Grosh entered the hall under guard and was shown to a seat. Kaya sat at the high table beside Ariyona. Much to Kaya’s dismay Balderdevon was shown to the seat on Kaya’s right. He picked up her hand and laid a kiss upon it. Kaya flinched at his touch.
While he still held her hand, Balderdevon leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Once the king gives you over to me, I shall beat that creature from your system. Tho you have sullied yourself with him, I shall make you clean again with a true human and not a half-breed.”
Kaya snatched her hand back and would not look at Balderdevon again nor would she speak with him during the meal. Each time her eyes sought Grosh at the lower tables, his eyes were upon her. Kaya could see the longing and love in his eyes as well as the hurt. She could see he wished to do Balderdevon harm, and were it in her will, she would allow it. She looked at Grosh as much as possible, not knowing when she would be close to him again. It was not to be this night, as Grosh was escorted from the hall as soon as the meal was ended. She and Balderdevon sat with the king and queen longer, until she was finally given leave to return to her chambers. Much to her dismay, her betrothed escorted her.
When they reached the door to her chambers, Kaya turned upon him. “Why do you even want me? If you think I am sullied because of my physical relations with Grosh, then why seek my hand still? Why do you not just go away and leave me be?”
Balderdevon laughed, “There are many reasons. I shall name a few. First, you have made a laughing stock of me by taking up with that vile creature. Do you know how I am looked upon with others knowing that my intended has chosen an animal over me? I will not lose. I will take back what is mine and that is you. Even if all I do is lock you up in a tower, I will have you. I do not lose to anyone, especially a thing such as that. Second, I need your dowry and all your father has promised me. You are worth a lot to me. Marriage to you increases my status. You are intimate with the queen, and once King Jareth rules both kingdoms, I shall have a high place within his court, being married to the queen’s best friend. Then there is your beauty, which is definitely an added bonus. I can only imagine what your body looks like under your gown, but based on your face, I shall not be disappointed. I shall enjoy using your body for my pleasure. Need I go on?”
He looked upon Kaya’s pale face. She shook her head, unable to speak after his words. He leaned in closer, mindful of the guards watching to make sure he did not take liberties he was not yet entitled to. “You will be mine, Lady, and I will enjoy taking you. You may not enjoy it, but I intend to avail myself fully upon your body.”
With those words, Balderdevon turned and strode down the hall toward his chambers. Kaya turned and fell into her chambers, crying now that she was alone. Ariyona’s maid, Tia, came in and assisted Kaya. Tia explained that Ariyona was loaning her to Kaya for her stay at the castle and tried to comfort the girl. Tia told Kaya how Ariyona had rescued her from Vicker’s clutches and brought her to the castle. She assured Kaya the queen would do whatever she could to help her friend.
On the morrow, Kaya asked to be escorted to her estate so she could visit Grosh. Ygraine was in the hall when Kaya made the request and offered to act as chaperone. Jareth looked relieved that his sister would be there, so he knew all would be well. It did not take long for the horses to be saddled and the guards ready to escort them.
Upon reaching her home, Kaya jumped from her horse and ran into the house, followed by Ygraine. They went into the front sitting room, where Grosh had gone when he saw the horses approaching. They approached each other cautiously, looking at Ygraine until she turned her back to them, looking at things within the room. Grosh and Kaya embraced fiercely. Refreshments were brought in by the servants, and after Ygraine had a drink she looked at the couple who were obviously in love and suffering from their time apart.
“You may know that I do not always agree with my brother’s rulings, and I occasionally do things with which he does not agree. Therefore, I believe I shall take a long walk in the garden then come back in here and read a book for a little while. If you two are not in this room when I return, I shall just amuse myself until you see fit to join me again. I am sure you take my meaning.” Ygraine then strode from the room and walked out of doors.
Kaya looked at Grosh astonished by Ygraine’s words. Grosh wasn’t taking any chances wasting time. He lifted Kaya into his arms and rushed into their bedchamber. Once there, he gently placed Kaya on her feet and began removing her gown.
“I did not sleep well without you, my lady,” he said between kisses. “I missed you so much.”
“I cried myself to sleep. I slept only because my tears wore me out,” Kaya responded breathlessly as by this time Grosh’s mouth had descended to her nipples kissing and sucking upon her tight buds. “Oh, Grosh,” she cried out. Grosh quickly finished undressing her and all but ripped his own clothes off. He carried her to the bed laying her upon it.
He kissed her from her forehead down to her toes and then back up again. She wanted him to be between her legs, but he was tormenting her by avoiding her most sensitive areas. Wanting to speed him along, Kaya grasped his very erect, thick shaft making him groan. She moved her hand up and down his member, pleased by his response. Finally his mouth found her nipples again. He assaulted one breast with his mouth while using his hand on her other fleshy mountain. He switched back and forth as Kaya kept up her motion on Grosh’s cock.
Kaya pushed upon the top of Grosh’s head. He smiled around her nipple, knowing what his lady love wanted. Grosh kissed a hot trail down Kaya’s belly and began to kiss the trimmed mound between her legs. “Please” she gasped out.
