Whispers and Promises (restarted)

[heartofcourage]

As he gestured for her to join him she carefully let the towel drop from her body. Carefully she climbed across the silks and cushions before she took her place next to him. Kyra listened as he told her that she might spend her days in the library but the evenings were for him. She nodded quickly with her understanding.

"Of course, my prince." She said softly as she watched his look turn hungry. "My prince, please partake in what you see before you. I am your concubine after all."

 

[DrStein]

Rath needed little invitation. He leaned in to kiss Kyra once more. His arms encircle her and pulled her against him. Her breasts pressed into his chest and his cock slipped in between her thighs. He doubted she was a virgin. There was little sense in selling a pleasure slave who had never had a man inside her before. Perhaps some men actively sought out versions for the thrill of deflowering a maiden, though Rath himself found such a pursuit to be a laughable pretense toward virility.

Rath slowly turned her on her back and guided his cock into her. He was right that she wasn't a virgin, but he still marveled at how her body rippled around and hugged his shaft. He buried himself fully inside of her slowly. Then with the same slow strokes, he rocked his hips back and forth, savoring the feeling. He reached a hand around behind her head and lifted her up into another passionate, insistent kiss.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra was a little stunned that he acted so quickly, kissing her once again in that same heady way. It was the same way that she felt when she had too much wine and she knew that was particularly dangerous. A woman without a head on her shoulders was doomed to make fatal mistakes. In the world of kings and concubines, one slip up might end her life. Still, she enjoyed the way he pulled her close with his strong arms, her breasts pressing against his chest as his hard cock pressed intimately between her thighs.

She let her eyes flutter shut as he turned her to her back, his cock guided into her wet body a few moments later. She hadn't been a virgin in some time. Her trainers had not taken that from her though. Her first time had been with a lover of her choosing, making her time in captivity a little more bearable. She had seen girls lose their minds when their virginity was ripped from them. At least that was something they would never have.

She gasped as he pressed into her body. Clenching around him, she got use to the size and shape of his invading cock. He seemed to take his time burying himself deeply inside of her body but when he did, he treated her to slow strokes and a beautiful moment. Willingly, she kissed him, imagining that he was a man that cared about her and not her lord and ruler. She yielded to him as she been trained, lying pliant beneath him as he took what he needed.

 

[DrStein]

She responded to him. But with hesitation. Rath saw no reason to be upset with her for that. She had little reason to react otherwise. In time she would learn that she had nothing to fear from him. In the moment however his mind hummed slightly from the raw pleasure and his pace became more insistent as did his touch and his kisses.

Gradually he became more rough with her. Never enough to hurt her, easy though it would be, but his strength was made apparent. What restraint he showed was because he had no desire to hurt her. He would not insult himself or his heritage by lowering himself to the level of some ungainly brute. Through his own heavy breathing he listened to the sounds Kyra made. Hearing pleasure in her voice made his cock throb to the point where it nearly ached. Something about her voice...

 

[heartofcourage]

"My prince..." She murmured, gasping as he started to quicken his pace.

Kyra had been with any number of men who treated her roughly and worse. This was different. Her prince actually cared it seemed and Kyra rewarded that care as she wrapped her arms about his throat and held on. She whimpered as his heavy breathing bathed her face and flesh, his breath hot against her skin as he worked for his ultimate victory.

 

[DrStein]

Rath closed his eyes tightly as another wave of pleasure rushed up his spine. Images flashed through his mind all at once in the span of a single breath in. Kyra's face looking at him in fear and trepidation. The lessons taught to him from his father's harem. The many times he had looked up at the night sky seeking answers and guidance. And between them all, brief flickers of the vision on his rite of passage. Why? Why all these things now? Thoughts of Kyra returned to his mind, chasing the other images away, but he had an unmistakable feeling that all of it was somehow connected. The only trouble was that his brain had become fogged over and he couldn't hold onto any thought long enough to make sense of it.

The pacing was intense. The rhythm blurred together into a steady stream of pleasure. As he exhaled, his voice came out in low growls and groans. The girl responded to him though out of training or genuine passion Rath was unsure. And that uncertainty burned like an ember in him. Was it doubt? Wounded pride? Shame? It was impossible to tell.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra was truly shocked at the raw power that the Prince contained. His hips slapped against hers wetly, loud in the silent chamber beyond. Even that sound, the true sound of fucking, made Kyra take pause. She had never been with a man like him before, one that was sure of himself yet doubting at the same time.

