To Bewitch a Devil

155 Don’t go

He knew what she meant. Even when Neera had admitted time and time again that she was fine when he had taken Jasmine on a tour of the city the week before, her crestfallen mood had said otherwise. Both the King and the Queen eating at that restaurant had caused her to keep to herself for days, and for the sake of Neera, and for the fear of her feeling their memories were being written over, Zavian promised to keep out of places both Neera and he shared memories.

“No, not like the other day. Just a few more places we have got to visit, and I would like to show her some of the properties of the crown as well,” he stated.

Words, Neera thought, words were fickle and unpredictable, even when they came from the King himself. She trusted Zavian, but Jasmine was his wife, and married couples could do anything they wanted with each other. But with each growing day, Neera didn’t like the thought of sharing him with another woman. It didn’t help that Zavian guarded talks of Jasmine around her. Simply imagining both of them together doing simple things such as talking and laughing set trepidation in Neera. Her gaze turned towards the window and noted the oncoming signs of rain.

Zavian followed her gaze. “We would be back soon, and you and I could spend the rest of the day here.”

Neera nodded. “Okay.”

“Is there something that bothers you?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

.....

Zavian sighed quietly. “You don’t like me being with her, do you?”

“She is your wife, and a good woman, Zavian, and someday, the mother of your heirs,” Neera said. “I don’t have any reason not to let you be with her.”

Zavian kept silent after. Procreating with Jasmine was going to be the next important duty he had to focus on. But Jasmine was patient and hadn’t made any pressing questions about why he hadn’t bedded her yet.

“I will be back soon,” Zavian said again. Both occupied and disturbed by what will be of the future. He moved to the door.

Neera stood. “Zavian?”

He stopped. On impulse, Neera reached for her satin slash across her waist to loosen her gown, and undid the buttons of her dress, the material falling to her feet in cascades. Behind her, the sunlight draped her silhouette in an ethereal glow.

Zavian sucked in a loud breath. Damn any duties. Anything could wait. In a flash, he hurried over to where she stood and took her in his arms, and off to the bed.

Neera wrapped her arms around him as her back came in contact with the bed. She didn’t want him to leave. She was jealous, so jealous, but Jasmine was good to her, so she didn’t want to tell him to stay. So she devised other means.

Zavian devoured her lips with intense hunger as her fingers dug into his back.

Neera arched her hips upwards and wrapped her legs around his waist, kissing him back. Zavian groaned as he let go of her lips and sucked on her nipples that were already begging to be touched.

Her hands helped him pull his shirt off of him as she carressed his body with her hands. Zavian kissed her everywhere. Eyes, nose, lips, neck, and she bit into his shoulder when she felt his length enter her.

Zavian stilled as he kissed her slowly, letting her adjust to him.

”I love you.” he whispered.

”I love you too, Zavian. ” she said, her eyes rolling backward.

When they had both reached, Zavian rolled over and pulled her on top of him, their breaths evening.

There was silence in the room, before Neera whispered;

”Don’t go... ” That was all she needed to say and Zavian got it.

”Okay.”

...

When Jasmine had taken her time to change into a simpler attire after she bid the dignitaries goodbye, she had waited in the garden for Zavian, the horses already ready for them both. The sky thundered, and she hoped they could reach their first destination before it started pouring cats and dogs.

“Your Majesty...”, she heard someone call. Behind her, a guard rushed up to her, almost toppling over a huge boulder on the way. He kept his back straight, his duty to serve to overpower his initial startle.

“The King has asked me to inform you that today’s outing is canceled till another day,” he said.

Jasmine’s smile fell. “Another day? Where is the King? If it is because of the rain, we could stay…don’t worry, take me to the King.”

“The King said he would meet with you later in the day to explain.”

“And where is the king?”

The guard shifted from one foot to the other. “He has some matters to attend to with Miss Neera, your Majesty.”

It hit her like a brick across the face. Zavian and Neera were together, and she had been waiting all day for an outing he had later canceled. The tears were threatening to come out, but not now, not in front of the guard, most especially.

“And where is the King?” Jasmine’s voice faltered, almost betraying her calm composure.

“His Majesty… he is in Miss Neera’s chambers”. The guard was uncomfortable, clearly torn on whether to have divulged that piece of information.

“Thank you, you may leave”, Jasmine dismissed him, and the guard was out of there as fast as he could.

Jasmine stood alone in the garden.

The King would meet with you later in the day to explain.

She almost laughed. She was sure Zavian would concoct a story, as usual. He only wanted to spend time with Neera, and that was that. He didn’t care, not in the slightest what it felt to wait, and wait for someone who wouldn’t come.

Wasn’t she beautiful enough? The numerous suitors that had lined up before her doorstep in the past said otherwise, but there was more to one’s looks. Zavian had humbled her with that realization within his castle walls.