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Break the Gilded Cage Ch. 01

By: Elenia26



Julian knocked on the door of his friend's study. He had arrived only two hours before in the city, and had done some shopping before he came here. Samuel, his friend's butler, had greeted him, taken his things, and set him up in a guest room. And now he was finally at his friend's study door. 

The door opened, and there stood his old friend James Roenall. "Julian! I didn't expect you here so quickly! Welcome, my old friend. Please, come in, have a seat."

"It's good to see you, James. Thank you for the invite. I'm glad you sent it, I was passing through anyway." James ushered him in and over to the couch. 

"Would you like a glass of wine, my boy?"

Julian considered, then nodded. " A glass of that Satin Midnight, if you have it."

"Of course."

Julian sat back on the couch and wondered why his old friend had called him here. Important business, he had said. But now that Julian was finally here in James' study he seemed to be hesitant.

He examined his friend. It was amazing sometimes when you thought about it. Here was James, whose hair had gone salt and pepper. His beard even had streaks of gray in it. His back was no longer as straight as it used to be. And here was Julian, tall and blond and green-eyed as ever, all due to one rejuvenation potion, which had literally taken years off Julian. The difference in them had gotten so extreme that James had taken to calling Julian "my boy" even though they were close to the same age. 

James interrupted his thoughts. "You are probably wondering why I've brought you here." 

Julian grinned. "Actually, the thought had crossed my mind. I just thought you wanted to sit and have a drink."

James chuckled. "No, not at all, my friend. I have called you here today to impose upon our long friendship. I need you to do me a favor. Are you willing to hear me out?"

Julian sat up. "Well, for you, there's not a lot I wouldn't do. Please, continue."

James sat on the couch as well. "Very well. Thank you. I need to fill you in on some background information, first. This story I am about to tell you is about my beloved only sister. When we were young we thought differently about the world, you know? The boys ruled our little world, and girls did what they were told. I recall you were rather enamored with her, were you not?"

Julian half-smiled. "Ah, yes. She was beautiful. You haven't mentioned her in years. I stopped asking."

"I never talked about her much, and you'll see why. It is a long and painful story. There were five of us boys. My sister was the youngest. I think you know our mother had died young. Our sister cleaned up after us, cooked us dinner, made peace amongst us when our father was working. She was the best sister a boy could have had. Unfortunately we didn't realize it at the time.

"When she was eighteen, an offer of marriage came for her. My mother had an arranged marriage, and she had been happy, so of course we thought it would be the best thing for her. It was no surprise, as my sister had a sweet face and a fair turn about her. The boys were already responding, and my father thought it prudent to marry her off. We didn't ask her wishes, simply agreed to the marriage and told her the news. She reacted with calm equanimity.

"Her suitor was a high-born caliph. My father had visited his court and if he thought about it at all he probably thought his one and only daughter would be pleased with such a highborn prince as her husband. 

"The wedding took place with all due pomp and circumstance. A few months went by, and then my father wished me to visit his daughter in her new home.

"I was welcomed and made an honored guest. For two days, however, I was not allowed to see my sister. Finally I grew insistent and they complied. 

"When they brought her to me I had no way of recognizing her, for she was in full veils. She spoke to me, and it was the same voice I recognized. I reached out to lift her veil – and Julian, my own sister flinched at my touch. I, who had never in my life hurt her. 

"I spoke to her softly, and reminded her that it was James here. I was finally able to lift the veil and the sight stunned me. My beautiful sister had both of her eyes blackened. Her lip was puffy and bleeding. There were other bruises on her face, too, older and somewhat fading. But the worst was the animal fear in her eyes. The soft, trusting look was gone and now there was nothing but a liquid wariness."

Here James had to pause, pulling out a handkerchief and mopping his eyes with it. "I'm sorry old chap. The thought of her face still disturbs me to this day."

He breathed deeply, then continued.

"With much cajoling and affection I managed to get some information out of her. Yes, her husband beat her. She tried to comfort me – can you imagine that, her comforting me - telling me it wasn't that often, that I had just come at a bad time. He only took her to his bed about once a month, she said – he had three other wives and several concubines.

"We had not been totally innocent. We had known of the concubines but had not been informed of the other wives. We had assumed he would settle down once he was married. I ranted and raved. I swore vengeance. She let me and did nothing, save watch me with huge sorrowful eyes and made sure I didn't leave the room.

"When I finally calmed a little, I asked her what she wanted me to do. Her answer stunned me. 

"She asked me to do nothing. To leave her husband alone, brute though he might be. For if I were to do the things I asked I would certainly be killed. I argued with her, of course, and it went back and forth until she confessed something. She was pregnant, and she didn't want her child to be born a bastard."

James swallowed his wine. "I was convinced by her and did nothing. I hugged her, and kissed her, and after a few days finally went home. You must understand, in those days what a man did with his wife was his business. Who was I to interfere? How I wish I had.

"From then on, whenever any of us tried to meet with her, we were gently turned away. But shortly after that, I began receiving letters, written in her own handwriting, saying she was well and the pregnancy was progressing. She said her husband beat all of his wives for the first couple of months, but he had stopped now. I allowed her letters to lull me into security.

"Six months letter we received a letter saying our sister had miscarried and died. We were allowed to attend her funeral. My heart broke as I lowered my sweet sister into the ground, Julian. Where was that sweet happy girl that had lived in our house only one year ago? And I knew we had been most negligent in our responsibilities.

"That was sixteen years ago.

"Care for another drink before I continue my story, Julian?" Julian shook his head with a start. He had been so involved in the story he hadn't realized how much time had gone by. His glass was indeed empty, and there was silence while James refilled it. The two men sat for a moment.

"Didn't you wonder what had happened?" Julian asked.

"Of course we did. But what could we do? She was in a different kingdom, one where the laws were different, the rules were different, the very air she breathed was different. But she is not the true focus of my story.

"It has come to my attention through an old friend that the child we thought was lost was not lost, rather hidden from us. The child is now eighteen and she is female. She is due to be wed to a man much like the caliph, cruel, much older than her."

Julian was startled to see tears in the other man's eyes. "I failed my sister, Julian. I can't fail her daughter as well. And now we come to the favor. I am persona non grata in my brother's court. My hands are completely tied. Will you go and try to free my niece from her fate?"

Julian started. "You want me to...how am I supposed to do that?' 

"I know it sounds difficult, my old friend. But I have reason to think you may have a chance. 

"Your family is an old one, and well-known. If you entreat him to not do such a thing, he may listen to you. Also, you are known in the outside world. He will fear your influence. He is trading heavily with outside cities now, and needs respect and a good reputation. 

"Please, my friend. The girl is innocent and I cannot let the same thing happen to my dear niece. I ask you only to try. You will not be completely alone. The man who told me she is alive is her tutor, and sympathizes with us. He will help however he can."

Julian sighed. He had always been a sucker for sob stories. What his friend said about his reputation was also true, although he tried not to capitalize on it too much. He hesitated a moment longer, saw the genuine anguish in his friend's eyes, and nodded. "Very well. For you, my old friend, I will go and do the best I can."

"Thank you, Julian. I must admit that it is partly to assuage an old man's guilt as well as help this poor innocent girl. Perhaps I can reconcile with my niece."

Break the Gilded Cage Ch. 02



Two weeks later, Julian entered the hot city of Merrakath by boat. In his possession were visitors' passes to the palace. He was met at the docks by a delegation of the palace, which escorted him into a carriage. 

As he rode through the city, he watched out of the windows. The people seemed fairly happy and content for such a cruel-seeming lord. He kept the words of his friend in mind though, and reserved judgement.

They arrived at the palace and he was immediately taken to a private room to freshen up and change. His things were unpacked for him by a heavily veiled maid, and then he was whisked away to meet the caliph.

He entered the huge throne room with some awe. There were silk tapestries hanging on the walls, and veiled girls with beautiful eyes everywhere. Everyone was dressed in silk, and while the city was well over 100 degrees in the shade, the palace was cool. They had brought him lemonade to drink to cool himself off. He was wearing one of his best suits. 

He entered the throne room behind the advisor and kowtowed properly as he had learned years ago, when he entered the eastern lands before. He was grateful for that time, since he had also learned to speak the local language. He knelt at the last position and waited for the summons.

"Rise, Julian Alexander." The voice was deep and cultured, with no trace of an accent. It continued, "Your family is well-known and respected here. Your father did my father a service once that has not been forgotten."

"What can the court of Fadjlan ibn Ahmed do for you?"

Julian rose, and looked at the caliph for the first time. He was about fifty or so years old, with a beard so black and glossy it had to have been dyed. At his feet sat his four wives, all heavily veiled…

Wait a minute, four wives! Inside Julian cursed him. The bastard must have gotten remarried. To gain time, he launched into the florid compliments expected by the lords here. "Most merciful lord of the east, I have come to beg your mercy on something that is important to me. If my lord could spare but a moment of his time I would state my case."

The caliph nodded. "Proceed."

Julian hesitated, but not for long. Best to just get the question out in the opening right away.

"I come with a message from your esteemed brother, Sir James Roenall the Third." Did the skin around the caliph's eyes tighten ever so slightly? Julian couldn't be sure. But he plunged on anyway with the story James had arranged.

"Sir Roenall has recently been informed that his niece has just turned sixteen. As you know, it is the custom in both your culture and his for marriage proposals to be considered at this age. Sir Roenall understands you have already received a worthy proposal. However, Sir Roenall wishes to delay the marriage by a few months so that he may get to know his niece." James had thought only to get the girl out of his clutches. Later they would figure out what there was to be done.

"Sir Roenall wishes his niece to come and visit him for a period of three months. Then she may return and be married in the customs of your people." Julian heard a tiny gasp, so soft that if he hadn't been honed by years of adventuring he certainly wouldn't have heard it. He flicked his eyes to the right and saw a gaggle of veiled women. It was from amongst these the gasp had come. He wondered if Roenall's niece was among them. 

He stopped then, and bowed to appear polite. Out of the corner of his eye he watched the caliph. He was tapping his chin, thinking. That was a good sign, that he had not been rejected outright.

Suddenly the caliph beamed. "How honored we are, to receive such a proposal. However, I will need some time to think it over."

He clapped his hands before Julian could protest. "You will be my guest. I will need twenty-four hours to decide. Until then you will be my…honored guest."

Julian began to speak but the caliph waved a heavily bejeweled hand expansively. "You needn't worry about imposing, my friend. We are more than welcome to have you." His smile did not reach his eyes, though, and Julian thought he'd better drop it.

That night he was wined and dined to the best of their ability. The caliph himself entertained him, which was a great honor, but he would not let Roenall's niece be discussed at all. Julian was finally able to retire to his room.

To his surprise, there was someone waiting there for him. A servant girl rushed to him as soon as he entered and knelt at his feet. 

"I am yours to command, my Lord." She spoke in heavily accent common. He started to wave her away, but she lifted her head and looked directly into his eyes and said softly, "The Princess herself sent me for your comfort, my Lord. I am her slave girl."

Julian hesitated, then nodded. "You may stay." He closed the door, and sat on the bed, watching the girl. After a few minutes, she spoke.

"May I speak my Lord?" 

He nodded. "Speak freely."

"My lady has sent me here for other reasons than pleasure, though if you wish it I am available for that as well."

"Speak," he commanded gruffly.

She bowed until her head reached the ground. Her voice was soft but obviously that of a peasant. "My Lady heard you speaking to the caliph in the throne room. She wishes to know if you truly wish to take her to see her Uncle."

Julian nodded. "Does your lady wish this?"

The slave girl smiled for the first time, lifting her head. "Very much, my Lord. She is most grateful to you."

"But there will be trouble. The caliph will not give her up so easily. He will demand something of you. My lady says, if you are still willing to help, she will lend all the assistance she can. Her power is slight but she is willing."

Julian considered. "Tell your lady thank you. Tell her I do not wish her to endanger herself but I will be most grateful for any and all help she can offer."

The slave girl bowed again. "My lady wishes to also say one thing. But this must not be spoken aloud. She has written a letter, if my Lord wishes..." she trailed off.

"Give it to me." The slave girl took from her sleeve a small piece of rolled paper. As he brought it close he realized it was scented of jasmine. He carefully unrolled it and was surprised to see a brief note in Latin. He looked at the slave girl. 

"How did she know I could read and write Latin?"

The slave girl bowed again. "Truthfully, my Lord, she did not know. It is a language that not many people in the palace know, however. My lady is only aware of herself and her tutor in this country. She hoped an obviously educated man like yourself would have learned the dead languages." 

"Smart girl. I mean, Princess." He answered her slightly shocked look, and turned his gaze to the paper. The handwriting was neat and elegant, but somehow girlish all the same. It said simply:

My Lord Alexander:

Providence has brought you to me. I wish you to know as flatly as possible that I do not want the life my father has planned for me. My tutor tells me you are here to take me away from all this. I am willing to go to any lengths to escape it. I believe the caliph has a plan for you. I believe I may know what it is. I do not wish to state it if it does not come to pass but please, if you have no hesitations then I do not.

Daughter of Fadjlan ibn Ahmed

He finished reading it, and the slave girl spoke up. "My lady asks you to destroy the note, my lord, for your own sake."

"Do you know what this note says?" She shook her head.

"Very well. What is your name?"

"Jasmine, my lord."

"Jasmine. Will you be punished if I send you away from here – ah no, forget it." For he had already seen the fear spring into her eyes. "You may sleep here. Not in the bed. The divan will do for you. I am afraid I am not interested in anything more, but thank you. As for the note - " he crumpled up the piece of paper and swallowed it.

That night Julian thought about this unexpected development. If the girl was willing to help him it would be an added bonus. He had been wondering how to convince the girl to travel with him. He slept easily though, and arose the first thing next morning.


The caliph was gone until evening, but he was permitted to travel everywhere but the seraglio. He spent the day exploring the grounds. He was given a male servant to spend the day with him. Jasmine was gone, presumably back to her mistress. 

