The Concubine (2 page)

***

“I wish that I could fly.” I say this to you as I lean further into your cradling arms, my naked back against your bare chest, your arms tighten around me and I smile. My eyes focused upon the shadowed horizon, patiently awaiting the break of dawn. This is lovely, this moment, being in your arms, enjoying the comfortably cool wind caressing our fevered flesh. We don’t do this often enough.
“Where would you go?” Your words a gentle whisper skims along my ear even as I feel your characteristic grin on my skin.
“Everywhere,” I whisper with fervor. I like it when we whisper. It makes everything seem wonderfully magical so cocooned in our own little world. Your chuckle reverberates within your chest and against my back.
“I want to go everywhere, taste everything,
see
everything,” my voice brims with enthusiasm.
“The world is a vast one.”
“Yes,” I nod against the crook of your neck. “But I wish to see it all,
be
part of it all.”
“Your every wish is my command, but this one, I will not grant.” Do I hear anger in your voice? What have I done?
“Are you angry with me?” my voice is small, almost hesitant to hear your answer. Silence greets me. I make to turn around, to see your face, but your hold is unrelenting.
“Yes,” your answer comes an eternity later, my heart quakes at your response. What have I said? 
“I will not allow you to ever leave my side, be it of your own freewill or the vindictive plots of my wife. You belong to me, Lealin. Master and slave, king and concubine.” Your whisper is harsh and incensed against my ear, your arms have become shackles of merciless flesh and I cannot help but inwardly wince. I turn my head and look at your face, your golden brow furrowed and menacing, your eyes, a hazy storm.

But I can see it. Through the anger I can clearly see that you do not mean to hurt me. Your words are fierce and cruel because you care. In your own spoilt little way you care for me. I incline my head and capture your lips with mine. I love you your possession of me. I delight in the sweet notion that you would miss me if I were ever gone. You will be nothing without me, just as I would be nothing without you. 
“For a king so wise you can be wonderfully foolish.” I whisper along your parted lips, you gaze upon me. Silver eyes hooded, glazed and wanting…you’re always wanting.
“You cannot leave—“
“I do not wish to leave you, King. My place is by your side, I am and will always be with you.” your grin is infectious and I beam along with you. 
The birth of a new sun is a glorious one. The colors are vivid and raw against the rapidly decreasing night, a burst of pink, violets and blues crawl above the horizon steadily performing a dance in welcome of a new day. Its breathtaking sight and I am thankful to be sharing it with you. Just as quickly as it began the colors fade away and soon the vast sky is painted a crystalline blue and the blazing sun reigns once more over the Norian Kingdom.
“Come bathe me.” You rise from our embrace upon the bed, and at once I feel chilled.

She is to arrive soon. It would not due for her to find you in bed with your concubine. A notion suddenly slithers through my thoughts, would she cry back home to her land if she finds us together? Maybe I should put my oral skills to good use and distract you.  But alas, you are so determined to greet her.
“Do not pout Lealin, I will send for you soon. Now come, I really must prepare and I wish for your help.”

Bathing with you is just as passionate as everything we do together. Beneath the rushing waterfall I moan your name as you slowly love me. I bathe you, and you bathe me, your scent clings to my flesh and my dark locks. I love our bathing time. 
Later, you are once again in your viridian green and white kingly robes, an aureate crown set just right upon your golden head. I am at my silk pillows, my legs tucked beneath my buttocks, looking up at you as you prepare to leave. In a few short strides you are before me, I tilt my head up, needing to look upon your face, needing to see your alluring eyes. Will she fall in love with those eyes as I have? 
“Lealin,” you touch my cheek, the caress achingly tender. “I shall send for you.” The conviction in your voice puts a smile on my face.
“And I shall wait.” You gift me with a kiss that robs me of my senses and your exit leaves me bereft, with nothing but the memories of the previous evening to keep for company.
And still I wait. The sun has died once more beneath the horizon. I broke my fast an hour after you left with hope burning in my chest, waiting for you. I have traipsed the royal gardens, just below the harem balcony, with your royal advisor Kivar Truden at my trail, Salyn, not far behind.

