The young peasant woman watched as the Queen’s procession seemed to glide down the dirt pathway. Her conveyance was the burden of eight oiled and muscled eunuch slaves, working in unison, their flesh rippling with accustomed exertion. The white gauze to protect their fair Mistress from the blazing sun, twisted in a flirtatious dance billowing out about them.
Well manicured fingers grasped the swirling whiteness that surrounded her haven and pulled it back to gaze at her offerings with flashing eyes. She found that bright green eyes met hers unflinchingly. There was awe in those pooled depths, but no fear. A smile curved her brightly painted mouth. Yes, she was the one.
The young woman was startled to look up and find herself gazing into the Queen’s eyes. She found that she could not look away, the opalescent stare captured her so completely. She trembled as the Queen’s mouth pulled away from her sharp teeth in what could only be called the smile of a predator. The woman wondered if this was to be her last breath for her disrespect.
An elegantly formed pale arm motioned for her to come near. The woman walked, gracefully barefooted, to where the Queen motioned.
“Do you know what it is, to be the Queen’s favorite?” Her voice was melodic, entrancing, stealing her will.
The woman shook her luxurious golden tresses in denial.
“If you would but show me.” She said defiantly, shrugging off her filth as if she were royalty herself.
The Queen saw the fire of her spirit, and the desire to break it coiled in her belly with the burning hunger only known to the damned. Her incisors peaked at the thought, pricking her own tongue, drawing blood.
“What is your name?” she demanded.
“I am called Kiernan, your Majesty.” The peasant answered.
“Kiernan.” The name rolled off of her tongue as honey. “Kiernan, are you promised?”
“I am promised to the temple.” Kiernan replied with disgust.
“No longer. You will come with me.” She pulled aside the gauzy whiteness further to allow Kiernan admission to her pillowed Eden.
Kiernan was lifted up by one of the tanned eunuchs, his large browned hands encircling the smallness of her waist, to take her place amongst the silk. The Queen leaned over her, pushing her tresses from her face. A long white finger trailed a path down her cheek, brushing lightly over her full lips, trailing down her neck, following the path of her carotid artery down, then coming to cup the curve of her full breast.
“Yes, I think that you will do nicely.”
Kiernan shivered as perfect fingers caressed her flesh and she unwittingly arched into the touch. A burning serpent coiled between her thighs, ready to strike.
“Is this what it is, to be the Queen’s favorite?” Kiernan asked, her words thick, as desire dripped from every syllable.
Unearthly, but ultimately feminine laughter carried on the slight breeze. “There is so much more.”
The Queen lay back against the masses of silk, her raven hair fanning out about her, bringing midnight to the brightness of the day. She motioned airily and the conveyance began to move steadily toward the rising towers in the distance.
Kiernan could not stop staring at the dark goddess. The perfect rigidity of her ethereal countenance splashed with the voluptuous red plumpness of lips that bespoke life and death entranced her completely. She found herself again staring into eyes that mirrored the ocean, sparkling as if the sun reflected in their eternal depths. Kiernan cast her eyes downward. A gentle hand stroked the curve of her cheek.
“Before this night is through, your eyes will not paint me with such light.” The Queen whispered into the delicate shell of Kiernan’s ear.
Kiernan shuddered as the warmth of the Queen’s breath danced across her skin. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
“What do you want, little Kiernan?” The melodious voice mocked her.
“I want to serve my Queen.”
“Are you so eager then, to serve the Night? Do you not fear death?” The lush lips brushed against her ear and her throat, a delicate contrast to the sharp words they spoke, sending shivers down her spine.