Chapter 6: A fiery winter
Merush hurried back to find them already gone out of the pool and dressed.
“You would not believe - the emergency was a couple of pearls missing on the Lord’s wedding clothes. He made me crawl at his feet to find them,” the councillor said with contempt. He smiled addressing the newlyweds.
“Are we all good?”
“Never better!” Herki replied, holding Ulise close.
“What now, sir Councillor?” Luke asked, wiping the sweat off his forehead - all the singing and the excitement had made him perspire like never before.
“Have no fear. Our carriage awaits. Come!” He led them into the hallway, but they had to pass a couple of ladies with Aurora amongst them.
“Sir councillor! Shouldn’t the bride be in her chamber getting dressed?” they asked. Aurora squinted her eyes looking at Herki and Ulise.
“That’s just where I’m taking her. I have to be completely sure no one kidnaps the bride. Carry on ladies, I believe you are expected at the hairdresser’s in the west wing,” Merush’s calm voice and expression didn’t give him out not for a second.
“We will have to make a small detour on our way out,” he whispered marching onward. They did go past Ulise’s chambers, but walking further Merush stopped by another door and knocked quietly. A girl’s voice invited to come in. Now the councillor appeared genuinely anxious.
“Come with me!” He told Mari with his voice trembling. She was all dressed up and ready for the wedding. She kept to her chamber often, and Merush knew - that would be the place to find her.
“You remembered the promise,” Mari said taking his hand.
“I would never forget!”
They followed Merush through the near empty hallways. They met a few servants who were busy making their way through the enormous castle. The Snakeling councillor was well known as a sensible man, nobody would question his actions. If he led the bride somewhere, obviously it had to be done.
As they went through a small backdoor of the castle and came close to the shallow lake surrounding it, Merush gave a loud whistle. A tiny dot appeared in the clear blue sky. The crimson-coloured dragon flew to them and landed in the lake, splashing them from heads to toes.
“Oh, I apologise! I didn’t plan she’d land so heavily. We’ll have to work on that. Good girl, Kitty!” Merush greeted the dragon.
“The Lord may be a Dragonling, but I was the one taking care of Kitty these two years. She remembers, don’t you Kitty?!”
The beast snorted approvingly, staring at Merush with its giant amber-coloured eyes. The cart was already fastened on the dragon’s back. Merush helped them get inside, and covered the company with warm blankets - the Lord would occasionally amuse his court with riding on the dragon, and Merush made sure everybody would be warm and comfortable.
“Let’s fly!” The councillor said casually, directing the giant beast to take off into the sky. Mari glanced at him with true admiration, indeed, the young Snakeling sat in front of them confident and stately, the humiliation he endured these two years hadn’t broken him.
Lord Morten paced toward the Ceremony Master. The Lord looked impeccable, a true embodiment of perfection, admired by his court and guests.
The Lord stood in front of his court. The festive hall was beautifully decorated with clouds of fresh flowers, the musicians played a subtle tune before the bride would make her entrance. She was late. The flame, awakened by anger, rose in the Lord’s eyes.
“Where is my bride?!” his furious voice resounded across the hall. The answer came the very next moment.
Merush couldn’t help himself, he directed the dragon to take a turn around the castle. The beast flew past the large windows of the festive hall. Everybody could clearly see - Herki and Ulise sat closely holding each other in the cart, their golden wedding rings shone in the light of the setting sun, and Merush looked into his master’s eyes with a victorious smile on his face! The Lord didn’t get to stop them - Kitty flew away gliding through the air with her crimson scales reflecting the golden sunset.
“Here I am, my Lord! Your bride has arrived!” A loud voice of a woman stated coming into the hall.
Even Lord Morten was lost for words first seeing the one who spoke. It was a stunning Thilian woman, dressed in the wedding gown meant for Ulise. Her golden hair was not pinned up as it should be, oh no! The luscious golden locks fell beneath her shoulders. A single water lily she wore in her hair. Aurora was indeed a stunning bride. She paced with her heels clicking on the floor, while the shocked guests stood silent. Lord Morten was unpredictable - he could easily murder the shameless intruder. Yet he did not. Aurora came near him.
“I yearned for the son, but then I saw - he was just a bleak copy of the father. I want a man than would please me, and you want a bride who could take your heat,” A blue flame burned in Aurora’s eyes.
“Can you?” Lord Morten smirked, but nevertheless he was amazed not only by her beauty, but also by the sheer audacity and determination.
