War And Love, Part Two
#3 of War And Love
The morning was already half over by the time the Sarhandael berthed in Ihol, the capital city of Cairi. Its golden domes shone with the morning sun, glimmering as the deckhands worked ropes and tied cleats. From a balcony watched another feline, a gauzy wrap around his waist and a simple necklace around his golden-furred throat. He fingered it softly as he watched the workers bustle about on the deck of the ship, unloading goods and belongings.
"My lord, the Sarhandael has arrived, and we are expecting the royal diplomat and his son within the hour." Said a human servant behind the feline, walking up a spiral staircase into the prince's opulent sitting room.
"Has father been told of my plans?" He asked, not turning to look.
"Yes, he asks that you refrain from doing as planned until the official court is held."
"Of course. Have Aylwin sent to my chambers. I assume father is greeting the diplomat?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Excellent. Bring a decanter of the Vi-jun vineyards wine and a light breakfast, please."
"Of course, my lord. Do you desire privacy?"
"When Aylwin arrives, yes. Until further notice."
"Yes, my lord."
I dressed quickly once father alerted me that we had docked, my deep afterglow-laden slumber almost too thick for him to penetrate. My hands trembled with nervousness as I made myself decent, a torrent of thoughts flowing through my head. 'Has he changed? Of course he has, how much? Does he still love me? Stupid, of course he does!' We had exchanged letters over our year-long separation, as we always had, but letters do not convey the same sort of feeling that face-to-face meetings do. I must have showed it as I arrived on deck, wearing my usual loose cloth shirt and pants, knee-high boots, and my sword. Most non-military individuals were not allowed to carry swords in Ozzos, so I wore it as an opportunity to flaunt it a little. It was almost a piece of art, the fine detail in the demon heads on the crossguard almost mesmerizing. My father eyed me a moment, clapping me on the shoulder.
"Nothing to be worried about, my son. Just another regular trip. You get to mingle with the prince, too!" He smiled warmly. "But you must remember, this is business. You mustn't let your friendship get in the way of business."
'If only you knew, Father...' I thought. "Of course, Father." I said.
"Good. Knew you did." He patted my shoulder and lead me off the ship, flanked by the usual complement of marines. It was a fairly long walk through the twisting streets, and our passing was hardly noticed by the townsfolk. The Felis population in Cairi was massive compared to the minority in Ozzos, mostly due to the massive amount of prejudice towards non-humans there. But Father had his 'connections', as well as fueling the rumor of my magical powers. Which were bunk, of course, but I had to respect the berth I was given in Ozzos. Not here, of course, where magic was as commonplace as a street beggar.
The gates to the Royal Palace were finely wrought, iron with a coating of gold, as was a large amount of the Palace itself. It shone in the sun, almost burning my eyes compared to the gray skies and dark green of home. Two guards wearing little more than a breastplate and loincloth opened the gates, and as I stepped inside I began to feel the heat of the land sink into my bones. Perhaps I hadn't noticed my own perspiration through my nervousness and excitement of finally coming back to Hinxato after what felt like an eternity apart. Our romance had bloomed a little over two years ago, initiated by a cathartic tale of my feelings for males during a private moment between us. He took me in a kiss, gently, reassuringly, and afterward whispering words of affirmation in my ear. 'It's alright to feel such a way. It's commonplace here...ignore what they say, pay attention to only what's here.' He placed a hand to my chest then, to my rapidly hammering heart. No matter how much I had inwardly wanted it, we never consummated our newly-planted relationship, and with good reason; we wanted to let it grow. And grew it did.
Much like my body temperature.
"I've forgotten how warm it was here." I said, panting a little.
"Yes, it is." My father said, a bit distantly. I knew where his mind was, it was at the court meeting tonight. A meeting I would be attending, and my first. Inside the palace proper was little cooler, if only for the shade. The grand hall held frescoes of the history of Cairi itself, of the many battles between her and her neighbor across the wide sea, my own home. The lord and his prince stood at the end of the grand hall, the lord himself looking impressively regal, and no touch of age upon his strong frame. His son, my Hinxato, stood at his side, a soft smile on his face. He wore a soft loincloth, much like his father, but much simpler. A small black rock hung off of a gold necklace around his neck, a rock I blinked and smiled at.
"Lord Wyrdhowler, Prince Wyrdhowler." My father bowed, and so did I.
"Captain Chamburleyn, Sir Aylwin Chamburleyn." They both gestured, their right hand in a fist over their heart, and their left outstretched towards us as if offering.
"Shall we cut the formalities and get to work, Captain?" said the lord, to my father. Hinxato inclined his head down a hallway, and made a 'follow me' gesture. I did so, the formal voices fading down the hall, disappearing totally as we passed through a door. Hinxato shut the door behind me, and immediately took me in a tight hug.
