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He shook his head when she negotiated for two horses but agreed, only for her to splash him. Which he immediately returned. The day was hot and the coolness of the water was welcome. This was the sort of days he used to have, the kind he missed. And with the way that Aikaterine kept looking at him, he didn’t have to guess what she was thinking. Her thoughts were plain enough on her face.
”Is it really that funny, Ste… Your majesty?”
“It is, my lady,” he turned away as she vollied another attack of water, laughing as he did so. There was nothing to this. She didn’t want him dead, couldn’t use him for his throne, and seemed genuinely enamored. It was a heady mix and he was not immune to the flattery of it.
When he looked back, however, she’d spun around and looked to be hugging herself.
”Uh.. I’m sorry. I… “
He frowned for a second before shaking his head. Wading the three steps it took to get to her, he placed his hand on the small of her back and leaned down to whisper against her ear. “I’m not.” Before grinning and pulling away completely to move passed her and out of the water. Once on the sturdy bank, he leaned down and offered his hand again. “I promise this time I won’t drop you,” he said with a wink and a mischievous grin.
Once they were both back up on dry land, he looked her over quickly before plucking at his own clothes. “Well. This was...relaxing.” Warm winds breathed through the trees but without direct sunlight, it was still a little cold. “Come on. We’ll go to the palace and find dry clothes. And I want you to eat with me, if you will. I wish to know more of how you tend to forty horses on your own.”
She hadn’t said she did it on her own, but he guessed she did. Judging by the look of her, her son couldn’t be fully grown. Not unless she married very young. And if she was tending to forty horses alone, how did she have time to do anything else? Who would find her a new husband? Did she even want one? Did she have enough money to do without? Or did she want more children? There was so much he suddenly wished to know but did not ask. Not yet. For now, he liked catching her looking at him every once in a while and he liked it even better when she jerked her eyes elsewhere, pretending she hadn’t been staring. It was….different than what the courtly women did. A different game.
Once they made it out of the forest, he was about to whistle for Aknos but found he didn’t need to. The stallion was very near where he’d left him, grazing contentedly beside her horse. ...or his new horse, rather. The bridle lay in the grass where he’d set it earlier.
“I suppose you can ride my horse back to the palace,” he sighed as he took Aknos and slid the bridle back into place. “It is a kindness I indulge in at times. Unless you prefer to walk the whole way?” He swung up into the saddle and looked down at her, the easy smile still playing about his lips. Once she was ready, he steered Aknos toward home, looking at the palace for the first time in a long time without a sense of dread.
The leisurely pace they’d used in the forest was not maintained while on horseback. He did not wait for her to come up beside him. Instead, he kicked Aknos into action and threw a challenging grin over his shoulder, daring him to race him again. She hadn’t won the first time and she certainly wouldn’t win the second. Not with this head start. He thought.
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He shook his head when she negotiated for two horses but agreed, only for her to splash him. Which he immediately returned. The day was hot and the coolness of the water was welcome. This was the sort of days he used to have, the kind he missed. And with the way that Aikaterine kept looking at him, he didn’t have to guess what she was thinking. Her thoughts were plain enough on her face.
”Is it really that funny, Ste… Your majesty?”
“It is, my lady,” he turned away as she vollied another attack of water, laughing as he did so. There was nothing to this. She didn’t want him dead, couldn’t use him for his throne, and seemed genuinely enamored. It was a heady mix and he was not immune to the flattery of it.
When he looked back, however, she’d spun around and looked to be hugging herself.
”Uh.. I’m sorry. I… “
He frowned for a second before shaking his head. Wading the three steps it took to get to her, he placed his hand on the small of her back and leaned down to whisper against her ear. “I’m not.” Before grinning and pulling away completely to move passed her and out of the water. Once on the sturdy bank, he leaned down and offered his hand again. “I promise this time I won’t drop you,” he said with a wink and a mischievous grin.
Once they were both back up on dry land, he looked her over quickly before plucking at his own clothes. “Well. This was...relaxing.” Warm winds breathed through the trees but without direct sunlight, it was still a little cold. “Come on. We’ll go to the palace and find dry clothes. And I want you to eat with me, if you will. I wish to know more of how you tend to forty horses on your own.”
She hadn’t said she did it on her own, but he guessed she did. Judging by the look of her, her son couldn’t be fully grown. Not unless she married very young. And if she was tending to forty horses alone, how did she have time to do anything else? Who would find her a new husband? Did she even want one? Did she have enough money to do without? Or did she want more children? There was so much he suddenly wished to know but did not ask. Not yet. For now, he liked catching her looking at him every once in a while and he liked it even better when she jerked her eyes elsewhere, pretending she hadn’t been staring. It was….different than what the courtly women did. A different game.
Once they made it out of the forest, he was about to whistle for Aknos but found he didn’t need to. The stallion was very near where he’d left him, grazing contentedly beside her horse. ...or his new horse, rather. The bridle lay in the grass where he’d set it earlier.
“I suppose you can ride my horse back to the palace,” he sighed as he took Aknos and slid the bridle back into place. “It is a kindness I indulge in at times. Unless you prefer to walk the whole way?” He swung up into the saddle and looked down at her, the easy smile still playing about his lips. Once she was ready, he steered Aknos toward home, looking at the palace for the first time in a long time without a sense of dread.
The leisurely pace they’d used in the forest was not maintained while on horseback. He did not wait for her to come up beside him. Instead, he kicked Aknos into action and threw a challenging grin over his shoulder, daring him to race him again. She hadn’t won the first time and she certainly wouldn’t win the second. Not with this head start. He thought.
He shook his head when she negotiated for two horses but agreed, only for her to splash him. Which he immediately returned. The day was hot and the coolness of the water was welcome. This was the sort of days he used to have, the kind he missed. And with the way that Aikaterine kept looking at him, he didn’t have to guess what she was thinking. Her thoughts were plain enough on her face.
”Is it really that funny, Ste… Your majesty?”
“It is, my lady,” he turned away as she vollied another attack of water, laughing as he did so. There was nothing to this. She didn’t want him dead, couldn’t use him for his throne, and seemed genuinely enamored. It was a heady mix and he was not immune to the flattery of it.
When he looked back, however, she’d spun around and looked to be hugging herself.
”Uh.. I’m sorry. I… “
He frowned for a second before shaking his head. Wading the three steps it took to get to her, he placed his hand on the small of her back and leaned down to whisper against her ear. “I’m not.” Before grinning and pulling away completely to move passed her and out of the water. Once on the sturdy bank, he leaned down and offered his hand again. “I promise this time I won’t drop you,” he said with a wink and a mischievous grin.
Once they were both back up on dry land, he looked her over quickly before plucking at his own clothes. “Well. This was...relaxing.” Warm winds breathed through the trees but without direct sunlight, it was still a little cold. “Come on. We’ll go to the palace and find dry clothes. And I want you to eat with me, if you will. I wish to know more of how you tend to forty horses on your own.”
She hadn’t said she did it on her own, but he guessed she did. Judging by the look of her, her son couldn’t be fully grown. Not unless she married very young. And if she was tending to forty horses alone, how did she have time to do anything else? Who would find her a new husband? Did she even want one? Did she have enough money to do without? Or did she want more children? There was so much he suddenly wished to know but did not ask. Not yet. For now, he liked catching her looking at him every once in a while and he liked it even better when she jerked her eyes elsewhere, pretending she hadn’t been staring. It was….different than what the courtly women did. A different game.
Once they made it out of the forest, he was about to whistle for Aknos but found he didn’t need to. The stallion was very near where he’d left him, grazing contentedly beside her horse. ...or his new horse, rather. The bridle lay in the grass where he’d set it earlier.
“I suppose you can ride my horse back to the palace,” he sighed as he took Aknos and slid the bridle back into place. “It is a kindness I indulge in at times. Unless you prefer to walk the whole way?” He swung up into the saddle and looked down at her, the easy smile still playing about his lips. Once she was ready, he steered Aknos toward home, looking at the palace for the first time in a long time without a sense of dread.
The leisurely pace they’d used in the forest was not maintained while on horseback. He did not wait for her to come up beside him. Instead, he kicked Aknos into action and threw a challenging grin over his shoulder, daring him to race him again. She hadn’t won the first time and she certainly wouldn’t win the second. Not with this head start. He thought.
Without even looking, she could hear him get closer. Her hold body tensed as she thought he might touch her. She was currently at odds with her better judgement as to whether she wanted him pressed against her back with more than just the fingers she felt. Especially as chills shivered through her body with his whisper. For the second time she took in a breath and held it waiting for what the King might do next. Instead of where her mind had wildly went, he moved passed and offered help. She took it and followed him out of the water doing her best to swallow down the shame of being sopping wet. ”Are you this forward with everyone, your majesty?” She didn’t expect an answer. It didn’t really matter if he was. He was the King. He could do what he wanted and well, weren’t Taengeans known for such behavior?
”Yes, perhaps a blessing in disguise.” She pulled at her own layers of fabric watching the drops drip from the hem to the ground. ”And the sacred woods for another time.” Now, she took her turn being bold. As if there was going to be another time to visit with the King just as this. Not even the first time it was mentioned they would see each other again. In the pit of her stomach she hoped it would be true. Her mind barely thinking of what it meant to his wife. She had heard it was rushed, arranged - but no further details than that. Even if she could count. Aikaterine knew what it felt like to be there and into the unknown rush of feelings. What kind of feelings, she wasn’t sure anymore.
Aikaterine did her best to hide the surprise for the dinner invitation. If he was going to keep inviting her to do things, she would have to learn to adjust to them. Yet, her brows still lifted. She nodded. ”I am hungry after such an adventure. I am happy to tell you, your highness, but no family secrets.” Her voice was a jesting warning. He was, after all, married to a Leventi. She may be like a sheep following him and doing what he wanted, but she was still strong willed when it came to her impeccable horses.
They had made it back to the large olive tree and back to the horses who were well behaved grazing around waiting for them to return. Her hand brushed against the neck of Dareios. ”Oh, I can, can I?” The corner of her lip teasing upward. ”I wouldn’t want to put you out. You have already been far too kind, your majesty.” There was no time to insist on walking, nor did she want to walk. A ride would be a relief to her feet. Aikaterine once again mounted the large stallion on her own. The little bit of independence she preferred to keep.
The lady adjusted her posture and had foolishly assumed they were just going to trot back to the palati. It was only when she looked back up to find that Stephanos had already kicked his horse and was already leading the way back to his home. ”Well, that’s not fair.” Her heels dug into the horses round belly urging from a walk, to a trot, canter, and finally a gallop. The distinct thumping of the rhythm making her smile. This was where she was at home, this is where she could be free and show her true self. Not to mention, the fast air and bright sun beaming in the prairie was helping dry at least some of her chiton. Fingers tightened into the brown mane of the horse beneath her as she leaned forward as she had before. She became one with the horse, but his lead was just too great.
The water in the layers of the linen pressed and slipped against the back of the horse. It made it hard to play along as she had before. But, she still tried her best as she was nearly going to catch up. She could do it. The horse could do it. But, then there were the stares. Intimidating gawks from the stable workers who had looked up from their work due to the stampede sound careening towards the stable. Aikaterine held up casually on the horse and slowed as she attempted to appear at least a little bit ladylike. The cause was useless. She was like a drenched rat and one could see it all over the faces. The were confused or maybe it was concerned? They had questions, but they couldn’t ask because he was the King.
When the horses stalled to the stop, Kat slid down. She pulled at the still damp chiton instantly self conscious of what she looked like as they all changed their attention back to what they were doing before. One of the stable boys taking Dareios from her while she looked to Stephanos to lead her one. No words. There were a million and a half thoughts going through her mind, but she wished to change most of all. Her eyes screamed what she wanted without making a peep.
She slinked with arms still hugging herself. At least it wasn’t as revealing as it was in the woods. People were told to get to work. Clothes fetched. Food prepared. All the while, Aikaterine was fixed on following the lines of the palace walls. It was exquisite. This was just a place of stories. She had only seen it for he first time the night of the coronation. That was entirely different circumstances and she failed to take the true beauty of it. The white was so pristine, how did they keep it clean? The linens lined with gold cloth, it must have cost a fortune. It was a relief for her mind to think of simple things versus the complicated feelings from looking in Stephanos’ direction.
Aikaterine was ushered to a room where a few ladies shook their heads while clicking their teeth. Fingers pressing her brown hair and rubbed it together. They were whispering to each other. Words hissed from one and to the other was plain expressions on their face that gave her nothing but anxiety. Her hand pressed against her stomach as they helped strip her. She had a servant help her before they needed to put a nanny in place. They were wealthy, but not wealthy enough to bother with a separate slave for each and every task.
”Thank you. I can do that myself.” But, she wasn’t allowed to. The wet, cheap chiton she wore to the palati was tossed aside and replaced with something luxurious. Something of worth she had never felt against her skin before. Ecru sheer cotton with stripes of gold and red, the Mikaelidas colors. Delicate digits ran across them idly as she wasn’t allowed to do a thing. A brush yanked through the wet tresses before she pulled this way and that. ”Just leave it, it’s okay. I don’t need all this fuss.” Her hand grabbed for the brush just to be shushed away. She didn’t really like to be touched by other people. There was no stopping them. They continued until her hair was dry shiny with each natural curl cascading over her shoulders. They were whispering again. Old bags. Aikaterine just pressed her fingers to her lips in order to keep herself quiet. She was dry now, she could be thankful for that.
It all came to a head with a gesture to a doorway where others in the palati had been busy putting together a dinner for the pair to share. She knew what was through that doorway. She should have thought about it harder, but she could already smell the scents of delicacies teasing her palette. Kat hadn’t eaten since the morning. Her mouth was already watering at the thought, but how would she explain her extended stay in Vasiliadon to home. She shook her head in an attempt to rid her mind from the worries. It will be fine, Kat. She spoke to herself. As long as she could continue to be confident her late husband and her mother’s voices couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
The lady was nearly a 180 from how she had appeared that morning. Her hair was tamed and her face was fresh. She was cleaned from head to toe with expensive cloth covering her body. It hung from golden clasps, one at each shoulder holding the chiton over her body. The rope tied around her waist a few inches above her navel to accentuate her womanly figure. Aikaterine looked around the room and immediately set her eyes on the table that was filled with olives, grapes, breads, and most importantly some wine. She neared it, but didn’t dare touch it. Her fingers started to fidget with the threads while she waited for Stephanos to join her. It was everything to keep to herself and not touch any of the food or any of the beautiful vases littered around against the walls.
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Without even looking, she could hear him get closer. Her hold body tensed as she thought he might touch her. She was currently at odds with her better judgement as to whether she wanted him pressed against her back with more than just the fingers she felt. Especially as chills shivered through her body with his whisper. For the second time she took in a breath and held it waiting for what the King might do next. Instead of where her mind had wildly went, he moved passed and offered help. She took it and followed him out of the water doing her best to swallow down the shame of being sopping wet. ”Are you this forward with everyone, your majesty?” She didn’t expect an answer. It didn’t really matter if he was. He was the King. He could do what he wanted and well, weren’t Taengeans known for such behavior?
”Yes, perhaps a blessing in disguise.” She pulled at her own layers of fabric watching the drops drip from the hem to the ground. ”And the sacred woods for another time.” Now, she took her turn being bold. As if there was going to be another time to visit with the King just as this. Not even the first time it was mentioned they would see each other again. In the pit of her stomach she hoped it would be true. Her mind barely thinking of what it meant to his wife. She had heard it was rushed, arranged - but no further details than that. Even if she could count. Aikaterine knew what it felt like to be there and into the unknown rush of feelings. What kind of feelings, she wasn’t sure anymore.
Aikaterine did her best to hide the surprise for the dinner invitation. If he was going to keep inviting her to do things, she would have to learn to adjust to them. Yet, her brows still lifted. She nodded. ”I am hungry after such an adventure. I am happy to tell you, your highness, but no family secrets.” Her voice was a jesting warning. He was, after all, married to a Leventi. She may be like a sheep following him and doing what he wanted, but she was still strong willed when it came to her impeccable horses.
