“Autumn,” Aurea breathed. The young Queen's voice was thick with rasped lust.
The storm of blue-gray swirled with empathy. Sauntering through the warriors, a captivating Autumn moved to stand between the warring sides. Together, she moved with them, swaying in time to the music.
Autumn outstretched her arms in an effort to stop the fighting, but her arms were grasped. She was tossed and knocked about in an artistic writhing of forms. Then with a mighty roughness she was spat from the midst of chaos. She landed on hands and knees before the Dragon.
The women adorned in blood-red paint were a proud entity. They loomed silently over her.
The woman leading the crimson others turned her masked head in the direction of Autumn or in this moment her sweet, Djidjiga. She reached out and took the woman in her arms, sweeping her romantically off her feet. She and the others moved as one as if to spirit Autumn away. Together, they circled the battling women.
Autumn loosely hugged her arms around a graceful neck. She rested her head contentedly against a strong shoulder, feeling safe and loved. Then something within her dramatically froze. She gazed upward into the majestic face of the Dragon. Her beautiful features twisted in sorrow. The realization that she could not go with her savior devastated her being like a painful plague. She shook her head from side to side causing her hair to tousle sadly. Her pleading eyes seemed to say the words which refused to leave her pouting mouth.
I cannot leave with You.
The Dragon placed its grieving child softly down upon her feet. The women in crimson circled their lost Djidjiga a final time before leaving the scene. After they had gone, they were replaced by seductive visions of women glinting in golden paint. They were flame so bright and brilliant that all eyes gravitated toward their arrival.
As the flames danced around the others, their erotic forms took on a more predatory air. One by one, the women claimed the bodies of the warriors. They consumed their prey with fiercely passionate kisses. They devoured them as their bodies fell upon the warriors without mercy.
With fires raging, Djidjiga stood alone. She gazed tearfully to the sky. Her eyes traveled someplace far from this moment, far from the approach of her death. A touch crept into her reality. It was subtle at first, but soon as she was thrust back to her surroundings, she understood the true urgency of those searing caresses. She could feel the seizing touch of possessive fire.
A hand clawed hard at a cool bare shoulder. It tightly gripped the taut surface, determined to pull the woman down.
Aurea made a small sound inside her throat which went unheard by the boisterous crowd. Lips moved to Autumn's neck, grazing and brushing along sweet-smelling skin. She watched them enviously. Her heart beat in time with the tribal drumming spurring the flames onward. So badly she wished to be the one taking the trembling brunette into her arms. If she concentrated hard enough, she could almost feel the weight of Autumn against her body. Her eyes transformed from their sensual dreaming. They slit hatefully upon the back of a golden woman rising upward from between Autumn's legs.
Taking possession of Autumn's hips, a shimmering woman gazed up into the exquisite cool of steel. She held those eyes transfixed with her agenda present inside her own heated brown. Her eyes did not shift away even as she witnessed her comrades' approach.
Two women slithered upward along Autumn's sides. Their arms roved over Autumn's body. Their lips were the soft stings to preface an inferno. The fierceness of their pink tongues licking along her skin caused a timid hiss. Fuel to the fire, a feast to the appetites of the elemental bud, Djidjiga would soon be devoured. Autumn was powerless to do anything. That is, she was powerless to anything more than extend her shaking hand. She reached out one final time for her beloved Dragon who in turn did the same.
The Dragon swooped in quickly offering its hand to save her from the flame, but Autumn clutched her arm to her being and turned away. The Dragon God watched as a frightened Djidjiga refused the help which was not offered to her people.
Aurea gasped as she lost sight of Autumn beneath the interwoven forms of golden loveliness.
As the crowd watched, women garbed in flowing black skirts rushed forward. Behind their gazelle-like forms, they carried a giant curtain of billowing black. It whipped in the winds, masking the bodies of the fallen. They swirled and rolled until the ends of the silken curtain had swaddled protectively around them. Then they crouched low to the ground, bringing the curtain down with them.
The flowing mass of black fell as a darkened blanket over both the women and the ground. Silence mirrored its act by falling over the people lost in reverence. It was only after the choking hush had released them that one by one throughout the crowd, people began to voice their cries for life.
“Long live Djidjiga!” one said. While another soon followed with, “We will never forget!” Its voice was echoed by, “Live again, fallen star!”
The Queen stared around her with a look of confusion and wonder. They praised the lost child as though she were a demigod, as though she were a Dragon Child.
“Return!” she heard.
The random calls for Djidjiga soon lost themselves among a steady beat of fists pumping high into the night while voices gave her new life.
“Live,” they chanted. Each cry was louder than the one before it until at last the Dragon returned over the blackened land to throw precious Djidjiga blooms from its many delicate hands.
The crowd reached outward to catch the flowers with jubilant cheers. Whomever possessed the flower immediately rushed toward the vat of crushed grapes, excitedly throwing their bloom into the newly-forming elixir.
Each dancer rushed through the crowds relishing the cheers as she tossed flowers in every direction.
Autumn raced through the people. The cheers around her had grown to a near-deafening might. Her hair rode over the currents of her own speed before it fell limply to frame her face. She had come screeching to a standstill.
