"I'm Belkyss," she whispered. It was almost like a kiss.
Janeck closed his eyes, blissful.
"I've never seen you around here," he said then, a little awkwardly.
He didn't recognize himself. He felt as if he'd gone back in time, to he was much younger and was just starting to get to know the other sex.
"I come from Crowleg," she answered. "I'm a wanderer."
"Welcome to Ker Wald!" he said. "There are celebrations coming soon for the summer..."
"I don't like celebrations much," she said with a sigh, looking away.
"Neither do I," he replied promptly, denying his past life with one short sentence. He didn't even realize he was lying. At that moment he really thought he'd rather spend the summer alone with her.
She laughed.
"You say that only to please me!" she said. Then she was serious again. "I'm not ready to meet crowds. I'd rather stay here alone with you..." As she spoke, her fingers brushed his hand.
Janeck shivered and gulped. He'd let her speak, decide things, anything. He'd do anything for her.
Belkyss, he thought, delighted. A name that sounded like a kiss, a wonderful meeting on a sunny summer day.
***
The second magic meeting on the lake shore was made of silence and adoring stares. Since he couldn't hold his desire any longer, Janeck took Belkyss in his arms to kiss her, but she turned her head the other way, serious.
"Why?" he asked, heart-sore. "You don't like me?"
"I like you a lot," she answered without looking at him. "But you're the heir to Goldberg's throne and I don't want to lose my virtue to your whim."
"It's not a whim!" he protested.
She put one finger over his lips with a smile that was both secret and teasing.
"Passions that burn stronger are the ones that die out sooner," she said. "It's better if we don't see each other again."
He opened his mouth to protest, but she put her hand on his lips, signaling him to be quiet. She rose and left, humming to herself, leaving him gaping and desperate.
For a week Janeck went back to the place where he had met her, more and more anguished and unhappy at her absence. The projects of feasts, hunts and games had drowned in the well of his despair.
Every night he dreamed of Belkyss who tempted him with her smile and her eyes, and every day he hoped to meet her without success.
When he understood Belkyss wouldn't come back to the lake shore, he looked for her throughout Ker Wald. He found her in the weavers' house, busy with her humble work, and she didn't look surprised to see him.
Janeck fell at her feet and sank his face in her hands.
"Please, I can't live without you," he begged, ignoring the stares of the other weavers.
She made him stand and took him outside, in the small garden behind the house.
"You won't leave me alone until you have me, will you?" she said, serious. "Fine, come to me tonight. It will pass."
"It won't!" he assured her, relieved. "Where do you live?"
It was a small wattle and daub house at the edge of the village near Ker Wald, which at sunset looked almost magical. One room, with the hearth in one corner and the bed in the other, a bench and a table.
Belkyss welcomed him with a smile. The first time she had looked like a lost noble maiden, that morning like a humble but gorgeous weaver, now he felt he was staring at a real princess.
"You're so beautiful," he said,dazzled.
"You're joking, right?" she replied. "A nice gown and fake jewels are enough to make a woman a queen?"
"In your case yes," he answered. "I shall marry you and cover you with real jewels and brocade gowns..."
She laughed at him, showing her throat. Janeck wanted to kiss her. She made him sit on a bench and offered him wine, sweet and sparkling.
He downed it quickly. He didn't need wine to want her more than he already did. He lost himself in her eyes without noticing anything else.
***
Summer was wonderful, even though not really as Janeck expected. Seduced by Belkyss, he spent all the time with her, and even though he had introduced her to his friends, they often went off on their own and the organization of entertainment, usually in the hands of the prince, had been assigned to someone more enterprising.
The noble maidens whispered among themselves, jealous of the "peasant" who passed herself off as a lady and who seemed to have seduced handsome Prince Janeck. The young men were charmed by the beauty and elegance of the newcomer and the ladies had to admit that Belkyss seemed destined – or even born – to be queen.
