Til Death Do Us Part - Red Queen Fan Fiction

Chapter 5 - I will always love you, but

I push Cal back down and he brings me with him. His hands stay on my hips, gripping hard onto the part where my thigh and hip meet. We still have our shoes and pants on, taking our time with one another. Its like we know it has to end, and we are trying to enjoy it as long as we can. He rolls me onto my back, straddling me and kisses his way down my neck, to my chest, stomach and stops right where my pant buttons are. He undoes the three buttons and reaches behind him for my boots. He slowly undoes the laces, his brow furrowing as he tries to get them loose, concentration etched on his face. I laugh at the sight, all too familiar with my struggle to get them off after a hard day.

"What's so funny Barrow?" he asks, with that stupid grin I fell in love with.

"I forget you royals have servants who take off your shoes" I cant remove the grin off my face either.

"Shut up" He laughs to himself, shaking his head, and takes off the shoes. Then he is on top of me, his lips finding mine and his tongue grazes my lips. Its enough to send me into a frenzy. Something takes over my body, and suddenly I am so hungry for him, I cant stop myself when I grab onto his belt buckle, pull towards me and start undoing his pants. Cal doesn't miss a beat, and once the buttons are undone, he pulls off the rest of his clothes and shoes, and helps me take off mine. Were in sync, and I can feel the effect I have on Cal.

When Cal and I first became intimate, it wasn't awkward. Even though it was my first time, and I was by no means experienced sexually, I felt so comfortable with him and my body that it didn't matter. All that mattered was us, and finally showing how much we loved each other. The thought crosses my mind now, that this could be the last time I have Cal this way, intimately. Sooner or later I have to let go, let him find a real Queen. Someone who is his equal where I am not. It saddens me.

Cal grabs my face in his hands again, kisses my lips and then moves his right hand down my body. Once he reaches my thighs, he takes his hand and moves my leg slightly away. I arch my back, waiting for him to enter me, and when he does I forget everything is wrong with the world. Our bodies are in sync, but Cal is the leader. He always has been. Even though I know I am strong on my own, Cal will always reign over my body. Cal doesn't stop kissing me, doesn't stop grabbing my thighs, my arms, my hair. Cal is an aggressor. His body temperature rises, and that's understandable with the whole wielding fire thing. I have to focus on my lightning, make sure it doesn't power up. Sometimes it crackles, and Cal chuckles darkly. He loves the effect he has on me and loves the idea of me losing control because of him. Secretly I love it too.

I grab onto his back, my hands gripping into the hard muscle. Sweat is all over us, and his back is warm under my touch. I try and push him over onto his back, but he is too strong, and he bites my neck when I complain. I moan under my breath when our bodies start to push harder, and Cal growls low, hungry. I cling to him, and we take it all the way to the end. Our breaths are hot, heavy. Im panting, and he kisses me again and again. I wonder if we were to survive, if it would always be like this. Passionate.

When we get our clothes on, we lay in the grass, my head on his chest, our legs tangled up. His arm is around me, and the other is playing with my hair. I shudder under the sensation of his touch.

"How can you let us go" he says quietly. And in that moment, I really don't know how. But the dark reality sets. The Mare I know would have never let herself get carried away in love. She would have fought, for herself, her family and freedom. Mare never went without a fight. I have become weak with Cal, and truth is he has weakened with me by his side. He knows it too. To love is to destroy. I destroyed his chance at a normal reign, and he destroyed my chance at a normal life. Although he saved me, he doomed me in the process.

I love him and I hate him and that is no way to live. Not for either of us.

"You know deep down inside...it is the right thing to do". My words are reserved, sad. He stops playing with my hair and I lift my head up, resting my chin on his chest. We look at each other for what seems like a long time. He bends up and kisses me once more, long, hard. Desperate.

When it is time to leave, we stand in the same place we met, only this time I'm in his arms and he is not throwing a coin at me. He kisses the top of my head, and when I lift my head, my lips. I kiss him back, for the last time. As I walk away, I want to look back. I made a decision and I have to stick to it. For the sake of my future and Cals. For the sake of my people and his. Cal and I are poison. Sweet at first, but deadly when consumed in large doses.

I turn back to Cal. "I will always love you" I say, a single tear escaping my eye and with that I walk away.

The pain in my chest feels oddly familiar. I realise I felt similar pain when I lost Shade.

....

6 Months Later

...

"Mare, get your ass downstairs. The broadcast is starting" Cameron yells from my door, her head half in and out of my room.

"I'm coming. Geez" I yell as I put a jacket on, zipping it up all the way to the top. Its winter, and the snow is getting higher and higher by the day. I realise how much I hate the cold.

I run down the stairs, and reach the double doors leading to the main dining hall which is converted to our 'Communications Room'. I am startled by how many people there are, gathered around. Everyone slowly moves for me though, and I make my way to the middle of the room, not wanting to look too eager. Cameron glances at me and shakes her head. I make an obscene gesture and she laughs. I see Kilorn and Farley in the front, both of them acknowledging me.

The broadcast starts, and the royal crest takes up the screen. I feel uneasy, but I push it down and focus on the television. This broadcast is the first in a few months. The first was 3 months ago, an update on the status of Maven. We have been hunting for months, but nothing. We cant seem to find him. I know Maven, and I know that he is hiding and planning something grand. I just wish I knew what it was so I could stop it. One day I tell myself. This is the second, and was announced last week. At first we thought it was to do with the war with the lakelanders, or something along the lines of war, but Farley thought it was unlikely a war message would be kept on hold for a week. It would be urgent.

The broadcast brings us to the palace, the host, an older gentleman graces the stage. The camera pans close, and we cant see the rest of the stage, but I know the King is somewhere on the right. Evangeline too. Other people I don't know. I focus on his words.

"Good Evening Ladies and Gentleman. Thank you for joining us tonight.

Usually these broadcasts are a cause for concern, but tonight I have a turn of events, some good news!" the crowd goes wild and the camera pans to happy faces in the audience, Silvers rejoicing in the news to come. Children smiling. Picture perfect normal. "His Majesty, Tiberius Calore VII from the royal house of Calore and Jacos, King of Norta has an announcement to make".

The screen pans to Cal. He is wearing his royal attire, a crown full of jewels and a sword at his side. He looks regal. Fitting as he is the King of Norta. He has a smile on his face, looking genuinely happy. I feel the uneasiness again, but push it down as much as I can. A lump rising in my throat. Cal steps forward. In that moment I am reminded of something Cal once said : I am your rightful king, Silver-born for centuries. In that moment, I saw Cal as a King, and even now I see what he was talking about when he said this is his destiny. His purpose. You have to have a certain stance and effect on people. Cal always had that. He was born to lead. I can see it clear as day now. His voice echoes through our dining hall.

"My loyal subjects. I stand before you with some news. News that will move the Kingdom of Norta into a new era. I am proud to be your King, but I have walked this road alone for quite some time. It is only fair that Norta upholds the tradition of my father, and his father before him". A figure comes into view, familiar. I remember her because it is the girl I stabbed, 6 months ago, when I was distracting Cal and his soldiers. "Please join me in welcoming Theresa De Guise. My betrothed. My future wife and the future Queen of Norta". She takes his hand and they stand before the camera, smiling at each other, the crowd echoing in my mind and going wild at the news.

"Please welcome her into your hearts as I have".