“I long for it!” Aurora spoke looking deep into his eyes. The cold blue flames met the fiery red ones. All the court could clearly see - the Lord had met his match.
An ambiguous smile rose on his face.
“Go on!” Lord Morten addressed the Ceremony master to begin the wedding. Morten took Auroras hand. They stood side by side, their eyes met again and again, the air between them seemed charged with desire.
The ceremony ended with the servants bringing a large ceremonial bed into the hall, for the Autumnian royal marriage was sealed with the consummation in front of the court and guests. Before it, the bride and the groom went their separate ways, they changed the heavy wedding clothes to sheer capes and nothing more. Lord Morten unexpectedly did something outside the wedding ritual. He demanded a Snakegrass pipe and hurriedly took many lengthy smokes of the intoxicating herb. For the first time in his entire life he cared about someone else’s life! He was intrigued by this Thilian beauty and didn’t wish to burn her, not just yet. He calmed his deadly flame for her.
Needless to say - the consummation was a fiery spectacle. Aurora finally got what she wanted and did not hold back on expressing the heights of her pleasure. With all the dirty experience of his, Lord Morten had to admit – he’d never met a hot-blooded woman like her, not even amongst the Autumnian beauties. Both were extremely pleased, the wedding feast turned into a savage revelry, and despite some burned patches on Aurora’s skin, the newlyweds disappeared from their own feast soon enough.
***
Ulise stood by the lake waiting. The freezing wind scourged her face and shook her cloak. It was a thick travelling cloak. The girl wrapped into it to keep warm, because she did not have any clothes underneath. The lake was ice-cold and restless today, scarce snowflakes swirled in the wind all around Ulise. She called Herki’s name once again. Ulise’s blue eyes widened, she smiled at the sight of the masculine Autumnian swimming up through the clear waters.
Herki guarded the Autumna lake every day since they arrived on the Snakeling island. Such was the agreement between him and the Snakelings; they gave him refuge and in return Herki was to guard the lake from his father’s plan to destroy it. Herki swam around the lake all day long, and was quite pleased with the task. One thing he yearned for his happiness to be complete. Now he swam back to get it. Herki’s head rose above the water, a flame blazed in his amber-coloured eyes. He smiled back at Ulise, they were in no need for words. The girl dropped her cape standing nude in the howling wind, but she didn’t have to wait long before Herki made the water lift him up to her. He held Ulise and both submerged into the icy water. She did not freeze - the fiery touch of Herki’s skin kept her warm. He carried Ulise, holding her close. They swam to the very middle of the Great lake Autumna, where no one would be bothered by the sights and sounds of their nearness.
Never did Herki love the season of winter more than this, for it was their honeymoon and the freezing lake - their wedding bed. The cold water balanced out the Dragonling’s fire nicely. Herki had never felt better - the flame was fed and satisfied, he didn’t have to smoke Snakegrass to numb himself at all.
The lake raged around them, but Herki’s power did not let the waves drown the two. Both laid in the eye of the storm with their bodies submerged, Herki’s burning hands caressed Ulise’s body with pleasant heat and the water around them became warm from the Dragonling’s passion. Their bodies weaved together, skin on skin, the cries of pleasure merging with the howling winds.
“We must go back. The Lord of the Lake is expected at the celebration,” Ulise whispered still lying in Herki’s embrace. He watched the droplets shimmer in her eyelashes and didn’t answer at once.
“I’m not the Lord of the Lake. But, you’ re right. We must go back - we owe it to Merush,”
The last three weeks the fugitives had been living on the Snakeling island; a stretch of land nearly as large as Thilia, with a wooden town and a castle. The town was ancient, so were the inhabitants. The Snakelings didn’t give anything out about their descent, they were a mysterious folk, who served to no one except their own ruler and the Foreverold. Lord of Thilia ruled over most of the Autumna lake islands, Lord of the Lake - over its waters and the land between the lake and the sea. Snakelings distrusted both, especially the Autumnians. They feared the Wizard, Morten was by far the worst of his kin, therefore the Snakelings were glad to have Herki on their side. He was the only one who could fight his own father. Lord Morten’s attack was expected any day, that’s why Merush decided not to wait long and marry his love when the next new moon rises. Snakelings were accustomed to wed with the rising new moon. Mari gladly accepted his offer. He managed to persuade the Snakeling Elders - though they did not approve his choice of an Autumnian bride, the Elders granted the pair with their blessing; Merush had suffered enough.
“What took you so long?! You went to call Herks ages ago!” Luke scolded Ulise and Herki when the two hurried into the castle. Luke noticed both smiling idly with their cheeks burning red.