Janeck didn't listen to their comments. He saw only Belkyss. And when the leaves started falling from the trees, he took her to Goldberg, ti the winter court, to introduce her to his father and his subjects.
The betrothal of Prince Janeck was a memorable event, but not as luxurious as the wedding that followed in spring. Cherry flower petals fell like snow on the bride and guests. Everybody was charmed by Belkyss, all dressed in white, and Janeck kept asking for toasts to his beautiful wife.
His happiness seemed never-ending. His father abdicated and retired to Ker Wald, leaving the power to him. Unnoticed at first, Belkyss started taking part in the politics and kingdom businesses, attending councils with her husband, which made some counselors complain about her intervention in state matters.
"But if my husband the king were at war and couldn't participate in this council, I should be able to do it, right?" she told them innocently. "It seems fitting that the queen knows what's going on in the kingdom."
Janeck backed her claim and even modified ancient laws to allow her to vote in the council sessions.
Rumors began, saying the king had lost his head over his wife and that his madness would be the end of the kingdom. Especially since the queen, with the excuse of politics and state business, didn't seem willing to give birth to an heir.
Janeck started getting rid of anyone who spoke against him or his wife, deaf to any advice that didn't come from his beloved Belkyss. For some time a rumor spread at the Goldberg palace that the death of the old king hadn't been natural, but it was immediately denied.
Janeck earned power and cruelty, and seemed more and more short-tempered. The happy and cheerful prince was becoming a despotic and grumpy tyrant who changed voice and face only in front of his beautiful wife who didn't look affected by the changes.
In less than a year Janeck lost it completely and his wife was "forced" to send him to Ker Wald so he could be healed.
In spite of the fact that a reigning queen wasn't optimal, everybody was relieved. The irascible king was gone and the queen looked wise and gentle...
***
Janeck had been bound and locked in a tower at Ker Wald, rabid and wild. Nobody washed him as he gnashed his teeth at everyone. Nobody dared shave him either, and even giving him food was a hard task.
He's a wounded wild animal, his mother thought, staring at him from afar. Gods, son, what did that witch do to you?
No wizard or healer could calm the possessed young king. Not even priests managed to give him back his mind. Then the queen mother, who had her own idea about human sicknesses, decided to set him free.
They took him to the forest, blindfolded and tied, and abandoned him there.
Mother Nature shall heal you, she thought watching him. You shall survive or die. She spurred her horse, getting away from Janeck's fury.
At sunset, the young king had gotten rid of the bonds and blindfold, and looked around like a caged animal. Any tree, any rock, any shadow was an enemy. The struggle for survival in the woods, without weapons or any human help, might cure his madness.
Otherwise death was better that a soulless animal life.
***
Janeck's hair was blond after years spent under the sun. The king looked older than thirty. He had recovered his humanity, but had lost ten years of his life.
Now he only wished to get his throne back and avenge his wife's betrayal
.
It was a very different king who came out from the forest after ten years. Queen Belkyss reigned with an iron fist from her Goldberg palace and the subjects were certain the king was dead. They put up with the queen since she didn't have children and at her death they'd put someone more suitable in her place.
Few knew Janeck was still alive. Perys and Vilko were faithful companions of his wild life and soon brothers Rylan and Rohan had joined them in the forest. Perys was losing his hair, and blamed Belkyss for the loss. Vilko had a very shy and sad smile. Both looked older than their age, much like Janeck, as if something had sucked their vital energy out of them.
Rylan and Rohan, both blond and curly-haired, were younger. Rylan had lost his left arm when a demon sent by Belkyss had attacked them. It hadn't killed Janeck, but it had taken Rylan's arm.
Perys and Vilko reached the town before Janeck to announce his comeback and crowds of cheering subjects welcomed him with standing ovations. He was escorted to the palace by everyone, but he entered the great hall followed only by his four companions of the wild life.
