“I love you,” she threw herself into his arms.
He held her tight against him with her head resting on his chest. “What is it you would like to do for the rest of the night Sweetling?”
“Be with you,” she closed her eyes for a brief second.
“You are my consort and soon you will be my wife, it will be the first declaration of our rule, and we will marry for all to see in the Grand Temple with the ceremony performed by The High Priest himself.” He lifted her tear-stained face upward with a warm smile. “In the eyes of Aghadine, I give you my favor above all other women, and any children you bear me, would have a protected status. My slaves who still live and are loyal to me would honor your position as my concubine.” His lips brushed across hers.
Nelina’s hands touched the sides of his face. “You are my beloved Magus,”
His mouth parted hers, and his tongue became entwined with hers. He wasted little time in removing her nightdress, and maneuvering her to edge of the bed while he remained standing and discarded his robe.
Nelina sat with her legs parted with her hands resting on his broad chest.
Bringing her long legs up to his shoulders, she lay back on the bed as he kissed the inner part of her ankle. His hardness throbbed against the velvety folds between her thighs where he was greeted with the readiness of her arousal. He eased himself inside of her slowly, and then slid back and forth from the tip to the hilt of his shaft repeating his gentle assault controlling the tempo until she writhed desperate and craving him.
Her smooth legs slinked up and down his body while stretching upward toward his neck eager to reach that glorious peak she was coming to know well these days.
After three or four more times of gliding in and out of her he paused with a seductive smoldering smile before switching to a faster pace.
She was unable to control herself as she gave over to the hot rush running through her entire body.
His eyes closed while taking his own pulsing release within her making sure he was spent before withdrawing from her warmth.
After another final kiss Nelina turned on her side in exhaustion. “I can’t keep my eyes open anymore.”
He kissed the back of her head while wrapping her in his arms. “Sleep well, Sweetling.”
“Good night, I love you” It was the last thing she said before drifting off into a deep slumber.
Ru’ark let Nelina rest and did not wake her when morning came. While she rested, he took the liberty of having her morning meal prepared for her for until she finally did stir. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did, thank you,” she smiled. “I appreciated being able to sleep in and for the morning meal you were nice enough to get for me.”
“You’re quite welcome, it wasn’t much to arrange.” Ru’ark sat with her until she finished her food.
Nelina after finishing her light breakfast of warm bread and eggs changed into the green dress she knew Ru’ark liked seeing on her. “Are we coming back here at all?”
“We are not, Rueben will have someone meet us later, and he’ll have our things, including your armor and sword.” He was looking forward to exploring the water gardens with her. According to Rueben, it was a place well suited to lovers with private benches for intimacy.
Ru’ark had never been to the water gardens himself, seeing no need to waste time on such a frivolous outing. However, today he intended to spend with Nelina there since he was unsure what tomorrow held.
The morning light on the Inn’s dock heightened the overall grandeur of the place. It was obvious the Inn was named because of the wide blue pool of water on a cloudless day and the sunlight bringing out the blue.
In front were several ornate flat bottomed boats. With a nod to one of the Boatman Ru’ark and Nelina boarded one of the small boats instructing the young man to take them to the water gardens with the promise of a few silver coins. The city during the day had a much different feel as they propelled deeper into the city’s depths. They passed under different small arched bridges adorned with flower boxes.
Going down the canal their boatman led them down to where it opened up into a wider and bigger area which connected to the water gardens. The Gardens themselves covered a generous expanse of the city, which were joined by different bridges allowing access to all its parts. It was the lush vegetation, where the rest of the city stood in contrast to itself with its city block seeming to defy the water as they rested upon their long petrified stilts. While the city stood in contrast of the water, the gardens blended as one. The mid-morning sun caught the reds, deep blues, and white hues of the flowers cascading from the flat islands which linked together making up the entrance to the water gardens. At the entrance of the gardens was a section that could hold about a dozen of the flat bottomed boats.
Ru’ark, when they reached the dock entrance slipped a handful of silvers from a pouch beneath his robes, and pressed the coins into the man’s hand after helping Nelina out of the boat. “For the quiet ride,” Ru’ark scooped up Nelina’s arm with a warm smile. “Come, my Sweetling let us see what these water gardens are made of.”
The garden paths were well groomed as the two made their way into the garden. The sound of small, well-kept waterfalls filled the air only interrupted by the musical call of the wild water birds that made the marsh their home. Each island was similar yet different than the one that preceded it. They all held an assortment of small trees and floral paths, some were dotted with quiet benches while others had raised rocks that seemed to defy the water and give the impression you were walking on top of the water itself. The scent of the flowers filled the air as the color and shades of blue mixed with fiery oranges offset by vibrant yellow hues. Finding one of the taller trees giving shade to a quiet bench with a swooping gesture Ru’ark motioned for Nelina to sit. “Let’s sit and take each other company for a while together.”
“I would love that,” with a loving smile she sat with her body leaning into his on the quiet bench undisturbed as the morning moved past its mid-day point.
“It’s breathtaking here.” Nelina’s voice carried a sense of wonder.
