Taking the Queen

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Bellezza left the grand table in her tower and joined the captain of the guard at the window. From here, when the goddess allowed, she could see far beyond what other mortals could see. The ancient cards on the table, however, told her all she needed to know.

“He has arrived, my lady.”

She nestled her head against his chest, inhaling the scent of man and sky and earth. “I am aware, Alaric. Have preparations been made?”

Alaric leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on top of of her head. “Yes, my lady.” He inhaled deeply, as if to gain enough strength for his next words. “And you have decided? You won’t allow me or my guards to stay and protect you? I fear for your safety with The Four.” Staring at the lone rider in the courtyard as his warriors moved into formation, he let go of his Queen and stepped closer to the window. “Adamas is not known for talking.”

Bellezza tilted her head to look into a face scarred by battle. She cupped his cheek, the skin roughened by years of sun and harsh climate, and redirected his gaze to her. “Then I shall do something other than talk, bell’uomo.” 

The Queen of Hearts kissed Alaric then turned and made her way through the castle. She fingercombed her long hair into a bun atop her head, securing it with a jeweled hairpin. The magicks of influence flowed through the walls and warmed her skin with the thrum of power. The heat was a delicious and savory feast for her body, an appetizer for things to come. 

By the time she descended the steps of the gatehouse into the courtyard, a furred cape fell from her shoulders held in place by a ruff of eagle feathers. What she wore beneath the cape would be for Adamas’ eyes only.

The thick tapestry of thorny vines along the stone walls blossomed with gardenias in the wake of her passing. Bellezza smiled, surprised by the snowy cluster of petals as the zesty fragrance perfumed the air. The castle responded to her emotions, as much a part of her as she was of it. 

“Adamas.” Bellezza’s soft voice echoed against the stone and glass. “I’ve been expecting you.”

The warrior’s helmet retracted into his skull and his heated gaze traced a slow path along her figure from her toes to the base of her throat, assess her for weapons no doubt. “Then you know why I’m here.” 

When soulless eyes finally landed on her face, Bellezza gifted him with a practiced smile. “Yes. I’m surprised you came alone. If I can disrupt the precious balance merely with my influence over the heart, am I not an opponent worthy of more than one of the mighty Four?”

It was Adamas’ turn to smile coyly as he slid from his horse. “I volunteered out of…curiosity.” 

When the circle of guards moved forward as one, he froze, one side of his mouth lifting higher with the roguish grin. They could do him no harm but they would die trying and Bellezza wanted a different sort of death today.

She waved away the guards and Adamas’ scythe melted away. “Curiosity is a weapon of a woman.” 

Bellezza circled him, admiring the breadth of his shoulders beneath the leather cape and black armor. A topography of markings covered his bare skin, like lines on a map, drawing the eye over the hardened planes of his muscles and upward to a face sinister in its handsomeness. She explored those planes and valleys with the tip of a finger, coming to stand in front of him. He stood a full head taller than her, his shadow fully encapsulating her smaller form. Adamas, brother of Zeus and Hades, grandson of a king, feared Conquerer. Her life, a mere wink in his immortality, was an afterthought in his existence. 

Still, his eyes were all for her.