Chapter 7 - Part C

She hadn’t slept, but anyone who didn’t know her wouldn’t be able to tell.  After much painful deliberation and frustration, anger and some tears she’d chosen her gown.  It was simple, elegant, and she hadn’t needed any help getting into it.  She hadn’t wanted any of the other serving girls to see her like this, so Anya stayed and took care of the details herself.  The simple square necked gown  had short cropped shoulders, was silver-grey and gathered across her chest.  A large, black, she’d decided, ribbon tied under her bust, and left two long tails down the voluminous back of her dress. The gown hung loosely to the floor. She had gathered her hair around a tiara that her mother had worn, and in defiance of Andoran Grey and his new supposed rule over her Empire, she’d raided the vault until she’d found the Klein Hadar, the royal sash, decorated with symbols of her empire, a large velvet choker for her throat bearing the Talerian sapphire, on both gloved wrists large, heavy jeweled bracelets and finally in her left hand the large gold and platinum scepter, the gold and platinum were wound together from the bottom representative of the voice of the people and the strength of the monarch.  She watched the large mahogany doors, waiting.  Andoran would not miss the meaning of her small, quiet rebellion, by choosing to be shown to the people wearing the symbols of her power;  She would never appear to him nor to her people as weak.  After what seemed like forever, without knock or pronouncement, as if it was assumed one wasn’t needed, the large door on the left side opened without a sound.  Andoran stepped inside.  At the sight of her, he breathed an audible sigh of relief and almost smiled.
    “It’s good to see you, my Lady...” He started.
    “Alive? Yes, well, you can’t rid yourself of me that easily, Andoran.  If you plan to rule my empire then I will stick as close to your side as a thorn from the briar patch.” She announced more confidently than she felt.  
    Andoran caught her meaning, and his smile melted into a sneer.  He looked her up and down.  Squaring his jaw he chose to ignore her outright protest, parading herself around in the Klien Hadar would only legitimize his claim before the people.  She was squaring off against him, and something about it made him feel the challenge all the way down to his bones.  He would beat it from her eventually, whether that meant physically or emotionally he wasn’t sure, but eventually she would be as complicit as she was in his deepest of fantasies.  It wouldn’t be too hard to get used to the idea that he was finally her superior.  He offered her his arm.  It was important to keep up pretenses for the time being; or she might not actually marry him.  The morning announcement was set, at least better prepared than the execution.  He hadn’t wanted to go through with that, and it looked like she wasn’t going to make him.  He led her into the same chambers she’d banished him from not so long ago.  She could see the same group of advisers from the night before gathered on the balcony.  They would announce to the people that Andoran was the saviour of Khal Manar, that Atlantis had not only offered to marry him, but had also insisted upon a full transfer of power, so that he would be her regent.  
    The crowd they had gathered at the balcony was small.  Three-hundred at the most.  Atlantis supposed that in these times it was hard to bring out the masses.  Sure enough the word would spread.  Even through all the chaos she could see the lights and cameras of the news reporters.  They would bring a report to the people.  As Andoran stepped into the early morning spotlight, polite cheers and applause mostly of recognition rose from the crowd.  As Atlantis stepped forward the cheer strengthened.  She smiled at the people and even offered a wave.  Before they’d stepped onto the balcony, Atlantis had been told that she would be making the announcement to the people.  She could feel her hands shaking more than when she’d first spoken from this balcony to the people.  Her stomach rolled over, and for a moment she wondered if she was going to be sick.  Andoran had told her that they had an insurance policy.  She would deliver his speech as it was written or she would suffer the consequences.  It had briefly entered her mind to defy them anyway.  Better to die a martyr than live as a prisoner, but as Atlantis stepped up to the podium, something over her shoulder caught her eye.   Hiding behind a curtain, just in Atlantis’ peripheral vision a large man was standing with a woman pressed up against his chest.  A long blade was positioned up at her throat.  She was trembling and tears were dripping down her cheeks.  It was Anya.  Atlantis’ stomach dropped even further.  The message was clear.  If she didn’t deliver the speech exactly as Andoran had prepared, Anya would die.  They wouldn’t harm Atlantis, she was too important in their plan for success, but they would isolate her and murder each and every supporter she had one at a time.  Strengthening her resolve, she faced the waiting faces of the crowd below.