Belkyss sat on the throne with nonchalant aplomb and Janeck's heart missed a beat. His wife hadn't changed, she was still gorgeous and smiled at him in a way that made him sick. He quickly recovered, noticing a dark-haired young man standing next to her who stared at him with open hostility.
"I see you're ready to find someone else," Janeck said, sarcastic.
"Not at all," she answered. "I won't have another husband, but these years were long and lonely and my bed couldn't stay empty. Malko has been with me for two years now. And tell me, did your friends tell you they've been my lovers too?"
"Yes, they told me what you did to them," he replied. "How you stole their lives, the same thing you did to me. That's why I came back. To put an end to your spells and take back the kingdom that is mine."
Belkyss looked at him in a way that once upon a time would have melted his heart and that made his companions shiver. But the wild life had not only healed his mind, it had also made him immune to any spell of his beautiful wife.
"Get off that throne," he snapped. "Go back to your place, woman, I am the king."
"You are so self-righteous!" Malko came defiantly forward, defending the beautiful queen.
"Lock him up," Janeck ordered, still staring at her. Two guards took away the dark-haired young man, ignoring his protests.
Slowly Belkyss rose and gave him his throne, standing next to him like a beautiful statue.
Relieved to have returned to a more human state, Janeck took back the reins of the kingdom, giving orders to guards and dignitaries as if he'd never left.
***
Belkyss did her best to vanish during that busy day, but she noticed the triumphant stares. She wasn't sure what Janeck would do to her yet. She couldn't read upon that stranger's face what her future would be.
At dinner she sat next to him but he didn't turn to her once, laughing with his friends and ignoring her. But as soon as they finished eating, he grabbed her arm and dragged her away from the great hall without a word.
"Stop, you're hurting me!" she protested, since he was squeezing her wrist too tightly. "Janeck, let's talk about it! You had gone crazy, I had to lock you up at Ker Wald! It's not my fault if you escaped from there!"
"My mother set me free," he said bluntly.
He pushed her into their room, then onto the bed.
"You don't fool me anymore, witch," he said. "You did this to me. I don't know how and I don't want to know, but I'm healed and I won't let you spellbind me ever again."
"Then kill me," she challenged.
"I will. But first I want a son from you. My heart is dead and I don't want to look for another queen. Therefore, since you're my wife, you will give me the heir I need and then I will kill you."
"Forget it!" She tried to free herself from his grasp.
"Of course, you'd rather sleep with Vilko, Perys, Rohan, Rylan, or maybe that Malko of yours, but you don't want your husband to touch you? We'll see, bitch!"
"Janeck, no! I haven't slept with those men! I didn't sleep with anyone, I swear!"
"Not even with me?" he asked, sarcastic.
"Not even with you," she answered, serious. "I gave you a potion to drink that gave you the illusion of making love to me. You have actually never touched me."
"Liar!"
He attacked her without his past tenderness, and her struggles were useless. The gorgeous prince madly in love with her was dead. Now there was just a hateful man, determined to get revenge.
She was about to whisper a spell, but he closed her mouth with his. Belkyss discovered with dismay that not only was her husband now immune to her spells, he neutralized her powers with his physical strength. The desecration of her body made her scream in pain and surprised him.
"I thought you were lying," he whispered, incredulous.
She couldn't answer, choking on her tears. Explaining things to him was useless. He wasn't a woman and he wasn't a witch, what did he know of her sacrifices to get where she was? Sacrifices that had been wiped away in a moment of anger she had provoked.
Janeck sweetened, kissing and caressing her soothingly. Torn by conflicting feelings, Belkyss abandoned herself to that way too pleasurable torture.
***
Janeck looked asleep when Belkyss got up and dressed. She stared at him, thoughtful. He had changed, both physically and mentally, he had grown older while she hadn't. She looked at him with contempt, ignoring the pleasure he had given her despite herself after hurting her the way he had.
She went to the door, ready to leave the kingdom and take Malko with her. With Janeck things were getting dangerous.
"Where are you going?" His voice startled her. He hadn't moved, but his icy blue eyes stared at her.