They had made it back to the large olive tree and back to the horses who were well behaved grazing around waiting for them to return. Her hand brushed against the neck of Dareios. ”Oh, I can, can I?” The corner of her lip teasing upward. ”I wouldn’t want to put you out. You have already been far too kind, your majesty.” There was no time to insist on walking, nor did she want to walk. A ride would be a relief to her feet. Aikaterine once again mounted the large stallion on her own. The little bit of independence she preferred to keep.
The lady adjusted her posture and had foolishly assumed they were just going to trot back to the palati. It was only when she looked back up to find that Stephanos had already kicked his horse and was already leading the way back to his home. ”Well, that’s not fair.” Her heels dug into the horses round belly urging from a walk, to a trot, canter, and finally a gallop. The distinct thumping of the rhythm making her smile. This was where she was at home, this is where she could be free and show her true self. Not to mention, the fast air and bright sun beaming in the prairie was helping dry at least some of her chiton. Fingers tightened into the brown mane of the horse beneath her as she leaned forward as she had before. She became one with the horse, but his lead was just too great.
The water in the layers of the linen pressed and slipped against the back of the horse. It made it hard to play along as she had before. But, she still tried her best as she was nearly going to catch up. She could do it. The horse could do it. But, then there were the stares. Intimidating gawks from the stable workers who had looked up from their work due to the stampede sound careening towards the stable. Aikaterine held up casually on the horse and slowed as she attempted to appear at least a little bit ladylike. The cause was useless. She was like a drenched rat and one could see it all over the faces. The were confused or maybe it was concerned? They had questions, but they couldn’t ask because he was the King.
When the horses stalled to the stop, Kat slid down. She pulled at the still damp chiton instantly self conscious of what she looked like as they all changed their attention back to what they were doing before. One of the stable boys taking Dareios from her while she looked to Stephanos to lead her one. No words. There were a million and a half thoughts going through her mind, but she wished to change most of all. Her eyes screamed what she wanted without making a peep.
She slinked with arms still hugging herself. At least it wasn’t as revealing as it was in the woods. People were told to get to work. Clothes fetched. Food prepared. All the while, Aikaterine was fixed on following the lines of the palace walls. It was exquisite. This was just a place of stories. She had only seen it for he first time the night of the coronation. That was entirely different circumstances and she failed to take the true beauty of it. The white was so pristine, how did they keep it clean? The linens lined with gold cloth, it must have cost a fortune. It was a relief for her mind to think of simple things versus the complicated feelings from looking in Stephanos’ direction.
Aikaterine was ushered to a room where a few ladies shook their heads while clicking their teeth. Fingers pressing her brown hair and rubbed it together. They were whispering to each other. Words hissed from one and to the other was plain expressions on their face that gave her nothing but anxiety. Her hand pressed against her stomach as they helped strip her. She had a servant help her before they needed to put a nanny in place. They were wealthy, but not wealthy enough to bother with a separate slave for each and every task.
”Thank you. I can do that myself.” But, she wasn’t allowed to. The wet, cheap chiton she wore to the palati was tossed aside and replaced with something luxurious. Something of worth she had never felt against her skin before. Ecru sheer cotton with stripes of gold and red, the Mikaelidas colors. Delicate digits ran across them idly as she wasn’t allowed to do a thing. A brush yanked through the wet tresses before she pulled this way and that. ”Just leave it, it’s okay. I don’t need all this fuss.” Her hand grabbed for the brush just to be shushed away. She didn’t really like to be touched by other people. There was no stopping them. They continued until her hair was dry shiny with each natural curl cascading over her shoulders. They were whispering again. Old bags. Aikaterine just pressed her fingers to her lips in order to keep herself quiet. She was dry now, she could be thankful for that.
It all came to a head with a gesture to a doorway where others in the palati had been busy putting together a dinner for the pair to share. She knew what was through that doorway. She should have thought about it harder, but she could already smell the scents of delicacies teasing her palette. Kat hadn’t eaten since the morning. Her mouth was already watering at the thought, but how would she explain her extended stay in Vasiliadon to home. She shook her head in an attempt to rid her mind from the worries. It will be fine, Kat. She spoke to herself. As long as she could continue to be confident her late husband and her mother’s voices couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
The lady was nearly a 180 from how she had appeared that morning. Her hair was tamed and her face was fresh. She was cleaned from head to toe with expensive cloth covering her body. It hung from golden clasps, one at each shoulder holding the chiton over her body. The rope tied around her waist a few inches above her navel to accentuate her womanly figure. Aikaterine looked around the room and immediately set her eyes on the table that was filled with olives, grapes, breads, and most importantly some wine. She neared it, but didn’t dare touch it. Her fingers started to fidget with the threads while she waited for Stephanos to join her. It was everything to keep to herself and not touch any of the food or any of the beautiful vases littered around against the walls.
Without even looking, she could hear him get closer. Her hold body tensed as she thought he might touch her. She was currently at odds with her better judgement as to whether she wanted him pressed against her back with more than just the fingers she felt. Especially as chills shivered through her body with his whisper. For the second time she took in a breath and held it waiting for what the King might do next. Instead of where her mind had wildly went, he moved passed and offered help. She took it and followed him out of the water doing her best to swallow down the shame of being sopping wet. ”Are you this forward with everyone, your majesty?” She didn’t expect an answer. It didn’t really matter if he was. He was the King. He could do what he wanted and well, weren’t Taengeans known for such behavior?
”Yes, perhaps a blessing in disguise.” She pulled at her own layers of fabric watching the drops drip from the hem to the ground. ”And the sacred woods for another time.” Now, she took her turn being bold. As if there was going to be another time to visit with the King just as this. Not even the first time it was mentioned they would see each other again. In the pit of her stomach she hoped it would be true. Her mind barely thinking of what it meant to his wife. She had heard it was rushed, arranged - but no further details than that. Even if she could count. Aikaterine knew what it felt like to be there and into the unknown rush of feelings. What kind of feelings, she wasn’t sure anymore.
Aikaterine did her best to hide the surprise for the dinner invitation. If he was going to keep inviting her to do things, she would have to learn to adjust to them. Yet, her brows still lifted. She nodded. ”I am hungry after such an adventure. I am happy to tell you, your highness, but no family secrets.” Her voice was a jesting warning. He was, after all, married to a Leventi. She may be like a sheep following him and doing what he wanted, but she was still strong willed when it came to her impeccable horses.
They had made it back to the large olive tree and back to the horses who were well behaved grazing around waiting for them to return. Her hand brushed against the neck of Dareios. ”Oh, I can, can I?” The corner of her lip teasing upward. ”I wouldn’t want to put you out. You have already been far too kind, your majesty.” There was no time to insist on walking, nor did she want to walk. A ride would be a relief to her feet. Aikaterine once again mounted the large stallion on her own. The little bit of independence she preferred to keep.
The lady adjusted her posture and had foolishly assumed they were just going to trot back to the palati. It was only when she looked back up to find that Stephanos had already kicked his horse and was already leading the way back to his home. ”Well, that’s not fair.” Her heels dug into the horses round belly urging from a walk, to a trot, canter, and finally a gallop. The distinct thumping of the rhythm making her smile. This was where she was at home, this is where she could be free and show her true self. Not to mention, the fast air and bright sun beaming in the prairie was helping dry at least some of her chiton. Fingers tightened into the brown mane of the horse beneath her as she leaned forward as she had before. She became one with the horse, but his lead was just too great.
The water in the layers of the linen pressed and slipped against the back of the horse. It made it hard to play along as she had before. But, she still tried her best as she was nearly going to catch up. She could do it. The horse could do it. But, then there were the stares. Intimidating gawks from the stable workers who had looked up from their work due to the stampede sound careening towards the stable. Aikaterine held up casually on the horse and slowed as she attempted to appear at least a little bit ladylike. The cause was useless. She was like a drenched rat and one could see it all over the faces. The were confused or maybe it was concerned? They had questions, but they couldn’t ask because he was the King.
When the horses stalled to the stop, Kat slid down. She pulled at the still damp chiton instantly self conscious of what she looked like as they all changed their attention back to what they were doing before. One of the stable boys taking Dareios from her while she looked to Stephanos to lead her one. No words. There were a million and a half thoughts going through her mind, but she wished to change most of all. Her eyes screamed what she wanted without making a peep.
She slinked with arms still hugging herself. At least it wasn’t as revealing as it was in the woods. People were told to get to work. Clothes fetched. Food prepared. All the while, Aikaterine was fixed on following the lines of the palace walls. It was exquisite. This was just a place of stories. She had only seen it for he first time the night of the coronation. That was entirely different circumstances and she failed to take the true beauty of it. The white was so pristine, how did they keep it clean? The linens lined with gold cloth, it must have cost a fortune. It was a relief for her mind to think of simple things versus the complicated feelings from looking in Stephanos’ direction.
Aikaterine was ushered to a room where a few ladies shook their heads while clicking their teeth. Fingers pressing her brown hair and rubbed it together. They were whispering to each other. Words hissed from one and to the other was plain expressions on their face that gave her nothing but anxiety. Her hand pressed against her stomach as they helped strip her. She had a servant help her before they needed to put a nanny in place. They were wealthy, but not wealthy enough to bother with a separate slave for each and every task.
”Thank you. I can do that myself.” But, she wasn’t allowed to. The wet, cheap chiton she wore to the palati was tossed aside and replaced with something luxurious. Something of worth she had never felt against her skin before. Ecru sheer cotton with stripes of gold and red, the Mikaelidas colors. Delicate digits ran across them idly as she wasn’t allowed to do a thing. A brush yanked through the wet tresses before she pulled this way and that. ”Just leave it, it’s okay. I don’t need all this fuss.” Her hand grabbed for the brush just to be shushed away. She didn’t really like to be touched by other people. There was no stopping them. They continued until her hair was dry shiny with each natural curl cascading over her shoulders. They were whispering again. Old bags. Aikaterine just pressed her fingers to her lips in order to keep herself quiet. She was dry now, she could be thankful for that.
It all came to a head with a gesture to a doorway where others in the palati had been busy putting together a dinner for the pair to share. She knew what was through that doorway. She should have thought about it harder, but she could already smell the scents of delicacies teasing her palette. Kat hadn’t eaten since the morning. Her mouth was already watering at the thought, but how would she explain her extended stay in Vasiliadon to home. She shook her head in an attempt to rid her mind from the worries. It will be fine, Kat. She spoke to herself. As long as she could continue to be confident her late husband and her mother’s voices couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
The lady was nearly a 180 from how she had appeared that morning. Her hair was tamed and her face was fresh. She was cleaned from head to toe with expensive cloth covering her body. It hung from golden clasps, one at each shoulder holding the chiton over her body. The rope tied around her waist a few inches above her navel to accentuate her womanly figure. Aikaterine looked around the room and immediately set her eyes on the table that was filled with olives, grapes, breads, and most importantly some wine. She neared it, but didn’t dare touch it. Her fingers started to fidget with the threads while she waited for Stephanos to join her. It was everything to keep to herself and not touch any of the food or any of the beautiful vases littered around against the walls.
He didn’t pay any heed to the questioning stares servants and slaves threw their way. Aknos continued at a full gallop until he was forced to stop or collide with the wall of the stable. Aikaterine was not terribly far behind and he waited for her to catch up before dismounting and handing off his horse to the boy waiting at his elbow. Almost immediately she hugged herself again, which he might have considered odd if they weren’t still wet from their ill conceived walk.
She was windswept and bedraggled and he knew he didn’t look any better. He sent one of the stable boys ahead with instructions for baths and for clothes to be fetched for his ‘guest’. They walked through the stables but she didn’t seem inclined to speak and now that they were back within the confines of the palati, he was less given to laughter or grinning than he had been a few minutes ago.
Sunlight filled the large, square stableyard where the stallions she’d brought with her were being kept. They had to pass them in order to get inside. On the way, he gave orders to the boy to take both horses as they were now part of the palace stock. These new three would be marked, however, to keep them separate from the Leventi horses. He was interested in the differences and still did truly want to talk with her more about them. But his mind wasn’t on the animals anymore.
On one side of the stable yard were two large doors that led into a guarded avenue, which, at its end, would deposit one into a side street in the city proper of Vasiliadon. On the other end, it backed up against the wall of the palati itself. Short narrow steps led up to a door that was mostly used by servants and slaves to access this area. Normally, if a member of the court, or one of the royal family wanted to ride, the horses were brought to a different, cleaner courtyard elsewhere. He’d chosen to meet her in this one partially because this was where his advisor Poseikles had her come, but also because it mostly hid the transaction he’d not intended to make.
As he led her up the narrow stairs, the smile left his face completely. He should not have bought any of the horses. But it was done now. There was no going back on his word.
Once inside, they were not together long. An older slave woman met them before they’d crossed two corridors and took Aikaterine toward the area nobles used when they stayed in the palati. It was not near the royal apartments, which was where he was bound.
He was changed and dry within minutes and left with an overwhelming sense of foreboding as he glanced at his newly cleaned off desk. The scattered scrolls were gone; neatly rerolled and tucked away in their proper places. There were few missives there that needed his attention. Since his fight with Pia, and her subsequent scare of losing the baby, coupled with his bold declaration that he would slaughter the Creed, he’d had a renewed spirit to battle Irakles for control.
This meant paying better attention to the kingdom and finding more clever ways to circumvent Irakles’s grasping claws into the affairs of running the kingdom. Which meant he spent more time than ever cooped up in this room and in the study. His uncle’s pace was impressive, which only meant that he had to be faster than the old man. It was difficult to keep up because Irakles had years of experience, Stephanos now knew, in secretly directing parts of Taengea.
Had Zacharias known about this? Had his father? Had it been a silent battle between the three of them for years that he’d just never been privy to? Or even interested in?
On the desk’s surface lay the wine stained scroll he’d been looking at when Pia came bursting into the room and threw the cup at his head. He brushed his fingers over the scroll’s surface, thinking of the campaign he would soon be leading. His wife assumed he’d die if he went. But she didn’t seem to understand his thirst for revenge, for blood on his hands. She did not have faith in him anymore.
He took his hand away from the scroll. That was fine. If she didn’t believe him? He’d exterminate every single Creed member in that valley. She’d believe him capable after that.
His hand closed into a fist and for a long second, he was consumed with the pressures he’d momentarily escaped with Aikaterine. The thought of her, so wholly unconnected to all of this was too much to resist. He didn’t want to spend another second in this room. In this wing of the palace. For a little while, he would be with her and ignore what he could not yet change.
The rooms Aikaterine had been taken to were not overly rich in comparison with those the royal family occupied. They were fairly ordinary, with a solar room for sleeping and another room in which to take meals and entertain. Nothing that would not be found in the noble houses of Vasiliadon. The richer ones, at any rate.
He appeared in the doorway to these smaller apartments not long after she arrived. The change in her attire transformed her into a woman who would not be easily overlooked if she walked through the palati now. She was worlds above the timid creature she’d been in the stable yard and he doubted that his advisor would even recognize her if they came face to face.
Coming fully into the room, he allowed a fleeting smile to cross his features before it faded. He took in the table and the food atop it. Unlike her, he wasn’t ravenous. However, he sat down and took a few grapes into his hand, and ate one. It was more to signal that she could eat than anything else, as he merely finished the three he’d taken and plucked up the wine goblet instead. Sipping at wine was simpler than forcing down food he didn’t want.
“If I were to ask for cavalry horses from you, could you supply those? Or are the horses you have mostly for work? Do you have horses trained for chariots?”
Why he’d asked the last question was a bit of a mystery. It wasn’t like he ever wanted to step foot inside a chariot again. The circus was still in ruins, in fact. Since he’d been king, he hadn’t bothered to recommission a new one and none of the people had asked for it to be rebuilt either. Those who did breed horses for chariot racing were forced to sell their stock elsewhere in Taengea for the time being. And for as long as he reigned, at least, he was no longer interested in resurrecting the sport for this city.
“Not that I want chariot horses,” he hastened to add, just in case she somehow lured him into buying a new team to replace the ones he’d lost. For all her evident naivety, she’d managed to get all three of her charges offloaded onto the one person who did not need them and had no business buying them.
