Blue eyes watched the match distantly as Tachia let her mind wander slowly. At this time last year she was three weeks into her betrothal to Alten and still broken by the cur. Had it really only been three years since the Queen had died? That seemed wrong. It felt like eons, she decided, sighing softly.
"Must you always look so frigid, love?" Ariana whispered as she slid her arm around the blonde's waist possessively.
A small smirk flashed across her lips as Tachia shrugged. "Even with as much pleasure as I get from Tournaments, its still business, Ana. War is never easy on your ranks." She tried to put it as lightly as possible, but, there was no easy way to discuss death. Even when it was a major part of your daily life.
Ana absently played with the Queen's braid, tugging it lightly as she appraised the match with new eyes. "How many?"
"Fifteen," she answered, amazed that she'd kept her voice calm and steady. Ana tugging on her hair was wreaking havoc on her nerves. Six weeks was a long time to be away from the woman. "My entire left flank."
Ana momentarily rested her cheek against Tachia's hair. When she pulled away, Tachia's senses were assaulted with her cool-midnight-waters scent. It was everything she wanted to get lost in.
Suddenly Ana's eyes brightened mischievously. "I have a surprise for you later. After the eating and merry-making."
The Princess seemed quite eager now. She couldn't keep that smirk from breaking free. And despite herself, Tachia felt an answering smile slide across her lips.
"Wonderful, I can't wait."
"Wait for what?" A velvety voice asked from somewhere behind Tachia.
"Nothing," Ana answered icily.
Tachia shuddered, sure the air around her dropped a full ten degrees. She turned slowly, her eyes locking with hard purple ones. In that instant she knew this woman, the one she'd seen numerous times with Ana, was deadly.
Beautiful as well, she noted. Her gaze swept over the other woman. Curly black hair hung behind her in a braid and Tachia estimated it was about the length of her own, well past her waist. Her eyes were cold and calculating, and a bit mesmerizing. A light scar ran down her right cheek, passing dangerously close to her eye. It added to the beauty in an odd way. She had little time to ponder it though.
"Is she truthful, Highness? Are you waiting for nothing?" The other woman asked. Something in her eyes made it seem as though she were taunting the Queen.
"I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage," Tachia replied softly. Her gaze flicked to Ana for a moment. Her playful demeanor from moments before had vanished. She stood tensely, watching the newcomer with a hint of anxiety.
For the first time since meeting her, Tachia saw Ana was shaken.
"Yes, Ari, do introduce us," she turned her hard eyes on the Princess.
Ana turned her gaze to Tachia, gauging her reaction. Tachia attempted to read her own face from the inside. She felt anxious, realizing she was holding her breath in anticipation. Who was this woman, what would it change? She felt her mask slipping into place, her features turning sharp, distant as Ana began speaking.
"Tachia, this is Princess Dacie, my Fledgling." Ana continued to watch the Queen. "Dacie, Queen Tachia."
"Your lover," Dacie stated. Her eyes flashed with malice for a moment.
Tachia felt doubt curling in her belly. There was something being left unsaid. And having Dacie state the relationship like that, made her feel slimy. Like Ana hadn't wanted to claim her. It wasn't like they flaunted their love, but the idea that Ana didn't want that known cut like a knife. It had never occurred to her before this moment.
"The pleasure is all mine," Dacie smirked, extending a hand.
Tachia's blue eyes narrowed at Ana. "I'm certain it is," she retorted, pushing past the two. "I've recruiting to get to, excuse me."
She could hear the two women exchanging harsh words. She looked over her shoulder as Dacie laughed. It was a shivery bell sound, quite pleasant. But Tachia shivered, watching the woman laugh defiantly. She shook her head and silently fell into step with Krift.
"Well?" The light-hearted General asked.
"There's three men and a woman I'd like to talk to," Tachia replied calmly.
"Shall we get to it, then?"
She heard Ana call to her, felt her reaching with her mind. Tachia put up the wall though, still too upset to talk. "Yes, let's be on with it."
