Chapter 66: Disappointments

"Shit," Ryas' head laid across Yuliah's chest. He didn't want to remove himself from between her heavenly thighs.

"Do you know who that is?" She propped up on both elbows with his erection still hard inside. "This woman called your name." From the way, he responded, Ryas must know her. Yuliah squinted, curious who the woman could be?

The door shook again, when the woman pounded harder, "Ryas! I'm hurt."

Yuliah's head cocked towards Ryas, "I guess I'm not the only woman screaming your name tonight," She tried to scoot out from under him, but his weight bared down. He didn't want to answer, and that only made the situation more suspicious. She looked directly at him, waiting for his answer, but Ryas lifted himself, then slid off the bed and began to dress slowly. He didn't look concerned at all even though the woman pounded on their door with urgency. Instead, he had that same stoic expression he always wore. "Are you going to answer me?" Yuliah slipped under the blankets.

"Yes," Ryas turned around. "It's my informant."

"Your informant?" Yuliah's lips pursed. "Your informant even knows the room you're staying in? I thought informants only meet at specific times?"

"Iyna may have run into a complication," being fully dressed now Ryas made his way towards the door.

"You don't seem concerned?"

"I'm not," Ryas glanced back. "It's not what you think as soon as we're alone. We'll talk about it."

Her eyes rolled at him, "Yea, sure." It's strange this whole situation and then watched as he unlocked, pulled the handle, opening the door.

"Ryas!" The woman leaped through the door, throwing her arms around his neck. "Someone attacked me at the festival," and trembled inside his arms.

Yuliah jerked up in bed and stared at them wide-eyed. The woman from the other night! Except she wore, a blue dress ripped down to the chest area. Yuliah could make out the black undergarment she wore binding two large breasts - breasts that spilled out and pressed up against Ryas. Yuliah's brow lifted in annoyance.

The woman suddenly noticed Yuliah, "General. I didn't know you had company." She stepped away from Ryas and towards the bed, "You! You tried to kill me the other day!"

Yuliah glared back. "That's because of you..."

Ryas cut in, "Do you know who attacked you, Iyna?" He held Iyna out and examined her face.

"Ask your little human pet to leave," Iyna scowled. "It's related to what we talked about earlier..." She gave Yuliah another scowl. "There's no need for you any longer, now go!"

"I'm not his pet," Yuliah snarled back. She noticed Ryas didn't say a word but watched them. She thought he would at least defend his wife, but he just stood there as though he wanted her to leave too. Suddenly she felt like a cheap whore, easily dismissable. "Oh, I get it, you want me to go."

"Yuliah," she heard him say but cut him off. "I'm leaving!" Yuliah crawled out of bed furious at Ryas and began to dress. Not caring at all that Iyna stood there, Yuliah wanted that woman to see every inch of her amazing body.

"You're not leaving." Ryas walked over to help Yuliah get dress. He picked up the top that he tossed onto the floor earlier and pulled the low cut top over Yuliah's head. "You have no authority to dismiss my wife," he said to Iyna. "We can talk somewhere else," he pulled Yuliah's arms through the sleeves.

Furious at his affection towards Yuliah, Iyna's eyes were daggers ready to shoot across the room, "Fine. I'm across the hall from you. Let's talk there."

Yuliah shot an angry look at Ryas. That woman even has a room across from him. "Forget it! I'm leaving," she pushed him aside. She needed to go back and find Tane and Vera anyways. He clearly didn't want her to hear the conversation between that woman and him; that's why he didn't object to being left alone.

"Wait," Ryas held Yuliah's arm. "Iyna give us a moment."

Yuliah shrugged him off, "No. Do what you need to," and took heavy strides to the door but not before catching a glimpse of Iyna. The woman had bruises on her face, and Yuliah thought she saw a flickering smile, but it could be the lighting and left.

Once Yuliah left, Ryas turned his attention to Iyna. "What do you want?"

"Oh... This new pet of yours must mean a lot to you. You look ready to strike me over it," she teased.

"Didn't I warn you about insulting me already. Keep pushing it, and I will cut your fucken tongue out," he threatened.

"You must not have gotten a chance to finish," Iyna's eyes rolled down to the slight bulge between his legs. "It always takes you a while to calm down," and strolled over to the bed then sat down flashing him a seductive smile. "I could finish what she started."

"Is this why you interrupted me? You're jealous?" Ryas scuffled at her.

"Oh, Ryas. Don't flatter yourself. I've been over you years ago. I'm here because the Kreato Nomens ride for Murai as we speak. They picked up wind of The Mark being here. You better get these human pests ready. You and I both know the Kreato are aggressive as fuck, and they will kidnap and bred every female here. Including your little pet," and she strutted out.

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Yuliah made it back to the Solstice. Looking around, Tane or Vera must not back yet. Across the field, she could see only Zehan and one Captain at the table. Yuliah walked over and took a seat next to him.

Startled Zehan twisted around to find Yuliah. "Your talk didn't go well with the General?" he reached for a glass of wine.

Yuliah exhaled. "Iyna showed up, and I gave them time alone. Do you know who she is?" Yuliah asked.

"Iyna Ib is the General's childhood friend and sister in law. She married his older brother, who died. Iyna and Ryas are all that's left of the Royal Ib family," he said.

"That's their relationship and nothing more?" Yuliah questioned. What kind of sister in law sits on their brother in laws lap and even strokes his face? Yuliah found it hard to believe.

"I don't know what other past she has with the General, but Iyna's conduct towards him isn't what you'd typically see from your brother's wife." He saw the doubt in Yuliah's eyes. "You're worried for no reason. If The General wanted Iyna, it would have happened long ago."