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He didn’t pay any heed to the questioning stares servants and slaves threw their way. Aknos continued at a full gallop until he was forced to stop or collide with the wall of the stable. Aikaterine was not terribly far behind and he waited for her to catch up before dismounting and handing off his horse to the boy waiting at his elbow. Almost immediately she hugged herself again, which he might have considered odd if they weren’t still wet from their ill conceived walk.
She was windswept and bedraggled and he knew he didn’t look any better. He sent one of the stable boys ahead with instructions for baths and for clothes to be fetched for his ‘guest’. They walked through the stables but she didn’t seem inclined to speak and now that they were back within the confines of the palati, he was less given to laughter or grinning than he had been a few minutes ago.
Sunlight filled the large, square stableyard where the stallions she’d brought with her were being kept. They had to pass them in order to get inside. On the way, he gave orders to the boy to take both horses as they were now part of the palace stock. These new three would be marked, however, to keep them separate from the Leventi horses. He was interested in the differences and still did truly want to talk with her more about them. But his mind wasn’t on the animals anymore.
On one side of the stable yard were two large doors that led into a guarded avenue, which, at its end, would deposit one into a side street in the city proper of Vasiliadon. On the other end, it backed up against the wall of the palati itself. Short narrow steps led up to a door that was mostly used by servants and slaves to access this area. Normally, if a member of the court, or one of the royal family wanted to ride, the horses were brought to a different, cleaner courtyard elsewhere. He’d chosen to meet her in this one partially because this was where his advisor Poseikles had her come, but also because it mostly hid the transaction he’d not intended to make.
As he led her up the narrow stairs, the smile left his face completely. He should not have bought any of the horses. But it was done now. There was no going back on his word.
Once inside, they were not together long. An older slave woman met them before they’d crossed two corridors and took Aikaterine toward the area nobles used when they stayed in the palati. It was not near the royal apartments, which was where he was bound.
He was changed and dry within minutes and left with an overwhelming sense of foreboding as he glanced at his newly cleaned off desk. The scattered scrolls were gone; neatly rerolled and tucked away in their proper places. There were few missives there that needed his attention. Since his fight with Pia, and her subsequent scare of losing the baby, coupled with his bold declaration that he would slaughter the Creed, he’d had a renewed spirit to battle Irakles for control.
This meant paying better attention to the kingdom and finding more clever ways to circumvent Irakles’s grasping claws into the affairs of running the kingdom. Which meant he spent more time than ever cooped up in this room and in the study. His uncle’s pace was impressive, which only meant that he had to be faster than the old man. It was difficult to keep up because Irakles had years of experience, Stephanos now knew, in secretly directing parts of Taengea.
Had Zacharias known about this? Had his father? Had it been a silent battle between the three of them for years that he’d just never been privy to? Or even interested in?
On the desk’s surface lay the wine stained scroll he’d been looking at when Pia came bursting into the room and threw the cup at his head. He brushed his fingers over the scroll’s surface, thinking of the campaign he would soon be leading. His wife assumed he’d die if he went. But she didn’t seem to understand his thirst for revenge, for blood on his hands. She did not have faith in him anymore.
He took his hand away from the scroll. That was fine. If she didn’t believe him? He’d exterminate every single Creed member in that valley. She’d believe him capable after that.
His hand closed into a fist and for a long second, he was consumed with the pressures he’d momentarily escaped with Aikaterine. The thought of her, so wholly unconnected to all of this was too much to resist. He didn’t want to spend another second in this room. In this wing of the palace. For a little while, he would be with her and ignore what he could not yet change.
The rooms Aikaterine had been taken to were not overly rich in comparison with those the royal family occupied. They were fairly ordinary, with a solar room for sleeping and another room in which to take meals and entertain. Nothing that would not be found in the noble houses of Vasiliadon. The richer ones, at any rate.
He appeared in the doorway to these smaller apartments not long after she arrived. The change in her attire transformed her into a woman who would not be easily overlooked if she walked through the palati now. She was worlds above the timid creature she’d been in the stable yard and he doubted that his advisor would even recognize her if they came face to face.
Coming fully into the room, he allowed a fleeting smile to cross his features before it faded. He took in the table and the food atop it. Unlike her, he wasn’t ravenous. However, he sat down and took a few grapes into his hand, and ate one. It was more to signal that she could eat than anything else, as he merely finished the three he’d taken and plucked up the wine goblet instead. Sipping at wine was simpler than forcing down food he didn’t want.
“If I were to ask for cavalry horses from you, could you supply those? Or are the horses you have mostly for work? Do you have horses trained for chariots?”
Why he’d asked the last question was a bit of a mystery. It wasn’t like he ever wanted to step foot inside a chariot again. The circus was still in ruins, in fact. Since he’d been king, he hadn’t bothered to recommission a new one and none of the people had asked for it to be rebuilt either. Those who did breed horses for chariot racing were forced to sell their stock elsewhere in Taengea for the time being. And for as long as he reigned, at least, he was no longer interested in resurrecting the sport for this city.
“Not that I want chariot horses,” he hastened to add, just in case she somehow lured him into buying a new team to replace the ones he’d lost. For all her evident naivety, she’d managed to get all three of her charges offloaded onto the one person who did not need them and had no business buying them.
He didn’t pay any heed to the questioning stares servants and slaves threw their way. Aknos continued at a full gallop until he was forced to stop or collide with the wall of the stable. Aikaterine was not terribly far behind and he waited for her to catch up before dismounting and handing off his horse to the boy waiting at his elbow. Almost immediately she hugged herself again, which he might have considered odd if they weren’t still wet from their ill conceived walk.
She was windswept and bedraggled and he knew he didn’t look any better. He sent one of the stable boys ahead with instructions for baths and for clothes to be fetched for his ‘guest’. They walked through the stables but she didn’t seem inclined to speak and now that they were back within the confines of the palati, he was less given to laughter or grinning than he had been a few minutes ago.
Sunlight filled the large, square stableyard where the stallions she’d brought with her were being kept. They had to pass them in order to get inside. On the way, he gave orders to the boy to take both horses as they were now part of the palace stock. These new three would be marked, however, to keep them separate from the Leventi horses. He was interested in the differences and still did truly want to talk with her more about them. But his mind wasn’t on the animals anymore.
On one side of the stable yard were two large doors that led into a guarded avenue, which, at its end, would deposit one into a side street in the city proper of Vasiliadon. On the other end, it backed up against the wall of the palati itself. Short narrow steps led up to a door that was mostly used by servants and slaves to access this area. Normally, if a member of the court, or one of the royal family wanted to ride, the horses were brought to a different, cleaner courtyard elsewhere. He’d chosen to meet her in this one partially because this was where his advisor Poseikles had her come, but also because it mostly hid the transaction he’d not intended to make.
As he led her up the narrow stairs, the smile left his face completely. He should not have bought any of the horses. But it was done now. There was no going back on his word.
Once inside, they were not together long. An older slave woman met them before they’d crossed two corridors and took Aikaterine toward the area nobles used when they stayed in the palati. It was not near the royal apartments, which was where he was bound.
He was changed and dry within minutes and left with an overwhelming sense of foreboding as he glanced at his newly cleaned off desk. The scattered scrolls were gone; neatly rerolled and tucked away in their proper places. There were few missives there that needed his attention. Since his fight with Pia, and her subsequent scare of losing the baby, coupled with his bold declaration that he would slaughter the Creed, he’d had a renewed spirit to battle Irakles for control.
This meant paying better attention to the kingdom and finding more clever ways to circumvent Irakles’s grasping claws into the affairs of running the kingdom. Which meant he spent more time than ever cooped up in this room and in the study. His uncle’s pace was impressive, which only meant that he had to be faster than the old man. It was difficult to keep up because Irakles had years of experience, Stephanos now knew, in secretly directing parts of Taengea.
Had Zacharias known about this? Had his father? Had it been a silent battle between the three of them for years that he’d just never been privy to? Or even interested in?
On the desk’s surface lay the wine stained scroll he’d been looking at when Pia came bursting into the room and threw the cup at his head. He brushed his fingers over the scroll’s surface, thinking of the campaign he would soon be leading. His wife assumed he’d die if he went. But she didn’t seem to understand his thirst for revenge, for blood on his hands. She did not have faith in him anymore.
He took his hand away from the scroll. That was fine. If she didn’t believe him? He’d exterminate every single Creed member in that valley. She’d believe him capable after that.
His hand closed into a fist and for a long second, he was consumed with the pressures he’d momentarily escaped with Aikaterine. The thought of her, so wholly unconnected to all of this was too much to resist. He didn’t want to spend another second in this room. In this wing of the palace. For a little while, he would be with her and ignore what he could not yet change.
The rooms Aikaterine had been taken to were not overly rich in comparison with those the royal family occupied. They were fairly ordinary, with a solar room for sleeping and another room in which to take meals and entertain. Nothing that would not be found in the noble houses of Vasiliadon. The richer ones, at any rate.
He appeared in the doorway to these smaller apartments not long after she arrived. The change in her attire transformed her into a woman who would not be easily overlooked if she walked through the palati now. She was worlds above the timid creature she’d been in the stable yard and he doubted that his advisor would even recognize her if they came face to face.
Coming fully into the room, he allowed a fleeting smile to cross his features before it faded. He took in the table and the food atop it. Unlike her, he wasn’t ravenous. However, he sat down and took a few grapes into his hand, and ate one. It was more to signal that she could eat than anything else, as he merely finished the three he’d taken and plucked up the wine goblet instead. Sipping at wine was simpler than forcing down food he didn’t want.
“If I were to ask for cavalry horses from you, could you supply those? Or are the horses you have mostly for work? Do you have horses trained for chariots?”
Why he’d asked the last question was a bit of a mystery. It wasn’t like he ever wanted to step foot inside a chariot again. The circus was still in ruins, in fact. Since he’d been king, he hadn’t bothered to recommission a new one and none of the people had asked for it to be rebuilt either. Those who did breed horses for chariot racing were forced to sell their stock elsewhere in Taengea for the time being. And for as long as he reigned, at least, he was no longer interested in resurrecting the sport for this city.
“Not that I want chariot horses,” he hastened to add, just in case she somehow lured him into buying a new team to replace the ones he’d lost. For all her evident naivety, she’d managed to get all three of her charges offloaded onto the one person who did not need them and had no business buying them.
Eyes slowly raised from the floor and up his body, this time it was more obvious than it had been before. It was an entrance not as grand as one would expect from a King, but she was finding as the day progressed that maybe he was just a person. The relief and the laughter shared in the woods away from the rules and prying eyes of the palati were easier for both of them. Finally, her attention was left on his face watching the smile creeping across his lips. Aikaterine bowed, wasn’t that right? She was still unsure on all the intricacies of the etiquette she should have been following.
She tried not to look improper as she seated herself and grabbed for the grapes quickly after he did. Aikaterine was hungry. Even if he hadn’t bought the horses and made her day more of a vacation than a business transaction, she would have accepted the meal. It wasn’t like she was an animal. She took each one and pressed the delectable purple bits between her lips and enjoyed each bite.
Her tongue reached out and wipe over her bottom lip under the cover of her hand as she raised it. ”Yes, many are work horses for the farms around home. However, I have started some that would suit cavalry. I have two nearly ready. And one that is a stubborn ass. Excuse me, there is no other description.” Aikaterine shook her head. They were ready for battle, ready for the sounds and the commands. Most of all, she had worked tirelessly on making sure that they could be controlled with a mere tap of the foot or just the right squeeze. A soldier could easily use both hands for combat whether it be dual swords or pulling back a bow. This technique was just as useful when hunting in the woods as it was on the battlefield.
”Chariots, your majesty, are a trade foreign to me. I’m afraid I’ve never taken up the reins in one.” She would have liked to have pleased him, but she couldn’t lie. There was hardly space to put in a practice ring on the terrain of the mountainous Meganea. Then he said he didn’t want them. Aikaterine’s brows cinched in a curious manner. He asked about chariot horses, yet now he didn’t want them for himself? Perhaps it was better that she had none to offer anyhow, but she still wondered what he had asked for in the first place. ”I could learn the basics. Although,. I’m not sure I am brave enough to face the dangers of what could happen in the circus.” As a woman, it was interesting enough that she trained the horses that she did. Chariots would be Cretheus’ job and that man was nearly worthless when it came to the actual animals.
”While I would love for you to buy all of my horses, that hardly leaves any for me to sell to anyone else.” She flashed a wink. A bold move, but they were talking about business and horses. It was easy for her to be happy about what she had accomplished today. If she could have shown so long ago to Aktis how well she could do. He doubted her abilities and forced her to stay in the home and the stables. She was good at that. She was good at reading people and the horses and arranging them how they would be the happiest. Aikaterine only wanted a little more, she wanted to meet the people that were going to inherit the beasts she had raised from birth. If Stephanos spoke of the new horses in a good light, she would have more customers. She would be able to maintain a good business to pass on to her son. That was as important of a task as it was to get a new husband and not be a burden to the boy.
She reached for the second glass on the table, she only could assume was there for her. She washed down a few more grapes. The feeling of hunger was dissipating, yet the flutters in her stomach remained when she looked over to Stephanos. ”If you aren’t going to continue with chariots, what do you prefer to do instead?” She was concerned. There may have been many pieces to the rumors that were true and others that were not, but she knew that something terrible had happened that day. And that the circus was not what it had been. Aikaterine didn’t want to upset him. She didn’t want to dwell on what had happened. Rather it was more interesting to find out what interested him to fill his free time - did a King have free time?
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Eyes slowly raised from the floor and up his body, this time it was more obvious than it had been before. It was an entrance not as grand as one would expect from a King, but she was finding as the day progressed that maybe he was just a person. The relief and the laughter shared in the woods away from the rules and prying eyes of the palati were easier for both of them. Finally, her attention was left on his face watching the smile creeping across his lips. Aikaterine bowed, wasn’t that right? She was still unsure on all the intricacies of the etiquette she should have been following.
She tried not to look improper as she seated herself and grabbed for the grapes quickly after he did. Aikaterine was hungry. Even if he hadn’t bought the horses and made her day more of a vacation than a business transaction, she would have accepted the meal. It wasn’t like she was an animal. She took each one and pressed the delectable purple bits between her lips and enjoyed each bite.
Her tongue reached out and wipe over her bottom lip under the cover of her hand as she raised it. ”Yes, many are work horses for the farms around home. However, I have started some that would suit cavalry. I have two nearly ready. And one that is a stubborn ass. Excuse me, there is no other description.” Aikaterine shook her head. They were ready for battle, ready for the sounds and the commands. Most of all, she had worked tirelessly on making sure that they could be controlled with a mere tap of the foot or just the right squeeze. A soldier could easily use both hands for combat whether it be dual swords or pulling back a bow. This technique was just as useful when hunting in the woods as it was on the battlefield.
”Chariots, your majesty, are a trade foreign to me. I’m afraid I’ve never taken up the reins in one.” She would have liked to have pleased him, but she couldn’t lie. There was hardly space to put in a practice ring on the terrain of the mountainous Meganea. Then he said he didn’t want them. Aikaterine’s brows cinched in a curious manner. He asked about chariot horses, yet now he didn’t want them for himself? Perhaps it was better that she had none to offer anyhow, but she still wondered what he had asked for in the first place. ”I could learn the basics. Although,. I’m not sure I am brave enough to face the dangers of what could happen in the circus.” As a woman, it was interesting enough that she trained the horses that she did. Chariots would be Cretheus’ job and that man was nearly worthless when it came to the actual animals.
”While I would love for you to buy all of my horses, that hardly leaves any for me to sell to anyone else.” She flashed a wink. A bold move, but they were talking about business and horses. It was easy for her to be happy about what she had accomplished today. If she could have shown so long ago to Aktis how well she could do. He doubted her abilities and forced her to stay in the home and the stables. She was good at that. She was good at reading people and the horses and arranging them how they would be the happiest. Aikaterine only wanted a little more, she wanted to meet the people that were going to inherit the beasts she had raised from birth. If Stephanos spoke of the new horses in a good light, she would have more customers. She would be able to maintain a good business to pass on to her son. That was as important of a task as it was to get a new husband and not be a burden to the boy.