That evening the caliph summoned him back to the throne room. Julian went with some trepidation. The caliph welcomed him warmly though, and would allow no discussion to take place until they had supped on fine lamb and biryani.

Then the caliph sat back. "So, my brother wishes my niece to visit him, yes?"

Julian nodded. "He would be most honored."

"But I cannot let my niece travel in the company of an unmarried man, now can I?"

Julian started to speak, but the caliph waved his hand dismissively. "Let me offer you a counter-proposal, my friend. More wine?" A servant refilled Julian's cup.

"You see, my daughter is marrying a very rich and powerful man. I wish to make him an ally. However the wedding is not yet set. I have many allies in my own country, and the suitor will no doubt accept another daughter.

"What I do not have is many allies outside of this realm." Here he paused to take a drink. Julian wondered what he was getting at. Did the caliph expect him to find the girl a husband? The point, when it came, however, nailed him to the floor.

"I will let my daughter go with you on one condition. That you take her not as friend or companion or even protected Princess but that you take her to wife."

There was silence in the room. Julian didn't even dare to glance toward the group of his daughters. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. He had never been married in his life.

"I see you hesitate. Well I will give you even more reason to hesitate then, and perhaps you will leave this foolish business and go away. You see, all my sons must sign a contract with me. Within this contract it says they are to repay the bride price to their father-in-law, myself, within five years or the bride will be reclaimed."

Julian listened, stunned. Marry? The girl was sixteen and he was fifty years old. Oh, thanks to the potion of rejuvenation his body looked and acted like the body of a 25-year old, but his mind had indeed lived for fifty years. 

Repaying the bride price wasn't a bother, either. He was sure it would be quite high, but he had quite a bit of money saved away over the years. 

But it wasn't the provocative tone of the caliph that convinced him. It was the shielded desperation in the note he had read, and the unshielded declaration that she was amenable to anything. After all, the wedding could always be annulled. He inhaled deeply.

"Very well, this is acceptable to me." Now he definitely heard a few gasps from the assembled nobles. "I accept your proviso, my lord. Truthfully I had not thought to marry but as you said strong alliances are all-powerful and to ally with your house would be truly a great honor." He tried not to wince as he delivered that whopper of a lie.

The caliph looked impressed. "I see. Very well, my friend. Then go and rest. Tomorrow is a new day and day after tomorrow is the wedding. The servants will care for you."

Julian lay awake that night, thinking of what the tasks could possibly be. Before he drifted off to sleep, he heard a soft tap at the door. He hurried to open it. 

At the door stood a familiar servant girl. She bowed, and said, "You summoned me, my Lord?" Julian had done no such thing, but he was grateful to see her nonetheless. "Come in," he said curtly, and shut the door.

As soon as the door was shut Jasmine hurried into the room and closed the heavy drapes leading between the main room and his bed. She slipped inside the drapes and beckoned for him to follow. 

"I do not wish for them to even hear through the door, my lord."

He nodded. She continued, "My lady wishes to inquire about my lord's health. She is worried."

In spite of himself Julian actually smiled. "Your lady is very kind. Please tell her I am coping in spite of the worry over this contract."

Jasmine bowed. "That is why I have come here. My lady has sent me with a copy of the contract for you to peruse. That way you will know exactly what the caliph has in store for you."

Julian eyed the girl. "Your lady, is she getting in trouble by getting this kind of information?"

Jasmine shook her head. "My lady's childhood tutor is a foreigner. While he has lived here his loyalties still lie elsewhere. But he loves the Princess and is helping her with this information. It is he who devises the contracts, and they are not easy to read. However, he has included notes to explain himself. "

The next day dawned bright, and hot. Julian had wondered what they would do today, and the answer came in the form of a tailor at seven AM. Then came the silkmakers, the turban-makers, the shoemakers, in a stream. Following that came the caliph's chief financial advisor to hammer out the contract. Having read it ahead of time, Julian was able to suggest some unexpected changes to make it more to his benefit. He was careful not to push to hard, but he managed to get the interest down to a reasonable level. The day was spent thusly, fitting clothes, items, whatever he may need. 

Later that evening they took him to see his bride-price. No less than twenty goats would be sold, and the money be given to him in a purse at the wedding. Her own jewelry would come with her, as well as silks, clothes, and perfumes. He was amazed at the caliph's riches.

That night in bed, however, he could only think of his impending marriage. With a start he realized he didn't even know what she looked like. Was she beautiful? Perhaps she was hideous. Perhaps he would be saddled with an ugly wife. Worse, perhaps she was shrewish and unkind. 

But the letter seemed to belay that. The letter seemed to be of an intelligent, bright young girl. He sighed, and eventually fell asleep.



Break the Gilded Cage Ch. 03



Even though this was the caliph's youngest daughter and therefore least important, the caliph spared no expense but for the quick notice. The palace was turned inside out to be decorated.

Julian supposed he didn't blame the caliph for rushing their wedding. He was beginning to get nervous jitters. Sometime that morning he had realized he didn't even know his bride-to-be's name yet, much less what she looked like. He would have asked Jasmine, but she was kept away from him all day, presumably to take care of her mistress. He wondered what she thought, cloistered in her nun's existence, soon to marry a foreigner. He might have reconsidered had it not been for the small note a page had pressed into his hand as the boy ran by. 

It was two words, in a very familiar handwriting (his wife's handwriting, in twenty-four hours!) and it said simply "Thank you."

The day had dawned bright and clear. They gave him milk to drink and sweetmeats to eat and generally treated him like a king. He was washed by two older biddies who refused to hear anything he said and gently nudged him into the bath until he agreed. Then he was dressed carefully, by a valet. 

First came a pure white cotton undershirt and shorts. Then came the silk pants, pajama-like, in white with gold embroidery. Over that was a long tunic which was open on the sides. This was also in white silk, and the arms and cuffs were heavily embroidered. The neck was open in a sort of U-shaped pattern and the border was also trimmed in gold.

Next came a silk sleeveless vest. The color was a rich plum, but the whole back of it was covered with a dragon stitched in the same gold thread. On the front he was pleased and surprised to notice on the right side his family's crest. On the left was the symbol of the family he would be joining. 

Then came fine pointed slippers which were put onto his feet, also heavily embroidered. He was bade to sit, and a silk cloth was brought. The valet proceeded to wrap a turban around his head, with care and dexterity. The turban was the same plum color as his vest. In it was placed a single peacock feather, standing up straight.

He stood and looked at himself in the mirror. But for the green eyes and fair skin, he looked like a native.

They brought him back to the throne room and sat him amongst some other thrones, a little lower than the caliph. Other men began to arrive, swarthy and dark-haired. They nodded to him curtly, and he realized these were the other sons. 

People began to arrive, and still no sign of his bride. Each person brought a gift and placed it at his feet, bowing. Expensive rings, jewelry for his bride, and silks were the majority of the gifts. One man brought twelve slave boys, however, and another brought sixteen camels.

The morning wore on, and it became ritual for Julian to stand, accept the gift and the sentiments, and seat himself again. At noon a bell tolled and everyone took their seats.

In the center of the room was a raised dais, about ten feet by ten feet. In the center was a small metal container. Its top was open and wider than the bottom, so the sides slanted outward. One on side was seated a priest, who began to chant and put things into the fire. 

The other sons stood, and Julian took his cue from them and stood as well. A dignified butler type came up and gestured Julian forward, until he was standing in front of his throne, with his back to it. The far doors were opened.

In stepped a huge procession. First came jugglers, then dancing girls, servants, maids, all elegantly dressed. 

Then in came four pavilion bearers carrying a plum colored silk-lined doli (pavilion) between them. They turned it sideways, so the open side was toward him, and stepped side. 

A hand appeared at the edge of the curtain, and gently pulled it aside. The hand had henna on both sides, and gold hand jewelry on the back. A leg was extended and a small slippered foot was placed on the ground.

Out stepped a small figure, clad head to toe in jade green silk. There were embroidered flowers all over her brocade. Her head was covered by a red silk veil, and her lower face by another. 

She stood a little over five feet tall. She walked toward him, and a few feet away she stopped, and knelt on the floor, her head bowed. Her herald stepped up next to her.

"Her Royal Highness, the Princess of this fair land, daughter of his most royal Caliph Fajlad, begs you to take her as wife!"

This was all protocol, and Julian had been instructed in it. He stepped forward and proclaimed in a loud voice, "I, Julian Alexander, son of Tiberius Alexander, do accept!" So saying, he bent to take her arm. She offered it to him, and as she rose he saw that she snuck a look at him from behind her lashes.

He could see nothing of her but her eyes but her eyes made him forget where he was for a moment. They were of the deepest emerald green, heavily framed by black lashes. They seem to be filled with their own luminescence. Heavily lined with kohl, they were the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen.

Their eyes met for the first time, and Julian felt a spark run through his body. He didn't have time to wonder if she felt it too, for the valet was already turning him toward the ceremony. They both continued to the platform and knelt there.

The wedding ceremony was two hours long and consisted of getting up, sitting down, walking nine times together around the fire (for each of the nine lifetimes they were to be together), putting various things in the fire as offerings, and repeating vows as instructed. She was very quiet but occasionally he would see a flash of green eyes. They remained in his mind even when she didn't look up, it seemed to him.

After the wedding, they were seated on matching thrones. For about two hours they received people's blessings. 

Julian was having a hard time getting around the fact that they were married. It came home quickly enough when after two hours several maidservants came over, giggling, and took his new bride away. He knew they were taking her to the bedchamber. He also knew that the custom here was for the bride to keep her groom waiting as long as she desired on the wedding night. Perhaps it was the only bit of power she got. He wondered how long his new wife would make him wait. It would have to be at least half an hour, for modesty's sake.

The call did not actually come until an hour later. The same maidservants came back, giggling, and walked him down the hall and out of the throne room. Behind him he could hear the dancing and the drinking and the reveling beginning.

They took him to a decorated door and opened it and thrust him inside, still giggling. 

The bower was dominated by a very large bed. This was covered with flowers, as was the custom, and hanging vines of flowers surrounded it. The entire room was decorated beautifully. 

He advanced, glancing at the candles lighting the room and the customary glass of milk the wife was supposed offer her husband. Then he stopped, suddenly, as he heard a voice from behind him.

"Alexander sahaab?"

The voice held overtones of honey and milk, with a sweet, musical tone. It was young and slightly accented, and he knew instantly it was the voice of his bride. 

He turned, and saw there was another doorway which he had missed seeing right away. It led into sort of a lounge room. In the doorway was standing a young...well, person. The person was dressed in black boys' clothes from head to toe. What little he could see of the face had been darkened by some sort of skin color, and there was a cloth across the lower part of the face. The person wore a black turban. But the eyes...the eyes were the same emerald, with flicks of gold, that he had seen on the marriage altar. This was his bride, and this was what she had been doing in the hour – getting dressed like this.

The girl stepped forward and bowed. "Alexander sahaab? Thank you for saving me from a truly terrible fate." Although she spoke without the haughty arrogance of her father, he thought this girl had steel in her. "I am sorry to rush you, my Lord. But you are in danger, and so am I. We must leave immediately, tonight."

He finally found his voice. "In danger? What do you mean, Rajkumari?" He called her the correct Arabic word for Princess.

She replied, "My...suitor...is furious with me for rejecting you. He means to kill me, so no man may have me. And my father wishes to have you killed in an accident, so he may say the son of the great Tiberius Alexander is still allied to him. Even after you die my father plans to use your name."

He nodded, gravely. Truthfully, the only thing he was surprised at was how blithely the girl spoke of her own death. "How do you plan to escape?"

"Jasmine and my tutor have agreed to help me. Your things have already been packed onto your horse by Jasmine. My tutor is waiting with the horse in a place not far from here. And here is your sword, my Lord."

He had to repress a smile at her thoroughness. "You sound like you have really planned this out, Rajkumari. Now how do we get out of this room?"

"First you must wear this over your clothing. You can put your turban into this bag," she said holding out a black cover-all and a burlap sack. He removed it carefully and walked up to her. 

From this close he could smell her even with the strange clothes on. She smelled delightfully sweet and young, and rather exotic. He dropped his turban in the bag and took the cover-all, as well as a pair of black slippers. Their fingers brushed, and he realized she was wearing gloves.

She turned away politely, and went to the window. He began pulling it over his head, watching her. She cautiously peeked out of the window, then tugged on something. It took him a second to realize she was checking a rope which was tied to the window. He was lost in admiration for a moment. This girl was something else! Here she was, on her wedding night, preparing to sneak out of the window of her bridal chamber.

He realized she was watching him. By the slight crinkle in her eyes he knew she was smiling. He wondered what her smile looked like. Was she ugly? With eyes like that? He followed her gaze and realized she was smiling at his feet – he had put one of the new slippers on but the other was still the fancy silk one. He quickly changed them and dropped them both in the bag. The cover-all was very well made, thick and heavy yet not constricting.

She nodded, approvingly. "Come. We must go. Give me the bag so I may secure it to you." She dropped some small packages into the bag first. Smiling, she continued, "These are some of our wedding gifts, at least the portable smaller ones. I see no reason why we should leave them with my father." She took it from his fingers and deftly secured it over his shoulder and neck with a strap. 

She tried to reach up, and he watched her eyes darken charmingly. "Please bend down." He did so, and she pulled a hood from the back of the garment and pulled it over his head. "That will do. Once we are gone from the castle no one will care about a foreigner. However I can't afford to be recognized. Again, my Lord, I thank you. What you are doing for me is kinder than any of my own kin ever did." Was that just a hint of bitterness in her tone? But her eyes were as clear as ever.

She moved toward the window, sat on it, and swung her legs over the edge. "I hear you can climb, my Lord. I hope you can climb well. We don't have far to go once we hit the bottom. There is a small boat waiting for us. I also hear you can sail, and I am hoping you sail us away from here." 

"You certainly know a lot about me. I barely know anything about you." 