Amidst the chaos of the euphoric beings, she had not seen the enchanting woman in gold. She gazed up at her with a spellbound expression. Aurea was here. Her sweet Aurea was here on the Night of Bloom.
Perhaps it was the music. Perhaps it was the intoxicating scent of blooms which gave her courage, but whatever the reason, Autumn did not run away from the sapphire flames consuming her with the same violence the golden flames had taken Djidjiga in the dance.
“Long live Djidjiga!” the crowd cried once more as they spotted Autumn.
Their voices broke the spell cast by Aurea's eyes. Autumn rapidly blinked her dreamy visions away. She regained her composure as her head turned to speak over her shoulder.
“Glory to the Dragon Child,” she said.
Gasps filled the air. Immediately, people fell. They moved in a progressive wave of skin and colorful fabric. Afterward, Autumn's words were echoed with a strongly voiced allegiance.
“Glory to the Dragon Child,” the masses answered.
Aurea studied the way in which Autumn stepped forward with her head lowered submissively. There was something different in the manner in which Autumn's head lowered. It was not done as the ploy used by many around the Queen. Autumn meant it as a genuine form a respect.
The young ruler found herself reveling in it. That someone whose inner strength might one day command an army could so willingly offer up her servitude inspired her entire body to grow enthralled by her emotions. What was this emotion which clouded her mind so completely?
Autumn's hands lifted in offering, holding up a beautiful Djidjiga bloom.
Aurea felt the answer to her question rising upward to claim her. Love? Did she love Autumn? Could she love her? She had never thought it was in her nature, but could this be what rampaged throughout her core now?
Staring at the trembling flower, Aurea ached to charge forward and sweep Autumn up into her arms before riding away into the night. She needed to know if what she suspected of herself was true. And yet, reason prevented her from doing so. She knew th
at if she did, she would spurn the holiday which these people loved so deeply and in so doing, she would wound the woman she coveted so profoundly.
Gently taking possession of the bloom, Aurea held it close. She led her horse forward in a showy canter, stopping alongside the forming wine. From her hand, the bloom was dropped.
“For Djidjiga,” Aurea proclaimed. She smiled beautifully to the crowd as they rose to their feet in uproarious applause. She dipped her head repeated in each direction, catering to their applause before returning her eyes to Autumn.
Autumn felt herself succumb to Fate. She knew precisely in that moment what her future would be and she welcomed it. It charged toward her thunderously in the form of a Queen on horseback. She was roughly spirited off her feet and swung around to sit directly behind the ruler of Pyros.
Aurea closed her eyes briefly. She savored the arms enveloping her waist. A ripple raced up her spine as she felt the woman mold her body to hers.
“Where is High Lord Angelos?” the Queen asked. All around her, there was an explosion of movement. The barrels of Djidjiga wine matured from years past were being opened in celebration.
The Queen's knight, Galen, emerged at her side as the silent wolf atop his shield. His lean body made him appear so like beautiful people of Angels. “He is there, my Liege.” He pointed to the ornately designed scaffold built to overlook the ceremonies as a regal balcony. From there, both the ruler of the province and its intermediate circle of nobility watched the happenings closely.
Angelos III raised his glass in the direction of the Queen before courteously bidding her welcome with a motion of his hand.
Silently, Aurea shook her head. She then pointed in the direction of the High Lord's castle. She watched as he frowned curiously then nodded his understanding.
********
The doors to his study were opened with a grand shove from his strong arms. As the doors flew open, Angelos felt two young men slide a flowing cardinal surcoat over his shoulders. He entered the room then found his favorite place near the fire. His eyes were gentle and warm as they observed the Queen entering the room behind him.
Aurea stood with her hands militantly clasped at her back. She surveyed her surroundings as a conquering force performing inventory upon new spoils.
“My Queen,” he started gently. “What brings you to my home this night?”
Blue flames found Angelos III. They locked him within their sweltering heat for some time before Aurea spoke. “I have come to seek Autumn's hand.”
The General huffed an astonished laugh. “But you scarcely know her,” he said.
Aurea's expression did not change nor did the stance of her body. She remained firm, determined to have her way even if it meant using the power of her crown.
Seeing the resolve present within the Queen, Angelos nodded his head. “But of course this is wonderful news,” he corrected as he cleared his throat. He moved to pour two chalices of wine. With a glass in each hand, he crossed the room to stand before Aurea. He extended her a glass of bloom wine.
“Please understand my momentary surprise, Highness.”
A blond brow arched slightly as she placed the glass to her lips. She continued to hold the High Lord with her eyes, unwavering for even an instant. Whenever Aurea set her sights upon something or someone, she was unyielding until they surrendered whatever she desired. She craved Autumn and if Angelos presumed to keep her from her, she would break him down by whatever means necessary. She had assured herself of this before entering the study.
Angelos III had been on the receiving ends of many stares during battle. He had also witnessed the eyes of a Dragon Child before this night, but there was something wholly disturbing about Aurea's stare. He shrank inwardly, wary of the shadows he began to witness inside her.
“You will marry my daughter at once.”
