“Do I look alright?” I asked, and she nodded.
“You look perfect. Again, I am so sorry.” I couldn’t help but hug her tight to thank her, before walking out of the bathroom.
The guys were lined up wearing dark green suits, and I smiled at how nice they looked, despite the somber occasion. Sic came forward and offered me an arm so we could walk to the viewing. They told me that the public would have one day to say goodbye, and then the funeral would be the following day, privately. I knew Emot’s parents were coming and Kai’s dad, as well as Sic’s mother, but that was it.
“Did you invite my father, by chance?” I asked Sic, as we walked down the stairs.
“Are you nuts? No. I’m not letting that man within a hundred yards of you, ever again,” Sic’s reply was hushed, but no less deadly serious.
“Did anyone notify him?” I asked. “I mean, at one point he had to have loved her, right? shouldn’t he know?” I felt guilty that he wouldn’t be able to say his respects to his own wife, even if he did try to kill her.
“Yes, an envoy was dispatched to inform him,” He whispered, as we neared the bottom. “They returned with no information about his reaction, and they weren’t let onto the North Kingdom lands.” He stopped speaking as the doors in front of us were opened to a long line of people waiting to pay their respects. The guards parted and followed us to a dais where five throne-like chairs had been placed. Sic helped me sit in the middle one, and the others sat in the two on either side of me.
Guards lined the front of the dais as people slowly began to follow a line around my mother’s body. Most kissed their hands and placed them on her forehead, some outright bawled, and a few knelt to pray. The day wore on as more and more mourners filed through the doors, until I recognized a family that entered the castle doors.
Indra and Wade were dressed finely and had both children with them. When they neared, Sic told the guards to let them pass, and Indra went down on one knee. “Your Majesty, I am deeply sorry for your loss, and the merpeople grieve for you, as well. As a tribute to your mother, the Merpeople shall not light the night sky for three days, in honor of your loss, and to show our own grief.”
“Please rise, Indra, you do not need to bow here,” Sic spoke, allowing Wade to help her rise. “It is very kind of the Merpeople to extend their heartfelt sympathies, and it is greatly appreciated.”
Indra and Wade backed off the dais and returned to the line, saying their own farewells to my mother. They moved along with the line and then they were gone once more. The sky darkened as the last few mourners passed through the doors, and the line finally ended. Sic rose and knelt near my head. “There are only a few more, and they requested to come after everyone else had gone.”
I looked up at him curiously and asked, “Who would wait until the very end?” As soon as I spoke, I saw the Nymph King and his son walk through the doors.
“Your Majesties, Maisie.” The king stopped just outside of the guards and I rose along with the others. I noticed they both wore clothing in the same dark green as we did. “I am deeply grieved by your loss and wish to say that we shall watch over your mother’s grave for as long as Nymphs reside in the lake.” He grasped my hands and kissed both cheeks before allowing his son to do the same.
They both paid their respects to my mother, and before they left, they assured me that they were grateful for the wall and the protection. “The Sprites have agreed to decorate the grave site, and together, we will make sure your mother is well honored,” the King spoke one final time, and they made their way back out again. Once the doors to the castle closed, I realized how exhausted I was.
“You did wonderfully Maisie, it is difficult, I know. Emot is going to get something for you to eat and bring it upstairs,” Kai said, as he held out his arm, for once being serious. I yawned as we began walking back upstairs towards the room, and tomorrow looked to be another hard day.
The funeral was simple, and we gathered around the grave site as the glass coffin was lowered into the ground. Emot’s mother cried the entire time and so did Emot’s dad. I remembered Evat saying he had once been betrothed to my mother, but I hadn’t known that they had remained friends. After the service, I watched the tiny lights flutter out of the trees and cover the grave with beautiful flowers.
“Your Majesty, it is an honor to help in any way we can,” A tiny Sprite piped up from in front of me, after the flowers began to bloom. “Your mother was an amazing woman.” The Sprites left almost as quickly as they had arrived, leaving nothing but wildflowers in their wake.