She reached for the second glass on the table, she only could assume was there for her. She washed down a few more grapes. The feeling of hunger was dissipating, yet the flutters in her stomach remained when she looked over to Stephanos. ”If you aren’t going to continue with chariots, what do you prefer to do instead?” She was concerned. There may have been many pieces to the rumors that were true and others that were not, but she knew that something terrible had happened that day. And that the circus was not what it had been. Aikaterine didn’t want to upset him. She didn’t want to dwell on what had happened. Rather it was more interesting to find out what interested him to fill his free time - did a King have free time?
Eyes slowly raised from the floor and up his body, this time it was more obvious than it had been before. It was an entrance not as grand as one would expect from a King, but she was finding as the day progressed that maybe he was just a person. The relief and the laughter shared in the woods away from the rules and prying eyes of the palati were easier for both of them. Finally, her attention was left on his face watching the smile creeping across his lips. Aikaterine bowed, wasn’t that right? She was still unsure on all the intricacies of the etiquette she should have been following.
She tried not to look improper as she seated herself and grabbed for the grapes quickly after he did. Aikaterine was hungry. Even if he hadn’t bought the horses and made her day more of a vacation than a business transaction, she would have accepted the meal. It wasn’t like she was an animal. She took each one and pressed the delectable purple bits between her lips and enjoyed each bite.
Her tongue reached out and wipe over her bottom lip under the cover of her hand as she raised it. ”Yes, many are work horses for the farms around home. However, I have started some that would suit cavalry. I have two nearly ready. And one that is a stubborn ass. Excuse me, there is no other description.” Aikaterine shook her head. They were ready for battle, ready for the sounds and the commands. Most of all, she had worked tirelessly on making sure that they could be controlled with a mere tap of the foot or just the right squeeze. A soldier could easily use both hands for combat whether it be dual swords or pulling back a bow. This technique was just as useful when hunting in the woods as it was on the battlefield.
”Chariots, your majesty, are a trade foreign to me. I’m afraid I’ve never taken up the reins in one.” She would have liked to have pleased him, but she couldn’t lie. There was hardly space to put in a practice ring on the terrain of the mountainous Meganea. Then he said he didn’t want them. Aikaterine’s brows cinched in a curious manner. He asked about chariot horses, yet now he didn’t want them for himself? Perhaps it was better that she had none to offer anyhow, but she still wondered what he had asked for in the first place. ”I could learn the basics. Although,. I’m not sure I am brave enough to face the dangers of what could happen in the circus.” As a woman, it was interesting enough that she trained the horses that she did. Chariots would be Cretheus’ job and that man was nearly worthless when it came to the actual animals.
”While I would love for you to buy all of my horses, that hardly leaves any for me to sell to anyone else.” She flashed a wink. A bold move, but they were talking about business and horses. It was easy for her to be happy about what she had accomplished today. If she could have shown so long ago to Aktis how well she could do. He doubted her abilities and forced her to stay in the home and the stables. She was good at that. She was good at reading people and the horses and arranging them how they would be the happiest. Aikaterine only wanted a little more, she wanted to meet the people that were going to inherit the beasts she had raised from birth. If Stephanos spoke of the new horses in a good light, she would have more customers. She would be able to maintain a good business to pass on to her son. That was as important of a task as it was to get a new husband and not be a burden to the boy.
She reached for the second glass on the table, she only could assume was there for her. She washed down a few more grapes. The feeling of hunger was dissipating, yet the flutters in her stomach remained when she looked over to Stephanos. ”If you aren’t going to continue with chariots, what do you prefer to do instead?” She was concerned. There may have been many pieces to the rumors that were true and others that were not, but she knew that something terrible had happened that day. And that the circus was not what it had been. Aikaterine didn’t want to upset him. She didn’t want to dwell on what had happened. Rather it was more interesting to find out what interested him to fill his free time - did a King have free time?
She looked at him oddly for his chariot question and he let it pass. He’d asked it out of habit, rather than renewed interest in charioteering. When she mused that she might be able to see herself training horses for that purpose, he was about to stop her but she shifted topics. He laughed as she winked. “Keep your horses, then,” he smirked and nudged her thigh with his knee. “It’s for the best anyway. If I buy more, I won’t be able to tell anyone I did. I’m in enough trouble for buying the three I already have.”
They sat on cushions, he at the table’s head, and she at his right so that she was diagonal but still close. If this had been anything formal, likely she would have been placed further away. But he wasn’t interested in maintaining any sort of distance to her. Their meeting earlier, which had started suitably enough, had ended in something a lot more promising than just business.
His tone was light as he spoke, like the trouble he spoke of wasn’t entirely real. So long as the information could be shielded from Olympia and yet give Aikaterine the notatriety she wanted, he could be as easy as he was now. By the time Pia found out, if she found out, Aikaterine would hopefully have sold several more horses to others of the nobility and be out of his wife’s reach.
”If you aren’t going to continue with chariots, what do you prefer to do instead?”
“I don’t have time to do what I prefer,” he considered her. “Usually.”
He drank a bit more of the wine and refilled his own glass and hers. There were no servants in the room with them. They were completely on their own.
“My uncle, Prince Irakles, and I are locked in a sort of…” he paused, looking for a way to soften the truth. “Struggle for power. He doesn’t like anything I do. And I don’t like him going behind me and undoing my orders.” He smirked and raised his glass. “To family. Even if you could murder them.”
Reining in his tongue took a little more effort than he’d realized it would. She was not from the city and it seemed safe to tell her of his honest frustration with Irakles. But what wasn’t safe, at least not yet, was the whole truth. That he was having to share power, at least behind closed doors, with his father’s murderer.
“Enough of my problems. I’d rather hear what you like to do. It’s probably more interesting. You mentioned your brother in law. Why do I have the pleasure of meeting you instead?” If her brother in law had been the one to come, no doubt he would have returned to the palace to continue staring in vain at the statues of the goddesses and cursing his current lot in life. Or, more probable still, if Poseikles had mentioned that a man had brought the horses, he would have dismissed him out of hand and not met him at all.
He would tell her this if she asked, but kept it to himself for now.
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She looked at him oddly for his chariot question and he let it pass. He’d asked it out of habit, rather than renewed interest in charioteering. When she mused that she might be able to see herself training horses for that purpose, he was about to stop her but she shifted topics. He laughed as she winked. “Keep your horses, then,” he smirked and nudged her thigh with his knee. “It’s for the best anyway. If I buy more, I won’t be able to tell anyone I did. I’m in enough trouble for buying the three I already have.”
They sat on cushions, he at the table’s head, and she at his right so that she was diagonal but still close. If this had been anything formal, likely she would have been placed further away. But he wasn’t interested in maintaining any sort of distance to her. Their meeting earlier, which had started suitably enough, had ended in something a lot more promising than just business.
His tone was light as he spoke, like the trouble he spoke of wasn’t entirely real. So long as the information could be shielded from Olympia and yet give Aikaterine the notatriety she wanted, he could be as easy as he was now. By the time Pia found out, if she found out, Aikaterine would hopefully have sold several more horses to others of the nobility and be out of his wife’s reach.
”If you aren’t going to continue with chariots, what do you prefer to do instead?”
“I don’t have time to do what I prefer,” he considered her. “Usually.”
He drank a bit more of the wine and refilled his own glass and hers. There were no servants in the room with them. They were completely on their own.
“My uncle, Prince Irakles, and I are locked in a sort of…” he paused, looking for a way to soften the truth. “Struggle for power. He doesn’t like anything I do. And I don’t like him going behind me and undoing my orders.” He smirked and raised his glass. “To family. Even if you could murder them.”
Reining in his tongue took a little more effort than he’d realized it would. She was not from the city and it seemed safe to tell her of his honest frustration with Irakles. But what wasn’t safe, at least not yet, was the whole truth. That he was having to share power, at least behind closed doors, with his father’s murderer.
“Enough of my problems. I’d rather hear what you like to do. It’s probably more interesting. You mentioned your brother in law. Why do I have the pleasure of meeting you instead?” If her brother in law had been the one to come, no doubt he would have returned to the palace to continue staring in vain at the statues of the goddesses and cursing his current lot in life. Or, more probable still, if Poseikles had mentioned that a man had brought the horses, he would have dismissed him out of hand and not met him at all.
He would tell her this if she asked, but kept it to himself for now.
She looked at him oddly for his chariot question and he let it pass. He’d asked it out of habit, rather than renewed interest in charioteering. When she mused that she might be able to see herself training horses for that purpose, he was about to stop her but she shifted topics. He laughed as she winked. “Keep your horses, then,” he smirked and nudged her thigh with his knee. “It’s for the best anyway. If I buy more, I won’t be able to tell anyone I did. I’m in enough trouble for buying the three I already have.”
They sat on cushions, he at the table’s head, and she at his right so that she was diagonal but still close. If this had been anything formal, likely she would have been placed further away. But he wasn’t interested in maintaining any sort of distance to her. Their meeting earlier, which had started suitably enough, had ended in something a lot more promising than just business.
His tone was light as he spoke, like the trouble he spoke of wasn’t entirely real. So long as the information could be shielded from Olympia and yet give Aikaterine the notatriety she wanted, he could be as easy as he was now. By the time Pia found out, if she found out, Aikaterine would hopefully have sold several more horses to others of the nobility and be out of his wife’s reach.
”If you aren’t going to continue with chariots, what do you prefer to do instead?”
“I don’t have time to do what I prefer,” he considered her. “Usually.”
He drank a bit more of the wine and refilled his own glass and hers. There were no servants in the room with them. They were completely on their own.
“My uncle, Prince Irakles, and I are locked in a sort of…” he paused, looking for a way to soften the truth. “Struggle for power. He doesn’t like anything I do. And I don’t like him going behind me and undoing my orders.” He smirked and raised his glass. “To family. Even if you could murder them.”
Reining in his tongue took a little more effort than he’d realized it would. She was not from the city and it seemed safe to tell her of his honest frustration with Irakles. But what wasn’t safe, at least not yet, was the whole truth. That he was having to share power, at least behind closed doors, with his father’s murderer.
“Enough of my problems. I’d rather hear what you like to do. It’s probably more interesting. You mentioned your brother in law. Why do I have the pleasure of meeting you instead?” If her brother in law had been the one to come, no doubt he would have returned to the palace to continue staring in vain at the statues of the goddesses and cursing his current lot in life. Or, more probable still, if Poseikles had mentioned that a man had brought the horses, he would have dismissed him out of hand and not met him at all.
He would tell her this if she asked, but kept it to himself for now.
"I suppose being King isn't all that people dream it might be." She mused at the idea of what others always thought. They saw the outside. The lavish parties, the copious food, the people smiling and waving. The hidden pieces that he was soon describing made it seem like it was a job that was much harder than appearances. His uncle bothering him and disobeying. For someone who had been raised as obedient as Aikaterine, she couldn't help but raise a brow at the notion. They were going against the King?
Her fingers rubbed against the outside of the glass as she stared there instead of looking up at him. Aikaterine knew that she would get lost in those blue eyes, the ones that had stared back at her in the forest. So, she kept her attention on the items on the table while she engaged in conversation. "He should be giving you a chance. You are just as much your father's son as your brother. Forgive me for bringing them up." She didn't want to talk about the dead royals, but it came with the territory considering their passing was the only reason Stephanos was in this position.
It was when he said the word murder that her eyes darted to look at him. It was a serious proposition. She had contemplated how to kill her brother in law so many different times and in so many different ways. Aikaterine had gone so far as to acquire the poison necessary to complete it all discretely. She said nothing more, but took her drink and pressed it to her lips to drink to the sentiment.
"I doubt it, your majesty. I simply like to spend time with the horses. They have always been reliable." She paused before choosing that last word. It was deliberate. Nothing else in her life had been there. Maybe her parents were, that was until she hated them for the marriage they agreed to. The cold, heartless man she was forced to be with day in and out. In addition, Cretheus. "Lord Cretheus." She spoke the name out loud with a sort of bite to the name. Her gaze once again wandered away from Stephanos while she bit her lip like she had done a time or two before. The little mannerisms that made Kat, Kat.
"He wanted to come. A meeting with the King of Taengea is no small affair." A decision she would cherish forever. She could feel the turning point, the power that Stephanos could offer. The protection she so desperately wanted and she wouldn't need to follow through with the murder-plotting at the back of her mind. "I know the horses better. I convinced him that it was better if I came... alone. Honestly, it was a selfish excuse to get away." She was sure that she had mentioned that before. That this trip was more about herself than about horses or the King.
Her hands folded in her lap. "My husband prepared a large dowry contracted for who I would marry next. He sent out missives. He died before he heard back. Cretheus is holding it ransom... he wants it. Wants me." A sharp breath sucked in as she stopped and looked up at him. Aikaterine shifted her body to face him more freely. He head bowed slightly. "Your majest, I apologize, I forget my place. You do not need to burden yourself with my troubles. I... I feel I have not thanked you enough for your generosity. And, not with the horses. I have not laughed like that in many years." Even her kids rarely brought her joy. She found it hard to enjoy life in Meganea with Cretheus and his beady eyes always watching.
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"I suppose being King isn't all that people dream it might be." She mused at the idea of what others always thought. They saw the outside. The lavish parties, the copious food, the people smiling and waving. The hidden pieces that he was soon describing made it seem like it was a job that was much harder than appearances. His uncle bothering him and disobeying. For someone who had been raised as obedient as Aikaterine, she couldn't help but raise a brow at the notion. They were going against the King?
Her fingers rubbed against the outside of the glass as she stared there instead of looking up at him. Aikaterine knew that she would get lost in those blue eyes, the ones that had stared back at her in the forest. So, she kept her attention on the items on the table while she engaged in conversation. "He should be giving you a chance. You are just as much your father's son as your brother. Forgive me for bringing them up." She didn't want to talk about the dead royals, but it came with the territory considering their passing was the only reason Stephanos was in this position.
It was when he said the word murder that her eyes darted to look at him. It was a serious proposition. She had contemplated how to kill her brother in law so many different times and in so many different ways. Aikaterine had gone so far as to acquire the poison necessary to complete it all discretely. She said nothing more, but took her drink and pressed it to her lips to drink to the sentiment.
"I doubt it, your majesty. I simply like to spend time with the horses. They have always been reliable." She paused before choosing that last word. It was deliberate. Nothing else in her life had been there. Maybe her parents were, that was until she hated them for the marriage they agreed to. The cold, heartless man she was forced to be with day in and out. In addition, Cretheus. "Lord Cretheus." She spoke the name out loud with a sort of bite to the name. Her gaze once again wandered away from Stephanos while she bit her lip like she had done a time or two before. The little mannerisms that made Kat, Kat.
"He wanted to come. A meeting with the King of Taengea is no small affair." A decision she would cherish forever. She could feel the turning point, the power that Stephanos could offer. The protection she so desperately wanted and she wouldn't need to follow through with the murder-plotting at the back of her mind. "I know the horses better. I convinced him that it was better if I came... alone. Honestly, it was a selfish excuse to get away." She was sure that she had mentioned that before. That this trip was more about herself than about horses or the King.
Her hands folded in her lap. "My husband prepared a large dowry contracted for who I would marry next. He sent out missives. He died before he heard back. Cretheus is holding it ransom... he wants it. Wants me." A sharp breath sucked in as she stopped and looked up at him. Aikaterine shifted her body to face him more freely. He head bowed slightly. "Your majest, I apologize, I forget my place. You do not need to burden yourself with my troubles. I... I feel I have not thanked you enough for your generosity. And, not with the horses. I have not laughed like that in many years." Even her kids rarely brought her joy. She found it hard to enjoy life in Meganea with Cretheus and his beady eyes always watching.
"I suppose being King isn't all that people dream it might be." She mused at the idea of what others always thought. They saw the outside. The lavish parties, the copious food, the people smiling and waving. The hidden pieces that he was soon describing made it seem like it was a job that was much harder than appearances. His uncle bothering him and disobeying. For someone who had been raised as obedient as Aikaterine, she couldn't help but raise a brow at the notion. They were going against the King?
Her fingers rubbed against the outside of the glass as she stared there instead of looking up at him. Aikaterine knew that she would get lost in those blue eyes, the ones that had stared back at her in the forest. So, she kept her attention on the items on the table while she engaged in conversation. "He should be giving you a chance. You are just as much your father's son as your brother. Forgive me for bringing them up." She didn't want to talk about the dead royals, but it came with the territory considering their passing was the only reason Stephanos was in this position.
