24 comments/  18444 views/  49 favorites

Lux Ex Tenebris

By: Toxicity23



"Please refrain yourself from moving your head miss,"

Said one of the maids who were attending me and preparing myself for my wedding that would take place in a moment, the wedding that I didn't want, the wedding that I had no choice to refuse not only because it supposedly would 'unite' the two kingdoms that had been in eternal feud but also because my uncle, who took over my father's throne, wanted to banish me far away from his now kingdom.

My name was Clara, the only daughter of Julien, Lord Lysander, the now deceased King of Lumien, the prosperous kingdom in the north that had made close allies with other kingdoms. I lost my mother when she gave birth to me and my father raised me with so much love, but he also trained me to be a fighter since he knew that I would have to be able to defend myself in case things turn bad. Indeed, things turned bad when my uncle Martinien, my father's own younger brother, finally made his dream come true, which was to claim the throne for himself. Shoulder to shoulder with my guards I fought like all hells broke loose with my sword when Martinien's army attacked the castle and I was only a few feet away to give a deadly blow to Martinien when he ran to my father and swung his sword at his thigh and arm before plunging it deep in his heart. I was shocked and couldn't move from witnessing the terror that was happening before me when one of Martinien's guards disabled me.

Later I learned that he had made an agreement with the Tenebris Kingdom, the arch nemesis of Lumien, that he would give the princess of Lumien, me, to marry the King of Tenebris in return that Tenebris would be a close ally of Lumien. To add more hatred in my heart to Martinien, he made me promise, with the tip of a sword right under my chin literally, that I would be his spy and take over Tenebris. I couldn't help but being amused at how idiotic that plan was; not only because he thought it was brilliant -no it wasn't- but also because he believed that I would work with him after what he had done to my father. In less than 48 hours he sent me away in a carriage on a torturous 14 day journey to Tenebris Kingdom in the south.

So here I was in Tenebris that suited its name. Everything here was dark and gloomy. No vibrant colors, no laughter, everything and everyone was so intimidating. I watched the maid through the mirror who was making an elaborate coif of my hair for the wedding and the others preparing the dress and whatnot. The Tenebrians were all huge. The women were at least 6 feet and the men were at least 7 feet and I couldn't help but feel like a dwarf as I was only 5'3 feet and 101 lbs. A huff from them and I might get blown away in the wind. After being here for 2 days I learned that the caste system was applied in the kingdom; those who had no wings worked as maids and servants and other blue collar jobs, those who had dark blue wings were appointed as the guards, those who had blood red wings were the royalty, and there was only one who had a pair of black wings, the King himself of whom I had yet to see.

The maid slightly tapped on my shoulder when she was done with my dark brown hair and I stood up so they could put the dress on me. It was a really nice deep emerald dress made from silk with thick golden threads around each of the long sleeve and the long skirt. The collar was high up my neck and covered with yellow gem stones that I didn't need any necklace as the collar was a statement in itself. Sadly I didn't feel pretty nor any kind of positive feeling knowing that I would be wearing this to the wedding that would be held without my consent. I didn't try to make any conversation with any of the maids as it was useless because the response would be silence. Upon my arrival in Tenebris I tried to strike up a conversation with Marsila, who was appointed to be my personal maid, and she didn't utter a single word. I didn't know if it was because I was their enemy or if it was their nature to not converse. Whatever the reason was I felt like I was mute and frustrated because I was a cheerful person in nature who loved to talk.

One of the maids placed a transparent veil on my head that draped down covering my face when one of them opened the door to inform the guard that I was ready. I took a deep breathe and dragged my feet out of the room with so much misery in my heart. 3 guards on each of my side in their armor suits walked me through the castle that was like a labyrinth until we reached a huge double door. There were 2 women with blood red wings -the royalty, I whispered to myself- waiting at the closed door and they looked at me without trying to conceal their disgust. I was instructed to put my arms around theirs and so I did. The door opened to a large hall filled with tall huge people and creatures and my knees almost buckled. Immediately I felt intimidated; I was the only human in Tenebris. I walked down the aisle and couldn't help but notice the large man with a pair black wings on the altar that even though the wings were tucked in I knew they were large and wide. The women guided me up to the altar and one of them flipped my veil back. The man, the King himself, didn't even bother to take a glance at me.

I forced myself to look at the old priest who had white wings -a stolen angel perhaps?- and began to speak in a language that was foreign to me. The speech or whatever that was was going on forever that I had to stiffen my yawn when the priest finally took a chalice in his hands. He motioned me to face the King who already turned his body around and I looked up to his face and my breath was stolen. He was beyond words. Standing at 8 feet tall the word handsome didn't even do justice to his masculinity. His black eyebrows framed his deep brown-red eyes perfectly, his nose was long and seemed like it had been broken for more than once which only added more to his manliness, and his jaws were just perfect. The black suit he was wearing couldn't conceal his muscular body. Everything about him was perfect except that he didn't smile at me -he didn't seem to be the person who liked to smile anyway- and he looked at me without any expression on his face. I gulped and gained my composure while maintaining my gaze at his.

The priest took the King's hand and placed a knife on the tip of his forefinger while chanting something before piercing it and pressing on the finger to extract blood that dropped into the chalice. What the...?! Before I had the chance to react the priest took my hand and did the same. The priest then took the chalice and offered it to him of which he took and sipped on. What the fuck??? I felt nauseated but he already offered the cup to me and I had no choice but to take it and do the same. I sipped on what tasted like wine but not really since I knew there was blood in it. MY blood and his. Apparently that was how the Tenebrians held their wedding. After the priest chanted some more the King offered me his arm that I took and we walked down the aisle out of the hall to another larger hall with long tables and plates and cutleries on them. He led me to the central table and sat me to his left. After the guests sat themselves on their appointed seats the footmen started to fill the cups with wine and placed appetizers on the table. I stared at the plate in front of me and couldn't identify what it was. I took my cup and sipped on it while trying my best not to let my gaze around as I could feel people's eyes on me. What was more unnerving was that throughout the four course meal the King didn't utter a single word to me.

When the ordeal was finally over the King stood up and offered me his arm once more. He led me out of the hall, went through another labyrinth, ascended a few flights of stairs and took me to a huge room. I stood at the entrance looking at the masculine room that appeared to be his.

"From now on you sleep here."

I heard the deep masculine voice that was his. I looked up at him who was looking at me before he bowed slightly and walked away. I had no idea if it was the custom of Tenebris for the groom to leave the bride after their wedding but I was relieved because his presence didn't comfort me to say the least. I stepped in and the double door behind me was closed by the guards who were standing outside the door. I stood in the middle of the room and studied it. There was a huge fireplace on the left side of the door with low sofas and cushions neatly arranged on it. There was a huge canopy bed in the middle with curtains nicely draped around it. I walked to my right and found a large walk-in closet with nothing in it save for women clothes, shoes and accessories that seemed to be mine. That got me wondering of how he dressed up especially with those huge wings. I walked out of the closet to another door that revealed a large bathroom with a large tub that looked like a pool. Everything in this place was large.

I walked out of the bathroom and walked to the door on the other side of the room with tall windows installed along the wall. I opened the door to a large balcony that overlooked the vast forest. I walked to the railing and looked down. I estimated it to be a 7 story flight down to the ground. Looking back to the forest I contemplated on my life in this kingdom. I didn't know what to make of my life here that seemed to be a banishment from my own people and an isolation from the Tenebrians, and I didn't know what my marriage would be as it seemed like my own husband, whose name I had yet to know, didn't have the slightest interest in me. I sighed and watched a few figures flying over the forest. How I wished I had such freedom to just fly away from my damnation here.

***

I woke up to a gentle shake from Marsila who informed me that I should be getting ready for my first lesson. I asked her what lesson it would be and she ignored me by going into the closet to do whatever. I sighed and got out of the bed and walked to the bathroom. I took a shower in the large shower cube stone next to the pool that I didn't notice yesterday. Going out of the bathroom in a robe I saw Marsila standing outside the closet door waiting for me. She motioned me to follow her and sat me down on a seat of a dresser and started to brush my hair and made an intricate bun. She then helped me dressing up. Apparently I couldn't choose what to wear and this time I was wearing another long dress in blue that accentuated my blue eyes. She bent down and was about to put a dark brown leather boot on when I refused and told her I could do it myself. She gave me a stern look that unnerved me but I returned it with my own. She finally retreated and let me put the boots on myself. I then followed her out of the room to a long hall, took a turn to the left and opened a door to a room that looked like a library. I saw the priest from my wedding yesterday on the floor below standing behind the desk. He looked up at me and smiled, and for the first time since my arrival in Tenebris I felt like a subject and not an object. I smiled back at him and descended the spiral staircase. He walked around the desk and bowed down to me,

"Good morning, my Lady. I hope you had a refreshing rest from a rather exhausting day yesterday."

"Good morning sir, and yes I rested well thank you."

"Oh please just call me Lorant."

He motioned me to sit down on a seat when a maid came in with a tray. She placed the tray in front of me and I noticed it was my breakfast. Lorant continued,

"I heard of your father's death and I'm sincerely sorry to know that."

I felt a pang of sadness and nodded at him,

"Thank you. You knew him?"

"Yes, I did. I had the opportunity to meet him a few times, that was before you were born. He was a good king and I pray he rests in peace."

He smiled and continued,

"I believe that Marsila has informed you of a lesson you are going to get, but before we begin please have your breakfast."

I poured a cup of tea and offered him to which he refused,

"There is no need for me to eat anymore, my Lady."

I looked at him quizzically that made him smile,

"I am an angel you see, thus there is no need for me to eat or drink or sleep."

He paused for a moment to watch my response,

"I understand you have a lot of questions not just about my being but also about this kingdom and everything in it so ask away."

I sighed with relieve and said,

"You know Lorant, this is my first conversation ever since I got here. The people here, even Marsila, never answer any of my question and I can't help but feel like I'm mute!"

I continued with my complaints and Lorant listened patiently.

"With all honesty my Lady, I am truly happy to have you here as I, too, have no one to converse with. Tenebrians tend to keep things to themselves and it is in their nature to not talk much. And as for their attitude towards you, I'm sorry to inform you this but they still see you as their enemy despite the wedding. It may seem hard and unattainable but I believe it is not impossible to make a truce between Lumien and Tenebris. I do hope the wedding between you and the King will make a change sooner or later."

I idly nibbled on my toast,

"I do hope so. Speaking of the King, what's his name?"

He looked at me in surprise,

"You don't know?"

I shook my head.

"His name is Vidor, Lord St. Anguis-Antanelis. There are many things you ought to know about him but all in good time,"

"I see."

I looked at Lorant and blurted out a question before I could hold my tongue,

"If you're an angel, why are you aging?"

He chuckled at my question,

"It's a rather long story my Lady, but to sum it up Tenebrians kidnapped me with the purpose to educate their children, the royalty children, at the cost of me being mortal. Thankfully I still got to keep my wings. Shall we start the lesson?"

I nodded at him.

"First thing you need to know is the King. His mother was Tenebrian and his father was Cimerian who belonged to the most powerful demon clan that went extinct with his death, which is why he is the only one who has black wings. He is a very quiet person and one may point out that he lacks of emotions, but that is understandable since the royalty especially the King is expected to never harbor any feelings that will lead to make any weak decision. He is a very smart and brilliant leader, and cold blooded too. I understand to you know that Tenebrians aren't fully human?"

