Chapter 22: Chapter 22- Welcomed Distraction
The next morning, I awoke to Fraren's warm embrace. Although awake I wanted the moment to continue on. I closed my eyes once more soaking in this peaceful moment. I knew after I left the comfort of his bed, I would have yet another day of uncomfortable exchanges.
Fraren's body started to stir signaling to me that he would soon awake. I decided to lean over kissing his eyelids before they fluttered open.
When he looked up at me, I smiled, "Good morning," we both said in union before laughing lightly. I slumped back over to my side of the bed rolling my eyes. This made Fraren laugh harder.
"What has you in such a gloomy mood so early in the morning my love?" he asked in his sleep deepened voice.
"Let's just say I am not looking forward to the pained interactions with the others. The intensity of pressure placed on me at the moment is too much. Having not one but five husbands to make time for, I just didn't think this all through is all. It's much harder than Father had made it seem to be. If mother were still around, I know she would have prepared me better for this moment." I trailed off staring at the ceiling.
He stroked my arm soothingly before saying, "Fanariel, no one expects you to have all the answers. It's hard now but I am here to help you through it. Whenever you feel that the burden is too much, I will share that burden with you. You will never have to be alone now." I smiled at him thanking him silently.
"Will you truly be content in sharing me?" I asked hesitantly.
A knock on the door interrupted us. Fraren jumped to his feet to answer it, quickly throwing his robe around him. I pulled the covers up to my nose hiding my still naked body.
I heard a few hushed voices before the door closed bringing Fraren back to me. He lifted the covers sliding in beside me returning the familiar heat I'd grown accustomed to.
"What was that about?" I questioned curiously.
Fraren hugged me tighter burying his head in my shoulder, "nothing to be bothered with right now," he assured.
"Okay," I responded not wanting to move quite yet anyway.
We lay there enjoying each other's company for a long time. Talking about stress less topics and joking back and forth. I had forgotten how good it felt to hangout like this with Fraren. It brought me back to the good ole days.
Eventually we decided to wash up from the night's prior events. Fraren started a bath with warm water and sprinkled flower pedals that floated atop. I let my robe drop to my feet before slowly entering. My muscles felt tight and sore, but the warmth of the water released the tensions from deep within. Enveloped under the water I closed my eyes briefly letting myself give in to the pull of exhaustion I still felt. I was drawn back to reality when I felt ripples in the water.
"Fraren," I let out in surprise seeing that he was joining me in the bath. I used my arms to wade more flower pedals to my side blushing as I did so.
"Don't tell me your still feeling shy after last night," he said in amusement as he sat down fully into the water across from me.
I let my face sink beneath the petals releasing air bubbles as I went. Fraren chuckled at my actions before grabbing my foot from underneath. I quickly resurfaced ready to yell at him to stop before he started to massage me. "Oh," I let out in happy surprise. We sat there together until the warmth resided and the petals all sunk to the bottom of the tub. He had successfully massaged both my feet all the way up past my calf's. I was in a blissful state not eager to put up a fight. My lethargic mood was broken when Fraren spoke up,
"Fanariel, as much as I would love to stay here with you forever there is a matter of importance to discuss with you." He said piquing my interest.
"Hmm," I let out slightly listening.
"Earlier I was informed that rebels have been spotted at our boarders Southwest of here. Your father has requested that I accompany you to make ascertain no further troubles ensue."
"Indeed," I said fully focused now, "let us prepare at once. We mustn't let them have even a moment to think we are weakened after my coronation. But instead show example of strength." I finished now feeling energetic.
I stood from the tub ready for battle if need be. My haste caused waves to splash over the edges onto the floor and into Fraren's face. Petals clung to my wet body making me look like a flower bush. Fraren stared at me for a moment stunned before erupting into a roar of laughter. I kicked another wave of water at his face while blushing.
"Enough already, there's more where that came from," I said gesturing to the water. "We must not delay further." I said getting out to wrap a robe around myself. I turned quickly to face away, concealing my blushing face. Fraren soon followed behind smiling as he went.
Several hours passed before our troops were ready for travel. Fraren and I would lead a unit of our finest warriors to meet the rebel force head on and squash any resistance we met. This was my first mission unaccompanied by my father, but I had travelled with him on many others. Now with my new title it was my duty to oversee such matters. Compassion had to be left at home when going on this sort of excursion.
Lost in my preparations I forgot to bid the others farewell. Luckily Sabasmus stumbled upon me in the courtyard as I packed my saddle bag.
"Fanariel, where are you off to?" he asked politely.
"There is commotion at the Southwestern border, I ride out today to find the source and put an end to it." I said with determination.
"I see," he said going deep into thought before speaking up again, "then let me accompany you. I may be of some use." He persuaded further. "I speak many of the dialect of that area and have studied the environment well. I also am privy to finding people when they least want to be found. In case anyone is lying in ambush." he concluded.
Sabasmus did present a good argument, after thinking over it briefly I agreed. He set off to collect his things to join us. It only took him a short while before he was packed and saddled up.
