him a small smile to perhaps lighten his mood.
 
Rath smiled softly and gave Kyra a soft, lingering kiss on her hips as soon as he was certain Darius wasn't watching. "It may be a few days before we can see each other again. As for my father..." Rath frowned at that. "He's been... acting odd lately. He gets moody and cross more and more often these days. I'm not sure what to make of it. I... I don't wish to dwell on it for now."

He placed a hand on Kyra's and kissed her again. "We'll get through this. Spend some time at the city library. Find errands to run in the city. Just stay out of the way of the envoy and don't draw attention to yourself. I'll keep them busy. By the time they leave, they probably won't even suspect you're here."
 
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