    “I know that these last few days have been difficult.  I admire you for your strength and perseverance.  Thank you for giving this government time to recuperate and bring aid to each of you.  I’m sure that you have heard the reports.  We were attacked last week by an unknown enemy.  I can assure you that the army is strong and will be pursuing any leads and bolstering our forces.  Through this most recent upheaval, I have been under good council, and I have decided that the best thing for the Empire is to join forces with Lord Andoran Grey.  He has saved us from certain destruction, and this makes him an excellent candidate for leadership.  We are close, we have been for years, friends who have grown to love.  I have decided to accept Lord Grey’s offer of marriage.  He and I will be wed in the near future and I will be granting him power of Empire.  He will sit over Khal Manar as high Emperor, and I will be honoured to be his wife.”  Atlantis finished and turned abruptly from the podium.  The cheer that had risen from the crowd on the pronouncement of her marriage had dulled somewhat in confusion at the mention of Atlantis’ transfer of power.  She was away from the podium so quickly and back in the confines of the great chamber she could barely hear the crowds anymore.  Isolated again.  Andoran left her, busy with matters of state.  She was ushered back to her quarters. It wasn’t pressed upon her to stay in her quarters, but it seemed to be expected.  The usual guard on Atlantis’ quarters had doubled.  She could still explore her gardens, but couldn’t wander freely, without escort, beyond that.  
    As the hours passed, Atlantis found small ways of busying herself.  She wanted to keep herself occupied, if she didn’t she would drive herself crazy trying to think of ways to get herself out of the palace.  To raise her army.  All seemed lost.  She was completely alone.  She didn’t know who to trust beyond Anya, and they seemed to be watching her.  Not to mention, Atlantis had only seen Anya a handful of times after the blade had been held at her throat.  Anya was not to linger with the Empress long.  There was nothing to do but wait.  So far all of her meals had been brought to her by various servants, each not very willing to discuss what was going on in the outside world let alone the palace.  She tried asking a few questions, different each time, one to test the waters then others following that were supposed to glean some information.  She didn’t get very far.  She was just about to get ready for bed, reaching for the clasp at the back of her dress when she heard the door to her chamber open.  Relieved, she called out a greeting to Anya.
    “I'm in the changing room.  I need help with this clasp, I’m so glad you’re here, it’s been quiet all day...” The words died in her throat as she stepped out of the door into the main room.  Andoran was inside her chambers engrossed in a document in his hand.  He was scowling.  Atlantis paused.
    “What?” He asked, giving her his full, focused, intense attention as he dropped the paper onto the small coffee table in her living room.  She shook her head.  Her heart pounded erratically and sweat broke out across her brow.  She felt her hands trembling and brought them down from the back of her neck, leaving the clasp for the time being.  
    “Nothing.” She said, after finding her voice again. “It was nothing.”  Her throat felt suddenly parched.  She put her arm up against the door frame.  There was something dangerous about him being in her quarters, that she'd never acknowledged before and it unnerved her.  Of course he’d been in her chambers dozens of times, more than she could count, but that was when she’d held the power.  When the army backed her, and when everything made sense.  Instinctively her defenses went up, and she felt guarded.  “I...uh...I was just waiting for my girl, Anya.  She will help me with this dress so I can go to bed.” Atlantis said softly, hoping the excuse would give her the opportunity to shrink into the confines of the closet and into the further security of her bed chamber.  
    “I instructed her not to come tonight.” Andoran said, his gaze holding on her face like he was trying to read her reaction to the news.  Atlantis’ squared her jaw in annoyance.
    “Andoran, despite what we currently are to each other, you may not order my ladies about.  I need them when I need them and that decision is too far reaching for you.” Atlantis replied stubbornly.  He could control her empire, but she would hold fast to the only ounce of power she had left, particularly when it had to do with her closet.  
    “You won’t need her tonight.” Andoran replied smoothly.  “I’m here.”  He stepped toward her, Atlantis took equal steps back.  
    “What does that mean? You’re here?” Atlantis demanded quickly, placing the rounded couch in the center of her change room between them.
    “I will take care of you.” Andoran smiled back at her, he looked like a tiger, crouching to spring at its prey.  Atlantis was cornered.
    “You are not insinuating that you will be spending the night here in my quarters.  I can remember that you threatened to hang Kale yourself dozens of times if he even attempted such dishonor.” Atlantis fumbled around in her mind searching for a reason, anything that might deter him.  But it seemed that this time nothing would stand in his way.  Atlantis stumbled backward on a small stool she’d forgotten was there, and in an instant he caught her.  Steadying her, he pulled her closer.  
