Waiting

[Lovely]

November 27, 2009
evening
Devhano Palace


The second phase of the moons had come to shine softly through the window of the chamber where Azure had been retired with her ladies. The vows exchanged and their marriage sealed by the cleric, tradition dictated that the young princess be prepare for her prince in their wedded chamber -to await his approval and for him to take her as his, to consumate their joining. Azure's things had been moved to the room earlier in the eve, while they prepared for the wedding. Their joining had been a small private affair, since it happened so quickly. Family and those important in the household were roused and gathered, watching in a stunned silence as the princess was joined -given to the Onmadian prince. Even those who knew prior to this of plans, were shocked to see such a thing occur. Her sister Taisian watched the prince with narrowed eyes, though there was a level of approval for him behind the anger left from their earlier confrontation. Before Azure was wisked away and Markas showed to the nearby rooms where he could wait, Tasa approached them and offered a welcome to Mark and a kiss to her little sister's cheek. Giving them both a smile and a knowing look as she whispered that she'd bring Azure something to ease the ache. At Azure's questioning look, Tasa laughed softly and assured her she'd understand in the morning after her first night with her new husband. And now Azure was being stripped of her robes, bathed in softly perfumed water, the bed covers pulled back, and her hair brushed to a soft shine.

Something beyond the oils in her bath stung his nose from his place of waiting. Markas had accepted Taisian's kindness stoicly, distracted by caution, though he was not unkind in returning a blessing to her and her own warrior whose scent she carried close to her. It was rude to point out such things beyond the slight smile he offered and allowed himself to be taken away to this place where he waited patiently for his bride, his princess, the peacemaker who had earned his heart in such a short time. Here he paced, listening, disturbed by more than the narrowed-eyed glances and disapproval of her other siblings and the murmurs that carried down the drafts of the corridors. Something else carried along those drafts and he would only wait so long before acting. It was a sense beyond senses, a scent beyond the smell of sweat or blood or death, but something of all and more and yet nothing at all he could place. "What are you plotting now, Devhano?" He murmured quietly to the room he was directed to remain in until summoned.

What was plotted had nothing to do with the ailing Devhano king or his children's approval and disapproval of the new union.. or perhaps it had everything to do with Devhano and his offspring. Too long Agosti had been forced to sit back and watch, waiting for his moon to rise. Angry and spiteful to say the least, his wicked intent this eve was to take the young princess -to have her before her husband could, to ruin the union, if possible and the girl.. He could at least take away that blissful moment between the two when she would give herself and her innocence to the Onmadian prince. It made him sick to think she'd remained so pure only to be tainted by the filth of the enemy -what was the king thinking, handing them such a precious gift? No.. Devhano would keep her one way or another and Agosti would see to it that the Onmadian prince would turn her away.. his impure and ruined bride. If the moons smiled upon him, he might even leave her with a seed planted one that would ensure him a place at her side instead. With this intent, he entered her -their- chambers without knocking, these were the rooms she was to share with her husband for whatever time they remained at the palace. "Leave us." He ordered the servant girls, who had just finished loosely pinning the gorgeous hair of the fair princess. Agosti smiled at the gasp of shock and the look of fright in Azure's eyes as she stood there, stripped and primped for her prince, only to find his hungry eyes taking in her delightful form as her maids scampered away. He assumed the prince would wait until called and by the time anyone knew something was amiss, it would be too late.

Azure reached to pull a discarded towel to cover herself from the lord's roving eyes, she glanced to the door her heart pounded in her chest. She was all but defenseless at the moment, no weapon in easy reach to defend herself and judging by the look on Agosti's face as he circled slowly towards her, as if a predator, she was in desperate need of defending.

[Lovely]

A wisp of a girl scampered down the hall to the room where the Onmadian prince waited. She was timid and unsure, her loyalty to the Devhano house, but the princess had married this one and another came to her chambers.. one that most knew to be wary of or simply feared. Her small hand knocked on the door to the room Markas waited in.

It wasn't the summoning he'd expected, but it was an invitation to leave his holding cell just the same, as honor-bound he would not defile the hallway without being given such passage. His movement was swift, faster than the eye could blink, pulling the door open and upsetting the messenger on the other side in his wake. He paused only to inquire the direction, though Azure's call echoed distantly, growing stronger as her heart pounded faster. "Which way - show me and wake the king and bring the guard," he said calmly, trying not to frighten the girl more than she was already.

The girl was common, brought above her place to serve in the palace when she was young, and now to involve herself in the matters of the royals.. she nodded to the prince's orders and pointed the way for him. "The end of this hall to the left.. at the very end is your rooms where the princess awaits." She gave a slight curtsey and scurried off to rouse the king and his guard.

Agosti stalked her, cutting her off as she tried to dart past him and out the door. He held her by the throat, cutting off any attempt she might make to scream, her toes barely grazed the floor as he dragged her back to pin her to the wall beyond the bed. "Onmadia will not have you." He hissed to her ear, feeling the way she struggled against him and the sting as her nails swept angrily at his cheek. Agosti laughed, eyeing her and his eyes darkened. "You think he loves you?" He wasn't expecting an answer. "You can't possibly have feelings for him.. Do you love him..?"