"I may be young, my Lord, but I have learned one thing. If you have a plan, do your research."

She made as if to swing over the edge and he touched her arm. "Wait!"

She turned her head to look at him, and once again those emerald eyes nearly nailed him to the floor. "Rajkumari, I'm sorry. I don't even know your name."

Her eyes crinkled in the charming way again. "My Lord, I didn't know they didn't tell you my name! And yet you wed me without knowing?"

He looked embarrassed. "I think the priest said it, but I couldn't pick it out of all the prayers." 

She nodded. "My, Lord, my name...is Alania."

So saying, she turned and trusted her weight to the rope. She began climbing down efficiently and quickly.

Alania, he thought as he also swung down after her. What a beautiful name. 

They only climbed about three stories, resting on the ledges in between. Soon enough, they dropped to the garden below. Without speaking, she gestured him to follow her. They raced lightly through the garden. Twice she dropped down behind a shrub or tree, gesturing him to follow suit while guards walked by. Once they hid outside a gazebo for fifteen minutes while a guard and a maid had a tryst inside the gazebo. They heard the sounds, and her eyes were amused.

Eventually, though, they made it to the other side of the garden. Here she looked at him worriedly. "This is the part I was concerned about," she whispered, and pointed. 

Down at the bottom of the high surrounding wall that enclosed the garden there was a hole. It had recently been dug out deeper, so they would be creeping under the wall, but it was not huge. She would fit through it easily but he would have a lot more trouble. She glanced at him, appraising his 6'4", 200 lb. figure. "I'll go first."

She crawled into the hole and easily slipped through, kicking until she made it. Then as he watched her hand came back through and beckoned him forward.

It wasn't easy, but in the end he managed to do it. His coverall was filthy though, as she grabbed his hands and pulled him through. While he stood up she turned to a familiar young girl and spoke to her in fast fluent Arabic.

"Jasmine. Stay out of trouble, yes? Father will not punish you if you stay well away from the bridal chamber. Fill in the hole and go." She kissed her maid's cheek and hugged her, and Julian heard her whisper "Thank you."

Jasmine bowed deeply to her mistress, then to Julian, and immediately crawled back through the hole. On the other side he heard her refilling the hole.

"Will she be all right?"

Alania nodded. "I think so. After all, no one is allowed near the bridal chamber so obviously she could not have helped me escape. They should not punish her."

Alania smiled up at him. "It is but a little further, my lord. Let me help you with that." And quickly and efficiently she dusted him down, removing the dirt from his coverall.

She led him in the trees along the path, down to an opening in the forest. She listened, then nodded. "Come. It is but a few hours until dawn. They will come looking for us at first light."

He looked puzzled. "Why?"

She looked at him, and quickly looked away, but he thought she had started to blush. Her answer explained why. "In my country it is custom to fly the bridal bed sheet out of the window, so that...so that all may see the bride is a virgin."

It took him a moment but he understood. "Oh! You mean..." and then grinned in the darkness. "Forgive me, Rajkumari." Refraining from asking the obvious, he simply nodded. "Very well. Lead on."

They entered the clearing. An older man stood there, holding the reins of Julian's fine stallion, Wilhelm. Ah, but what had they done to him! Wilhelm was a fine white Arabian, but his coat had been rubbed down with coal until he was black as night. He didn't look too happy about it, either, but he nickered slightly upon seeing his master. He knew when to keep quiet. Julian saw all of his things bound tightly – and professionally – to the saddle. He also noticed some extra bags, which he presumed must be her things. Wilhelm's feet were also wrapped with cloth, presumably not to make any noise.

Alania hurried forward. The old man bowed deeply, but she went to him and hugged him tightly. He smiled, patting her back gently. "It's all right. Don't be frightened. Let me meet your protector."

The old man came forward and examined Julian closely, who bowed. Suddenly he grasped Julian's hand in his. "Please take her from here and protect her. She is headstrong and stubborn but there is wisdom in her."

"Master!" Her tone was slightly reproachful. The old man chuckled.

"I am old, my dear, and I speak the truth. Now run like the wind, child, and don't ever look back. Don't ever come back. Don't forget us, either, though."

One last hug, and the old man nodded to Julian and disappeared into the trees. When Julian turned back to her he barely caught her wiping her eyes. He pretended not to notice and spoke. "Now what?"

"It's only two miles down to the docks. There will be only one guard where we are going, as tonight is a night of celebration. Unfortunately I could not get another horse, as my father would sooner chase horse thieves than daughter-thieves." Now the tone of bitterness was clear, but faint. "I must ride with you. We should meet no one on the way. Many nobles ride with their lovers at night, so their wives will not catch them. Oftentimes the lovers are not female."

He caught her meaning at once, and nodded. "Can you ride, Rajkumari?" He was amused to see a hint of exasperation in her eyes. "Of course, my Lord. Whose daughter am I?" 

In answer he stepped forward and grasped her around the waist. Even as she gasped he was surprised to feel how tiny it was. He lifted her bodily into the saddle. He grasped the reins and swung up himself, behind her.

His arms automatically slipped around her to reach the reins. He felt her body stiffen, then relax by degrees. She pointed. "That way."

Julian didn't think he would ever forget that ride. One the one hand there was the ever-constant threat of discovery, although it seemed to recede as they approached the shore. He wasn't deluded and knew the penalty would be death. On the other hand, there was next to him, a living, breathing warm female body. He couldn't help but be aware of her back pressed against his chest with every breath he took, for after her initial resistance, she had relaxed against him. 

They didn't speak except for terse directions from her. Soon they came upon a hill. Down below he could see the docks. They were in a darkened alley, which led almost all the way down to the northernmost pier. There would be maybe ten feet of ground to cover in the open.

She climbed down and gestured for him to dismount and wait. On cat's feet she ran down to the edge of the alley and peeked out. Quick as a wink she pressed her back against the edge. A minute later a guard came into view. He was singing, and obviously drunk. He stopped, with his back turned to them, and proceeded to blow his nose between his fingers. 

After what seemed like a maddeningly long time but was probably only a few seconds, he turned and went back the other way. She gestured to him, and he followed her down to the end.

She motioned him to bend down. Her whisper in his ear reminded him of silk sliding against silk. "I will deal with the guard. Do not worry, I know what to do. When he is down, hurry to that boat." She pointed, and he saw a low-lying skiff, just big enough for maybe four people or two people and a horse. He nodded, and started to ask a question, but she covered his mouth. She turned to look at the guard.

He had sat down not too far from them. She withdrew from her pocket a small vial. Pulling out a handkerchief, she upended the vial into the cloth, being careful not to breathe any of it. "Sleeping potion", she whispered.

She crept out onto the street, taking her time. Her eyes never left the guard.

Truthfully it was almost too easy. She came up behind him and slapped the handkerchief over his face. He was indeed very drunk and barely let out a murmur. She held it for a minute, then let him slip to the ground. She waved him to go.




Break the Gilded Cage Ch. 03



He led the horse across the ten feet, painfully aware of the openness. He didn't dare hurry for then the hooves would sound for sure, but he made it to the boat all the same.

He gently coaxed Wilhelm onto the boat and began untying the rope. A moment later she came hurrying soundlessly down the pier and climbed in as well.

For the next few moments there were muffled instructions back and forth. He was surprised to see that she had some knack of sailing. She wasn't the best, but she certainly made it easier to launch this little boat.

Finally they pushed off, him at the rudder, her securing the sail. She glanced back only once – one long look – and then fell to working.

They sailed on in silence for a little while, until the lights of the city had begun to fade in the distance with no sign of pursuit. She sighed deeply. Sitting back, she began to undo the turban wrapped around her head, watching him. 

He felt her gaze, but made no response other than moving the ropes for the sails. Thankfully there was a breeze tonight. Finally he spoke. 

"Why do you stare at me so, Rajkumari?"

She shook her head. "I apologize, Alexander sahaab. I am simply wondering at the man who would put himself at risk for a complete stranger."

"Well, I am not a complete stranger. I know your Uncle, and have known him for many years."

Her eyes darkened. "Uncle James, is it?" All the while they had been talking, she had slowly been unwrapping the turban, layer upon layer. Finally it came undone, and as her hair spilled down over her shoulders, he admired the long tresses. Her hair was black as night, and set off her eyes like a cat's.

"Alexander sahaab?"

He came back to himself to see her looking at him with that coolly amused gaze. She had picked up a bucket, evidently to get herself some seawater, and was wiping her face with a cloth, dipping it into the bucket. She had stopped, with one side of her face cleared, to query him.

He shook himself. She was waiting for an answer. "Yes, Uncle James. But listen, Rajkumari, why do you address me so formally? Alexander sahaab is much too formal for your humble subject."

She put down the bucket with almost a petulant air, but it was gone so quickly he wasn't sure if he had actually seen it. "You need not refer to yourself as my subject, my Lord. You are my husband by our laws, which also makes you a prince."

He looked taken aback. "I hadn't that of that."

She smiled gently, showing even white teeth in the darkness. "What would you wish me to call you?"

"Well...my name is Julian."

She picked up the bucket and continued washing her face. Half-bowing, she said, "I could not call you by your name without your permission, my Lord. If you wish, I will do so now. I may be a princess, but you are now my husband, at least according to the laws of our people."

He looked away at that, and spoke. "I do wish it, but I think we need to talk about that, Rajkumari."

He heard her set down the bucket and suddenly her warm hand was on his arm. She had removed her gloves, apparently. He turned to look down at her – and was suddenly struck dumb.

He remembered her mother very well. Her mother had been classically beautiful. Even as a young teen she had turned heads with her fair skin and high cheekbones.

Looking at her was like looking at a duplicate of her mother, barring a few differences. The general structure of the face was the same, but the skin was a light caramel rather than porcelain, and the eyelashes were black like the hair, rather than blond. 

She was stunningly beautiful, and she had a slightly wild, independent look in her eyes that perhaps her mother hadn't had. This one would be difficult to tame, indeed, if ever anyone were to make the attempt. She hid it well under the veneer of the princess, however.

"Julian?" It was the first time he had heard his name uttered and seen that face at the same time, and his mouth went dry. Her face was not very far from his, and for a wild moment he wondered what it would be like to kiss her. He shook his head.

"I'm so sorry. I don't mean to stare, it's just – "

"What is it, my Lord?"

"Well, you look so much like your mother did, at your age." He stopped then, for her eyes had grown large and soft. "You knew my mother?"

He nodded. "Like I said, I was friends with your uncle – and your grandfather." His eyes misted over with memory. 

"Would you...would you tell me about her?"

He smiled, and gently placed his hand over hers. "Yes. Anytime you wish. But first, perhaps we should discuss this other thing." 

She sighed, and nodded. "Of course you're right, Julian. What do you wish to know?"

He hesitate. "Well – perhaps you can tell me anything you think I need to know."

Nodding, she sat back again. "Well, as you know, you were officially married by a mullah in my father's court. I know a little of politics, and I know how far my father's realm extends, and I know it is only our main continent and a few small islands. So that is how far our marriage legally extends." 

She glanced up at him, then looked away. "Perhaps you wish to annul the marriage, and I can't blame you. But I beg for you to at least reconsider. If we remain married, the marriage means nothing anywhere but in the Arab countries. If we have it annulled, however, my father can reclaim me as I am only eighteen. As long as I am your wife, he may save face by telling the world his only daughter is married to a foreigner and therefore stays at his house, as is proper."

She looked up at him miserably. He knew she expected him to ask for the marriage to be annulled right away, and then she would have to go into hiding.

He considered it. It didn't do him any harm to remain married. There was no woman in his life right now, and even had there been, his duty to this innocent young girl would have come first. A thought occurred to him. "You said your father could reclaim you because you are eighteen. What does that mean?"

"In my culture, I am considered my father's property until I am twenty-one. After that, I would normally be my husband's, but if he chooses not to have me or something happens to me I would be on my own. He is required to give me my bride price, and that is all."

"How long before you turn twenty-one?" He thought he saw a glimmer of hope in her eyes, but she turned away before he had a chance to look deeply. 

"I will be twenty-one in two years and three months, Julian. I am eighteen and nine months now. Oh, I know it is a long time to ask for, my Lord, but I promise I will not be any trouble! You do not even need to stay with me, my Lord. Merely do not break up the marriage."

He was surprised at this impassioned plea. He hesitated only a moment longer, and then nodded firmly. "Very well, Rajkumari. We will remain married until your twenty-first birthday, then."

She clasped his hand in both of her small ones, and he was astonished to see tears in her eyes. "Thank you, my Lord. You do a great thing for me." He patted her hand, reassuringly. 

"You needn't thank my, Rajkumari."

Her head lowered, she spoke softly. "If you are to remain my husband, you should not call me princess. Please call me by my name."

"Alania?" He spoke the name gently, and she nodded.

"It is a beautiful name, but it does not sound Arabic."

She nodded. "It is not. My mother chose it. Since I was born a girl, my father did not care what I should be named. I am truly his only daughter amongst all the sons." A fleeting bitter smile crossed her face, making her look much older. "I suppose other fathers would have been pleased to have something different, but he attributed it to my mother's blood."

She looked back at him. The bitter look was gone, replaced by her normal neutral face. He was only just beginning to realize it was a mask. He wondered what lay underneath.

"What do you remember about my mother, Julian?"

He leaned back, considering, one hand on the rope to the main sail. "Well, let me think. Now remember, I only knew her for a few years."

She smiled sadly. "That is longer than I knew her. She died in childbirth, and I have been considered bad luck ever since. Sometimes...sometimes I wonder if she ever resented me."

He shook his head in surprise and negation. "I can say for sure that she never would have resented you. Your mother was the kindest woman I'd ever known. You know, she had five elder brothers and took care of all of them. Your grandmother had also died young. Even with these responsibilities she always had time for injured animals, birds, anything.

