QueensQuest (4 page)

Though my sexual urges had been sated for a little while,
the next days presented another frustration. Try as I might, I could not get
Kaldir alone. I needed to tryst with the man, for I had taken Caducia’s advice
to heart.
The people’s happiness is dependent upon the queen’s joy, for in
the Shadowlands, the people and their monarchs are one.

But wherever he went, he was attended by his retinue and
guards, some of whom were quite fierce. Though they had been persuaded to give
up their viciously curved, serrated scimitars, I suspected that the
scientifically advanced DesertDwellers hid smaller weapons beneath their
concealing robes. Myths had come down to us from the Progenitors, telling us
that our forebears had carried tiny machines that could reduce an opponent to
cinders with nothing but a flash of light. We had persistent though vague
reports that the DesertDwellers had reclaimed much of the Progenitors’
technology. Why not their weapons?

Aside from the annoyance Kaldir’s delegation presented,
wherever I went, guards and courtiers, ladies-in-waiting and the Ten Ministers
often followed. Even in quieter moments, my faithful Maia was near. Rall and
Parron also hovered protectively, and a bit jealously, I thought.

I needed to at least kiss my swain. Time was shortening, for
we had received a message that Darkness’ candidate was drawing nigh. Only he knew
the number of his delegation, which would swell the ranks of courtiers and
warriors lodging in the castle to uncomfortable limits. Yes, Castle Remarck was
large, but with hordes of well-meaning servants present, one’s movements could
be unbearably restrained.

One morning, I awakened early and resolved to evade my
retinue. I hastily dressed in riding garb—snug, buff-colored jodhpurs, a
starched white blouse and a red jacket. I secured my hair at my nape with a
black ribbon and, after taking my boots from a wardrobe, carried them rather
than put them on and alert Maia, who as usual slept close by in my outer
chamber.

Taking a torch, I sneaked out of my suite by a quiet
passageway few knew, then tugged on the boots to ward off the chill. While
treading quietly along a circuitous route through the least-used parts of the
castle, using hidden byways known only to me, I held a kerchief to my nose to
avoid inhaling the dust of many a long season. I had not used these paths for
years… Beryla and I had explored every nook and cranny, every hidden passage
and secret stair of the castle. Her presence was strong in these dark, still
corridors that smelled of stone and damp. My sister’s spirit walked beside me
and I was comforted by my memories.

Our childhood adventures had our parents’ approval. Castle
Remarck was our fortress. In the event of attack from within or without, we
needed to be familiar with every hiding spot and escape route. Janus was
peaceful, but nothing is forever, nothing certain.

I opened a secret door, descended a flight of worn stone
stairs and found myself in the guest wing.

There I hesitated. Of course I knew how to enter Kaldir’s
bedchamber without anyone else the wiser, but intruding into his room without
invitation would be discourteous. Perhaps he treasured privacy. And what if
Kaldir was enjoying a bedmate? I would not feel offended or jealous, just
inconvenienced, but surely I would discomfit Kaldir and any guest he might be entertaining.

I stuck my booted toes into cracks between the great stone
blocks comprising the wall and climbed into a ventilation portal. I was small
enough to creep through the tunnel, which gave access to every room in this
wing. I peeked at his guards and courtiers at every opportunity, but saw
nothing to confirm my suspicion regarding any special weapons they might
possess.

Passing by his guards, I jumped out in the empty anteroom of
Kaldir’s chamber, then used a wall mirror and my kerchief to attend to my
appearance, whisking away a few smuts on my face. I tucked back stray wisps of
hair, then tapped on the wooden double doors of Kaldir’s bedchamber.

“Enter,” came his voice, which was light and almost musical.

I opened the door. “My lord?” He was awake and alone, I
noted with relief.

He’d been writing, for Lightside papyri were scattered over
a dark wood desk, and he still held his quill poised, its nib black with ink.
“Your Majesty!” He sounded pleased. “An unexpected delight.”

He rose and approached me. He was dressed, as always, in
flowing white, brilliant against his dark skin. Though no sensual thrills
coursed through me, I discerned the strong lineaments of his dark body beneath
the enveloping robes. I believed that he was a male with whom I could find
pleasure, and that morning I planned to make certain my belief.