I nodded,

"Yes, from what I learned they're a mix of human and demon,"

"Indeed, they are. Before we go on to another subject, I'm going to inform you of what you have to do for the King himself. He doesn't sleep but he does eat regular food. Don't expect him to be around for breakfast and lunch, but as it is the custom of Tenebris, when it's dinner time you have to be in the room waiting for him, the food will already be prepared by then. You will have to feed him with your own hand and you will eat from the same plate with him. Regardless of the situation you may not strike up a conversation with him unless he starts it first."

I felt my jaw dropped,

"What??"

"I know that's a lot to take especially it is not in your culture to do so. But since you're in Tenebris now you have no choice but to follow the customs,"

"I... I don't know. The thought of sharing my plate with anyone is beyond my imagination, especially with a stranger. And the fact that I cannot freely speak is like an imprisonment of my own freedom!"

"I understand my Lady, but that's all you can do,"

He smiled at me apologetically.

"I'm going to ask you a question that might make you uncomfortable. Did the King sleep with you last night?"

I felt my cheeks flushed and slowly shook my head. He nodded in understanding,

"I thought so. But in this case I can only advise you to wait for his advance."

"Okay, alright."

My response came out too quick but I hoped it would stop right there as it greatly made me feel uncomfortable. He smiled at me and moved on to another subject. He explained to me that the places in the castle I had access to besides my own room were only the library and the garden beneath. And if I were to read, I must do it in the library and never bring any book to my room as it would be a distraction from getting enough sleep.

"Great. Locked in my own house."

He smiled. We then talked about my life back in Lumien and it made me longing to be home that wasn't my home anymore. Sensing this he changed the subject to the culture and traditions to which I gladly answered. After the lesson that was more of a casual conversation with Lorant was over he left me alone in the library. I got up and walked to the lines of shelve filled with books and studied them carefully. It was a good thing I liked to read. Taking a book from the shelve I read the writing on the cover, 'The History of Cimerians and Tenebrians'. It got my attention so I took it with me to a cushioned nook with a large window overlooking the garden and forest in a corner of the room with small cushions on it. I sat down and made myself comfortable and started reading. I was so immersed in my reading that I didn't notice Marsila's presence until she cleared her throat for the second time. I looked up from my book.

"It is almost dinner time my Lady, you have to get yourself ready."

Putting the book down I nodded at her and followed her. After taking another shower and changing into another long dress, this time it was chocolate brown, I sat down on the low sofa in front of the fireplace that was already lit on and waited for the King. I looked at the food array that was set up on a low table and saw grapes, my favorite fruit. The waiting seemed to be forever and I started to become anxious when the door opened and the King walked in. He towered over me who was sitting down, and still towered over me when he sat down next to me. Stay calm Clara, he's not going to eat you. Yet. I reminded myself. He put his right leg on the sofa and left the other one of the floor and turned his body around facing me.

I took a plate and started filling it with bread, a little bit of broth with a chunk of meat, cheese, and some other things I couldn't make out of. Imitating his posture I faced him and put the plate down on my lap. Tearing the bread and filled it with the meat and cheese I folded it and brought it up to his lips. Here's my first service as a dutiful wife to her cold blooded husband. He opened his mouth and let me put the food in his mouth. Apparently I put it a little bit further as his lips brushed against my finger that made me tremble slightly. This would be one of the most awkward things ever happened in my life, feeding a stranger who happened to be my husband with my own hand. He didn't say anything although he watched my every move. I maintained to lower my head and never returned his gaze when I took my turn in eating. After the food on the plate was finished I filled a cup with a wine from the jug and handed it to him. He took it and drank from it before handing it back to me, clearly expecting me to drink from it. I took a sip and put it back on the table. I heard myself asking,

"Would you like to eat some more my Lord, or would you prefer the fruit?"

I bit my tongue and cursed myself for breaking the law of no-talk-unless-he-talks.

"Yes, I'd like to eat some more."

I felt the tension on my shoulders slightly eased and refilled the plate. When the food was finished I began to feel comfortable with this new routine. Putting down the used plate I took a smaller plate and filled it with fruits. He turned his body around more and I felt his interest when I expertly peeled an orange off and fed it to him. I took a grape off its stem and put it in my mouth, closed my eyes momentarily to savor the taste. I opened my eyes to see him watching me with a gleam in his eyes that I had to look down. I couldn't hold his penetrating gaze. When the plate was empty he stood up and walked to the door. He opened the door and paused there for a moment to look at me who was looking at him. I felt my cheeks burned and lowered my head down once more before he walked out.


Lux Ex Tenebris Ch. 02



I want to see you. 

Know your voice.

Recognize you when you
first come 'round the corner.

Sense your scent when I come
into a room you've just left.

Know the lift of your heel,
the glide of your foot.

Become familiar with the way
you purse your lips
then let them part,
just the slightest bit,
when I lean in to your space
and kiss you.

I want to know the joy
of how you whisper
"more"

-Rumi


***

The more I began to spend time with my husband Vidor, the King of Tenebris, the more I began to know him. Although he was still as careful and private as he had always been, he had slowly begun to relax around me. Our interaction improved greatly and I realized that he enjoyed my company as much as I did his. Nevertheless, apparently this greatly disturbed Belial, one of the older royalties who was still related to the King, despite the fact that we only showed our affection towards each other within our own privacy.

When I was heading to the library one day, I walked pass the King's study room that was unusually unguarded. The door was ajar and I heard a man was talking with his voice raised. Curiosity got the best of me -and I was just nosey like that- so I stopped behind the door to eavesdrop.

"-you, as the King of Tenebris, the glorious kingdom of the south, should have known better not to agree to that bastard who rules Lumien to marry the bitch in disguise!"

"Be careful Belial, you are talking about my wife,"

I heard the King spoke calmly although one could clearly hear the threat in it. 

"Forgive me my Lord, but she IS a spy and soon she will run back to Lumien to report everything, every power that we own! I have my sources and they are trustworthy! She may not have caused any trouble yet, but your permission for her to be near you may lead you to danger, and the kingdom cannot afford to lose its glorious King! And you, my Lord, out of all people, know best that there will be no such thing as a union between Tenebris and Lumien, and there will be no truce as we are far more superior than those unworthy, pathetic mortals!"

I felt tremor shaking my body upon hearing Belial's insults and had to clench my fists, ready to barge into the room when the King calmly responded,

"I have been walking this earth for more than 300 years Belial, longer than your existence-"

I gasped at what he said. That is impossible, he looks so young and healthy! I said to myself.

"-I have seen the rise and fall of many kingdoms, and I know what Lumien is capable of as well as Tenebris' superior power that no kingdom on this earth will be able to destroy. Nevertheless, you should be aware of your position here, Belial. Yes, you are one of my advisors but I am YOUR King. Try to stir any restlessness in this kingdom and I will have you beg for my mercy to end your life quickly. Should you doubt my action and decision for the kingdom and question my capability as your king, I'll be glad to remind you of my superiority towards you and your filthy gang of royalty, and I will take immense pleasure in removing every single feather off your wings before peeling your skin off with my own hands. Did I make myself clear?"

There was a pause and I heard Belial's weak response,

"Yes you did, my Lord. Forgive me for my short coming."

"And I don't wish to hear any more of this rubbish about my wife. Leave at once."

"Yes, my Lord."

I panicked and looked around for a place to hide and managed to get behind a column that barely covered my presence. I saw Belial walked out of the room in fury and turned around the corner. When I was sure he was gone I quickly avoided the door to the study room and slowly made my way to the library, thinking about the disturbing conversation I heard; disturbing not only because of Belial's opinions but also because I realized how dangerous my husband could be. Although we shared the bed together and treated each other with care and gentleness as much as we could do as an interracial married couple, he was still physically larger than me and could crush my bones if he wished to. 

Sitting down on the nook and circling my arms around my knees, I looked out the window and began to see my marriage from another perspective. I was aware of Martinien's intention in betrothing me with the King but I never took it seriously. And now that I got to know the King better such stupid intention had long gone from my head, and all I could think of was how to make the King really see me as his wife. But now I didn't know what to expect as I had no idea what the King had on his mind. I didn't know if he let me be close to him because he wanted to, or because he was keeping an eye on me. I didn't know what his intention was in agreeing to Martinien's offer that now the King and I were married. For once I felt hopeless.

I was so lost in my own thought that I wasn't aware of a presence until I heard the swooshing sound of wings. I looked up and saw the King flying midway toward me. His wings were jet black and so large that it took a few steps to get from the root of one wing to its tip. I watched him in amazement until he landed and tucked his wings in. He stood right before me and looked down at me who was looking at him in awe.

"I thought I'd find you here."

I blushed and smiled at him,

"Where else would I be?"

He sat down on the small nook and dwarfed me with his large presence. I didn't want to flatter myself but it was seriously unlikely of him to look for me. He gazed at me in the way that I could never comprehend as he was that unreadable. He reached for my ankle and circled his large hand around it, his thumb softly caressing the inside. I was so surprised at his move because clearly I didn't expect this from him, and I was even more surprised when he asked,

"What were you thinking of?"

"My Lord?"

"You were thinking of something when I walked in. Something rather serious I assume, because you were frowning."

He lifted his other hand as he spoke and softly ran his forefinger on my forehead down to my nose. I braved myself and held his hand with mine, put his on my cheek. I kissed his palm and looked at him,

"It was nothing. I was just thinking of a new sparring partner for fencing because Bastian and Lucien seem to always forget not to fly when they launch their attacks."

He studied my face before his gaze softened,

"I will be your new sparring partner,"

"You will, my Lord?"

"Yes I will. And when there's only the two of us you must call me with my name."

I blushed and whispered,

"Yes, Vidor."

He leaned down and softly kissed my lips before gradually deepening his kiss. He then slowly ran his hand that was encircling my ankle up to my thigh, lifting my skirt with his move. I felt my heart picked up its pace when he caressed my sex through my panties with his knuckles. Breaking the kiss he pulled back a bit to watch my face when he applied a little pressure in his caress on my silk covered sex. A soft moan escaped my lips and I could see in his eyes that it excited him. Reaching to my sides he pulled my panties down with his hands and dropped them on the floor before pushing my legs and splaying them. I bit my lip, realized how erotic my position was with my back on the wall of the nook and my glistening sex exposed to him. He then ran a finger from my wet slit up to my nub and softly circled it with the tip of his finger.

"Unbutton your dress."

I felt my cheeks blushed furiously especially at the thought of anyone could walk in anytime and see us, but it would be unlikely because no one would dare to interrupt the King wherever he might be unless there was an unusual situation. Reaching up, I slowly unbuttoned my coral colored dress from the neck to the waist. I heard him took a deep breathe when I freed my arms from the sleeves and took off the camisole that concealed my breasts. He leaned down and took one of my nipples into his mouth, sucking and flipping his tongue on it while his finger continued teasing my sensitive bud. I held his head and softly moaned on his ear when he moved to my other nipple and gave it the same attention. Suddenly he stood up and pulled me with him before turning my body around that I was now facing the window. He pulled my skirt higher that it all bunched up around my waist and held my hip with one hand while his other one guiding his sex and teasing mine with its head. I gripped on the cushioned nook and moaned his name, pleading him to be inside me when his intention was clear, that he would torture me and could keep me on the edge for hours.

Still stroking his manhood on my soaking wet sex, he cupped my breast and squeezed it. Leaning down he whispered in my ear,

"What do you want, Clara?"

I closed my eyes and rubbed my cheek against his. Coarsely I whispered,

"You. I want you."

He bit on my neck,

"Clara my angel... Does it ache right here?"

I moaned when he nudged my wet entrance with his head.

"This sweet, empty place... Do you want me to fill it?"

I sobbed and without any shame I wriggled closer to him,

"Yes Vidor, yes please!"