"Your mother was stunningly beautiful, probably the most beautiful woman I had ever met. She had blonde hair, and skin like porcelain – but you have her eyes, almost exactly." He smiled down at her. "It is odd to see your mother's eyes framed by black lashes." 

She was watching him intently, hanging onto every word. "Were you good friends with her?"

He nodded. "Her brothers and her father always came first, of course, but she always had a tender word and a smile for me. I was a few years older and already adventuring, so whenever I visited she sent me off with plenty of home-cooked food, cookies, anything she had in the pantry.

"When she was married, I missed her."

Alania's eyes had misted over a little, and she suddenly shook herself. "I am sorry, my Lord. Here I am asking you to relate my mother's entire history in a moment when we still have plenty of time to go and you are exhausted.

"If you would like to rest, my Lord..."

"You are not wearing me out, Alania. I like talking about Marienne. And as for the other, we should both get some rest, but you should rest first. Then, if you wish, you can change your clothes while I rest. We will arrive at your Uncle James' city shortly after dawn."

"Very well, my Lord, but wake me when you are tired. Will you be coming to see my Uncle?"

He nodded. "Very briefly, however, for another duty calls me."

She nodded, but didn't ask. Instead she removed a bedroll from Wilhelm's bags, and stretched it out as best as she could. She pulled a blanket around her, and said, "Good night, Julian sahaab. Please wake me when it is time."

"Good night to you, my lady."

She was sound asleep in a matter of minutes, and he watched her face for a few minutes. Her sleep did not seem entirely restful. Her eyes twitched under the lids, and the heavy lashes fluttered. He saw her hand tighten under the blanket. Curious, he lifted it gently – to see her fingers curled tightly around the hilt of a sheathed blade. He let it drop, and sat back.

The moon rose as he watched. He stayed awake until his eyelids were droopy, and the moon began to set again. He judged it to be about 4 in the morning, and if he waked her now, she would only have three or so hours to keep guard.

"Alania," he called softly. Her eyes opened immediately, and flicked up to his face. They held there, like a wary animal's before she relaxed and smiled. He wondered what kind of life she had led up to this point to be so jittery in her sleep. Not mentioning it, he spoke.

"I'm sorry, I simply can't stay awake any longer. I'm exhausted," he said. She yawned, sitting up. "I will take watch now, Julian. Thank you for watching over me. Sleep well."

He nodded, and stretched out on his own pile of blankets. "Wake me when we come within sight of shore, Alania."

She smiled. "Whether I wanted to or not, I would have to, since I do not think I can dock the ship on my own."

He laughed sleepily in response. "Well, then, by all means, please waken me." He was asleep in less than five minutes.

He awoke to a hand on his shoulder. He was gently being shaken. "My Lord?"

He roused himself, and sat up. "How close are we to shore?" In answer, she pointed off the bow. He looked to see her Uncle's glittering city, warm and welcoming in the morning light. They were just rounding the bay.

"Well! That is good to see! How long did I sleep, my Lady?" Turning to her, he noticed she had changed out of the dark clothes. She was now wearing a white dress, with wide straps at the shoulders. The dress reached her knees, but the bottom was fluted, and it hugged her curves in a most distracting manner. The neckline was not overly low, but not modest by any means. 

Aware of his scrutiny, she looked away. He thought he detected a hint of pink in her cheeks, but she only answered, "About three hours, my Lord. I awoke you upon entering the bay."

He became busy then, directing the entry into the bay. He told her what to do, and she obeyed quickly. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and it made her look her age, i.e., very young. She smiled often at him but she was mostly quiet. Finally they docked, and he paid the overnight stay for the boat. "It's yours, I suppose, my Lady, so you can sell it or do as you deem fit."

She nodded. "Will you show me where my Uncle lives, or should I make it there myself?"

"No, I will show you there. Unfortunately I will not stay long, as I have urgent business that calls me to another city, to Esperanza." In truth, while he did have someone waiting for him, it wasn't in the least urgent. He wanted her to have some time alone with her Uncle, to get to know him, since she would be living with him now. He supposed they would probably move to another city, far away from the caliph's influence.

He smiled down at her. "This way, my Lady," he said, leading the horse. They walked through the streets, toward the more affluent part of town. She had wrapped a silk-lined cloak around her shoulders. She looked like any typical young noblewoman shopping with her man-at-arms. 

They entered Richmond Square, where her Uncle lived. "There," he said. "That's your Uncle's house."

She looked, silently. Her Uncle's house was the largest in Richmond Square. He wasn't the most affluent businessman in the city, but probably amongst the top ten. It towered over the rooftops.

"That is going to be my new home?" He nodded.

They continued on, in complete silence now. Julian was getting a vibe from her. Whether good or bad he wasn't sure, but there was definitely something a little tense about her.

They came up to the gate and he rang the bell. Immediately the gate warden hopped out of his shack and approached them.

"Lord Alexander. Welcome back. Please, enter – his Lordship is waiting most anxiously." He glanced curiously at Alania, but didn't comment.

Her cloak was wrapped tightly around her, and she had pulled the hood over her head. Her large eyes watched everything from inside.

They walked up to the door, and rang the bell there. After a few minutes, the door opened, and Samuel opened the door. He was a good butler, for he showed no surprise at either Julian's prompt return or the presence of the young lady beside him, but just let them in.

"My Lord, you are always welcome here. Please, come in, and I will inform the master that you are here. My Lady, this way please."

"It's good to see you again, Samuel."

They entered, and stood in the hallway. "My Lord, you may come in further."

Julian spoke. "That won't be necessary. I'll be on my way as soon as I turn the lady over."

"Very well, sir." Samuel bowed, then went off to fetch his master.

Julian turned to Alania. "Well, we may as well bid our farewells here, my Lady. I think you will be in good hands."

For a moment, he thought he saw a mute look of appeal in her eyes, but immediately her gaze was steady as she curtsied. "I thank you again, my Lord Alexander, for escorting me here. You risked your life for mine, and I will not forget that so easily."

It was a pretty enough speech, but oddly stilted and formal, and he couldn't help but notice that she had reverted to calling him "my Lord Alexander". Before he could think of a comment to make, he heard James coming down the stairs.

"Julian! My friend! I did not expect you back so quickly. And – is it?" For he had spied the hooded figure standing next to him,

Slowly Alania removed the hood, displaying her upturned face. James gasped, then hurried down the stairs. "My sweet niece!" So saying, he enveloped her in a hug. Julian noted that her arms remained at her sides.

James turned to him. "My friend, I can't possibly thank you enough. Please, come in."

Julian shook his head. "I'm sorry, old friend, but I cannot stay. Urgent business calls me away. I was glad I could help you, though."

James looked surprised, but grateful. "Come again soon. When will we see you again?" Julian considered. "Well, my business should be done in just a few days. I could stop by briefly on my way past."

James nodded. "Please do. Niece and I will be looking forward to it. Are you sure you must leave?"

Julian nodded again. "And I think on that note I will be on my way." He clasped hands with James. "Goodbye, my friend. And Alania – fare thee well."

She had not said one thing during the preceding conversation, and now she turned that beautiful gaze on him. He thought he detected a hint of sorrow, but he wasn't sure.

"Fare thee well, my Lord Alexander. May the gods keep you."

He smiled at her, nodded to James, and went out. The last thing he saw was James putting his arm around his niece and gently leading her upstairs. 



Break the Gilded Cage Ch. 04



While his trip on Wilhelm took a full day to the next town, Julian's business in the next town took two. The last looks in Alania's eyes bothered him during this time, and worried him. Finally when his business was completed, he resolved to visit them and see how she was doing. He rode out the very next day, and arrived in her town late at night. Rather than bother them then, he decided to wait until morning.

The next day he got dressed very nicely, and purchased a small bouquet of spring flowers on his way to their house. Why he was making such an effort, even he wasn't sure, but he didn't ask.

He turned down their street, and once again rang the doorbell. The gate guard took one look at him, and said, "Thank the gods you're here, Lord Alexander."

"Why? What has happened?" The gate guard shook his head, mournfully. "It's not my place to tell, my Lord."

Suddenly worried, he hurried up the path. What had happened in only five days?

Samuel met him at the door again. "Lord Alexander. I think his Lordship would be happy to see you. Allow me to take your things, sir. Perhaps you could see yourself to his study?"

Julian nodded. "Very well, Samuel. What is the matter? How is A-her ladyship?" He had almost called her by her first name. But Samuel would only say, "I think you should speak to the master, sir."

Thoroughly puzzled now, he hurried to James' study and knocked. "Who is it?" came an aggrieved voice through the door. 

"It's Julian."

Silence. Then, "Julian?" He heard the door unlatching, then it swung open. He was shocked at his friend's face in the door.

James looked haggard, worn, and terribly troubled. "James! Whatever is the matter? Your servants won't tell me. What's going on?"

In answer, James motioned him inside and shut the door. He looked at Julian mournfully. "It's quite simple, actually. She's gone."

Julian couldn't believe his ears. "She's what?"

"I'd better tell you from the beginning."

"Yes, I think you'd better."

James took a deep drink from a glass he had on the table, not seeming to care that it was only morning yet. He swallowed, and motioned Julian to a chair. He took one himself.

"The night you left her here, she didn't talk much. I just thought perhaps she was shy, and uncertain, so I gave her a room, fresh clothes, and dinner that night. She told me a very little about her life, but it was like pulling teeth.

"After dinner, she asked if we could speak in private. I was happy, for I thought she was opening up to me a little bit. I could not have been more wrong.

"We went into my study – this very study, and I sat down. I motioned her to sit, but she refused. I asked her what she wanted to talk about, and she looked hard at me with those green eyes, and she began.

"She started in a normal tone of voice. She began asking me about her mother. Very quickly she began asking me why I hadn't rescued her mother when she was pregnant.

"She blamed me, Julian. She told me all her sorrows stemmed from me, and asked me how I could have had the temerity to think she could ever love me. She slowly grew angrier and more clipped as she paced the room.

"She told me that in honor of her mother's memory, she would try to stifle the hate she felt for me. Yes, she said hate. But she said she could never love me, nor even like me, and she certainly didn't intend on remaining here.

"She wanted to leave?" Julian interjected. James nodded.

"When I asked her where she would go, what she would do, she seemed to even take offense at that. She said I shouldn't underestimate her, nor think that she must remain under my roof to eat. She said she was tired of obeying a man, and being practically a man's property, and she wasn't about to give up her new-found freedom to a man who had betrayed her mother.

"She hadn't unpacked any of her gear, it turned out. She showed me a sword and told me she knew how to use it. She claimed she was planning to adventure, to see the world.

"When I protested, when I said that a proper young woman of this family would never do such a thing, she blew up at me. She railed at me, asking what being a 'proper young lady' had done for her mother, exactly. She was furious, and I couldn't get a word in edgewise.

"When she calmed down, she issued an ultimatum. 'You have only two choices, Uncle. You can try to keep me here. In which case I promise you that not only will I make every conceivable attempt to escape, including notifying the authorities – and I know yours don't take kindly to kidnapping – but I will not cooperate with anything. I won't eat, I won't bathe. I won't live.'

'Your other alternative is to let me go peacefully. If you let me do so, I will send you periodic reports on my progress. I will not be the obedient daughter you expected. I am a shah's daughter, and I will no longer bow to no man. But I will let you know that I am all right.'

"Well, I was at a loss, of course. Something in her gaze convinced me she was telling the truth, however, I argued with her. She argued back, and we raised hell in the study, shouting at each other. I called her an irresponsible little girl, and she called me traitorous old man who couldn't even save his sister.

"In the end, it was the guilt which won me over. She was right, of course, I could have done more for my sister. I agreed to let her go – on the condition that she let me give her a gift. Suspicious, she agreed provided she approved the gift.

"Well, I couldn't bear to think of my sister's daughter walking all those miles, so as a gift I offered her the best horse from my stable. Her eyes actually brightened for a moment, so I knew she was pleased.

"And so she rode away that very night, Julian. And she hasn't returned since. I thought perhaps she would come back in a night, frightened, but she hasn't even written yet. And I find myself regretting my agreeing to let her go."

Julian's eyes were wide. "So she is wandering the land by herself?"

James nodded, utterly miserable. "I had to give her her freedom, I think, or she would have rebelled seriously."

Julian considered. "Would you like me to look for her for you? I could follow her and make sure she's all right without intruding. I've done such things before."

At the mention of the offer, James' eyes lit up, but then dropped again. "You've already done so much for this household, I couldn't ask you to do more."

Julian wasn't sure why he'd offered, except that he was worried about the girl. "It's no trouble, James. I'm concerned about her welfare as well, as I brought her here."

James wiped his eyes and held out his hand. "I cannot say no, Julian. My niece would be safe, I think, if you were to look out after her even for a little while."

Julian clasped his hand. "It is no trouble, old friend. And in that case I should leave straightaway as she has many days' lead on me. Wish me luck." 

He was back out of town within the hour. It had been easy enough to guess which direction she had gone in. There were only two towns relatively close to this city, Esperanza, and Whitecliff, and he had gone to one of them, so he was fairly sure she would have gone to the other, so as not to take any chances of running into him. The other town was a days' journey to the west, and he made it easily on Wilhelm.

He rode into town and dismounted at the gates. Going over to the gate guards, he hailed them. "Hello, good friends!" They looked at him with that same laconic stare of guards everywhere. 

"I was wondering, my friends, if you had seen a young, very pretty girl come through town a couple of days ago. She would have been alone, and riding a very fine horse."

One of them sneered. "We might've, governor, what's it to you?"

He very casually opened his pouch belt and removed a platinum coin. "Just curious, that's all." The guards' eyes followed his hand as he tossed the coin up in the air and caught it. "I seem to have an excess of a couple of these. I may be dropping them – or I might not be."

One of the guards spoke up. "Black hair? Green eyes?"

Julian nodded. "You've seen her, then have you?" The guard snickered. "No, I ain't but Tom has. Hey, Tom!" One of the guards turned, sporting the faint remnants of a black eye. "Tried to touch her, Tom did. She turned around and gave 'im a sock right in the nose. Hoity-toity, she was."