“Never mind! I don’t want to know! Hurry, put on your festive clothes! Or… any clothes…” poor Luke blushed, noticing the two obviously had nothing beneath their cloaks.
Even on his wedding day, Merush was still busy meeting up with the Snakeling Lord and the Elders. Although Herki hadn’t noticed anything unusual happening with the lake, the Snakeling spies had informed them of Lord Morten’s peculiar behaviour. Merush was well composed as always, when it came to work. But as soon as he changed clothes and went to the castle’s courtyard for the Ceremony, his hands and feet began to shake, his mouth became dry.
“If I wouldn’t know any better, I’d say you’ve got cold feet, sir councillor,” Luke said after taking one look at the poor man.
“It’s easy for you to laugh, young Thilian Lord, when it’s not your wedding,” Merush replied, trying to regain his calm. He stood by the Snakeling Lord, and both Luke and Herki were nearby. The Snakeling Lord had the face of a wrinkled old snake, his hair was silvery-white, he leaned on a spear heavily. The old man was living his last days. He chuckled at Merush’s trembling hands.
“Calm down, Merush! You do love her?!” Herki asked holding back laughter; he had never seen the councillor in such a mess.
“Of course!”
“What are you afraid of, then?”
“Dragonlings may be deadly, but you do have an advantage that a Snakeling does not possess,” Merush took deep breaths to stop his racing heart.
“What would that be?”
“Snakelings are cold. Not passionate, nor fiery. I have never…” but Merush went silent, as a group of maidens approached them. The narrow thread of the silver crescent rose above their heads in the sapphire-blue sky. Merush saw Mari and stopped shaking in an instant. She wore a simple, long, knitted dress, a Snakeling wedding dress, soft and warm, with a river pearl belt around her waist, and a heather wreath on her black-haired head. Merush stood overtaken by the sight, blinking slowly.
She came near, the old man joined their hands and began the Ceremony. The warm touch of her palms calmed the young Snakeling. He didn’t hear a word the old man said, smiling and looking into Mari’s eyes, until the Snakeling Lord gave them the rings. Then came the kiss. Merush had never kissed a girl before! How was he supposed to know, what to do? Or where to put his hands, or where to turn his head… but while he stood there awkwardly wondering, Mari reached out, cupped his face gently and pulled it close to hers. The beautiful warmth of her lips made Merush close his eyes with delight. He wished to stay like this, with their lips locked forever.
Luke chuckled, when Mari released Merush from her grip, but the young man still stood with his eyes closed.
The Snakeling Lord congratulated them, all the guests cheered, Merush opened his eyes, startled from his daydream.
The Snakeling feast differed from both Autumnian and Thilian celebrations. It was quite modest and simple, no dancing, no excessive merry-making. More of a festive dinner with a couple of toasts of the Strong water or Snakeling booze. Nothing else.
Between staring lovingly at his bride and making small talk with the guests, Merush managed to discuss the latest news from his snake spies with Herki and Luke.
“I was wondering why the old scum would not come after us. That was to be expected. But it appears he’s been busy,”
“With what?”
“Well, with your sister,” Merush answered Luke’s question, and blushed. He told them all about the Lord’s wedding and what followed.
“How did she survive? Never mind, knowing Aurora, I’m not surprised,” Luke rolled his eyes.
“I hope she’s in hot water now!” Herki smirked and shook his head. Getting married to Morten was a deadly move.
“It appears Lord Morten has developed a soft spot for Lady Aurora. My snakes had seen the court bored to death - all the Lord wants is his new wife. He smokes Snakegrass like never before and both spend most of their days in the cold pool, behind closed doors,”
“That’s something new! Usually the old scum loves to display his skills in front of an admiring crowd,” Herki shrugged.
“Those two deserve each other - twisted as they are. Though she is my sister, I predict they will murder one another out of boredom when they’re done… mating,”
Herki spat out his drink, laughing at Luke’s remark. Luke chuckled along, but Merush did not.
“Speaking of mating… might that be the reason for your unrest earlier?” Herki addressed him.
The Snakeling swallowed hard and blushed once more. He lowered his sight shyly and straightened the silver cutlery on the table before him.
“Snakelings are cold-blooded creatures. We do not understand passion. Our upbringing is strict, not even the slightest hint of carnal pleasures is allowed, and…”
“Judging by the way you stare at Mari, I think you’ll have no trouble with… “ Herki cleared his throat, “…carnal pleasures!” Both he and Luke laughed at Merush’s stammering. All three of them drank another round of the Strong water, and then the time came to escort the newlyweds to their chamber.