Sic walked up next to me and placed a hand on my back. “Are you ready to go back?” I nodded and turned, noticing the others had begun the short hike to the castle. Salima waited for a moment until everyone was gone before approaching.
“Might I have a word with my son?” She asked politely, but Sic stiffened beside me.
“Anything you have to say, Mother, you can say in front of Maisie,” Sic replied, not removing his hand from the small of my back.
Salima looked at me and glared slightly before focusing on Sic. “I want you to come home,” She demanded as if he were still a child.
“What do you mean, come home?” He asked in disbelief.
“Forget this treaty and come home where it’s safe,” She pleaded, entirely ignoring my existence.
“It’s a little late for that, Mother. the treaty has been signed,” I could hear the frustration in Sic’s voice, as she became more demanding.
“Then fuck her to make it valid and come home.” She gestured in my direction and stomped her foot.
“Excuse me, this is my wife your talking about, despite the fact that the union isn’t consummated yet, we are technically married,” His voice became almost a deadly hiss, as he informed her of the facts. “Besides, you haven’t given me a good enough reason to want to leave.”
She pointed at me and the sneered, “Because everyone who gets near her is either injured or winds up dead. I don’t want the next funeral to be yours.” She faked a concerned look but didn’t fool either Sic or me.
“Don’t you think this motherly protection goes against your norm, Mother?” Sic spoke in a quiet whisper, and her face turned beet red in anger.
“No, Vago is actively hunting her and you could have been killed while trying to rescue her from his clutches,” My brain snapped on her words, but I couldn’t place what was off about them. Sic’s hand left my back and he held out his arm to me.
“This conversation is over, Mother. we are going back to the castle for lunch.” He placed my arm on his sleeve, and we began walking away.
“I can’t protect you if you choose to ally yourself with her, please don’t do this.” Sic ignored her and we kept walking.
“Why would she say that?” I whispered, as we headed back.
“I have my suspicions but nothing definitive yet, if that changes, I’ll let you know,” He spoke softly, as we turned up the path.
Emot, Kai, and Zugo were waiting for us at the top of the path when we arrived. “Everything alright?” Emot asked Sic, as we walked through the gates.
“Everything is fine. Let’s go eat,” Sic replied, as Emot walked beside us. I thought about it and realized I needed to give them some alone time soon.
Once we were inside, the servers set the table for everyone and had a small lunch prepared. Salima didn’t join us and I wasn’t the least bit sorry about it. Sic didn’t seem surprised or sorry, either. Emot’s parents and Kai’s father told stories about my mother, just reminiscing about the past. It was nice to see a different side of her than I had before. They didn’t stay long after lunch, and Escu made sure to hug me goodbye, while also mentioning her desire to visit soon.
We waved farewell from the gates as they all left, and then Kai scooped me up in his arms. “How does a nap sound, just the two of us?” I rolled my eyes, but it did sound kinda nice, so I let him carry me up to the bedroom.
Two Days Later
More victims
of Vago’s attacks arrived in the village and we added more houses as needed. The days were busy as we helped people get settled in. I was walking through the village with Zugo and Sic when Sic pulled me to a stop letting Zugo walk ahead a bit. “I wanted to ask if you would go on a date with me?”
“You don’t have to ask me on a date? We spend time together every day,” I replied, trying to laugh off his question.
“I know, but I mean just the two of us, like a real date,” Sic clarified, looking oddly nervous.
I decided to tease him just a bit. “What did you have in mind?”
His steps faltered for a moment before he caught up with me. “Well, I was actually thinking about taking you to meet see the nesting grounds. You have met Indra, the Nymphs, and the Sprites already, but the Gryphons, while wild, are still friendly. They live deeper in the mountains to the South.” He smiled as we began the walk up to the castle. “We can ride on the unicorns to get there.” The girly girl in my heart squealed her delight at riding a unicorn.
Trying to control my excitement I nodded. “I would like that.” Realizing I really would like that, my excitement built more as we entered the castle. “When would you like to go?”