It was when he said the word murder that her eyes darted to look at him. It was a serious proposition. She had contemplated how to kill her brother in law so many different times and in so many different ways. Aikaterine had gone so far as to acquire the poison necessary to complete it all discretely. She said nothing more, but took her drink and pressed it to her lips to drink to the sentiment.
"I doubt it, your majesty. I simply like to spend time with the horses. They have always been reliable." She paused before choosing that last word. It was deliberate. Nothing else in her life had been there. Maybe her parents were, that was until she hated them for the marriage they agreed to. The cold, heartless man she was forced to be with day in and out. In addition, Cretheus. "Lord Cretheus." She spoke the name out loud with a sort of bite to the name. Her gaze once again wandered away from Stephanos while she bit her lip like she had done a time or two before. The little mannerisms that made Kat, Kat.
"He wanted to come. A meeting with the King of Taengea is no small affair." A decision she would cherish forever. She could feel the turning point, the power that Stephanos could offer. The protection she so desperately wanted and she wouldn't need to follow through with the murder-plotting at the back of her mind. "I know the horses better. I convinced him that it was better if I came... alone. Honestly, it was a selfish excuse to get away." She was sure that she had mentioned that before. That this trip was more about herself than about horses or the King.
Her hands folded in her lap. "My husband prepared a large dowry contracted for who I would marry next. He sent out missives. He died before he heard back. Cretheus is holding it ransom... he wants it. Wants me." A sharp breath sucked in as she stopped and looked up at him. Aikaterine shifted her body to face him more freely. He head bowed slightly. "Your majest, I apologize, I forget my place. You do not need to burden yourself with my troubles. I... I feel I have not thanked you enough for your generosity. And, not with the horses. I have not laughed like that in many years." Even her kids rarely brought her joy. She found it hard to enjoy life in Meganea with Cretheus and his beady eyes always watching.
He nearly laughed into his drink when she mused aloud that being king must not be as nice as it was made out to be. “Not if you want to be in any way decent at it,” he set the cup down so that he wouldn’t drop it. Although he didn’t remember his father having this much trouble with it. The issues truly boiled down to Irakles’s constant and blatant interference. Something would have to be done to that old man. And soon.
When she mentioned that Irakles should be giving him a chance, a tight smile took the place of the real one and he looked away from her. If she only knew. “There’s nothing to forgive,” he said mechanically when she apologized for bringing them into the conversation. It wasn’t painful to talk about them. At least not in passing. But he was grateful for the change in subject when she began talking of her horses and her brother in law. Anything to get off subjects he could not and would not discuss with her.
Her whole demeanor changed as she spoke of her own troubles. She did not say it exactly, but he imagined her husband knew of his impending death. Likely the man was not wounded in some way, which left illness. Had she loved her husband? And was now left to navigate life without him?
The way she spoke of Lord Cretheus did not indicate any sort of warmth between the two. He glanced at her when she muttered bitterly that her brother in law wanted her. Obviously the sentiment was not shared and he suspected, though she had not confirmed it, that her brother in law was probably married already. Or else the ransom he was holding might have had more power.
He did not get the chance to ask anything more. She turned fully to face him and thanked him for, what he felt, was nothing at all. “I’ll happily drop you in every stream I pass from now on,” he teased. They should have stayed in the stream, he thought. She’d been laughing and playing then. He reached and tipped up her chin so that she would look him in the eye as he spoke. “You don’t have to bow to me if we’re alone.”
His gaze drifted to her lips. Their perfect curves and lush fullness were too much to resist. After the trouble from Pia a few nights ago, he’d nearly sworn off getting into this sort of situation again. And he had been resolute in that decision. Until today. Until right now.
He cupped her face and closed the space between them, pressing his lips to hers. The day was not yet done. She could still leave if she wanted, but she’d have to be quick to catch the boat back. Pulling back a little, he searched her eyes. “If you leave now, you can catch a ship back to Maganea. Or….you can stay. If you like.”
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He nearly laughed into his drink when she mused aloud that being king must not be as nice as it was made out to be. “Not if you want to be in any way decent at it,” he set the cup down so that he wouldn’t drop it. Although he didn’t remember his father having this much trouble with it. The issues truly boiled down to Irakles’s constant and blatant interference. Something would have to be done to that old man. And soon.
When she mentioned that Irakles should be giving him a chance, a tight smile took the place of the real one and he looked away from her. If she only knew. “There’s nothing to forgive,” he said mechanically when she apologized for bringing them into the conversation. It wasn’t painful to talk about them. At least not in passing. But he was grateful for the change in subject when she began talking of her horses and her brother in law. Anything to get off subjects he could not and would not discuss with her.
Her whole demeanor changed as she spoke of her own troubles. She did not say it exactly, but he imagined her husband knew of his impending death. Likely the man was not wounded in some way, which left illness. Had she loved her husband? And was now left to navigate life without him?
The way she spoke of Lord Cretheus did not indicate any sort of warmth between the two. He glanced at her when she muttered bitterly that her brother in law wanted her. Obviously the sentiment was not shared and he suspected, though she had not confirmed it, that her brother in law was probably married already. Or else the ransom he was holding might have had more power.
He did not get the chance to ask anything more. She turned fully to face him and thanked him for, what he felt, was nothing at all. “I’ll happily drop you in every stream I pass from now on,” he teased. They should have stayed in the stream, he thought. She’d been laughing and playing then. He reached and tipped up her chin so that she would look him in the eye as he spoke. “You don’t have to bow to me if we’re alone.”
His gaze drifted to her lips. Their perfect curves and lush fullness were too much to resist. After the trouble from Pia a few nights ago, he’d nearly sworn off getting into this sort of situation again. And he had been resolute in that decision. Until today. Until right now.
He cupped her face and closed the space between them, pressing his lips to hers. The day was not yet done. She could still leave if she wanted, but she’d have to be quick to catch the boat back. Pulling back a little, he searched her eyes. “If you leave now, you can catch a ship back to Maganea. Or….you can stay. If you like.”
He nearly laughed into his drink when she mused aloud that being king must not be as nice as it was made out to be. “Not if you want to be in any way decent at it,” he set the cup down so that he wouldn’t drop it. Although he didn’t remember his father having this much trouble with it. The issues truly boiled down to Irakles’s constant and blatant interference. Something would have to be done to that old man. And soon.
When she mentioned that Irakles should be giving him a chance, a tight smile took the place of the real one and he looked away from her. If she only knew. “There’s nothing to forgive,” he said mechanically when she apologized for bringing them into the conversation. It wasn’t painful to talk about them. At least not in passing. But he was grateful for the change in subject when she began talking of her horses and her brother in law. Anything to get off subjects he could not and would not discuss with her.
Her whole demeanor changed as she spoke of her own troubles. She did not say it exactly, but he imagined her husband knew of his impending death. Likely the man was not wounded in some way, which left illness. Had she loved her husband? And was now left to navigate life without him?
The way she spoke of Lord Cretheus did not indicate any sort of warmth between the two. He glanced at her when she muttered bitterly that her brother in law wanted her. Obviously the sentiment was not shared and he suspected, though she had not confirmed it, that her brother in law was probably married already. Or else the ransom he was holding might have had more power.
He did not get the chance to ask anything more. She turned fully to face him and thanked him for, what he felt, was nothing at all. “I’ll happily drop you in every stream I pass from now on,” he teased. They should have stayed in the stream, he thought. She’d been laughing and playing then. He reached and tipped up her chin so that she would look him in the eye as he spoke. “You don’t have to bow to me if we’re alone.”
His gaze drifted to her lips. Their perfect curves and lush fullness were too much to resist. After the trouble from Pia a few nights ago, he’d nearly sworn off getting into this sort of situation again. And he had been resolute in that decision. Until today. Until right now.
He cupped her face and closed the space between them, pressing his lips to hers. The day was not yet done. She could still leave if she wanted, but she’d have to be quick to catch the boat back. Pulling back a little, he searched her eyes. “If you leave now, you can catch a ship back to Maganea. Or….you can stay. If you like.”
Amusement danced on to her lips as he joked of the streams and dropping her in every single one. From her bowed posture she shook her head with a light giggle of laughter. ”Your humor should suffice.” While it may have been refreshing and a memory she would never forget, she didn’t really want that. It was all in good fun and obviously a joke. There would be more times they could share in delight that didn’t involve streams in the woods. Aikaterine had never had a positive interaction with a man, Stephanos was changing that. He challenged all that she had known about what was possible in the world around her and how she had been living it. It almost made her past worse by comparison.
She hadn’t expected him to reach out and touch her and startled slightly. It was a soft suggestion to raise her attention and she followed willingly. Her green eyes glancing towards his blue pools. The eyes that could tempt any woman to do anything, she was sure of it. Kat nodded to show she heard what he had said and she would at least attempt to work on breaking some of those habits so engrained. And it wasn’t just that he was King. She had been raised from a very young age that the man of the house was in charge. While she may have many duties that were respected and her own, she was not important beyond those matters.
Even more astonishing was the move that came next. She had been caught in the stare. Just sitting and waiting as he came closer. There wasn’t even the want to pull back. Whether it was the blessing working its magic or that Stephanos had shown her kindness and she was curious what more there could be, well that was to be determined another time. This was different than anything she had ever known. Aktis never kissed her. The lack of affection was always to keep it merely a business transaction between the families and there she was. The passion was nonexistent (with her). Aikaterine many times wondered if the women who he met while selling horses in the city were received with the same lack of emphasis of the pleasure department. On the other hand, there was Cretheus. A brute who would hold her wrists, sometimes even leaving bruising behind. But, his touches weren’t at all inviting, not like Stephanos.
His lips connected with hers. The flutters in her heart and stomach had returned. Her eyes shut to enjoy the short moment and instinctively her hands went from her lap up to touch against each of his shoulders. Fingers barely registered the softness of his clothing as her entire focus was on the tender kiss they shared. And then it was gone. Stephanos had pulled away and she was left feeling empty, like it should have been more. She had heard her best friend speak of more, she had a good husband - a caring husband. Aikaterine’s eyes flit back open and she was back to reality and he had reminded her of that.
Her attention was pulled towards the window to attempt to gauge how late it had become. He was right. She would have to hurry to the docks in order to catch a ship back to Meganea. If you like… The words were foreign as her gaze returned to look at Stephanos. They searched his face to find the answer. What was the right one? What did he want? That wasn’t the question. He had left the decision up to Aikaterine and she wasn’t even sure what to do. There was still a slight tingle in her lips and that strange feeling remained in her stomach. ”I…” A first attempt to answer the question was a complete failure as her lips remained parted while she contemplated.
What would happen if she stayed? She didn’t dare break from watching him to look at the adjacent room where she had seen the bed. The apartment had all the needs of a proper living space considered. She knew where her primal curiosities were taking her, but this was the King. She had never imagined that her dreams of knowing true warmth between two people would be with Stephanos of Mikaelidas. Even with the rumors of his behavior. While she continued to try and find the answer in his features, she asked meekly, ”Will you kiss me again?” There was still no answer that was firm as to whether she was staying or leaving. There was also ambiguity to the question she had offered. Did she wonder what the consequence of staying would be... or was it that she was truly asking for more.
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Amusement danced on to her lips as he joked of the streams and dropping her in every single one. From her bowed posture she shook her head with a light giggle of laughter. ”Your humor should suffice.” While it may have been refreshing and a memory she would never forget, she didn’t really want that. It was all in good fun and obviously a joke. There would be more times they could share in delight that didn’t involve streams in the woods. Aikaterine had never had a positive interaction with a man, Stephanos was changing that. He challenged all that she had known about what was possible in the world around her and how she had been living it. It almost made her past worse by comparison.
She hadn’t expected him to reach out and touch her and startled slightly. It was a soft suggestion to raise her attention and she followed willingly. Her green eyes glancing towards his blue pools. The eyes that could tempt any woman to do anything, she was sure of it. Kat nodded to show she heard what he had said and she would at least attempt to work on breaking some of those habits so engrained. And it wasn’t just that he was King. She had been raised from a very young age that the man of the house was in charge. While she may have many duties that were respected and her own, she was not important beyond those matters.
Even more astonishing was the move that came next. She had been caught in the stare. Just sitting and waiting as he came closer. There wasn’t even the want to pull back. Whether it was the blessing working its magic or that Stephanos had shown her kindness and she was curious what more there could be, well that was to be determined another time. This was different than anything she had ever known. Aktis never kissed her. The lack of affection was always to keep it merely a business transaction between the families and there she was. The passion was nonexistent (with her). Aikaterine many times wondered if the women who he met while selling horses in the city were received with the same lack of emphasis of the pleasure department. On the other hand, there was Cretheus. A brute who would hold her wrists, sometimes even leaving bruising behind. But, his touches weren’t at all inviting, not like Stephanos.
His lips connected with hers. The flutters in her heart and stomach had returned. Her eyes shut to enjoy the short moment and instinctively her hands went from her lap up to touch against each of his shoulders. Fingers barely registered the softness of his clothing as her entire focus was on the tender kiss they shared. And then it was gone. Stephanos had pulled away and she was left feeling empty, like it should have been more. She had heard her best friend speak of more, she had a good husband - a caring husband. Aikaterine’s eyes flit back open and she was back to reality and he had reminded her of that.
Her attention was pulled towards the window to attempt to gauge how late it had become. He was right. She would have to hurry to the docks in order to catch a ship back to Meganea. If you like… The words were foreign as her gaze returned to look at Stephanos. They searched his face to find the answer. What was the right one? What did he want? That wasn’t the question. He had left the decision up to Aikaterine and she wasn’t even sure what to do. There was still a slight tingle in her lips and that strange feeling remained in her stomach. ”I…” A first attempt to answer the question was a complete failure as her lips remained parted while she contemplated.
What would happen if she stayed? She didn’t dare break from watching him to look at the adjacent room where she had seen the bed. The apartment had all the needs of a proper living space considered. She knew where her primal curiosities were taking her, but this was the King. She had never imagined that her dreams of knowing true warmth between two people would be with Stephanos of Mikaelidas. Even with the rumors of his behavior. While she continued to try and find the answer in his features, she asked meekly, ”Will you kiss me again?” There was still no answer that was firm as to whether she was staying or leaving. There was also ambiguity to the question she had offered. Did she wonder what the consequence of staying would be... or was it that she was truly asking for more.
Amusement danced on to her lips as he joked of the streams and dropping her in every single one. From her bowed posture she shook her head with a light giggle of laughter. ”Your humor should suffice.” While it may have been refreshing and a memory she would never forget, she didn’t really want that. It was all in good fun and obviously a joke. There would be more times they could share in delight that didn’t involve streams in the woods. Aikaterine had never had a positive interaction with a man, Stephanos was changing that. He challenged all that she had known about what was possible in the world around her and how she had been living it. It almost made her past worse by comparison.
She hadn’t expected him to reach out and touch her and startled slightly. It was a soft suggestion to raise her attention and she followed willingly. Her green eyes glancing towards his blue pools. The eyes that could tempt any woman to do anything, she was sure of it. Kat nodded to show she heard what he had said and she would at least attempt to work on breaking some of those habits so engrained. And it wasn’t just that he was King. She had been raised from a very young age that the man of the house was in charge. While she may have many duties that were respected and her own, she was not important beyond those matters.
Even more astonishing was the move that came next. She had been caught in the stare. Just sitting and waiting as he came closer. There wasn’t even the want to pull back. Whether it was the blessing working its magic or that Stephanos had shown her kindness and she was curious what more there could be, well that was to be determined another time. This was different than anything she had ever known. Aktis never kissed her. The lack of affection was always to keep it merely a business transaction between the families and there she was. The passion was nonexistent (with her). Aikaterine many times wondered if the women who he met while selling horses in the city were received with the same lack of emphasis of the pleasure department. On the other hand, there was Cretheus. A brute who would hold her wrists, sometimes even leaving bruising behind. But, his touches weren’t at all inviting, not like Stephanos.