Merush carried his bride into the chamber, put her down gently, and turned his back on her looking out the window at the new moon and the stars. The room was dimly lit by the embers of the fireplace and a couple of candles.
Poor Merush had begun to shake once more, he couldn’t help it.
“What is it?” Mari asked gently.
Slowly the young Snakeling turned to his bride, staring at his feet.
“I… I do not possess the experience or the skill… We Snakelings are cold… and…”
“Do you regret marrying me?” Mari asked, desperately trying to look into his eyes.
“No! But I fear I’m not… “
“I wish I could be like you! Clean and untouched,” now Mari was the one looking down, tears clouded her eyes.
“But you are!” Merush touched her face with his cold, trembling hand, “your spirit is pure despite all that dirt, that’s why… I love you,”
His shaking stopped, both dived into each other’s arms. The kiss was both gentle and passionate. Mari unbuttoned the collar of his shirt.
It was not the scourging flame of Autumnian lust; nor the cold Snakeling mating, they met in the middle - a warmth inbetween the hot and the cold. Mari was finally treated with respect; the innocence of his touch was healing. They laid in the afterglow of their nearness, holding each other tight and kissing, deep into the starlit night.
Luke paced into the dark of the night infuriated. Was everybody around him obsessed with getting married?! Even his slut of a sister, as twisted as she was, had somehow managed to get a ring on her finger. All the talk about mating and passion, ugh! Luke was sick of it! Just before he stormed off, Luke was hoping to have a couple of drinks and some laughs with Herks, but his friend declared he’s going for another round of patrolling around the lake. He took Ulise with him. It’s clear what this “patrolling” is going to be. These last weeks Herki was busy either guarding the lake, or spending time with his beloved.
Merush was always working. Luke longed for some company, he couldn’t even return home to his parents - Luke went against his father’s will when he sailed to Autumna. Lord Hadrian had disowned his son, and he was furious about his daughter’s choice of a husband, and, of course, blamed Luke for letting his sister be seduced by that old pervert Morten.
Luke missed his home, he missed Thilia with all his heart.
Although Luke was truly happy for his friend, every time he saw Ulise a sharp pain stung his loving heart.
He marched into the pinewood forest surrounding the castle. The night was freezing cold, frost-covered grass rustled and crunched beneath his steps. Luke stopped, stared at the lonely stars glaring between the branches of the evergreen pines, and began to sing. He let out all the pain and sorrow with a beautiful melody of Herki’s poems. Luke sang for quite a while, until he could sing no more, he sat on a fallen tree, angrily wiping the tears running down his cheeks.
A wave of laughter and giggling followed his song. Excellent! An unexpected audience was all he needed right now! Luke had noticed before - Snakeling girls looked at him bewildered and often laughed whenever he passed; obviously a Thilian boy with his golden hair and blue eyes was an unusual sight to them. He didn’t care for them - not only were the Snakeling girls strange and extremely shy, they were nothing compared to Ulise. In Luke’s eyes Snakelings were far from beautiful.
“Stop it!” Luke yelled in the direction of the laughter, though it was improper to raise his voice at young maidens. Luke was drunk and miserable, he would not take ridicule of his own voice. Not tonight!
When the laughing wouldn’t stop, the furious boy marched toward the girls. There were three of them. The two rushed away as soon as he approached, but the third one stood still, staring at him with her Snakeling eyes.
“Would you stop staring?! Wasn’t the laughing enough?” Luke screamed at her rudely.
The girl blinked, still looking his way.
“I’m not staring,”
Luke gasped; the shameless little snake! Though it was dark, he saw the girl’s wide, snake-like eyes looking straight at him.
“Oh, yes you are! I can see it!”
“I can’t see,” she replied calmly.
Indeed, her stare was strangely oblivious and somewhat dreamy. Luke stepped closer and waved his hand before her face. She was blind. The girl smiled, she obviously sensed him doing so.
“Oh… forgive me, miss!” He stuttered, “and how do you… get around?”
“We, snakes, have other senses. Like hearing,” she smiled, “you were very loud! What was it you did?”
“You mean singing? Don’t Snakelings sing?”
“Sing? No, we don’t sing,”
The other girls ran back to her, grabbed the girl and pulled her away.
“Come, Anaish! Why didn’t you follow? Let’s go! Don’t talk to that weird Thilian! Come quick before you freeze to death!” They gave Luke a hateful stare. Luke mimicked after them. That weird Thilian! Those girls should look in the mirror! Although one of them would see nothing... Luke frowned - the poor girl. Not only was she an ugly Snakeling, she was also a blind one.