“I was thinking in half an hour. you can change into comfortable clothes, then we can leave. I’ll get the unicorns ready to go, I think we can leave the guards here for this trip since we are only going into the mountains.” Sic smiled as I did a giddy little dance and ran halfway up the stairs, before turning back.
“Will we be able to feed them do you think? Oh, never mind.” I squealed and raced up the rest of the stairs. The doors opened wide as I ran in, startling Kai and Emot. “No time to talk, unicorn rides and Gryphons,” I yelled as I ran past, ripping off my dress before I even made it to the closet. While I was Rummaging around for comfy clothes, Kai walked into the doorway to watch me change.
“Jeans might be best,” He commented, as I hopped into a pair of leggings almost falling over in the process. “Trust me, you want jeans, not leggings.” Pulling the leggings off, I tossed them at Kai, as he handed me the jeans.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, and pulled the jeans on as fast as possible. I grabbed the shoes and started for the door.
Kai’s hand snaked out and grabbed my waist, and he pulled me to a stop by his side. “Forgetting something?”
“Oh.” I stretched up and kissed him, but he didn’t release me.
“As much as I appreciate the kiss, you might want a shirt too.” Looking down I realized I was still topless, and I laughed at myself.
“You are probably right.” I ripped a shirt of a hanger and put it on as fast as I could, while still holding my shoes. “Thank you again.” I kissed him once more and then rushed out of the closet. Stopping by Emot, I kissed him too, then ran out the door.
“Hey what about my kiss?” Zugo’s voice came from the top of the stairs as I passed. Pausing, I gave him a swift kiss before running down the stairs and outside. The unicorns were on the steps, saddled and ready to go, Sic was fastening a few bags to his saddle as I plopped down on the steps to put my shoes on.
Once my shoes were on, I jumped up. “I’m ready.” Sic laughed softly, walking over to me.
“That took you all of ten minutes. I still need to get the stuff together, then we can go.” He pulled me closer for a moment. “Why don’t you go see if you can snag us some raw meat from the kitchens, then you can feed the Gryphons.” He pushed me back towards the castle doors with a smile.
I rushed to the stairwell and slid down two stairs in my hurry before slowing enough so I wouldn’t break my neck. The kitchen staff was busy making baskets for the new arrivals to the village. One of the head cooks noticed me standing there and walked over. “May I help you, Your Majesty?” He bowed low as he spoke.
“Please don’t bow, and I was hoping to get some raw meat from you to feed to the Gryphons.” He smiled and went to the large fridge, pulling two large paper packages out.
“His Majesty asked for me to prepare these for just that reason. Have a wonderful time,” he said Handing over the meat, and I realized it was heavier than I had expected it to be.
“Thank you.” Walking out of the kitchen and back up the stairs took longer than I thought, with as heavy as the meat was. Sic took it from me and loaded the second unicorn’s saddle bags with the packages.
“Here, let me help you up.” He placed his hands on my waist and lifted me up into the saddle, handing me the reins. He climbed up into his own saddle and then smiled. “Ready?” I grinned in a glee, making him laugh as he urged his mount forward, mine following naturally after his.
We followed a rough trail through the mountains for about half an hour until we reached a beautiful mountain glade. The field was covered in tall grass and wild flowers, and I noticed a small golden lake on the far side. Sic pulled to a stop near some trees and hopped down. Tying his unicorn to a tree before helping me down and tying mine next to his. He grabbed the meat, as well as what he had packed in his saddle bags, handing me a blanket.
“I didn’t bring any food because I figured we would go back before dinner, but this way you can sit down and feed them. The babies should come right up to us and sitting helps them feel comfortable.” He began to walk towards the woods, and I looked back at the field. “They live in the trees. this way.”
We walked deeper into the cool darkness beneath the canopy of blue and pink leaves until we reached a small clearing. He placed the meat down and took the blanket from me before spreading it out. We sat down and he opened one of the packages of meat and tossed several small chunks around us, and we waited.
