At Her Temple

The Feast

Eli

I arrived after a ten day ride to the northern land of Varun. In just ten days, I had watched the landscape change from deserts and oases to mountains and snow. I had never seen snow before, nor people this pale. 

It was no wonder, for I had seen the sun only once since being in this cold land and it had since disappeared. 

My party was small, I brought only my blood brothers, Lucien and Alaric, with ten of my best men. King Armand Veila had invited me warmly after the passing of my father. I understood he had once been a great enemy of my father, King Rikom, but that there was always a mutual respect between them.

Before he died, my father had made me promise that I would ensure unity between the two kingdoms, so that nothing like the Great War that took place only a few years before my birth would happen again. 

As the castle gates opened, my men and I galloped across the cold white powder that they called snow. We passed a large thicket of trees and I paused for a moment, as though drawn to them. Alas, there was no time. 

King Armand stood at the top of the steps my men and I dismounted our horses, and servants rushed to take them to the stables. As I ascended the steps, I looked up at this king, a feared warrior, spoken of very highly by my father. I was surprised to see kind, blue eyes gazing back at me.

"Welcome, King Eli, son of Rikom,” he said, as I stood before him.

"You honour me with your hospitality, King Armand," I replied, extending my arm. 

Instead of taking my forearm in the custom Varunian greeting I had offered him, he grabbed me in a tight embrace, taking me by surprise. 

"Come now," he said, "you must be weary. I have had fresh robes and furs arranged for you and a hot bath before you join me for the feast in your honour!"

I nodded, grateful to have more than our thin tunics and cloaks in this cold weather. I exchanged relieved glances with my men, some of whom were now starting to shiver. Servants came and took us one by one to our quarters. 

---

The Great Hall was a marvel. I sat at King Armand's right hand, with his son, Arum next to me. I had briefly been introduced to their daughter Keira. Like her brother, she had bright yellow hair, the likes of which I had not before seen. 

She had politely bowed before me; a fair first wife she would make. Her strange complexion and hair would be something my people would eventually grow accustomed to, but she seemed pleasant and obedient. I was surprised to learn she was 25, only a year younger than me. She seemed far younger in mind, giggling at the slightest word.

We had been sat for quite some time and I was ravenous. It was as though it showed on my face, for King Armand spoke.

"I apologise for the delay, King Eli. The guest of honour has yet to arrive."

A smile played on his lips. 

I sat, confused for a moment. Guest of honour? Then I remembered, King Armand had three children, not two. I sighed, waiting for the pampered princess to arrive. 

Another half an hour must have passed, at which point I was restless with hunger. My stomach rumbled and my temper grew shorter with this tardy princess. Finally, the long awaited announcement of Princess Leela came.

I glanced lazily at the doors as they opened, more interested in when the food would be arriving. 

What could only be a wood nymph with dark red, unruly curls walked through the doors, her hair blowing out behind her from the breeze of the opening doors. A faint scent of jasmine wafted towards me and I was sure my heart would burst. Her head was held high, as though she were aware of her royalty, but a playful smile danced across her red mouth as she passed the nobility. 

She grinned widely at the table where my men sat and I looked to see Alaric grinning at her. Her emerald eyes had a wicked glint and her hair was pushed to one side, exposing her swan-like neck. My fingers itched to wrap around it and I balled my hands into fists. 

I looked for Lucien and he, too, could not take his eyes off her as she walked past my men’s table. 

Blood was rushing to every part of my body that didn't need it at that moment, drums were beating in my ears as she stood and bowed in front of me. Her stiff gown was pushing up her breasts and as she curtseyed, I did my best to avert my gaze. She raised her feral eyes to meet mine, looking up at me from under deep red lashes. 

Finally, she spoke in a soft, husky voice that made my c**k push against the thick silk robes that I’d been forced into.

"King Eli, you honour us with your presence."

I'd heard her say my name, and now I needed to hear her scream it. I took a deep breath and composed myself.

"Princess Leela, you and your family honour us with your hospitality," I replied, enjoying the way her name rolled off my tongue. I was pleased to see a small blush spread across her face as I spoke. 

We all took our seats once again as the King announced the commencement of the feast. I studied her profile. Her deep red lashes curled like the red gold hair on her head and her long straight nose turned upwards slightly at the end. Her full lips were so red, they seemed stained with berries. A small dip formed in her cheek as she smiled good-humouredly at the courtiers who laughed at her late arrival. I had never seen anything so captivating. 

She flipped her auburn curls to the other side, giving me a view of her neck and I thought of running my tongue along it. In that moment, she looked up at me and froze for a moment, before quickly looked away again. With all the will I could muster, I tore my gaze from her and focused ahead of me. 

Craning my neck slightly, I listened to her conversation with her sister, Keira. I looked over to see, with relief, that food was finally being brought to the head table. Although the sight of this Princess Leela had momentarily made me forget how famished I was. 

"He's not vile to look at, I suppose. I don't think it's enough for me to share bed space with him." I heard her whisper far louder than she had probably intended.

I stifled a laugh and concentrated on my food. We would soon see about that, Princess.

