"Kerasea! What have you done?!" Grafi's voice echoed throughout the castle as he hunted down the Goddess.
"I helped out your story, did I not? Within an hour of sending your author to her world, the characters were given free will and your emperor and queen made out! I'd call that a huge win!"
"She thinks she is dreaming. While love blossoms, empresses plot, and lost princes plan to bring down the empire, my author is touring the damned castle that she created!"
"Perhaps you should educate her then?"
He crossed his arms as he stared at her. "How do you mean?"
"It's your project, you figure it out," she smirked before walking out of the room.
He rolled his eyes around in thought before snapping his fingers and leaving the room with a smile.
***
The emperor sat at his desk, staring off at nothing as he lost himself in his thoughts. There had been a shift in energy that both he and Catira felt, yet he couldn't explain how different he felt since. The freedom he felt was like nothing he quite remembered before. There was no longer a voice in his head, directing his thoughts and actions. It was as if he no longer struggled with a will that was not his own.
Then, he thought about the beautiful Queen Catira. He had hoped to receive some sort of sign when he kissed her, and in fact he did. His brain was now infatuated with her; from her pitch black hair and pale skin to her almond-shaped eyes that seemed to see right through him. He had hoped, for Soraya's sake, that his kiss would not spark some sort of flame inside him, yet that hope was in vain. He was now obsessed with her full, pink lips and the taste of her sweet mouth. How in the world was he supposed to proceed in order to fulfill the prophesy?
He did not wish to hurt his wife, but Catira was correct. Whether he married her or simply began an affair, they were going to deeply wound the pride of the empress. He also did not wish to push his first love away to focus on his new love. Was there a way to love two women without causing anyone's pain?
Shaking his head, he was brought back to the present. The empress had requested a visit to her chambers for the evening and he was more than willing to oblige. He wanted more than a mechanical night of potential reproduction with his wife. He wished to create a connection with her that was so much more than what they shared at that moment. He wanted an emotional bond with his amazingly beautiful wife.
He unbuttoned his uniform jacket and rose to his feet, walking to the mirror to look over his appearance. Dropping the jacket from his arms, he checked to make sure his hair was in place and realized that he looked tired from the long day. That was no way to approach the woman you were desperate to seduce, even if that woman was your wife.
He sighed as he walked into the washroom to splash some water on his face and groom his unruly black hair. He then unbuttoned his dress shirt's top two before letting go a smirk and nodding to himself. It was time to prove to his wife that he desired her as a woman far more than he had shown her before.
Soraya opened the door to her bedchamber and smiled as she stepped back to let in the emperor. He immediately stopped and leaned down to smell her hair, his hands instinctively wrapping around her waist.
"That's new," he murmured against her neck. "Very… earthy…"
"Cinnamon and vanilla… they're said to enhance one's… mood."
"That is definitely not a problem tonight," he growled before sucking her ear into his mouth.
"Aiden," she pulled away, her cheeks flushed as she stepped back. "What's gotten into you?"
"Is it a crime to want my wife?" he unbuttoned his shirt as he walked her back toward her bed.
"You just seem… aggressive."
"I prefer the word… passionate," he took her lips with his, possessing them much the same way he had with Catira's just hours before.
"Woah," she pushed her hands against his shoulders. "Let me breathe."
He raised his eyebrows and pulled away to look down into her deep topaz-colored eyes. "The last thing I wish to do is hurt you. You asked me to your bed, bathed and prepared yourself, and even used scents to increase my libido, yet you flinch when I touch you. What exactly are you asking of me, Soraya?"
"I'm sorry, you're just… coming on a bit strong tonight."
"I'm trying to love you without holding back. I want to give you everything I have for once. I'd like to show you how I feel about you."
"It's… too much. Can't we just… be gentle?"
His eyes darkened as he looked down at her lips and sighed. "Of course."
"Okay," she quickly kissed him before untying her robe and sliding into the bed.
He dropped his shirt on the floor and reached for his belt while walking to the far side of the bed.
"Can you get the lights please?"
"Yes," he blew out the candles before sliding into the bed and crawling over to her. He leaned in and took in a deep breath, allowing the scent to overwhelm him once more before gently kissing her.
"There's no need for all this kissing," she whispered. "You can just… get it over with."
"Can we try something different tonight?"
"Such as?"
"I don't care, just… different."
She watched him in the darkness before giving in. "Okay. I'll… get on top."
He was pleasantly surprised, but quickly rolled onto his back to wait for her. She awkwardly crawled to him and straddled his legs before pulling up her gown for access. He licked his lips as he gently slid his hands up her thighs to guide her hips toward him.
"Aiden," she whispered, placing her hand against his chest to keep her balance.
"This is just in the way," he complained as he pulled at her gown.
"Aiden, stop!" she yelled at him, freezing him completely as he stared up at her. She regretted it immediately when she felt a shift in his energy.
He quietly and very gently picked her up and moved her aside before climbing out of the bed.
"I'm sorry," she spoke gently as he pulled on his slacks and buttoned them. She watched as he slid his arms into his shirt and grabbed his shoes. "Please…"
He let out a sigh before walking up to the bed, leaning over to kiss her forehead. "Everything is fine," he whispered. "Goodnight, My Empress."
Tears filled her eyes as the door closed behind him. She knew she had just ruined her last chance to keep him from searching for a new wife. She knew… that she had just shoved him into Catira's arms.