Kivar seemed rather put upon that you would have him watch over a simple palace whore, whom you have taken a fancy to. He rarely ever keeps his tongue, I have learned, but rather lets me know of his disapproval. And still I waited, conversing with Kivar to keep my mind off of you… and her. 
I asked him, Kivar that is, I asked him to join me for a lunch in the gardens, of sweetmeats, cheese and bread. As prickly as he was, I rather enjoyed his company. But then again I have always enjoyed his morose company. In him I have found a distraction to keep me from thinking of you. He made me laugh as he pointed out the pompous from the unworldly in your royal court. Still, I waited for you. 
Now I sit here in the wake of twilight, the palace hums with curiosity, the court ever so eager. The need to see your new queen has them burning. I too am burning, but not from curiosity. My heart is burning, my eyelids are burning, my skin is burning all for you Marik…
because
of you. This is the longest I have been away from you in all the years I’ve known you. You have always made sure that I was by your side, even when protocol frowned upon it. I was always there, so why not today? Have you forgotten me already, king? 

“Tears do not favor a face as lovely as yours.” with practice ease my hand quickly wipes the tears from my cheeks. I turn from my position on the white bench in the gazebo to acknowledge the stranger. He is tall, wiry. Hair like ebony captures what little light shines from the candelabras and falls to his shoulders in dark waves. He has an acute gaze, the depths of which send a fission of fear down the arch of my spine. His icy blue stare remains on my person, silently assessing from a distance.

The red and black garbs denote him as royalty or a dignitary here in celebration of your nuptials. From Hidara I would assume, Noria’s sister kingdom. He is not handsome in the conventional sense, but the sharp cut of cheekbones, milk white skin and arresting ice blue gaze makes him rather striking. His thin lips upturn slightly in semblance of a smile as he approaches.

“I apologize. I did not know there was anyone else with me.” I say quickly, straightening my stance and warily returning his smile.
“Please,” he holds out a hand as though to stop me from saying anymore, “it is I who must apologize. I did not mean to intrude. If you wish me to leave…“
“No…No. There’s no need. I am in need of the company, please join me.” Whoever he was, royal or otherwise he still holds a higher position then I. shunning him I believe would not please you much, especially in these trying times when the treaties between Hidara and Noria are so tenuous.

It’s only seconds before he joins me on the bench. “I am Lord Lucian Valancette of Hidara and Loyal servant to our young sovereign. Please to meet you----”
“Lealin.” My hand within his grasp is quiet unnerving, every minute spent in his presence seems to drain something of importance from me, and I do not know why. I wish you were here with me, I feel as though I need your protection. I have not seen you, touched you, breathe your very essence for two weeks now! An entire two weeks and you have not come to me, not even to whisper a sweet hello, not even to take release from my body.

I begin to wonder as the days fleetingly pass, and the nights agonizingly sift through, whether I am so easily forgotten. I’ve cried, oh how I’ve cried.  Even now the tears are threatening to brim. I truly die a little as the days pass every second spent away from you weakens me to a point of sickness. 
“Can I be so bold as to ask why you look as though something very precious has been taken away from you?” 
“My Lord—“
“Lucian, please.”
“Lucian, I apologize. It seems I am not fit for company.”
“Then we shall sit in silence.”

The silence that ensues is ripe with unease, unable to withstand I hesitantly peer at the dignitary of Hidara.“Why are you not inside enjoying the festivities with the rest of the court?”
He shrugs. “It’s a beautiful night, perfect for a stroll through the famed gardens of Noria. And besides I grew quiet restless with the inane chatter.”
“Ah,” I respond. The night is quiet beautiful, my need to be outside among something aside from envious, conniving concubines the reason for this outing. The aimless walk finally brought me to this very gazebo inside the gardens, all the while thoughts of you echoed in my mind.
“You’re a concubine?” I turn my head and gasp at the unexpected touch of cool fingers along my skin, descending ever slightly to trace the collar around my neck, a move so practiced by you that I am startled and angry to have someone else sully it.
“Yes.” I pull away from the intrusive fingers. Fingers that were not yours.

“You’re
his
concubine.”
“His favorite.” I say it with pride. Watery blue eyes silently assess me again and something akin to hatred fleets across the blue depths but too soon disappear and I am left to wonder whether it was truly there to begin with.
“I had though so, the King would settle for not else but true beauty in his favorites.”