Without any warning he plunged deep inside me that caused me to scream his name in pleasure. I had been with him almost every night and whenever it was possible but every time always felt like the first time, and this time was no exception. He completely filled me and stretched me, making me ache for more. He picked up his pace and didn't slow down when I reached my first climax. Leaning down and circling his arms around my body, he rested his chest on my back and penetrated me deeper. One of his hands snaked up to my neck and circled my throat while he nibbled on my neck and shoulder. He then reached down and rubbed on my wet clitoris before pinching it that sent me straight to my second climax followed with his own.

He slowly pulled himself out and sat down on the nook, pulling me with him that I was now sitting on his lap with my back against his hard body. For a moment we just sat there in silence while catching our breath; his arms around my waist, my head on his chiseled chest. He then bent his head down and whispered in my ear,

"What did you think about the conversation I had with Belial?"

I quickly turned my head around to look at him,

"M-my Lord?"

He turned me around on his lap that I was now sitting facing him, straddling his crotch. Suddenly feeling self conscious I nervously put my dress back on and buttoned it up, trying my best to be modest despite the fact that my underwear was on the floor and my dress skirt was still bunched up around my waist. I blushed furiously when I realized that he was watching me and I pulled my skirt down, trying to conceal my sex when he held my hand to stop me. I had the feeling that he actually liked this contrast; my covered upper body and my exposed lower body. He wrapped his arms back around my waist.

"I know you were outside my study room and listening to the conversation. Look at me when I'm talking to you."

I shot my head up to look at him.

"How... How did you know I was outside?"

He lifted his hand and caressed my cheek with his knuckles,

"I have a good hearing."

He lowered his caress to my neck and he circled his hand around it. As much as I knew how dangerous to have his hand in such way around my neck, as he could just add a little more pressure on his hold, I couldn't help but to surrender to him. I had lost all my defenses when it came to him. I trusted him with my life and I knew he would mean no harm to me. Reaching up and putting my hand on his extended arm, I made circles with my thumb on his tanned skin and softly answered,

"I know words are just words until they are proven right, but I want you to know that I, in no way, ever agreed to Martinien's plan, and I never wanted to spy on you."

I took a deep breath,

"I didn't know what he did and how he did it, but he told me that he planned to unite the two kingdoms and had made an arrangement with you to marry me to clear the path to the unification. He..."

I gulped and braved myself to continue,

"He killed my father right before he sent me here because he wanted the throne and especially the power to himself. He threatened me that the lives of Lumienis would be in danger if I didn't cooperate with him, and so he made me promise to be his eyes in this kingdom of yours so that I could report to him of how you do things, what your weaknesses are and such. Now speaking of that, even if I agreed to his plot I wouldn't've known how to do that as it is a 14 day journey by carriage. That would be a torture and I'm not one to want to go through such stupid hassle."

I stopped and noticed that he was patiently listening to me and his eyes were soft on me, although I knew he was taking a mental note on everything I said. His hand was still on my neck but his thumb mimicking my own move on his arm. I relaxed to his soothing touch as he softly spoke,

"And now that you are here and married to me..."

He left his words hanging, obviously wanting my response. I turned my head around a bit so I could plant a kiss on the inside of his wrist and smiled at him with so much love that suddenly filled my heart,

"Now that I am here and married to you, all that I want is to please you. You are my husband and I will do my duty as your wife to meet your needs, and I... I want to be there for you regardless of our unique arrangement."

He took his hand off my neck and circled it around my waist, his face unreadable.

"Can I ask you something, Vidor?"

He slightly nodded.

"Why... Why did you agree to the arrangement? Why did you take Martinien's offer?"

He only looked at me with the same unreadable expression for what felt like forever. I was already mentally preparing for the worst for asking him the blunt question, but I had the right to know the truth behind this whole deal. Just when I thought he was about to refuse to answer he suddenly stood up and pulled me with him. He bent down with one knee on the floor, took my panties and attentively put them on me before tidying my skirt that it dropped down and covered my legs. Even when he was kneeling like this he was still tall, the top of his head leveled with my neck. He then put one arm behind my knees and swiftly stood up to carry me in his arms. I spontaneously wrapped my arms around his neck as I didn't expect his move. He murmured,

"We are to discuss this in the room. The library has too many ears."

I didn't get the chance to response as he stepped on the nook and nudged the window open with his foot. He then jumped out of the window and I thought we were going to fall before I realized that we were flying. My first flight! Although it was a rather short flight but I felt the thrill to be above the ground and to feel the sunlight and the wind on my face from such height. The swooshing sound that Vidor's wings made was so soothing and it would be forever engraved in my memory. I looked at the horizon and at the top of the forest trees and I felt free, relaxed, and safe at the same time. It was one of the very few experiences in my life that I would never trade with anything in the world.

Vidor gracefully landed on the balcony of our room and he walked in, still carrying me in his arms before carefully placing me on the low sofa. He sat next to me and turned his body around to me. He sat silently for a moment, studying my face before he finally spoke,

"I don't always explain myself to anyone but I believe you ought to know the truth. I don't lie and what I'm about to reveal might be too much for you to absorb, but I trust you will handle it well. After all you're the only one, the only human who swings sword at your guards for fun and teaches them fencing."

I smiled at his humored remark and waited for him to continue.

"3 months ago Martinien came here and spoke in front of the council and me about the unification of Tenebris and Lumien. He said that the time would come soon when the two kingdoms should be one and be the most powerful, unbeatable kingdom on earth. He went on talking about setting aside differences and living in harmony because Lumien was tired of the rivalry and only wanted peace. I knew he was up to something the moment he sent a messenger to my kingdom to deliver a message for a hearing request. And my suspicions were answered when he asked to speak to me in private after the council hearing."

He paused and I nodded at him, letting him know that I was listening although I had to clench my teeth in anger. 3 months ago? So Martinien had been planning this for so long?

"Martinien didn't want to make an ally nor to unify Lumien with my kingdom. He wanted to give Lumien away to me. 'A gift for the glorious, immortal king' as he put it. When I asked him what he wanted to get in return if I were to say yes to his secret plan, he said that he only wanted to be the internal affair minister. He thought he could trick me but I could see right through his, what he thought, elaborate plan. He wanted to take over my power by influencing the council so he could have the kingdom for himself. Removing your father from the throne was the easiest way to smooth his plan, and his offer to me to marry you was just a disguise so people would believe that it was for a good cause. Martinien is the best of the worst politicians I have ever encountered."

I slowly shook my head in disbelief, nauseated and disgusted of the truth. Bitterly, I asked him,

"Why did you agree? And what do you have to say about my father's death? I believe he never tried to provoke any fight between the two kingdoms,"

"Regarding your father, it is such a tragedy that he had to die that way but... Hmm I will not speak ill about a deceased person. Regardless of that I want you to know that every ruler, even the kindest one, has their own dark past. I am not one to tell you about what happened many decades ago. Time will answer that for you. And why I agreed to Martinien's shallow plan? I am not justifying myself but I am a king, Clara. I, too, want to expand my kingdom and I will do anything for it even if it means I have to crush and deceive others. This is the harsh reality you have to know, that when it comes to politics it's all about gaining power and wealth."

I choked and felt my eyes stung with the tears that weren't running.

"So this is all about your own motives. This... This marriage means nothing to you."

Lacing his fingers with mine he softly spoke,

"I must admit that in the beginning this was nothing. But now..."

He hesitated for a moment, clearly unused of expressing his feelings,

"Now it's different. Our marriage means something to me and so do you. I..."

He sighed and leaned down to place his forehead against mine. He whispered on my lips,

"You aren't like what I expected. I don't know what it is that I've begun to feel, I don't have a name for it, but I'm greatly moved by your affection for me and I want to do the same in return."

With my eyes closed, his forehead on mine and his lips on my lips, I prayed that this wasn't a dream.

"Vidor, I-"

Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door and it opened. A guard came in and bowed,

"Forgive me my Lord but you are urgently expected in the council hall. It's the White Rabbit."

The guard disappeared as fast as he appeared. Surprised of the unexpected interruption and puzzled with the message I looked at Vidor who already stood up.

"White Rabbit?"

He leaned down to kiss me on my forehead. Pulling back, he caressed my head and said,

"Go get some rest."

He then walked out. I sat there for maybe a few hours, sorting out my thoughts and feelings. I wanted the truth and I got it but I wasn't sure if it was what I wanted to hear. My feelings mixed into one; anger, disgust, confusion and longing for my father and love for Vidor. 




Lux Ex Tenebris Ch. 02



The sun was about to set when Marsila walked in and informed me that I would be dining alone. I got up and walked to the bathroom. After cleaning myself and dressing up, I went back to the sofa where the food was already prepared and set on the table for me. I idly nibbled on the food and couldn't finish it as I had too much on my mind. I stood up and headed towards Vidor's study room, intending to do some reading there. The guard opened the door for me as there was no one there and I made my way to my spot. Sitting down on the nook, I tried to read but I couldn't. The room felt so wide and cold without Vidor's presence. It was probably close to midnight when I decided to go back to my room. After changing into my sleeping dress I lied down on the bed and wondering what was going on in the council hall. I was anxious for Vidor to return and I needed him by my side because my mind just wouldn't stop replaying the scene of my father's death, my last time in Lumien, and Vidor's revelation. 

It was past midnight when the door opened. I sat up and saw Vidor closing the door behind him. My worries immediately went away when he came to approach me. He sat down on the edge of the bed and leaned down to kiss my lips deeply.

"I thought you would be sleeping by now,"

"I couldn't, I was waiting for you."

He caressed my cheek and grazed my lips with his thumb,

"I am leaving in a moment and I will return in 3 days."

I felt my heart crushed.

"Will you be okay?"

I managed to nod.

"Get some sleep now, it's late."

He kissed my lips again and whispered,

"My wife. My beautiful, strong wife. Wait for me."

I hugged him tightly for some time before releasing him.

"Stay safe, Vidor."

"I will."

He gave me one last kiss before leaving the room. When the door closed I buried my face in the pillow but the tears wouldn't run.

***

I filled the first 2 days with a lot of reading, fencing, archery and fishing on the lake behind the castle with my guards and Lorant. Bastian and Lucien began to ask about the culture and the people in Lumien and I happily explained it to them. It was a good distraction as my mind was a complete mess and I missed Vidor so much. On the third day I was more than anxious waiting for Vidor to return. I kept moving from my room to Vidor's study room to the library and back to my room as I couldn't stay in one place without feeling restless. When I moved again to the library and began to read, I decided to venture the part of the vast garden that I hadn't been to. Some fresh air might do good for me.

Lorant couldn't keep me company as he had a class to teach so it was only my guards and I. We strolled to the other part of the garden and found a lot of fruits ready to harvest. With Bastian and Lucien flew from trees to trees to take some fruits, we sampled each one of them while talking about their new favorite subject which was Lumieni delicacies. I was telling them something funny that made them laugh when they abruptly stopped laughing. I turned around to see the cause and saw Belial flying towards us. He landed not far from where I was standing and he bowed before me. He smiled at me and I immediately disliked him.

"It is such a beautiful afternoon, isn't it my Lady? Ah you are having some of our most delicious fruits, suitable for the lovely day."

This sudden friendliness was weird given the fact that we never talked before and it was not the culture of Tenebrians to make small talk. Concealing my suspicious look I forced a smile, that I hoped didn't look fake, and I politely answered,

"Yes, it's a beautiful afternoon, indeed. What brought you here, my Lord?"