Fully equipped we trotted out the gates, my father bid me farewell and ensured he would explain the situation to the others. I hope Asmodeus, Asterion, and Jiao-long will be understanding when I come back.
We had a two-day long journey on horseback before reaching our post and nest house for our flying companions. From there we would switch mounts to travel by air one more day before reaching the boarder in question. Three days in total to arrive, hopefully a day at most to take care of business, then 1 1/2 days flight back. I would be back in less than a week. Surely, they wouldn't miss me to much in that short amount of time. These were my final thoughts as I left my home behind.
We flew over rivers, traveled between mountains, and finally came to the dessert boarder. Not much grew here making it easy for our scouts to have a clear view from up above. I climbed the watch tower to greet our eagle commander. He was in charge of breeding and maintaining the well-being of all our eagle mounts. As well as scheduling all patrol units in this region of the border.
"Gwariel, good to see you." I said as I entered the main strategy room. Fraren was instructing the guards below on exchanging our mounts. They were transferring our equipment and supplies over while Sabasmus accompanied me.
"Fanariel, you've grown so much. You look the very image of your mother Empress Monica, may Mother Earth guide her soul." He said greeting me.
"Thank you, you look well yourself." I complimented. "Please, update me on the situation at hand." I finished.
"Certainly. Since the last time word was sent and within the two days it took for you to arrive. Scouts have reported sightings across the dessert over a dozen times. Rebels have become more and more daring since your coronation. They dare to test the strength of the Morcrist Empire." Gwariel seethed out in anger.
"We must put a stop to this." He finished.
"I couldn't agree more, after night fall, we will set out to cross the dessert ocean. My guard and I will assess the situation and take whatever means necessary to ensure the strength of my Empire." I said confidently.
"Very well, your majesty." He said with a bow.
"I will take my leave to rest now, thank you for your hard work Gwariel. It has not gone unnoticed." I smiled and nodded my thanks before leaving. Sabasmus silently followed close behind.
I made my way back down the watch tower in search of my room to stay in for the night. Tiredly I opened the door to the bedroom made for the Emperor's to stay in during long distance trips. Sabasmus was still at my heels and shut the door behind us. It wasn't until I heard the door click shut that I remembered I had a follower. But not just anyone, my newly made husband.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," he said nervously.
I smiled at him, "no worries, Sebby, I'm just feeling a little tired is all." We stood there a moment in silence before I continued taking a step forward for our relationship.
"Would you mind helping me to undress for bed?" I asked him.
"Not at all," he managed to say before walking towards me.
I turned my back to him pulling my hair to the side. "It's just these few buttons in the back before you lift it over my head," I guided.
I heard him gulp as he quietly unbuttoned my top. Reaching the last button, I raised my arms to allow him to fully remove my gown. I still had a soft silk under layer on that was perfect to sleep in. It only revealed my arms and shoulders.
Sabasmus neatly placed my gown to the side before lightly touching my skin on either arm. He was staring intensely at it as if it were magic.
"So soft," he managed to whisper.
I giggled lightly, "you really like my skin that much?" I asked turning to face him.
He nodded his head in confirmation.
"Come here," I said guiding him to my bed. "Take off your clothes to get more comfortable to sleep."
He took off his top layers as well before climbing into bed with me. He sat there stiffly making me giggle further.
"Sabasmus, come here." I said patting closer to me.
He crawled over laying down beside me. "I want to show you something, is that okay?" I asked slowly.
"Yes." He said agreeing.
I turned to face him pulling his shoulder to turn his body to face me as well. I looked him in his eyes seeing his orange brown orbs dilating with my every move. I stroked his face making his eyes grow large before closing. Running my hands through his hair I heard a deep sound resonating from his chest.
"Are you... purring?" I asked in astonishment.
He gulped again before opening his eyes to respond, "your touch feels amazing. I'm sorry I can't help it." He said apologetically.
"It's cute, I like it, please don't be embarrassed." I reassured him.
"Sabasmus, look at me," I guided his chin up. "I want to kiss you now okay." I said pausing a second. I didn't see any signs of disagreement, so I leaned forward to place my lips on his. Only lightly at first for I didn't want to scare him. Although he was a few years older than me his innocence and lack of experience made it seem otherwise.
I kissed him a second time while still holding either side of his face. This time I sucked in his bottom lip nibbling on it playfully. His purrs grew more intense sounding nearly like a growl. His lips finally came to life meeting my every move. I would nip him as he would lick me. We went back and forth with this game for a little while before I pulled back giggling furiously.
"Sebby, I really like you." I said smiling at him.
He smiled back at me but before he could respond I said, "I'm tired, I know you must be too. Let's go to sleep now." I pecked his lips once more before turning my back to him. He laid their motionless before I reached my arm behind me. I grabbed his hand and wrapped his arm around me. Once I gave him the permission, he quickly wrapped himself around me snuggling his head into my hair. We lay there cuddling together falling fast asleep. The exhaustion of traveling for two straight days with minimal rest had finally caught up with me.
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