Favorites? As in more than one? More than me? That’s impossible! I am the only one! For five years I have been his only favorite.
”Do not lie! I am the only one!” I stand from my seat, my heart racing. It can’t be! It’s just a lie! I know where I stand in your heart and I will not be so naïve to believe only I share your bed, but I refuse to believe that I mean nothing more than those avaricious and power hungry whores! Heavens!

Marik! My sanity is slipping.
He stands behind me before I am aware, his hand settles on my shoulder. 
“I did not mean to upset you. But our King is a man with a healthy appetite. It was only last evening that I saw him with a lovely blond…“
I whirl around, my eyes angry, ready to strike.
“Stop it!” 
“Lealin…”
“No! Just stop, just go!” I cannot believe in his lies, for the sake of my sanity, my heart, I cannot believe them. He did not heed my wish, but he did move closer and before I could protest, his arms where around me, strong and masculine, cradling my head to a chest so unlike your own. I’ve missed this, being cared for, being encircled in a caring embrace. I miss you…do you miss me?
“I did not mean to upset you.” his hand at the nape of my neck gently eases the tautness there, while the arm at my waist draws me closer.
“What is the meaning of this?” I jump away from him instantly, my eyes traveling to Salyn’s angry visage.
“Salyn, it is not what it looks like.” I take a further step away from Lucian, my heart aching betrayal, my mind erratic and accusing. I feel as though I have betrayed you, the stench of it clogs my pores. 
“Touching the King’s favorite is a crime punishable by Death.” Salyn walks up the steps of the gazebo, his face flaming red as his hair.
“It was a just a hug, Salyn! I was upset and Lord Valancette was kind enough to provide comfort. It was nothing. Please let us return to the palace.” I will not have the blood of this man covering my hands. I hastened to Salyn’s side and took hold of his arm redirecting him towards the palace. 

***
 

“What you have done was utterly foolish and irresponsible and with
him
of all people.” He anxiously paced, his glare prompting me to sit up straighter and acknowledge his lecture.
“I did nothing wrong, Salyn. And besides, Lord Valancette…”
“Lord Valancette is a treacherous snake who wishes to usurp our sovereign and reign over Noria. He is the reason for the rebellions in the South and now the Northern part of Noria. And if he succeeds he will make Olin’s reign seem like a bloody walk in the park! And this is the man you allowed to comfort you all because you were
upset
.”

I did not know what to say. What was I to say? My betrayal seemed all the more clear now, but I didn’t know…I didn’t know!
“I didn’t know,” I whisper feebly. 
“Well, now you know.” He sighs and rakes a hand through short scarlet hair. “Just..just stay away from him, Lea. For all our sakes.”

I can only nod.
“I will keep this between us, the king need not know. I will return, I must report in.”

Will you ever forgive my foolishness? This thought drifts through my mind over and over again as I fall into sleep that is plagued with your cold, unforgiving pewter gaze.
 

***
 

You’ve summoned me to your side tonight. I have been bathed, shaved and scented with eucalyptus and mint. The robes I don are sheer gold and red, wrapped around body in order for me to walk with ease. My cheeks have been pinched to add color, my lips, painted a deep red. The chains attached to my collar clink as Salyn settles them far away from my pillows.

I quietly take my seat on the pillows by your side. You do not acknowledge me, your attention directed at the beautiful auburn haired woman by your side, who I presume to be your second wife. Food is brought to me. My appetite, along with so many other things has abandoned me as of late. But I manage to swallow it down and drown in cups of sweet wine. 
“My Lords and Ladies,” you rise from your throne, the smile on your lips does nothing to add warmth to my chilled bones. “I am sure you are well aware of the three simple rules all must abide while within my palace.”
Never steal.
Never lie.
Never encroach upon his property.

The throne room erupted in murmurs of ‘yeses’.
“Yet it seems someone has been foolish enough to break one of those rules. The most important one I might add. Lord Valancette, if you please.” My gaze quickly finds Salyn’s, hoping that he hadn’t betrayed my confidence. He shook his head slightly and I sighed with ease. You couldn’t know. And yet seconds after Lucian makes his way to the Dias, falling to his knee as sign of respect, your eyes pierce through me and I know in that moment, that you have full knowledge of my indiscretion. You know everything and your anger is scalding. Your chilling smile induces in me the need to retch. The eyes everyone is upon me, upon you, as you draw me to my feet.