| Author's Note: I do realize (even though no one pointed this out) that I've been kind of taking my time in getting this fic moving along. I've been trying to set the stage, sort of get you all introduced to all the major players and stuff. Now that you've met everyone, I'm going to try and get the action going. But of course, at the pace I want for it. So enjoy this chapter and thank you to everyone who reviewed and e-mailed me. You guys are definitely big helps in getting me to add to this fic. The Dark King Chapter 5: An Omen of Death Alexandria, Capital City of the Northern Regions Selenity was sitting in the gardens of the palace, alone, twirling a rose she had plucked between her fingers. It was a blood red, still fresh and with a sweet aroma that drifted to her and had her smiling at the familiar scent. In these moments of peace she felt alone, yet also rid of the burdens that came when the Dark King was with her. She wondered at his behavior of that morning. He had been so gentle in his touches, so reverent in the way he held her. There had been something in his eyes that had confused her, something gentle and tender, an emotion she had never seen there before. He'd taken her with care, slowly and with such infinite tenderness she had wanted to cry. He'd never been so kind to her before. She felt a curious melting in the region of her heart at the thought of that morning, felt something inside of her shift and warm. She'd never felt this way before for anyone except her mother. And even that had been different, a separate type of emotion, a different type of love. At the thought she stiffened, the rose dropping to the cold, stone floor below. Love? Could she love such a man? And after the way he had treated her, the way he had defiled her? How could anyone love a person who had taken them from everything they'd ever known? Or could she be mistaking love for a savage desire that consumed her when he merely looked at her, touched her? But even she knew she was more content now, to be here in the world, then inside the Temple of Light. She'd always look back at her days in the temple as peaceful, as a preparation for her coming out into the world, but could she ever go back? WOULD she ever go back, after having known so much, after having known the Dark King? She doubted it. She bent and took up the rose again, touching it gently, running her finger along the soft petals. The gardens here were well kept, in excellent condition, with the roses blooming magnificently. Unless he wished it, they would not be tended too, which meant he ordered someone to have them watched over while he was away. What would cause such a man to want to tend to a garden? Especially a man like the Dark King, who thrived on war and the gain of power? Could there be a hidden gentleness in him, a part that no one knew of? Just as the thought entered her head she heard the hail of the return of the Dark King, the shouting coming from the inside of the palace, the sound of his men gathering. She didn't bother to rise to go and greet him, instead remained sitting. He most usually spent more time with his Generals in his offices, going over plans and details on the lands he held before riding out yet again, then returning late at night for supper. She was surprised when he came striding out into the garden, sweating and panting, winded from the fast paced ride he and his Generals had forced to get back immediately, his face desperate as his opaque eyes scanned the gardens. His dark hair was plastered to his head, strands hanging down and into his eyes, the sweat dripping and trickling down his face to his throat, and to disappear into his black shirt. His fists were clenched at his sides, one hand poised over the dagger at his side, ready and waiting should an unknown enemy make a move toward him. She sat in a corner, unseen unless one searched hard enough. She didn't bother to stand, curious as to why he looked so panicked and ready for a sudden attack. She watched him swing around, and then jumped when he bellowed for Malachite. His second came racing outside, looking just as desperate as his King. "Where is she? Where is she!! Search the palace, search the city, I want her found!" he roared it at his General, swinging around just as she came hastily to her feet. She feared he would hurt someone if he didn't immediately see her. "I am here, my Lord." she called out, watching as he swung around and his eyes locked on her, the dark intensity there frightening her and causing her to shrink under his gaze. He stalked to her, his massive form rigid and tense, coming to a halt when they stood facing one another. He didn't move to touch her, which surprised her, merely stared at her, an emotion she had never thought to see in his eyes as clear as the light of day. Fear? As fast as a snake his arms whipped out and hauled her against him, his face burying itself in her neck as he held her so tightly she almost couldn't breathe. She felt his hands stroking her back gently, in a movement meant to soothe, not