Ariella gasped. There seemed to be an exchange of energy between man and sword, flowing freely between the two. He held it for many moments and Ariella observed the spectacle with awe. Slowly he lowered the weapon to his side. It continued to glint wickedly from whatever electrical force had empowered it. He
“Thank you father,” Mirsux beamed, an effulgence filling the room from his presence.
“Now my son, you are one with the sword. Guard it well.”
Mirsux knelt before his father wandering what just happened. How has he never seen the Ysark his father bestowed on him? The minute his hand rested on the handle, was the exact moment his Z’rascheus exploded and spilled into the fuller. Not only that, the weapon did the same thing, pouring its power into him. From this moment on, he knew that his life depended on this saber and without it, he would not stand a chance against an enemy.
Chapter 10
Mirsux took her hand. The current, caused by his touch, that shot through her never ceased to amaze Ariella. He led her through the great hall and down a passage she’d never been before. It was the end of day three of the wedding celebrations. The final day they spent bringing food and gifts to the people of Nabalar.
Her mind went back to the previous happenings of the day. She was particularly fond of this part of the rituals. It meant that she got a chance to see the faces of the people as they smiled and bowed in her presence. It was her first time venturing into Nabalar community territory.
The guards led her and Mirsux past the garden she loved and into what looked like a village. She was surprised the community looked not much different from earth. There were stalls with vegetables and fruit and people walking soundlessly along the dusty street. They spoke in very low tones, almost whispering when they communicated. There were metallic buildings with glass windows, smaller replicas of the palace, lining the street.
When the guards approached, all eyes turned in their direction. All activities ceased at their presence. The people came together, facing the royal party and bowed.
“Greetings, Prince and Princess,” they chorused.
By Ariella’s count, there were approximately fifty Nabalarians there. She wondered if these were all. There were mostly men in the group and about a tenth being female. There were no children and that was cause for concern.
“Are these all there are?” she whispered to Mirsux, leaning close to his ear.
Her lips brushed his skin causing her mouth to tingle. He turned to face her. His eyes danced as he responded. “Yes, these are they.”
“Where are the children?” she asked, meeting his gaze. Her stomach fluttered at the contact.
He leaned close to her and whispered in her ear, “There have not been children for many years, but that should soon change.” Before she could ask what that meant he added. “It should happen soon with the fulfillment of the prophecy.”
She swallowed hard. If she remembered correctly, her presence was the fulfilment of the prophecy. When moon embraces sun, it emits new light. That’s what Mirsux had said. How would her existence on Nabalar produce children? A feeling of dread enveloped her. Her head felt heavy and swollen with the thought of her being required to sire children for the entire nation.
If she could, she would escape at once, but she was surrounded by guards and the barren people. The queen had mentioned that she needed to bear an heir, did that include replenishing the entire Nabalar clan?
“What does that mean?” her voice shook with the words.
“Their life force is connected to ours, the Z’raschein. This is the energy source that all beings share. When we procreate, they procreate. The stronger our Z’rascheus, our inner energy becomes, the stronger theirs become.”
She expelled a long breath as what he said registered in her brain. Relief washed over her and she planted a smile on her face. The people were coming one at a time to be blessed by the prince and receive a small token of a precious gem. She focused on the proceedings and reached her hand out to be honored by her new people.
Mirsux was relieved that Ariella understood what he explained. There was no other way to state the truth. She must know that the life force of his people depended on her. What he failed to say was that the sooner they mated, the stronger his people would become.
“Bless you.” He touched the top of the head of each of his people as they bowed to him.
He was passing more than just mere words to them. He could feel a little ebbing of his energy each time he touched them and he knew he needed to empower himself completely for them to survive.
How would he explain all that to his earth bride? She was having a difficult time coming to terms with her role in all this. Telling her that if they did not complete the embracing part of the prophecy his people would eventually die, he would eventually die, was too much for her. He wanted her to come to him on her own, not by guilt or by force.
After the gifting, Ariella was taken on a tour of the land. She saw where most of their unusual crops flourished, unusual plants too many to inquire about. Other than the one community and the farms, there was nothing much to see. They avoided the wastelands where the Migrels resided as much as possible and returned to the palace at dusk where they enjoyed a simple but delicious supper with his parents.
Now as Mirsux took her hand, her heart proceeded to race beneath her ribs. “Where are we going?” she pulled up.
“It is the end of our three day wedding celebrations. As is customary, we must consummate,” he replied and a glint crossed his eyes. “Are you ready?”
There was a tremor in her stomach and her breathing stopped. She had done nothing but think about her wedding night since the queen mentioned children. Her heart paused and then took off like a galloping horse. She was his bride and that’s what married people did. There was only one problem.
“What’s wrong?” he looked at her curiously and pulled her close.
She nervously cleared her throat and stepped back. Her back came up against the passage wall and he stepped to within inches of her. His nearness was making her weak and her stomach was fluttering out of control. She could feel her pulse race as beads of sweat trickled down her back, though the interior of the castle was cool.