His lips connected with hers. The flutters in her heart and stomach had returned. Her eyes shut to enjoy the short moment and instinctively her hands went from her lap up to touch against each of his shoulders. Fingers barely registered the softness of his clothing as her entire focus was on the tender kiss they shared. And then it was gone. Stephanos had pulled away and she was left feeling empty, like it should have been more. She had heard her best friend speak of more, she had a good husband - a caring husband. Aikaterine’s eyes flit back open and she was back to reality and he had reminded her of that.
Her attention was pulled towards the window to attempt to gauge how late it had become. He was right. She would have to hurry to the docks in order to catch a ship back to Meganea. If you like… The words were foreign as her gaze returned to look at Stephanos. They searched his face to find the answer. What was the right one? What did he want? That wasn’t the question. He had left the decision up to Aikaterine and she wasn’t even sure what to do. There was still a slight tingle in her lips and that strange feeling remained in her stomach. ”I…” A first attempt to answer the question was a complete failure as her lips remained parted while she contemplated.
What would happen if she stayed? She didn’t dare break from watching him to look at the adjacent room where she had seen the bed. The apartment had all the needs of a proper living space considered. She knew where her primal curiosities were taking her, but this was the King. She had never imagined that her dreams of knowing true warmth between two people would be with Stephanos of Mikaelidas. Even with the rumors of his behavior. While she continued to try and find the answer in his features, she asked meekly, ”Will you kiss me again?” There was still no answer that was firm as to whether she was staying or leaving. There was also ambiguity to the question she had offered. Did she wonder what the consequence of staying would be... or was it that she was truly asking for more.
He was unconcerned as she looked toward the window. If she had wanted to leave, she would never have agreed to come up to the palati in the first place. She would not have accepted his offer to come here. She would not be sitting this close. Or sharing pieces of her life. Or joking. Or laughing.
Instead she would be pushing away with another bow of her head and standing up. Not responding to him the way he guessed she would. Since he'd met her she'd been nothing but transparent in her desires. Unlike women of court, she apparently had not learned to school her features or play games. Whatever she thought went across her face as though she did not care who saw her thoughts. It was refreshing.
When she asked to be kissed again, he looked over at her hand on his shoulder and took it in his own. For a moment he studied her fingers before turning her palm up and kissing the center. His lips moved to the soft flesh of her wrist. Slowly he pulled her to him so that they were chest to chest before he found her lips again. There was no hesitation in his movements but no rush either.
They both knew she wasn’t going back to Maganea tonight.
Neither of them was going anywhere. On his side of the palati lay nothing but worries, concerns, bad blood, and the ever present danger of The Creed. If he went back to his rooms, he’d have to focus on his campaign. If he went to Pia’s room, she’d look at him like he was already dead, like he was betraying her by even going. No one thought it was a good idea to go into the gorge but everyone agreed something must be done.
It was a nightmare.
But here, with her, he could pretend that life was very simple. She wanted him. He wanted her. And there was nothing else that mattered between them at the moment.
He let her wrist go and smoothed his hands down the sides of her body until they settled on her hips. The kiss was soft at first but grew more instent. It was almost as though she had not kissed anyone before. But that was impossible. She was too beautiful. She had probably been loved intensely.
Time took on an odd, fluid quality, the longer they were together. It felt as though they’d only been together for a few minutes, and also that hours or days had passed. She was unfamiliar and yet she had the feeling about her that he’d known her for weeks already. Her presence had a calming quality. Something he desperately wanted.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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He was unconcerned as she looked toward the window. If she had wanted to leave, she would never have agreed to come up to the palati in the first place. She would not have accepted his offer to come here. She would not be sitting this close. Or sharing pieces of her life. Or joking. Or laughing.
Instead she would be pushing away with another bow of her head and standing up. Not responding to him the way he guessed she would. Since he'd met her she'd been nothing but transparent in her desires. Unlike women of court, she apparently had not learned to school her features or play games. Whatever she thought went across her face as though she did not care who saw her thoughts. It was refreshing.
When she asked to be kissed again, he looked over at her hand on his shoulder and took it in his own. For a moment he studied her fingers before turning her palm up and kissing the center. His lips moved to the soft flesh of her wrist. Slowly he pulled her to him so that they were chest to chest before he found her lips again. There was no hesitation in his movements but no rush either.
They both knew she wasn’t going back to Maganea tonight.
Neither of them was going anywhere. On his side of the palati lay nothing but worries, concerns, bad blood, and the ever present danger of The Creed. If he went back to his rooms, he’d have to focus on his campaign. If he went to Pia’s room, she’d look at him like he was already dead, like he was betraying her by even going. No one thought it was a good idea to go into the gorge but everyone agreed something must be done.
It was a nightmare.
But here, with her, he could pretend that life was very simple. She wanted him. He wanted her. And there was nothing else that mattered between them at the moment.
He let her wrist go and smoothed his hands down the sides of her body until they settled on her hips. The kiss was soft at first but grew more instent. It was almost as though she had not kissed anyone before. But that was impossible. She was too beautiful. She had probably been loved intensely.
Time took on an odd, fluid quality, the longer they were together. It felt as though they’d only been together for a few minutes, and also that hours or days had passed. She was unfamiliar and yet she had the feeling about her that he’d known her for weeks already. Her presence had a calming quality. Something he desperately wanted.
He was unconcerned as she looked toward the window. If she had wanted to leave, she would never have agreed to come up to the palati in the first place. She would not have accepted his offer to come here. She would not be sitting this close. Or sharing pieces of her life. Or joking. Or laughing.
Instead she would be pushing away with another bow of her head and standing up. Not responding to him the way he guessed she would. Since he'd met her she'd been nothing but transparent in her desires. Unlike women of court, she apparently had not learned to school her features or play games. Whatever she thought went across her face as though she did not care who saw her thoughts. It was refreshing.
When she asked to be kissed again, he looked over at her hand on his shoulder and took it in his own. For a moment he studied her fingers before turning her palm up and kissing the center. His lips moved to the soft flesh of her wrist. Slowly he pulled her to him so that they were chest to chest before he found her lips again. There was no hesitation in his movements but no rush either.
They both knew she wasn’t going back to Maganea tonight.
Neither of them was going anywhere. On his side of the palati lay nothing but worries, concerns, bad blood, and the ever present danger of The Creed. If he went back to his rooms, he’d have to focus on his campaign. If he went to Pia’s room, she’d look at him like he was already dead, like he was betraying her by even going. No one thought it was a good idea to go into the gorge but everyone agreed something must be done.
It was a nightmare.
But here, with her, he could pretend that life was very simple. She wanted him. He wanted her. And there was nothing else that mattered between them at the moment.
He let her wrist go and smoothed his hands down the sides of her body until they settled on her hips. The kiss was soft at first but grew more instent. It was almost as though she had not kissed anyone before. But that was impossible. She was too beautiful. She had probably been loved intensely.
Time took on an odd, fluid quality, the longer they were together. It felt as though they’d only been together for a few minutes, and also that hours or days had passed. She was unfamiliar and yet she had the feeling about her that he’d known her for weeks already. Her presence had a calming quality. Something he desperately wanted.
The lady could never be one of those that put herself purposefully in front of a man for their entertainment. Aikaterine had never set out to seduce the King when she arrived with the horses. She saw the opportunity to set her son up with important and impressive advertisement. Somehow, it morphed into something different. The horses were sold. That was the only part of the day that had gone according to plan. She couldn’t complain. But, she also wouldn’t brag. This was her secret to replay when she was feeling lonely in Meganea.
Whatever it was the fueled his desire to be with another woman besides his wife, she would not ask about it. It was known that she was heavily pregnant - her own husband had done the same. While she dreamed of what love might feel like, she knew that it was never going to happen with Aktis. He wasn’t interested in Aikaterine or her complaints. She had never been able to even be honest about his brother’s abuse on her. There was baggage along with everyone and most of the time there was no reason to open it up and make a mess of it. Rather, it was much easier to just enjoy the vacation.
His hands pressed against her in ways she could never have imagined in her mind. The way that a man took is time to cherish what he was holding. There was no rush to get it over with. No begging for a son in the middle of it all with an abrupt stop. Nothing like what she had experienced in the past. He was present, he was in this moment they shared between them as more and more of their bodies pressed. Another kiss, this one longer and more passionate than the last.
Stephanos was soon carrying her away from the table, it would only get in the way. The floor was no comfortable place to please a woman - they could have done it in the woods if that was the lone goal. There was another jest about dropping her, the moment that just kept giving as she was dropped to the layers of sheep’s wool of the bed this time. Aikaterine let out a light laugh and settled into the luxurious linens there. Not as grand as the King or Queen’s quarters, but guests were treated kindly.
The next hours passed like a whirlwind. The king considering his experience, was excellent at reading signals. Not once did he trigger ill thoughts in the mind of Aikaterine from her past. Intimacy had never been like this. Moving and discovering the curves, pleasures, and touches of someone new. The moments of ecstasy intertwined with breaks to catch a breath - they weren’t fifteen anymore. Yet, Aikaterine didn’t feel the fatigue, not right away. The urge for more kept her alert. By his instruction, Stephanos would be able to bend her skills at his will and teach her what he wanted. Though already married and not under any sort of veil of being chaste. She was still a blank slate to be swayed in a way that was pleasing to both.
A moan echoed through her throat as the muscles in her body tensed beneath his weight. The lady didn’t even know what round it was or how long they had been tangled. She released a satisfied sigh out between them when she relaxed down into the comfort. With a limp reach, her fingers grazed his jawline gently capturing the moment in her mind. A memory she could keep to herself seeing the King in a whole new appreciative light. She didn’t want it to stop. Though, her whole being was tired from a day filled with exertion.
Is this how it was always supposed to be? There was a part of her that always knew there was supposed to be more. That burning inside where she was left wanting now and again after laying with her husband. When she felt a hole at the pit of her stomach where she knew something was missing. But, how was she supposed to put that into words… how was she supposed to share her entire life story with him and maybe ruin the moment that was just about them. Aikaterine didn’t want to think about anyone or anything else while she was near his warmth.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
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The lady could never be one of those that put herself purposefully in front of a man for their entertainment. Aikaterine had never set out to seduce the King when she arrived with the horses. She saw the opportunity to set her son up with important and impressive advertisement. Somehow, it morphed into something different. The horses were sold. That was the only part of the day that had gone according to plan. She couldn’t complain. But, she also wouldn’t brag. This was her secret to replay when she was feeling lonely in Meganea.
Whatever it was the fueled his desire to be with another woman besides his wife, she would not ask about it. It was known that she was heavily pregnant - her own husband had done the same. While she dreamed of what love might feel like, she knew that it was never going to happen with Aktis. He wasn’t interested in Aikaterine or her complaints. She had never been able to even be honest about his brother’s abuse on her. There was baggage along with everyone and most of the time there was no reason to open it up and make a mess of it. Rather, it was much easier to just enjoy the vacation.
His hands pressed against her in ways she could never have imagined in her mind. The way that a man took is time to cherish what he was holding. There was no rush to get it over with. No begging for a son in the middle of it all with an abrupt stop. Nothing like what she had experienced in the past. He was present, he was in this moment they shared between them as more and more of their bodies pressed. Another kiss, this one longer and more passionate than the last.
Stephanos was soon carrying her away from the table, it would only get in the way. The floor was no comfortable place to please a woman - they could have done it in the woods if that was the lone goal. There was another jest about dropping her, the moment that just kept giving as she was dropped to the layers of sheep’s wool of the bed this time. Aikaterine let out a light laugh and settled into the luxurious linens there. Not as grand as the King or Queen’s quarters, but guests were treated kindly.
The next hours passed like a whirlwind. The king considering his experience, was excellent at reading signals. Not once did he trigger ill thoughts in the mind of Aikaterine from her past. Intimacy had never been like this. Moving and discovering the curves, pleasures, and touches of someone new. The moments of ecstasy intertwined with breaks to catch a breath - they weren’t fifteen anymore. Yet, Aikaterine didn’t feel the fatigue, not right away. The urge for more kept her alert. By his instruction, Stephanos would be able to bend her skills at his will and teach her what he wanted. Though already married and not under any sort of veil of being chaste. She was still a blank slate to be swayed in a way that was pleasing to both.
A moan echoed through her throat as the muscles in her body tensed beneath his weight. The lady didn’t even know what round it was or how long they had been tangled. She released a satisfied sigh out between them when she relaxed down into the comfort. With a limp reach, her fingers grazed his jawline gently capturing the moment in her mind. A memory she could keep to herself seeing the King in a whole new appreciative light. She didn’t want it to stop. Though, her whole being was tired from a day filled with exertion.
Is this how it was always supposed to be? There was a part of her that always knew there was supposed to be more. That burning inside where she was left wanting now and again after laying with her husband. When she felt a hole at the pit of her stomach where she knew something was missing. But, how was she supposed to put that into words… how was she supposed to share her entire life story with him and maybe ruin the moment that was just about them. Aikaterine didn’t want to think about anyone or anything else while she was near his warmth.
The lady could never be one of those that put herself purposefully in front of a man for their entertainment. Aikaterine had never set out to seduce the King when she arrived with the horses. She saw the opportunity to set her son up with important and impressive advertisement. Somehow, it morphed into something different. The horses were sold. That was the only part of the day that had gone according to plan. She couldn’t complain. But, she also wouldn’t brag. This was her secret to replay when she was feeling lonely in Meganea.
Whatever it was the fueled his desire to be with another woman besides his wife, she would not ask about it. It was known that she was heavily pregnant - her own husband had done the same. While she dreamed of what love might feel like, she knew that it was never going to happen with Aktis. He wasn’t interested in Aikaterine or her complaints. She had never been able to even be honest about his brother’s abuse on her. There was baggage along with everyone and most of the time there was no reason to open it up and make a mess of it. Rather, it was much easier to just enjoy the vacation.
His hands pressed against her in ways she could never have imagined in her mind. The way that a man took is time to cherish what he was holding. There was no rush to get it over with. No begging for a son in the middle of it all with an abrupt stop. Nothing like what she had experienced in the past. He was present, he was in this moment they shared between them as more and more of their bodies pressed. Another kiss, this one longer and more passionate than the last.
Stephanos was soon carrying her away from the table, it would only get in the way. The floor was no comfortable place to please a woman - they could have done it in the woods if that was the lone goal. There was another jest about dropping her, the moment that just kept giving as she was dropped to the layers of sheep’s wool of the bed this time. Aikaterine let out a light laugh and settled into the luxurious linens there. Not as grand as the King or Queen’s quarters, but guests were treated kindly.
The next hours passed like a whirlwind. The king considering his experience, was excellent at reading signals. Not once did he trigger ill thoughts in the mind of Aikaterine from her past. Intimacy had never been like this. Moving and discovering the curves, pleasures, and touches of someone new. The moments of ecstasy intertwined with breaks to catch a breath - they weren’t fifteen anymore. Yet, Aikaterine didn’t feel the fatigue, not right away. The urge for more kept her alert. By his instruction, Stephanos would be able to bend her skills at his will and teach her what he wanted. Though already married and not under any sort of veil of being chaste. She was still a blank slate to be swayed in a way that was pleasing to both.
A moan echoed through her throat as the muscles in her body tensed beneath his weight. The lady didn’t even know what round it was or how long they had been tangled. She released a satisfied sigh out between them when she relaxed down into the comfort. With a limp reach, her fingers grazed his jawline gently capturing the moment in her mind. A memory she could keep to herself seeing the King in a whole new appreciative light. She didn’t want it to stop. Though, her whole being was tired from a day filled with exertion.
Is this how it was always supposed to be? There was a part of her that always knew there was supposed to be more. That burning inside where she was left wanting now and again after laying with her husband. When she felt a hole at the pit of her stomach where she knew something was missing. But, how was she supposed to put that into words… how was she supposed to share her entire life story with him and maybe ruin the moment that was just about them. Aikaterine didn’t want to think about anyone or anything else while she was near his warmth.
Each sigh she’d made, the way her fingertips dug into him, her moans were what he’d wanted. She’d asked him earlier what he was going to do instead of race chariots. That sport was wild and dangerous. It never failed to send a thrill through him. Eliciting cries of pleasure from her quickened his pulse in nearly the same way. And this was dangerous in its own right. It was tempting fate. Something he seemed incapable of avoiding.