entice. Confused and worried, she brought her arms up, one hand running through his silky, dark hair, the other down his broad back. His muscles were tensed, stiff against her hand, causing her to frown. She knew she should hate him, she knew she should loathe him, but the only emotion that came at such a time was worry for him, concern. What could have caused such a desperate panic in him for her? She looked back at Malachite, watched as the General stared at them, his blue eyes darkening, before he turned and stalked back into the palace. She swallowed her pride, her anger and resentment, and asked him quietly," What is it? What's wrong?" She felt his body shudder, his arms tighten. "I'm going to put a guard to watch you whenever I am away. I cannot allow you to be alone from now on." "What? But why? What have I done?" suspicious, she pushed at him, but he didn't so much as budge. His head came up, his handsome face above hers, his dark eyes looking down into hers. "For your protection." "My protection? You're not making sense. Why would I need protection?" "Your god may attempt to take you from me and that I cannot allow." he stroked her hair gently, his grip suddenly tightening. "Or perhaps I should keep you chained to my side all day, as you once suggested." "Adonis....."She had paled considerably at his words, her eyes enormous as she stared up at him. "What....what has he done? "She suddenly gripped his dark shirt, looking up at him desperately." What has he done?" He frowned, scanning her expression." He murdered a group of my men and has issued me a warning. He's furious I've taken you and staked my claim." his mind had always been swift, and worked quickly to put together why such fear had entered her eyes." And since when do you fear your own god?" She was struggling to calm herself, to push the fear away, but she couldn't. Adonis was a powerful god, not a mortal man like Endymion. He could wound the Dark King in battle or even strike him down, killing him, or prolong his death and torture him until his spirit gave out. There were so many thoughts, so many horrors running through her mind, she couldn't think or answer him with a sharp retort, as she normally would. His hands went to her shoulders, gripped them hard enough to have her attention snapping back to him." I asked you a question. Answer me." "He.....I....."She'd never had experience with lying and it was foreign to her. Her life had been one of innocence and isolation." He came to me." He went absolutely still, his eyes turning so dark they looked black, his expression hardening into a mask of fury." Did he touch you?" She threw his arms off, glaring at him even when his eyes hardened. "Is that all that matters to you? That another man would dare to touch what belongs to you?" "Answer me! Did he touch you?! "He roared it so suddenly she jumped, backing away from him and the rage that had so suddenly exploded from him. "No he didn't! Does that answer you? He came and threatened YOU! He came to me and said he would ruin YOU! "She was panting, whirling away to pace the confines of the garden path. "Will it always be this way? Will I always live under your aggression, under your domination? Will you always see me as an animal for your pleasure, as an object to own?" His lips had formed into a thin line, his nostrils flaring as he stalked forward and took her arm in a tight hold. "We've had this discussion before and I've already explained myself to you. I-" "Explained? Explained yourself! You haven't explained anything! "She had been submissive until now because of the fear that he would kill others for her disrespect, but she could no longer contain her emotions. She had been his captive for weeks and she wished to return home, anywhere, where she could live her life in peace and away from the sorrow he caused in her. "I want you to release me, to let me go home to my temple! I want my freedom!! I want my life back!" "Your life is with me! "He bellowed it so loud the earth seemed to shake beneath her feet and for a moment she had to steady herself, neither aware of the dark, ominous clouds that had drifted in, hovering over Alexandria in a thick curtain of evil. "You belong with me! I will never release you, never let you go!" "Then I will escape! Damn you and your lust, your desires! I will escape and go so far that you will never be able to find me!" He bent to her, his breathing coming out in hard, uneven gusts, his eyes lethal, looking almost red as the sky blackened above them and rain began to pour in heavy torrents. "Heed my warning Selenity. If you do escape me, if you do ever leave me, there will be no place on this Earth you will be able to hide. My rage will consume lives, my sword will cut any who dare to aide you in your escape, and this world will know a King so ruthless and cold that no woman, child, or man will be safe from my wrath. "He shook her hard, lightening cracking across the sky, thunder rumbling and exploding in the heavens. Her hair was soaked, hanging down her back in heavy