She let out a moan of pleasure as his cock smoothly slipped in and out of her body. Was it such a terrible thing to enjoy herself in that moment? She wasn't sure, but when her orgasm hit her like a run away horse, Kyra let out a startled cry. Her body pulsed and tightened around him, rippling around his cock as her back arched off the bed.

 

[DrStein]

The gush of Kyra's orgasm snapped the awareness of uncertainty out of Rath's mind. His hips bucked hard and with a coarse bark he gave her his seed. A few smaller shocks of pleasure rippled up his body before he lowered himself down onto the bed. He lay on his back beside Kyra facing the ceiling. One arm reached over and went around her shoulders, holding her close.

For a while they said nothing. Rath simply turned his head to look at her. In the faint light coming in through the gauzy curtains, he studied Kyra's beautiful face.

 

[heartofcourage]

A startled gasp left her lips as she listened to the Prince's cry before he filled her with his seed. In all of her time as a concubine, she had never had a man cum inside of her. The feeling was strange, not entirely unwelcome, but definitely strange. She squirmed for a moment before he pulled from her and lay on his back, looking up at the ceiling. She did the same, wondering what had just passed between them in that moment.

Then he was pulling her close again, their eyes meeting as he seemed to study her. He was a strange man, she thought to herself. A strange, but kind man.

"Might I do anything else for you, my prince?" She asked softly.

 

[DrStein]

"No," Rath replied in a soft voice like iron on silk. "Rest now. In the morning, there is much for you to see and learn. You are Rhagali now." The desert night was cool and Rath drew a fine silk blanket over the two of them. He kept his arm around Kyra and laid his head back on the pillows once more.

He slept that night, but it was not an easy sleep. Visions tumbled through his brain. The last few days since his return from his rite of passage had all been like this. He could not discuss what had happened, but the priests had assured him that such reactions were unusual but not unheard of. They were portents of great things to come, though Rath would have taken more solace in their soothsaying if he had any way of telling what exactly any of it meant.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra was awake for what seemed like hours that evening. Sleep was elusive as she lay there on the silken bed and stared at the prince. She wasn't sure how she liked the way he said she was Rhagli now. She had always been Dathian and in her heart she secretly still held that dear. One day she would have the courage to tell him that, but now...now she had to figure out where she stood.

As the stars started to fade in the sky, she finally found sleep. It was light, not restful, and each time he moved she opened her eyes to watch him carefully.

 

[DrStein]

The morning light came and with it the three women servants from before along with two men in fine clothing. Rath stirred and awoke at their arrival. The servants drew the curtains back and the prince sat up to regard them. He looked at Kyra and then to the two men. He cleared his throat and they respectfully turned their backs.

Rath stood and approached the wardrobe to dress himself. He selected a pair of baggy pants, boots, and a loose-fitting shirt. One of the servant girls handed him a copper circlet, which he placed around his head, a single obsidian stone in the center that rested in the middle of his forehead.

Another of the girls stepped forward and held out to Kyra a beautiful silk dress. The back was open and the front had a large V that showed an impressive amount of cleavage, but in the hot weather of Rhagal it would still be comfortable.

"The three women," Rath said to Kyra. "Choose one. Amina, Hini, or Lozra. After you are dressed, she will be your handmaiden as I promised. She will show you the palace. You may go anywhere you wish except for my father's chambers, or those of any of the court." He then turned to the two men who had their backs turned still. "Report."

The first man spoke without turning. "The Enshar tribe of the south has refused the terms we've offered them, Prince Rath. They... beheaded one of the messengers."

Rath tensed and one hand clenched into a fist. "Who?"

The two men hesitated before the second spoke. "Your cousin, Jasrir."

A scowl darkened Rath's face. "They mean to insult us. Very well. If they will not accept terms of peace, then they must be destroyed. I will not see another village burned by their hands. Not one more!" The last sentence was delivered as an angry bark that reverberated against the walls of the room. For several moments, silence reigned over the bed chamber. The prince breathed in deeply through his nose and his shoulders slackened. "Send out scouts. I want a full report of all the Enshar camps within the fortnight. Do not engage under any circumstances. Let them believe they have intimidated us."

"What of your father?" the first man asked.

"That is my concern, not yours, Darius." Rath walked in front of the two men and regarded them directly. "You have your orders. See that they are done. I will speak to my father."