"You know where she went?" Inside, he realized he wanted to refresh the shiner on Tom's face.

"Yeah, once Tom had backed down, she got all polite-like again, and asked us for an inn. We told her the Prancing Pony, and as far as I know, that's where she was headed." Julian couldn't have asked for more, and in addition to the two platinum, dropped 2 gold as well. "Thanks. You've been most helpful." He whistled for Wilhelm, and continued on. Behind him he heard the argument beginning on how best to split up the money.

He lucked out at the Prancing Pony as well. She had obviously tried to blend, by taking a bed in the common room, but one of the other patrons had tried to accost her in the night. He was surprised and secretly pleased to hear she had kicked him in the face, and righteously stood her ground when the guards came. Guards were always suckers for a pretty lady, and hadn't doubted her story. He also got the information that she had been asking for directions to Newcastle, the next town inland.

He followed behind her for some days, slowly catching up. She wasn't difficult to follow. He found that rather than go by Alania, she had given her name as Marienne – her mother's name. She did not make much attempt to hide, rather, she hid fairly well behind her beauty – so while people remembered a beautiful girl, they didn't remember much else about her. And they didn't find it odd that what seemed to be a handsome knight should be following her. Some of them thought it romantic. He wondered if they would think it was quite so sweet if they knew the discrepancy in their ages.



Break the Gilded Cage Ch. 05



He was travelling in the wilderness after Beaumont, the next town after Newcastle, before he finally caught up to her. He didn't approach her right away, just followed her at a distance, keeping an eye on her whenever she could. She seemed like she could handle herself, and he didn't interfere. 

Once she was ambushed from the forest when traveling down a road. She handled them quickly and efficiently, drawing a talwar sword from her scabbard and fighting them off gracefully. He had considered helping, but decided to wait and see if she could actually fight before joining. As it turned out, she didn't need him and did just fine.

Afterwards, though, she crept off into the woods. He watched, concerned, as she dropped to the ground – and threw up. He realized that was the first time she had ever killed anyone. He started to approach her – then realized she probably wouldn't want him or anyone else to see her in her moment of weakness. 

And it only lasted a few minutes. She wiped her mouth, and took a drink of water. He saw her angrily brush a few tears away from her eyes, and return to the scene to remove their pouch belts.

As he followed her, he began to get to know her, albeit at a distance. She was adventurous, and often laughed out loud. She wasn't shy, but she was reserved. She spent nearly all of her time alone, eating alone, sleeping in common rooms to conserve money. She gave to beggars frequently. She talked to little children and won their trust easily. And she avoided the men who hung around her constantly, avoided them with skill and elan. She didn't seem to be interested in any of them.

One night he was having a drink at a tavern, with his hood pulled up. At the opposite end of the tavern, he could see her sitting at a table having her dinner. Her back was to him, and she was sitting alone. He usually watched her like this when he could, and then ate his own dinner after she had already gone up to bed.

He leaned forward as three men approached her. They said something to her, and she studiously kept her head down. They took seats all around her, swaggering insolently. He saw her half draw her sword, and one of the men firmly put his hand over hers. He saw her flinch, and he summoned the barmaid over and paid for his drink.

When he looked up again, she was being escorted tightly between the three men. Her arm was held in a strange way, and from the slight look of pain on her face he surmised they were hurting her. 

He quickly got up and followed them out, at a distance. They half pushed, half-dragged her up the stairs, and she had no choice but to go with them. They went down the hall and as he poked his head around the corner, he saw them go into room four.

No one had noticed this little play, but then no one had been watching as closely as he had. He casually walked down the hall and listened at room four.

For several minutes, he heard droning voices, and occasionally a much softer answer – her voice, he presumed. People walked by, and he pretended to be picking at his nails. He wondered what they had dragged her in there for.

He got the answer soon enough. His reverie was broken by the sound of a palm hitting a face, and a scream. Suddenly the room descended into bedlam, and he started to try and bash the door in – then thought better of it, and withdrew from his pouch a set of lockpicks. If he could sneak in when they weren't watching, so much the better.

His concentration was broken by a shrill scream, though – a scream like he had never thought to hear from her. He dragged his attention back, and carefully inserted the pick. 

He heard a grunt and running feet, and then the sound of someone being tripped and a body hitting the floor. He turned the lock, and the door opened. Cautiously he stepped in, closing the door equally quietly behind him, and was greeted by an awful sight.

One of the men was sitting on the floor, his hand clutched tightly between his legs. Another man was standing with his back to the door and Julian, holding a now crossbow.

The third man was laying on top of a struggling Alania. Julian was surprised at the rage which swelled up inside of him. He could see blood pouring from a wound in her arm, where the bolt had hit.

He stepped up and tapped the shoulder of the man in front of him. When the man turned with a comically surprised, "Huh?" he cocked back and smashed his fist right into the center of his face. The man crashed to the floor. He was shocked at how good it felt.

He strode across the room to Alania, whose tormentor had crawled off her and was now backing desperately into the corner, waving his arms. "Nononono! I'm sorry! She wanted it, you know! They all do!" 

Julian resisted the urge to belt him. "On the floor, on your face." He did so, and he quickly turned to Alania.

She had gotten up and made for the door. She threw it open, and screamed, at the top of her lungs, "Guards! Rape! Rape! Help!" 

He heard the sounds of booted feet on the stairs. Suddenly the first man, the one who he'd belted in the face got up and tried to make a run for it. Alania didn't hesitate. She took a step forward, spun in a full circle, and kicked him in the face. He went down again. 

She panted, weeping softly. Her dress was torn, and he grabbed the blanket off the bed on the way over to her. She flinched away from him at first, but then recognition dawned. "Julian?"

Her lip was puffy, too. They must have hit her. He gently wrapped the blanket around her, covering her. "It's all right, now, Alania. I'm sorry I took so long."

She opened her mouth to say something, when the inn guards thundered into the room. They raised crossbows, shouting, "Get down! All of you!" One waved it menacingly at Julian, and Alania moved fast. 

In a heartbeat she was standing in front of him. "Don't fire! He saved me! It was them," she said, pointing at the three on the ground.

An older man in a uniform pushed his way through. "I'm Captain Torin miss, of the city guard. Are you all right?"

She nodded. "I am, now. These three men forced me to come up here. They held a knife to my side, and then they tried to accost me."

"And him?" The Captain said, eyeing Julian. 

"He came in after me, and saved me."

"Is he a friend of yours, miss?" She nodded. "Yes, Captain. I'll be fine, I think."

He nodded, and motioned his men to pick up the three assailants. "These men will be going to jail. I just need to ask you a few questions." She nodded, but unconsciously her back stiffened. Julian, watching the proceedings, hesitantly put his hand on her shoulder. Immediately she leaned back ever so slightly into him.

The Captain went through his questions quickly, obviously embarrassed to be bothering her at this point. Finally he shut his notebook with a snap, and nodded. "Very well, Miss Marienne. I don't think we'll need you anymore. I'm sorry about all of this."

She nodded, and they left. She turned to Julian. He spoke, first. "Do you have a room here?" She shook her head. "Not yet." 

"Come to mine, then." She nodded, and together they picked up her things which had been dropped on the floor.

They walked down to the room he had taken, the blanket still tightly wrapper around her. He kept one hand on the small of her back, and he felt her trembling.

Inside, he set her things down, and drew her over to the bed. He sat down next to her, and put his arms around her. 

She stiffened in surprise, and pulled back, but he was stronger than her, and didn't let go. She hesitated, and then rested her head on his shoulder.

He felt her trembling increase. Soon she was shaking, and her fingers curled tightly into his chest as she began, softly, to sob.

She cried that way for several minutes, her head curled into his shoulder, wetting his shirt. She didn't cry loudly, or continuously, just soft sobs which soon receded into sniffles.

Finally she looked up at him. Their eyes met, and he realized this was the very first time he had ever looked into those green eyes with her guard down. No wonder she was always cautious with those eyes. It seemed he could see right down into her soul.

"Thank you, Julian." He shook his head.

"You don't need to thank me, Alania. Are you alright? Your face looks bruised."

She nodded, wiping the tears angrily. "That fat man hit me when I wouldn't..." she reddened. "When I wouldn't do what he said."

He cupped her chin, and as he did so, he noticed the blanket had slipped partially off her shoulders. He was jolted into awareness to realize her dress had been ripped enough to expose one small breast, and the hint of pinkish brown of her nipple.

He realized his body had instantly responded, and he mentally scolded himself. Bending, he kissed her softly on the forehead. 

She smiled up at him, gratefully. "How long have you been following me, Julian Alexander?"

He started, then smiled. "About a month, Princess. I didn't approach you before because I didn't want to interfere."

She shook her head. "You are the finest of gentlemen, my Lord. Thank you – I think I needed that time. And thank you for choosing this moment to come out of hiding." 

She sat up away from him. Noticing her dress, she quickly pulled the blanket to cover her and darted a sideways look at him to see if he had noticed. He had guessed her actions, though, and had already looked away.

"All your things are here, Alania. Would you like to take a bath? Get changed?"

She nodded. "I'd love that. Would you mind terribly if I didn't go to my own room just yet?"

"Not at all. Actually I'd prefer you stay here, at least for the moment." 

They shared a smile. Neither of them were prepared to admit it, but they were genuinely happy to see each other. 

He cleaned up his room and put away her things in the corner while she bathed and changed her clothes. By the time she came out, he had ordered dinner and placed it on the table. 

To his surprise, she was wearing shorts and a tank top. The white shorts were not indecently short, but they were not overly long, either. The tank top was a sweet peach color which set off her dark hair magnificently. 

"I thought you must be hungry." She nodded, and walked up to him.

"Julian?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"Please bend down." He looked at her, surprised, then bent down obediently. Thinking she must want to whisper something in his ear, he turned his head. Instead, she put her hands on both sides of his face. Turning his face to hers, she pressed her lips lightly against his. 

Her lips were soft, warm and moist. He could smell her, smelling fresh and clean from her bath. Her skin glowed with good health.

Blushing, she said, "That's for saving me."

He grinned, and bowed deeply. "I am, as always, at the lady's service. Especially if that is going to be my reward."

Slowly, she grinned back.

They had their dinner, and then he turned to her. 

"Shall we talk, Princess? Perhaps we should move to the couch, what do you say?"

"I think that is an excellent idea." They sat on opposite ends of the couch, and she took off her shoes and tucked her legs underneath her. Her damp hair trailed over the back of the couch, and he thought she looked very pretty.

He spoke first. "What do you plan to do now, Alania?"

She looked down at her lap, then back up at him. "I do not know, Julian sahaab. Let me ask you what you plan to do."

He grinned at her. "Well, I plan to continue doing what I've been doing, of course."

She cocked her head. "Following me?"

He nodded. 

"Did my Uncle put you up to this?"

"Well...yes and no."

"What does that mean?" She looked curious.

"It means – yes, he asked me to do this. But I am not doing this for him."

She half-smirked. It was a very bitter expression, and did not sit well on her pretty face. "Then why are you doing it?"

He reached out and took her hand. Very gently, he asked, "Aren't we friends?"

The bitter expression was wiped from her face, and her mouth opened. She looked down, ashamed, and then looked up at him again. "Of course we are, Julian. I'm just not that used to having friends. Oh, that sounds terribly self-pitying. I mean, ever since I left home. I mean – oh, never mind." She grinned. You know what I mean."

"So if you are going to continue to follow me-"

"I am."

"And I plan to continue to travel..."

"Yes?"

"Couldn't we just travel together? I mean, perhaps I am presuming, my Lord, but it seems to make sense."

"Would you like to have me along, Alania? I don't wish to intrude."

"Oh, but you wouldn't be! I would have liked you to, anyway, but..."

He answered gently for her. "You didn't want to make any more demands."

She nodded. "You'd already done so much for me, Julian. I couldn't stay at Uncle's. I was angry at him, and I still am very angry. What can I say? I think what he did was terrible. Plus, I've never ever been alone. I was truly glad to have the month to myself, even if you did follow me, but lately..." She sighed.

"Lately I've been feeling a little lonely, even if I wouldn't admit it to myself."

She looked up at him, and smiled. "So you see, I would be very happy if you wanted to travel with me – but only if you really wanted to."

"I would love to travel with you Alania. Any destination in mind?"

She got a slightly dreamy look on her face. She leaned back against the back of the couch, almost unconsciously stretching her legs out in front of her. Her feet were small, and the legs long and limber. He could see quite a bit up her thighs before he forced himself to look away.

"I want to see the world, Julian. I was trapped in that cage for so long, I want to break out! And see everything, do everything, that there is to do. Mountains, Julian. Snow. I've never seen these things."

He put his hand gently on her foot. He felt her start, and he spoke softly. "I could take you there." 

Her foot was soft, and warm under his hand and he was surprised to realize how good it felt. How long had it been since he had so much as touched a woman's foot? Six years, that was it. Six years since Elizia had been killed.

His memories jolted him and he jerked his hand back. He looked into her face and caught a brief glimpse of something. Hurt? Sadness? He wasn't sure, and it was gone before he could identify it. 

He sat back without commenting on it though, and waited for her to respond. She seemed to be thinking deeply. "Julian?"

"Yes, Princess?"

She nodded decisively. "I would love to travel with you."

He grinned. "Wonderful, then. To start with, you can sleep on the bed, and I'll sleep on the couch." 

She looked away, not meeting his eyes. "Is there something wrong with that? Do you want me to take another room, perhaps?"

"No!" She grabbed his arm, seemingly to stop him from leaving, then looked embarrassed. "Please, don't go."

"Then?"

She shook her head, looking down. He placed his hand over hers. "Alania, you've never been this reticent. Please say what you wish to."

She nodded. "You are correct, of course. Please...what I meant to say was, you need not sleep on the couch unless you wish to. Are we not both adults?"

