22-An Audience And A Promise.
Upon entering the royal study, the numerous glass shelves lining the walls drew Nathan’s attention. He glanced at the various books and parchments of ancient texts before shifting his attention.
"Nyelekai, it is very good to see you again my son." A crimson-haired gentleman said, seated behind an ornate desk.
"Elder Moriah, your Majesty, it is an honour to be in your presence." Nathan said, bowing his head.
"Excellent work disposing of that creature and saving the citizens." A blonde-haired woman said, standing beside one of the glass shelves.
"I simply completed my assigned task.”
The crimson-haired man laughed heartily. "Humble as ever. I expected nothing less from my future son."
"Aumergus, let us proceed to the debriefing." the woman said.
The king cleared his throat. "Yes, my apologies Elder Moriah."
The corners of Nathan’s lips curled subtly as he glanced at Elder Moriah.
She nodded and gestured for him to move towards the table.
"Now then Nyelekai, what have you learned regarding this creature?" King Aumergus said.
Nathan nodded. "This is a mere speculation, however, the sequence of events, including the very nature of this creature has led me to a troubling hypothesis.”
“And that is?” Elder Moriah said.
“This creature was an experiment...a failed one at that.”
King Aumergus furrowed his brow. “Please elaborate.”
“The creature grew rapidly in a short span of time, however, the exponential growth seemed immature and coarse.” Nathan said. “It's mutated body had regenerative capabilities, however, it was not completely instantaneous...a result of the catalyst used for it's transformation, I believe."
"In other words, it did not reach its full potential.” Elder Moriah said.
“That is correct ma’am.”
“And what of it’s battle capacity?” King Aumergus said.
“I would classify it as a Tier 5 threat. It lacked any intellect, thus it only relied on brute force. If it were to utilise strategic thinking however, the battle would have been vastly different.”
Both Elder Moriah and King Aumergus frowned.
"If that is true, we have a grave situation on our hands.” King Aumergus said.
“Indeed.” Elder Moriah said. “The first matter we need to address is how it arrived in Soato without our knowledge."
"I have our elite analysts investigating that matter as we speak, we shall have answers shortly." King Aumergus said.
“The sooner the better.” Elder Moriah said.
King Aumergus nodded then glanced at Nathan.
"It is a tragedy that so many lives were lost. Canavhri detailed her account of the incident, thus we have an indication of the sequence of events that led to the death of those young nobles.” he said. “Would you be so kind as to corroborate her account?"
"Certainly, your Majesty.”
Later that evening, Nathan stood in front of a large white door and sighed.
He dreaded the dangers that lurked behind it, however, he knew that he had no choice, he could not avoid it.
He raised his hand in order to knock, however, as his knuckle reached the door, it opened.
"Darling, you finally arrived." Princess Canavhri said.
She gazed at him with a mesmerising smile.
"I trust that your audience went well?"
Nathan nodded.
She walked into her bed chamber without looking back.
Nathan followed her, and carefully closed the door behind him.
"It has been some time since I last entered your bed chambers." Nathan said, observing the room.
"Such a tragedy, truly." Princess Canavhri said, walking towards her humongous bed.
She sat on the edge seductively, and gently tapped the spot beside her.
Nathan shook his head and leaned against the wall beside the door.
She smiled and reclined backwards, beckoning him with an alluring expression.
"Why did you invite me here Vhri?"
"Well, first, allow me to thank you for accepting my invitation, I am aware that this is…challenging for you." she said with a piercing gaze.
"Not to be rude Vhri, but can you please get to the point?"
She got up off the bed and strolled towards him.
"You should know, I have not been intimate with anyone after you.” she said. "How about you? Have you been breaking hearts like you always do?"
"That is not fair Vhri.”
She pressed her chest against his and breathed into his neck.
"You are correct, it is not fair to leave a lady wanting, especially if she cannot live without you."
"You shall be all the better without me, as I said before."
She placed her hand on his cheek and gazed into his eyes.
"You and I know too well that it is a falsehood. I belong to you, and you belong to me.” she said, caressing his face. “We are fated to be together for eternity."
Nathan sighed. "I am not prepared for the role that you wish for me to portray, I cannot fulfil your desires." he said.