*~*~*
Tachia made her way through the garden. It was the main reason she loved coming to the Valtanese castle. The gardens were huge and smelt delicious. At night they were even more tempting.
She meandered, allowing herself to get lost. She had added another five men to the Regime. Well, four and a woman. Still, quite well for the first tournament. That still left a daunting ten to fill, and soon. She didn't dare hope that it would be as simple the next time.
She rounded a corner in the dark maze and ran into Ariana. She jumped back quickly, leaning against the cool wall. Her gaze moved over the brunette slowly, her hurt from earlier warring with her desperate desire for the woman.
"Beautiful night for a walk, isn't it?" Ana breathed, turning her gaze to the stars.
"Yes. Perfect for getting lost."
Ana snatched her hand, her full lips pulled into a small pout. "I had a gift for you and you knew. Why didn't you find me?"
Tachia sighed softly, her head falling back against the wall. "I needed time to think," she whispered.
"About?" Ana asked just as quietly. She looked at their hands, playing with the Queen's fingers gently.
Tachia felt her stomach tense the way it did before going to battle. She took a deep breath, watching Ana's face. "Who is this Princess? And why did you introduce us like that?"
Ana sighed, meeting her gaze. "I told you, she's my Fledgling. All Thacaprians receive a Fledgling Cardonian at birth. We grow together, learn together and from each other. When the Cardonians first get their magick, they're very vulnerable and need protection. We offer that. In turn they teach us magick."
Tachia turned that over in her mind. "There's more to it though, isn't there?"
"And as for the introduction, I wasn't sure what to say. It's only been a few months since you broke your betrothal to Alten."
Tachia felt the doubt again, gnawing at her stomach like a starved pup. "But she knew all ready. She called me your lover. She knows." Tachia felt the beginning stirs of anger again, her eyes shifting subtly to crystalline blue. "But that can wait. There's something you're not telling me. Dacie is more..." she paused, trying to find the right words.
Ana took the opportunity to try and prevent the gathering storm. "We exchange blood regularly. We have no secrets. But, you're right love, I should have said it. I'm sorry I hurt you." She placed light kisses on the back of the Queen's hand before nipping her fingertips playfully.
Tachia felt sick. She had little knowledge of blood sharing. She pulled her hand free, recalling a tidbit from her past. When she was young, maybe seven winters, she'd snuck into the hot bath. She'd hid in the darkness, escaping her reality for a moment, when the Queen and her ladies had entered. Her mother had relayed a story about a time when she'd allowed the Cardonian King to take her blood. At the time she'd been scared, too young to understand. Looking back, she realized it had been pleasing, erotic and exciting. Her mother had carried on while her ladies tittered and laughed.
Her eyes were glowing subtly as she looked at Ana. The Princess tried to tak her hand again but, her grasp came up empty. Tachia took a steadying breath then spoke slowly. "Have you...Has she had you?"
Ana looked down, then turned her gaze to the stars. "I've no idea what you mean," she whispered.
"I'll rephrase," Tachia hissed, circling her, scenting the air. "Even though I can smell the lie you've just told." She turned from her lover, the anger and hurt reaching new heights. "Have you bedded her, Ariana?" She whispered.
Ana turned to the Queen, pinning her to the wall. For a moment she was mesmerized, watching the woman's eyes glow icily. She moved to kiss her, wanting to stop this before it escalated beyond her control. Tachia turned her face at the last second. It hurt in an odd way and she growled softly.
"It was years ago, love. It's hard to resist, especially being so young. Exchanging blood is very," she paused, tracing light circles on Tachia's silky skin slowly, whispering in her ear. "Erotic. You're in one an others mind, feeling the ebb and flow of blood." She skimmed her nose along the blonde's shoulder and neck. "At that moment, it's just the two of you, the desire for blood, you can confuse it for something more. But it all comes back to the same thing. Lust."