He was completely taken aback. "Are you certain?"

She smiled. "I would not trust any other man the way I trust you, Julian Alexander. And anyway, we are husband and wife. Really, it is not a problem for me, but if you prefer, you can sleep on the couch."

He was quite astonished to see a hint of a devilish look in her eyes. Why, the little minx was teasing him! Well, he would just call her bluff then.

"Very well, then, I thank you. The couch can be quite uncomfortable, and I would prefer the bed anyway. Let me change into sleeping clothes, then." He was gratified to see the look of surprise on her face. 

He went into the bathroom and washed up. Then he changed clothes into what he normally wore to bed, which was just a loose pair of pajama bottoms. He thought about wearing a shirt but decided he'd rather tease her some more and exited the bathroom bare-chested.

She had already climbed into bed and was putting her hair up in a bun, quickly and efficiently. It was a very loose bun, curled at the base of her neck. She glanced up, did a quick double-take, then looked away, then looked back again. Her brow furrowed.


"Something you dislike, Princess?" he asked, dropping his clothes on the couch and crawling into bed.

"Not at all, my Lord. I am looking at your scars." For indeed, he had a few, from various campaigns. Most of them were shallow but he thought he knew which one had caught her eye.

"This one?" he said, pointing to the three scratches directly over his heart.

She nodded. "What is that from?"

"I fought a mountain lion. It came into our camp while we were sleeping. Snuck right past the guard, it did. Anyway, it pounced on me, and nearly tore my heart out before we could kill it. The only thing that saved me was the heavy blankets I had over me."

She was looking at him with some awe, and he reminded himself of her young age. "May I?" she said, and he nodded, although he was unsure exactly what she was asking of him.

She reached out and traced the scars with her fingertips. He inhaled, and felt himself immediately respond to her touch. She must have noticed something, for she withdrew her fingers a few centimeters, and said, "My Lord?"

He shook his head. "It's nothing, you just surprised me, that's all. I don't mind," he said, staving off the obvious next question. 

She nodded, and went back to touching it. "Did it hurt? Did it bleed a lot?"

"It hurt horribly, but not so much when it actually happened. I was rather stunned and immediately busy fending the lion off. He scratched me in several other places before they pulled him off me, but this was the deepest. The next day it hurt very badly, though. And yes, I thought I was like to bleed my heart out."

"He certainly tried." She smiled up at him. "Thank you for telling me the story. Now, can you be comfortable here?"

She stretched out. She was still wearing the little tank top and shorts, and she looked beautiful with the blanket pulled up to her waist, and tendrils of her hair escaping from the bun. He laid down next to her, noticing they were sharing blankets. She didn't seem to mind, though, so he didn't say anything. She blew out the last candle and turned on her side, facing him. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness he could see her, still looking at him.

"Julian?"

"Yes, dear?" He bit his lip. He hadn't meant to add the term of endearment, but it had just slipped out. He waited to see her reaction.

It came hesitantly. "Am I your dear?"

"If you'd like to be."

Another pause, and then very softly, "I'd very much like to be your dear."

He chuckled, and said, "What were you going to ask me?"

She took a deep breath. "There's another reason why I didn't want you to sleep on the couch."

"Why is that?"

Her voice, when it came, trembled. "I was frightened. Of what those men wanted to do to me today. I-I couldn't stop them."

Pity and sympathy filled his heart. "Oh, Alania." Without thinking about it, he reached out and took her into his arms. She didn't hesitate at all but rather came eagerly to his arms. He cradled her head on his shoulder, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

She didn't cry, but nestled into the circle of his arms. One hand was resting on his ribcage, and he willed himself not to get an erection. It wasn't working very well. This was young, innocent, yielding flesh, and his body seemed to be only able to think of one thing.

If she noticed, she made no response, but snuggled close to him. He heard her murmur his name.

"Yes?"

"Do I have to sleep so far away?"

He hesitated, thinking he should put her back there, then reconsidered. Whether his body reacted or not, he could tell she needed comfort and was taking it from being held. He sometimes had trouble remembering the ordeal this young girl had gone through, first fleeing her father, then her uncle, then traveling alone in a strange land, and now this.




Break the Gilded Cage Ch. 05



"No, dear. Stay with me, I don't want you to leave."

She murmured contentedly, and he held her until they both fell asleep.



Break the Gilded Cage Ch. 06



Well, folks, here is the conclusion of break the gilded cage, a story I started in 2005, wrote most of...then just got stuck. I doubt anyone is still waiting anxiously but still, it's done. 

If you want to read it by itself, that's fine, but it does better with the rest of the novella. Be aware that this is the only chapter that has sex in it.

-Elenia



Conclusion


Julian and Alania had been traveling for three months together and even Alania was surprised at how well they got along. Considering her upbringing, it was understandable that she was inclined to rebel at even the slightest male authority., But unlike her father or brothers, Julian never issued commands or ordered her about, and the few times he ever insisted on anything it was always reasonable. And he never said "no" without a reason, ever. 

Julian on his part found her surprisingly charming and very intelligent for her age. Clearly she was well educated, if a bit behind on current events. However her tutor had not forsaken her, and she was always eager to learn more. She still spoke in the formal language in public, but her speech had relaxed greatly over time.

Julian had privately written James and let him know of the news that Alania would not be coming home soon, and that he, Julian, would be traveling with her. James expressed his worry but even he was learning that this sweet, well-tempered girl had resolve and could be quite fiery if pressed. Alania wrote, dutifully, as she had promised, once a week. 

Until Alania decided differently, he was content to travel with her. She picked the directions, and he followed, her knight, her protector, and her friend. Husband in name only, however – he had respectfully maintained his distance since the night he had burst in on her attackers. She still called him, "My Lord," and "Husband," sometimes, but most of the time it was playful. And thus they got on.

He usually awoke before Alania, though she was no late sleeper. At home she had been awoken every dawn to the call for prayer, and still awoke most days. This morning, however, when he awoke, Alania was already sitting up in her bed.

They took one inn room, it being cheaper, with two beds. He had offered her a separate room but she flatly refused, saying it would do her good to share a room.

Alania was sitting, her back flat against the wall, her nightgown pulled girlishly around her knees, watching him. He realized with a start that she was nineteen now. Nineteen! And that much closer to her being twenty-one and at last free of her father – and of him. He wondered if she tired of him. At her age, in her culture, she normally would have had at least one child by now. And here she was, married to a man much older than her, and still a virgin. 

"A copper for your thoughts, my Lord." She spoke up in her pretty, sweet way.

He wisely decided to censor himself at least somewhat. "I was wondering if you ever regretted your decision to run away, Rajkumari." 

She cocked her head and thought. Adopting an I-am-thinking expression, she said, "May I come sit with you while I think?"

He laughed, and sat up, still entwined in the sheets. "You are always welcome."

Alania smiled happily. Climbing out of her own bed, she hurried across the room and crawled into his. She sat right up against him, and he put his arm around her. Many were the times they had sat like this side by side. She trusted him implicitly.

"Are you asking me if I regret my choices? But, my Lord Alexander, I have never had such freedom as I do with you! Every day is a new adventure and every day a new day."

"Thank you...but what I mean is, aren't you sorry to be stuck in this marriage?"

Here she considered, silently, leaning against his shoulder. "On the contrary, Julian..." her voice was silky soft and despite himself he felt a reaction. "It is you who should be sorry. I enjoy your company and am loathe letting you go, however, sometimes I think, you must want to have your own life."

Here she hesitated again. "A woman, perhaps." She turned to face him, putting her small hands on either side of his face and looking up into it. "You know, Julian, I wouldn't object or anything, if you...well..." she blushed here, and started over. "I know there are places you can go to, that men go to. I wouldn't have a problem with it."

She looked so beautiful, with her long hair down around her face, and those emerald eyes looking up at him, fringed with the black lashes. And her lips were full and young, and for a moment Julian forgot himself and just looked deeply into her eyes.

She was still talking, but his steady gaze was more than distracting, and slowly she trailed off as she became aware of his steady gaze on her. "As I was saying...Julian?" Her last words were barely above a whisper and without thinking about it at all he leaned forward and kissed her on the mouth.

It only lasted a moment, this pressure of his lips on hers, and yet suddenly he felt like a young man again. And in a moment of blinding clarity he realized that was why he was still here, after three months – only partly because of his duty and obligations. Mostly because she made him laugh like a youth, something he had thought he had lost long ago.

Her lips were moist and very full as he kissed them. Her entire body went still but she did not move her hands away from his face. He withdrew, and opened his eyes.

She wasn't breathing, just looking at him, stunned, mouth slightly open, eyes wide and innocent. He blinked, and realized what he had done.

"Alania, I'm sorry."

She inhaled deeply, and gently removed her hands. Putting them in her lap, she looked down at them like she wasn't sure what to do with them. 

"Alania, please – I wasn't thinking."

She was still taking deep breaths, and suddenly she looked up at him. "Please. Don't say any more."

He fell silent.

"That.... that was my first kiss."

"I know, sweetheart, and I am sorry. It should have been with someone else."

"Like who?"

"Someone you loved."

She smiled wryly. "Does everyone always kiss someone they love in your world?"

He hesitated, and then shook his head, smiling. "No. Definitely not, in fact."

"Then...." she caught his face in her hands and kissed him, this time, clumsily and inexpertly, and oh-so-sweetly. Her lips were so warm.

She pulled away, and then, catching his surprised look, suddenly blushed scarlet, dark enough to show even through her dusky skin. 

"That...that was rather shameless of me, wasn't it?"

"Rather." She looked up at him, worried. "Not that I mind. At all."

She gazed away from him for a moment, and then broke into a smile. 

"What is it?"

"That was a wonderful first kiss, Julian." She turned and kissed his mouth once more, then jumped up, grabbed her bag, and fled into their shared bathroom.

The day was full of starts and stops. Alania was unusually distracted, dropping things and forgetting things and generally being a bit more scatter-brained than he was accustomed to. Julian observed her behaving like this, and her normally full of grace and élan, and a thought began to be born in his mind. 

Nothing more was spoken of the incident for several days, until one day they had arrived in a new town. Upon entering, the guards stopped them. 

"Hang on a moment, please, Miss. Sir? Step this way, please."

"What is the problem, gentleman?"

"It's just that you resemble someone who recently escaped from a jail cell two towns over and we would like to question you."

Alania drew herself up, looking every inch the Princess she was.

"You plan to question my husband?"

The guards looked back and forth between the two of them. "You are his wife?"

"His! I'll have you know, good sirs, this is none other than Sir Julian Alexander, knight, and you impugn his honor. And yes, I am his wife, the Lady Alexander."

"Do you have proof of your relationship?"

"I most certainly do."

"Bring it with you then, we'll show the Captain."

"Very well, good sirs.

In the barracks, they were put in an office to wait. Julian started to ask Alania what proof she had when the Captain came in. 

"Greetings, my lord and lady. I am Captain Dimitri. I am sorry for the inconvenience. My men tell me you have some proof of your marriage."

"Of course, Captain. It is no trouble. Darling, hold this, please." She handed Julian her bag, and began rifling through it. She carefully withdrew a small chest, locked. From around her neck she drew a tiny golden key.

Alania placed the chest on the table and unlocked it. From within she withdrew some papers.

"This is our wedding certificate, Captain. Inside here is also my birth certificate. I am, as you can see, Princess Alania, daughter of Sultan Fadjlan ibn Ahmed." Julian blinked in surprise. Wedding certificate? He had never seen such a thing. 

The Captain studied the documents closely and then returned them to Alania. "Thank you, my lady. I know who you are, Sir Alexander, and I apologize for the inconvenience to both of you. Allow me to congratulate you on your wedding. I did not know you had married?"

Somewhat sheepishly, Julian smiled. "Yes, I did – three months ago. It was a quiet ceremony so I don't imagine many people know yet." To his surprise, Alania's small hand slipped into his.

"Well, Sir Alexander, I have heard of your deeds. I actually wonder if I might ask you a favor."

"Of course. I am willing to listen."

Captain Dimitri sat back in his chair. "As my men said to you at the front gate, there is indeed a prisoner that has escaped from another town. He does rather resemble you, Sir Knight, and I was wondering if you and of course your Lady would be willing to assist us in a plan I have."

Julian felt a reassuring squeeze from Alania's hand, and he smiled. "Certainly, Captain. What is the plan?"

"Well, we have information that he indeed will come to this town. We were wondering how it would be if we were to arrest you."

"Ah, I see – and make him think it is safe to enter."

"Yes, exactly. He would think we had arrested the wrong man, and he was safe. We would put up signs everywhere, and most likely we would need you to be somewhere in public – perhaps the town hall jails?"

"And my wife?"

"Well, her being the most likely to recognize a man who looks like yourself, I'd like her to spend some time at the most likely gate. I have a good idea of when he'll be entering, and my guards will be there, of course."

"Will my wife be safe?"

"I'll make sure of it personally, of course, Sir Knight."

"What do you think, Alania?"

She smiled at him fondly, and then turned back to the guard. "I worry, Captain – once my husband is 'freed' from jail – you'll make sure the populace knows it? I don't want any bad reputation to attach to him."

"I swear it, Madam. So it's a deal, then?"

"I think so, Captain," said Julian, after a glance at Alania. 

"So be it." And they began to make plans.

The very next day the plan went into effect. Posters went up all over the town hall and the main buildings of the city, stating that one Garoth the Black, prison escapee, had been captured in the town of Bamako. 

Julian and Alania had bid farewell to each other that morning, and he had been 'arrested', while Alania returned to the Inn to wait.

The next morning, she took her post at the guards as instructed. The Captain had promised that the real Garoth would most likely enter town either today or tomorrow. He was cocky, and would want to see who they had arrested in his place.

The first day went without incident, and that evening, she went to see Julian, carrying a basket with dinner, and treats.

He was being kept in a cell, but the door was not locked, and so he could come in and out as he pleased. The room was kept clean and aired and they had moved a desk and a lamp in so he could do some writing.