"Oh I was roaming around, enjoying this day when I spotted you here. I had to see what our Queen is up to,"

"I am not your Queen yet my Lord, I have yet to be inaugurated."

He waved his hand as casual as he could,

"Non sense. You are married to our King thus technically you are our Queen."

I forced another smile and slightly nodded at him when he took out a sword that radiated the color silver from his cloak and swung it swiftly at Bastian and Lucien in one fluent move. I watched their heads easily slid off their necks.

"What-"

The old man was fast. Before I got the chance to react he quickly put the sword back into his cloak. He then put his hand on my mouth and seized me on my waist with his other hand and flew really fast through the trees deep into the woods. I manage to land a punch under his chin but it was only strong enough for him to bump into a tree. That upset him and he purposely lowered me down so my body hit the next huge tree branch. It sure knocked the wind out of me. I struggled to be free from his grip but he was far too strong. I had no idea how far he flew us but he then flew down a cliff and dropped me on a protruded tree root that was large enough for me to move around.

"Belial, what is wrong with you?!"

"I will not have a human as my queen!"

"You don't want to do this! Think about what the King will do if he finds out what you've done!"

"I WILL NOT HAVE YOU AS MY QUEEN!"

He lurched towards me like a madman, held my head with his hands and smashed my head to the rock cliff behind me. The world then turned black.

.

.

.

[Nope, no editor yet. But thank you for reading and stay tuned for more!]




Lux Ex Tenebris Ch. 03



Prologue 

"Belial, what is wrong with you?!" 

"I will not have a human as my queen!" 

"You don't want to do this! Think about what the King will do if he finds out what you've done!" 

"I WILL NOT HAVE YOU AS MY QUEEN!" 

He lurched towards me like a madman, held my head with his hands and smashed my head to the rock cliff behind me. The world then turned black. 

*** 

I slowly opened my eyes and everything was blurry. Closing my eyes again, I took a deep breath and lied down motionless, giving my body some more time to adjust. I opened my eyes again and for a moment I couldn't recall what happened. Slowly I sat up and my head started to throb like crazy that I had to lie down once more. I put my hand down and felt the rough texture beneath. And I remembered. Belial. Looking up at the sky I had no idea how long I had been there but the sun was setting down as of now. I gravely recalled the moment when I lost my trusted guards, Bastian and Lucien, and I was wondering what kind of sword it was that Belial used. For all I knew no regular sword would be able to penetrate the body of a Tenebrian, save for the knife Lorant used to pierce through Vidor's finger on our wedding day. That sword had to be some unworldly sword as it also radiated a gloomy silver light. 

I tried and slowly sat up and leaned back on the rock wall behind me. I reached up to the back of my head and found a bump there. Well at least that was that and I could only pray there was no internal bleeding. Scanning where I was I realized that the tree root was pretty large and wide that I could lie down and pace around. I looked up, hoping that there was a way for me to climb up there but I bitterly saw that the root that was going up went inside the cliff. The rock cliff itself was smooth and not as rough as I hoped for, so there was no chance to climb the rocky wall either. I looked down and saw a large pond. The water was murky. I was thinking of the possibility to jump into the water when I heard a growl from above. 

I looked up and saw the strangest creature ever. It was jet black with sheath-like skin. The head was large and it resembled a lion's head except it had no ears, the muzzle was replaced with four slits, and there were 4 large fangs protruding from its mouth. Everything about it looked wrong. And that wrong thing was trying to descend down the cliff to me. It opened its mouth and hissed and I saw rows of canine tooth that looked equally as scary as the fangs. I looked around, searching for anything to defend myself with but I found none. I felt my heart racing. That thing managed to descend for a few steps before it slipped and fell its long way down into the pond. I looked down and watched a large neon blue snake shot from the water. It opened its mouth and exposed rows of horrid sharp tooth that went into its throat and down further, caught the other animal midair in its mouth, clamped it so tight I could hear the sheath broken before the snake retreated back into the water along with the fallen prey. Nope, I'm definitely not going to jump in. 

I hopelessly sat there. The sun already set and the air was getting chilly. My long dress wasn't thick enough to keep me warm. Huddling myself my mind went to Vidor and I prayed he would find me sooner. Apparently the forest was active at night and soon I heard strange, exotic noises and sounds from all over the place. I was no coward, but out here alone by myself in a place that was alien to me and nothing to survive with was enough to scare me. I lied down and curled myself into a ball, trying to keep myself warm and letting sleep take over me. 

I looked up and saw that the moon already rose. I had fallen asleep for a few hours. Then I heard a familiar swooshing sound. I lied there motionless, focusing myself on the sound and I knew it was the swooshing sound of a Tenebrian's wings. I prayed it was Vidor and not some other strange, large bird-like creatures that had been flying around. I finally saw a figure flying above me. The moon light reflected on the wings and I saw it was a guard. I got up and called out to him out loud, 

"Hey! Guard! GUARD!! I'm down here!" 

The guard stopped flying midair, looked down at me and made his way towards me. He hovered in front of me although still maintaining a distance, and lifted up a small cylinder tube I didn't see he was holding. He squeezed it and a bright orange fireball shot upward and lit the area for a good 30 minutes. He nodded at me and stayed hovering. I frowned at him, 

"Why aren't you bringing me back to the castle?" 

"I must not touch the Queen. His Majesty will bring you back." 

I sighed with relief, knowing that Vidor was on his way to me. 

"Did you catch Belial?" 

No response. 

"What of Bastian and Lucien?" 

Still no response. 

I looked at him with a mix of grudge and relief. Well at least he found me and was here to make sure I was safe until Vidor arrived. After what felt like an eternity I heard the most familiar swooshing sound and saw Vidor flew down the cliff. The guard flew away upon Vidor's arrival. Vidor stopped in front of me and looked at me with concern in his eyes. I reached out to him and he pulled me into his arms and held me tight. 

"Clara." 

I heard his whisper. Taking me in his arms he flew up and above the trees instead of going through the woods like what Belial did. The guard flew ahead of us. I held on to Vidor tight and hid my face in his neck, grateful for finally being with him. I inhaled his masculine scent deeply and choked back my tears. We finally reached the castle and Vidor landed on the balcony and went inside. Lorant was already in the room and standing near the bed, waiting until Vidor carefully put me down on the bed. 

"My Lady, I am thankful you aren't harmed." 

I nodded at Lorant, 

"I am alright thank you, Lorant. Except I had a bump here on the back of my head." 

I told him of how I got it and I saw Vidor, who was standing behind Lorant with his arms crossed on his large chest, clenched his jaws. Lorant turned around to Vidor, 

"Allow me to examine the Queen's head, Your Majesty." 

Vidor slightly nodded. I noticed that he was standing rigidly while watching Lorant. It brought a warm feeling to my heart and I couldn't help but smile. He raised an eyebrow at me which only made me smile wider. Clearly he had no clue that he was jealous. Finally Lorant stepped back and spoke to Vidor, 

"I am pleased to say that the bump isn't dangerous and the Queen is safe. She will not have to take any medication; a good rest and food is all she needs. If there's nothing more I shall excuse myself." 

Vidor nodded once more. Lorant bowed to us and got out of the room. When the door closed Vidor remained on his spot with his jaws clenched tight and stared at me intensely which made me nervous. 

"Vidor-" 

He turned around and walked out of the room, leaving me dumbfounded. Why did he do that? I was gone -kidnapped and abandoned, then he came to rescue me and left just like that? What did I do wrong? 

I blinked my tears away when 2 maids entered and guided me to the bathroom. I told them I could wash up by myself but they ignored me and continued their I-must-clean-the-queen-thoroughly-or-else task in silence. After the bath they guided me to the dressing room and proceeded to brush my wet hair and deep inside I was happy I had them around since I was very exhausted both physically and mentally. After they put my hair in a tight bun and dressed me they bowed down and left the room. My head started to throb once more that I had to undo the bun and braided my hair loosely. And I found the dress that I wore to be suffocating that I had to strip down and change into my comfortable satin robe. 

I walked out of the dressing room and found Vidor standing in front of the hearth, staring at the fire with his jaws clenched tight. I remained in my place, didn't know what to do when he turned his head around and offered his hand to me. I approached him and took his hand when he pulled me in his arms. I heard his whispering my name and all the tears that I had been fighting couldn't be contained anymore. I sobbed in his tight embrace, grateful that I was here with him, safe and away from all the harms. 

"Vidor I-i... I'm so sorry..." 

He tightened his embrace rather gingerly, as if he feared that I might shatter with too much pressure. 

"There's nothing to be sorry about, Clara." 

"B-but I... I..." 

I couldn't finish my sentence. 

"Clara, lux mea. Sum semper tecum. Fuimus haud sollicitus, et non dimittet." 

His whisper in the language that I still didn't understand soothed me until I gradually stopped crying. 

"How long was I gone?" 

I felt him letting his breath out when I whispered to his chest. 

"2 days." 

I gasped in shock. 

"Are you mad at me?" 

He tightened his embrace around me and slightly loosened it only to cup my face with his hand. 

"Mad at you? When it's clearly not your fault? How can I?" 

He leaned down and kissed me softly on my lips to which I gratefully and softly replied. He deepened his kiss and I pushed my arms inside the front of his shirt and slide them around his hard, sleek torso. The heat of his body had permeated the thin fabric of his shirt, and I shivered pleasantly as I delved into the male-scented warmth of his embrace. Vidor tucked a loose lock of hair behind my ear and cupped my cheek in his palm as he leaned forward. His mouth teased mine into yielding openness, while his hands found the outline of my body within the thin satin robe I was wearing. With no corset to constrict my ribs I could feel his touch through the thin fabric. The stroke of his hands along my unbound sides caused me to quiver, the tips of my breasts turning exquisitely sensitive. His palm traveled slowly over my front, finding the pliant weight of one breast, and he made a gentle cup of his fingers, lifting the vulnerable flesh. My breath halted momentarily as his thumb nudged my nipple into delicately aching distention. He looked into my eyes, our faces so close that our noses were touching. 

"Come to bed with me," 

He whispered, a command and plea in his voice. 

I nodded with a shaky sigh and let him lead me to the large four-poster bed. Drawing back the cover he lifted me onto the slick-pressed linens, and I slid over to make room for him. He stood by the bed, watching my face as his clothes slowly disappeared -something that I still couldn't comprehend. The contrast between the disappearing clothes that were so eminently civilized and unnerving, and the raw masculine power of the body beneath, was disconcerting. Vidor possessed an unusually muscular torso, his back and shoulders rippling, his stomach tightly corrugated. His swarthy skin was tinted amber-gold in the lamplight, the surface of his shoulders gleaming as rich and taut as freshly cast metal. Pangs of excited apprehension went through my stomach as he joined me on the bed. 

"Vidor," 

I said, breathing fast as he took me into his arms. 

"I-I..." 

His hand began to play in my hair, his fingers drifting over my scalp in a way that sent hot tingles down my spine. 

"You don't have to do anything tonight. Just let me hold you... Touch you..." 

Vidor's hand found the half opened satin robe and he took his time in opening it thoroughly as if he was opening a precious gift. His hand slid over my breast, cupping the cool roundness until the peak was rosy and hard in his palm. I let my fingers explore the deep groove of his spine and the tough-knit muscle on either side of it. My touch, simple as it was, disrupted the rhythm of his breath as he leaned over me. 

