Chapter 29- Love & Revenge

Listening to my fathers' advice gave me many ideas for what I would do next. After hearing him out I took my leave to better focus in my office. I sent Fraren outside to have a moment to myself. I needed silence to better sort through the jumble of thoughts that I was experiencing at the moment. Going from the joys of getting married to the extreme sense of loss and betrayal. There was so much I needed to do now. Funeral preparations for the fallen soldiers both from Lossariel's and Gwariel's posts, still had to be made. My plan for revenge had to be formulated. Then...there was another matter that still needed to be addressed. The matter of my unfinished wedding nights with my three other husbands. I had at least gone to see Asterion and Sabasmus for a night even though it was innocent. But Asmodeus had yet to have any time or affection from me since the day I had placed the ring on his finger.

I can remember the look of love he shared with me that day...I actually missed his mysterious self-sneaking into my bedroom. I remember he promised me that I would get to know all there was to know about him in time. Although, no matter how much time goes by if I don't give him opportunities, I will never learn anything new. I had made up my mind, after I get a full day of work in today, I will go to see Asmodeus tonight. I hope Fraren will understand and not be hurt by my choice. As much as I want to go to bed with him every night, I have to be fair to the others. They have earned the opportunity to get to know me and I them. I know with time I will grow to be as comfortable with each of them as I am with Fraren.

Back to business though. Once we locate Jaio-long I will implicate my one request to my father before I got married. That traitor will wish he never met me after I am done with him. I will properly annul my marriage to him and then I will send him to be executed for treason by the most painful method imaginable. If any one of them betrayed my trust by wanting to leave or harm me, they would suffer the consequences. I don't share what's mine and I don't let others dictate my life.

I spent the next several hours signing documents to allow the funding for each family of those who had fallen to hold their own ceremony. I wrote personal letters thanking them for their contributions to our Empire and applauding the achievements of each one of the soldiers. Their bravery was unparalleled, their loyalty as thick as their blood that was spilled defending their homeland. I wanted them to be remembered for their sacrifice.

Next, I made sure all of our borders were well manned. I doubled and tripled troops where needed. I had a portrait made of Jaio-long and sent it out with my messengers. The entire empire was searching for him, he was currently the most wanted man in all of the Morcrist Empire. I added a special reward for whoever could get information leading to his arrest. This brought a little peace to my mind knowing that he would have to sleep with one eye open now.

Speaking of sleep, it was almost time for me to do so. I got up to go grab a quick bite to eat before searching for Asmodeus. Waiting outside my office door was Fraren. He hadn't moved an inch since the time I ordered him to let me be alone for a while.

"Fraren, what are you doing? Have you stood here this whole time? You need to rest and eat too." I said with concern.

"I will rest and eat when you do Fanariel. Don't worry about me, before we were married remember that I was your personal guard. Your father assigned me to look after you day and night. The only difference now is that I don't hide in the shadows when I do so. I am able to make myself visible to you now." he said with a slight smile.

"You really use to watch me all the time?" I asked curiously.

"When I couldn't I made sure my most trusted men did." he said following me as I led the way to the kitchen.

"Well let's go get a bite to eat, I am hungry as I am sure you are too." I said poking him. Fraren was stubborn but in a way that was admirable.

We made our way to the kitchen and scrounged together some quick items to eat. Some fruit and cheeses. A loaf of bread that we split between the two of us. We wolfed them up drinking some water to wash it down. Once our stomachs were full, I had to get to the point with Fraren. It wasn't easy but had to be done quickly,

"Fraren," I said, "I have to spend the night with Asmodeus tonight."

"I understand," he said with no hesitation. He allowed a coldness to wash over him which made me feel even worse. I know that it is probably the hardest on Fraren since he has known me the longest. But unfortunately, it was too late to change anything without suffering great consequences. This was the lifestyle we had to endure now.

Silence went on between us for a moment before Fraren spoke up saying, "this way, I will escort you safely to his chambers."

