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Post by Elysia Titaia-Delgado on Sept 29, 2017 21:14:19 GMT
She had been home for three days. Three days she had held herself together, wielded the whip of royalty to keep the outrage of her nobility in check. Her assurances that there would be a price to pay didn't sit well with them when they didn't even have a full story about what had happened. She wasn't the only one who had been at the ball and many of them were angry. Some of them hadn't made it back at all. She had only just had an overly long audience with a woman who had been widowed at the ball. There had been a lot of screaming. And weeping. And it had taken everything in her to sit still as stone, to offer comfort. Eventually the woman had calmed and she'd been able to send her away and finally. Finally, she was done.
She had gone back to her room and thrown her crown on the bed, staring at the neatly made cover while her hands clenched into fists and her throat twisted tightly closed. The pale ivory veil that had been pinned beneath the metal crown drifted down around her, pooling on the floor. Then the velvet embroidered over gown followed it. She had specifically avoided wearing black, choosing the brilliant scarlets, golds, and ivories that she tended to favor. Today it was emerald green spotted with rubies and embroidered in gold, bringing to mind spring and renewal. Driving their minds away from the death and decay of autumn that was slowly encroaching.
Elysia couldn't stand it. Her fingers ripped at the lacings of her corset until it was loose enough to undo the busk, throwing it across the room. She stripped the rest of the way out of her clothing and threw open her wardrobe. Her fingers found slip tucked in the back, white silk that had gone ivory with age and trimmed with thick, rich lace. She slipped it over her head, and then drew a quilted blue velvet dressing gown over her shoulders as well. Normally she'd have never left the room dressed so, with her hair falling in a slick straight sheet down her back over the wolf fur collar. The Titaia crest was worked in gold embroidery along the edge and she hadn't worn it in ages.
Barefoot, she passed the guards at her door and moved down the corridor like a ghost. The guards followed her at a respectful distance and she took no more notice of them than she did of mice. A short time late, she passed the guards who stood in front of the king's empty chambers, a formality more than anything else. Chambers she had been in countless times. A fire warmed the room and it was fresh and aired out, kept in prime condition for when he returned. She sent the guards out and as the door closed she stood in the center of the room and... felt empty.
It was as though she had not energy left to feel. Her shoulders sagged, dropping from their proud stance and her head bowed. Eyes closed, she laced her fingers together and prayed.
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Immortal King's Mistress
Hetero.
Taken .
Human
Authored by Rook.
Offline.
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Post by Kamaria Sinara on Sept 29, 2017 22:04:20 GMT
Kamaria hadn't been there to bear witness to the events of the ball at Emberi. But she had heard the stories. The rumors of how weres had lost their minds. How the human king had caused it all. How mages had cast some fantastical spell. She had noted the change in how others treated her, even the servants watched her with a suspicious eye. As if some little human like herself could help what her brethren might have done. But as it was everyone was confused and wary. Suspicious of other races as they watched for signs of guilt.
It was with soft steps that the human moved through a land of immortals. The news of her pregnancy would have begun to spread, if slowly. A meeting with a healer had verified the second life growing within her belly. Thankfully they couldn't see the unease in her mind. The fear. A few nights before she had been forced to hide the necklace Ezra had given her after a liaison with the king. Now she was looking to retrieve it before a servant stumbled upon it while cleaning, or even the king himself. Although he certainly had bigger concerns right now she didn't imagine her betrayal would be welcome.
She was emerging from the rear part of his quarters with the necklace curled safely in her hand when she looked up to see the queen standing there, somber and silent. Kamaria didn't speak with the queen, she was fearful of the woman and the possible wrath she could bring down on her. She didn't imagine that she would have a soft place in the beautiful immortal's heart. She was the kings queen, Kai was just a plaything that was brought out from time to time.
Unfortunately, she had gotten pregnant.
"My Queen." Kai spoke softly and dipped her head and shoulders in respect. She had been in Emberi when the horrors had unfolded and it was the only 'safe' topic Kai could quickly think of. "I am glad you are safe my queen. I've heard stories of Emberi...." Yes, a safe topic. Not the child in her belly that might be from her husband or her son. Not the locked she clutched tightly that bore not only her initials but Ezra's. Hopefully, she would be excused quickly and could escape down the hall.