---

Leela

The food was delicious. The royal table was laden with pheasant, boar and my favourite, roasted lamb. I raised my arm and beckoned to Mae, who immediately came from behind the table to my side.

"Yes your ladyship?" Mae asked.

"Go and eat something, Mae. I promise you, I'll be fine pouring my own wine but you won't be if all the good food runs out in the kitchen," I said, winking at her.

With a grateful smile and a curtsy, Mae turned and swept to the servant's dining quarters.

Overhearing my conversation, father smiled and nudged me gently with his elbow. 

"I rule with an iron fist, child. What will people say if they realise how soft my daughter is?"

I nearly choked on my food, drawing glances from the southern guests. Composing myself, I whispered back, "Father... iron fist? Are you talking about your marriage and mother's reign of terror?"

"I heard that," mother said sternly from next to Keira. How did this woman hear everything?

Father chuckled, his blue eyes glinting. He turned to King Eli, who had overheard the exchange and was gazing over at us with mild interest. 

"My daughter speaks her mind - I apologise if her forwardness has offended you, King Eli. I am but a father indulging his wildling daughter."

King Eli smiled wryly before speaking. He took a sidelong glance at me.

"No offence has been taken. I see Varunian women have a tendency to speak their minds."

I noticed he rolled his 'r's slightly.

"Is this something you are unaccustomed to in Zamee?" I challenged.

I didn't know why I'd spoken between the two kings, but his deep, rumbling voice unsettled me and I found myself shifting around in my seat.

"Women who speak? Yes, it's something we try to inhibit. It’s very offensive," he replied, straight faced.

"But don't you have many wives? None of those wives are permitted to speak in court?" I pressed.

I was positively outraged.

"I don't yet have many wives; but yes it is custom for the King of Zamee to have many. I am borne of King Rikom and his first wife and council, Queen Tasmina."

"Council?" I questioned, raising my brow.

"The first three wives of the King also serve as his council," he replied. 

"But you said that you inhibit women from..." I trailed off, realising he'd been teasing me.

I made sure he saw me roll my eyes. His eyes narrowed and flashed a warning that made my breath hitch. I turned away quickly before he could notice the effect he was having on me.

All the while, father watched our back and forth quietly. 

"Well, now that we have eaten our fill, it's time for the dance," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corner. 

He rose from his seat and held out a hand to mother. 

"Elena, my Queen. Do this old man the honour of a dance," he said, with a small wink.

I watched as mother smiled and took his hand. She was a beautiful woman, not quite fifty, with sharp silver streaks in her red mane, which was contained in a coiled bun atop her head. Everyone said I had her cat-like eyes but my father's long nose. Mother's was a delicate button that Keira had very fortunately inherited. Father led her down the steps to the main floor of the Great Hall, where the tables had been moved away for the festivities. 

I smiled as I watched them below, as father held my mother's waist and gently twirled her in the custom Varunian waltz. 

Looking straight past King Eli, I called to my brother, "Arum, will you dance?"

"I'm exhausted from training today, little sister," he replied. "King Eli, are you familiar with the Varunian waltz?"

"No, no, it's fine," I said, feeling immediately flustered. "I shouldn't wish to inconvenience his majesty at all." 

"I am very familiar with the waltz of Varun. And it wouldn't be an inconvenience, if the princess shall have me."

His voice drizzled warmth all over me and I avoided looking in his direction. I turned to Keira, who was smiling mischievously. 

"Go on, dance with him… he seems to have taken a liking to you. Tell me if his chest is as hard as it looks."

I stifled a laugh as Eli rose above me. Though I was not petite and dainty like my sister, he stood at well over six foot and as I stood to meet him, I found myself at eye level with the chest I was supposed to test. 

He held out his hand and I hesitated before I took it. His arm was as thick as my thighs, nearly bulging out of the robes that father had given him. A jolt went up my spine as our skin made contact. If he felt it too, he made no sign of showing it.

His grip was firm but gentle and he led me to the floor. As we descended the steps, he shifted his hand so our fingers interlocked. For the hundredth time that evening, my breath caught in my throat. 

"Is the not the way you hold hands in this waltz?" he questioned, reading my discomfort. 

"Yes, yes it is, you’re quite right," I replied, composing myself quickly. 

Despite his size, he moved with the grace of a wild cat as he swept me into the waltz. He twirled me and brought me closer to him than was customary.

I cleared my throat as I gripped his shoulder tighter from shock.

"You... you seem to know this dance as well as a native."

He said nothing as his hand moved almost imperceptibly lower down on my waist, his fingers resting on my lower back. I looked up at his face and felt our eyes lock. I looked away quickly, fixing my gaze over his shoulder.

What was wrong with me? I couldn’t look this man in the eye. 

As he turned me to face away from him, he pulled me back against his chest and I shivered as I felt his breath against my ear.

"I would like to see more of Varun tomorrow. I will ask your father for permission, but I'd like your consent first. Will you be my guide?”

It was barely felt like a request, and I found myself feeling dizzy at his closeness. My voice was barely a whisper.

“Yes.”