Grosh’s long tongue snaked out and stroked her slit from front to back and up again making Kaya moan loudly. He dived in, pushing his tongue deep within her. He was again rewarded with more moans from Kaya. Eventually he moved his tongue up to her clit where he licked and sucked her until she thought she would go mad. She began to buck against him when he inserted his fingers in her pussy. The orgasm hit her hard and fast. Before she had finished spasming, Grosh buried himself in her hot pussy. They moved together hard and fast, not knowing how much time Ygraine could allow them before the guards outside became impatient. As he slammed against her, his body hit her clit just enough to send her over the edge again. Grosh came as he felt her orgasm clenching his member.
They rested briefly before Grosh helped Kaya lace up her gown. She quickly brushed her hair making herself presentable again. Rushing down into the sitting room, they found Ygraine eating berries and reading a book.
“Ah, done already?” Ygraine inquired. “Did you two wish to ‘talk’ more, or shall we head back to the castle?”
Kaya looked out to see the guards pacing. “I suppose we must return. I should be able to return again tomorrow. Ygraine, would you chaperone again?”
“Well, if you leave this book out for me, and provide more berries and mead, I think I can sit here and chaperone. It was not much of a hardship to me. At this time of day, my daughter is at her lessons, so I have no other obligations.”
Grosh laughed, “I am forever in your debt, Lady Ygraine. On the morrow, as soon as I awake, I shall go out of doors and pick you a basketful of berries myself, as the berries you ate came from the gardens here. You shall have all you ask for and more.” He turned to Kaya, with a serious look upon his face. “Are you sure that being with me is what is best for you, my love? The king will never trust me; I will never be accepted as one of your people. Do you wish to live like this? Mayhap you would be better with your betrothed as he is human and can offer you more than I can.”
Kaya kissed him. “My love, I would live in a straw hut with you, picking wild berries and nuts for sustenance if that would keep me with you. I care not where or how we live, as long as we are together. I would never choose Balderdevon over you. You are my one true love. Remember that no matter what befalls us. But now, I must return to the castle, though it rends my heart to leave you.”
Grosh walked out to the front demesne and watched as they mounted up and rode off. His hopes were high but he still wondered if he was the best man for Kaya. Her words had filled him with joy, but he still had his doubts. He could not offer her all that she was used to and he worried one day she would regret choosing him. Life might not be easy for them because of who he was and he wondered if it would be better for him to mount his horse and ride away, taking the decision from the king. He knew he had to think more upon this, and now that his love was going back to the castle, he would have plenty of time to do so until feast time this night.
Not long after Kaya arrived back at the castle, she was given a message that her betrothed wished to visit with her. Ariyona decided to be their chaperone, and told the messenger to have Balderdevon escorted to her solar. She and Kaya awaited him there.
“Majesty, I am honored that you would be our chaperone this day. May I sit?” Ariyona nodded to Balderdevon and indicated a chair at the small table where she and Kaya were seated. Servants brought in food and drink for their noon meal. They made small talk while they ate, but when the meal was over, he turned his charm on Kaya. “My lady, when my men came upon your caravan and saw there had been a battle, I was distraught. I feared you were injured or worse. I did not wish to think upon it. I grieved for you, my bride-to-be. When your parents received word that you were alive and well, I was overjoyed. My only wish is to bring you back to my home, where you belong. I cannot wait for us to be wed.”
Kaya sat silent until his last words but remembered to be civil. “My lord, it is not yet determined that your home is where I belong. I know my heart does not belong there.”
“I know you mayhap be a little confused right now. I know you were saved by that creature…” Balderdevon began.
“He has a name!” Kaya interrupted. “His name is Grosh and I insist that you refer to him by this.”
Balderdevon bowed his head slightly to Kaya. “Forgive me, my lady. It shall be as you desire. As I was saying, I know that this Grosh saved you and mayhap that is why you think you love him. In time, if you come home with me, you will forget him and see that my love for you is true.”
Kaya stood, incredulous at his words. “My love for Grosh is true. I shall never love another. Your words are lies. I am done with you this day. Please remove yourself from my presence.”
“My lady, my allotted time with you is not yet up,” Balderdevon remarked.
Ariyona saw how upset her friend was becoming and decided to interject. “My lord, although you speak truly, please remember that Kaya has recently been through a terrible ordeal. I feel it is in her best interest that we end the visit today. You will see her again at feast tonight. I believe Kaya should rest now. You are dismissed.”
Balderdevon knew he was outmatched. He could not defy the queen’s words. Bowing to the women, he took his leave. Once he was gone, Kaya turned to Ariyona.
“His words are not true. I could never love any other than Grosh. Please help me Yoni. I cannot be with Balderdevon.”
Ariyona hugged her friend. “I will do all that I can.” Yet Ariyona was not sure how much she’d be able to do. She was not sure Jareth would take her counsel on this, as they had barely spoken since their fight in the solar the day before. She had not even shared his bed last eve.
Ygraine and Nina joined them in the solar, and Ariyona sent for her children. They spent the rest of the afternoon together, letting the children distract them from their worries.