***
Lord Morten looked at her - the most impeccable, the most beautiful creature of all sat beside him in a sheer silk robe at the breakfast table, leisurely eating a strawberry. Her plump lips touched the fruit, caressing it slowly. Aurora’s blue eyes turned toward him. She asked, “How can I serve you, my Lord?” with a glimmer of a sly smile on her lips.
Lord Morten didn’t answer, looking into the cold, blue flames. He drank empty a large glass of wine, not taking his eyes off her.
“Out! Everybody out!” He exclaimed. The court immediately got up and left their half-finished breakfast. So did the servants.
He grabbed Aurora, laid her on the table in front of him, and undressed her violently. The frail crystal glasses, fine porcelain plates and golden cutlery smashed against the floor.
Lord Morten jumped on top of her, the Dragonling’s flame immersed deeply into the fair flesh; it devoured Aurora, but she didn’t seem to mind, quite the opposite - the Lord’s flame fed her cold, insatiable nature. The breakfast hall had never witnessed such deafening cries of pleasure.
“Aren’t you a delicious sight?” Morten observed her, lying nude inbetween the strawberries scattered across the table. He had wrapped back into his silk robe, now he sat by the table caressing her skin and smoking a Snakegrass pipe.
“Satisfied, my Lord?” Aurora didn’t seem to mind being his plaything.
“They say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I must admit, this one was very wholesome,” he smiled, exhaling white smoke.
Aurora rolled on her stomach, with the playful grace of a kitten and glanced at Morten, resting her head on her hands.
“You can let your court stay the next time. I’m not shy, neither are you,”
The Lord looked away.
“There are some pleasures I’m not willing to share, my dearest,”
“Dearest? Careful, my Lord! One might think you’re falling in love,” Aurora smirked.
“And how would you treat a man in love with you?”
Aurora laughed, the ruthless sound echoed across the hall.
“I’d pity the poor fool. Then I’d have complete power over him. Something a man of your position cannot afford,” She sat up on the table, crossing her legs.
“Indeed, Lady Aurora! Luckily, I don’t believe in love. But desire…” Morten pulled her into his lap, “…gives us freedom without any foolish obligations, doesn’t it?”
The last three weeks had passed with the two of them indulging themselves in carnal pleasures and idle conversations. Lord Morten was showering his young wife with gifts, her every wish was fulfilled. One thing though he did not grant her - Aurora wanted to finally witness the nightly feasts she had heard so much about. Although the Lord would not confess, he couldn’t stand the young, handsome men of the court looking at Auroras luscious features, or her staring at them. No! She was his, and his alone! Despite his denial, Morten felt a strange new attachment he didn’t have a name for yet. The Lord had to admit - Aurora possessed a sharp mind, and to his own surprise, Morten enjoyed talking to her almost as much as he enjoyed sleeping with her.
Both spent the whole afternoon in the pool. Now they rested lying on the day bed of the Winter garden.
He smoked Snakegrass all day long, not wanting to hurt Aurora’s perfectly smooth skin. Although, she didn’t even mind to feel some burn to intensify her pleasure.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to leave for some hours tomorrow. Unfinished business,” Lord Morten said, leading his finger across her neck and chest. It left a slightly red trace - the tip of his finger burned hot. The Lord reached for his pipe to take another smoke - too much heat obviously, but Aurora gently put his hand back where it was. She didn’t cease to surprise him.
“Finally going after the traitors? I hope you’re not claiming back that slut your son stole from you?”
“Jealous, lady Aurora?”
“Me? No! I just don’t think she’s worthy of you. But if you find someone more suitable to satisfy your needs - take her, by all means,” if Aurora did feel jealous, her calm voice did not give her out.
“The lake will be frozen solid by morning, the bastard will have a hard time using it to fight against me. I’ll wipe the Snakeling island clean from those treacherous creatures,”
“I love it when you speak of destruction,” she said idly, but the little word that slipped from her lips, made the Lord’s vile heart skip a beat. Love. Suddenly he realized that was the name of the new-found sensation occupying him lately. Nevertheless, he didn’t want it to be noticed. Lord Morten merely pulled Aurora closer and kissed her chest.
“How do you plan to destroy them, my Lord? The lake is frozen. Power over water will not help you,”
“If I don’t have water, I’ll use fire,” Lord Morten replied with a malicious smile and laid on top of Aurora.