Darak 1 - Smoke and Flame: Part 1

CHAPTER 3

Waking from her peaceful slumber, Queen Adina felt the chilly morning air from her large bedroom window.

Her bed was covered in bright red sheets, the walls a darker shade of red.

Getting up to close the window, she smiled.

Adina turned, hearing her bedroom door unlock. She didn't bother covering her bare breasts. She just faced the door, unapologetically on display. Not an inch of her body was flawed, as far as she was concerned. Her blonde hair was the perfect length, her eyes a striking purple color. Her scent was vanilla, her flesh smooth as silk. At 6ft tall, she was as tall as a lot of the men under her iron fist.

Kiev smiled nervously, stepping into the room, never knowing what mood Adina held in her heart. Would she smile and wave or give him a hard slap across his slightly hairy chin? Her right-hand man held a silk black robe for her to slip into.

"Kiev. You're right on time, as always." She said as she put the garb on.

"Thank you, my queen. Are you hungry?"

"Not now. Is the minotaur in my grasp?" She didn't bother tying the robe around her waist. The person in the bedroom was in her sights. She was now a few inches from his face.

That stare. That stern-tell me everything stare she owned got to the soldier every time.

"No, my lady. The minotaur killed them. I...I ran away after I saw how strong he was."

"Even the orc?" She cocked her head.

"Yes, ma'am." Kiev clenched his fist. His heart pounded. He admitted he ran off after seeing the destruction. A fine soldier he was. Sarcasm dripped from his inner thoughts. Surely, she would hurt him badly for this.

"You don't need to fear me." She smiled and held the young man's hand. She was 27. He was 25.

She continued, her voice smooth as silk. "You've been nothing but kind. Nothing but submissive. You ran. It's a flaw. But you're such a handsome soldier, I'll let it slide." She leaned in and kissed his lips softly; he tasted a hint of cherry enter his mouth as she did so. "You give me my power."

She placed a soft hand on his cheek, which had a bit of scruff.

Kiev would have kept his distance if he could have. Once the unexpected kiss was placed on him, he was done for.

He removed his armor. His vision was blurry. His mind was not where it should be. This felt like a dream.

Sitting in one of the many cushioned chairs in her bedroom, she spread her legs, and he automatically got to his knees. He looked up, seeing her smiling over him.

"I think we have time for a quick round. Brother." She chuckled as she forced his head between her legs.

Adina sits on her throne. Sipping wine and giving small orders to the soldiers that surround her. The wine holds not only grapes, but potions that make her more awake and stronger. She had barely any muscles, but with the help of dark magic, she didn't need to be a muscular woman.

She wanted the minotaur most of all. Not only was it annoying hearing of a minotaur clomping in the woods, but she also saw a fantastic opportunity. Gladiator fights were once a major source of entertainment for the people of Sitka, but with a lack of bruting men, she really couldn't hold these epic fights.

With a minotaur in the ring, though? People would flock to those fights. People would give many coins to see a beast of that size.

In addition, he could be a great bodyguard for her. When she wanted to take walks. The strength of men satisfied, but a minotaur would give her close to ultimate power.

Everyone feared minitours, dragons, sea monsters-these creatures were the definition of fear. These creatures commanded respect. Adina had respect-but she wanted fear.

The queen looked straight ahead and stood as the double doors of the castle opened. Stepping closer to her throne were two guards, both wearing silver armor and wearing helmets with visors. Both held tight to an elderly man with gray hair and wearing a dirty tunic. His eyes were wide and his movements stiff. He had never been brought to the castle before.

The peasant was forced to his knees once he was close to the throne. Two men standing beside the throne drew their swords.

Removing his helmet, the taller of the two peasant abductors spoke. "He was seen trying to steal bread. He said it was for his starving daughter. What say you, old man?"

Adina approached the old man, her footsteps echoed through the castle walls. She smiled sadly, listening intently.

"Please, my queen. I...I only want my family to survive. I don't have much." Tears fell from his eyes.

"You want food and drink?" Adina smiled softly, her knee bending to the old man.

"Y-yes. Please. I'll do anything for it. Anything!"

The queen pats the farmer's silver hair with her smooth hand. "Kiev. Get him a bag of food and wine. Send him on his way."

Her brother was surprised she showed such mercy. He quickly ran off to get the supplies.

Oh, how happy the farmer was. His walk was confident. His smile was noticeable. He would be set for a long time.

Adina then gripped Kiev's arm and brought him to a room behind the throne, her personal office.

The office was spotless, covered in glass windows where sunlight beamed through. The desk is made of dark red wood with a marble edge.

Papers were all alphabetically organized. She was good at keeping papers signed and other kingdoms happy.

"My brother. I have a favor to ask." She nodded and shut the office door, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes. Anything. You seem in good spirits, sister."

"Good spirits. Yes. But we can't have peasants stealing things." She frowned.

"Well, you fixed that farmer. He's happier than a pig in shit."

She handed Kiev a paper with various names. The farmer's name was underlined. Bob Kirk. "You will kill him tonight. Then retrieve the goods I gave him. For their my goods." She smirked.

"Well, my sister-who am I to cross you? Who am I to say no? An elderly farmer can't put up much of a fight. Consider Mr. Kirk dead." Kiev was going to yell. He was going to throw a fit. If he thought he could get away with it, he would have slapped her. He kept his cool. He nodded, handing her the paper back.

"Gather what you need for tonight. Make sure no one knows it was you. Leave no trace. Can't have people thinking the queen's right-hand man is a sadistic bastard." She kissed his cheek.

Once the sun was down, and the sky a black mass, Kiev got his sword ready.

The bedroom he got dressed in was so silent, almost calming, had it not been for his half-dressed sister reading a book.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Kiev did indeed wear his armor, combed his black hair which reached his shoulders. His sword was ready, as were his arrows. Adina didn't pay any mind to the fact he was donning his full soldier outfit. She didn't care what he did. She knew he'd come back with the job done.

"Goodnight, sister." Kiev opened the bedroom door and looked at his sister with a sigh.

"Goodnight brother." She said, not even looking at him. She listened to the door close and her brother's footsteps retreat.

"The bitch won't get her way this time." Whispered the soldier as he left the castle grounds, not bothering to turn back. He knew he'd discharged from his position. Or more likely, killed. He knew he'd be hunted by Adina's men. It was worth it to him. His sister was evil, and sometimes to battle evil, you had to do dangerous things.

Kiev wasn't going to kill that innocent farmer. No longer was he going to be a master to his demon of a sister.