She Made Her Choice
Chapter 5
Melna awoke the traces of their scent in the air reminding her what happened last night. She buried her face in the pillows her ears burning. She stayed like that for a long while. She would have never guessed the king had never been with anyone before. Maybe he was lying? She didn't think so. She needed him a lot more than he needed her, he didn't need to impress her.
She finally crawled out of bed to look out the window still open from the previous night. The lawn and the trees were still there. She must have missed the last guard patrol. She got up to dig through the dresser. Putting on a set of clothes in a bright shade of red she wandered into the sitting room and grabbed her book. ``Good morning, Melna.''
She let out a tired, ``Good morning,'' and flopped in the armchair. She pulled her legs up and wrapped her tail around her. She wasn't hungry and didn't want to socialize, but oddly she also didn't want to retreat to her room to read. Dennara didn't push the issue.
The two of them read in near silence for a long time the only sound the ticking of the clock on the wall. At about midday Melna's stomach and its emptiness began to make itself known. She grabbed the menus handing one to her guard. They placed their orders then ate quietly and continued reading.
Later that evening there was a knock at the door. Melna looking up as Dennara called out, ``Enter.''
A green haired maid opened the door coming a few steps into the room. ``Pardon the interruption, ladies, but I have a letter for the princess.''
Melna was up in a flash taking the offered letter. ``Thank you very much.''
``Its a pleasure, princess.'' The maid bowed slightly and departed closing the door behind her.
She examined the letter, it was addressed to Maena Silandro, confused until she looked at the return address. It was from Sally Banchet. Sally must have been trying to keep the recipient secret. Turning it over she found the seal to be broken. This was not unexpected, can't have folks sending messages to enemy operatives. Melna settled back in the armchair and opened the letter.
To my little one,
I choose to believe your last letter to us and that you are safe. Your declaration of an intended caused quite a stir with the council of elders. We of the villa have managed to keep your location a secret thus far and none have pushed too hard to know your whereabouts. The ceasefire has been rather tense. Early on fighting broke out a few times in a couple of the smaller villages. Your message eased some of that tension, and I know of one village that organized a celebration on hearing your news.
I must keep this short, the staff and guards are well and we hope to hear from you again.
Much love from all of us,
Momma Sally
Melna read the letter several times, she could recognize her caretaker's handwriting anywhere. She tucked the letter back into the envelope and carefully set it on the low table in front of her. ``Is something wrong?''
Her eyes flicked up to Dennara who was looking back, concerned. ``Hmm?'' The guard motioned to her face. She reached up to find the fur of her cheeks wet. She looked down at her paw for a long time finally giving a sigh. ``I want to go home. I want to see Jesha and Milty. I want to feed the bird colony that lived in one of the trees on the villa grounds.'' She hugged her tail trying to crawl out of the pit she'd fallen into. ``I want momma Sally,'' she finished quietly.
She felt a paw on her arm. ``You will see them again. Everything's going to be alright.''
Melna looked into those green eyes. She wondered if she ever needed someone to care for her children if this woman would be willing to. She wiped her face. ``You remind me a lot of momma Sally.'' That got a look of surprise. Melna reached down and picked up a menu. ``I think I'm ready for supper.'' she said quietly.
The next day passed uneventfully until the late evening when a page came to inquire if the princess would be amenable to a visit by the king the following day. The princess replied an emphatic yes. The nervousness of first times gone she still felt the tingling in her belly at the idea of again seeing the man she'd come to care for quite a bit. They would spend the aftermid together, she was promised a tour of the palace.
Melna went to bed that night wondering what the king would show her giggling at amorous thoughts that brought up. Waking the next morning she put aside a set of clothes in a dark blue with swirled designs across it. Forcing herself not to skip into the sitting room she waved to Dennara on the couch and made her way into the washroom. Taking a short shower she dried her fur, brushed her teeth, and returned to her bedroom to brush her fur. She didn't spend long at it knowing she would be at it again before the king arrived.
Returning to the sitting room she grabbed the menu and picked her morning meal. Giving their orders to the maid she settled in the armchair with her book. After eating she continued reading tapping the end of her tail on a table leg, she was fidgety with excitement. She hadn't seen much since she had arrived at the palace.