Before I could say another word, he took off. I followed silently behind him looking downwards. I hope that the day where this gloominess no longer exists comes sooner than later.

We arrived outside Asmodeus's door, Fraren knocked twice before disappearing down the hall. Before I could turn to follow him, I heard the door open in front of me. Asmodeus appeared before me dressed in his black silk night robe.

"Fanariel," he said breathlessly, "you've come." he finished.

"Uh yes," I said pulling my thoughts together, "I'm, I'm sorry I will be back." I finished turning to walk away.

I walked quickly to my own bed chamber and shut the door behind me. I sank to the floor with my back still pressed against the door. I needed to pull myself together, what must he be thinking after I just left like that? Ahhhh! so frustrating... but I couldn't let our first night together be with me coming straight from spending the day locked in my office. First thing was first, "Sylvia!" I called out.

Sylvia made a warm bath for me to soak in while thinking it all over. With Asmodeus one needed a plan of action. After thinking one through I then stood to put my silk robe on. Sylvia had unbraided all my hair leaving it in light curls to fall gently past my waist again like a waterfall. I then took a hidden passage from my room to Asmodeus's to spend my first night as husband and wife with him. Although it felt wrong to me, I had to keep reminding myself that he too was one of my husbands. Apparently, I was even his "Soul mate" according to his own kind.

I quietly opened the door that led to his chambers and slid in shutting it behind me. I saw him pacing back and forth running his hands through his thick black hair repeatedly. He looked like he was on the verge of going half mad.

I took another step forward into the moons light shining through the widow. This movement caught his eye halting him in his tracks. With his eyes on me I decided to be bold. I slipped my hand between the knot holding my robe together releasing it. My robe fell to the floor in a pool at my feet. I stepped over the fallen garment and walked closer to approach him. His eyes drank me in as I came closer.

"Asmodeus," I said as I reached him. I went to untie his robe as he stood still in shock at my appearance. I smiled sneakily, excited that I had surprised the very man that so many times snuck up on me. As I opened his robe, he began to regain his senses as I slid my fingers down his chest. I let myself feel his sculpted abs greedily.

"You came back." He got out, his voice full of a mixture of shock, happiness, and desire.

"Of course I did, we are soulmates after all." I said happily as I stroked his chest with my palms more calmly now. His skin felt cool and hot at the same time. His temperature fluctuating under every touch. He closed his eyes briefly until my hand slipped down further to touch something else. His eyes caught flame as he said, "my little queen is like a sly fox." he nearly growled. I bit my lip nervously not sure if I was doing things right. I thought surely by now he would be kissing me or something. He wasn't normally so... controlled.

I looked down to the floor as I removed my hands from him. "I'm sorry," I said unsure of my actions. How was one supposed to go about a wedding night?!? All my expectations had gone out the window. With Fraren everything felt so natural between us. He knew what to do and I trusted his guidance.

"What are you sorry for, my little treasure?"

"I thought you would... I don't know..." I trailed off.

"Thought I would ravish you after seeing you like this?" He questioned grabbing my chin to look up at him. "I assure you Fanariel, it is taking every last ounce of self-control I have not to pounce on you and devour you." He said with a strained voice. "But you chose me to spend this night with, and we have the rest of our lives together for all that ravishing your minds been thinking of." He said with his trademark grin.

With that he placed his lips on mine more tenderly than I could imagine from Asmodeus the hot-blooded prince. His flames of passion could still be felt through his gentleness. He guided me through our kiss to lay upon his bed. The cool sheets touched my bare skin sending shivers as he traced the sides of my body with his hot fingertips. He pulled back slightly from the kiss staring at me.

"Your beauty is radiant Fanariel, incomparable." He said as he stroked my cheek. He kissed me for several minutes stroking every inch of my body. I too felt as if I was on fire like he so often appeared to be. His touches remained soft and light, only making my body crave him more. My breathing hardened and heartbeat quickened bringing me to the edge.

"Asmodeus," I got out, "I want you," I said. My words taking us both by surprise.