“Queen Audryn, dressed for riding.” His dark eyes twinkled
as he took my offered hands between his. His grasp was warm, friendly as he
kissed me on both cheeks. “Did you enjoy the stallion I sent three starturns
ago?”

“Indeed I did,” I said demurely, remembering the adventure
on which that steed had taken me. “Do you wish to ride him this morn?”

“Indeed I do. Oh, and let us not alert the servants. They
will not leave us alone for a minute.”

“You have noticed also?”

He pulled a face. “How could I not?” He opened a wardrobe
and peeked inside. “Where could my riding boots be?”

I perched a hip on the edge of the desk. “Did you bring
them?”

“I rode part of the way, so they must be here.” He checked
another wardrobe and emitted a chortle as he yanked out a pair of mottled gray
boots.

“Allicroc skin?” I asked.

“The best the WestMarch can offer.”

The WestMarch lay between Desert and Shadow. Many creatures
flourished there, plants and animals that could not survive anywhere else on
Janus, including the fabled Chimaerae of old. As one might expect, there were
occasional border skirmishes between rival claimants to the land. Only the
WestMarch’s frequent vicious storms, which often featured tornadoes, prevented
all-out warfare. The fierce, swift winds were destructive in their intensity.
The EastMarch that ran between Shadow and Darkside was similar, but ice storms
raining chunks of hail, some large as a man’s fist, kept the peace.

Our official position, one we strove to maintain, was
non-interference in the Marches. We desired them to exist as buffers between
Shadow and our rival lands, for our own protection and to shelter the creatures
that lived there.

A union between Light and Shadow might solve the issue in
the WestMarch, at least temporarily. I did not understand Lightside internal
politics, but in the past, when a Lightsider had married into our House, he or
she had lost status as a noble of the DesertDwellers, switching loyalty totally
to us. For my part, I would demand no less than undivided allegiance.

Having donned his boots, Kaldir asked, “How may we escape to
the stables?”

“By the most direct route.” I moved confidently to the
doors. “None of the servants are awake. By the time they bestir themselves,
we’ll be saddled and away.”

“If all my guards are asleep, they’ll lose their heads.”

I wondered if he was jesting. “Asleep or awake, the palace
guards will not leave their posts.”

As we left his suite by a side door, Kaldir bade his
warriors remain, telling them, “I don’t believe I need to fear the queen’s
attack.”

I smiled. I did plan to attack him, but hoped that my
advances would be welcome.

We left the castle, walked together across the lawn, then
along a gravel path bordered with hostas and coleus that led to the Royal
Stable, a large wood and stone structure that housed perhaps fifty steeds. More
were lodged close to the army’s barracks, convenient for the cavalry.

When we entered, a sleepy guard sprang to her feet, nudging
a stable boy with her booted foot. “Your Majesty!” Both dropped to their knees.

“Be easy,” I said, smiling. “Saddle us mounts for a morning
ride. The bay stallion in stall seventeen and the palomino mare.” The palomino
was my favorite ride. In truth, I had not mounted the stallion since he’d
thrown me. But I knew he had been broken to bridle by the stable master and was
favored by Lord Geoman, who was a fine equestrian.

I took a riding helmet from a cupboard and offered one of
the black velveteen covered hats to Kaldir. He declined with a smile edged with
contempt. I reminded myself to be patient, that the prince-scientist was
elected to the nobility. If he was thrown and injured, the Children of Light
could easily find another prince. I was a good rider, but unlike Kaldir I was
irreplaceable.

I did not mind the helmet, for its black velveteen matched
the lapels of my red hacking jacket and my boots. Kaldir donned a flowing
headdress made of the same white fabric as the rest of his garb, and secured it
with a thick black cord that wrapped around his head.

He looked like one of the legendary sheikhs of old Terra,
dashing and a little bit dangerous. I liked that.

We mounted our horses and rode through the gray dawn,
exiting the castle through the eastern gate. Once clear of the walls, I urged
my mare to a canter. Tossing her head, she obliged, seeming glad of the
exercise. Kaldir kept pace with me as we dashed over a meadow, splashed through
a narrow stream, then slowed as we entered a wood, the same forest where I’d
had that memorable encounter with Rall and Parron.