“I—I—well you see I…,” she stuttered as her voice shook.
He cocked his head to one side, then straightened, and locked eyes with her. It was as if he was looking into her soul. Her breath was coming in gasps as he closed the few inches between them. Her chest rose and fell with each shallow breath she took.
He dipped his head and she thought he was about to kiss her. She closed her eyes and waited for his lips to touch hers but they didn’t. Instead, she felt his breath fan her ears as he whispered.
“You are untouched,” he stated. His voice sent ripples down her spine.
Her eyes flew open and she opened her mouth to deny it, yet nothing came. She was flushing from head to toe and her skin burned with the heat. What was she to do now? She was his bride. To deny him coitus may anger his parents. She had asked for time and now was the end of three days. She had no clue about the laws concerning such matters. One more strike against her, she thought.
“We will wait until you are ready, Princess,” he said and took her hand once more. “Come see our new quarters.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. He was unlike most alien beings she knew. The unexpected gentleness of him was refreshing. Thinking about how understanding he was, made her yearn to please him. She smiled and allowed him to lead the way.
“Thank you, my prince,” she said.
When they reached the end of the long passage, there appeared before them a spiral staircase with marble floor and glistening wooden banister. At the base of it was a glass rectangular vertical cubicle. When Mirsux stepped in front of it, its doors parted. He stepped in, pulling her along with him. Inside, there were no buttons, though she assumed it to be an elevator.
The door closed and he said one word, “Chamber.”
S
he felt nothing like the elevators on earth. There was no sign of movement such as jerking. However, not more than five seconds passed when it opened to a spacious circular bedroom with the entire outer wall made of glass panels.
Her eyes widened at the expansive bed in the center adorned with satin type bedding. The floor was carpeted with soft plush material of beige color and the walls painted in soft corn silk yellow. All around the room were flowers of different species, but the one that stood out the most was the crystal roses. On either side of the bed were nightstands. On one of them was placed her Diainspar of Luminosity, nestled on a purple satin pillow. On the opposite wall, a rack held Mirsux’s sword in place.
Her heart thudded as she followed him in, while the elevator disappeared downward. He moved to stand near one of the glass panels and beckoned her over. When she reached his side, she gasped as he spoke to the glass.
“Shulukah,” he said.
City lights appeared on all the panels. It seemed she was staring at New York at night, with all the skyscrapers and neon lights. On the screens of glass she could make out street cars and moving bodies.
“What is this?” she asked, breathless.
“I know you are missing your home and this is one of my favorite views,” he said, placing an arm around her.
“How is it possible?” she whispered in awe.
“We have technology to capture anywhere in the universe,” he sighed and his countenance took on a look of graveness.
“What is it?” she asked, concerned.
“Our greatest enemies are the people of Xygor. We may not be able to stand against them in war. They have weapons beyond what we possess.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Why worry about such things? It’s not like they are going to invade, are they?”
“One never knows with Julkaz,” he replied. “Now, enough of sad mumblings.” He turned to her. “You should rest now. You must be tired from all the celebrations. Which side of the bed will it be?” He stepped towards the inner wall and a bathroom opened up. “This is the bathroom.”
“I’ll clean up first and then we decide which side is mine,” she smiled, her spirits lifting at the thought of a warm soothing bath.
The bathroom was as spacious as the bedroom. The water adjusted the temperature to her comfort without her doing anything. There were no hot and cold faucets for her to use anyway, just a tap that you touched lightly. Her bubble bath was intoxicating, relaxing her muscles and soothing her aches. By the time she lifted herself from the bath her sore feet from her ordeal with the Migrels was a thing of the past.
“What manner of planet is this?” she whispered. “I’m completely healed!”
She dressed in a soft long shimmering nightgown of silvery color. It hung beside the bath in plain view for her to see. She also noticed the golden brush for her hair and the bejeweled toothbrush. With a giggle, she completed her grooming and noted how like a royal she actually felt.
As she exited the bathroom, she passed by the mirror and paused a second to view her reflection. Her emerald eyes were sparkling more than usual and her skin luminous. Her hair appeared golden and it shimmered as she moved. She looked and felt exquisite.
Mirsux affixed his eyes on her when she entered. Her pulse reacted wildly to his scrutiny although he said nothing. He walked passed her into the bathroom and she assumed that he too was taking a bath or shower.
She stood at the foot of the bed and tried to decide. “Left or right?” she chose the side closest to the glass windows.
The bed smelled like lavender and the sheets sensually caressed her skin with their silky texture. She closed her eyes and awaited sleep but the thought that she would not be sleeping alone made her sit up with a start. The bed could easily sleep five people without them touching, but she was still quivering in her stomach.
“Relax,” she cajoled herself.
She laid back and closed her eyes, breathing deeply. Soon she felt the anxiety lift and she began to drift into sub-consciousness. She wasn’t sure how long she slept for when her nostrils twitched and her eyes flew open. The scent which awakened her was tantalizing her senses.
