4. Basilious
BASILIOUS
B asilious had not been able to fall asleep that night, his mind churning over all of the disappointing options that lay before him.
Now, he was glad he'd not been asleep—not because he had narrowly avoided being killed, but because he had gotten to meet the most stunning, fascinating woman he had ever seen.
Lunette, the vampire assassin, with her lush body, skilled movements, and unwavering boldness. She had felt at once completely foreign and achingly familiar. He wanted to know everything about her.
He didn't bother trying to go back to sleep, and instead rebuilt his fire and settled into his armchair.
Despite his fascination with his would-be murderer, he did need to consider who would have cause to want him gone.
He had no true political rivals, and he hadn't made any particularly controversial policy decisions recently. Delkos was at peace with generally good relationships with the other nations of Domhan na Rùin. Even their traditionally difficult mainland neighbor to the west, Sartya, was sending their Captain of the Guard to solstice here as a sign of good will. He didn’t think they had any reason to think a different ruler in Delkos would benefit them.
If he were to leave the throne without an heir, it would likely pass to one of his advisors.
They would meet and take a vote on who would take up the mantle of king.
Delkos' law had procedures for that sort of thing, so it wouldn't leave them particularly open to a coup or any sort of major political unrest.
Basil's mind has wrestled with too many puzzles for one day, and he found it wandering back to the gentle curve of Lunette's stomach, her wide hips, the intensity of her honey-yellow eyes in the moonlight.
Her thick, dark curls had been pulled up, but a few stray ringlets had framed her perfect face.
She was beauty and death, and Basil wanted more than anything to bury his muzzle into her neck and breathe her in.
His cock was hard again, and he took himself in hand, pulling back his foreskin as he stroked up and down his length.
He wondered what she'd feel like, taste like.
He'd heard vampires were cool to the touch, an he imagined sheathing himself inside her.
A few strokes had him on the edge, images running through his mind of all the things he wanted to do with her.
One particular image sent him over the edge, though—Lunette's naked body kneeling over him, tying his hands above his head. He wanted to be at her mercy.
He wanted to be hers.
He came with a grunt, his release dripping onto the wood floor in front of him. Gods, she had him acting like an adolescent. He hadn't wanted someone so badly since… possibly ever.
He grabbed a towel to clean up his mess, and his thoughts turned back to his problems as he stood staring into the fire.
There were four days until he had to announce his choice, so he decided trying to determine who wanted him dead was the more pressing matter.
He couldn't tell anyone about Lunette's failed attempt on his life—he had to believe anyone could be a suspect, no matter how unlikely.
His heart felt heavy with the knowledge that, despite giving his whole life over to his kingdom, he was perhaps not a good enough ruler.
The rest of the night was spent turning over every decision, every turning point, wondering where he had gone wrong.
He returned to his chair and stared into the flames, hoping that sleep may finally come for him.
The following morning, Basilious spent a good twenty minutes trying to stretch his neck out.
Sleeping in fits while sitting upright in a chair was not particularly restful or good for one's neck, as it turned out.
He dressed and placed the crown upon his head, its weight particularly heavy this morning.
Today was his weekly town hall, where members of the public could come to the castle to discuss their problems and concerns with their king.
Usually he greatly enjoyed these sessions—he took pride in maintaining a positive relationship with the common people of Delkos, and worked hard to address their needs.
Today, however, he was exhausted and felt like a failure. There was no avoiding his duty, though. So he put on a confident face and made his way to the public throne room.
As usual, several of his advisors were in attendance too.
One of the things that had made Delkos a strong nation was its leaders' willingness to listen to the advice of others who were wiser or more knowledgeable than them in any given area.
To do his best to serve his people, he needed advice, and so his advisors were always near.
His attention was divided that day as petitioners came forward.
He caught himself eyeing his advisors, wondering if perhaps one of them had reason to want him gone.
Memories of his time as king played in his mind.
He had taken the throne when his father passed away ten years prior, and a lot had happened since then.
His heart was heavy at the thought that someone believed him so unfit for his role; it made the decision about his marriage all the harder.
How would he go through with such a personal sacrifice—losing the chance at a love he had always dreamed of—knowing that it may never be enough?
A new petitioner made their way up the aisle, and Basilious turned to look at them.
As he did, a familiar face caught his eye in the crow, giving him a rush of excitement.
It was Lunette. She stood at the back of the hall in a faded, cranberry red, linen gown.
It was a style the people of Delkos often wore, and seeing her in it made his pulse spike.
The red against her creamy complexion and dark hair was striking.
She felt his eyes on her and looked his way, her honey gaze intense. She smiled at him, and he felt satisfaction all the way down to his soul. Lunette was the last thing he needed this week, and unfortunately, the only thing he wanted.