"To make breakfast for my lord and king," she answered humbly, hiding the boiling anger inside her.
"That won't be necessary." He rose and reached her, still naked. "You won't get out of this room until I say so." He pushed her back towards the bed. "Should I tie you up?"
"I'm the queen, I'm your wife, you have no right to treat me like this!" she protested.
"You're my prisoner," he replied bluntly. "You live only to give birth to my heir. My subjects don't need you."
"Then grab any goddamn whore to have a son, you don't need me either!"
"Why should I, since I married you?" He scoffed. "You've been avoiding your bridal duty for way too long. Would you like to do it again?"
He pulled her closer and kissed her, making her head spin. He tore her clothes off and took her again, but when he was done, he tied her to the bed.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"I don't trust you, dear," he answered with a smirk. "You shall be guarded and I don't want you to use your spells on my men." He gagged her and covered her body with the bed sheet. He dressed and left, shooting her a sarcastic glance.
Soon Perys came in for guard duty. Belkyss bit the gag, frustrated. She couldn't do anything. She was her husband's prey and victim, and it was her fault Janeck treated her like that. But she'd rather die than go through all those humiliations.
***
Rohan and Rylan were inseparable even during guard duties. Since they had to feed Belkyss, they took the gag away, keeping her under blades' threat.
"I won't do anything," she promised.
Rylan stayed on guard with his sword in his single arm while Rohan fed the prisoner.
"You're badly off," Belkyss said, observing Rylan's maiming.
"Thanks to your demons," the young man replied, hostile.
"Mine?" She pretended incredulity. "I don't summon demons. Sorcerers do and they're much more powerful than me."
"Right, and old Yankele worked for you." Rohan scoffed. "Eat."
Belkyss obeyed, but she kept staring at Rylan.
"My gifts are mostly for healing," she said at last. "If you free me, I'll give you back your lost arm."
The sword tr
embled in Rylan's arm.
"Out, Rylan," Rohan snapped, putting the tray of empty plates on the floor.
"But I..." his brother protested.
"She's lying, Rylan."
"No, I can do it!" Belkyss assured. Her eyes had captured Rylan's.
Rohan grabbed his brother and pushed him out of the room, calling Perys to take care of him.
"Don't try that with me," he warned, going back to the bed. "I'm not that vulnerable."
"What a tough man," she said, admiring. "Your brother was always very childish compared to you. Why don't you lie next to me? I'm cold... and I'm tied up, what can I do to you?"
Rohan glanced at her naked breasts only half hidden by the linen sheet. He'd been in love with her too and was the most handsome of her past lovers. He hadn't liked the arrival of dark-haired Malko and now that Janeck was busy, maybe he could take a real pass at the beautiful woman – since Janeck had told him that he'd been duped too.
Belkyss knew how to get to his dick, even though she was tied up. She moved, pretending to be uncomfortable on the bed, only to let the sheet slide off a nipple. Her lips opened as if she were ready to kiss him.
He fell for it. He leaned to kiss her and freed her hand, so she could touch him and caress him. She hit him with a spell that made him scream and roll to the floor, moaning in pain and holding his head with both hands. Belkyss freed her other hand and quickly pulled on a tunic before rushing out of the room.
***
Janeck and the others found Rohan curled up in a ball on the floor, still hurt and desperate. There was no trace of Belkyss.
"Perys, Vilko, find her," Janeck ordered, helping Rohan to get up and recover from the spell.
Belkyss had gone to the dungeon to free Malko. Perys and Vilko found her almost immediately. She had already taken her young lover out of his cell.
"Stop!" Perys unsheathed his sword.
Without hesitation, she hit both with a spell and both crumbled just like Rohan. The guards who tried to stop the witch suffered the same fate. Belkyss took Malko's hand and they rushed up the stone staircase, to find Janeck at the top, his arms crossed over his chest.
Tales of the Northern Kingdoms volume 2 Page 18