Royal Masquerade

Chapter 9

Sunlight was filtered through Narcissus’s room, and being a creature who does not need much sleep at night as he’s nocturnal in nature, he watches Astrea occupying his bed and sleeping a peaceful and dreamless sleep. She must be pretty tired last night, as after making him eat the awful pills, she drifted off to sleep, and not wanting to disrupt her sleep, he did not wake her up or carry her to back to her room. It’s been so long since they spent the night together like that, and he truly missed her presence.He sit on the side of his bed as he admire her sleeping form.

Deep inside, he wanted their night to be more than accompanying each other, but that would have to wait until she remembers, and if she couldn’t, he would want her to fall in love all over with him again. His ego simply would not let him claim her without her willingness and her ultimate sweet surrender. Either he breaks the spell, or make her fall for him so that they could start afresh if they could not return to their own world. He would give up his kingdom and power for her. He’s willing to pay that price.

As he’s busy entertaining his thoughts and carefully laid plans, the curtain that’s blocking the brightness of the morning, gush of winds blew in, and Zephry’s human form took shape as he peered into the room, and was about to call out from Narcissus when he detected Astrea sleeping on his bed. His eyes was all but went round with surprise. He had expected a lot of things, but he did not expected his fiery spirited queen to succumb to the king’s seduction so fast. He had somehow expected her to put up some decent fight.

Realizing he have an uninvited guest, Narcissus smirked and signaled Zephyr to be quiet, which he did. Astrea moaned as she shivered slightly. Narcissus lean closer to her and gave her a chaste kiss on her forehead, and was rudely ignored when she continued to sleep.

“I’m letting you sleep in today, my love. Rest well…” he said whispered softly in her ear and covered her with the silky blanket up to her chest to protect her from the misty morning. Narcissus slowly crept out as soon of the bed and went to the balcony, where Zephyr is perching.

“You know, I have always thought that you have great restrain, sire. But seeing your track record since the past, I am definitely wrong. Restrain is not your game, after all.” Zephyr said, clearly implying that Astrea and Narcissus had spend a wild night devouring each other’s body.

“I really do wish that spent the night making love to each other, Zep, but that’s not the case.” Narcissus replied warily, with hints of frustration in his voice.

“Why do I find it hard to believe? She’s in your bed, sire.” Zephyr all but laugh.

“In bed, nothing more than that. I simply could not take her when she has not a single memories about me.” Narcissus said, lowering his voice, for fear being heard by Astrea and wakes her up.

“She’s your wife. Why can’t you just be over with it, tell her the truth so that we can leave this blasted world?” Zephyr stated flatly, obviously growing impatient.

“Why are you here again? Why are you so irritated?” Narcissus’s dark eyes pierced into Zephyr’s light ones as he spoke.

“I do not wish to wander around, the weather does not permit me.”

“Ah, the mighty West Wind could not stand the harsh cold.” Narcissus all but mock the younger man.

“Granted, I do not have a woman to warm my bed for me,” Zephyr all but snorted rudely while Narcissus rolled his eyes in annoyance.

“Fine, come back later in noon and tell her that you’re a relative from far away or something. You shall stay in the mansion, but I have some blasted business to attend to in town. The courthouse will be having a winter solstice party, and I have some things to attend to. So, do not cross the line with your queen” he told Zephyr firmly.