The fire in her eyes burned even though it was dulled by the grip on her neck and the limited breath she was able to take. At his last question, she stilled and her chin tilted defiantly. "I do." She managed to choke out in a small whisper, yet it was final and confidant.

He left the small creature in the hallway, consumed in shadows as he moved quickly to Azure's aide. The door he was guided to was closed and heavy, designed for privacy, but not designed to withstand his fury. Her words were captured in his soul as the wood splintered from its latch and swung open beneath his foot. "Leave her be. Your fight is here, demon," he beckoned to the man who held her.

At her words, Agosti's grip tightened cutting off her gasp of breath fully. Her eyes saw Makas in a haze as she passed out, going limp in Agosti's hand.

The 'man' was in rage, filled with fury. She had denied him and refused his advances and offers only to now admit love for the enemy. He planned to make her pay sorely for that. Agosti was caught by surprise as the door was forced in, the words made him smile as he turned, holding the limp girl out from him. "Perhaps I should simply snap her neck.. though that might be too merciful."

"And deny you what you really want from her? If that was your wish you'd have done it the first time you held her like that, wouldn't you?" The scent Markas placed now was from this man's mark in the wounds he'd cleansed from her. He was sure he could simply kill her, but such a deed would seal his own death in the witness of the king and guard who were likely on their way already. "Why not kill me, then she has no prince to stand by her." He dared the man to try.

He tossed the girl to the softer landing of the bed, where he could have simply dropped her to the floor. His eyes shifted to be sure she landed safely, though she didn't move from where she fell. Her blonde hair was strewn over the pillow as if she dozed waiting for her lover. Agosti moved towards the Onmadian prince, his eyes dark and glinting. "Killing you does not solve the problem.. she was pure offering to you.. to the Onmadians.. such filth does not have the right to this beauty." He spat the words at Markas.

[Lovely]

"You would deny a princess, a woman in a place of standing beyond your own, her right to choose? Interesting. And what is the name of her denier, her accuser?" Markas remained calm and circled away from the door, trying to reach Azure's side to ensure her safety.

"I accuse you.. you are unworthy.. you are the lowest filth this land has ever seen, son of Alos!" His eyes darkened and he too circled, but to get himself closer and with andvantage over the man if possible

The King was much too worn out from the earlier activities of the night and was unable to be disturbed. His guards had come in his stead and Agosti had backed down after a bit of a scuffle with Mark before the guards arrived. He left with the escort and grumbled on his way, not happy about having his plans upset but also not making a terrible fuss.

The petite but strong blonde girl was still on the bed, for most of this but for the small rise and fall of her chest with her breaths. She started to awaken as Agosti was being escorted out and watched him go with a frightened but defiant gaze. She was not too foolish to think she could best him or underestimate his power, but she would not give in to his whims or wishes. Her fingers shifted and reached to touch her neck, where she could still feel Agosti's grip, slowly she took in the room around her and her gaze settled on her prince. "Markas..?" She whispered softly, the movement of her father's personal guard caught her eye as he remained behind.

Awaiting some further imprisonment himself, Markas stood by the door expecting to be carted away by the guard as well, the pawn in some guilty pleasure of the king's to keep him from his new bride as some further form of amusement. When Agosti was taken away alone, he felt he could breathe if he needed to, though he was no less cautious. Other dangers lurked for him without doubt as he stayed in these foreign walls. The door was secured before him, prince and princess left alone once more, though not in as pristene an environment as he'd hoped. Her call was soft, felt more with his heart than his ears as she spoke. He turned, uncertain as she grasped at her throat. His voice crackled with concern. "Did he...?"

"Did he..?" She looked to him to find what it was he was asking as she pushed herself up on one arm. She heard the sounds of the guard moving to stand beside their door once it was secured, a faint smile played over her lips to know that her father extended this to them. Her gaze swept over Markas and her fingers brushed over the bruises on her neck.

He stepped further from the heavy door, not wanting too much to be heard or enjoyed by the guard. "He didn't bite you, did he? No drawn blood?" His concern carried in his rapid and graceful step to her side where he knelt near to observe first. "Let me look," he offered.

She shook her head and watched his face as he hovered over her with concern, but her hand dropped away to let him check. "I don't believe that was the way he intended to taint me, .. this time." She whispered, an apology in her voice, that such a thing had even been considered.

"Can't be too sure, considering what he's done before. Yes, I understand it was him, Azure. I'm sorry. His scent... nevermind," he shook the thought of the angry man away to the dark cell he belonged in. "There will not be a next time for him to consider anything but his own skin. How do you feel?" He only saw the rose prints where the man's fingers had gripped her tender skin, but no blood.

"A little.. faint, dizzy.. my neck hurts a little.. but I believe other than that I'm intact." She sat up a little more, to get closer to him. "I am the one who should be sorry, for letting this happen. You should have been the only man to enter this chamber once my maids brought me here to prepare."

