The Underwater Kingdom (A Namor of Talokan fanfic)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

THE FEMALE guard went before Nox down a long hallway. The whole palace was strewn with gold, right down to the trim on the doorways. Paintings filled the walls, most of mythological instances. 

"Come along," the woman in front of Nox said, interrupting her inspection of the premises. "Don't want to keep the king waiting." The girl nodded and swam faster to catch up. 

Almost emerging into a cave, they stopped. The woman next to her said loudly into the dark water, "My king, I am here with the girl." 

A long time passed. Then: "Bring her in, Namora. Has she changed already?" The voice sounded very tired that came from within. Namora - as the female guard was apparently called - inclined her head to the bundle Nox was holding and turned her back, giving her privacy. "Oh, before I forget! No underclothes." Nox shivered in surprise, but did as she was told and left those along with the others on the palace floor. 

After she changed, the 17 year-old felt odd. Not quite exposed - she had been naked before other women before - just a weird creeping feeling that when she went into that room she would feel exposed. She thought about whining, "Do I have to go?" like a child but thought better of it. She was an adult, for gods' sake! She could bear children now, and that's exactly what she expected she was going to have to do. After a signal from Namora, she gathered her courage around her like skirts and went in.

Upon entering, the first thing Nox noticed was the distinct lack of gold. There was close to none; only the characteristic necklace of the K'uk'ulkan shone. The king himself was laying down underneath some sort of cover. He seemed to be asleep, but then again, he had just called for her. 

"You c-called for me?" She hated herself for sounding so small and scared, hesitating in the corner of the room. 

A noise came from him. "Mm~" Nox, innocently concerned, moved forward just enough for Namor to grasp her wrist. Another wave of fear came, and she pulled away. His hand dropped to the bed, showing just how exhausted he was. Nox had heard stories that K'uk'ulkan had ripped sea monsters apart with his bare hands, and he couldn't even hold on to her? With an inward laugh, confidence came rushing back and she swam closer than ever. 

A small, quiet, tired voice left him. "Come here...please." She came obediently, going so far as to sit on the bed. Although tired out of his wits, Namor still had enough strength to lay his head in her lap, looking up at her with drooping green eyes. Finally he fell asleep.

Nox didn't really know what to do after that. She ended up climbing in the bed to be more comfortably situated next to him, cradling his head and eventually tucking him against her neck. 

It felt weirdly warm, and comfortable. On the days when her father came home she would see both parents curled together in their bed like this. It was nice; she could see why they liked it. And of course her father didn't come home often. He was in the army like most males and had been struck infertile along with the rest of them. 

Nox remembered him as she lay awake. He was tall, burly, and strong, capable of pulling a huge net of fish all by himself. When she had been a child he could carry her in one arm to go see the races. Numerous people would come to watch and bet on the fastest Talokan or animal. She remembered distinctly one day long ago when her father had snuck her out to see the shark races. They were so fast she could barely see the blur of shape speeding by. She wished she could watch the whales, but whales were far too docile and non-competitive to race. Instead they stayed in the palace stables and were only used for war.

There was always some small battle going on, but all-out war was quite rare and had never come about in Nox's lifetime. For that reason she had always wondered why her father was required to stay at the palace. He had always told her that he was very close to the king, perhaps a third or fourth-in-command, so he needed to be there for him at most times. There were some times, such as the anniversary of the Plant, when everyone, palace staff or otherwise, were allowed to come home and spend time with their families, so they did get to see him, but only about once a year. 

Namor stirred, but Nox didn't feel it because she was finally drifting off to sleep.

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this might be the longest chapter i've ever written in my life loll hope you enjoyed - firewing45