The recollection heated my blood, as did the rocking motion
of my horse and the saddle pressing against my pussy. And Kaldir, mounted,
again recalled the mythic sheikhs of Araby. His robes flowed behind him as his
stallion trotted through the wood, and he controlled the restive beast with an
easy masculine power that sent a sultry thrill through my body.

Was Kaldir the one?

I slowed to a stop. “Are you hungry?” I asked, dismounting.

“In a manner of speaking.” He joined me on the ground and we
walked, holding our horses’ reins. ’Twas a pleasant morning. Second moonrise
was nigh, the moist air perfumed by gardenias and pines.

I took off my helmet and let it dangle from one hand by the
chinstrap. “There is a village yonder, a short walk from here. The inn is quite
good.”

“I am not hungry for food, Audryn.” He stopped me with a
hand on my arm.

Yes.
I drew an excited breath and he slid his hand up
my arm to my neck and into my hair, untying the ribbon that held it at my nape.
I swayed closer to him and he didn’t disappoint me. Dropping the stallion’s
reins, Kaldir thrust both hands into my hair, clasping my head, bringing me
closer. His full, soft lips brushed mine, sending need quivering through me. I
sipped his breaths through my half-open mouth and nibbled at his lips with
mine. He flicked my mouth with his tongue and I pressed against him, for I
wanted to feel all of him against all of me.

His body matched mine in height, but he was lean and hard
with muscle. He released my head to glide his fingertips down my back, and my
flesh quivered in response. He cupped my buttocks and pulled me snugly against
him. The thin robes he wore did not impede his erection. Its heat seemed to
burn through the fabric separating us right into my clit.

I wanted to tease him, tantalize him as much as he tempted
me. I nipped his lower lip and he groaned before opening my mouth with his. He
slowly took my mouth with his tongue, sliding it inside me slowly but
inexorably. One hand returned to caress my face, play with my hair while he
continued to fondle my bottom. I could feel his glorious hardness against my
mound.

He broke away from me, his breath ragged. “This inn—does it
have large, soft beds?”

“It does, but I know a better place… We need not wait.”

Taking his hand, I led him deeper into the wood, our
well-trained horses following. I made for a great tree in the heart of the
forest. Cloven by a lightning strike, it had a cleft in its trunk floored by
leaves and pine duff.

Kaldir’s grip drew my attention and I lifted his hand to
examine it. In contrast to the dark backs of his hands, his palms were pink and
laced with scars, some old, some new. I traced one with a fingertip, and he
said, “Chemical burns.”

“From what substances?”

“To be candid, I really cannot remember. There have been so
many.” His smile was tinged with apology.

“Didn’t the accidents hurt? Why wouldn’t you wear gloves?”

He shrugged. “Yes, the spills hurt a little, but gloves make
me clumsier. I ruined an experiment of several months’ duration the first time
I wore gloves.”

“What do you study?”

“The reproductive processes of, um…certain cells.”

“Cells. Has this line of inquiry direct application?”

“Mayhap, in the agricultural arena.” He sounded discomfited.

I raised my brows. “Agriculture in the desert?” What was
Kaldir hiding?

“Given enough water, yes. That is why the negotiations with
the Darksiders are so important.”

“Ah. If you can import enough ice from the Darkside
glaciers, you can develop hydroponics.”

We had reached the tree, and I leaned against it, smiling at
Kaldir. The horses wandered off, foraging.

He stroked wisps of my hair away from my face. “You’re a
continual surprise, Queen Audryn. So young but so knowledgeable.”

“I have to be.”

“I am sorry for your losses.”

“Thank you.” Despite myself, my voice shook.

“So young, so vulnerable.” He caressed my cheek and again
kissed me, his full lips like clouds, his tongue in my mouth, darting like
lightning. I curled my tongue around his and fisted the front of his robes,
dragging him into the woodsy cleft.

’Twas big enough for two, and I stuck my boot behind his,
tumbling him gently to the ground with a hand behind his head so he wouldn’t be
hurt. I landed atop him, straddling his hips. His hardness tucked neatly into
my notch and I wriggled, tucking his erection against the sweetest spot.