"Vidor," 

I called again but stopped with a faint moan as he traced the satiny undercurve of my breast with the edge of his thumb. Containing my narrow rib cage in his hands, he bent over my chest. His lips were hot and light as they opened gently over a tightly budded nipple. I let out a gasping cry at the tender tugs of his mouth, his tongue flicking my sensitive flesh until I could no longer remain still beneath him. My legs parted involuntarily, and immediately he filled the space with his own hair-roughened thigh. As his hands and mouth wandered slowly over my body, I lifted my hands to his head, letting the thick waves slip through my fingers as I had so often longed to do. He kissed the gargle skin of my wrists, and the insides of my elbows, and the shallow depressions between my ribs, leaving no part of me unexplored. I let him do as he wished, quivering as I felt the prickle of his night beard contrasting with the silky wet heat of his mouth. When he reached my navel I felt the slick point of his tongue enter the little hollow. I gasped sharply as his fingers drifted over my stomach and his knee intruded more deeply between mine. Widening the angle between my thighs, he slipped his fingers into my soft feminine curls, exploring my swollen wet flesh. He parted me, found the silken peak that throbbed at his touch, and stroked just above it with sweet, dancing lightness. 

He continued his journey down south while kissing and caressing his way stealthily down my body. By the time his dark head reached the shadow ingress between my thighs, I was moaning repeatedly. His mouth find mine, nuzzling past delicately crinkled hair and tiny silken ruffles of pink flesh, his tongue gliding over me in curling strokes. I shrank from him bashfully, but he gripped my hips in his hands and explored me mercilessly, the tip of his tongue gliding over every tender fold and crevice. The sight of his dark head between my thighs was a visceral jolt to my sense. The room around us blurred, and I felt as if I was floating amid layers of shadow and candlelight, conscious of nothing but exquisite, twisting rapture. I could hide nothing from him, could do nothing except surrender to the demanding mouth that solicited unholy delight from my awakening flesh. He centered on the peak of my sex, licking softly, steadily, until it finally became too much for me to endure, and I felt my hips rise of their own accord, quivering against his mouth, heat jetting through my pleasure-racked limbs. 

Giving my sated flesh a last savoring lick, Vidor worked his way back up my body. My thighs were limp as he pushed them wide apart, the head of his shaft nudging against mine. Looking down into my dazed face, he soothed my hair back from my forehead. He lowered his head and began to whisper in his language in my ear even as he tightened his hips to enter my wet fold. No matter how many times I had laid with him, every time always felt like the first time. I forced myself to hold still despite the instinct to writhe away from the intrusion. 

"Clara.. Sweetheart.." 

His breath became ragged, and as he paused inside me he seemed to struggle for self-control. 

"Yes, that's it... just a little more..." 

He moved in another careful advance and hesitated again. 

"A little more..." 

He deepened his entry in lingering degrees, carefully courting my body into accepting him as if it was our first time together. 

"More..." 

"How much more?" 

I gasped. He was too hard and too big, the pressure was too intense. Vidor gritted his teeth at the effort it took to hold still. 

"I'm about halfway there," 

He finally managed, an apologetic note in his voice. 

"Half-" 

I began to protest with a shaky laugh and winced as he pushed again. But he kept impelling himself deeper, trying to soothe my pain with his mouth and hands. Gradually it became easier. A long sigh escaped me as I felt my body yielding, my flesh conceding to the inevitability of his possession. Vidor's back was a mass of tightly cobbled muscle, his belly as hard as carved rosewood. Holding himself deep in me, he groaned, while a shiver ran across his shoulders. 

"Clara lux mea," 

His voice was slurred, as if he was drunk on pleasure. Filled with gratitude I wrapped my arms around his neck. I kissed him and let my tongue enter his mouth and I drew my hands down his back until my palms reached the hard contours of his buttocks. I stroked him in shy encouragement, urging him to sink deeper inside me. The caress seemed to eradicate the remainder of his self-control. With a growl of hunger, he pushed rhythmically inside me, shaking with the effort to be gentle. The force of his release caused him to shiver hard, his teeth gritting as sensation culminated in blinding rapture. Burying his face in the filtering strands of my hair, he soaked in my honey-slick warmth. A long time passed before the iron-hard tension left his muscles, and he let out a slow breath. 

We laid there motionless with each other in our arms when I heard his whisper, 

"My wife... My sweet wife..." 

I turned my head to look at him when he hid me in his arms and rubbed his cheek against my hair. 

"I was worried something bad happened to you." 

I inhaled his masculine scent and whispered, 

"I was worried and... scared that I would never see you again." 

He stopped brushing my hair with his fingers momentarily before pulling my hair backward so he could see my face. 

"And so was I." 

I lifted my hand and he closed his eyes when I caressed his cheek. 

"Vidor, what happened to Belial?" 

He opened his eyes and I saw the expression changed. 

"You need not to worry about him anymore." 

"What do you mean? Is he... dead?" 

Vidor stared into my eyes. 

"Why do you care? He has committed an unforgivable crime and he must receive his punishment accordingly. That is none of your concern." 

I gulped, 

"I... I just wanted to know what happened to him after... after..." 

I couldn't finish my sentence and lowered my gaze when he looked at me intensely for what felt like a long time. 

"You can see him tomorrow if you wish. What's left of him anyway." 

I looked at him quizzically when he leaned down and rubbed his nose against mine. 

"I can only be grateful that you're safe and here with me in my arms." 

I closed my eyes and returned his gesture. 

"It was a horrible experience. I had no idea there are really weird creatures out there," 

"Which is why I once told you to avoid the woods," 

"Yes. And... Bastian and Lucien..." 

I couldn't stop the tears from running down my cheek. Vidor clenched his jaws. 

"As I said Belial received his punishment accordingly." 

I nodded at him and averted my gaze again as I couldn't handle his intense gaze at me while he wiped my tears away with his fingers. 

*** 

"Are you sure you want to do this?" 

Vidor asked me for the fourth time. We were at the top of the stairs that would lead us to the dungeon. It was during breakfast when I asked Vidor to see Belial. He refused at first and questioned my sanity when I told him I wanted to ask Belial why did he do all those things. He reluctantly agreed when I promised him I wouldn't take too long and that he would be present with me. I slipped my hand into Vidor's hand and he squeezed it, then we went the long way down to the dungeon where Belial was kept. Or imprisoned. The tunnel was well lit with torches on the walls and it smelled rotten when we finally reached the base. A guard opened a heavy iron gate upon seeing us and Vidor led me to the farthest chamber in the dungeon. Vidor nodded at the guard who was standing motionless before he opened the heavy door. I wasn't prepared to see what was in front of me. 

The thing... Belial was chained high up the wall. His wings were gone and feathers were all over the floor. His skin was gone from head to toe and I could see blood dripping from various places of his body. His head was down and I thought he was dead when he lifted his head upon hearing my gasp. One of his eyes was dangling from its socket and his face was totally deformed, but that didn't prevent him from hissing and staring at me with pure hatred and he still had the power to scream at the top of his lungs, 




Lux Ex Tenebris Ch. 03



"You filthy human bitch! You're a disgrace to my kingdom! You should have rotted out there where you belong!" 

I held on tight to Vidor's hand and he moved forward to conceal the horrific sight from me. I felt blood flushed from my face. All the questions that I had were gone and replaced with nauseous. Vidor called to the guard who appeared immediately and ordered him something. Then he turned around to face me, 

"Clara I want you to go back to our room. The guard will lead you." 

The command was clear and I could only nodded. Vidor squeezed my hand one more time before releasing it and the guard stood in front of me, waiting for me to make a move. I looked at Vidor one more time before following the guard. When I finally returned to the surface I immediately went to the large window and inhaled the fresh air, shaking my head and trying to get rid of the horrid thing I saw to no avail. The guard escorted me back to my room where I sat down on the low couch and stared into the empty hearth. I couldn't shake loose of what I saw and heard. Why the hatred? What did I do? What is actually going on? 

A maid entered the room and placed a tray of hot tea and assorted snacks before me. I looked at them and immediately felt sick that I had to run to the bathroom and threw up in the basin. It seemed like I couldn't stop throwing up and when it was finally over my body gave away and I sat down limply on the floor. A moment later Lorant appeared with concern on his face -the maid who saw me running to the bathroom was smart to immediately call Lorant. He helped me getting up and handed me a glass of water to gargle and rinse my mouth. Then he guided me to the bed and checked my pulse. The maid stood next to the bed with a small basin and handed a cold wet towel to Lorant who put it on my forehead after wiping my sweat with it. 

"Here my Lady, take this slice of ginger." 

I obeyed and opened my mouth and savored the sharp taste. 

"How are you feeling now, my Lady?" 

"A tad better, I think. Still nauseated though." 

Lorant nodded and continued, 

"What happened?" 

I told him about what happened in the dungeon and my nauseous when I saw the tray. He nodded once more. 

"Did you feel nauseous early this morning?" 

"Yes," 

"Did it come and go?" 

"I... I'm not sure. I think I felt it a couple of times before I went to the dungeon." 

Lorant glowed and I could see him working on his words carefully, 

"Forgive me my Lady, I'm going to have to do a thorough check. But... there might be a probability that you are... pregnant." 

I gawked at him, 

"I what?" 

He smiled and nodded, 

"Yes, yes! This should be a good news! I must go to the King to get his permission to do the check up! If you'll excuse me I shall leave now!" 

With that he rushed out of the room, leaving me with the maid who was looking at me strangely. I pulled my blanket to my head and shut my eyes tight. 

I'm pregnant? Really? So many things going on just in one morning. 

(To be continued) 

*** 

Hello everyone, please accept my sincere apology in delaying the story; cliche as it is life just gets in the way as always. I can't promise you when the 4th chapter will be out but I promise I will finish this installment. I thank you who are so patient with me and for sending me sweet messages -you guys actually fueled me to finish this chapter. And for those who criticize about my weird writing, well this is my style of writing. If and when you are going to criticize again, please do so in a very constructive manner so that I will learn and fix what I have missed or done wrong. Once again thank you for reading and giving me feedbacks! I really appreciate it!



Lux Ex Tenebris Ch. 04



Love is reckless; not reason.

Reason seeks a profit.

Love comes on strong,

consuming herself, unabashed.

 

Yet, in the midst of suffering,

Love proceeds like a millstone,

hard surfaced and straightforward.

 

Having died of self-interest,

she risks everything and asks for nothing.

Love gambles away every gift God bestowed.

 

Without cause God gave us Being;

without cause, give it back again.

 

-Rumi

***

"Stay in bed. I'll get your sketch book for you."

Vidor got up and left our room momentarily before returning with my sketch book and the charcoal I left in his study room in hand. It had been 2 months since we found out about my pregnancy, and Vidor, being the most collected and calm person I knew, took his I-am-going-to-be-a-father role to another level. He never let me do anything at all by myself anymore. He would do everything, as in EVERYTHING for me, and if he wasn't around he would assign the maids to replace him. I found this to be really sweet although slowly it was beginning to drive me crazy because I practically couldn't even lift a book or going to the bathroom without any assistance. Going to the library was no option because Vidor was paranoid that I would accidentally stumble and fall down the stairs. The only place I could venture from my room was only Vidor's study room where I would be under his guard, and he would watch my every move -he wouldn't even let me adjust the cushions and the throw without his administer!

He sat down on the armchair next to the bed and began to study his papers while I was only staring at the blank paper, thinking of what to sketch as my creativity began to slowly dim with this protect-the-pregnant-queen task that was too much. I learned from Lorant that pregnancy among Tenebrian women lasted only for 6 months, unlike the 9 month period that I knew of. But given the fact that my husband was a demon and I was a human, my pregnancy would last for 7 months. And only in 2 months a small bump was already visible. I idly doodled random stuff on the paper while my mind was preoccupied with the baby in my womb. Would he born as a human? As a demon? A hybrid? And what would he look like? What name should I pick for him? For God sake I didn't even know if the baby was a boy or a girl. Vidor got up from his seat, kissed me on my forehead and walked towards the windows and the double door to open them and let the fresh air in. I smiled at him gratefully, knowing that he knew it would make me feel better. It was only mid-morning but I felt the need to move around.