She chuckled. "My desires?… Do not fret, you shall have an opportunity to fulfil them shortly.”
Nathan turned his head to the side.
"Darling…" she said, returning his face to the centre.
"Yes?"
She smiled briefly, then frowned. "Why do you persist with this facade?"
"What facade?"
"You are unusually cold towards me, have I done something wrong?" she said with a pout.
He sighed. "No...I apologise for my behaviour, it is just…" he said, but stopped abruptly.
"You have met another, however, you are uncertain about how you feel towards her."
Nathan's eyes widened.
‘She couldn't have…’
"Do not look so surprised. You understand me more deeply and intimately than anyone ever will, as such, I understand you the same way." she said. "You cannot hide anything from these eyes.”
"Do not fret, I am not envious in the slightest, you belong to me after all. I know that I still have your heart.”
"Your confidence is frightening.”
She placed her hand on his chest, his heart thumped rapidly with no sign of slowing down. She smiled then rested her head on his shoulder.
"It has merit.”
"Tell me about her, or would you rather I peer into your mind?"
"I do not wish to discuss this with you, nor have you invade my mind. Let us move beyond this."
She grinned. "Too late, you should not have let your guard down when I mentioned her.”
"Vhri!…"
She lifted her head of his shoulder and gazed at him.
"She is human, and quite beautiful. Oh, I understand... She has a mysterious charm, it is difficult not to be drawn to her.”
"That is enough Vhri, get out of my head!”
"Very well, I shall permit you to indulge in your curiosity with this woman." she said. “Whether it be eighty or one hundred years from now, it matters little, you belong to me. I shall be here, awaiting your return."
She kissed him passionately, then bit his lower lip as they separated.
She licked her lips and smiled. "You resist my charm, yet you still allow me this much."
"You terrify me, what choice do I have?"
She giggled. "If only that were true, I would have my way with you, every moment of every day."
"As I said...terrifying."
"You smiled! It has been too long since I have seen your smile, it truly warms my heart." she said with a glowing expression.
Nathan felt a nostalgic sensation welling up inside of him, he placed his curled index finger below her chin, lifting her face.
Princess Canavhri's eyes widened and she gasped. For the first time since their encounter in the food establishment, she felt nervous and her body quivered.
He grinned. "You are shaking."
Her face flushed instantly, but she kept her gaze on him.
"You are the only one whom is able to cause my body to react this way." she said.
He leaned in, their lips separated by a few millimeters.
Her heart raced at his sudden movement, she closed her eyes expectantly.
"You know that I cannot stay." he said.
"I know, however…"
Overwhelmed with nostalgia and other sensations, he kissed her passionately, with unrestrained emotion.
He separated from her and gave her another gentle kiss on her lips.
"Until we meet again. Farewell, Vhri." he said and reached for the door handle.
At that moment, a purple chain wrapped itself around his hand. He stared at the glowing chain in surprise, then glanced at Princess Canavhri.
"Unforgivable!" she said in a low voice.
"What is?..." As he uttered those words, another purple chain attached to his other hand.
Both arms lifted above his head, he looked up and saw two floating spheres on either side of him. The end of the chains pierced the spheres, but did not exit on the other side of it.
The spheres levitated towards the ceiling, lifting his feet a few centimeters off the ground.
"Vhri, what are you doing?"
"I should ask the same of you.”
Nathan stared at her dumbfounded.
"How dare you kiss me with so much passion, my legs are still trembling!"
Nathan tried to answer, but she cut him off immediately.
"You arouse me to the point of ecstasy, then you plan to leave, just like that? Unforgivable!"
As soon as she established that he could no longer escape, she sent the purple spheres towards the bed, stopping at its edge.
"Vhri, let me go!"
He tried to break free from the chains, however, it's binding was absolute, he was trapped with no means of escape.
"Have you forgotten the promise that you made to me when we reunited?"
His eyes widened at the realisation.
"No wait, let us talk about this."
She unclipped her blue velvet dress and allowed it to slide down to her ankles, revealing her overwhelmingly attractive figure.
"You are not wearing…" he said, then bit his lip.
"Now then, shall we begin?" she said with a seductive expression.