Ru’ark kissed the back of her hand. “Not as much as you are to me.”
The afternoon passed in a similar manner except for a brief break, when Ru’ark produced a flask of dark red wine and a pair of traveling cups along with a small helping of fresh bread and sharp aged cheese. Their stroll was leisurely for the rest of the day around the gardens yet at the same time solemn and quiet as both knew the upcoming path. It was not until the sky filled the fire pinks and deep violet colors of the setting sun that Ru’ark let her to a section of the garden they had passed through earlier with its large green hedges. This section of the water garden was especially secluded from other people passing by which was why he chose it.
Ru’ark took Nelina’s hand in his own. “I have preparations I need to tend to for us this evening.”
“What preparations Love?” She wondered what they might be.
With a clever smile he gave her hand a light squeeze. “For our journey,” without another word, his eyes took on their dark color from using his power. Using his hands in a deliberate series of gestures the smoke ignited from him as the thin tendrils dived into the water beneath the small island they were standing on. The weaving in merging with the water beneath brought forth a thick mist moving across the water’s edge filling the almost empty water garden and the city beyond. His fingers and hands stilled as his eye returned to their normal shade of blue. “It is time to depart my dear Sweetling.”
Nelina, arm and arm with Ru’ark, followed his lead in leaving the garden and heading towards the city center.
The misty fog increased and grew in density, which limited their vision to more than an arm’s length while clinging to their steps. Ru’ark was aware of his surroundings as he was leading Nelina to the huge structure which marked the very center of the City of Kiffet.
The city square itself had little to no activity when the
y arrived. It was all of sudden that the fog opened up and cleared as they stood at the base of the towering arched dome reaching up to the night sky. Four pillars in each of its corners supported the large imposing structure. The pillars appeared too thin to support the massive domes topping them. Covering the center of a raised platform was largest of the domes that they stood under.
Ru’ark glanced up to the dome and the clear night sky above. The fog hanging around the base of structure left the tower untouched.
“I arrived in these lands using one these.” He had no intention of harm coming to either of them, and he was confident enough that the risk was small and an acceptable one.
“Why didn’t the other Magus’s use it?” Nelina’s question remained unanswered as she and Ru’ark caught notice a man by himself stepping out of the fog and walking directly toward them carrying a pack and Nelina’s sword in his other hand approaching them.
The man greeted them with haste. “Lord Magus, Rueben sent me,” he glanced past Ru’ark’s shoulder “Whatever you are doing, you should do quickly. It will not take them long to get the fire under control.”
The man pressing the bag and the sword into Ru’ark’s hands, then turning immediately to disappear back into the fog from whence he came.
Nelina spun around and saw the muted orange glow from the fire through the fog then turned back to Ru’ark.
Nelina standing on the pedestal could see all the strange markings that formed a perfect circle around them.
As Ru’ark let the large sack and Nelina’s sword drop to his feet as he faced Nelina to face him.
“Listen to me, whatever you do, you can’t let go of me, understand?” He needed to work fast.
“I won’t,” she promised.
“Take a tight hold of me.” The Waraeu slithered through his body, his eyes turned black as dark, thick, smoky tendrils poured from his hands and into the etched symbols beneath their feet infusing them with power. With a soundless press of force the hanging fog surrounding the two was swept away, leaving them standing alone at the center of the Clasu'trum. Its towering arches and once hidden symbols came to life as one etching ignited the rest until all were illuminated. The floor of the tower flashed with light joined by the sound of stone grinding on stone seemingly in tune with the growing blinding white light. It traveled up the pillars supporting the dome above shaking with each pulse of the dark power coming from the magus.
Nelina saw thin strings of light feeding through the pillars to the ceiling of the dome where it shook with fragments ripping apart and falling on top of them. She buried her face against Ru’ark’s chest the light hurt her eyes. She could feel his arms wrap around her as the world crashed down around them. Her whole body tingled while a brief wave of nausea washed over her before it left and with it, everything became eerily still.
“We’ve arrived,” Ru’ark loosened his grip on her.
With a few blinks Nelina’s eyes adjusted as she pulled herself away from the safety of Ru’ark’s chest. The warm air hit her lungs hard as she looked at the overgrown vegetation around them. They had finally arrived at the Ruins of Siltaran.
The Palace guard’s armor of silver and gold shone bright in midday sunlight as Celeste with Orson and her entourage of guards strolled through the royal garden to reach the Magus’s private chambers. The city guards posted in the palace by Elian for Ru’ark’s protection did not try to stop the queen or her men as they passed by heading toward the Magus chamber.
Celeste spoke to Orson once they were out of earshot of the city guards. “Make sure the city guards do not leave until we’re done. The last thing we want is them returning to their Captain and spoiling my day.”
Orson’s fist moved over his heart. “Yes, my Queen.”
Celeste scowled under her breath at the tower that the Magus had taken up residence in. Her enemy had made his home in the garden tower for several years now. However, this last year she had enough of him to last a lifetime. The Magus had always been quiet and reclusive and she had left Agnar to deal with the Magus because he insisted on it. Once again, he proved incompetent forcing her to act.
