Episode 20

"Come in." I said, dropping the coffee mug on the wooden stool beside my bed.

The door swung open and he bowed on instinct. "You called for me, Your Grace."

"Yes. Shut the door, will you?" I said with a wave of my hand. He did and turned back to look at me.

His grey eyes traveled from my face to my exposed cleavage and my nipples that weren't so much as protected by

by the lacy gown I wore. His eyes traveled down to my thighs and legs and his throat bobbed.

"You called for me, Your Grace."His voice bold and unshaken even if his eyes betrayed him.

"Quit the formalities, Sir Adrienne. I see the way you look at me with those eyes of yours that beg to see me undressed." I said, rising from my bed.

I trailed him, swinging my hips left and right, his eyes drinking me in. "I hear Persephone was your bride and my husband stole your right." His eyes darkened on the sentence and my lips curled upwards.

"I've also heard what transpired when she came looking for your help." I said, now a few inches away from him. I traced a finger down his jawline line. "You've been bad, my dearest subject. "I purred.

"What do you want?"he asked and trailed my fingers around his shoulders, taking a turn around him.

"The same thing as you." I whispered in his ear and licked the tip of it.

He swallowed. "What do you mean?"he asked me.

I stood in front of him now and took his right hand softly, eyes on his pretty face.

"They've betrayed us under our very noses. Did you know Eos was a very good friend of Teris?"I asked.

"Yes."

"Did you also know..." I paused and began drawing circles on his palm. "... that Teris used to send gifts to your betrothed every night after you'd walked her home?" His grey eyes flared at that. Fool.

"Did you know they often met at the unholy hours of the night too?"I purred. He clenched his fist, grey eyes burning with anger. "No. He did not steal your right. She gifted him with it and he relished every moment with unending pleasure." His knuckles were now white with rage.

"You've seen the way they look at each other. The way they flaunt their love. He sleeps at her chambers... Takes her on rides... I want to put an end to our suffering... I can't do it alone." I said softly, tears forming in my eyes. "Won't you help me?" I said, placing his palm on my perky nipple. His eyes darkened, lust filling them so much my core heated by just seeing them.

"What's in it for me?" He asked and I almost blinked in surprise. Maybe he wasn't a fool after all. "Lord Adrienne, Lord of Inavern, Hand of the King, how does that sound?"I purred. His eyes widened as he inspected my face. I dropped his hand and undid the rope of my green robe, letting it fall around me. His traveled down my body and back up and I noticed his erection. A smile danced on my lips.

"What do I have to?"

I turned my back to him and strode for my bed, hips swinging, seducing. I climbed the soft mattress, slowly, conniving. I knew he was watching my every step. I lay flat on my back and parted my legs for him to see me.

"Wouldn't you like to feel what you've craved these past few years first, Sir Adrienne? "He clenched his fists by his side and glanced sideways at the door. "They won't be back for another hour or two. I suggest you use your time wisely." I purred, tracing my hand down my body, settling it between my thighs.

He pulled his blood red tunic off and proceeded in unbuckling his belt and pulling his pants of in swift movements. I smiled at his size.

"Come worship your Queen." I ordered and he strode over, climbing swiftly and placed my legs over his shoulders.

★★★★★★★★

Persephone

The streets were exactly how I remembered them to be. Its usual smell of smoky lanterns, fresh vegetables and sewage filled the air. The crowd had come alive and was a huge one regardless of how early it was. Each person in the crowd moved as if unseeing hands dragged them this way and that,pulling their eyes on one thing or the other. Why Teris had chosen this place to go through, I didn't know. It brought back memories. This was were I used to walk through to the Circle everyday and would either get spat on or insulted. Now they all looked in my direction and bowed. Somehow, even without his crown, he was recognized here. I spied through the shops for Sir Thoth but instead, I saw his wife, whose eyes widened on seeing me and who was behind me. I gave her a smirk, peering down at her and she lowered her gaze.

Teris took a route which I recognized as the longer route to the Circle. There were fewer shops on this route and people with tattered clothes and some with a few deformities roamed this place, begging for food. Alms. Another reason I had hated this route. I could never pass through without spending all I had on me.

Teris pulled to a stop and waved a hand. I turned slightly and my cheek grazed his lips. I stilled at the softness and looked forward.

"I send money here every week but get very few chances to see if the work actually gets done. I come here once in a month to see how my people fare... and that is when I'm not at the other cities and villages."

I'd heard a few times that the new King had come visiting but I did not feel the need to go see for myself, mostly because of what Ajax had done to myself and Eos upon my father's death. I'd just decided that it was all for show. My throat tightened when I saw Orien and six other guards distributing coins to some for treatments. Some sacks of foodstuffs. I felt my heart swell in pride for the man who sat behind me. We left them behind and rode ahead. Some hailed and Teris waved, sometimes laughing.

In a few minutes, we were at the Circle. It was filled with people as usual. The sound of drums and sticks filled the air. The music filled my ears and I felt my legs twitch in movement. Teris did too for he whispered, "Want to show me some of those moves?"I regarded the crowd and shook my head. "Wouldn't it be too much of a disgrace if I, the King's Consort, is found dancing in public?"he laughed.

"Being my Consort doesn't stop you from doing what it is you love doing."

I shook my head still as we came close enough to see the females dancing. I spotted Erika leading them in her usual scandalous dress. I clenched my fists at the sight of the young new recruits who looked sixteen or seventeen, dressed in similar ways and wiggling their waist in such shameless manners. How much had happened since I'd left? They were making children dress half naked to dance for money? The anger grew as I noted the looks the men gave them, especially the younger ones. Some made comments on how they would love to feel those tender skins in their mouths. My stomach twisted at the words. I wanted to scream at them to stop but I could do nothing. This was how they would get to feed their families today. Who was I to stop them and send these men away without them dropping coins in the tin in front of them? Teris' arm tightened around my waist, as if to remind me he was there.