At midday she chose to eat light and retreated to her room opening the window for fresh air. She gave herself a thorough brushing making sure no fur was out of place. She braided her long hair tying it again with a gold ribbon. Dressing herself she looked in the mirror hoping she didn't look too casual. Finally she clipped the chain to the gold rings in her nipples.
With a deep breath she walked back into the sitting room and was startled to see the king already there. Recovering her composure she gave him a her best smile. ``Good aftermid, your majesty.'' He wore a black robe with white embroidery and a red overcoat. His fur also looked immaculately brushed and the gold circlet sparkled in his black hair.
He returned her smile in kind. ``Good aftermid, princess. If I may, say you're looking quite lovely today.'' Melna wanted to hide her face in her paws, ears hot. The king crooked an arm and held it out to her. ``I said I would give you a tour of the palace. Shall we proceed?''
She slide a paw into the crook of his elbow. ``Yes, your majesty, that sounds delightful. You're looking quite handsome, yourself.'' That got a shy smile from him. The two royals and four guards began their journey.
Palace Alden was built in a circle. Melna's room was in the outer ring of five concentric hallways, with two additional floors above them. They began their tour moving clockwise through the building. King Tomlin pointing out portraits and describing who they depicted. A majority were primary monarchs of Aldenea. There were others of historical note including Penosh Tensera, the woman who had discovered how to track the locations of flying dragons using radio signals. At this Melna finally learned what RADAR actually meant.
Passing through the throne room Melna kept her gaze away from the purple carpet that lead from the door to the dais on which the throne was placed, not wanting to be reminded of making a fool of herself at their first meeting. The ceiling stretched up the full three levels of the palace with skylights letting in the aftermid sun. White marble columns rose floor to roof with red and blue draperies hanging between them.
The continued the tour through the remaining four circular hallways and finally stepping out into the central courtyard. It was a vast, glass-domed botanical garden. Plants of all different kinds flowed along pathways that snaked through it. Tables and chairs were set out under trees and there were small glades of well kept grass that could be used for picnics. A few green-shirted gardeners could be seen ambling about checking flower beds and trimming hedges. ``This is beautiful.''
``The pride of Palace Alden.'' the king replied with unabashed joy. ``When this palace was built during the reign of Queen Justicia, she wanted a garden. After eight thousand years its never looked better, in my opinion. The palace and gardens are open to the public seven days a tenday. Seems a waste to keep something like this hidden.''
They followed a path that meandered its way toward the center of the gardens. ``Maybe once all of this is over we can do something similar with the Villa of the Matriarch. The gardens don't hold a candle to this place but they were pretty. The only time the public was allowed in was during New Years' Harvest and only children with a few female teachers. As you can understand, children don't really appreciate gardens very much.'' Melna bent down to smell some of the flowers.
That got a chuckle. ``No, I suppose they don't.''
At the center of the gardens stood a metal structure that would seem a bit out of place among the plants were it not painted green with floral patterns. At its base was two sets of stairs leading up. Melna tilted her head to look through the tree canopy to see the bottom side of the gold sphere on the spire she had seen during the flight on the glider. Returning her gaze to ground level she saw the king waiting for her on the bottom step of one of the stairways. Stepping beside him again they made their way up.
Upon entering the bottom of the sphere Melna realized they were in a large room with windows that could see out all the way around. She walked the circumference of the room looking out across the city. It was something she could never have imagined, not being able to see past the edges of the city to what lay beyond. Tall buildings, short buildings, houses and offices stretched as far as the eye could see.
She stopped at a strange device on pedestal by the window, it appeared to be binoculars but she couldn't see through them. The king cleared his throat beside her and held up a coin. ``This helps pay the maintenance costs.'' He dropped the coin in a slot on the side of the pedestal.
There was a clicking sound from the binoculars and when she looked through again they were clear. She traced along the streets following cars that seemed like toys from here. Looking past the city she could barely detect the sparkle of a body of water on the horizon. Turning to the east she could make out the mountains that separated the two nations.
