Into the Novel (4)

Catira ascended the entire tower until she reached her chambers. Her ladies were waiting as soon as she entered, leading her to the bath and pulling out her braids one by one until her silky black hair could be combed out. They then dried her off and placed a thick cotton nightdress over her head. They stoked the fire across from her bed and pulled down the blankets for her before she bid them goodnight.

She then reached for a thick woolen shawl and walked up the spiral iron staircase to the observatory. She lit a single candle in the center of the room and sat back on a comfortable leather sofa while looking up at the stars.

Meanwhile, Virgentarth made his way to the library in the Empress' Palace and closed the door behind him as the transmutation spell wore off completely. He quickly began to check his pockets until he found the packet he had received the mistletoe in, yet it was heavier than before. He opened it to see a pink stone with a note written inside the brown paper. "Shall we test you?" he burst into a bright grin as he read the regal handwriting. "This is a love stone. Place it in your dominant hand, close your eyes, and picture the person you love. When you see the empress, wish her a blessed night for me."

"She's so smart," he sighed before throwing back his head and closing his eyes. Love. Love was a strange word. He loved his wife; of course he did. He had known Soraya for most of his life. He enjoyed spending time with her. She was fun at times and her laugh made him feel as though he was lighter than air.

So what was this feeling burning in the middle of his chest when he thought of Catira? Was it lust? Was it something different? What is an attraction of a woman who was simply very different than his dear wife? Was it truly the pull of air and fire? Was this… love?

He wrapped the fingers of his left hand around the pink stone and took a deep breath. Closing his eyes, he focused on that word… love. He did love Soraya, deeply so, yet it was a set of gray eyes in his mind as he focused on his heartbeat. The more he thought of her, the harder his heart pounded against his chest as the air around him sparked like lightening. He suddenly felt cold and dark, opening his eyes in a strange room.

He looked up at the glass ceiling, the air leaving his chest when he realized where he was.

Catira rose from her seat, a look of complete surprise as she stared at him. "You did it," she whispered.

He looked down at the stone in his hand. "I… did."

"Aiden…" she whimpered, the feel of his arms wrapping around her, sending her body into a flurry of heat and electricity.

"Every day since I met you, you've taught me something that's made me a better man than the day before. I have simply been going through the motions, living each day as directed by my advisors. With you, I feel like I'm finally able to break free and live a life with meaning. I have a passion inside me I've never felt before, and I never want to let go. You've given me happiness I had no idea I was missing in my life."

"I was not expecting this," she looked away, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Marry me, Catira. Be my High Queen. I can't make you an empress, but I can make you my wife. Help this emperor be the man he was meant to be."

"I would like nothing more," she leaned against him, crushing her eyes shut before looking up at him. "I love you, so much I feel that my heart may explode any moment."

"No, you're not allowed to leave me," he kissed her. "That is a command," he kissed her again.

She grinned as she pressed her lips against his.

He ran his fingers through her hair before pulling back and staring into her eyes. "I want you… so badly. I can hardly control myself right now."

"And this is where you must be the emperor," she pressed her hands against his shoulders. "This cannot become an affair or a fling… your people… my people… everyone needs to see us do this properly. No scandals…"

"Yes, My Queen," he pulled a strand of her hair up to smell and closed his eyes. "I can say it over and over, though. I love you."

She giggled at him. "I love you."

"Dance with me tomorrow night."

"Of course… after you dance with the empress."

"You're so good at all this… protocol."

"Someone has to be, else you'll have Her Majesty declaring war on me."

"No. I'll protect you."

"It's cute that you think I need protection."

He smiled before sucking her bottom lip into his mouth.

They ended up sitting on the leather sofa together, wrapped around one another, holding hands from under her woolen throw, talking, laughing, and kissing until it was finally sunrise. Then, they stood together in a tight embrace, watching until the rays of the sun were blinding.

"Good morning," she spoke lowly before pressing her lips against his neck.

"Good morning," he held her tightly. "Thank you."

"For?" she looked up at him.

"For sharing this moment with me. I felt as though it's not only the rebirth of the sun, but my own. I feel as though… this is the first morning of the rest of my life."

She smiled softly before kissing him.