"Vidor,"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Can I take a stroll in the garden?"

"No."

Came his short answer. I had to change my tactic.

"Can WE take a stroll in the garden?"

He studied my face,

"Why?"

I sighed,

"I'm feeling like I'm being imprisoned here! I can't even lift a spoon to my mouth without anyone taking over to feed me! I'm only pregnant dammit, not handicapped! Now I want to take a stroll out there like a normal human being, WITH YOU!"

The corners of his mouth twitched as if he was suppressing his smile,

"Is it the hormonal talk?"

"No. Yes. Maybe. I don't know! Let's go outside my husband, pleaaaaase?"

He put all his papers aside and got up to scoop me in his arms,

"As you wish, sweetheart."

He softly kissed me on my lips before walking to the balcony and soon we were airborne. I rested my head on his shoulder while enjoying the breeze on my face. He flew us over the garden that I used to venture and took us to a place I had never been before. He landed and softly put me on my feet on the ground. I looked around and I immediately fell in love with this place. I spun around and tiptoed to kiss him on his lips with a deep appreciation,

"Thank you for bringing me here. This place is beautiful!"

We were in a natural pool with a waterfall on the far end. The pool was stony and there were sharp rocks and stones here and there, but there were some large stones that were altered for lying down, and the shallow part of the pool was perfect for a leisure dip. The water looked so inviting. I felt Vidor behind me and he sneaked his arms around my waist. Giving a light kiss on top of my head he whispered,

"Do you want to get in?"

I turned my head around to see him,

"I can do that?"

He planted a kiss on my temple,

"Of course. This place is mine. Ours,"

"That sounds good. But I don't have any bathing suit,"

"Who says anything about getting into the water with a bathing suit?"

I gawked at him,

"You mean..."

"Mm-hmm."

"Wow okay. Uhm... Alright, I guess."

I felt his hands working on the pearl button on the nape of my neck and the hidden zipper along my back. I stepped out of my dress of which he laid carefully down a large stone before he lifted my camisole along with my panties, practically undressing me only in a matter of minutes. When he finished I noticed that he was bare naked as I was. He scooped me again in his arms and walked into the water. Slowly lowering himself in the water, he sat down on the base with me on his lap. The water wasn't cold nor it was too warm. It was just perfect. I watched him idly caressing my belly and I smiled. I wanted so bad to tell him that I loved him but I didn't know how he would react or if he even understood the concept of love, because for all I knew there was no such thing as a deep emotion like love ever occurred among Tenebrians.

"Vidor, can I ask you something?"

"Anything, sweetheart."

I lifted my hand to brush my fingers through his head and he closed his eyes, enjoying it.

"How is it that your clothes disappear?"

He opened his eyes and looked at me quizzically.

"I mean... You don't need to literally put clothes on, they appear and disappear just like that! How does it work? Do you have some kind of fabrics or threads in your body system that you can just transform them as you wish? Or is it magic? It's gotta be magic, isn't it?"

At first he smiled at me, then it turned to a grin before he threw his head back and laughed out loud. That was the first time I saw him letting himself go with no reservation and I fell in love deeper with him.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, but that is the funniest thing you have ever said to me. No no it doesn't work like that. I'm a demon, you see. Technically there's no need for demons to wear clothes. But since we had to adapt to the world that kept and keeps changing, we had to come up with an ability to clothe ourselves without having to put it on literally, as you put it. Not to mention that it would be hard to dress up with these huge wings on our backs,"

"So you're saying that demons are trained to develop the skill?"

"No, it's not entirely like that. Yes, the first older demons did train to develop the skill, but then they passed it down to the next generation and so on through matings that it became a part of our genes. It means that the skill is embedded in the genes of the generations after them that it becomes one of our natures."

"One of your natures? What are the other natures?"

He playfully nipped the tip of my nose,

"You're a really curious creature, aren't you?"

I softly pulled his ear,

"Yes, and this curious creature is your wife. Go on, I'm all ears."

He smiled at me and I could swear I saw love in his eyes.

"We can make our wings invisible,"

I gawked at him for the second time. He straightened his back and the wings disappeared like they were never there before. My eyes widened.

"Excuse me but I need to look at your back myself."

He chuckled,

"Go on."

He lifted his arm so I could turn my body around a bit to see his back while he was still able to hold me, and I saw his smooth, muscled back. There was no sign of any wing. I ran my palm all over his back and felt nothing. I went back to my position and he lowered his arm and encircled it around my waist again.

"Wow. That is.... Wow!"

"Happy?"

"Yes. Well, surprised is more like it. So that means you ARE able to put on clothes,"

"Yes, but with my ability to clothe myself without having to have all the hassle with buttoning shirt up, why would I?"

I grunted at him with envy,

"I wish I could do that too so I wouldn't have the maids put on the suffocating corset and dress on me."

"That's the consequence of being a queen, sweetheart."

I sighed and looked down at his hand on my belly,

"I know. I just... I just wish my life would be simpler than this."

He lifted my chin up and held it to look at him straight in his eyes,

"You're not happy here?"

The question stung my heart.

"No Vidor, it's not like that. I'm happy here. I'm happy being with you. But with all these baggages I have from my past, and now I am the wife of the King of Tenebris, I get a lot of pressure and expectations that are sometimes too ridiculous."

He looked at me intensely for some time before speaking almost in low husky voice,

"For all my existence I never really thought of anything except myself and my kingdom, and even if I lost the latter I might not even care because there was only me. And then you came into my life and turned it upside down with your sincerity, affection, smile, and sometimes your mischief behaviors. Against all odds I have learned to care more for someone else than I did for myself. It was then I started to have a reason to live, and that is you. And now you're pregnant with our baby, it is only you and our baby's safety and well-being I can think of. Even if I lost my kingdom now it wouldn't matter because I have my own family."

He hesitated for a moment,

"I have my own family I can call home."

Without me realizing tears began to develop. This was the first time he really opened up to me.

"I don't care about myself anymore because what matters now is only you and our child. I don't want anything bad to happen to you and the baby. And if something bad does happen I surely will be devastated."

I didn't realize tears ran down my cheek until Vidor wiped them away with his fingers. I took his hand and planted a kiss on his palm, and before I knew it I blurted out,

"I love you, Vidor."

"Clara, lux mea. Is that what you're feeling for me?"

I nodded.

"Is that what I'm feeling for you?"

I hesitated,

"What are you feeling for me? Don't use your logic for once, listen to your heart and tell me what you feel."

He stayed quiet for a moment while idly playing with my fingers.

"My heart... I always believe it to be nothing more than an efficient muscle. I'm not even sure if I ever listened to it."

He put his forehead against mine.

"When I'm not with you my body aches to be with you. I constantly think about you even when you're in our room and I'm in my study room. Funny, isn't it? I am delighted when you smile and laugh, and it breaks my heart to see you sad and cry. I... I want to provide for you, to be there for you, to protect you. To be your everything. I don't think about myself anymore because what is important to me is you and your happiness and our baby. And because you are my first priority I put myself second if not the third or the fourth or the twelfth. Is that love?"

I cupped his face and brought it to mine to kiss him on the lips and I whispered,

"Yes my love, that is love."

He kissed me softly for a long time, and when he released me I could see love in his eyes.

"I love you Clara, my wife, lux mea."

He then stood up with me in his arms and then laid me down on a flat stone. Soon he was on top of me. His mouth then took mine in a soft, smoldering kiss and gathered my body closer carefully as to not put too much pressure on my protruded stomach. Vidor caressed my exposed breasts with strokes as light as the wings of a plume moth. My nipples swelled and tightened, aching for his touch, and when he finally drew a hard peak into the velvety heat of his mouth, I moaned with relief. He used only the top of his tongue at first, plying me with a delicacy that made me writhe upward with an incoherent plea. Gradually he gave me more, flicking, sucking, until I felt a corresponding throb in my loins with every tug. His gentle hands eased over my body, coaxing thrills from my susceptible nerves. I couldn't think or speak, could only respond helplessly as Vidor stroked and arranged my limbs in ever-more revealing position, while his mouth coursed slowly over my skin.

Inquisitive masculine fingers slipped between my thighs to find the elixir from my aroused flesh. I moaned as he spread the moisture in erotic circles, his fingertips dipping playfully in the entrance of my body.

"Vidor... please, I can't wait any longer, I--"

I broke off as I felt him turning me away, tucking my hips back against him so that we lay curved together on our sides. His arms closed around me, making me feel safe and protected, even as he reached down and parted my thighs with a soothing hand. I stirred in confusion as I felt the pressure of his sex and realized he was entering me from behind. Gasping, I turned my face into the muscular arm that was wedged beneath my neck, surprised of this new change considered we had never done this position before.

"Easy,"

Vidor whispered, smoothing the locks of my hair away from my ear and throat, kissing my exposed skin.

"Let me love you this way, sweetheart."

His caressing fingers cupped me, kneading gently until I relaxed. He teased me with the head of his sex, barely penetrating me, then withdrawing just as I thought he would enter me fully. I began to rock against him, my hips pressing backward. By the time he slid all the way inside me, I was groaning loudly. As our position did not allow for a broad range of motion, he thrust in deep-seated nudges, while I arched in frantic encouragement. Reaching for my top thigh, he pulled it across his knees so that my legs were spread wide, my hips partially supported by his. I whimpered as I felt him slide even deeper, while his fingers trekked in rhythmic counterpoint to the prodding of his shaft.

Driven beyond sanity, I drew tight in every muscle, waiting as he built my pleasure at a leisurely pace. He took me to the edge and then retreated, then drove me closer, closer, making me wait, and wait, until at last he let me come in a series of convulsions that I could have sworn made the flat stone underneath shake.

Vidor was still hard as he withdrew from me. His tousled hair glittered like pagan raven as he pressed me to my back and dragged his open mouth over my swollen stomach. I shook my head with groggy denial even as he bent my knees and pushed them upward.

"Too tired,"

I said thickly.

"I--wait, Vidor--"

His tongue searched my salty-damp flesh with assuaging licks, persisting until my protests died away. The gentle ministrations of his mouth lulled me into peace, my heartbeat slowing to measured beats. After long, patient minutes, he drew the swollen bud of my clitoris in his mouth and began to suck and nibble. I jerked at the delicate aggression of his mouth. He drove me higher, his tongue flicking and swirling in deliberate pattern, his arms clamping around my thighs. It seemed my body was no longer my own, that I existed only to receive this torment of pleasure. Vidor... I could not voice his name, and yet he seemed to hear my silent plea, and in response he did something with his mouth that launched me into a series if incandescent climaxes. Every time I thought it was over, another ripple of sensation went through me until I was so exhausted that I begged him to stop.

Vidor rose over me, his eyes glittering in his shadowed face. I moved to welcome him, opening my legs, sliding my arms around the powerful length of his back. He nudged inside my swollen flesh, filling me completely. As his mouth came to my ear, I could hardly hear his whisper over the thumping of my heart.

"Clara,"

Came his dark voice,

"I want something from you... I want you to come one more time,"

"No,"

I said weakly.

"Yes. I need to feel you come around me."

My head rolled in a slow, negative shake across the stone.

"I can't... I can't..."

"Yes, you can. I'll help you."

His hand drifted along my body to the place where they were joined.

"Let me deeper inside you... deeper..."