He looked one more time at Kyra. The anger in him briefly receded when his eyes came upon her. He breathed a sigh, though the reason behind it was unclear. The prince turned on his heel and strode out of the room with the two men walking behind him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra woke at the sound of people entering their room. It seemed that the prince was use to people opening his bed curtain, staring down at him, but she instantly blushed at the sight of so many people. To his credit, he cleared his throat and they instantly turned their backs. She let out a soft sigh, relaxing against the silken sheets as she watched the prince rise and move to dress himself.

She was surprised as one of the women stepped forward and offered her a silk dress. She was confused for a moment, tilting her head to one side before she realized that it was for her. It was a beautiful soft red color and it would provide her with more cover then she'd had in a long time. Suddenly, that dress became her most cherished possession and she took it from the girl that offered it with a humble nod of her head.

The prince explained that one of those women was to be her handmaiden and she again puzzled over the choice. She pointed to the one that had given her the gown, Amina, she believed. Then, it was as if she were forgotten as he went into his business. She quietly dressed as he spoke, jumping as his suddenly passionate and angry voice rose. She turned to look at him as he looked her direction. Their eyes met briefly and she saw him relax slightly before he turned to leave the room with his men following behind.

"What is there for breakfast?" She asked softly, looking to Amina for her answer.

 

[DrStein]

Amina smiled and bowed her head. "Follow me, my lady." She led Kyra through the palace to the banquet hall. It was the same place where she had first laid eyes on Prince Rath. At the moment, only members of the court were present. The king and prince were both obviously absent. None of the courtiers did more than glance at Kyra, though none made any overt attempt to be rude.

The food was mainly fruits, bread and fish and while somewhat limited there was plenty to be had. Servants poured goat's milk or pomegranate juice into the waiting cups of the diners. The courtiers talked amongst themselves about matters of state and their own personal affairs. Mostly the latter. Before long though the table was buzzing of the news that Kyra had heard given to the prince only a few minutes ago. Some believed that diplomacy should be attempted again. Others that the Enshar should be exterminated. All sounded afraid of them.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra helped herself to a small plate of fish and fruit, keeping to her own devises as she listened to the others start to talk about the news that she had already learned. She didn't really care one way or another what these Enshar were doing. She only hoped that they were not in the same position that she had found herself not that long ago.

She glanced up only as a servant came by, pouring her a cup of pomegranate juice. She smiled softly and nodded her head in thanks, still struggling to come to terms with what her life was now. She was still what she had been, but now it seemed that the prince was giving her small choices in life. She could go where she wanted within limits. She could dress in clothing that was beautiful and her own. That seemed worlds away from where she'd been.

 

[DrStein]

The chatter of the hall ceased when the king and his son strode into the room, both of them looking rather sullen. They took a seat at a table separate to them. The king was the first to speak. "As many of you already know, the Enshar have refused our terms of peace. We offered them amnesty, and instead they beheaded my nephew. This has gone on long enough. Five villages have been burned and sacked by these traitors. Men and children butchered in the streets. The women raped. Wells poisoned, mines collapsed, and floodplains torn apart." The king looked to his son.

Rath stood and addressed the crowd. "My father and I have agreed that the time has come to end this. The Enshar have defiled our lands in the name of trying to install a false prophet as king. Scouts are being sent out as we speak. When they return... we will end this. I will personally ride out to strike them at their heart with our finest cavalry at my back. Are there any of you stout enough of heart to join me?"

The hall was silent for a long moment before one of the courtiers stood. There was gray in his temples, but a look of steely resolve in his eyes. Another, younger and wearing an eyepatch, stood as well. Then a third and a fourth. The rest remained seated.

The prince bowed his head to these men and the five of them took their seats again after Rath did. "Gather your forces then. The moment we know where this cowardly usurper is hiding, we ride."

 

[heartofcourage]

"The prince fights himself?" Kyra asked Amina softly, trying not to gain attention for herself. "I would think that would be a dangerous thing considering he is the heir to the throne and has no heir himself. Does he have brothers and sisters?"

The news of the fight wasn't welcome. She had just gained a new position there at court. What happened if the prince was killed? What would happen to her then?

 

[DrStein]

Amina pursed her lips. "The prince's brother was assassinated several years ago." She looked around to see that none were eavesdropping too closely. "He insists on riding with the men. They fight harder knowing he is beside them."

