With a heartfelt sigh, he sank into Taya’s embrace. After so many years together, they no longer needed words when it came to the mutual pleasuring of their bodies, and at the exact moment of climax, Raidan felt his consciousness merge with his wife’s; for a time, they were as one, sailing together on successive waves of ecstasy.
It was this unity of consciousness that Raidan so craved, loved, and valued. Because he could only achieve it with Taya, he had no desire to make love to any other woman.
Afterwards, they lay together on the couch, sipping cool, sweet wine from silver goblets. As Raidan stroked his wife’s smooth back, his thoughts were wistful.
Ai, when we were young, Wife, you could get me up again with just a smile…Ah, well. That time is past now. Age does take its toll.
This realization did not make him sad, though. The intensity of their lovemaking had only grown stronger as they had aged, even as the frequency had declined.
It’s an equitable trade.
He breathed in the intermingled scents of jasmine and sex and allowed his mind to float. Taya shifted in his arms, then sat up and looked down at him, frowning “Husband…” she started, but he laid a finger on her lips.
“Hush, Wife. Not now,” he whispered. “Tomorrow.”
Chapter 7
"Jelena… Wake up.”
Jelena awoke with a start. She had no memory of having fallen asleep. She opened her eyes and extended her arms to Ashinji, a drowsy smile curving her lips. The bed in which she lay felt soft and comfortable, and she would not have stirred for anyone except her husband.
Despite her weariness and the lateness of the hour, the sight of his face sent a tingle of desire coursing through her loins. “What are you waiting for? Come to bed,” she whispered invitingly.
“Jelena, listen to me,” Ashinji murmured. “You have to get up and get dressed now. The king has commanded that you be brought to him.”
Jelena sat up, all sleepiness evaporated. “The king has sent for me? Now? But…but it’s the middle of the night!” In the dim light cast by the single lamp, Ashinji’s eyes looked as dark as the sea during a tempest and she saw fear in their depths.
Her heart leapt like a deer. “Ashi, what’s wrong? What is happening?” She reached out to him and the coverlets slipped off her bare torso. Ashinji drew her to him and held her so tightly, she gasped. She could feel his body shaking. He caressed her breasts and she responded with a sigh, her nipples hardening under his gentle fingers. She buried her face against his neck, drinking in his scent.
As she slipped her hands beneath his tunic, he groaned and pulled away.
“We can’t do this now. My father is waiting downstairs. Get up and I’ll help you dress.” He twitched back the covers and scooped her up, setting her on her feet by the side of the bed.
“I…I haven’t had time to unpack…I have only my old clothes… What am I supposed to wear?” She stood with arms wrapped around her body, shivering, though the room was not cold.
“Your old clothes will have to do. I don’t think the king will notice what you are wearing.” He reached into the wooden chest at the foot of the bed and pulled out Jelena’s tunic and trousers.
As she donned her garments, she watched Ashinji from the corner of her eye; she could see him struggling to remain calm. Jelena swallowed hard and took a deep breath. “We’ve spoken of this, Ashi. If the king is my real father, it changes nothing.”
“You’re wrong, love. It’ll change everything,” Ashinji said quietly.
Jelena sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled on her boots, then rose to check herself in the looking glass. She plucked at the coiled mass of her hair, fluffing it into a less unruly arrangement, then squared her shoulders. “I’m ready,” she declared. Ashinji pulled her close and kissed her neck. “Don’t be afraid, Ashi,” she whispered. “I’m your wife now. No one, not even the king, can separate us!”
“The king can do whatever he likes with his own,” Ashinji replied, then took her hand. Together, they descended the stairs to the sitting room.
Sen and Amara stood side by side in the center of the room. Both of them fixed their eyes upon Jelena as she entered. Without warning, a wave of dizziness overcame her and she staggered against Ashinji, who locked his arm around her waist to keep her from falling.
“What is it, love?” Ashinji’s face looked stricken.
“Jelena! Are you feeling ill, my dear?” Sen must have noticed her momentary distress.”
“I just felt a little dizzy…It’s nearly passed,” she said. Ashinji stared at her, frowning. “Ashi…really. It’s passed, I promise,” she added. “I’m just very nervous about meeting the king.”
“Jelena…This is what you’ve been waiting for!” Sen laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Tonight, your search ends.”
“May Ashi come with me?” Jelena asked.
Sen nodded. “We will accompany you to the king’s presence, but he will speak with you alone. Come now, let’s not keep him waiting.”
Amara kissed Jelena lightly on the forehead. “Don’t be afraid…” then added in mindspeech, Remember who you are!
Jelena nodded in reply.
“I don’t know when we’ll be back. Don’t wait up!” Sen called over his shoulder as they departed. “She will, of course,” he muttered as he closed the doors behind them.
Sen led the way through the dim halls of the night-shrouded castle. Jelena gripped Ashinji’s hand as if her very life depended on not letting go. After passing through a set of large doors guarded by a pair of stone-faced soldiers, the three of them walked through a final set of doors into a small room furnished with a writing table, a couch, and several stools. The man seated at the table looked up as they entered.
Jelena knew immediately that this must be Keizo Onjara.
The guard who had announced them withdrew, and the king stood. Jelena dropped to one knee and lowered her head in the Soldaran style as Sen and Ashinji bowed.
“Majesty, this is my son’s wife, Jelena,” Sen stated. Jelena sensed, rather than saw, the king move to stand in front of her. His presence felt like a glowing furnace, blasting her with energy. She felt something within her respond, tugging like a hound eager to slip its lead. She dared to look up.
Eyes grey as a winter storm met hers, yet she saw no coldness there.
“Thank you, old friend,” the king replied, then addressed Ashinji. “Captain Sakehera, I need to speak to your wife in private, if I may.” His level voice revealed nothing of what he might be thinking.
Jelena looked over her shoulder at her husband. The king didn’t need his permission, of course, but Jelena saw that Ashi appreciated the gesture of respect. He nodded and replied, “Of course, Majesty.” A single tear gathered at the corner of his left eye, but he reached up and dashed it away before it could fall. Sen looked at her and smiled, then he and Ashinji exited the room, leaving Jelena alone with the king.
“You may sit,” Keizo said, indicating a cushioned stool to her right. Jelena got up off her knee and settled upon the stool. She folded her hands in her lap and kept her eyes downcast.
The king sat in the chair at his writing table. “How well do you speak Siri-dar?” he inquired.
“Well enough, your Majesty,” Jelena answered. “I am getting better every day.”
“Your accent is still quite heavy,” he commented, but she heard no unkindness or criticism in his tone. “Your name is Jelena.” He phrased it as a statement, not a question. “Tell me about yourself, Jelena.”