She was allowed to come in and out as she pleased, and, greeting the Sergeant who rose respectfully, she tripped down the stairs to the first cell.

It was agreeable; she had to admit, being known as the wife of Sir Julian Alexander. She got a great deal of respect. Lately she had even begun to really think of him as her husband.

Downstairs, the guard let her in, and she came to his cell to find him writing at his desk. She paused before entering. He hadn't heard her yet, and there was a curious air of vulnerability about him. He was wearing his spectacles, which he rarely wore around her, and he was leaning over his work with an air of concentration. 

She stepped lightly inside his room and he looked up to greet her. Aware of the guard positioned in the hallway, she bent over him and kissed his lips lightly. His eyebrows shot up but he showed no other emotion. 

"Hello, darling. I've brought you dinner, as well as some things for you to eat tomorrow. Nothing today – completely peaceful." 

"Why thank you, priyatamma. You can just set it down over there." She did so, thrilling at his use of such an endearing term. Heart's delight. 

"Come over here, Alania." She did, and to her surprise, and perhaps to his, he pulled her gently into his lap. She stiffened, but only for a moment, and leaned against him. On an impulse she slid her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes. 

"How are you doing in here, my Lord?" Her voice was low-pitched and musical. 

"Well enough. Bored, if anything." 

"That's understandable. Is there anything I can bring you?"

He shook his head. "I can't think of anything else at the moment." 

The moment, such as it was, stretched out between them. He was the first to lean forward but she was as eager for a kiss as he was, and he could feel she was trembling with anticipation.

Their lips met. Julian kissed her softly, and gently, and she responded, her warm body melting into his. He was painfully aware of her nipples pressing through her clothes and his into him – she was only wearing a simple cotton peasant dress, and he clad only in shirtsleeves. 

He jumped in surprise when he felt her mouth open and a tiny tongue touch his mouth. He looked at her, half-scolding, and saw the suppressed mischief in her eyes. She wanted to play, did she?

He gripped her face gently and kissed her again, and this time, ran his tongue over her mouth. Her lips parted, and his tongue slipped in. He felt her gasp. 

She let him explore her mouth, his tongue slipping past hers, her little hands tightening at the back of his neck, her slim body pressed against his. He was hard and pressing into her thigh, but she didn't seem to mind. 

The kiss became more urgent, and their breath became shorter. Alania grew bolder, sliding her fingers into his hair, and returning the kiss intensely. Her body wound around his, and he heard her moan softly.

"Ahem." She stiffened, and pulled her mouth away from his to look over her shoulder. By the cell entrance stood the Captain, sheepishly looking away.

Alania blushed scarlet. She jumped off Julian's lap. "I'll come back and see you tomorrow," she said, all in a rush. Leaving her basket she fled past the Captain, not meeting his eyes. 

Julian looked up at the Captain. "My apologies, Sir Knight, for interrupting you and your Lady. I thought we could go over some of the details if he does show up tomorrow."

"Certainly," said Julian. He willed himself to remain calm. Even after all of these years of self-control it was difficult. Alania's combination of innocence and desire made him lose whatever control he had thought he had.

The next day dawned bright and early. Alania had hardly slept, thinking of Julian mouth on her own, his arms intertwined around her. She was a complete virgin – Julian was truly her first kiss – but like all daughters she had been trained in the Garden of Delights in ways of pleasing her future husband. So she wasn't unaware of the proceedings...just inexperienced. She had often wondered what it would be like to be with a man, but she had not really thought of Julian that way until very recently, when he had kissed her that day.

She proceeded on to the guard post and waited. Today was the last day. She sat inside the post, watching through the small window. 

Around midday, a group of people came in, and close behind them a hooded man followed. The guards requested him to remove the hood, and she instantly knew – it was him.

Garoth had dyed his hair, and grown a beard, but she would have recognized those eyes anywhere. They were indeed Julian's eyes, brilliant piercing blue. She came out of the guardhouse, the approved signal, and the guards immediately sprang into action. 

"I'm sorry, sir, you'll have to come with us."

"Why?" The voice however was nothing like Julian's. Julian spoke with class and elegance. This voice was lazy and insolent.

"Just for questioning, sir."

"Sure. Always willing to help the town guards." They moved toward him...and suddenly he bolted. Unfortunately, the clearest path was directly to Alania, and he grabbed her and in a moment had his arms wrapped around her. A knife that he had produced from seemingly nowhere was pressed against her side. People screamed.

"That's enough now gents. You don't want to see me hurt her, now do you?"

The guards stopped. "No place for you to go, Garoth." And indeed, the town gates were already shutting.

"That's all right. You'll be letting me go anyway, I think."

Alania couldn't believe this. Well, she wasn't going to go so easily. She relaxed her body completely, and felt his grip on her loosen ever so slightly. She took her opportunity and let her body go limp, feeling pain on her side, but sliding right out of his arms and crumpling to the floor. He tried to grab her, but it was too late – the guards had reacted quickly and five of them had already fired crossbows. Later they found out three had hit. For the moment, he just crumpled to the floor, yelling in pain.

She rolled out of the way as the guards tackled him. Her side ached, and as she looked down she found she had not escaped unscathed. He had held the knife steady, and had scratched right up the side of her body. Her dress was already soaking through with blood.

Garoth was secured and the lieutenant and medic came hurrying over to her. The medic checked the wound briefly. "It's not too bad. Bring her inside where I can look at her properly."

She shook her head wildly. "It must be a woman!" she said. Both men looked at each other, and then the lieutenant nodded. "I'll get a cleric. You and you, go!" And two of his men ran off towards the temple district. In the meantime the medic got a stretcher and they lifted her and carried her inside the guard post, laying her on one of the cots.

The medic applied pressure through her clothes. Soon enough the cleric came, a sister from the Temple of the Dove, who clucked over her and shooed everyone out.

"This will be fine in no time, dearie." She caught sight of her ring, and said, "Just make sure your husband takes care of you."

"I think he will, Sister." 

The sister fussed over her, and then patted her head. "I'll go and tell that nice lieutenant to come back in now."

In a moment, he did. "The Captain and Sir Alexander are on their way. Will you be all right?"

She smiled weakly at his look of worry. "I will be fine, lieutenant. I thank you for bringing the sister. In my culture, no man must look on me but my husband." And even he hasn't, she mused to herself. 

"Of course. Are you sure you'll be all right?"

She nodded. "Just let me know when Julian is here."

"I'll go look for them."

It wasn't long at all before they came, though she must have fallen asleep, for when she awoke, Julian was sitting on the edge of the cot. He was holding her hand, and looking down at her in his intense way.

She smiled and started to say something, but instead just reached up to him, arms open. He didn't hesitate at all but immediately folded her into his arms. 




Break the Gilded Cage Ch. 06



"My dear girl.... I am so sorry."

She nestled into his arms and was happy. 

During the next few days, he took her back to their inn, and took care of her. The injury truly wasn't deep, but it was a nasty scratch, and he obviously felt very guilty about the whole thing. 

Alania longed for another kiss but wasn't sure how to bring it about. She couldn't help but wonder what Julian thought about all this.

The unspoken feelings between them grew daily it seemed. She was very aware of his long legs, the taut muscles under his clothes, breathing and even his heartbeat when he sat close to her. For the first time in her life she discovered she truly desired a man.

Still, nothing might have come of it if the Captain hadn't come to see them one day. They invited him in, and chatted until he got to his reason for being here. He had brought a reward. "This is for helping us capture Garoth, from the City." 

"Thank you, Captain, but you didn't have to. I couldn't accept this anyway."

Alania was there as well. Today she had dressed in her traditional clothes again, a cloth of gold, which set off her dusky skin marvelously, and just a simple gold pendant at her neck. Her hair was bound up in a bun, and she looked a little older than her nineteen years.

She looked beautiful.

"Well, Sir Alexander, I know you don't traditionally accept awards. But this reward is actually bequeathed to your Lady."

Alania looked surprised and Julian amused. "For me, Captain?"

"Yes. The Council wishes to thank you and to apologize for your injury. They send their best wishes." 

Julian laughed. "Well, in that case, my love, you must accept it." 

Alania blinked at him. My love? He didn't even seem to realize what he had said. It had slipped out so casually.

"Uh...thank you, Captain. As Lady Alexander, I accept."

"You are welcome. And of course they insist on paying for your time in this Inn. They won't hear otherwise." He stood. "I should be about my duties now."

And out he went. Julian saw him to the door, and came back to sit with Alania. 

"Well. So you have some money. What do you plan to do with it?"

"I don't know. What shall I do?"

"Well, we could go see a show tonight, if you like."

She inhaled deeply. She set the bag of coins down carefully on the table. Turned to him. Started to speak. Finally it all came out in a rush. 

"Didn't you like kissing me?"

He blinked in surprise. It was a visible effort for him to gather his thoughts, and he finally said, "Of course I did, Alania."

"Then..." she looked down, bashfully. "Why have you stopped?"

Silence. Then, "Alania. Oh, meri jaan." My life. He cupped her face in his hands, lifted it, and kissed her, deeply and thoroughly. 

Her relief was palpable as she kissed him back. She murmured into his mouth, "I thought I had upset you or angered you."

"On the contrary, I didn't want to upset you."

"Touch me, Julian. Please."

And he did. His mouth explored hers, then, for the first time, she felt his hot kisses trail from the corner of her mouth to her earlobe. She shivered to feel his teeth on it. 

Her hands curled into his shirt, holding him tight. He continued kissing and biting down her neck, and rested his head on her shoulder.

"How many times I've wanted to touch you, priye." 

"I didn't know. I never knew. I thought you were just being a gentleman," she murmured, as his hands began roaming down her body, jumping slightly as he touched her bare skin under the sari. 

"I was. But I was attracted to you from the first moment, when you were all ready to sneak out of our wedding chamber."

Hesitantly, her hands dropped to his shirt buttons. She raised her eyes to look into his, questioningly, and he softly said, "Go ahead."

"What made you like me then? You couldn't even see my face." She unbuttoned the first button, then the next. His hands slipped around to the front, under the pallu of her sari, the part that draped over her shoulder, and as their mouths met for a kiss again she gasped as she felt his hands slide over her breasts and cup them, gently.

His mouth went to her ear, as his thumbs stroked her stiffening nipples. "You just looked so brave, my dear. On your own wedding night, escaping, no terror, helping me as well." 

"Truth be told, my Lord, I was terrified." 

She had opened most of his buttons now, and hesitantly slid her hand inside. She leaned back to look, with fascination, at his chest and her graceful fingers sliding over it.

"Julian, you make me feel so..." her fingers tightened into his skin, and he inhaled sharply.

She looked up at him and, sliding her arms around his neck and leaning into him, said, "Love me, Julian. Show me how it is...I've thought of nothing else for the past few days." 

"Are you sure, princess?"

Alania merely nodded, and this time turned her face upwards for a kiss. He responded eagerly, and she slipped into his arms so easily and so perfectly. 

He lifted her easily, and carried her to the small couch in the room, and seated her next to him, both of them facing each other. 

Her sari blouse exposed most of her back, and she felt his hands on her skin, lightly touching her and causing her breath to come quickly.

She shifted her shoulders, letting the wide part of the sari that draped over her shoulder drop. It fell to the floor, still connected at her waist. Now she only wore her skimpy blouse on top.

To her surprise he broke the kiss, and lifted her into his arms. Julian seated himself on the edge of the bed, and pulled her into his lap.

"This felt so right the other day, my love. I've been thinking of nothing since." He put his arms back around her, and she eagerly went to him.

Again he slid his hands over her breasts. Her skin felt as though it was on fire. His hands were large, and covered her breasts thoroughly. 

He kissed down her neck, and as she leaned her head back, kissed the skin in the deep valley of her blouse. Turning carefully, he laid her back on the sofa, and, sliding his hands along the length of them, lifted her arms over her head.

"Don't move. Let me just admire you. You are so beautiful. I always want to say it but I hesitate."

His hand rested on her slightly rounded belly, feeling it rise and fall beneath him. Slowly, he began to run his fingers over her skin, causing it to flutter. His other hand slid up her body to cup her breast again, and gently tweak the nipple. Alania gasped. 

Bending down again, he kissed her belly, around the tiny piercing she wore, and up. His hands slipped under her and caught the end of the tie that held her blouse in place; it was only tied in a bow, and he pulled it open easily.

Her blouse now hung limply around her, and his hand moved from over it, to sliding underneath it. Alania literally held her breath as his fingers moved over her breast, finally coming to her nipple, which was stiff in anticipation.

He never hurried. It was a delicious frustration. Slowly he pushed the blouse aside, finally revealing her to him.

His breath caught in his throat. She was absolutely stunning. Golden skin, with dark nipples with just a hint of pink in the center. Sweet young breasts, swelling to points. And above it all, her half-shy, half-aroused eyes, looking down at him. 

He suddenly moved up to her and kissed her on the mouth again. "Are you afraid?"

She shook her head. "Not of you, my Lord. But maybe a little of what I am feeling."

"Trust me."

"I do."

Julian dipped his head to one dark nipple and enclosed it in his mouth, gently suckling on it. As he had hoped for, she moaned softly again as she had the other day, when he kissed her. His other hand tweaked her other nipple, sending shivers up and down her spine.

Lifting himself off her body, he began pulling the pleats of her sari and unraveling it, little by little, finally untying the knot at the waist and sliding it off. Underneath she wore a simple sheer petticoat, meant to show under the sari hem and to hold the sari in place.

His hands dropped to her feet, and he began running his hands up her ankles, catching the petticoat hem on the way. Her legs, which were pressed tightly together, began to come into view – long legs, naturally coffee-colored, then her knees, and then he pushed it up to her thighs. She made a slight sound of demurral and he smiled down at her. "Should I stop?" he said, stroking her thigh.

