A Line Crossed
Kai
When the cockerel sounds from outside, she doesn’t even move, breathing softly and deeply – sleeping without a care in the world.
I sit up, looking at the torn dress that lies discarded to the side.
It’s a good thing I got her a couple. A few marks are still blemishing her smooth skin; her long hair falls over her shoulder, curling around her face.
I rest my weight on my elbow and kiss her shoulder lightly, enjoying the feel of her against my lips.
My hand ghosts over her elbow, and she shivers, leaning back against me.
What am I doing?
Staring at her, I replay last night: the sex, the passion, the hunger for one another…
I move away and turn, staring out of the small window.
The memory from the woods comes to me, and I frown as something I have avoided thinking about comes to the forefront of my mind again.
Was it a trick of the light, or was she leaning towards him?
Like she was about to kiss that man? And not just any kiss, but – I shake my head.
She can’t be a sea siren, can she?
No, just the thought of sleeping with a sea siren makes my gut twist.
I frown. No, there’s no such thing as sky sirens being mated to those sea creatures. That’s proof enough that it’s delusional of me to think that.
But her concern for them, why does she care?
Getting up, I decide to shower before Alfren’s daughters wake up.
Those two are pretty loud and ask far too many questions.
I put on my pants and shirt, not wanting to risk anyone seeing my tattoos.
Stepping out of the bedroom, I shut the door behind myself quietly and turn to see Dorene standing there, holding a basket of clothing.
She blushes and quickly mumbles a “good morning” before hurrying outside.
I raise an eyebrow as Alfren, who is sitting near the hearth, chuckles.
“Young love! Those were the days, she’s just a wee bit embarrassed.”
So they heard us last night.
I don’t say anything, keeping my face passive. Well, at least they’ll think we’re a couple.
After showering, I return to the room to see Siralaine is still asleep. Well, she clearly was exhausted after just that. Leaving her undisturbed, I leave the room, deciding to let her wake when she’s ready and walk over to the hearth.
“The wife still sleeping?” Alfren asks.
“Yeah,” I reply as I sit down opposite him, and Dorene places tea and scones beside me, again avoiding my gaze.
“Well, you know when they’re pregnant, they get tired faster,” Alfren chuckles.
I give him a pointed look. I am not about to discuss sex with him. “You had kids late?” I ask, “Or simply found one another later in life?”
“Do I look old to you, son?” he asks with amusement, not taking offence at the blunt question.
“Well, not really,” I reply. He’s younger than I am. I’m over a hundred, even if I don’t look it.
“We had other children…” He sits back, looking at the fire in the hearth as he takes a puff on his cigar. “Three. Two sons and a daughter, if they were alive today, they would be setting up their own lives now…”
“What happened?” I ask quietly, taking a gulp of my tea. Alfren sighs heavily.
“They were killed for doing the right thing. My sons would have been your age.” He’s silent, his eyes heavy, and I give him time. Is that why they agreed so quickly to help us? Because we unintentionally reminded them of their children?
“The boys went to search for work. We were poor, and the taxes of the kingdom bled us dry. The boys went together; it’s safer to travel in groups.
Well… they came across some bandits who had a few women in captivity.
My sons were brave, I just wished I had trained them by the sword, but how do we poor folk have time for that? ”
He takes another long pause, staring into the burning flames, his eyes haunted and heavy with painful memories.
“Well, they managed to help the girls escape, and killed one of the bandits while the rest scattered. They made it home with only minor injuries. We helped the girls find a safe place at the temple while we thought of a way to get them back home. We thought that was the end of it, but no. It was far from it.”
He brushes his fingers through his beard, sighing heavily. “They showed up a few nights later, lit the town on fire, searching for my sons. I wasn’t here… I was on a work trip and…” He turns his face away and wipes his eyes.
I’ve never experienced that kind of helplessness, and I don’t think I want to. All my life, all I have known is to be strong and emotionless. To become better, faster and stronger than everyone, that was the only option. But I wasn’t raised in a loving family. The difference began there.