tendrils, the rain causing her to shiver and her breath to come out in white billowing clouds. But nothing could drown out the fear, the immense fear, she held for such a man. "You're a monster. "She whispered it, breathed it, watching the savage rage that seemed to have consumed him. "You're a monster, not a man. A demon born unto this world!" "Then I am your demon. "All too aware of her shivering he reigned in his temper, still simmering, boiling darkly beneath the surface. "Go inside. I do not wish for you to catch a cold." Yanking her arm from his hold, she turned and raced inside, disappearing into the palace and away from the storm that had come so quickly to the city. And did not see him throw back his head and roar his rage to the pouring heavens above, roar her name at the top of his lungs, before dropping to his knees to the cold stone floor, alone as only Kings and men of power could ever be. Korinthos, Capital City of the Southern Regions His supplies were dwindling like water, pouring away and leaving him helpless, with men who were starving and not able to stand the savage weather of the southern regions. Korinthos was a city known for its harsh weather, as well as treacherous mountains and paths. Snow had come to them and wiped out several of his men, many falling ill and others deserting them to search for shelter from the severe storms. Hope had left them and little remained in his own heart. Miles saw days ahead when the Dark King would take over what little he had and murder him and his men, therefore able to rule the whole of Earth. Who would be able to stand up to such a man, a man with an army of thousands, followers who were loyal and skilled fighters? Tired, weary from thought and misery, Miles stood observing his men from the hill that overlooked the camp they had set up in the southern regions. Here there was no city, no establishment. He had built his fortress in Alexandria, only to watch it fall as the Dark King advanced and over took it. It had been a moment of loss, of deep sorrow in him, to watch his city and his men die because of his own failure. He watched his head General, Alexander, make his way over to him, dressed in his armor, with his sword glinting at his side. Alexander believed one should always be prepared for battle, no matter the weather or emptiness of stomach. He made sure the men were ready and watched there training with a sharp eye, training those who did not have the skill he believed they should attain. He noted that another man followed Alexander, a man covered in a dark cloak from head to foot, his head bent against the icy wind as he followed him up the hill and toward him. "And who is this you bring me?" "A man who wish's to join in our campaign and also meet you, my Lord. I have checked him for weapons and found none. "Alexander informed him, halting before his lord. Miles nodded. "Come then. We can speak inside my tent." They entered the warmth of his tent, which did little to help against the fierce cold outside. Blowing into his stiff hands and rubbing them together, he turned to the stranger. "Well then. Remove your cloak and tell me your name." The stranger was silent, unmoving for a moment, until he finally reached up and drew back the hood, a blinding light shimmering from him and causing the other two to shield there eyes. "What the devil-"Alexander instinctively reached for his sword. "Do not." when he spoke his voice held command, held authority, and both men could feel the power he carried so easily. "I come to aide you in ridding the world of the Dark King." the contempt was there, the burning hatred that Miles could understand. And when the shimmering light cleared they saw a god, not a man, so brilliant and stunning they took a moment to stare in awe. Alexander immediately dropped to one knee, reverent and shocked, Miles doing the same after a moment of speechless staring. "Adonis." Miles whispered it, keeping his head down. "My god Adonis, what brings you to me?" "My hatred for the Dark King." the normally calm golden eyes were hard, two stone's in the face of an angel. "He has something that belongs to me. I find that instead of taking it back, as I could, I will torture him, take everything from him! I will take his power, take his reign, and make him feel my wrath before his end!" Tentatively, Miles stood, still awed by his presence. "Your help is most needed, my Lord, and most welcome." "I know of your hardships and your loss of men. This weather will be gone by morning, at my bidding, and the sun will shine again." "Forgive me, my Lord, but we will need more then sunshine to win this battle against the Dark King." Miles pointed out, hoping the god would not strike him down for his disrespect. Adonis nodded once. "I know this and brought a gift for you." he went to the back of the tent, the opposite of where they had entered, and pulled back the flaps. Before them, below standing on the snow filled ground was an army that stretched as far as the eye could see, thousands of men on horseback in