Jessica had been staring at her screen for an hour or so, deciding how to proceed. Sex scenes were her least favorite kinds to write, and she felt as though she were fairly bad at it. It did help that the two characters participating were awkward and cold in bed. She had to get into the mindset of the two before proceeding.
Soraya grew up knowing nothing but service to the empire, her marriage decided before she could even walk or speak. She and Virgentarth were friends, and they did have a true marriage. It was her duty, after all, to provide an heir for the emperor and carry on the line. Still, he was the only man she had ever been with and would remain so for the rest of her life.
Virgentarth admired Soraya's commitment to their marriage and harbored feelings for her, even knowing that she merely saw their relationship as her duty as the empress. Their relationship was one of contentment, yet nothing more. He dreamt of the day when a spark finally flickered between them, passion consuming them, and secretly hoped that perhaps the arrival of the queen would ignite some type of jealousy that would lead his wife to his bed more.
Was their such a thing as unrequited love between a married couple?
She pushed away from her desk and opened a drawer, retrieving a notebook and her favorite pen before shuffling off to plop down onto the sofa. She was going to have to make notes before writing the entire scene.
"Okay, so… baths. He just returned from a trip and is probably stinky, so bath… and she'd definitely bathe… He'd dress in only a silk robe but she would probably be in full pajamas, layered up like a gift. Okay…" she scribbled a few words. "They would sit on the bed and stare at one another before he kisses her. They've been married for five years, but still seem unexperienced at love making. She's not a big mover or a moaner, she just… lays there," she nodded as she continued to write. "Afterward, she waits until he's asleep and sneaks back to her chambers. How… boring…"
She sighed and ran her fingers though her hair before returning to her computer to put the scene together.
***
Virgentarth opened his eyes to find that he was once again alone, the spot his empress occupied when he fell asleep was cold and empty. He slid his arm behind his head and let out a frustrated sigh, staring up into the canopy of his bed as he reflected on the information he gathered during his trip.
He raised his free hand over his head and stared into his palm, contemplating the magical ability he hadn't realized he possessed before pulling his fingers into a fist and letting it drop onto the bed beside him. He was grateful for Queen Catira's assistance in the investigations and that she was moving to the palace, but he suddenly wanted more. He wanted her to teach him about the dormant abilities he only just learned about, and he wanted to learn more about the world of the Magi.
Most importantly, he wanted to learn why, after bedding his wife the previous night, he dreamt only of the beautiful queen and her deep, gray eyes.
He sat up on the side of his bed and rubbed his face before calling out for his valet. "Gannet!"
His door quickly opened as the young man rushed in to open drapes and aid in the beginning of his day. "Yes, Your Imperial Majesty?"
"Call for Duke Fallon, I'd like to see my schedule for today."
"He dropped it off already, Majesty. You have a meeting with your advisors and senators after breakfast, an audience with the governor of Deandra, and then Lord Nolan of the Magi will arrive to meet with the empress and Academy of Magic in the afternoon."
"That was quick," he quipped.
His happy, yet pensive mood continued as he walked into the council room and took a seat at the head of the table. He received some papers from Duke Argyll and read over them before glancing around the table to make sure everyone was present.
Grafi, unseen by anyone in the room, stood behind the emperor with his arms crossed, observing from this side of his author's story.
"We've been informed that Lord Nolan will arrive to speak to the empress today," Lady Gowan, a Senator from Midir spoke up.
"I've been informed that they will finalize plans for the tower construction and a ritual space and agree to staffing needs," Virgentarth informed everyone.
"Shall we establish a position to represent the queen in court?" Duke Kramer asked as an advisor.
"Queen Catira will represent herself as my new advisor on all things pertaining to the Magi."
"I highly advise a visit with the Imperial Astrologist before implementing this extreme change, Your Majesty," Lord Gunn, the Senator from Kalan suggested.
"That is a great idea. Please retrieve him at his earliest convenience."
"Speaking of looking into the future…" Duke William spoke cautiously before looking around the table. "The fifth anniversary of your marriage to Her Imperial Majesty has come and gone, and you've yet to sire an heir."
"I am aware," he growled, his eyes meeting his cautiously.
"Majesty… it is rare for an emperor to marry only one woman…"
"My father married only one woman," he spouted back at him.
"Yes, but he did retain concubines."
"Ah… such as the one who tried to assassinate me as an infant?" he decided to test Queen Catira's information against his advisors.
"How… I was under the impression that you were unaware of that dark time for the empire, Majesty," Duke Kramer seemed flustered.
"And where is my half-brother now?" he asked as he looked around the table.
They were quiet as they all slowly looked toward General Adair.
"General?" the emperor waited for an answer.
"He was exiled to Dasos where he has remained for the past twenty-nine years."
"Is Queen Adelia aware of this?"
"I believe she was told by her predecessors that he was a prisoner of war."
He rubbed his chin in thought before nodding his head. Flashes of the vision he received of Queen Catira giving birth entered his mind as he sat up and glanced around the table. "If and when I decide to take a new wife or lover, I will do so properly and lawfully for the good of the Navan Empire. I'll hear no more of it."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the entire table responded.
"Why is this moving so slowly?" Lyris' whispered sigh spoke to Grafi's left ear.
"It is called a slow burn… she's slowly leading to the meat of the storyline," he answered.
"She's four chapters in with no decent love scene," Demetra, Goddess of Love hissed lowly.
"I really like Queen Catira's character," Kerasea stared at the screen of the computer, over Jessica's shoulder. "She needs to step it up and go after the emperor."
"He's a bit uptight for an emperor," Demetra offered. "They will lie with anything that moves."
Grafi pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Beautiful Goddesses, please allow me to work with my author.
"You have three days," Kerasea nodded toward him.
"And what then?" he cocked his eyebrow.
"Then we will make this… interesting," Demetra's laughter filled the room as the Goddesses disappeared.