"Oh Aylwin, it's been far too long."
"Yes, yes it has."
"And you are far too hot. Here, let's get you cooled down before you pass out."
"Oh, thank the Tree you offer." I followed him up the spiral staircase to his sitting room, unabashedly watching his toned hind as we walked. The sitting room had no chairs, instead had cushions made of silk and fine stuffing about the room, mostly circling a low table that currently held a silver platter, a jug of wine in a bowl of ice, and an assortment of small sweets. As we settled to sit, Hinxato slowly undressed me, beginning with my shirt.
"I thought you said I was going to get cool, not get hotter."
"Shush, you. You're going to get cool." He smiled at me, and took a piece of ice. I glanced at the bowl. "And before you ask, yes, it's magical." He traced the major veins in my neck with the ice, sending waves of coolness through me. It wasn't long until I was naked, Hinxato tracing every major vein in my body with the ice, idly chatting as he did.
"Aylwin, I have a question for you."
"Oh?"
"You enjoy our relationship, correct? Would you like it to be more?"
"Wh-What? Of course, but it could never ha-"
"You're right, of course. But if it could, would you approve any measure?"
"What are you talking about?" After a moment's pause, he spoke.
"At the assembly tonight, I will name you as my mate." He said this simply, not stopping his ice tracing. I stared at him for a while, mouth working wordlessly.
"L-Love, I'd be...I'd be overjoyed, but...shouldn't...well, shouldn't we wait until after the negotiations?"
"Should matters of state dictate love?"
"No, of course not, but..."
"Father will announce tonight." He moved to lie down next to me, holding my now-trembling hand. "You do want this, right?"
"O-Of course! It's just...such a shock..." My voice trembled a little, and he gently stroked my cheek.
"Hush now, love. We have hours to spend before they assemble...have you been using your toy?"
"Uh...no. I've been having to keep it hidden. I did use it a bit before we made landfall..."
"Yet another reason to save you from that wretched hellhole. Oh? And how did that go?"
"Wretched hellhole? It's not a hellhole, love. Bad at times, but not a hellhole."
"It's very different here, and I think you'll like it. But how did your toy-play go?"
"Um. I got the tip in...that's about all." I said. Hinxato shook his head, a small smile on his face.
"We must work on that. Later. For now, we should get you dressed and prepared for court."
"It's a huge thing? I thought it was supposed to be informal and relaxed. You know, inspire trust."
"No. Not anymore, not with all that has happened."
"Eh?"
"On our side." Hinxato stood, kissing me gently before standing. "I've taken the liberty of ordering clothes for you. I do hope you'll enjoy them."
"Oh? Oh, Hin, you shouldn't have!"
"Don't start on that tract, it's a lover's gift." He drew a fine loincloth in the traditional Cairi style, as well as fair amounts of jewelry. I blushed at the revealing nature of the loincloth.
"Love, it's quite..."
"Revealing? Perhaps to your Ozzet eyes, but not to ours. The quarryworkers, miners, and other such laborers care not for clothing in the least."
"Working naked? How...well, different."
"You were going to say 'improper', weren't you?"
"Yes." I admitted.
"You've felt how hot it is here. Very different from your homeland." He smiled warmly at me, handing me the loincloth. "Unless you want me to dress you..."
"I've no idea how to put it on."
"Well, come here and I will show you." He approached with the loincloth, looping the belt around my waist. After this, he kneeled with the strip of soft, fine fabric. "You loop it around like this..." He brought it between my legs, and as he brought it under my tail I was sure he brushed my tailhole. I yipped.
"H-Hin!"
"Hrm? Oh, this?" He gently traced it again, and I had to catch myself to keep from collapsing as I moaned. "Ooh, you like that?" He continued this for a few moments, until I could feel myself unsheathing. He suddenly finished putting the loincloth on me, standing and smiling.
"Wh-Why'd you stop?" I pleaded, falling to my knees and panting.
"Because it'd be better if we waited until we were married." Hinxato said, seating himself opposite me and pouring himself wine.
"O...Oh..."
"If everything goes pro-" Hinxato started, before the door banging open cut his words short.
"My lord, I deeply apologize for the breach of privacy that you laid down, but I come bearing an urgent message from your father." Said the messenger who leaned against the door frame, sweating and panting. "The Rormircian ambassador has just arrived in the port. They intend on declaring their independence of Cairi herself, and will declare this at tonight's gathering." There was a silence for a while, as Hinxato stared at the messenger.
"Dear, tonight's announcement will wait." He said to me, without turning his gaze. He stood, walking to the messenger. "My father is in his sitting room?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Dear, stay in the room. Messenger, have the servants bring dear Aylwin whatever he desires." His voice was even and oddly peaceful. I watched the pair go, then blinked and began to tremble. If such a thing got Hinxato so riled up...