heavy, golden armor. The sight was so shocking Miles stumbled, caught quickly by Alexander, who was also staring in open mouthed shock. "Do you think the Dark King will be able to fight against the army of Adonis? Do you think he will be able to withstand against our combined strengths? We will attack him and watch him fall, then re-take what he stole from both of us!" Adonis' voice seemed to echo to his men below, whom all stood tall and straight, prepared to follow wherever there god led. Alexander could only stare, clapping a hand on his liege's shoulder. "I believe our fortune has finally changed, my Lord." "I believe it has." Miles whispered, hope and joy leaping into his heart once again. "A storm has come to Alexandria this night and brought with it an omen of death and the fall of the Dark King. His kingdom will come to ruin and your own reign will begin." Adonis smiled slowly, menace in his eyes as he looked at the army he had brought. "And I will have my revenge." Alexandria, Capital City of the Northern Regions She could see the storm slashing at the countryside of Alexandria, the rain turning into heavy currents of hail, lightening splitting the dark night, thunder bellowing fiercely across the sky. The elements seemed to be angry, fiercely angry, and were showing there rage in the storm that had come so suddenly to the city. She watched the storm from the closed balcony doors to the room she shared with the Dark King, the wind howling madly, seeming to press against the closed doors, almost as if struggling desperately to come inside and to her. Such a storm could only be caused by someone in power, someone who could control nature. A god. She realized Adonis had sent this storm to them as a warning, as a display of the power he held over them. The thought sent a cold shiver down her spine, a feeling of unease that this was only a taste of what havoc he could create. It had been hours since her argument with the Dark King. She had raced to there rooms, shutting the doors and hoping with all her might he would not come up to bother her. In the first hour she had called a bath to her and washed the grime of the day, dressing in her silk sleeping gown and putting her robe on over it, knotting the silver material around the middle. After she'd had the bath taken away, she'd built a fire, sitting before it and gazing into the crackling hearth. Outside the storm had raged, pushing at the palace, but unable to penetrate the heavy walls. She had sat there for hours, falling into a light sleep and dreaming of Ramadan, the Dark King's capital city, where the sun shone and the fields were endless green, stretching before her. The wind here blew up from the sea, carrying with it the scent of salt and water, washing over her as she had walked silently through the fields surrounding the city. The dream had been peace filled, tranquil, until a sudden dark cloud had descended over the land. Darkness had come, evil and hatred so strong she could feel it beating at her. The winds had turned menacing and fierce, the beach a sea of red, blood, with the bodies of men floating for miles. And as the fear had overtaken her, as her heart had jumped in her chest and she had cried out at the storm building around her, she had heard him crying her name, the Dark King's voice shouting for her from a distance. She'd turned just in time to watch Adonis strike him down, with a mighty blow, and she'd woken with a cry, her hand flying to her heaving chest, her body drenched in sweat. Dreams and nightmares were what haunted her daily. Dreams of peace with her mother, nightmares of torment that Adonis had planned for the Dark King. How could she continue to exist this way? How would she be able to live this way, especially when the Dark King had no intention of ever allowing her to return to her home? Her emotions were not her own. She desired for freedom, for peace from an everlasting reign of agony and desire, but how could she return to Adonis, knowing what it was he wanted of her? He had been her god all of her life, the one she prayed too and sought council from above all others. Now he was just another man who lusted for her body, as the Dark King did. Would his treatment of her be the same? Her shouting at the Dark King to allow her to return to her temple was in hopes of hurting him, of driving him mad with his rage toward her until he released her. A plan which had failed miserably thus far. She was trapped in a living nightmare with no escape. Two men, both powerful beyond belief and thought, both who desired her and were clashing against one another to attain her. One she knew intimately, the other as a being to be revered above all others. But just the thought of Adonis' hands on her body sent an unwanted shiver of fear through, revulsion so fierce the trembling seemed to overtake her. And these nightmares she had no doubt Adonis sent to her, as a warning to prepare for what he would give to the Dark King. Such horrible dreams of war and death, the stench of evil and greed that so many