She kept looking through the binoculars until they clicked shut again. She almost asked for another coin but stopped herself instead indulging in another loop around the spire. The city was so big and itself was only a small part of the nation. She took the king's paw in hers. ``The capital is beautiful, its so busy but seems so peaceful at the same time.''
The king looked out the windows at the city bellow a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. ``I certainly hope so. The last several generations of monarchs have done their best to ensure Alda city and Aldenea are peaceful and prosperous. I just hope I can continue what they've built so far.''
Melna barely heard what he was saying, she stared at his profile as he gazed out the window. Her heart was racing. He was handsome, gentle, kind, and caring. Could some fairy tales be true? A ripple rolled down the fur of her back.
He turned to her smile broadening. ``How about we have supper in the gardens?''
She moved ever so slightly and bumped his nose with hers. ``That sounds lovely.''
They made their way down the stairs and to one of the tables under a tree. Two maids arrived with fruit juice and tableware. The princess and the king settled into quiet conversation as a simple meal fitting the surroundings was brought to them. They remained in the gardens until long after the sun had set and lights clicked on overhead. Standing up the king said, ``Well, milady, shall I escort you back to your rooms?''
Melna stood as well, slowly rounding the table and leaned in answering quietly, ``I would prefer if your majesty would escort me to my bedroom.'' The momentary look of surprise on the king's face was exactly what she had been hoping for.
``Ahem, I think that can be arranged, princess.'' He again held out an arm for her which she took pressing a shoulder against him. They followed the serpentine paths and curved hallways slowly back to Melna's rooms. At the door the king's two guards continued down the hallway. Dennara and Wilhemina followed as far as the sitting room. She led him by the paw to the bedroom.
Finally alone Melna pulled Tomlin close and rubbed her muzzled to his. ``When we were younger Jesha smuggled a dirty magazine into the villa, I saw something I've always wanted to try.''
Tomlin took off his circlet setting it on the dresser by the door and ran a paw along her cheek. ``And what's that?''
See "Chapter 5 Sex Scene 1" for Sex Scene or continue to skip it
He turned to look at her and gave her a tired smile. ``Sometime again, soon, princess?''
She smiled back from the bed. ``Of course, your majesty.'' He collected his circlet from the dresser and departed. Melna was too tired to get up and shower. She didn't even get under the sheets, the most she could muster was to pull herself up to the pillows and throw part of the blanket over herself.
Melna woke late the next morning still a mess. Languidly she pulled herself out of the bed and something gold caught her eye as it fell to the floor. She picked up and stared, confused, at her breast chain for a moment before remembering the king had removed it to keep it safe. Carefully set it on the dresser she hobbled to the washroom.
She sat on the tiled floor and let the hot water flow over her. However much she enjoyed her intimate time with the king if every morning was going to feel like this... She would need to start exercising more. She still wanted a bath tub. The tired woman stood up to soap herself and get properly clean. Shutting off the water she moved to the bench to dry where she caught herself dozing off with a towel in her paw. Shaking herself she finished in the washroom and wandered back out into the sitting room.
Dennara still sat on the couch, now she was reading 'Journey to the Moon.' ``The way you read you'd probably get through the library at the villa in two or three tendays.''
The guard looked up. ``Hmm? Oh, yes, ever since the academy it feels like I've spent most of my downtime reading. It was mostly biographies and documentaries. I'd never read much fantasy or adventure novels before but the stories are quite enjoyable.''
``They can be.'' Melna blinked taking a bit to long to realize that one needs to open their eyes after closing them. With a sigh she straightened. ``I think I'm going to go back to bed.'' She glanced at the clock, ten fifteen.
``Alright, take care of yourself.''
She nodded as she walked back to the bedroom noting the bedclothes had been changed again. She closed the window curtains and crawled under the covers.
She woke again laying on her back staring up at the ceiling. She hadn't noticed before now the bed had a canopy. Looking around she realized the bed had curtains she could draw closed all the way around. She felt better after her nap. Getting up to open the window again to let in the early evening sunlight she looked down at herself. She hadn't brushed after her shower and looked like she had been rubbing bare paws on the carpet. Picking up her brush she returned to the sitting room. ``Good aftermid, Dennara.''
``Hello again,'' the guard replied.