I moaned helplessly as I felt his fingertips on my sex, skillfully manipulating my spent nerves. Suddenly I felt him sliding even farther as my excited body opened to accept him. He settled between my bent knees, into the cradle of my hips, driving hard and sure inside me. I encompassed him with my arms and legs, and buried my face in his hot throat, and cried out one last time, my flesh pulsing and tightening to bring him to shattering fulfillment. He shook in my arms, and clenched his hands into the warm spill of my hair as he gave himself over to me completely, worshipping me with every part of his body and spirit.

We laid there motionless on the flat stone under the shade of a tree, enjoying the warm sun light that occasionally went through the leaves as the wind rustled them away. Casually, while caressing his arm, I asked,

"Are you really 300 centuries old?"

He planted a kiss on my shoulder,

"No."

I turned around and sat up to look at him. He lied down on his back with one hand behind his head and the other one on my belly.

"Then how old are you?"

"I am 4,000 years old,"

"You are WHAT?"

He smiled,

"You didn't hear me wrong, lux mea."

It seemed like I would never be able to stop gawking at him every time.

"But you look so young and healthy!"

"Yes, that's because I'm a demon."

I frowned,

"I remember many months ago you told Belial that you had walked the earth for more than 300 centuries. What did you mean by that?"

He casually ran his hand up and down the side of my body,

"That is true, and that is how long I have been ruling Tenebris. But you asked about my age and I told you the truth."

I looked at him in amazement and he returned my gaze softly.

"There are so many things I don't know about you..."

He smiled wide,

"Are you upset now to know that you're married to an ancient being?"

I chuckled and shook my head,

"Not at all. In fact I'm all the more curious about you."

Vidor glanced up at the sky and I followed suit. The clouds on the horizon started to get dark which meant a storm would be coming pretty soon.

"Let's go home now. We can continue our talk in our room."

I nodded at him who was already standing up and helping me to get up and put my clothes on. I watched in amazement as his clothes reappeared. He scooped me in his arms and soon we flew back to our room. Once we got in Vidor stripped me down and we made love again on our bed. It seemed like he couldn't keep his hands away from me especially during my pregnancy. Once he made sure that I came to my release for the fifth time that day, he came to his. Satiated and spent, we stayed in bed and cuddled. I ran a finger on his cheek and along his jaw line,

"Tell me more about yourself?"

"What do you want to know, sweetheart?"

"Everything. How you became a demon, how you became the King of Tenebris. Well, basically everything."

He pulled me closer to him and tangled his legs with mine,

"I didn't become a demon, I was born one as my parents were demons. My father was the ruler of an ancient kingdom for over 12,000 years before his brothers fought to claim the throne and it resulted in me losing my parents in a battle and I was outcasted."

I snorted unladylike,

"it's always sibling rivalry that leads to a civil war, isn't it?"

I said it bitterly. Vidor pecked on my cheek,

"Yes it is. At that time I couldn't care less about claiming the throne as I was not interested in returning to the kingdom despite the encouragement my followers, those who were outcasted with me, had been giving me. After a few centuries I left them and walked the earth by myself."




Lux Ex Tenebris Ch. 04



Vidor continued his story while absentmindedly drawing circles on my back with his thumb,

"That was until I came across Tenebris. It was a really filthy small town then, ruled by an equally filthy lord. I was already bored with my lone venture so I decided to take over the town, did a major restoration both in the ruling system and the layout of the place. I basically turned the pig pen into the kingdom as it is now,"

"If it was a small town before, that means that you took over the other nearest towns and kingdoms too, right? Because this kingdom is so vast!"

He nodded,

"Yes, I had to do it to expand my territory. Did Lorant tell you about the history of the royalty?"

I shook my head.

"They are the descendants of my followers. They searched for me and found me a few decades after I established this kingdom and pledged their loyalty to me. They then mated with the locals who were humans then. All these people you see in Tenebris are all mixed, save for the royalty's children as they want to keep the demon blood pure in their history tree."

I bit my lower lip,

"So that was why Belial was strongly against me,"

"Clara, look at me. Belial had always been a rotten egg in the basket. Sooner or later I would have to finish him and the timing was just perfect."

I gulped and closed my eyes,

"I don't want to think about it anymore. I don't want to know what happened to him."

Vidor kissed my lips,

"No need to worry about it anymore, lux mea."

I nodded,

"But what do the rest of the royalty think of me? Of us? What do they think of our baby? Surely they will want a pure demon blood in line."

"The royalty doesn't mean a thing to me so please my wife, don't stress yourself over this. Leave it to me. All I'm asking from you is to stay healthy and strong for us and our baby."

I smiled at Vidor lovingly and rubbed my nose against his,

"Yes, my husband. Tell me about your parents. Do you still miss them?"

He went quiet for a moment before shaking his head.

"No. Never. Demons, especially those who were from my parents generation were... themselves. They didn't care about others; all they cared about was wealth, power, influence, greed, you name it. I was the only child of my parents who happened to be a king and a queen, but I had other siblings from my father's numerous harems. My mother... well let's just say she was too occupied with killing other harems and their children so I would be next in line -although I heard some of them survived and still live until now. I never see any of them though. My father tried to kill me on many occasions because he didn't want me to take over his throne,"

I put my hand on his cheek and look at him with a genuine sympathy,

"Vidor, I'm so sorry to hear that."

He kissed the palm of my hand before returning it back on his cheek,

"There's no need to be sorry, sweetheart. It's all normal in the demonic circle. Except maybe here in Tenebris because there is a huge time gap between the ancient kingdom and Tenebris, and the locals aren't savage demons like they were during my parents' time."

That was when realization dawned upon me: Vidor had never had any love or affection in his immortal life, so that was why he always seemed to savor each moment of when I made any physical contact with him. He ran his hand down to my belly and softly caressed it. He then got up to kiss my belly and whispered,

"Don't worry, mother and father will take care of you."

I ran my fingers through Vidor's hair and he looked up at me lovingly.

"I love you, Vidor."

He crawled up to me and kissed me softly on my lips and whispered,

"I love you, Clara. Lux mea."

(To be continued)

***

Thank you PallasAthena123 for pointing out the error! Working on the 5th chapter now :)



Lux Ex Tenebris



Clearly I had never been with any man before, that to say I was still a virgin, but it wasn't me to not be able to say something to any guy, particularly to this guy despite the no talk rule. I blamed it on the weird custom, on his intimidating figure and on this strange kingdom, but deep down inside I knew it was his masculinity that robbed me off my speech and my composure. Two maids came in to take the dishes away and I got up and walked out to the balcony. Sitting down on a chair I looked up to the sky and gazed at the stars. The wind blew quite strong as I was high up there above the ground. Embracing myself and rubbing my arms with my hands I looked to the left and saw a figure on another balcony. I noticed it was the King himself. I couldn't see his face clearly as there was a distance between the balconies but I could see that he was looking at me. I couldn't break our gaze and kept staring at him in awe. Suddenly he expanded his wings and jumped off the balcony that made me gasp before soaring high up in the sky and out of my sight. I forgot that he could fly.

***

Although I had been here for over a month and I still felt alienated except from my daily encounter with Lorant I had become accustomed to the routine that I actually found comfort in it. I hadn't roamed the ground yet but I had made the library as my sanctuary. Upon my finding of papers and charcoals in the desk drawers I started to sketch and began to write on the small notebook Lorant had given me not long ago. Dinner time had become something that wasn't unnerving anymore that I actually looked forward to it as I enjoyed the company of the King despite the lack of word exchange between us. Each evening I could feel the King wasn't as stiff as he was and he actually relaxed and leaned down to me when I fed him. Nevertheless tonight was different.

I fed him with the usual ease and grace when I noticed there was a little bit of sauce left in the corner of his lips. Without thinking I wiped it with my thumb and brought it to my lips to lick it off and continued with my routine. I brought the last piece of meat to my mouth and accidentally smeared my lips with the sauce. Before I got the chance to grab a napkin he took his hand to my face and wiped the sauce off with his thumb and brought it to his mouth, copying my gesture. I looked at him in astonishment and smiled at him. To my surprise he twitched the corners of his lips of what I assumed as a smile and his gaze warm at me. I felt my cheeks flushed and busied myself with filling a plate with fruits. He took a bite of a piece of pear from my hand and once more to my surprise he took a grape from the plate and brought it up to my lips. I looked at him in amazement. He waited patiently for me to and I finally opened my mouth let him put the grape in. We actually started feeding each other. I didn't know what to make of it but it was quite a progress. A progress that made my heart race. When he left and after the maids cleared the dishes and took the table away I jumped into the bed and let out a giggle. I had never been happier although I knew it was still a long way for him to speak to me.

Later that night I woke up from my sleep and couldn't go back to it. After tossing and turning around I decided to go to the library. After donning a robe I opened the door and the guards stopped me. I told them I was going to the library and one of them walked with me on the torch lit corridor and went with me inside the library to light up the chandeliers before going out and standing outside the door. I grudgingly closed the door behind as I felt like a prisoner and went down the spiral staircase. I sat down on the nook and began to relax when I started to read. It only felt like a second when the door opened and the guard flew down and stood not far from me. Bowing at me he said,

"Your Majesty wishes you to see him in his study room."

I looked at him in surprise as this was the King's first request ever. I stood up and was about to make my way when he continued,

"You may bring your book."

I grabbed my book when he flew to the door and waited for me. I followed him to a door that I always passed not far from my room but I never found out what it was until tonight. The guard knocked on the door twice and opened the door. It was the King's study room. He was sitting behind a large desk holding a piece of paper in his hand. The guard closed the door behind me and the King motioned me to come forward. Nervously I walked towards him and stood on the other side of the desk. He looked at me and his expression was unreadable.

"I was informed you were at the library this late at night."

He actually spoke to me! I slowly nodded,

"Yes I was. I couldn't sleep and I thought to read in the library,"

"I disapprove of you going to the library late at night. If you wish to read this late, you may do it here in my presence."

I gawked at him. He continued,

"You may take a seat and read."

He waited until I seated myself on a chair before returning his attention back to the paper he was holding. I opened the book and tried to read but my eyes only lingered on the same line while my mind and heart were racing at the thought of the man who was sitting in front of me. I glanced at him who was concentrating on whatever he was reading and couldn't help but thinking how it would feel to be in his arms. I let my mind wander at things I never thought before and quickly returned my gaze to the book when he shot a glance at me. The awkward pressure from being in the same room with him began to bother me that I had to excuse myself to retreat back to my room.

"Leave the book here,"

He ordered. I stood up and placed the book on the desk. Walking to the door I could feel his gaze on me and I braced myself to take a quick glance at him before closing the door and making my way back to the room with the guard walking in front of me. Lying down on bed I thought of the ways to spend more time with him other than dinner time, and to actually get to know him.

I didn't have to wait for too long because after dinner on the next evening he sent one of the guards to fetch me to his study room. Walking towards him I noticed there was a wooden screen placed before a tall window in the left corner of the room. He motioned me to take a look and I found the window nook was cushioned for comfort. There were a few colorful bolsters and cushions and my book was on top of a pillow covered in moss green sheet. There was a peach colored blanket throw neatly folded next to the pillow. The wooden screen was there for privacy so no one could see what was behind it and only the King himself who could, given the fact that his desk was only a few feet away from it. All in all the nook looked really cozy. I turned around to him, who was still sitting down on his chair, and smiled widely at him,

"Thank you my Lord, I liked it!"