Tachia felt tears threaten to fall and closed her eyes. It wasn't the idea of them being intimate that stung but, the idea that Ana lied and would've just kept it a secret. 'We have no secrets,' Ana's words taunted while the memory of Dacie's cold, bitter gaze flashed across her mind. "I'm not sure the Princess would agree with you. She hates me, and hates that we're together."
Ana turned her head, her thumb brushing the Queen's lower lip temptingly. "It doesn't matter, Tachia. Our kingdoms are allies, yes I'm her guardian and we still have to work together. But, she's nothing to me. Nothing real at least."
She leaned in, brushing her lips against Tachia's softly. She pulled her closer, the six week separation weighing heavily on her now. All she wanted was to get lost in her lover. "I've never felt this strongly for anyone before you, love. You're everything I want, everything I need." She kissed along the Queen's shoulder, nipping gently.
Tachia moaned softly, turning to face the Princess. She pressed her lips to the others temple, shaking her head slightly. "She still wants you, Ana. And she's powerful. She also has the advantage of being your Fledgling. How can I compete with that?"
Ana met and held her gaze, determination hard in her eyes. "Listen to me, love. I need you. You and I can handle anything, as long as we're together. Us against the world. I swear it, you're all I need. Forget Dacie, she's nothing to me. Trust me," she breathed, clasping Tachia's hand.
Instantly, Tachia felt the tingle of cool metal and looked down. A delicate silver bracelet encircled her wrist. She looked at it closely. It had a rose stem pattern in silver with rubies sparkling at intervals. It was simple but beautiful, and she loved it.
"What's this?"
Ana chuckled. "Your surprise, silly woman."
"I've only received jewelry twice." Tachia turned away, embarrassed by her strong reaction to the gift. In her memories, something about silver and roses tried to stir, but it was just as easily dismissed.
"I want you, Queen Tachia," Ana whispered behind her, brushing sensual kisses and nips along her bare shoulders. "I want all the kingdoms to know you belong to me, and I to you. Today, tomorrow and every day after for all eternity."
Tachia turned to face Ana slowly. "What are you saying, Ariana?"
"Unite with me, Tachia. You've all ready stolen my heart, all I ask for is you to give yours to me. I love you."
Tachia chewed her lip absently. 'Come with me. They hate you. They don't trust you,' a voice taunted from her memories. The Felicians allied with the Thacaprians. An interesting though.
-Or ruled by them.- Salir's words in her head made her jump.
-Get lost, cousin. My life and choices are no concern of yours.-
"Love?" Ariana asked softly.
Tachia smiled, looking at the bracelet again. Its beautiful, I love it."
Ana sighed softly, her lips twitching for a moment, a sign of her impatience. "Yes, or no, Tachia?" The Princess growled.
"Give me time to think, Ana," she pleaded, closing her eyes. With some horror she realized she was terrified.
"What is there to think about?"
"A lot!" Tachia took a calming breath. "My people, my men? There's a lot to consider. Unity isn't something you just jump into. Especially when we come from such different worlds."
"Whatever it is, we'll get through it."
"You lied to me and kept secrets less than an hour ago. And you want me to simply forget and rush into something so permanent?"
"I didn't -"
"You didn't mean to, but, you did," Tachia napped. She sighed, pacing slightly. You've told your parents, then?"
Ana looked away again, confirming what the Queen all ready knew. She turned abruptly and walked away. She wound her way through the maze, ducking out through one of the many exits to the forest. She needed to run, far and fast.
'The nerve,' she thought, shedding her competition garb just inside the foliage. 'Trying to push when she hasn't even spoken to her parents. How could she possibly-' Her thoughts ended as she began to shift. A white hot burning consumed her. She screamed, her body no longer under her command.
Tachia cumpled to the ground, the burning seeming to radiate unseen along her skin. She looked around, desperate to find the source. Realizing she was alone, she screamed again. Her mind, desperate to flee, tried to coax her body to shift again. The burning jumped a few more degrees, drawing another raw scream.
"Tachia?" Salir's voice was too close for comfort.
"What have you done to me, you bitch?" She growled furiously.