“They found your sons and killed them,” I finished.
“Yes… And they took my daughter, and no one was able to stop them. We found her- We...”
“You don’t need to tell me,” I say softly.
“No, no. It’s fine. We-we found her raped and dead on the side of a road a few days later,” Alfren finishes, his voice low and hoarse.
I look down at my hands, feeling something for the stranger sitting opposite me. He’s a father who truly loves his children.
I’ve killed many, but civilians and children were not part of that.
“And there are no guards to police the area?” I ask, forcing the tea down my throat.
“No. We have requested it many times, but are repeatedly ignored. The bandits still come and try to steal our girls. I fear for the little ones.”
“I see.” I can’t do anything for him now, but when I take the crown, I’ll fix this.
A ruler can’t know his country if he doesn’t visit it. Morcant hasn’t, and neither has Varkhazan, yet both want to claim this land. A land that rightfully belongs to the people, a ruler simply governs it to maintain stability and safety.
I didn’t want such a burden, but someone has to step up and do it, and neither of the two kings battling for superiority is fulfilling their responsibility.
“Will Sira be joining us for breakfast?” Dorene asks, and I glance at her, but she’s busy pottering away at the cooker.
“I don’t think so,” I reply.
Alfren chuckles. “Just put something aside for her. She can eat when she wakes. Now come on, Kai, let’s eat, then I will show you my fields.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I answer as I stand up.
“Mama, where is the pretty lady?” Alfrea asks as we sit at the table.
“She’s resting, so don’t play too loudly, and let her sleep,” Dorene says gently.
Last night flashes through my mind, and I take a slow bite of the scone, remembering how she had tasted. Just the memory makes my cock throb, and I clear my mind.
I have to remember she’s riddled with lies, masking secrets she refuses to share, but we still fucked.
It wasn’t a good idea. It’s as if I’m cursed to want her, even when every part of me screams to stay away from her.
After breakfast, I checked in on Siralaine, but she was still asleep, so I informed Dorene, and she said she’ll be around and will let her know where I’ve gone. Then, Alfren and I head out as he continues with his morning duties and wants to show me around his land.
“I feed the animals before the crack of dawn, so I don’t need to rush my own breakfast. You know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”
“I’ve heard that,” I agree, and he grins, nodding.
“Aiy, now see those fields? Those are mine, not much harvest for the last few years because there’s not enough water. And then what we do have is often stolen. We requested a wall around our village to keep those bandits out, but we heard nothing back.”
“Has anyone tried to go to the capital, either when Varkhazan was in charge or to Morcant?” I ask.
Alfren plants his hands on his hips. “Yes, we did try that. One never returned, and two were refused an audience. The roads are riskier now, so no one has tried this year.”
“I see. Perhaps if my path takes me that way, I will try to have a word. Ridvern, like any other town, deserves security.”
“Thank you, son,” Alfren pats my arm before motioning me to follow. I didn’t mind the tour because it gave me an idea of exactly how depraved the state of the village is.
“How much of the crop does the crown take when it comes to harvest?” I ask.
“Around sixty per cent, and if it’s a low harvest, then eighty. They need to feed those rich folk and host those parties, so even if the harvest isn’t good, they’ll take their full cut when they can.”
“Morcant is a sea siren; what good is this to him?”
“None, but it appeases the fae. They live luxuriously, holding full power as nobles, simply without the title of king. But Morcant gives his allies free rein to do as they wish. It’s a win for both the fae and the sea sirens.
” He looks at my ears. “I guess you don’t see as much of this as we do down here. ”
“True,” I say, as we walk through the fields that are dry and brittle. He shows me the water supply and the river, which is a lot smaller than I had assumed.
“At times there’s enough to fill our water tanks, but at other times there’s not, and when it’s extremely tight, there are people upselling it at insane costs by the gallon,” Alfren grunts as we head back towards their home. “Even the town leader, he’s a fae, a cruel man at that…”
I spot Siralaine to the side of the house, her long black hair cascading down her back as she helps put some sheets out.