Darkness enveloped them by the time she sagged against the bed, her chest rising and falling as her fingers grazed his jaw. He turned his head and kissed her fingertips, waiting for his heartbeat to slow down. Moonlight splashed into the room, giving off just enough silver glow that he could make out the fine features of her face. Leaning down, he kissed her again before running his hand over her chest.
“When will you be back?” he murmured, pulling away at last. It took some doing, but she’d managed to thoroughly exhaust him. It was as if anything he did was brand new to her and it kept him wondering how far and how long she would go. “Convince your brother in law to come here. Or at least closer. The Leventi’s don’t own every horse stall in the city…”
He dropped back onto the bed beside her and lay with his arm pillowed under his head. “There’s money enough to be made here,” he added, hoping to persuade her. If all Lord Cretheus wanted was money, then holding her dowry ransom wouldn’t make any sense if a new business ally could be secured.
It was easy enough to imagine: She and her family would move closer, she would likely be married off to some lord or other here, and therefore be within only a messenger’s reach. Obviously she would not be here every week but far more often than she would otherwise be.
And he knew very well that he could not keep calling on her to bring horses. Buying horses elsewhere once was quite enough. Probably too much. It wasn’t as though he disliked his wife. Quite the opposite. But he didn’t like her storming into his room in the middle of the night and raging for all the palace to hear, either. Although after this stunt with the horses, she was likely to do it again. When she was able to stand for longer than a few minutes.
He sighed and slid down so that his head rested against her ribs with his arm was slung over her stomach. All his plans to not cause Pia any grief were already laid waste. Still….the grief could be avoided if this was kept very secret. Something he usually did not do. And he did not want to cause Pia more pain………….but he couldn’t quite bring himself to come around to the notion that he would never lay eyes on Aikaterine again either.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Each sigh she’d made, the way her fingertips dug into him, her moans were what he’d wanted. She’d asked him earlier what he was going to do instead of race chariots. That sport was wild and dangerous. It never failed to send a thrill through him. Eliciting cries of pleasure from her quickened his pulse in nearly the same way. And this was dangerous in its own right. It was tempting fate. Something he seemed incapable of avoiding.
Darkness enveloped them by the time she sagged against the bed, her chest rising and falling as her fingers grazed his jaw. He turned his head and kissed her fingertips, waiting for his heartbeat to slow down. Moonlight splashed into the room, giving off just enough silver glow that he could make out the fine features of her face. Leaning down, he kissed her again before running his hand over her chest.
“When will you be back?” he murmured, pulling away at last. It took some doing, but she’d managed to thoroughly exhaust him. It was as if anything he did was brand new to her and it kept him wondering how far and how long she would go. “Convince your brother in law to come here. Or at least closer. The Leventi’s don’t own every horse stall in the city…”
He dropped back onto the bed beside her and lay with his arm pillowed under his head. “There’s money enough to be made here,” he added, hoping to persuade her. If all Lord Cretheus wanted was money, then holding her dowry ransom wouldn’t make any sense if a new business ally could be secured.
It was easy enough to imagine: She and her family would move closer, she would likely be married off to some lord or other here, and therefore be within only a messenger’s reach. Obviously she would not be here every week but far more often than she would otherwise be.
And he knew very well that he could not keep calling on her to bring horses. Buying horses elsewhere once was quite enough. Probably too much. It wasn’t as though he disliked his wife. Quite the opposite. But he didn’t like her storming into his room in the middle of the night and raging for all the palace to hear, either. Although after this stunt with the horses, she was likely to do it again. When she was able to stand for longer than a few minutes.
He sighed and slid down so that his head rested against her ribs with his arm was slung over her stomach. All his plans to not cause Pia any grief were already laid waste. Still….the grief could be avoided if this was kept very secret. Something he usually did not do. And he did not want to cause Pia more pain………….but he couldn’t quite bring himself to come around to the notion that he would never lay eyes on Aikaterine again either.
Each sigh she’d made, the way her fingertips dug into him, her moans were what he’d wanted. She’d asked him earlier what he was going to do instead of race chariots. That sport was wild and dangerous. It never failed to send a thrill through him. Eliciting cries of pleasure from her quickened his pulse in nearly the same way. And this was dangerous in its own right. It was tempting fate. Something he seemed incapable of avoiding.
Darkness enveloped them by the time she sagged against the bed, her chest rising and falling as her fingers grazed his jaw. He turned his head and kissed her fingertips, waiting for his heartbeat to slow down. Moonlight splashed into the room, giving off just enough silver glow that he could make out the fine features of her face. Leaning down, he kissed her again before running his hand over her chest.
“When will you be back?” he murmured, pulling away at last. It took some doing, but she’d managed to thoroughly exhaust him. It was as if anything he did was brand new to her and it kept him wondering how far and how long she would go. “Convince your brother in law to come here. Or at least closer. The Leventi’s don’t own every horse stall in the city…”
He dropped back onto the bed beside her and lay with his arm pillowed under his head. “There’s money enough to be made here,” he added, hoping to persuade her. If all Lord Cretheus wanted was money, then holding her dowry ransom wouldn’t make any sense if a new business ally could be secured.
It was easy enough to imagine: She and her family would move closer, she would likely be married off to some lord or other here, and therefore be within only a messenger’s reach. Obviously she would not be here every week but far more often than she would otherwise be.
And he knew very well that he could not keep calling on her to bring horses. Buying horses elsewhere once was quite enough. Probably too much. It wasn’t as though he disliked his wife. Quite the opposite. But he didn’t like her storming into his room in the middle of the night and raging for all the palace to hear, either. Although after this stunt with the horses, she was likely to do it again. When she was able to stand for longer than a few minutes.
He sighed and slid down so that his head rested against her ribs with his arm was slung over her stomach. All his plans to not cause Pia any grief were already laid waste. Still….the grief could be avoided if this was kept very secret. Something he usually did not do. And he did not want to cause Pia more pain………….but he couldn’t quite bring himself to come around to the notion that he would never lay eyes on Aikaterine again either.
She didn’t shift much as Stephanos moved beside her and made himself comfortable. Aikaterine didn’t attempt to even cover her nakedness. Her hand brushing her long brown tendrils to the side to better watch him move. This sort of cuddling afterward was just as unknown as many of the acts they had engaged in. They had barely talked during the day, but now it was easier to have a conversation, the idea that he was an untouchable king foreign in the privacy. He was a man and she was just a woman.
Never. Aikaterine had made a point to memorize and cherish each moment they had shared together because she wasn’t sure if she would ever be back. They had talked about horses, she might be able to steal away the time to come again with those trained for cavalry. But, chariots were more useful in Taengea. Those were flimsy excuses to get to Vasiliadon. ”I honestly can’t say.” It was the truth. She had no idea when she would return to the city, much less find some excuse to come into the Palati - especially if this was all to stay a secret.
The mention of Cretheus caused her to coil, a breath pulled in without even knowing it. She couldn’t control that way the thought of him made her suddenly change. He hurt her. He hurt her again and again and she didn’t want him near. She hated leaving her children behind, but she knew that her sister-in-law would look after them. She didn’t have a choice. Anaxos, her son, was going to inherit - that was his home, his land, and his responsibility. He had to stay there and be under the watch of the next living male, Cretheus. Aikaterine had no say in the matter.
”I’d rather he didn’t. You underestimate him.” Her eyes wandered to the ceiling with blank looking eyes. Now, more than ever, she knew how horrible he was. Aikaterine had just experienced the most pleasant night of her life. She had been touched in ways she had been ignorant of. The attention he had put on just her had been something of immense worth to her. Stephanos had been attentive whereas Cretheus was demanding. His hands would grip her wrists to take her wherever he wanted and how he wanted. A force that was a phantom upon her now with here one hand rubbing the wrist of the other arm. Her mind flashing back to what she might go through if she went back to Meganea. A hot breath against her neck as she tried her best to look away. The thrust that were hard, fast, and with no care of her discomfort.
Kat shifted and pulled at a cover as if she found some need for it. Some protection, even though she knew that Cretheus was far away. And the king was here. ”I… I haven’t told you the whole story.” She hadn’t wanted to burden him with what she had already and she didn’t want the shame that might come with the whole truth of her situation. But, the connection they shared broke down some walls. Stephanos had been able to see into her and show her that maybe there was some good to humanity. Some kindness she had been missing. ”Cretheus has taken me against my will for years… even when I was married to his brother. He might have even made my husband ill all that time ending with Aktis’ death… I have no proof.” And her husband had been an older man. It could have gone either way.
As his head pressed against her ribs, her own fingers played with his blonde hair. It kept her busy while she told the pain she had suffered in the past. Aikaterine wasn’t even sure if he would want to know the tortures she had suffered or if he would care. If this was just going to be one night… he wouldn’t have asked when she would be back. Maybe there was more than just the initial spark of passion. Or maybe this was it. Kat was still unsure and she was never a betting woman. She would take it in stride and not be disappointed by assumptions.
She paused as she thought about telling her the most recent ”I want to live in this moment forever. It’s like a dream.” Today she had been allowed to ride, laugh, relax, and allow passion to overtake her senses. It was from the depths of someone else’s imagination. Aikaterine could have never imagined that the missive about horses would have taken her to this moment. Life was unexpected, in both good and bad ways. While in the past, it had been mostly negative, here and now she was experiencing what could be good. Even in this aftermath, she was relishing in the attention he was giving her. A moment like this she had never shared with her husband. Returning to the cliffs of Meganea wasn’t top of her priorities.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
She didn’t shift much as Stephanos moved beside her and made himself comfortable. Aikaterine didn’t attempt to even cover her nakedness. Her hand brushing her long brown tendrils to the side to better watch him move. This sort of cuddling afterward was just as unknown as many of the acts they had engaged in. They had barely talked during the day, but now it was easier to have a conversation, the idea that he was an untouchable king foreign in the privacy. He was a man and she was just a woman.
Never. Aikaterine had made a point to memorize and cherish each moment they had shared together because she wasn’t sure if she would ever be back. They had talked about horses, she might be able to steal away the time to come again with those trained for cavalry. But, chariots were more useful in Taengea. Those were flimsy excuses to get to Vasiliadon. ”I honestly can’t say.” It was the truth. She had no idea when she would return to the city, much less find some excuse to come into the Palati - especially if this was all to stay a secret.
The mention of Cretheus caused her to coil, a breath pulled in without even knowing it. She couldn’t control that way the thought of him made her suddenly change. He hurt her. He hurt her again and again and she didn’t want him near. She hated leaving her children behind, but she knew that her sister-in-law would look after them. She didn’t have a choice. Anaxos, her son, was going to inherit - that was his home, his land, and his responsibility. He had to stay there and be under the watch of the next living male, Cretheus. Aikaterine had no say in the matter.
”I’d rather he didn’t. You underestimate him.” Her eyes wandered to the ceiling with blank looking eyes. Now, more than ever, she knew how horrible he was. Aikaterine had just experienced the most pleasant night of her life. She had been touched in ways she had been ignorant of. The attention he had put on just her had been something of immense worth to her. Stephanos had been attentive whereas Cretheus was demanding. His hands would grip her wrists to take her wherever he wanted and how he wanted. A force that was a phantom upon her now with here one hand rubbing the wrist of the other arm. Her mind flashing back to what she might go through if she went back to Meganea. A hot breath against her neck as she tried her best to look away. The thrust that were hard, fast, and with no care of her discomfort.
Kat shifted and pulled at a cover as if she found some need for it. Some protection, even though she knew that Cretheus was far away. And the king was here. ”I… I haven’t told you the whole story.” She hadn’t wanted to burden him with what she had already and she didn’t want the shame that might come with the whole truth of her situation. But, the connection they shared broke down some walls. Stephanos had been able to see into her and show her that maybe there was some good to humanity. Some kindness she had been missing. ”Cretheus has taken me against my will for years… even when I was married to his brother. He might have even made my husband ill all that time ending with Aktis’ death… I have no proof.” And her husband had been an older man. It could have gone either way.
As his head pressed against her ribs, her own fingers played with his blonde hair. It kept her busy while she told the pain she had suffered in the past. Aikaterine wasn’t even sure if he would want to know the tortures she had suffered or if he would care. If this was just going to be one night… he wouldn’t have asked when she would be back. Maybe there was more than just the initial spark of passion. Or maybe this was it. Kat was still unsure and she was never a betting woman. She would take it in stride and not be disappointed by assumptions.
She paused as she thought about telling her the most recent ”I want to live in this moment forever. It’s like a dream.” Today she had been allowed to ride, laugh, relax, and allow passion to overtake her senses. It was from the depths of someone else’s imagination. Aikaterine could have never imagined that the missive about horses would have taken her to this moment. Life was unexpected, in both good and bad ways. While in the past, it had been mostly negative, here and now she was experiencing what could be good. Even in this aftermath, she was relishing in the attention he was giving her. A moment like this she had never shared with her husband. Returning to the cliffs of Meganea wasn’t top of her priorities.
She didn’t shift much as Stephanos moved beside her and made himself comfortable. Aikaterine didn’t attempt to even cover her nakedness. Her hand brushing her long brown tendrils to the side to better watch him move. This sort of cuddling afterward was just as unknown as many of the acts they had engaged in. They had barely talked during the day, but now it was easier to have a conversation, the idea that he was an untouchable king foreign in the privacy. He was a man and she was just a woman.
Never. Aikaterine had made a point to memorize and cherish each moment they had shared together because she wasn’t sure if she would ever be back. They had talked about horses, she might be able to steal away the time to come again with those trained for cavalry. But, chariots were more useful in Taengea. Those were flimsy excuses to get to Vasiliadon. ”I honestly can’t say.” It was the truth. She had no idea when she would return to the city, much less find some excuse to come into the Palati - especially if this was all to stay a secret.
The mention of Cretheus caused her to coil, a breath pulled in without even knowing it. She couldn’t control that way the thought of him made her suddenly change. He hurt her. He hurt her again and again and she didn’t want him near. She hated leaving her children behind, but she knew that her sister-in-law would look after them. She didn’t have a choice. Anaxos, her son, was going to inherit - that was his home, his land, and his responsibility. He had to stay there and be under the watch of the next living male, Cretheus. Aikaterine had no say in the matter.
”I’d rather he didn’t. You underestimate him.” Her eyes wandered to the ceiling with blank looking eyes. Now, more than ever, she knew how horrible he was. Aikaterine had just experienced the most pleasant night of her life. She had been touched in ways she had been ignorant of. The attention he had put on just her had been something of immense worth to her. Stephanos had been attentive whereas Cretheus was demanding. His hands would grip her wrists to take her wherever he wanted and how he wanted. A force that was a phantom upon her now with here one hand rubbing the wrist of the other arm. Her mind flashing back to what she might go through if she went back to Meganea. A hot breath against her neck as she tried her best to look away. The thrust that were hard, fast, and with no care of her discomfort.
Kat shifted and pulled at a cover as if she found some need for it. Some protection, even though she knew that Cretheus was far away. And the king was here. ”I… I haven’t told you the whole story.” She hadn’t wanted to burden him with what she had already and she didn’t want the shame that might come with the whole truth of her situation. But, the connection they shared broke down some walls. Stephanos had been able to see into her and show her that maybe there was some good to humanity. Some kindness she had been missing. ”Cretheus has taken me against my will for years… even when I was married to his brother. He might have even made my husband ill all that time ending with Aktis’ death… I have no proof.” And her husband had been an older man. It could have gone either way.
As his head pressed against her ribs, her own fingers played with his blonde hair. It kept her busy while she told the pain she had suffered in the past. Aikaterine wasn’t even sure if he would want to know the tortures she had suffered or if he would care. If this was just going to be one night… he wouldn’t have asked when she would be back. Maybe there was more than just the initial spark of passion. Or maybe this was it. Kat was still unsure and she was never a betting woman. She would take it in stride and not be disappointed by assumptions.
She paused as she thought about telling her the most recent ”I want to live in this moment forever. It’s like a dream.” Today she had been allowed to ride, laugh, relax, and allow passion to overtake her senses. It was from the depths of someone else’s imagination. Aikaterine could have never imagined that the missive about horses would have taken her to this moment. Life was unexpected, in both good and bad ways. While in the past, it had been mostly negative, here and now she was experiencing what could be good. Even in this aftermath, she was relishing in the attention he was giving her. A moment like this she had never shared with her husband. Returning to the cliffs of Meganea wasn’t top of her priorities.