Her finger was in her mouth in such an unconscious demonstration of innocence and lust combined that he wanted to take her right there. But he wanted to be gentle also.

She shook her head and whispered, "No. Don't stop." 

Lifting Alania's hand, Julian kissed the back of it. He went back to her legs, stroking her thighs gently, and pushed the petticoat all the way to her hips. 

Underneath it she wore a pair of simple cotton panties, a rose pink color, set off by her skin marvelously. 

Reaching under her, he shifted her until she was sitting with her butt pointed directly at him, and he spread her legs open tenderly, and encouraged her to place them on either side of him. 

He leaned over again and his mouth returned to her nipple. Her hands immediately went to his hair and she slid her hands into it...unconsciously he felt her back arch and his hand dropped, down her belly, over her pubis, and then between her legs. 

She jumped a little as his hand touched her sex, through the panties, tenderly. Julian outlined her shape with his fingers, feeling that the panties were already damp to his touch. 

Her eyes were closed tightly as he stroked her, and he could feel her body wanting to move, but she held it so stiffly. He stroked her hair back.

"Alania, look at me."

Her eyes opened and she looked at him, vulnerable and innocent.

"Relax. You're so tense. Don't you trust me?"

"I do, Julian. It's just..."she turned her face away and he could barely hear the next part. "I'm afraid I'll do something wrong."

He caught her chin and turned her toward him, just a little roughly.

"Listen to me, meri jaan. There is nothing you could possibly do wrong, do you understand me?"

She took a deep breath and nodded.

"Now, where's my brave girl?"

Her jaw set, and she seemed to come to a decision. Her eyes did not leave his, but her hands crept down to his hand, still stroking her maddeningly through the sheer cotton of her panties, and, with both hands, lifted it and placed it inside her panties. His hand cupped her sex, and she closed her eyes and inhaled as her back arched.

Her clit was swollen and she was very wet. He wondered how many times she had lain in her lonely bower far from the world of men and touched herself and wondered. Well, no more. He let his finger slide along her wet slit, hearing her gasp, and he began to stroke her, dropping his head to her breast again. 

Julian felt her young sweet body literally writing underneath him. His cock was pressing into her thigh, and he could feel waves of heat coming from her. His finger rubbed against her clit, catching moisture from her opening, then doing it again.

Now she could no longer control her body, arching herself over and over again against him. Her hands wrapped around his hair, and pulled, and suddenly she pressed up against him, and pulled his head to her mouth, and kissed him furiously. He let his hand drop so his palm was pressing against her clit, and slowly began entering her with the tip of one finger. She was tight, and she whimpered into his mouth, but did not pull away, instead spread her legs further to give him access.

He managed to get his finger in halfway, and began to work it in and out, and with his palm rubbing against her swollen clit, that was all it took. She cried out and clutched at him as she came, in his arms, her body tense and her legs tightening around him.

She dropped back on the bed, and lay, panting, as he continued stroking her gently, teasing her. Her mouth was open and he could see her small white teeth. Finally her eyes opened. They met his, and she instantly blushed.

Julian's face was unusually grave as he looked down at her. He slipped his arm under her neck, and leaned a little further on her.

"You are beautiful."

"My Lord." She lifted her hand and stroked his face, tracing the lines the years had put on him. "I rather think you're handsome, Julian. They don't have eyes like this where I come from."

He chuckled. "Is it only for my eyes then?"

She giggled, and then abruptly gasped as the motion caused his finger to shift inside of her. "Your hand feels so good."

"I would love to do it again." 

Her face grew serious. "Oh, my Lord. Never had I imagine a man who gives his woman pleasure first."

His eyes darkened. "I never wanted to say, but the men in your world leave much to be desired."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then opened them again. "Julian. Make love to me, Julian."

He looked surprised. "Alania?"

"I can't think of anyone I'd rather want for my first time. You're so kind and caring and loving and..." here she let her hand catch his wrist, the wrist of the hand that was currently making her crazy. "...I want you so bad."

His hand ceased its motion and rested against her. "Alania. I don't know if I should."

"Whyever not, dear husband?"

He hesitated. "That's just it, darling. In these last three months I've grown close to you. Very close...so much so, in fact, that I don't want to think of losing you, or even letting you go back to your father. In fact..."

Julian squared his shoulders and looked down at her. "In fact, I think I have fallen in love with you, Princess."

Her eyes were wide as she looked up to him.

"And so, it wouldn't be right, if I am to leave you when the time comes."

"But, if you love me, why would you leave me?"

He looked at her. "Princess, don't you want to live your own life?"

She cocked her head. "Can't I live my life with you?"

He could barely believe what he was hearing. "Would you want to?"

She pulled him down to her and kissed his mouth. "Haven't I always known what I wanted to do? My deepest desire has always been to be captain of my own ship, and you let me do that. But I never said I didn't want someone to share the journey with. You are easy to love, my Lord, with your kindness and your heart. I was meant for an arranged marriage, where love might come, or it might not."

She sighed, smiling. "To be surrounded by your love, my Lord...I cannot think of a better fate for me. I love you, with all of my heart. Make me yours and let me make you mine. Let us be husband and wife, in body as well as in spirit."

He smiled at her. "If you're sure, I am sure...my love." She shivered. 

"Say it again."

"If you're sure I'm sure?" he said, mischief dancing in his eyes. 

"No, the other part."

"Of course. My love." 

Their mouths met again, and they kissed. He lifted himself off her gently, and, catching the sides of her panties, began drawing them down her hips. 

Her sex came into view, first just a single stripe of dark hair, neatly trimmed and shaped, then her swollen clit, and finally, the sweet honeyed opening. As he tossed the panties aside, he saw her lips were a darker brown then the rest of her. 

He stood to remove his clothes, and watched her, laying there, naked and waiting him. Her sari was spread all around her, a silk bed awaiting the both of them. The cut along her side was almost healed and rather than being unattractive it provided a foil for the rest of her flawless beauty.

He dropped his shirt, then undid his pants and lowered them. Her eyes widened as his cock came into view, and she sat up, her dark hair spilling around her. 

"I've never seen a man naked before, except in drawings."

He glanced down at himself. He was still in good shape, because of the traveling. His legs were muscular like any good cavalry man's, and his belly was still flat and his back still erect. 

His cock jutted out from his body, hard and ready, and her eyes met his, asking for assent. He nodded gently, and she reached her small hand out and gripped it.

He groaned and she looked at him, unsure. "It's all right, princess. It's just been a long time." 

Alania nodded, and hesitatingly leaned forward and kissed the tip of it. She closed her eyes and pressed it against her cheek, lovingly. 

Groaning again, he put his arms around her and held her close. "Alania, my love, I want you so badly I don't think I can wait." She looked up at him, eyes wide. Once more she kissed the head of his cock, then, letting go, slid backwards on the bed and held her arms out.

"Then don't." 

He came to her eagerly, and took her in his arms, their lips meeting. His cock was already urgently pressing between her thighs, and he didn't hesitate, but thrust forward.

She was wet and ready for him but she still grunted as he opened her up and began penetrating her. She did not complain, however, even as he entered her fully, stretching her out, and filling her up completely. She bit her lip and gripped his arms and that was all.

Julian paused a moment to let her adjust, then was filled with heady feelings as she arched her back to meet him, whimpering slightly and then relaxing. He had nearly forgotten how pleasant it was to love a woman, particularly one that loved you.

He began moving in rhythm with her, feeling the silk cloth slide around them, feeling her sweet cunt open for him, feeling himself sink into her. He was already having trouble controlling himself, as she moaned underneath him, her nails digging into her skin. She had lost her shyness and was grinding back into him, her hips moving with his, and as their bodies slid against each other he could feel her nipples against his chest.

He dropped his hands to her hips, and began pumping in and out of her in earnest, roughly, his hands leaving marks in her skin. She gasped as he penetrated her, and finally he could take it no longer and began fucking her, hard. Suddenly he pulled out of her, and, before she could protest, he flipped her over onto her belly. Spreading her legs, he entered her again from behind, and reached a hand under her to reach her clit. 

He rubbed his fingers furiously against her clit, and pounded her ceaselessly. She cried out as his cock buried itself fully into her, and screamed as she came.

Her cries and her cunt tightening around her was all he needed; he had no more self-control left in him anymore. He grunted and leaned heavily against her as he shot his come into her, filling her pussy to overflowing.

Together they fell to the bed together, entwined in each other's arms. No one spoke for a few moments. 

Julian was the first to regain his senses. He pulled her close, until he was spooning with her, wrapped securely in his arms. He kissed her ear and said, "I'm sorry. I lost control."

Panting slightly, she reached up and caressed his cheek. "Julian, don't apologize. That was the most wonderful day of my life."

He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "Darling, what if you get pregnant?"

She smiled slightly and turned to him. "What if I do?"

A wondrous expression came over his face. "I've never been a father."

"I think you'll make a wonderful one."

"But for now, if it happens, there are ways and means." 

They lay quietly in each other's arms.

"Julian?"

"Yes, my love?"

"I think it's time to go home."

"To James, you mean?"

"Yes, dear. Uncle James did not do right by my mother but that was the time back then. And besides, I think I made a good match. And he sent you to me. He deserves that much from me."

He hugged her tightly. "Very well, dear. We leave tomorrow." 

Two weeks later they arrived back at Richmond Square, holding hands this time. They were very much in love and rarely were apart for long.




Break the Gilded Cage Ch. 06



Julian had for his part gained a second youth. Alania was eager and willing to learn, and their nights had been spent in lovemaking, each night more than the last. In the daytimes they traveled, and he had been able to spend the money on her he had wanted to, and had bought her several little trinkets and some pieces of jewelry. 

Alania was happier than she had ever been in her life. Julian was kind, considerate, and a wonderful lover, who took the time to learn what she wanted and what turned her on. And he was funny, now that he had relaxed around her a lot. They laughed, in and out of bed, and she knew that was one of the keys to a successful relationship.

And here they were, to tell Uncle James of her decision. Their decision, really. Julian rang the bell. They had written to tell Uncle James they were coming home, but nothing more, really. He didn't know the details.

The guard, who was always there, had been happy to see Alania and Julian back. He had welcomed them in.

And now the door opened, and Uncle James himself was there. He saw Alania, and tears sprang to his eyes. "My dear, you have finally come home." He started toward her, and then hesitated, and to his surprise, Alania came forward. She didn't hug him, not yet, but clasped his hand.

"Yes, Uncle James, we are home."

They sat in the comfortable study, rather than the parlor. Julian and Alania sat very close together, and James bustled around, preparing drinks for the both of them. He brought James a glass of wine, but when he offered it to Alania, she said, "I'll just take some juice."

Julian was curious. Alania certainly did drink. He assumed that she wanted to have a clear head to talk to her uncle.

"How have you been, niece? I know we parted on poor terms but I don't want that to stand between us." He took a deep breath.

"You see, Alania, after you left, I realized how right you were. I did let your mother down very badly. I understand you being angry at me and I was naïve to think you would just come back to me."

Here he sat down in front of her. "Still. I would like to get to know you as the adult you are, and I would like to try to make it up if at all possible."

Alania reached out and took her uncle's hand. "Uncle. Part of me is still angry at you. But part of me begins to understand. Julian has told me many stories about Mother, and I don't think she would want me to be angry with you."

Uncle James looked relieved. "Now Alania, I know it's none of my business, but what do you plan to do next? There is always room for you here if you like it."

Alania smiled self-consciously. "Actually, Uncle James, we have some news for you. You know that Julian and I got married mainly for convenience' sake, to get me out of the situation I am in. That has worked admirably, and to his credit, Julian had agreed not to divorce me until I was of age so my father could not take me back."

James nodded.

"Well, things have since changed." Shyly she took Julian's hand. Hesitatingly, she said, "Julian and I are in love, and wish to remain married. I hope you can give us your blessing."

Julian spoke up. "This whole situation is unusual, James. Normally I would have courted her properly, and asked your permission ahead of time, but you know how it went. But she is right. I really am in love with her and I find her company positively delightful. I would like to make a home and a life with her."

James was speechless. "But...this is delightful! Never had I ever imagined that you two would hit it off so well. My blessing? With your permission, I'd like to throw you both a grand party and introduce Alania to her place in society."

He stood, and Alania stood as well as he clasped her hands. "I will do my best to be the loving uncle you deserve. I am glad you are on the way to forgiving me, niece."

She was overwhelmed by his instant acceptance of their love, and impulsively, she hugged him. He hugged her back, and she felt her wounded family begin to heal.

Much later, Julian and Alania were comfortably ensconced in one of the largest suites in James' house. Alania was sitting in the window seat, looking out on the grounds, when Julian came over and sat with her. Putting his arms around her, he said, "I've been thinking of purchasing a house here in town. I have money."

She smiled at him. "I would love that. I still have the jewels from my dowry and my bride price."

He shook his head. "Save that. Perhaps one day we may have a little girl, and we will give it to her, not as a bride price, but as a gift to her."

Her eyes filled with suppressed amusement. 

Julian regarded her with puzzlement. "Now what? You look like the cat that ate the canary."

"Would you like a little girl?"

"I would, very much – or a boy. I always wanted to have children but never had the time to be married."

"In the future, or very soon?"

"I suppose I hadn't thought about it." He looked at her directly. "Alania, are you trying to tell me something?"

"Julian. My love." She turned fully in his arms and leaned her forehead against his. 

"I'm going to have a baby. Your baby." 

His eyes widened. "Really? I mean, right now?"

"No, silly, not right now. But soon. It must have happened the first time we made love." Suddenly she turned shy. "Are you happy?"

He looked at her with all the love engendered from a life spent alone, and kissed her suddenly. 

"I...am ecstatic, my love. A baby! I know we'll be happy together. Main tumse bohoth pyar karta hoon." I love you very much.

Her hand slipped down between his legs and stroked his cock, which instantly sprang into hardness. "Mai bhi tumse pyar karti hoon, jaan-e-man."

I love you too...beloved.