The wind is blowing her hair wildly; she’s got it braided from the front, but it still whips across her face.
She’s wearing the purple dress with the dark pink flowers; the white lace corset only accentuates her ravishing curves.
I chose this one. The pink reminded me of her natural eye colour.
She’s laughing, and the sound carries on the wind like a soft melody. I’ve never heard her laugh before… She bends down, placing a hand on her thigh, as she cups Sarena’s face with the other and kisses her forehead.
Alfren smacks my shoulder, and I blink, turning to him. “Sorry, I was-”
“I saw where you were looking, son. I got to say, when I first saw both of you, I wondered how someone as stoic as you found such a gem, but despite her being a dryad and you a fae, I can tell you love her,” he chuckles.
“I wasn’t looking at her, just-”
Alfren throws back his head and laughs heartily and slaps my back. What is with this man and hitting me? “There’s nothing wrong with looking at your woman.”
I don’t bother arguing further. Instead, I let my gaze flit to Siralaine. My woman…
The feel of her wrapped around me, her muffled moans and the vision of her naked body fill my head once again, and I look away.
“Well, son, I’m going to go get some work done. You should go spend some time with her.”
“Do you have anything you want me to do? Firewood or anything?”
“No, I’m all caught up with that; you just go enjoy your day. Take her for a walk along the hills. There’s a lovely view from up there.” Alfren points north-east.
“I might do just that,” I say. I need to work on where to go from here, and I need her help. I have a map I brought from the marketplace. Alfren goes his own way, and I head down towards the house.
Siralaine looks up as I approach, her cheeks flushing. “Hey…” she says.
“Hey, slept well?” I ask, smirking slightly. “Didn’t realise one round would take so much out of you,” I murmur when I reach her, keeping my voice low.
She rolls her eyes, pouting slightly. “Well, you didn’t really go easy.” Her eyes meet mine, and before I can stop myself, I reach over, taking hold of her chin in my half-gloved hand.
“Get used to it.”
Her chest rises and falls heavily, and I smirk. Guess I do have some kind of effect on her.
“Where were you?” she asks, tucking a strand behind her ear, only for it to fly free. Her hair curls into small wisps, and I reach over, wrapping the strand around my finger.
“Alfren was showing me the fields,” I answer, feeling her watching me as I keep my attention on the strand of hair.
“Oh, nice. Well, I’m going to help Dorene with lunch. I’ve not cooked before.”
I look at her and raise an eyebrow. “Well, just tell them you were raised spoiled and pampered. You should be careful as to what you say.”
“They already think I’m from a wealthy family, and I fell in love with you,” she whispers, stepping closer, keeping her voice low.
I cock a brow. “I would have gone with the story that you chased me until I relented. It’s more believable.”
Her eyes, which look a soft brown, sparkle as the wind blows. “I don’t think either is really believable,” she murmurs softly.
“Really? I think it is.”
I want her to explain, but Alfrea and Sarena come running over. “Come play with us, Sira!” Sarena says, tugging her away from me.
“The man is scary!” Alfrea whispers loudly, like I wasn’t just standing here.
“What happened to his nose?” Sarena asks Sira. She looks over at me and then smiles down at the two girls holding her hands.
“Well, he was protecting someone, and he got hurt. He’s a good person. His name is Kai,” she says softly.
“Ooo, that was very nice of him,” Alfrea says with a knowing nod, as if she herself has helped many a soul.
Another sharp wind blows, bringing with it the scent of fresh flowers from the meadows. I watch Siralaine walk away, her hair billowing in the breeze. For a moment, I feel oddly at ease. Simply focusing on her – the way her body sways with every step, the way her ass moves.
I know exactly how it looks beneath that cotton dress, and I want a replay of last night. She didn’t just satiate my hunger for sex last night, she awakened a beast who wants to ravish her repeatedly.
A bird caws loudly, and I look up, reminding myself that I have a mission to take care of, a king to kill and a kingdom to conquer. I don’t have time for whatever this is.
Turning away, I head towards the north-east hills. I think being alone right now is what I need.