Her eyes darted around the room to see her husband near the bottom of the bed toweling his hair. But as her eyes moved along, they came to rest upon his chiseled chest. They then moved downwards where his muscles defined his washboard abs. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to still her awakening body.
Somehow, she found she could not help but look at the magnificence before her. Below the abs was the V-line she’d glimpsed the day she arrived. Unlike that day, there was no trousers to cover it. Her heart pounded as she willed her eyes to stop staring, stop moving. They didn’t listen. They lowered to come to rest on his protruding member, erect and pointing directly at her.
Her pounding heart deafened her as heat presented betwixt her thighs. His imposing shaft held her mesmerized as her eyes cruised its length and breath. Its pink rounded tip gleamed in the light of the room and the veins bulged artistically with its elongation.
She closed her eyes again and when she opened them, he was wearing a pair of shorts. She had to suppress a giggle at the sight of his erection stretching the fabric forward. He slid into the bed beside her and closed his eyes. She trailed her eyes along his length and admired how toned he was. His thighs were equally impressive as the rest of him and she itched to run her hands on the plane of his chest.
He laid on his back with his member pointing upwards under the fabric of his shorts. It was distracting, and she turned her back to rid herself of having to look. She could smell his divine scent, which had awakened her, not only from sleep but awakened her wantonness as well.
“Are you sure you don’t want a wedding night?” Mirsux asked softly. “I can feel your desire. It’s keeping me awake.”
“What?” she breathed, turning to face him.
His eyes were closed but his member was still erect. “I can feel your desire permeate me.”
“How is that?”
“We are connected through our Z’raschein,” he replied softly.
“Oh, you mentioned that earlier.” She could not pronounce the word but he had mentioned it once or twice before. “What does it mean?” she asked.
“The energy that flows between us. We both feel its awakening, this is the Z’raschein,” he informed her. “Each of us has an energy center and in it our own Z’rascheus. Yours connects with mine creating the Z’raschein.”
So that’s what this is? She wondered. It was an awakening. One she never knew existed. Intense was a weak word compared to what she was feeling now…what she had been feeling since she arrived. It was overwhelming. However, she felt that she was meant to experience it. She had been waiting for it all her life. So why fight it? What was there to be frightened about?
With a shaky hand, she reached out and touched his silky raven hair. Her hand tingled with electricity. He opened his eyes questioningly and she inched closer as she whispered the word, “Z’raschein.” She was finally able to pronounce it.
“Yes, Z’raschein it is my love,” he whispered back, coming close to her.
The energy field that opened up with her evaporating anxiety threatened to pull her into a vortex, but she kept her gaze upon Mirsux and allowed him to take the lead. They were lying facing each other. He was close enough to touch her but he searched her face for confirmation.
She gave him that by closing the inch gap and pressing her lips to his. A bolt of lightning zapped through her body, almost lifting her from the bed. She opened her mouth and allowed him entry of his tongue. The lightning electrocuted her once more, and with it came gushes of hot liquid between her thighs.
His hand found her nipple through the thin silky fabric and his thumb brushed an already taut peak. She wanted to touch him and feel his skin next to hers. She broke the kiss to wiggle from her garment and dropped it on the floor beside the bed. Mirsux removed his shorts and she gasped as his member bounced before her eyes
.
He covered her body with his. Her limbs weakened and her mind went into a tailspin. Sparks of voltaic charges shocked her to the core, scorching her delightfully. Her heart seemed to have taken a mind of its own, refusing to heed her commands to slow its pace. She feared a heart attack at the rate it was hurtling out of her chest.
His tongue was doing a dance around hers creating its own rhythm as his hands created fire trails in their wake wherever they caressed. Her skin was singed with the heat from his touch. She arched into him, wanting to feel more. He raised his head and connected his eyes with hers.
A whirlpool sucked her in and she felt lost in his presence. His lips descended and captured one nipple, then the other. If she’d felt sparks at the touch of his hand, now his lips were sending fireballs through her body. She whimpered at the sensations coursing through her and she gripped the back of his head, arching into his assault. His lips trailed along her cleavage as he nipped and licked her skin. When he reached her belly, he pressed his lips to her navel, then gave her a gentle bite. Her belly trembled at his touch and she heard a low growl escape from his throat.
In the meantime, on the wall, the bauble inside the pummel of the sword began to glow brightly as the two engaged. Her stone also caught fire in its center where the flickering dot became a glowing ember. As their energies ignited, the sword’s power flowed into its owner. The more aroused Ariella became the brighter the flame inside the Diainspar stone became.
Her body trembled with need. She ached to feel more of him, to take him inside of her. She wanted to experience it all, and she wanted him to teach her. Her body twisted with the need for fulfillment. He continued lower until he reached her junction. He kissed the apex of her thighs and parted them.
Awakening: The Prince of Nabalar (The Princes of Uvieroein Book 1) Page 10