The Kingdom

I caught the outreaching arm. Our eyes met and again there was that sense of deep pairing that went beyond the fleshly side of mutual attraction which we were both reveling in right now.

"I'll let you go in an hour or so."

Her easy smile was back and she giggled softly, as I pushed her to fall back on the bed. My life had radically changed for the better. I wasn't so lonely now. Sure, I had many friends, some of which were very close, but none could brighten my world the way just one of this woman's smiles could.

*****

I leaned forward to pat the shoulder of the mount I rode. The term mount was by far too humble of a word to describe the stallion beneath me, a gift from Susori's brother. Susori pulled her mount up alongside of me to look at me curiously before asking, "Why have you stopped? The border is just ahead." She pointed ahead of us.

"Uh huh," I said laconically, in agreement with her. My gaze never left her and she soon grew uncomfortable under it.

"What?" Susori asked hesitantly.

"What's going on in Crona, Susori? I want explanations. Why this war? Why does your brother have his sister masquerading as a harem dancer? Last, but not least, why have I seen hardly any children running free among your people?"

Susori had long since looked down at where her hands twisted the leather cords of her reins into kinks. She shook her head negatively, but I wasn't going to take no for an answer. My hand closed over her fidgeting ones and gripping firmly I forestalled any further movement. She wouldn't look at me.

"I made a choice five days ago. A choice to have you as my bride and companion for the rest of my life. Now, you have a choice before you. You either keep your brother's allegiance or………" I paused as her teary eyes lifted, "or you start out your new life with me by respectfully not holding back any secrets from me. What's it going to be Susori?"

She gazed at me for a moment and then looked away to the borderlands before us. Subconsciously her one hand slipped free of mine and rose to her waist. The band of iron which had encircled her was long gone, but I knew what she felt with the placement of her hand. A bond. She wasn't among her people anymore, instead she was here with me.

Her eyes came back to me and I saw acceptance of my headship over her reflected in the depths of her amazing eyes. "That monster that I heard the first night we were together…….it has something to do with the reason the children are hid?"