He nodded at me and went back to his work. I settled down and made myself comfortable. After covering myself to my waist with the throw I opened the book on the page where I left and started reading. Trying to read would probably be the best description of what I was doing since I couldn't help stealing a glance at him every now and then. I was aware of the no talk rule but I wanted so badly to talk to him so my mind was working on some things appropriate to say. Since I couldn't come up with anything, being within his proximity was good enough for me. For now. At least he allowed me to be near him despite Lorant's warning that the King didn't like to be surrounded with people unless it was necessary. But I wasn't just people, I was only me and there was only one me so I was sure I wouldn't overwhelm him. I comforted myself with that thought and focused on the book.

***

I woke up slowly and felt the sunlight on my skin. I turned around on my back and stretched when realization hit me: I was in the King's study room last night and I didn't remember going back to my room. He must've carried me himself to the bed. I blushed at the thought of that. I got up and made my way to the bathroom when Marsila entered the room. She nodded at me before busying herself with her usual chore: picking the dress for me to wear. After taking a shower and donning the dress I went on my usual business; talking to Lorant and spending my time in the library. Sitting on the nook I paused myself from reading and looked out the window. The weather was nice and I decided it was time for me to venture the garden. I took my sketch book and a charcoal and walked out of the library. I asked the guards to show me the garden and they looked at me strangely before obliging to my request. I followed them going through a series of staircase and I was finally out of the castle. I looked up the looming castle and realized that it was really huge, and my only venture between my room, the library and the King's study room was nothing considering there was a lot to explore.

Walking on the gravel path I took a deep breathe of the fresh air and followed the guards who were walking instead of flying since I couldn't fly and it was nice of them to actually respect that. There were hardly any flowers around since Tenebrians weren't into such thing, but the vast garden was well kept and the trees were decorated with their own fruits that were waiting to be harvested. We stopped at a gazebo and the guards stood on the path. Their guarding stance, standing up and not move a muscle, was beyond my comprehension and never failed to amuse me. I sat down on a chair and stared at the trees, thinking of what to sketch. Shifting on my chair I decided to make a sketch of the guards. I wasn't aware that I spent hours out in the garden when one of the guards finally moved to inform me that it was time to go back inside. I looked at the sky and realized it was almost dark. I followed them and almost ran out of breathe when I finally reached my room as it was a long way to go up there. Marsila was waiting for me with disapproval on her face but said nothing as I went to do my usual routine before dinner time.

Sitting down on the sofa while waiting for the King I realized that the bun Marsila had done was too tight. It was unbearable I began to get headache from it that I had to go into the walk-in closet and took all the pins away. I was braiding my hair when I heard the door opened and I quickly finished tying it and hurried to the King who was already sitting down. He raised his eyebrows at me but I wasn't sure if it was because he didn't find me waiting for him or for me letting my hair down in a braid instead of the usual bun. I sat next to him and began to fill the plate when I heard him asking,

"How was the garden?"

I paused momentarily from taking a bread and asked,

"How did you know?"

"Nothing is out of my watch, my Lady."

I smiled at him calling me 'my Lady' although he probably meant nothing by it. Still it brought a warm feeling to my heart as it was the first time he actually called me. Setting the plate on my lap and feeding him with my hand I answered,

"The garden was beautiful although there was no flower. The fruits on the trees, however, looked so exquisite I was actually tempted to grab one of them."

I realized I was blabbing and I bit my tongue. He fed me a piece of meat and cheese folded in the bread and responded,

"You should've taken one. Make sure you avoid the black fruits, the spikes are poisonous. Have one of the guard removed them if you wish to eat it."

His response encouraged me to speak more,

"You don't mind me venturing around the garden?"

"No, I don't. However you must stay away from the woods,"

"Why?"

"It's not safe."

I waited for his explanation but he didn't say anything more so I nodded and we continued eating in comfortable silence. When we were done I filled another plate with fruits and we fed each other again. Knowing him, although only a little of it, I could sense that he was about to say something. Putting a grape in my mouth he said,

"I'm leaving tonight."

I held myself from asking but I couldn't help,

"Leaving to where?"

He looked at me, clearly not going to answer that. I gulped and encouraged myself to ask again,

"For how long, my Lord?"

"3 days, at least."

I looked down at the plate. The thought of not having him around was too much especially not knowing where he was going and what he was doing. I was aware the bond between us was still fragile yet I felt like there was a knot in my stomach being pulled and I missed him already. When the plate was empty he stood up and proceeded to the door.

"My Lord,"

I heard myself calling him. He stopped and turned around to look at me. I got up and walked towards him. When I stood in front of him I lost my nerves to say what I was about to say. He patiently waited for me. Inhaling deeply I touched the back of his hand with my fingers and whispered,

"Please be careful."

He didn't say anything, probably was surprised of my bold gesture. I was hoping for the worst when he lifted my chin up with his fingers. He slowly leaned down and stopped. Resting his forehead against mine his lips were hovering over my lips. To hell with this, I thought to myself and made my own move. I softly pressed my lips on his. I could sense his surprise but he didn't bulge. He then returned my kiss softly and slowly yet it was brief. He pulled away and caressed my head,

"Read in my study room."

After a moment he added,

"Wait for me."

He turned around without waiting for my response and walked out the door. I felt tears began to develop so I walked out to the balcony, not wanting the maids to see me in such condition. After a few minutes I saw a few figures flying to the dark night and I felt tears ran on my cheeks. I was in love with the King and I didn't know how to express it to him nor how he would react to that. I felt so lonely because he had to leave at the moment when we actually began to open up to one another. I wiped my tears unladylike and thought of what I would say to him when he returned.

***

It had been a week since he left and the first 3 days were the hardest because I missed him so much and it was eating me from the inside. Lorant knew I was brooding over his absence but he didn't say a word about it. Instead he encouraged me to pick up my sword hobby that I had abandoned ever since I got to Tenebris. So I put my sword skills into practice and my guards, Bastian and Lucien, took turn in being my sparring partner. They soon became friendly towards me after I showed them my skills and eagerness in learning new tricks and accepting advises. We used one of the spare chambers in the same floor of my room so I didn't have to go up and down the stairs. I introduced them to fencing that was entirely new to them and quickly became fond of it.

I was thrusting my foil at Bastian's chest when Marsila walked in and announced that the King had returned. Taking my mask off and holding myself from squealing like an idiot I asked of the King's whereabouts. Not taking her eyes off the foil I was holding Marsila answered that the King was in his study and would join me for dinner. Without minding courtesy or whatsoever I dashed out of the room and stopped at the door of the King's study room, debating with myself if I should enter or not. The guards looked at me quizzically and I made up my mind and ran to my room to clean myself. I couldn't take a shower and wash my long hair quick enough.

I put a robe on and walked out of the bathroom while drying my hair with a towel when I saw him standing near the chest in front of the bed where I put my sketch book on. He was looking at my sketches when he looked up at me. Whatever that he was about to say was gone and I could see his guarded gaze roaming around my body. I was too happy to see him that I forgot all about modesty, and all the rules that had been drilled into my head went to the garbage bin along with the towel I was using to dry my hair with to the floor. I ran to him and hugged him tight. I quickly pulled away from him,

"I'm sorry my Lord, it's just... It's just... I'm just glad you're back."

I bit my lower lip and couldn't bring myself to look at him. He then lifted my chin up and kissed my lips slowly that soon turned into a passionate one. He pulled the loose tie on the front of my robe that the robe slid down to the floor while still kissing me. Picking me up in his arms he brought me around and lied me down in bed. I was so self conscious of my nakedness but I wanted him so bad that I shoved my embarrassment away. I saw his clothes disappeared and I gawked at him in surprise. But before I could ask him about it his muscular body was already on top of me and he continued kissing me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and let his tongue explore my mouth before caressing it with mine. I ran my hands on his back and along the frame of his wings as far as my hands could reach. He cradled my head with one of his hands, and his other one caressed the side of my body.

I arched my body towards him in need when his mouth ventured down to my neck, lightly nibbled on it before proceeding to my breasts. He cupped one of my breasts in his hand that filled it perfectly when his tongue teased the other one that made my nipple hard before put it into his mouth and sucked it. He moved to the other breast and gave it the same treatment when I felt his hand snaked down to between my thighs. Involuntarily I clamped my thighs and he kissed down to my stomach and kissed down some more to my lower belly. I felt my cheeks burning with need and at his intimacy. He then moved up, back to ravishing my lips. When I began to relax he slowly parted my legs with his and before I realized it he was already in between my legs, kissing the inside of each of my thighs and slowly made his way to my sex.

He caressed along my glistening sex with his tongue and kept doing that for some time before clamping his lips on my throbbing bud and sucking on it, making me scream his name and throwing me to the edge of ecstasy. I gripped the sheet underneath and moaned out loud when he slowly inserted a finger into the delicate flesh without stopping sucking on my bud. He flicked his tongue on it while moving his finger in and out and took it out completely right before I reached my climax. Frustrated, I thrusted my hips upward, begging him to finish what he started. He went back to my lips to kiss me and I could taste myself mixed with his own saliva. It was intoxicating. He rubbed the head of his sex along my wet slit and slowly nudged it in. His was so thick and long and it stretched my virgin sex that even his effort in doing it slowly still caused me pain that was mixed with pleasure. I dug my fingers deep in his shoulders when he pushed in and stopped. I coarsely whispered,

"Is it in?"

He looked amused and kissed my lips deeply,

"Only half of it."

I closed my eyes and bit my lower lip.

"Look at me, Clara."

I opened my eyes at his command and him calling my name, and held his burning gaze with mine when he thrusted himself forward that caused me to scream. He buried his face in my neck and held still inside me while trying to control his breathe. He then kissed my lips and looked me in the eye when he began to move slowly. The feeling of him inside me was strange yet the pleasure was beyond words as he filled me perfectly. Holding my face in his hands he couldn't tear his gaze of mine just as I couldn't do the same either. He increased his pace and sent me to my climax that was too much for me to bear before he reached his.

Afterward he rolled our joined bodies to our sides. He wrapped his arms around me and slowly ran a hand down my back before running it back up. I smiled against his chest. My cold blooded husband apparently wasn't as cold as what the people said. He scrolled his fingers into my hair and pulled it down so I could look at him and whispered,




Lux Ex Tenebris



"You called my name,"

"Yes I did,"

"I want to hear you say it again,"

"My Lord."

He briefly kissed on my lips,

"No, the other one."

I softly whispered,

"Vidor."

He looked at me warmly,

"Again."

I smiled at him and whispered on his lips,

"Vidor."

He kissed me slowly and deeply,

"I like it when you call my name."

I ran a finger on his cheek and along his nose. He closed his eyes and seemed to enjoy it. Encouraged, I ran my finger along his jaw line when he opened his eyes,

"Fencing huh?"

"Hmm?"

"I heard you have been teaching your guards fencing,"

"Oh that."

I chuckled and continued,

"Initially it was swording but I needed something more refreshing so fencing it was."

I gulped and braved myself,

"When you were away, I... I missed you."

He didn't say a word though his gaze was warm. He put his forehead against mine and whispered on my lips,

"The feeling was mutual."

I smiled at his brief response and I felt a hope began to grow within me. We might probably work this marriage out. I kissed him softly and stiffened a yawn,

"I'm sorry my Lord-"

"My name."

"I'm sorry Vidor, it's just the fencing took a lot of energy,"

"The fencing or this?"

I blushed at his teasing me,

"Both."

He nuzzled his nose on mine and whispered,

"Rest little one, I'm going to watch over you."

I smiled at him and planted a kiss on his chin before hiding my face in his chest. Soon I dozed off with his strong arms wrapped around me tightly. I had never felt this safe and content until today.

[More to come!]