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Post by Elysia Titaia-Delgado on Oct 2, 2017 17:32:37 GMT
She didn't notice the human girl until she spoke, and yet Elysia maintained her poise. Her eyes flicked open, locking on to the young woman like the gaze of a viper on a rabbit. Slowly she straightened, a slight smile curling her lips. It was polite, cold and devoid of any true pleasure.
"Everyone has heard stories of Emberi at this point." She spoke sharply, perhaps more than she initially intended. Though there were incredible political ramifications to be dealt with, in the forefront of the woman's mind was her missing husband. She knew he had most likely just been delayed either by dealing with the fall out in Emberi or by obstacles on the road. She would not assume else, not when the commander of their army and his second in command had both been there to defend their king. She and a single guard could move far more swiftly than her husband travelling with the rest of their guard, especially if they brought with them wounded who they did not trust in the hands of human healers.
"Sit." It was a command, emphasized as the queen gestured to the chairs before the fire. She rang a servant for tea, then settled into one of the chairs herself, clearly expecting her order to be followed. She spent a moment adjusting the fall of the robe around her, her feet primly tucked back so the silk edge of the slip mostly hid them from view. The posture looked natural to her, regal. Decades, nay centuries of training had assured it would. "I think it is about time you and I talk, woman to woman."
She did not pretend to think the mistress was interested in such a talk, but it didn't matter what Kamaria wanted. She could not avoid this issue, especially not when the healer's report had been waiting for her arrival home. She made a point to keep tabs on these kinds of things. Though she had largely left the woman alone- she was Justus's problem after all- this made things more... complicated.
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Immortal King's Mistress
Hetero.
Taken .
Human
Authored by Rook.
Offline.
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Post by Kamaria Sinara on Oct 4, 2017 6:36:07 GMT
The cold words made Kamaria's heart skip a beat. She didn't want to face the queen's wrath. Especially not today. But here she was in the situation to face it regardless. At the queen's command to take one of the seats she obeyed, trying to act all the while as if she weren't shaking like a leaf. She folded her hands in her lap then with the necklace enclosed in her neatly folded hands. She listened in silence as the queen demanded tea be brought to them.
"As you wish my Queen." Kai said softly. She had little doubt as to what the queen wished to talk about. She tucked a stray curl behind her ear and looked nervously toward the fire when she spoke. "I assume this is about the babe." She said softly. Swallowing hard to try to keep the poised look on her face. The calm that she was working so hard to portray even when she was a bundle of nerves inside. Her stomach was twisting accordingly as well and making her feel a little sick. Not something she wanted when she was trying to appear somewhat in control around the queen.
"I meant no disrespect to you my Queen. This was not something I had wished to happen." The king's mistress was a wanted position for many. To be cared for, live lavishly, have the affections of a king. But for Kai it was a means to an end. And that end was Ezra.
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Post by Elysia Titaia-Delgado on Oct 4, 2017 22:12:55 GMT
That she didn't try to play dumb was a point in Kamaria's favor, if a small one. And Elysia felt no real hostility towards her- she wasn't emotionally invested in the woman one way or another. This was simply a problem that had to be sorted. Still, she could feel some empathy. The girl was just that- a girl. Under the sway of a powerful man in a place she didn't belong. Friendless now more than ever though Elysia had heard some suggestion from her sources in the castle that her son spent some time playing comfort and companion to the young mistress. If he did more than that with her- well, Elysia didn't really care if her husband and son were sharing a mistress. The more important part was what they were going to do with the child.
Soon enough tea appeared, was poured, and the servant dismissed. Elysia picked up one of the delicate china cups, taking a small sip before she spoke. "Your wishes don't really matter here, do they?" It was a calm, quiet question as the queen stared into the fireplace. There was another long beat of silence as her gaze flitted from the fireplace to the door, as though expecting Justus to come through it. When he did not, she returned her attention to the girl.
"There isn't room in my court for bastards, Kamaria. It is fortunate for you that you still have the king's eye. If he'd moved on this would not be as complicated as it is. My son will have no rival for kingship if something should happen to Justus, especially not a half-human bastard. Still, we do have a few options." She ran the tip of one finger around the rim of her cup in a slow, thoughtful movement.