    “That was when you were the Empress.  You’re not the Empress anymore, you’re just a lady of the court, engaged to a man whose power is beyond your reach.  It would do you well to satisfy me, Atlantis.” His voice was steady, calm, he didn’t fight like Kale, he never had and Atlantis barely knew how to react.  She pushed her hands against his chest, but he was strong, much stronger than she remembered, and she couldn’t release herself from his grasp.  He wrapped his arms tightly around her, encompassing her small back.  He pressed his lips to the nape of her neck, breathing her in.  Atlantis’ sense of danger had turned to impending doom.  Fear clawed at her throat like she’d never experienced before.  She knew Kale, she understood how he operated and she could read him like a book.  Andoran on the other hand was different.  He presented so calm to her that she didn’t know how to react or where to push him.  She gave a small, desperate, cry which he mistook for pleasure, and pressed himself closer to her.  His kissed her fervently and moved from the smooth curve of her throat to her face, and finally to her lips.  Her stomach sank to its very pit, and she could feel the bile in her throat.  Nothing had changed for her, pressed against her, his passion was cold.  She felt nothing for him, only a strangling panic that demanded she get away from him.  He finally broke the kiss when she pushed hard against him, gasping for breath.  He released her suddenly and she stumbled backward into her bedchamber.  “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to do that.” He said, huskily, following her as if she'd invited him.  Atlantis pressed her hand to her throat, and leaned on the high posts above her head at the corner of her bed.  She clung to the silken fabric draped over it.  
    “Andoran, please.  You must give me time.  I am unaccustomed to your attention.  I need to get used to it.  It has been difficult to make so many adjustments.” Atlantis pleaded with him.  To her horror, He loosened the tie at his throat, and began to unbutton his shirt.  
    “You adjusted to that pompous fool, Kale, it's about time you shared your bed with a real man.  I will not be denied access to what he had, Atlantis.  Be sure of that.” Andoran stepped forward again.  Atlantis stifled a scream, she was suddenly aware of how very alone they were.  If he had told her ladies, and the others to leave them be, they would.  She didn’t want to cry in front of him, but tears were threatening.  Instead she gave a half strangled laugh.
    “Kale and I were never lovers, Andoran.  Not like that.  You know that, it wasn’t right.”
    “You still expect me to believe those lies? I’m not stupid.” His tone made Atlantis' nerves raw.  He wasn’t shouting, but she could feel his anger, his passion, seething just beneath his skin.  It made her sick to her stomach. “I’ve wanted you for so long, Atlantis, you’ll never know. From the time you curled your hair in perfect ringlets, and even as you cried on my shoulder for the heart of another man, I loved you.”
    “Andoran, please.” She begged. “Please don’t do this. This is not love. I will come to you as your wife, but not like this.”  He reached for her again, and this time, it was the large bed that stopped her retreat.  
    “You will not whore for every other man, and neglect me.” He grabbed her, hard, and pulled her into an embrace.  He kissed her again, long and demanding, wrapping his fingers into the ribbons at the back of her dress.  She pushed against him again, struggling to be free of his grip.  She gasped and cried out as she heard the satin ribbons rip away from the fabric of the dress.  Andoran pushed her down hard onto the bed, pinning her beneath him.  He kissed her neck feverishly as her fight intensified.  The harder she fought, the harder he held on, pressing himself against her.  “You lie even to yourself Atlantis.  I feel your passion, your desire. Tell me, sister.  Tell your brother of your love.” He whispered through his kisses.  Atlantis cried out, Andoran smothered her with another kiss.  Above the frantic chaos of her mind, Atlantis heard the door to her chamber open.
    “My Lord Andoran.” The voice spoke.  
    “I told you not to disturb me.” Andoran growled, the anger in his voice evident for the first time.
    “There are pressing matters of state, my Lord.”
    “They will wait until tomorrow.” Andoran barked.
    “They will not, or I would not be here.” Tryst replied evenly.  Atlantis could feel him surveying the situation, but he spoke as if he were blind to it.  Andoran released his grip on her, Atlantis gulped for a deep breath, the terror residing for a brief moment; that this attack may be over.  She scurried as far away from him as she could, trying to stop the tears, unbidden from falling down her cheeks.  Andoran’s anger was focused on Tryst now, he was arguing about something.  His voice was raised but Atlantis could barely comprehend the words.  Re-buttoning his shirt, he turned to her.
    “I’ll be back later.  I will send Anya to you.” He said, gruffly before he stormed from the room.  Atlantis was shaking and crying.  Her gown had been torn in several places, and with the sun sinking deeper behind the horizon, her comfortable room had grown dark and ominous.  Try as she might she couldn’t calm the pounding of her heart.  His words haunted her.  Tell your brother of your love. He’d been mocking her.  She sat in the corner of her bed, arms wrapped around her knees rocking back and forth. Ohar. Ohar. Ohar. Ohar. She was speaking his name over and over, out loud or just in the frantic silence of her mind she wasn’t sure. She didn’t move until she felt Anya’s steady arms around her shoulders.  She was whispering words of comfort, they weren’t enough for Atlantis but, she held to them desperately.  How had things gone so terribly terribly wrong?  She was lost now, everything was lost now.