Crossing of Clans

Chapter 4: Marriage Contract

"Rule 1: No physical contact is allowed between either parties."
Gai uncrossed his fingers lazily.
"I disagree with that one. And not for any reason you may be thinking of highness. It's simply because we will have many social events that will require acting the part of a married couple."
Zeph nodded,
"Fine then we will alter the rule. No physical contact unless it is absolutely necessary."
Hest scribbled quickly.
"Rule 2: No inappropriate language at anytime...."
The rule making proceeded late into the night. Hest, unknown to both Zeph and Gai had scribbled an extra rule. She said nothing, and rolled up the contract. Zeph and Gai shook hands.
"The wedding ceremony is approaching quickly. I will be making all the arrangements. Regardless, in these next two days do not hesitate to ask me any questions Empress. Now follow me, I'll take you to your quarters."
Hest and Zeph stood up. Gai remained seated. Hest asked,
"Aren't you going to rest as well?
Gai hopped to his feet and smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes.
"Not just yet, I want to make sure our security is still good after tonight's events. I don't trust that the Fire or Water clans won't try anything while the Empress is here."
Zeph was slightly puzzled,
"How would either of those Clans know I am here? The only people that should know that, are our respective Clans."
Gai chuckled,
"I mean no disrespect highness, but there's no way that they don't know. The Water and Fire Clans have spies in every nook and cranny in all of Thear. Doesn't matter how trustworthy our people are. Those Clans will find a way."
Gai headed for the door,
     "We'll goodnight shorty, rest well."
Before Zeph could hit him, he was gone.
     "I'm not even that short! Why does he keep on saying that?"
Zeph said, now annoyed. Hest dry laughed,
      "Gai has never known how to act around women, and with some one as beautiful as yourself I'm sure he's trying to adjust."
       "Well he has a funny way of adjusting."
The Empress scoffed.
       "You should rest my dear, you had a long journey I'm sure you must be weary. Follow me."
      Zeph followed Hest out the door way. 
The walk to the roomed seemed to take forever Zephs eyes wanted to close so badly, but she refused to respect their wishes. A left turn, another right, and another. Finally they arrived. Hest slid open the door,
      "And here you are, the Emperors room."
Zeph was so tired that she didn't even register the word "Emperors."
        "Thank you, have a good night."
Hest bowed,
         "It's my pleasure, have a good night your majesty."
     And just like that, Hest was gone. Zeph closed the door. That was a long day. She looked around the room, it was just as beautiful as the rest of the palace, but she was so exhausted she paid no mind to the details. All she saw was the massive bed that was in the center of the room. It was a Royal mess of various cushions and pillows. Oh how she just wanted to face plant in it.
     She took off her armor and weapons, and slipped the night dress that Hest must have laid out for her. She gently tucked her dagger underneath a pillow and wearily crawled into the bed. It was by far the most comfortable she had ever been. Her bed back at the Air Clans palace was nothing compared to this. She began to drift off to sleep. This is going to be a lot to get used to, but I'll figure it out. I hope my people are safe...and she was asleep.
Thwap. The door to the bedroom slid open. Zeph shot awake, dagger in hand. Her eyes were still cloudy with sleep.
       "Who goes there?"
She growled. She heard a match strike and suddenly there was light. The lantern that was now lit illuminated Gais striking features.
       "What are you doing in here?"
Zeph asked angrily.
       "I was just about to ask you the same
thing."
He looked her up and down then averted his eyes. Realizing that she was only in a nightdress Zeph yanked a blanket up and around herself. Attempting in vain not to blush the Empress said,
     "This is my room, so get out!"
Gai sighed,
      "I new my grandmother would be up to no good."
He looked at her,
        "Actually highness, this is my room. I just got back from checking security. Hmm...I wonder if she left any spare bedding in here?"
     Holding his lantern in front, Gai began rummaging around the room.
       "Wait, you actually intend to sleep in here! Are you mad!"
Gai glanced over from a nearby cabinet.
       "Well what do you expect me to do? Hest is probably sitting outside with a spear if I dare try to escape. She's very pushy like that."
Zeph was still dazed with sleep, but her senses were as alert as ever.
         "I don't care, you need to leave. It's indecent."
         "Not really, as far as anyone is concerned we are soon to be married, thus it doesn't matter when we start living in the same room."
Zephs face must have been priceless, because Gai cracked a smile.
       "Don't worry shorty, I'm not planning on breaking the contract anytime soon. I'll just throw a few pillows between us. Go back to sleep."
Zeph blanched,
       "You mean you're intending on sleeping in the same bed!"
Gai stripped off his tunic, his chest was broad, thickly scarred, and muscular. Muscles built from many years of manual labor and combat training. His waist was toned and bronzed.
Zeph could feel her entire face turn as red as a tomato. She had never seen a man roughly her age half naked. You've been through battles and hardships. Common Zeph you can do this. Gai walked over to the bed and placed pillows between them.
"Could you at least put on a shirt?"
Zeph said, trying to hide the anxiousness before. Gai hopped into the bed, but stayed as close to his side as possible.
"No can do, I get too hot when I sleep. Plus it's not like I'm anything you haven't seen before."
If she could turn anymore red she would have. What on earth do I even say back to that! Zeph very quietly said,
"The closest I've ever been with a man is a swords length."
Gai sat up abruptly and whipped around to face her. His dark hair framing his face in the low light.
"You mean to tell me that you've never even had an interest in someone!"
He laughed loudly,
"Keep it down you nimrod! Let me remind you I have a dagger."
She glared at him.
"I'm sorry! It's just so humorous!"
He almost had tears in his eyes, his laughter was infectious.
"And why is that?"
She said sharply. Finally his laughing subsided.
"I don't know, you're not bad looking. I would assume every eligible man in your Clan is head over heels for you. So it's funny that you haven't even had contact with one."
Zeph didn't know what to do with that statement. She was being truthful, she truly hadn't had any romantic contact before.
Between battles and war meetings, she never had time to even think about those types of things.
"I'm done discussing this. Just go to sleep. I would remind you not to try anything or I will rip you apart."
Gai laid back and tucked his hands behind his head.
"Geez, aggressive much? Try to relax, I won't try anything. You have my word."
"Good."
Zephs mind was still racing. She was in bed, with a man, and a very attractive one at that. Go to sleep, sleep is most important right now. Pretend he isn't even here.
"Goodnight shorty."
Gai said quietly.
"Night."
Said Zeph. This was going to be a very long and very stressful two days.

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