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Immortal King's Mistress
Hetero.
Taken .
Human
Authored by Rook.
Offline.
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Post by Kamaria Sinara on Oct 4, 2017 23:12:32 GMT
The tea was brought but Kai didn't drink. If she had she would have likely been sick and she didn't imagine the queen would be as understanding as the king if she soiled her clothing. Nor did she answer the question that was asked of her. It was rhetorical really, the queen already knew the answer to it. In Kai's mind it was just a play to make her feel smaller. To make her state out loud that she had no options, choices.
When the queen began to speak again Kamaria watched her, dark umber eyes flickering with something unsaid when the queen said there was no room for a bastard here. Kamaria didn't want to raise a child here. Always labeled the kings bastard and not what he truly could be. And that wasn't a king, such a power hungry thought hadn't crossed her mind. Kamaria had no intention of upsetting the line of lineage for the crown. She would never hurt Ezra in such a way. She just wanted to raise her child away from court and prying eyes, the only problem was that she wanted to be with Ezra as well.
"...and what are those, my queen?" She ask softly, her dark eyes turning to the flickering flames that ate eagerly at the small pieces of wood.
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Post by Elysia Titaia-Delgado on Oct 5, 2017 15:26:47 GMT
Elysia eyes the young woman, trying to decipher her soft words. She almost wished that there had been more pushback, a little back bone. If she didn't grow one, she would be crushed quickly under the weight of politics. And for the time being, Justus desired her. That made her valuable and it meant that Elysia had to care- at least a little.
"You can miscarry." Her voice is casual, as though they are speaking about the whether. "It is likely the easiest way, and the recovery is relatively swift." She sips her tea, her eyes fixed on Kamaria. She seeks to meet her gaze, to ensure that the implications of her words are completely understood. "No one need know besides you and I. You will maintain your position as the king's mistress and we will begin to have tea together every morning- and this will not happen again. If I had thought of it sooner we could have taken steps to prevent this whole mess."
One hand carefully tucks a few strands of hair back. "That would be my choice. But I am a mother." Now she does look away from Kamaria, face still unreadable as stone. "And so I will offer you this though it is more dangerous to us both. You fell in love with another man, a servant perhaps. There is money enough to provide for a willing suitor. You will go to Justus while I am present and plead your case with this man and I will help sway Justus to mercy. You will undoubtedly be exiled from court but you will be provided for well enough. You will never breathe a word of the child's true parentage."
She didn't like the second option particularly, but she thought she could pull it off. It was not an uncommon sort of intrigue in the courts. The babe would then have a 'legitimate' father and would have no claim to royal blood. Further, she knew that she could sway Justus to let them go, if only for the sake of the child. She had never known him to be a cold enough man to deny that. Especially not with her. The idea of such deception pained her, even if it would only need to go on until Kamaria died. Human lives were so short.
"You are free to speak here and now to me, as peer. But know that no male child born to you in this palace will survive it's birth."
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Immortal King's Mistress
Hetero.
Taken .
Human
Authored by Rook.
Offline.
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Post by Kamaria Sinara on Oct 6, 2017 21:08:29 GMT
The options came swiftly. The first hitting her hard. Lose the child purposefully? She hadn't and didn't wish to be pregnant but...she couldn't do that. The second option would have been wonderful if the person she would be tied to were to be Ezra. But it wouldn't be. The whole point of the queen's concern was the right of the throne and another child affecting Ezra's seat. It wasn't often that a bastard petitioned for legitimacy...but it had happened before. Kamaria didn't speak for several minutes as she mulled over the two 'options' the queen had presented her with. Her thumb pressing against the locked in her palm that Ezra had given her, a sort of font to give her strength in the face of anyone as powerful and forthcoming as the queen.
"I mean no disrespect my queen, but I cant carry through with either of those options." Kamaria truly had no fall back or ace in the hole. The king loved her, their marriage was not one that was just an alliance but one of actual love. She couldn't mention Ezra either or risk the king having her head for her betrayal. Oh what a tangled web she had weaved. She was quiet, thoughtful. "It is possible that this child is female and that your concern is of no point. But of course, we wont know for a while yet..." Kamaria turned her dark eyes to the queen although it took great restraint to not send them downward in submission.