Melna sat in the armchair and began the long process of straightening her fur. ``Dennara, do you have a mate?''
Closing the book and setting it on the low table she leaned back to regard the princess. ``I do, he works at an accounting firm not far from the palace. Why do you ask?''
Still brushing and keeping her eyes pointed anywhere but the green-eyed soldier sitting near her she asked, ``does it get any easier?''
The got a quizzical look. ``Does what get any easier?''
``The morning after. Seems like I wake up and my whole body hurts and I can hardly walk and I just want to stay in bed.'' She set down the brush finally looking at her guard.
``This is a new experience for you. You aren't used to it. As with anything, practice will help.''
``Practice, huh?'' Melna stretched. ``That doesn't sound too bad.'' She gave the black-furred guard a long look. ``I have to ask: what do you think of this whole mess? My method to end this war?''
That earned Melna a long look from the guard. ``I have to wonder why you chose this path in the first place. Why choose the king of the nation yours is warring against as your new leader? For the record, I believe your choice is a good one, but it is odd to me you wouldn't try to find a male who would make peace with us instead.''
Melna took a deep breath and let it out as a sigh. ``I'm not just looking to make peace. I'm thirty-two and I can count on two paws how many times I have been outside the walls of the Villa of the Matriarch. I want to undo the Silvanen method of succession so any daughters I may have don't have to live that way. This war gave me that opportunity. I think my father dying is about the best thing he ever did for me.''
``So his majesty is just a means to an end?''
Melna stared into the green eyes. ``In the beginning, yes, but I tried, maybe unsuccessfully, to make that clear at the first meeting. I needed the war to end, king Tomlin could do that. And being the chieftain with the combined Silvanen and Aldenean military backing him up, he would have the ability to pretty much anything he needed to do in Silvana.
``Now, though. I've grown quite fond of the king in the short time we've been together. If possible I would like to continue having a relationship but I will accept what he decides as long as the citizens of Silvana are safe.''
Dennara chuckled surprising Melna. ``His majesty is quite fond of you, as well. He wasn't kidding when he said he often had women asking to to have his children, but I've never seen him take after a female the way he has with you. Treat him good, OK?''
She smiled. ``I will certainly do my best.'' She picked a menu up from the low table. ``I'm hungry, do you mind having supper early?''
``Not at all.''
The king visited the princess many times over the remaining days and Dennara had been right, it did get easier with practice. She was enjoying time with the king, they would got out to the gardens on days they weren't open to the public. Other times he would join her in her rooms where Melna could pretend they were just normal mates without a nation-ending crisis hanging over her head. She wished to forget that as often as possible.
Melna woke up angry. She lay in her bed stewing, trying to find the reason she suddenly hated everything and everyone. A sensation in her belly told her the reason. It was that time. She tried to throw the blanket and top sheet off the bed. The sheet was still tucked in so it didn't go far. Growling she crawled out from under the sheets and in a fit pulled off the bedclothes and threw them all in a corner. The pillows followed. She managed to stop herself from pulling the curtains off the bedposts.
She stopped to breathe. This is normal, this happens three times a year, she just needed to find Milty... Another breath. Milty's not here, this time is different. Now she has a male, now she intends to get pregnant. Turning she caught her reflection in the mirror, she looked awful. Her hair was uneven, the fur down her left side was all over the place from sleep, her her color faded? Nothing looked right. With another growl she picked her breast chain off the dresser and stomped into the sitting room.
Dennara looked up surprise evident. Melna held out the chain. ``Please hold on to this for me and please inform the king I need to see him soon,'' she said through clenched teeth.
The guard carefully took the chain. ``Yes, Melna.'' Saying nothing else the princess went to the washroom forcing herself not to slam the door shut. The water was too cold, but then it was too hot. Rage boiling she adjusted the temperature as carefully as shaking paws would allow. Finally washed and dried she brushed at the bench in the washroom, irritated with how much fur was coming out when she did so. Deep breaths.
Melna left the washroom. This was going to be hard. She would need to be nice to the king, but that fent wanted to get her pregnant. She wanted him to get her pregnant, needed him to. Thinking about him made her belly feel empty and lower body tingle. She looked up to see Dennara holding a plate with a sandwich and a glass of juice. She was angry again. ``What's this?'' She demanded.