[Lovely]

"Letting? My dear princess, I fear you think I blame you," he muttered, aghast that she'd ever think he'd believe this was her fault. "Never and never would I. If you had intention other than what has brought me here, you and your sister both would have dispatched me completely in the woods and left me for bear, not bothering with such a display whether in the name of peace or not. Though I will say," he added with a smile, leaning on the bed beside her and reaching to brush her hair from her face. "I believe I am still the only man who has arrived. That thing that was taken away is no man and should never disgrace my kind with such a comparison," he winked and reached to console her with a kiss.

She would have agreed and assured him that none of what transpired between them was for show but his kiss swept away any reply she mustered. She shifted to wrap her arms around him and tell him with her kiss that she was not beside him merely for the sake of peace. He might feel her smile as she lingered close to him. "Are you a prince or a bandit? I believe you've stolen my heart Markas."

"Both I suppose," he remarked with a guilty grin, delighted with her admission. "You did find me like a highwayman, so I have no excuse and offer none. What punishment does your majesty wish upon such a knave?"

"I think a life sentence is the only just punishment for such a crime.. " Her smile melted into another kiss which slowly built into a more bold display as she shifted and curled around him. "My own personal prisoner and guard.. to serve me as I see fit, perhaps I should take his heart in trade for the one he stole?"

"Mm... afraid that's not quite possible. You can't take something if you already possess it," he laughed quietly, letting her draw nearer and letting his caution falter and crumble away. The guard beyond the door had not moved and no other trouble seemed evident save for what he promised to entice her further with. "I might have other items to be removed from my person if your highness wishes it."

She stayed close, nuzzling and kissing softly, she was a mix of shy and bold, he'd hear her tiny giggle at his suggestion and the way her fingers trembled slightly as they brushed over him. "Perhaps we can come to some mutally pleasing arrangement?" Her lips grazed his neck and she hesitated. "Her highness would very much like the other items removed." He'd probably feel the warmth of her blushing cheeks as she uttered the bold statement.

Markas' cheek rested against hers as she breathed and kissed over his neck. He basked in that warmth that heated his cool and pale visage. No blood of his own turned his expression pink though some amount of shyness slowed his actions, not wanting the animal within him to be unleashed too harshly upon this delicate creature. "So it shall be done," he whispered, pulling the knot loose that held his shirt tied over his chest, the first of several knots to be undone.

Her eyes closed as she let out a small excited breath, slowly trailing her kisses back to his lips. Her fingers still held a tiny tremble as they found the opening of his shirt and brushed against his skin. She was shy but not a meek girl or too scared to share these moments with him. She'd let him and her heart lead her, let him teach her where she didn't know. Her hands moved to gently push the material of his shirt over his shoulders. Her eyes were warm as they opened to gaze at his, her voice soft when she asked.. "Is the princess's form pleasing to you, your highness?"

[Lovely]

"From the moment we first crossed paths," he sighed quietly, feeling the heat of her hands pass over his chest and shoulders as softly as her kisses. "In your palace, I have no rank, Azure. I am merely yours," he shook his head with a tender smile.

"To me, that is the highest rank." She whispered, lifting her hand so her fingers traced over one side of his jaw. "As you are mine.. so I am yours.. and we are equal in our place with each other." She refused to allow anything less between them, his tender smile tugging a brighter one from her.

~As the moons shelter and guide...~ he murmured into her thoughts, the piece of the cleric's prayer of their ceremony meant for those moments of instinctual understanding between the loved ones during their union. In these moments, though she was bare and beguiling it was not the flesh that enticed him toward hunger, but her being, her essence that was like the gift of the moons' light to his very soul. Markas fell silent and moved only as shadows to her light, keeping her close in embrace as he guided her hands to the remaining knots to be undone.

Her mouth kept with his, giving soft tender kisses as her hands followed where his guided, undoing his knots. Where his skin was bared, her fingers brushed with love and care, gently exploring the flesh she would come to know as well as her own.

Some scars he had held onto, reminders of enemies and lessons needing learned, though most were small and thin now in their age. Though cool and smooth, his skin was scented of the protection and worry of guarding her from Agosti's attacks. No soft oils or perfumes masked him though he seemed to need none. Her touch over every bared inch was met with kindness and no chuckle against her innocent explorations, and not-so-innocent desire he could feel welling in her breath.

She was the youngest of the daughters of Devhano and had been sheltered, protected from the attentions of men -other than the attacks of Agosti and he'd not violated her innocence or tried to until tonight. The desire that was building within her as she explored was new and she was a little unsure of whether it was alright to feel that way. The rhythm of her breathing changed as her want grew and her kiss deepened to reflect the desire. She pulled back a little and reached down for his hands, taking them loosely in her own. "Markas.. I am not so foolish as to believe I would be the first woman you've known.. but you are the only man I will.. I am feeling such sensations from just this.. please.. I need you to guide me through this."