I could do nothing a few weeks ago when I was no one. I was someone now. A consort. The royal consort. I could do something. "Go."Teris said behind me and the reason why he brought me here dawned on me. He wanted me to see this and do something about it. I nodded and he grabbed my waist, lifting me off the horse. Chin high, back straight I walked into the crowd.

★★★★★★★

Teris

Orien and the other guards joined me right after I'd helped Persephone off Eia. "Go help her."I said to Orien. He nodded and got off his horse.

After a few seconds, the music seized. The men cursed ahead and started leaving. I spied Persephone staring down a red head down ahead.

When there was no one left except the dancers, the red head began speaking.

"So now you feel you have the right to put a stop to my business?"she spat.

"Business? Your business? When did dancing become business?" Persephone asked, seething with anger. The only time I'd seen her this angry was that night. When I'd shoved my wealth in her face. Even now, I felt ashamed of the words I'd said back then.

"Since dancing got you in bed with our King."the woman said. My face heated with shame.

"Mind your language Gaia."Persephone warned.

The redhead let out a bitter laugh. "Now she shows her true colors. See how gold coins change people. She went from a dumb doornail to a feisty bitch."she spat.

Persephone's cheeks reddened and she clenched her fist. How she was able to keep her temper in check, I didn't understand because I sure as hell wanted to slit the woman's throat.

"You come here and think you can order us around? You've never understood anything. You weren't born poor. You've never had to beg around for just a few brass coins. You weren't born without a pretty face. You with the rarest hair color, you with such beautiful enchanting eyes, you with the absurd figure that still stood out with the humongous clothes you wore. I started dancing when I was five. For twenty years, I've danced to earn a living. You within three years bested me. In the three years you danced here, they all came to watch only you. They only looked at you. Just you."she paused.

My heart squeezed and I noticed Persephone's features soften too.

"Gaia... I didn't... "She tried but the redhead lifted a hand to silence her. "I don't need your pity wench."

Persephone winced and looked away from the redhead and at the young females behind her.

"You do not need to show off skin to be a good dancer." She began. They didn't look at her but she spoke anyway.

"Dancing is an expression of what's on the inside. If you can't express what you feel on the inside, then you can't ever dance freely. Sadness, happiness, anger, anxiety... whatever emotions you feel..." The redhead now looked at her with widened eyes. The younger girls seemed to be listening now. "... you put it all in and feel the music flow in your veins and you move along with it. Let the rhythm take you to whatever end." She said and bent over, undid the lace of her boots and kicked them aside. She waved a hand and the music started again.

When Persephone flowed in dance it was as if it were the only way her body truly knew how to speak. Verbally she was guarded, physically she would shrink and fade into the background no matter where she was. On stage her personality, her sensuality burst through into the most vibrant picture of a beautiful soul. I watched her move to the music filling the air and she was the most beautiful thing I'd lay my eyes on. The guards beside me gasped and i caught the same look on their faces. I had seen her dance that day but this was different. She twirled and her eyes caught me right there, gaping, I felt she would stop but she ignored me and carried on.

★★★★★

It wasn't until the day had gotten darker that we got home. "You call that dancing? You looked like a fowl trying to escape from a butcher." I snorted, opening the door to the dining room.

"You're insufferable." She said and I found myself unable to hold in the laughter any longer.

I laughed and we stepped in just in time to see my entire family, eating in silence. My mother was on her way to the staircase though. She turned and approached the both of us. I braced myself for her scolding but instead she leaned in and kissed both my cheeks.

"Be happy son." Her eyes lingered on Persephone for a bit before returning to me. "I'll be in my chambers. I've been having this throbbing headache for days now. Please... release those maids. It's been two days already. "She said softly and strolled upstairs. Persephone's head whipped in my direction, no doubt to ask what mother meant but I strode to the side of the table where grandmother sat. I kissed her cheek in greeting. She chuckled and focused on her plate.

"My love."Elpida said and stood from where she sat. She rounded the table and flung her arms around my neck and kissed my lips softly.

She broke away when I didn't return it. "It's been a while. Come spend time with me tonight." An invitation. A careful order. I knew more than to say no here so I nodded. She left me after another kiss and took her sit beside Dameon who decided his food was more interesting to look at than my face. My father only gave a curt nod before returning to his food.

I stood there for a while, watching them eat and began feeling uneasy. A new kind of feeling hit me and I did not think I belonged on this table. Like I no longer knew my place in my own home. As if sensing my discomfort, Persephone tugged at my sleeve. I looked at her face and she inclined her head towards the kitchen. I frowned. Why the kitchen? She rolled her eyes and tugged again. I let her drag me from there and into the kitchen. Luckily, it was empty.

"What maids? What did you do?" She asked first then turned away from me, sniffing the air and searching for the pudding she'd smelt.

"I didn't know who it was that had poisoned you... So I put the suspects in the dungeons."

She opened a plate that contained porridge and snorted. I smiled. "You do know that none of them would've acted on their own."She said, opening some more plates.

"Yes but-"

"You can not place them in the dungeons without knowing who put the perpetrator up to it. You've also placed innocent people in there." She said without turning. She was really... intelligent. When she spoke, there was always wisdom in her words. She did not seem to input the fact that it was her the attack was directed at. She gave an unbiased opinion. She would've made a fine queen if I'd found her first.

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