died for. Nightmares of Ramadan's fall, of the taking of a great city that had once belonged to him and would belong to another. Fire and smoke, the cries of the dying citizens under the Dark King's rule, murdered needlessly by Miles.. A dream, she kept reminding herself as she left the balcony doors to settle once again at the chair near the hearth. It had merely been a dream. Nothing more. Adonis would not....he would not.... The tears came even when she didn't want them too, streaming from her eyes as the sobs overtook her. Covering her mouth, she poured out the worry, the fear, and the heartache that had plagued her for the past few weeks, the sorrow and misery of such times finally taking its tole on her. She wasn't aware of how long she cried, her sobs echoing through the silent room, until she felt a thick arm, strong and familiar, slide around her waist and lift her to a muscled chest, a hand going to and stroking through her hair. "Don't cry." Endymion whispered the plea into the softness of her hair, his lips brushing across her temple, tasting the tears that leaked like diamonds from her eyes. "Don't cry my little one." She couldn't stop, couldn't bring herself to push him away. He was the one causing the riot of emotions in her, yet the one she found herself caring more deeply for each time his hand brushed her cheek, each time he spoke her name. She wished for freedom, but what freedom she did not know. He sat in the chair he had pulled her from, settling her on his lap and in his arms, beginning to rock her as his hand continued stroking through her hair. The shaking, the trembling running through her small body appalled him, as did the tears he knew he had caused. But he could not appease her in this. He refused to let her go and would never. She belonged with him and would remain with him always. He bent his dark head to her, protective and close, his lips nudging at her cheek. "Your tears will make you sick, little one. Please stop....please." she would not know, but it was the first time in his life he had ever begged another human being for anything. She quieted only because she was horrified at her behavior with him. To allow him to see her in a moment of weakness had not been her desire, even if he comforted her as he was doing. She allowed him to continue holding her, leaning into his greater strength and not speaking a word. She was afraid to move, afraid to speak, to spoil the first moment of mutual peace they'd ever had. But knowing him and his body's desires, she prepared herself for the groping and fondling that would soon begin. He rose easily with her cradled in his arms, walking to the huge bed and laying her on it, removing her robe from her before tucking the covers over her, preventing the chill of the night to reach her. Outside the storm screamed and raged, as violent as ever, the rain beating at the balcony doors. But he ignored it, removing his own clothing, his sword and dagger, before dousing the candles and coming naked to the bed. He slid beneath the covers with her, drawing the curtains of the bed around them and pitching them in darkness. She waited, tense, as he settled in next to her, drawing her small body to his, curling his massive form around hers, one large hand cupping a breast, the other wrapped securely about her waist to hold her to him. And tucking her head into his chest, he breathed out a long sigh, kissing her cheek gently before relaxing into her. The minutes ticked by, with his warm body enveloping hers protectively, the feel of his naked skin causing her own to heat, a desire for his touch to pool inside her belly. She waited for him to begin touching her, for him to begin his explorations, but he remained holding her only, his palm gently squeezing her breast. It was after a long, thoughtful moment that she realized he had fallen asleep holding her. His breathing was deep and shallow, his body heavy, his hand occasionally squeezing her breast. Shocked to the core, she remained still, silent while the storm rose to a screeching crescendo outside and she began to relax against him. She'd been with him for numerous weeks, several, and never once in all of those weeks had he failed to take her during the night. He had immense stamina and his body never tired of taking hers, his hands and mouth always ravenous in there pursuit. This new development had her thinking, pensive as to why he had allowed her peace for once. Had it been her tears? Perhaps guilt that he wouldn't release her? Was he finally beginning to listen, actually listen, to her and allowing her freedom from his endless possession? Suspicious of him and angry at herself for still desiring his touch, she fell asleep quietly, held securely in his embrace. The next morning she woke early, when the sun was rising, stretching lazily beneath the thick covers. She felt a hand on her breast begin to mold it gently and turned to see the Dark King gazing at her, his eyes a deep blue, his dark hair mused as he shifted, bringing her closer to him. She watched him