She arched an eyebrow upward as she approached the Magus door.
Adar sat in their way with his legs crossed, and his eyes were closed as if asleep.
Celeste’s face twisted with disgust as she spat out her words. “Move, or I will have your limbs torn from you one by one where you sit.”
The Queen’s Guards surround Adar with each of their spears pointing at the bald unarmed man, waiting for his next move or their Queens order.
Adar knew that the Queen would make good on her threat. He also figured that in the span of two breaths he could kill each of them here. He would take joy in felling the large gray haired, balding one with the heavy sword, but his Magus had not left him here for that purpose. Adar’s eyes opened slowly taking in the scene. The spear tips of the guards were a finger’s length away from Adar’s head as he stood up and stepped out of the Queen’s path.
“By the God of All himself, look my Queen.” Orson eyes were fixated on the door. The frame itself was not a door so much as it was an extension of the wall. The Magus had fused the wood of the door with the stone of the wall making the two, one.
Celeste’s irritation grew, she would be damned before letting that get in her way. “Find me the stone mason and bring picks, get me through that wall!”
Two of the younger guard’s eyes darted between one another unsure of whether to lower their spears to obey the queen’s order or to keep them on the prisoner.
Orson chose the two men closest to him, “You two are with me.” His glare to the other half dozen guards was stern. “You will keep our Queen safe!” with a light bow to Celeste, Orson with the two younger guards in tow disappeared back into the palace.
Celeste was impatient, as she waited for Orson to return with the Mason and the picks. Her fingers drummed on her folded arms, staring at Adar, who stood motionless surrounded by her guards. “All of this is your Master’s fault, you know that, don’t you?”
Adar’s eyes ignored her and the guards as he remained unflinching.
“You and your demon master from the Waste have brought this upon yourselves.” The Queen’s chestnut brown eyes narrowed in condemnation at Adar’s uninterested face. “I will not be a guest in my own home.” Her next sentence was interrupted by Orson’s voice from behind indicating that he had arrived with the stone mason and picks.
The stonemason wasted no time in directing of Orson’s men on where to strike to break through where the door and the wall had fused together.
Celeste paced back and forth aggravated while the two young guards under direction of the stone masons chipped away at the wall. By midday they were at last successful in breaking through. “About time,”
Orson handed the mason a few coins for his service. “The crown thanks you,”
The mason had parted his lips to speak to Orson further until Celeste’s glare bore into him. With a nervous nod, he snatched the coins and scurried away from Orson and the Queen, to head back in the direction of palace’s exit.
Celeste climbed through the hole in the wall into the room that once belonged to the Magus. She wasted no time heading up the stairs leading to his bed chamber and in going to the covered mirror to pull off its thick shroud. At first, she touched the mirror as she had before, but its reflective surface did not change. “Magus, I’ve arrived, as you said- your brother has finally left with his slave pet.” She waited for a half spill of the hourglass before she tapped the surface again with her nail. “Magus, I have need of you it is urgent!” It was to no avail, there was no response. “Orson! It appears that this other Magus is going to keep me waiting I need a chair.”
“Of course, my Queen.” Orson grabbed one of the velvet chairs and put it in front of the mirror.
It was well past the evening meal, and the day’s light was gone, replaced instead by candles and lanterns. Her back had grown sore and stiff as
she waited in front of this strange mirror. “I’m done with this,” mumbling she stood up from the chair she had been in. The second she turned her back, she heard his voice.
“Good Queen of Danthamore, I see that you have arrived here before me. I can only surmise that my brother has finally left your home.” Malark waited until she was facing him before giving her a warm smile.
Celeste’s brows creased in frustration. “Your brother has taken off with his pet, and has left his dog here, along with Danthamore’s treasonous Captain of the Guard, Elian, who is a blind devotee to him.” His soothing smile softened her anger causing her demeanor to become more calm and collected. “But, you will have solutions to rid my Kingdom of your infernal brother and his slave pet I hope.”
Malark’s words carried a sense of urgency to them. “My Dear, High Queen, I am worried things have become far too dangerous for you to handle yourself.”
Her words carried a sharp edge to them. “I don’t need a Magus speaking through a mirror to tell me what I already know. What I need is to be rid of your brother and a way to do that.”
“My Queen his actions have deviated from our intended purpose in your lands.” His arms disappeared into the folds of his silver and black robe. “Our council would never sanction the behavior he has shown. He acts without any regard for you and your people’s wellbeing.” Each calming word was well-chosen with the sole intent to sway her in the direction he wanted. “I can aid you My Queen, but it requires that I find a means of travel to your lands.”
Her sigh was deep with defeat. “Then why not journey here as your brother had? I am no Magus and nor do I have any secret way to cross the Waste.”
Malark gave a slight nod. “My Queen if it were it that simple, we would have removed my brother long ago. The means he used to escape the Waste and arrive in your lands was destroyed upon his entrance.”
The Magus (A Chronicle of Rebirth Book 1) Page 24