To Claim A Kingdom

10

Fun fact:
The man in the cover picture for this chapter is actually Peter Capaldi himself! Enjoy.

The third trial was to take place in the grand throne room.

Citizens leaned against pillars and sat in balconies beneath the dome, watching the couples on the podiums ahead.

The look in Oswin's eyes could only be labeled as fear.
If the time lord's plan worked like he hoped it would... Everything would be as it should.
He was going to chase that fear away.
The way only he could.

Elder Ploris sat in his little copper throne, looking out aver the hall.
"Citizens of Yaphet! I call you to witness the final trial of the royal sisters.
Take comfort... For after today, you will have your rightful queen!"

The hall echoed loudly with booming applause, and joyous cheer.

As they slowly calmed, Ploris banged his staff.
Silence.

"Our competitors have proven the strengths of their physical and mental affection for their fiancé...
But today... They will preform through body and mind.
This empire shall be build upon an age of love!" His voice filling the confines of the entire palace.

Blair rolled her eyes as she clung to her groom.

The crowd grew silent. Not a single breath could be heard.

As if part of a rehired ritual, the couples turned to face each other.
And with a final pound of Ploris's staff, the challenge began.

Blair's reaction had Oswin horrified.
The young princess had her thin arms around her groom's neck, smashing her face into his.
From a distance, the act could easily be mistaken for eating his face.

Oswin felt a finger turn her attention back to her own "fiancé".

"That's not love." He gestured to the compromising display of limbs and moans.
"That's lust. There's a big difference."
He gently held her face in his hands. Fingers gripped slightly at her jaw.
Their faces were close. Closer then even the bow tie chap would've dare to get.

"Body and mind." He whispered. Breath mingling between them.

Slowly.
Very slowly
as not to scare her more in an already frightening situation.
He pressed his mouth to hers carefully.

At first she was hesitant. Almost resistant.
Her cheeks were hot under his cool hands.

Mission in progress.

Anisette faze 2.

He moved in closer to capture her lower lip between both of his own.
A sharp moan escaped her throat... surprising the both of them.

Not only was she opening up...
But her mind was as well.

Memories flooded her head in a rush. Memories not her own.

Memories of 12 men... Running.
Running forever and ever...

Everywhere.

She pressed harder on his mouth, craving more of his impossibly fantastic story.

Images flashed by of what looked like her... But... It wasn't her.
The stomach drop feeling of falling.
The intense feeling of love. Love for her.
A longing.
Whispers hissing from nowhere.
"Run. Run you clever boy... And remember." Then she to was scattered.
Just for him.

The Doctor felt a warm wetness dampening his cheeks.
She was crying.

He was the first to pull away, leaving her comedically leaning forward, kissing the air.
Her raw face buried itself in his chest, arms snaking around his waist.
Needing comfort.

Just this once he returned the hug.
He had basically dropped a mental bomb on her. He owed her that much.

The crowd let out soft, breathy coos at the scene.

The boom of Ploris's staff ended trial. Looking flustered, Blair romper her mouth from her lover's with a wet sounding smack, tossing her curls, as if she had forgotten about the whole thing... Obviously impressed with her own performance.

"Children! I said this Empire would be built upon love.
And so much love it will be."

He stood to stand between the two sisters.
A hand on each of their shoulders.

"Your ruler of a new age of peace, and love.
Her highness, princess Oswin C. Oswald!"
The crowd rose up in ecstatic excitement.

Ploris's hand dropped from Blair's shoulder.

The Doctor caught Oswin before she swooned in relief.