"I am but a human, my time here is nothing compared to the immortality all of you have. This child-my child could also be human. I desire happiness even if it is only short lived." She licked her lips, eyes falling downward in a moment of nervousness but she forced them back up to the queen. "This child is of no contest for the crown my queen, because it is not the kings child. But Ezra's." She did not know this for certain, not in the least. But when one was playing a dangerous game they couldn't sit and contemplate what could go wrong. "I do not want to leave the castle and wed another man because Ezra is who I care for. My time with the king is but a stipulation of my position here. But I also find it hard to believe that your son would be alright with my being killed or sent away along with his child."
She reached out to take the cup of tea that up to that point had remained untouched. Lifting it to her lips she forced a tiny swallow. Her nausea was yet to back down but she needed to appear calm, in control. Even if she was about to lose her grip. "But I think we can find a solution together. One that doesn't involve me leaving or the death of your grandchild."
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Post by Elysia Titaia-Delgado on Oct 9, 2017 16:25:17 GMT
The only indication of the queen's surprise was the sharp clink of her teacup against it's saucer and her sudden stillness. She didn't speak for a long moment, lips pressed together in a thin line. Then she moved with a bit of exaggerated care, setting down her tea on the table between them and lacing her fingers together in her lap. She considered for another moment before speaking. In all her years and in all her training, she knew the dangerous political games that they were playing. Did Kamaria? No, she did not think so. If what she said was true and if Ezra truly cared for her, she needed to have discussions with him.
"Kamaria." She said the name as though trying it out, as though not entirely sure she liked the taste of it. "Do you know what Justus might do if he knew?" She let the question hang in the air for a moment, the weight of it like a guillotine above. Dangerous. "You do not understand the world you have been brought into, I think. Perhaps that is my fault for not taking you in hand when you arrived. Let me attempt to remedy this now." Her hands loosen and she smooths the skirt of her slip. Then she stands and begins to pace in front of the fire, drawing her robe closer around her shoulders. Despite the lack of gown or crown, she knows that she could command a court in as little as this. Surely she is queen, but just as surely she is a Titaia- a woman of her noble family line renowned for their tacticians. While her battlefield is in court and not at war, it is no less a battle. A long, slow chess game played out over years, decades, and even centuries.
"In this court, a woman is a tool of her family, a bartering chip and a prize. Some make their own power, but most of us take the power given us by our fathers and by our spouses. You are common born, I believe, so you may have little understanding of this. The children of royalty, whether male or female, suffer a similar fate to the women in any noble family. A prince such as Ezra who may never sit the throne if his father is not killed, is still expected to act as a political chess piece. Ezra will be expected to marry for political power- there is a human princess of eligible age and any number of noble Immortal woman. Marrying within our kingdom strengthens our base of power. Marrying outside it to royalty of other nations strengthens our political bounds there and can buy us favors or even peace. Ezra will- must- think of the kingdom before he thinks of himself. Or of you."
"You must understand. Whether or not I have a grandchild is irrelevent if it brings any weakness to my family or my kingdom. If your child is a girl, you are correct- much of this will be avoided. So long as Justus believes in your loyalty, you may even be allowed to raise her. She will be tutored and raised as is appropriate a woman of noble blood and used in the same way." She stopped, the low fire framing her as she looked to the pregnant young woman. "If you insist on keeping it, I will not force you." Yet. "I will be speaking to my son, and to Justus." Though not in the same words. "After tonight, you will likely no longer have the option to choose. Justus, myself, and perhaps Ezra will decide what happens to you and the child. Choice is a luxury in your position."
She moved back to her chair and sank into it, picking up her tea once more as she looked into the fair. Despite the comfort offered by the chair, and the nights she had spent lounging in it with Justus at her side, now her back was ramrod straight, her posture impeccable. Elysia hid behind the shackles of her training, burying personal anxiety behind the concerns of politics. The only thing that gave away her true concern were the occasional glances towards the door, waiting. Wishing.
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Immortal King's Mistress
Hetero.
Taken .
Human
Authored by Rook.
Offline.