Salir's green eyes were suddenly in her line of vision, wide with shock. "Nothing, what's happening to you?"
Tachia screamed again. "It burns! I'm burning!"
She looked the Queen over. "Tachia you're -," her eyes spotted the bracelet. "Who gave this to you?" She demanded, ripping it off.
The pain began to receede almost instantly and Tachia took a deep breath. She closed her eyes, a wave of nausea sweeping over her briefly. "Why?"
Salir held it up. "Silver coated rose stems?"
Tachia stared at her blankly. She had mostly recovered, the pain completely gone. "So?"
"Tachia, they block your ability to change. Didn't your mother teach you anything practical?"
"Apparently it slipped her mind. Though now I'm recalling something Lativa used to say." The Queen shook her head, sitting up slowly. Her wrist was red and welted where the bracelet had been.
Ariana seemed to suddenly appear, standing beside Salir. "What have you done to her?"
"Me? What have I done? You useless leech," Salir started.
"Leave us, Salir," Tachia whispered.
"But I-,"
"I know, and thank you. But Princess Ariana and I have some things to discuss."
She sighed softly as the girl stormed off. 'I'm sure that will do wonders for our relationship,' she thought. She couldn't believe that Ana herself had purposely set out to hurt her. So she took a different approach than outright accusations.
"Where did you get this?" She asked, holding the bracelet with her fingers. She looked it over like it were something wicked and alive.
Ana frowned, looking at the Queen with a mixture of hurt and confusion. "I don't know. Dacie had seen my idea when we exchanged blood once before battle. The next time I saw her she gave it to me. She said she'd seen your mother wearing a similar piece at one time; That you may have liked it." She snatched the bracelet from her lover, turning it over in her palm. She'd thought it was beautiful.
"Well that explains it," Tachia snorted.
"Explains what?"
"Why you'd give me something that prevents me from shifting and was trying to burn me alive."
Ana sighed, still not sure what the woman was going off about. "If the answer is no, Tachia, just say so. Don't try and -,"
"Silver coated rose stems," Tachia snarled. "That's what the bracelet is made of. Silver interrupts a Felician's natural energies. Bind it with a rose stem and you drain the ability to shift and cause a significant amount of pain." She smirked, proud she'd finally recalled the lesson.
Ana knelt beside her, noticing her raw wrist for the first time. "I had no idea, love," she whispered. She took the others wrist placing a gently kiss on the angry mark.
"She hates me, Ana. And I guarantee this isn't her only trick."
"She doesn't hate you, love. She's just a bit put out currently. I'll talk to her."
"I don't foresee that making much difference, but fine." The Queen pushed herself up, brushing off the dirt and debris. She glanced at Ana and noticed the hungry way she watched her. It brought a blush to her cheeks and she turned away, slipping her clothes back on. No one affected her quite like the Thacaprian Princess did.
"I've missed you," Ana breathed against her ear. Her arms wrapped around the Queen's waist, holding her tightly. "Some nights I'd sneak off to the cave. I'd lay in the pelts, lost in your scent, thinking of you and praying your war would be over soon. That you'd come home to me safely."
"It gets cold when you're there alone," Tachia said softly. For a moment she remembered that feeling of loneliness in the cave.
"Stay with me, Tachia. I don't care who sees us or who knows. I want to feel your warmth, I need to feel you beside me tonight."
Tachia smiled and entwined her fingers with Ana's. "Lead the way," she purred.
*~*~*
Tachia awoke in a panic, searching the darkness. As her eyes adjusted easily, she let out a small sigh. She remembered she was with Ana, at the Valtanese castle and relaxed a bit more. She'd been dreaming. It seemed so real though.
In her dream, Dacie had placed a necklace on her. But it was made of silver and rose stems. She'd then proceeded to murder the cubs. When she tried to shift, she was burning again, and this time she couldn't breathe. Ana was there the whole time, watching from the shadows with cold, indifferent eyes.
For the first time in two years, she sobbed herself back to sleep. Ana slept peacefully beside her.
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