``Eat,'' The enormous guard said simply.
``But I...''
``Eat,'' She repeated louder. Melna blinked, startled at the harshness in her friend's voice, and slowly picked up the sandwich to take a bite. ``The king will be here in about an hour.''
She ate the sandwich and drank the juice, visions of momma Sally with a switch dancing in the back of her mind. Numbly she returned to her room the anger coming back when she found the bed bare of anything but the mattress protector. She sat in the chair by the window. She kept it closed to not have her scent wafting out to catch anyone's attention. The king would be here soon to give her some relief. Getting up from the chair she moved to lay on the bed again. Staring up she started count the pleats in the bed canopy.
On her eighth attempt, the previous seven each having been interrupted by mutinous thoughts, she heard a knock at the door to the hall. She tilted her head to watch the bedroom door hearing Dennara speaking quietly. Turning the corner the king looked as if he'd walked into a wall his eyes glazing over as the hot stench of her estrus soaked deep into he olfactory receptors. He stood agape for a moment before settling on her spread eagle on the bed. Her belly clenched at the sight of him. He shook his head. ``Uh, hi.''
She growled in reply getting to paws and knees, tucking her tail, and backing toward the headboard. He blinked, surprised, he kept to the far wall dropping his robe and sat in the chair by the window. She didn't feel cornered with him in the chair, she could get out the door if she wanted to. She didn't want to. She wanted him to hold her down... deep breaths. She knelt and stared at him until his scent hit her. Her belly clenched harder. She needed him, couldn't he see that? She moved back to the middle of the bed and knelt on all fours to watch him. He watched her back. Neither moved for a long time though she could see something working behind his eyes, some animal fighting for control.
The animal won. He got up from the chair approaching from the side of the bed opposite the door. She could still escape, she didn't.
See "Chapter 5 Sex Scene 2" for Sex Scene or continue to skip it
Melna woke the next morning laying on her side. She hurt all over, she couldn't move much more than her eyelids, she couldn't remember much beyond waking up in a rage yesterday morning, she had an arm draped over her. Startled she tried to turn to see who it was but her body refused to do much more than wiggle her shoulders.
That wiggle was enough to wake the owner of the arm, with a pained groan. ``Who is this place? Where are you?'' She heard a deep inhale. ``Melna? What happened? I hurt.''
She relaxed at the voice of Tomlin, confused why he was in her bed. Then she remembered. ``Well, with a little luck you'll be a daddy in five months.''
``Was that yesterday? Is that why I feel like I've been stomped by a dragon?'' Neither moved, likely neither could move. The bed was not comfortable with no pillows which she vaguely remembered throwing around the room the day before.
``Yes, I suppose it is. Any permanent damage?''
``Ask me again when I can feel something other than hurt.''
They spent most of the day unmoving. Until a gentle knock at the door and the voice of Jenna Massey called out. ``Your majesties, I'm very sorry to disturb but we wanted to know if you needed anything.''
Melna was tempted to shout at her to go away but she kept her mouth shut. Tomlin answered for them. ``Apologies for having to see us in this state, but could you bring us a blanket and something to eat?''
``Not a problem, your majesty.'' A moment later she felt thick cloth being pulled over them. She would need to find a special gift for Jenna when she returned to Silvana.
After eating their midday mean they spent the remainder of the day recovering in bed. Melna had flashes of what had happened the previous day, specifically biting Tomlin on the arm. She looked down at it but didn't see any blood stains. She wanted to crawl under the bed over the way she had behaved.
Late in the evening Tomlin said he felt like he could walk. He leaned over to rub his cheek to hers. ``I'm sorry for what I did to you yesterday. Please understand I don't ever want to hurt you.''
Melna pulled him close. ``I think we both gave as good as we got.'' He leaned back and looked her in the eye. ``Let's call it even, OK, and hope this works.''
Tomlin got out of bed and bent to pick up his robe with a groan. He pulled it on and stood in the doorway looking down at her with a silly smile across his face. He nodded and turned to leave.
Melna stared for a long time at where he'd been. Please let this work. She rolled on her side thankful for pillows and went to sleep.