"I didn't know he had a complicated past. It's worse than mine," Yuliah smiled at Zehan.

"Speaking of pasts, the General tells me you are the daughter of King Baasa and a Geneoshi Woman."

"I am." She could only remember her Mother's face growing up but nothing of King Baasa. It might be when she put on that ring. Did it have the power to wipe memories? Zehan's voice

"You know your Uncle is still alive. King Vedran. Have you thought about going home? I hear he loved your Father more than anyone and still looks for him to this day."

Yuliah stared blankly ahead. "My Father is dead. I'm his last known surviving heir, and he gave me The Mark. Would my Uncle welcome me home?" She doubted anyone would care genuinely. They would only seek to gain The Mark. Yuliah been too busy running around with no purpose, just angry at Ryas, and didn't even put any thought into what responsibilities she held.

"I've been thinking about the situation between the General and you. There could be some good that comes out of the Geneoshi King marrying the Nomen King's daughter. It might just bring peace to the races. With The Mark the Nomens would obey you," Zehan looked over curious to hear a response. "Do you agree?"

"I haven't given it much thought," she answered.

Zehan nodded with a look of disappointment on his face. "You're in love with my General. I will support your marriage, but there's a lot of responsibility that comes with being his wife. He is not just a General that serves me. He is a King, the last Geneoshi King. Did you know that?"

"Yes. I did," Yuliah's head turned down.

"Then you should know, that would make you a Queen. Do you know what role you hold as a Queen?"

"Not entirely," Yuliah couldn't look at Zehan.

"Lift your head and look at me," Zehan commanded. "What message will you send to the people if you cast your eyes to the ground?"

"That I lack confidence and they won't follow me."

"Right! A Queen should never cower with fear. You must always be confident - even if you're wrong or don't know." Zehan locked eyes with Yuliah. "Do you understand that?"

"Yes," Yuliah answered confidently this time.

"Your people the Geneoshi are either all dead or scattered throughout this world, hidden somewhere. Your husband fights to protect our realm, for his people, and from the evil inside the Ethereal Forest as a true King should. How will you protect the realm?" Zehan asked.

Yuliah could not answer because there had been no reason to give any thought to these things the King spoke of before. "I don't know," that's all she could say. The King's words rained down like truth on Yuliah. It invoked feelings of immaturity and stupidity inside her mind.

"You want the most powerful Man in our world, but will you be strong enough to stand beside him?" Zehan asked. "With power comes enemies. Enemies who will conspire to rip that power away from you at any chance they get. You must be as strong or even stronger than the General if you want to be his Queen." Zehan said. "Please don't misunderstand my words. I only want you to be prepared because when we get back to the Southern Kingdom and your marriage becomes official. The Generals enemies will become your enemies."

She didn't think about it thoroughly and just dove headfirst into love. Yuliah couldn't even control or harness the Ethereal Spirit and Mark properly. How would she protect Ryas or the Realm? Zehan's words were cautionary but a complete reality check, bruising her ego. She'd been so caught up with love and lost sight of her purpose. King Baasa would be disappointed if he saw what she did now. Yuliah's mouth opened ready to speak, but Lohan interrupted.

"Yuliah! What are you doing here? Where's the General?"

"We were discussing their marriage and just about to discuss her pregnancy," Zehan answered.

"My what?" Yuliah's face scrunched up. Did she hear him correctly? Feeling parched from having such a serious talk with King Zehan Yuliah picked up a glass of wine.

"Stop! You're pregnant!" Lohan snatched the glass away. "The General and you are crazy enough. Give the little one a fighting chance," he teased.

Yuliah laughed, "Who told you I'm pregnant?" Lohan must be joking, but he acted so seriously.

"The General told us," Zehan answered. "He confirmed it with a doctor when we came to Murai," With a puzzled gaze, "Did you two talk at all when you left?"

Yuliah gasped. That's why Ryas used the blood binding! It must be why he wanted to talk. She dropped her head into both hands and screamed. How could she be so stupid - running around putting their child's life in danger? Suddenly all the heartbreak and feelings she bottled up came bursting out. Tears began to slip from the corner of both eyes, "I'm sorry I need to go," Yuliah took off.

"Wait," Zehan called, but she ignored him. "I don't think she knew about the pregnancy."

"I don't think so either," Lohan watched Yuliah disappear into the crowd.

Ryas appeared from behind Zehan, "What happened?" He asked.

"I'm sorry, General. I thought you talked about the pregnancy already," Zehan pointed. "She headed in that direction."

"Not yet," Ryas answered in an annoyed tone and went after Yuliah.

Yuliah headed back towards the Inn to find Ryas. She wanted to ask him about the pregnancy, because lately, they had too many unresolved issues and misunderstandings, and Yuliah needed it cleared up tonight.

Loud music, along with people laughing and chatting, made it hard to hear anyone unless you were shouting. More people came out to celebrate the Solstice, and Yuliah pushed her way through the dense crowd.

Up ahead, a group of Men wearing all black stood in the street. She found it odd that they all dressed the same. Maybe it's for a performance later tonight. As Yuliah approached them, she could see one of the Men covering his face underneath a hat. She decided to go around them. The moment she passed the group of Men - two of the Men eyed her and spun around. Before she could run away, Yuliah lifted into the air when one of the Men grabbed her from behind covering her mouth, and another man held onto both her legs.

"I finally found you. You little bitch," the Man covering his face earlier removed his hat.

Yuliah screamed at the sight of Liang, but no one could hear her.