Ariyona, Ygraine, and Kaya all went down to the great hall together. Grosh was arriving as they did, just before they entered the room. Ariyona and Ygraine suddenly began to examine a tapestry on the wall, turning their backs to Kaya and Grosh. Kaya gripped her love fiercely as their lips locked together. They knew they had only a moment. Finally Ariyona cleared her throat, and the lovers reluctantly let go of each other. Grosh held back a moment as the women entered the hall, so it would not appear as if there had been an encounter without. Before they sat, Kaya hugged her friends and thanked them for what they had just done. In short order, Balderdevon joined them and once Jareth was seated, all took to their seats.
“My dear, I must ask your forgiveness,” Balderdevon said to Kaya. “I had forgotten you had been through so much. I will remember not to tax you, but I hope tomorrow you will not cut my visit short. I want to learn everything I can about you. I want to study your every feature. I want to drink in your beauty and bask in your presence.”
Kaya thought she would retch at his words. She knew in her heart they were false words, but she didn’t know what she would do. If Jareth ordered her to go with Balderdevon back to Carillon, she knew that King Oberon would also force her to honor the betrothal. She feared what Balderdevon would do to her once they were wed, if it came to that. With sadness in her eyes Kaya looked over to Ariyona, who had heard what was said.
All through the meal, Grosh watched as Kaya spoke with her betrothed, though it was Balderdevon who did most of the talking. He looked at the two of them together. He saw his beautiful beloved sitting next to a handsome, wealthy human and his heart was torn. He loved Kaya more than anything, but he questioned what kind of life he could give her. He knew that Balderdevon could shower her with gifts and she could live in the style she was accustomed to, as a noble. If she stayed with him, she would lose her position and her wealth. She would be nothing more than a commoner. Grosh wasn’t sure he could do that to her. Much as he loved her, he wondered if she would be better off with Balderdevon. These thoughts plagued him all through the feast.
*****
Jareth and Ariyona retired to their chambers at meal’s end. Ariyona stood before the fire, staring into the flames there. Jareth came up behind her and pushed her hair away from her neck. He began to nuzzle her as he slowly unlaced his gown. This was still one of his favorite nightly activities. Ariyona had no need of her maid at night, as Jareth always removed her gown from her. Ariyona held herself stiffly at his touch.
He rained kisses down her back as more and more skin became exposed but Ariyona pulled away before he got to her waist. “Hold, husband,” she said. Jareth reluctantly stopped and took one step back as Ariyona turned to face him. “Please, I need to know how you are going to rule on Kaya’s situation.”
Filling a goblet with mead, Jareth sat in front of the fire. Ariyona adjusted her loose gown and sat opposite him. “Do not ask that of me now, my beloved. I have no desire to fight with you. I cannot rightly say how I will decide. Both suitors have merit. Do I choose an agreed upon betrothal, or do I chose love? Many a time, love is not considered in binding betrothal agreements. I cannot lightly break the agreement yet I cannot deny fate. I am still torn on this issue.”
“I do not trust Balderdevon,” Ariyona explained. “His words are honey, but I feel there will be a sting behind them. I feel he is saying what we want to hear, yet I do not feel the truth in his speech. I fear for Kaya should you choose him.”
“I understand that, my wife, but if I choose Balderdevon, and he chooses to beat her, that is his right as her lord and master.” Ariyona gasped but Jareth continued. “I know you do not like that, and honestly neither do I, but he is her betrothed. Her father had already given Kaya to him, I have to take that into consideration. They had a deal that is not usually broken. I do not wish to set a precedent or show that agreements such as this have no meaning.”
“Well, husband, in that case, until you have made the right decision, I think I shall sleep in my sitting room.” Ariyona turned to go.
“You will not!” Jareth commanded. Ariyona stopped where she stood at his words. “I insist you sleep in our bed. I will not let you control me with your womanly wiles. You are my wife, and I rule you. Do not forget that.” His voice was full of anger when he finished speaking. Ariyona was shocked that he spoke to her so.
Jareth came to her and quickly removed the rest of her gown, leaving her naked. Then he ordered her into bed. Ariyona went under protest, which angered Jareth further. He came to bed and laid on top of her, pinning her to the bed. Ariyona could see the anger on his face as he came in to claim her mouth. She tried to fight him off, but to no avail. He held her hands above her head as he attacked her breasts, biting and nipping each tight bud. Ariyona struggled against him, not wishing him to take her this way, but it just spurned him on.
Jareth took her forcefully and though Ariyona tried to fight the feelings, she melted under him and felt the pressure begin to build within her. The harder he thrust, the more wet and excited she became until she screamed out in pleasure as the orgasm crashed over her. Jareth came as soon as he felt her pussy muscles clench his cock, milking the orgasm from him. Once he was spent, he rolled off her and Ariyona turned on her side facing away from him.
“You are a cruel beast,” she said, yet Jareth could hear the huskiness in her voice that always followed their lovemaking so he didn’t believe her words. He knew she could try to deny it, but they both knew that she enjoyed it as much as he did.