King of the Seditious

“Hello Murah.”

Blue eyes roved his face lovingly. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

Not when I’m here. Just being here in her hut, in her room. Surrounded him by her smell, her warmth...Her presence.

“No, Murah.” He shook his head. “You’re beautiful.”

“I missed you.” She whispered breathlessly. Her eyes blinking sleepily.

She’s not fully awake. Knowing that made him sad because he knew what’d happen when came to full wakefulness. It was highly tempting to take advantage of the moment.

Too tempting.

He pressed his lips to hers and she hummed and folded her body against the side of the bed to draw nearer him and met his kiss. Her tongue dancing with his. He delved into her honeyed sweetness. Tasting each corner of her mouth as if it were new. Feeling her in the same way he yearned to be back inside her.

Something she’s been withholding for far too long already.

“I missed you too.” He confessed rising.

“Don’t go, Jax!” Her small hand shot from under the blankets to catch his wrist.

He looked down at her, almost sadly. Waiting for her to register what she was doing. To fully wake.

“Oh my God!” She sat bolt upright, hand sliding from his arm. Long red hair tossing over her shoulder and waving down her back. “How did you get in here? What’ve you done!”

And there she is. His expression was mournful.

“What are you doing here?”

“That’s not what you were saying a moment ago.” He murmured.

You were kissing me with just as much passion as I offered you. His eyes narrowed on her. Unable to resist the accusing look. When her mind stops, her heart and body want me as badly as I want her.

“I wasn’t fully aware, as you know completely well!” She said waspishly. “You know I’m half-asleep when first I wake. Barely conscious of what’s around me.”

It’s true. I did know. He said nothing. Staring at her blankly. Neither acknowledging nor arguing that she had been willing.

I could’ve stripped her and crawled into her bed with her moments ago.

But now she’s back to the hissing viper.

I could see it, in that moment she was sweet again…Mine...

She will be again, soon enough. He promised himself. Willing to be patient a while longer.

“How did you get in?” She demanded harshly. Forcing herself to focus back on the moment.

And not on her tongue in my mouth.

“I didn’t harm your men.” He reassured dispassionately.

She blew a relieved breath.

She sees me as utterly merciless. Just a killer.

“Why are you here?” She queried coldly.

He was quiet. Chin lifting.

“You can’t have what you want.” She asserted.

“You’ve made that abundantly clear.” His voice dropped. “But are you so certain.”

He stroked the back of one hand down her cheek.

She gasped and caught his wrist. Holding it away from her.

“You know you’d melt if I held you. Dampen if I was inside you. Why do you work so hard to deny us both?”

“I won’t join with you.”

“Perhaps not.” He shrugged. Letting his hand drop from her grip.

“Then why are you here?” She pulled the blanket tighter as she looked at him fearfully.

Scared I’ll touch her more. Grow more sincere in my efforts to tumble her.

He reached for her again and she flinched.

“Don’t do that.” His tone turned bitter. His face tightening.

“What?”

“Look at me like you fear me. Have I ever forced you?”

“Of course not!”

“Then what would make you think I would?”

“That’s not what I was thinking!”

Then what were you afraid of? He hadn’t realized he’d asked it aloud.

“Myself…” She admitted.

“I won’t touch you, if you fear me.”

“I don’t wish to be weak. And you make me weak.”

“I know that.”

“Why are you here, Jax?” She sighed.

Still persisting on wanting to know. To chase me off.

“I came to see you. Brought you a gift.” He gestured.

She looked down wide-eyed and realized it was a new blanket. She jerked up and peered beneath the one over her, to make sure he hadn’t disposed of her old one.

The one she always laid directly under.

He laughed because he knew she’d check so hastily.

I’ve urged her to dispose of it for many years now.

She blew another relieved breath.

“Do you really think so little of me?” He asked.

“You know I do not. I think the world of you.”

His face sobered. Instantly growing severe. “Then be with me.”

He was slightly ashamed of the pleading note in his voice.

“You know I can’t.”

“I know you can. You’re choosing not to.”

“I choose not to because you break my heart.”

The words were crushing. “I do not do it apurpose.”

“I know that. It makes it worse.” She murmured. After a prolonged silence she asked. “S-sit with me?”

Scooting she made room on the edge of the bed. Sure, to give enough space he wouldn’t bump her.

So careful to avoid my touch. Because she turns weak in my hands. He recalled what she’d do.

Which was why I had to steal that kiss tonight. After a thoughtful moment, he sat resignedly. Eyes falling to his hands in his lap.

“Is it really so much to ask?” She queried brokenly.

“You know it is not.”

This conversation is painful. Awful. He was utterly still. Other than his thumb massaging the palm of his opposite hand.

Sensing his pain, she dropped her hands to his shoulders. Tugging lightly.

He reflexively leaned back until his neck and head landed on the curve of her waist as she lay sideways. He sighed comfortably. Catching her sent enveloping him and feeling at peace for the first time in a long time. Since this war with her began, I suppose.

“I just want you to talk to me. Tell me what you feel. What you think!”

“I don’t know how.” He said haltingly.

“It’s just talking, Jax.”

“Talking has never come easily for me.”

I wasn’t raised that way.

In dungeons with rats and caves with demons, is not ideal to being a compassionate, open man.

“How would you know?” She cried. “You were always punished for speaking!”