lower his head, felt his lips, warm and soft, brush over her bare shoulder, his tongue following in lazy pursuit. Shuddering with desire, she wrapped her arms about him, arching into his seeking mouth as he traveled lower, his mouth nuzzling gently at her breasts. It was in that moment that she felt a sharp pain, a prick of violence along her naked back, a dark shadow moving across her heart and mind. Her eyes shot open, stiffening as he licked and nudged, her eyes flying toward the balcony doors, which were still locked and shut. His hands were running along her back, already bringing her body under his, but she fought him, pushing away and quickly climbing from the bed, shoving the heavy drapes aside and walking on bare feet to the balcony doors. She threw them open, her horror building at the sight that greeted her outside. The sunrise was a mix of red and black, the dense clouds drifting over Alexandria intermingling together, the sky a dark hue of blood. The sun rose with anger here, with violence, and with a hatred so deep she could feel the evil penetrating deeply into her soul. The clouds of red and black stretched across the land, so thick and ominous she could hear the cries of the people below, frightened for there lives at this omen of death. She felt the Dark King come to stand next to her, felt his hand grip her arm and shove her behind him as he calmly took in the sight before them. "What madness is this?" "Adonis has spoken." her eyes remained on the blood, on the evil before her, even when his head whipped around to look at her. "His wrath is tremendous and his revenge swift. He will come for me, and to rid the world of you." "It will take more then sorcery to rid the world of me." he stood straight and proud, defiant in the face of death. "And more then his wrath to take you from me. He will never lay his hands on you, not while life remains in me." Last Notes: I think I'll have to do this in each chapter because people always have so many questions after each one. So here's a few more explanations, hopefully I'll catch all of the ?'s you guys have. 1. I didn't bring the girls back and honestly, I don't see them coming back into the fic right now. Maybe one day they will, who knows? Maybe in the next chapter I'll surprise myself and they'll fit in again. But for now, they just don't. 2. I tried changing Selenity's emotions toward him, or at least I tried to START changing her emotions toward him. Please remember that he's been a dick to her since moment one and it's going to take a lot more then pretty words and kisses to get her to love him. Gradually of course, it will happen, but with TIME. She's still confused right now, trying to separate love from desire. That's always a tricky business too, anyone who's been in a relationship would know. As for him, what do you guys think? Does he love her or not? He isn't easy to read either and I'm glad for that since his character is supposed to be pretty mysterious. I don't know if anyone even caught this (and I'm not going to point it out either) but he did something weird in this chapter. Any guesses? =) 3. I didn't bring Beryl into this chapter cause she didn't fit into it so....that's all on that! 4. I realize as of right now Adonis hasn't done much except change the weather, but remember he DID produce an army of over ten thousand men. But other then that, his true power will come into play slowly but surely. Let's just say lots of things are going to continue being revealed as each chapter comes out. 5. One more thing, in a serious note. I want this to be clear to all who read this fic: This is NOT a rape fic! She does not get raped in this fic and besides that, I'm totally against rape and wouldn't write about! I know someone very close to me and very dear who was raped. You think I'd want to write about rape, knowing what happened to them? NO! The reason for this rant is a horrible review that I got the other day from some chick who said my story is an abomination and went on to personally insult me and tell me I should be ashamed of myself, etc. I'm not ashamed of myself because there's nothing to be ashamed of. I deleted that review because every time I looked at it I got really pissed and I couldn't stand just KNOWING it was there. So to this anonymous reviewer, why don't you e-mail me next time and tell me that, or actually SIGN IN so I can get back to you? You're the worst types of reviewers, the flamers who don't even have the balls to sign in at least. Jeez!! Anyway.....:: breathes slowly and counts from one to ten:: I'm done with my rant. I apologize to all of my readers who had to go through and read that, but I just couldn't leave the subject alone. So I'm done and again, sorry to you guys. 6. So anyway, review! I totally want to hear what you guys thought! I'm sorry if I took long to add, but I was trying to add to some of my other fics too (and was still wowed by 'The Two Towers'). But I did add! So send those reviews my way! And any questions send to my e-mail at sailorperfect@yahoo.com |