It didn’t take long before a large adult flew down from the trees and began picking at the meat that we had tossed out. “She is checking to make sure we are friendly. Gryphons are still animals, but highly intelligent and know a friend from a foe,” Sic explained, as the gryphon tilted her head this and that way, while looking at us. She let out a loud screech and dozens more flew down from the trees. “If you hold out some meat, they will take it from you.” He handed me several small pieces and held his own hand out.
A large Gryphon came in and gently took the meat from his hand, as several tiny Gryphons walked underneath the large one. I held my hand out lower and three babies raced towards my hand. They pecked the meat up swiftly and then squawked for more. Sic placed the package between us and I picked up more as the babies practically knocked me over to get to it. I laughed as bird claws and lions’ paws crawled all over my lap. The large gryphon made a noise and all three backed off and sat.
They waited patiently for me to hand them each another piece and then more babies arrived. Before long, dozens of babies were all clamoring for a treat, while the adults watched from just behind them. Sic pulled the second package open and rose, feeding each of the adults while the babies chirped for more around me. I reached out and stroked baby beaks and feathers, as their tails flicked happily. Once all the meat was gone, the babies began to run around the clearing.
“We need to clean our hands, one sec.” Sic pulled a water bottle from the bag he had and a hand sanitizer. Wetting a towel, we cleaned our hands and then sanitized before he put it all back. “So, what do you think?” Sic asked, as he sat back down.
I watched the babies romping around as the adults watched from the lower branches of the trees. “They are fantastic, and so well mannered.” I laughed as two babies rolled around together in the grass. Sic reached over and tucked a loose hair behind my ear making me look over at him.
“I’m glad you’re having a good time. I like to come here when I need alone time, but I thought you would enjoy it.” He turned and looked out over the grove and I was struck by how handsome he was. They were all amazing to look at, but I hadn’t really taken the time to truly look. He turned back to look at me and smiled, melting my heart that much more. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, it’s perfect,” I said, while scooting closer to him.
“I didn’t bring y
ou out here to try to get into your pants, Maisie,” He spoke, as I leaned against him.
“I know, but does that mean you wouldn’t if given the chance,” I asked before climbing into his lap, so I was facing him.
“I’m not a monk,” He whispered just before my lips pressed his. I ran my tongue along his lips, and he deepened the kiss, sweeping into my mouth.
I broke the kiss after a moment and sighed. “Sic, do you think…” I trailed off and bit my lower lip.
“What? You don’t have to hide anything. I mean, technically, we are married, at least on paper,” He said, as he tipped my chin up. “What do you want?”
Nervously, I looked around and pushed him back onto the blanket. “Would you eat me like you did the other day?” He growled low in his throat and rolled us, so I was pinned below him. His lips captured mine and I felt his fingers working my pants open. He pulled my jeans down my hips and then off, placing them next to me.
I began lifting my shirt, but he stopped my hands. “Not here,” He whispered as he slid himself down my body, kissing my lower stomach and hip bones before blowing warm air on my core. His lips began kissing slowly until his tongue flicked out and ran along my slit. I arched up, as my hand tangled in his hair, and he swirled his tongue around my clit.
He sucked my clit as he held my hips pinned in place and then I felt his basilisk tongue slide deep into me. I moaned as he used his tongue much like a dildo and used the fork at the end to tease my g-spot. Back and forth, from my clit to my g-spot, had me practically thrashing my head in pleasure. My fist tightened in his hair as his hands slid up my thighs opening them wider, allowing him better access. He was relentless in his pursuit of my orgasm and it didn’t take him long.
My back arched as I flooded his mouth and my pussy rapidly spasmed around his forked tongue. He slowly crawled up my body until his cocks rubbed me through his pants. Rolling his hips, he rubbed my clit, but never tried to take his clothes off. He was grinding on me hard, and my body was rising to a second peak. I cried out hearing his hiss of pleasure at the heat between my thighs. His lips pressed on mine before he whispered, “If we don’t stop, I’m going to cum in my pants, and probably end up with claw marks on my back.”
The Basilisk Queen Page 6