Aurea smiled dreamily. Her eyes lowered to gaze almost lovingly into her wine as thoughts of Autumn floated throughout her mind.
“Provided,” Angelos said, interrupting her dreaming, “that certain conditions are met.”
“I am to be tested?” Aurea asked in insult.
“It is our custom to seek consult.”
The General guided the Queen from the study. They walked together toward the massive castle doors. As the sound of the festivities grew loud in their ears, they caught site of Autumn now dressed in a long and lovingly-moving ebony toga.
“We cannot break custom,” Angelos III said softly, “especially when it means so much to your betrothed.”
Bowing his head politely, the High Lord left to seek out counsel.
Aurea stared after him. She was consumed by a great sense of unease. Reluctantly, she turned away from him. A slight frown was present upon her face as she looked back in Autumn's direction.
Autumn was laughing when her eyes shifted away from the women speaking to her. As her eyes found Aurea's, her face softened in a way which spoke loudly of her innermost devotions.
The Queen had no time to contemplate what emotions she had witnessed lightening the brunette's expressive eyes. She was whisked away to sit as the overseer of the night in the High Lord's stead. Seated upon her throne, she elegantly accepted the praise and cheers of the crowd.
The horns of long-fallen beasts erupted loudly. It was a haunting sound which set Aurea's knights on edge. They each drew closer to their Queen, their stances betraying their readiness to fight.
Aurea stared past them to the others around her. In every direction, her people were alight with a great sense of purpose.
Markus reached out his hand. His hand resting against a young man's chest, stopped the man immediately. He met the eyes looking to his in surprise. Beneath his touch, he felt the heart racing wildly.
Markus followed the eyes looking from his to another young man across the way. He eyed the man suspiciously. “What is happening?” he demanded.
“It is the hour in which we live for another,” the young man explained, “as Djidjiga lived for others, but we are not mere children and so how we live for others is---” He blushed then rushed away to the object of his affections.
Markus arched his brow then shot a glance to his siblings.
All around them couples began to merge together in sensual dance or erotic touch, but regardless of whatever act compelled them, it was always performed with the utmost tenderness. Bloom wine was exchanged from one wine-stained mouth to another. Precious bottles of Djidjiga bloom perfume were passed like ethereal nectars to anoint the skin. And yet, nothing moved between them with the same overabundance as the emotion present within each set of passionate eyes.
“My Queen,” a voice uttered.
The three Knights turned in the direction of the voice. Their blue eyes locked eyes on the young woman in an airy onyx.
Inside her soft olive hands, Autumn clutched a fragile chalice and a dew covered Djidjiga bloom. The chocolate ribbons of her hair hung around her graceful face. It acted as the dark wooden frame housing the artistic beauty of her face. Autumn did not seem to see the way her every movement was observed. She was lost in that moment, seeing only Aurea.
The Queen rose slowly from her throne. She could hear the thundering sound of her heart within her chest. It caused a dull roaring sound to echo throughout her ears. She inched forward seeming uncharacteristically timid. When she stopped, she stared down at the woman hovering near the foot of the steps.
Autumn moved through the tiny opening created as the Knight's allowed her passage. She stopped a few steps beneath the blond until their eyes met evenly.
The Queen felt a flash of vulnerability pass through her. She ached to take part in this ritual but did not know how. Her expression must have been easily read because Autumn was moved to understanding.
Autumn used only the presence of her body to force the mighty young Queen backward. She continued to take slow steps forward until Aurea felt herself unable to go back any further.
Aurea's legs were pressed against the th
rone. The only available option left to her was to sit. She did so absently with her eyes ensnared inside Autumn's powerful steel-blue gaze.
With a slow eroticism, Autumn moved to straddle the ruler's lap. She gazed deeply into Aurea's eyes, fighting the trembling overtaking her entire body. Her face was warmed by the breath curling timorously over her skin. She could feel her face so closely to her own. They were all but touching foreheads in the quiet which overtook them.
Lost within the curtain of her own hair, Autumn's eyes pleaded intimately with Aurea. Her dancing eyes said what her lips did not dare. She struggled against trembling hands as she poured the contents of her chalice into its floral cup. The bloom held a significant amount of deep red potion.
Autumn brought the flower to Aurea's lips. “Drink, my Queen,” she whispered. “My Love.”
Rhapsody had come with a single voice. She leaned forward, touching her lips to Nature's soft cup. She remembered the dream with all the vibrancy the mind can possess.
As Aurea drank, her eyes glistened with tears. Her fingertips lightly touched themselves to Autumn's nimble wrist. She felt the quickened pulse stirring beneath her touch. When the flower was moved from her lips, her peripheral vision caught sight of Olivia.
The young woman pressed a small bit of fragrant bread into the Queen's hand. She gave an encouraging nod after Aurea frowned with uncertainty.
The Dragon Child turned her head. Her sapphire eyes locked on Autumn. She found the woman waiting with a loving patience radiating around her. Her breath caught within her throat as Autumn's lips enticingly parted. Timidly, she placed the tiny morsel upon a soft tongue. She was enchanted by the rapture clearly read on the young woman's features as she closed her mouth to savor the taste dissolving upon her tongue.
The Flame of Wrath Page 7