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Post by Kamaria Sinara on Oct 10, 2017 8:34:26 GMT
"Do you know what Justus might do if he knew?" Ah there it was. Kamaria swallowed down her fear before she answered, trying her best to disguise the fear in her voice. "I do, my Queen." She watched as the queen rose from her seat. There was an elegance in her every movement. A measured grace that Kamaria could only help to poorly emulate. She was silent as the queen told her truths she already knew. Her head dipped slightly under the weight of Elysia's words. "I..am aware that I can never wed him my queen. I am but a commoner and of no value to you and your people." Her dark eyes cut to the side, willing the pain in her chest to go away. "But maybe I could remain at the castle as I do now." She was running out of rope. She could feel herself losing the sliver of control she thought she held on the situation.
She wouldn't be forced to end the child's life she said, but she would be speaking to Justus and Ezra. Basically, it meant the death of both of them. Her and her child. She couldn't see the king taking this news well. The news that his toy, his plaything, had been unfaithful. She turned to look at the fire and felt a cold calm settle over her. It was almost a relief to know it was almost over. Whatever it would be. Be it her death or her banishment. She couldn't see herself being allowed to leave the castle alive though, no matter how hard she tried. "Choice." She repeated with the hint of humorless laughter tinging her words. "You of all people my queen, are aware I truly have no choice in this." Elysia had been lecturing her about the burdens of women only minutes before after all.
She swallowed the pride that bade her stay silent. She could see her end now and it wasn't a pleasant one. Slowly Kamaria stood, turning away from the queen briefly, long enough to slip the locket beneath the layers of her dress. She turned back to the queen and in a rather bold move stepped to her side. The end was coming, there was no avoiding it. Last ditch attempts could surely not dig her any deeper than having her head roll. Kamaria would move as is to leave, taking a step behind the chair the queen perched in. She reached down to allow her fingers to slip gently over the queen's clothed shoulder. She leaned in then, her pouty lips just brushing the queen's ear as she spoke. "Is there no way I can make myself of use to you my queen. That you might help me further." She was terrified. Being so bold with the woman that made her shake just with a glance was like playing with fire. But desperation pushed one to do crazy things. And Kamaria had few uses to anyone beyond her feminine wiles.
Her lips would brush the queens long elegant neck in what could have been an accident, but was certainly not. She knew the queen was no fool and would see her action just for what it was. A move of desperation. But if she could make herself useful to the queen in any manner perhaps she would be more willing to sway or at least contemplate other options than the presented ones. The short nails of her hand would glide teasingly down the skin she had just kissed before Kamaria would take a step back. Distancing herself now that the offer was on the table. Surely the queen had many bodies if she wanted them already. But this was truly Kai's only playing card.
"Please just...consider it."
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Post by Elysia Titaia-Delgado on Oct 10, 2017 18:01:53 GMT
Elysia did not immediately push the young woman away, but her face was stony when she finally distance herself. Delicately, she finished her tea and set it aside. Her eyes raked over her, assessing. And finding her wanted. She brought her eyes up to the mistress's finally, cold.
"You have nothing I want." The words dripped disdain. She didn't truly blame the woman for trying- she practically stank of desperation. And Elysia had certainly used her femininity to manipulate situations into her favor before. She busied herself adjusting her robe. Her fingers traced the Titaia emblem, over and over. She should write to her brothers, she realized. How long had it been since she had actively reached out to them? She only had two left, but their families were as much hers as any of Justus's kin. That was why she had not shed her family name even upon royal marriage. She was a Titaia and that alone was strength.
"I will allow Justus to assume the child is his." It had been her intention. She preferred not to see him disturbed and she thought he would not handle this... well. Hopefully if it had to come up, she would find a way to introduce the idea to him gradually. She surveyed Kamaria for a moment, then shook her head slightly. "After all, it may still be. I suppose we may never know who it actually belongs to since I doubt the king has left you alone long enough to be sure. You may go- do not discuss what passed in this room with anyone, not even Ezra."
She lifted and hand and gestured towards the doors. "You may go."
Elysia shifted in the chair to face the fire, drawing her feet up beneath her. Her regal posture gave way as she settled in. She had no intention of leaving her king's room for some time. She would brood here, alone, and wait.
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