There was an air of anger about the prince as he ate while his father seemed to be less... encouraged by the decision. Amina continued. "The first time the prince rode into battle, his father disapproved. But the young prince insisted that if he was to be king one day, he must never ask his subjects to do that which he was not prepared to do himself." She gasped and stopped talking. Rath was looking directly at the two of them.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra frowned slightly as Amina suddenly stopped talking. She glanced towards the prince and discovered him looking their way with those intense eyes. He could completely captivate her with that gaze and she found herself pushing away from her half eaten breakfast to go to his side.

"My prince." She said softly as she approached, bowing first to him and then to his father. "And your highness. It saddens me to hear that there is such trouble this morning, but I am glad that you are both looking well today."

 

[DrStein]

A few turned to look at the concubine who had just approached the king and the prince. They obviously were not sure what to make of this. Amina seemed aghast. King Athmir looked to his son.

Rath said evenly, "Thank you. When you are finished, have Amina show you to the library. I will meet you there."

The courtiers returned to their meals but a few flicked glances at Kyra as if trying to decide what to make of her. Amina seemed immensely relieved. When Kyra returned to her seat she whispered, "Very few have the courage to approach the prince as you did. Especially since he returned from his rite of passage. He's been... acting strangely since then."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Why fear him? He's just a man." Kyra said, confused at the reaction that she had gotten from Amina when she returned to her seat. "He seems to have a good head on his shoulders and he's not a tyrant. I don't see any reason to be afraid."

She finished her meal shortly there after and allowed Amina to escort her to the library. Stepping through the wooden door, Kyra stopped short as she looked around at the tall shelves filled with priceless books. She stood there with her jaw open, her eyes widened in wonder as she looked around. Where would she begin, she asked herself as a genuine smile curled her lips for the first time in a long time.

 

[DrStein]

Amina seemed genuinely shocked by Kyra's frankness. "He is the man who will be king," she said with the same tone one would use to announce the sky was blue. She didn't elaborate on that point any further.

She and Kyra entered the library with its vast collection of books and scrolls. An aging scribe with a long white beard and a great turban and his shaven-headed apprentice were the only others there at the time. They stood and approached the two women. "Good morning, young ladies," the elder said. "Can I help you with something?"

"We are here to await Prince Rath," Amina explained. "This is my lady Kyra, the prince's new concubine."

Both men looked to Kyra in slight surprise but nodded their heads respectfully. "I see, I see... Well my lady, I am Master Ithros and this is my apprentice Salemar. I am the pagekeeper here and it is my duty to tend to this library. Not many know it, but the line of Katum have spent the last two hundred years of their dynasty collecting rare books from all known lands." The old man seemed to glow with pride at this history. The apprentice meanwhile smiled at Amina who shyly smiled back. "Is there anything I can get you while we wait on his grace?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Master Ithros, it is a pleasure to meet you." Kyra said with a smile on her face, glancing around at the stacks of books once more with a pleased sigh. "Perhaps you have something from the region of Dath? It is my first home and I have been away from it for a while. I would love to get reacquainted with the myths and legends of my home."

She knew that what she spoke of was treasonous. There was something about the way that the prince gave her freedom that made her a bit bolder. Asking for a simple book wouldn't be the end of the world, she thought to herself as she noticed the looks that passed between Salemar and Amina.

 

[DrStein]

Ithros and Salemar looked at one another a moment, but the old pagekeeper nodded. "Y-yes, of course. Follow me please." He led her to a tall shelf on the far side of the library. Salemar ascended a ladder by several rungs and scanned the spines of the books for a moment before producing a large volume and bringing it down.

"This is a copy of the Shalteic Verses," the pagekeeper explained. "My lady... I do not begrudge you your homesickness." He looked her directly in the eyes. "I do not believe his grace will be angry with you. But you are a citizen of Rhagal now. Please do not judge us too harshly. Only two hundred years ago we were not but nomads, killing each other over water and women. We have worked hard to become more than that. If you will give us a chance, you may find that there is a home for you here." With that, he handed the book to her.

"The prince is a great man," Ithros added once Kyra took the tome from him. "I watched him grow up in these halls. Try to see past the stern face he must wear. It is his burden as the heir."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kyra took the thick book and held it close to her chest, listening to the honest words that Ithros said. She knew that she needed to watch her tongue, especially around the prince. If he wanted her to be Rhagali, she supposed that she needed to start thinking of herself as such. She let out a soft sigh as she gave the older man a nod and lowered her eyes to the book in her arms.

"I will try my hardest, Master Ithros." She said softly, still concerned that everyone seemed so frightened of the prince.