The darkness surrounding them was comfortable. They did not need lamps to be lit or to get up. True, they had hardly touched what was laid out for them on the table in the other room but he wouldn’t have gotten up for the world. She was warm against his face, her skin smooth and soft. His other hand absently trailed the valley between her breasts as she spoke. He did not interrupt her when she revealed that she did not want Lord Cretheus closer. Or why.
Her fingers played in his hair and he considered what to do. He’d met men like Lord Cretheus. Had been told tales like the one she’d just admitted, though thankfully he didn’t know of too many women like that. Though one was enough. He did not understand the need to harm a woman while at the same time sleep with her. It didn’t make sense to him.
What was the point if she was not going to sigh in his ear or dig her nails into his back as she came? Did Lord Cretheus not want her to look up at him begging for more? Did he not desire whispered words and reciprocation? Or was all he required a warm, limp body? Or would a sheep do for him? He’d heard that some men tended to prefer animals. Perhaps Lord Cretheus might try that.
He told her as much. That if her brother in law was going to treat her like an animal, maybe he should look to the goats instead. The words were blunt as he didn’t think her feelings would be hurt by saying something so unpalatable.
When she murmured that she didn’t want this moment to end, he raised up to look at her. She was right. It would have to end. And within hours. He could not spend the whole of the day with her again. There just wasn’t time. How many people had been looking for him today? How many people had Irakles swayed simply because he was shirking his duties?
He’d been telling himself the whole time that his uncle was wrong about him. That he did care more for duty and the kingdom than his own desires….but the way Kat had looked at him as he’d carried her through the stream….all logical thought had vanished inside a need to have her.
“I wish I could grant that request,” he kissed her slowly, still teaching her how to use her tongue. When at last he pulled away, he looked down at her and didn’t want to imagine her face twisted in anguish. Or, worse yet, flat indifference. She deserved better than that.
“Legally I cannot withhold you from him,” he sat up, pulling away from her entirely now. Moonlight silhouetted his outline and he chewed the end of his thumb in thought. “Even if I sent out a missive, he could contest it. And probably would...If I set you up in the city, he could easily just come here...or worse. Take you back.” Glancing over at her, he considered her options. There truthfully weren’t many. In certain situations like these, it didn’t matter if he was the king or a fisherman. Lord Cretheus had final say unless something illegal could be proved. But, as with Irakles, there was no proof. His hands were tied.
All at once, he stiffened as an idea came to him. “I know what to do, but it hinges on my wife,” he said, reaching down and pulling her up so that she was sitting upright beside him. “Olympia does not have any ladies, as yet. If you were to join her retinue, it would be an honor that I sincerely doubt your brother in law would pull you away from.” Gliding his fingers down her back, he stopped at the base of her spine before leaning over and pushing her hair away from her neck so that he could kiss just under her jaw. “What say you to that? Then you would be in the palati itself. Safe enough from Lord Cretheus.”
What he did not mention was the Creed. There was no safety from ghosts.
“One more thing,” he murmured, slowly pushing her back down as he stayed sitting up. “If you agree to this, you are there to serve Her Majesty. I will not go against her concerning you. Do you understand?” He hoped she did. Whatever was between them now, he would not cross his wife over Aikaterine. It didn’t matter how much he desired another night like this one. If it came down to a choice between his queen or his mistress, the choice was obvious. At least, to him. Because with his marriage to Olympia, he’d already vowed to the gods that he would protect and keep her. He could not make such a vow twice to two different people. But he could, as much as he was able, help Aikaterine, so long as she helped herself in the process.
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The darkness surrounding them was comfortable. They did not need lamps to be lit or to get up. True, they had hardly touched what was laid out for them on the table in the other room but he wouldn’t have gotten up for the world. She was warm against his face, her skin smooth and soft. His other hand absently trailed the valley between her breasts as she spoke. He did not interrupt her when she revealed that she did not want Lord Cretheus closer. Or why.
Her fingers played in his hair and he considered what to do. He’d met men like Lord Cretheus. Had been told tales like the one she’d just admitted, though thankfully he didn’t know of too many women like that. Though one was enough. He did not understand the need to harm a woman while at the same time sleep with her. It didn’t make sense to him.
What was the point if she was not going to sigh in his ear or dig her nails into his back as she came? Did Lord Cretheus not want her to look up at him begging for more? Did he not desire whispered words and reciprocation? Or was all he required a warm, limp body? Or would a sheep do for him? He’d heard that some men tended to prefer animals. Perhaps Lord Cretheus might try that.
He told her as much. That if her brother in law was going to treat her like an animal, maybe he should look to the goats instead. The words were blunt as he didn’t think her feelings would be hurt by saying something so unpalatable.
When she murmured that she didn’t want this moment to end, he raised up to look at her. She was right. It would have to end. And within hours. He could not spend the whole of the day with her again. There just wasn’t time. How many people had been looking for him today? How many people had Irakles swayed simply because he was shirking his duties?
He’d been telling himself the whole time that his uncle was wrong about him. That he did care more for duty and the kingdom than his own desires….but the way Kat had looked at him as he’d carried her through the stream….all logical thought had vanished inside a need to have her.
“I wish I could grant that request,” he kissed her slowly, still teaching her how to use her tongue. When at last he pulled away, he looked down at her and didn’t want to imagine her face twisted in anguish. Or, worse yet, flat indifference. She deserved better than that.
“Legally I cannot withhold you from him,” he sat up, pulling away from her entirely now. Moonlight silhouetted his outline and he chewed the end of his thumb in thought. “Even if I sent out a missive, he could contest it. And probably would...If I set you up in the city, he could easily just come here...or worse. Take you back.” Glancing over at her, he considered her options. There truthfully weren’t many. In certain situations like these, it didn’t matter if he was the king or a fisherman. Lord Cretheus had final say unless something illegal could be proved. But, as with Irakles, there was no proof. His hands were tied.
All at once, he stiffened as an idea came to him. “I know what to do, but it hinges on my wife,” he said, reaching down and pulling her up so that she was sitting upright beside him. “Olympia does not have any ladies, as yet. If you were to join her retinue, it would be an honor that I sincerely doubt your brother in law would pull you away from.” Gliding his fingers down her back, he stopped at the base of her spine before leaning over and pushing her hair away from her neck so that he could kiss just under her jaw. “What say you to that? Then you would be in the palati itself. Safe enough from Lord Cretheus.”
What he did not mention was the Creed. There was no safety from ghosts.
“One more thing,” he murmured, slowly pushing her back down as he stayed sitting up. “If you agree to this, you are there to serve Her Majesty. I will not go against her concerning you. Do you understand?” He hoped she did. Whatever was between them now, he would not cross his wife over Aikaterine. It didn’t matter how much he desired another night like this one. If it came down to a choice between his queen or his mistress, the choice was obvious. At least, to him. Because with his marriage to Olympia, he’d already vowed to the gods that he would protect and keep her. He could not make such a vow twice to two different people. But he could, as much as he was able, help Aikaterine, so long as she helped herself in the process.
The darkness surrounding them was comfortable. They did not need lamps to be lit or to get up. True, they had hardly touched what was laid out for them on the table in the other room but he wouldn’t have gotten up for the world. She was warm against his face, her skin smooth and soft. His other hand absently trailed the valley between her breasts as she spoke. He did not interrupt her when she revealed that she did not want Lord Cretheus closer. Or why.
Her fingers played in his hair and he considered what to do. He’d met men like Lord Cretheus. Had been told tales like the one she’d just admitted, though thankfully he didn’t know of too many women like that. Though one was enough. He did not understand the need to harm a woman while at the same time sleep with her. It didn’t make sense to him.
What was the point if she was not going to sigh in his ear or dig her nails into his back as she came? Did Lord Cretheus not want her to look up at him begging for more? Did he not desire whispered words and reciprocation? Or was all he required a warm, limp body? Or would a sheep do for him? He’d heard that some men tended to prefer animals. Perhaps Lord Cretheus might try that.
He told her as much. That if her brother in law was going to treat her like an animal, maybe he should look to the goats instead. The words were blunt as he didn’t think her feelings would be hurt by saying something so unpalatable.
When she murmured that she didn’t want this moment to end, he raised up to look at her. She was right. It would have to end. And within hours. He could not spend the whole of the day with her again. There just wasn’t time. How many people had been looking for him today? How many people had Irakles swayed simply because he was shirking his duties?
He’d been telling himself the whole time that his uncle was wrong about him. That he did care more for duty and the kingdom than his own desires….but the way Kat had looked at him as he’d carried her through the stream….all logical thought had vanished inside a need to have her.
“I wish I could grant that request,” he kissed her slowly, still teaching her how to use her tongue. When at last he pulled away, he looked down at her and didn’t want to imagine her face twisted in anguish. Or, worse yet, flat indifference. She deserved better than that.
“Legally I cannot withhold you from him,” he sat up, pulling away from her entirely now. Moonlight silhouetted his outline and he chewed the end of his thumb in thought. “Even if I sent out a missive, he could contest it. And probably would...If I set you up in the city, he could easily just come here...or worse. Take you back.” Glancing over at her, he considered her options. There truthfully weren’t many. In certain situations like these, it didn’t matter if he was the king or a fisherman. Lord Cretheus had final say unless something illegal could be proved. But, as with Irakles, there was no proof. His hands were tied.
All at once, he stiffened as an idea came to him. “I know what to do, but it hinges on my wife,” he said, reaching down and pulling her up so that she was sitting upright beside him. “Olympia does not have any ladies, as yet. If you were to join her retinue, it would be an honor that I sincerely doubt your brother in law would pull you away from.” Gliding his fingers down her back, he stopped at the base of her spine before leaning over and pushing her hair away from her neck so that he could kiss just under her jaw. “What say you to that? Then you would be in the palati itself. Safe enough from Lord Cretheus.”
What he did not mention was the Creed. There was no safety from ghosts.
“One more thing,” he murmured, slowly pushing her back down as he stayed sitting up. “If you agree to this, you are there to serve Her Majesty. I will not go against her concerning you. Do you understand?” He hoped she did. Whatever was between them now, he would not cross his wife over Aikaterine. It didn’t matter how much he desired another night like this one. If it came down to a choice between his queen or his mistress, the choice was obvious. At least, to him. Because with his marriage to Olympia, he’d already vowed to the gods that he would protect and keep her. He could not make such a vow twice to two different people. But he could, as much as he was able, help Aikaterine, so long as she helped herself in the process.
Legally no one could do anything at all. He was the next male in the family and therefore not even a wish from her dying husband could save her from the fate she had faced. Even without telling him what Cretheus would do while he was away on business, Aktis knew that his wife was too good for the likes of Cretheus. He just ran out of time. Where Aktis had left off, Aikaterine had struggled to pick up. The missives were lost or they were never answered. Course, she had her doubts about that as well. She was sure that Cretheus was burning them. Yet, no proof.
Men held the cards. Aikaterine was like an animal to him. She was his property and he held everything that was hers. Though, he wouldn’t be able to keep the contracted dowry should a good match come along. He wouldn’t be happy with the king’s next proposition. Court was an excellent place to find a husband and an excellent excuse to be here. No one would ever have to suspect she was here for the king. He was not an eligible bachelor like some of the others or if Stephanos and Olympia could find her a good match. It was an ideal solution while she searched, with a bonus to enjoy Stephanos in the meantime.
Her lids shut unable to control how she reacted to his continued gentle touches to her body. She had to worry about whether the queen would hate her. Whether she would be entirely against someone that Stephanos had picked. Someone out of the blue, but Aikaterine didn’t ask questions. She would figure it out and keep herself situated far, far away from Cretheus. A moaned agreement was all she could manage to say when he requested her say.
”I am very good at following orders.” She had shown her obedience all day. There was no confrontation and not even a moment to beg or contest when he was going to send her away without buying a single steed. She had been graceful in bed. Even though it had been new, she was as curious as a cat to allow him to continue. The trust she so easily could place in his majesty to make her body tingle and throat scream. There was more and more to explore and maybe to the benefit to her next husband - if one like Stephanos would arise. But, was anyone quite like Stephanos?
Her body melted into his against his touch. The safety he was providing her was more than she could have ever asked for. Even without the kisses and the intimacy. He was keeping her from her brother in law and that meant she would do what it took to stay just where she was. Though, she was blissfully unaware what she was getting herself into.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
Legally no one could do anything at all. He was the next male in the family and therefore not even a wish from her dying husband could save her from the fate she had faced. Even without telling him what Cretheus would do while he was away on business, Aktis knew that his wife was too good for the likes of Cretheus. He just ran out of time. Where Aktis had left off, Aikaterine had struggled to pick up. The missives were lost or they were never answered. Course, she had her doubts about that as well. She was sure that Cretheus was burning them. Yet, no proof.
Men held the cards. Aikaterine was like an animal to him. She was his property and he held everything that was hers. Though, he wouldn’t be able to keep the contracted dowry should a good match come along. He wouldn’t be happy with the king’s next proposition. Court was an excellent place to find a husband and an excellent excuse to be here. No one would ever have to suspect she was here for the king. He was not an eligible bachelor like some of the others or if Stephanos and Olympia could find her a good match. It was an ideal solution while she searched, with a bonus to enjoy Stephanos in the meantime.
Her lids shut unable to control how she reacted to his continued gentle touches to her body. She had to worry about whether the queen would hate her. Whether she would be entirely against someone that Stephanos had picked. Someone out of the blue, but Aikaterine didn’t ask questions. She would figure it out and keep herself situated far, far away from Cretheus. A moaned agreement was all she could manage to say when he requested her say.
”I am very good at following orders.” She had shown her obedience all day. There was no confrontation and not even a moment to beg or contest when he was going to send her away without buying a single steed. She had been graceful in bed. Even though it had been new, she was as curious as a cat to allow him to continue. The trust she so easily could place in his majesty to make her body tingle and throat scream. There was more and more to explore and maybe to the benefit to her next husband - if one like Stephanos would arise. But, was anyone quite like Stephanos?
Her body melted into his against his touch. The safety he was providing her was more than she could have ever asked for. Even without the kisses and the intimacy. He was keeping her from her brother in law and that meant she would do what it took to stay just where she was. Though, she was blissfully unaware what she was getting herself into.
Legally no one could do anything at all. He was the next male in the family and therefore not even a wish from her dying husband could save her from the fate she had faced. Even without telling him what Cretheus would do while he was away on business, Aktis knew that his wife was too good for the likes of Cretheus. He just ran out of time. Where Aktis had left off, Aikaterine had struggled to pick up. The missives were lost or they were never answered. Course, she had her doubts about that as well. She was sure that Cretheus was burning them. Yet, no proof.
Men held the cards. Aikaterine was like an animal to him. She was his property and he held everything that was hers. Though, he wouldn’t be able to keep the contracted dowry should a good match come along. He wouldn’t be happy with the king’s next proposition. Court was an excellent place to find a husband and an excellent excuse to be here. No one would ever have to suspect she was here for the king. He was not an eligible bachelor like some of the others or if Stephanos and Olympia could find her a good match. It was an ideal solution while she searched, with a bonus to enjoy Stephanos in the meantime.
Her lids shut unable to control how she reacted to his continued gentle touches to her body. She had to worry about whether the queen would hate her. Whether she would be entirely against someone that Stephanos had picked. Someone out of the blue, but Aikaterine didn’t ask questions. She would figure it out and keep herself situated far, far away from Cretheus. A moaned agreement was all she could manage to say when he requested her say.
”I am very good at following orders.” She had shown her obedience all day. There was no confrontation and not even a moment to beg or contest when he was going to send her away without buying a single steed. She had been graceful in bed. Even though it had been new, she was as curious as a cat to allow him to continue. The trust she so easily could place in his majesty to make her body tingle and throat scream. There was more and more to explore and maybe to the benefit to her next husband - if one like Stephanos would arise. But, was anyone quite like Stephanos?
Her body melted into his against his touch. The safety he was providing her was more than she could have ever asked for. Even without the kisses and the intimacy. He was keeping her from her brother in law and that meant she would do what it took to stay just where she was. Though, she was blissfully unaware what she was getting herself into.
