She gazed at the necklace on the Kings muscular chest, mesmerized. Polished black stone with burnt orange swirls attached to a gold chain. Its beauty was alluring and magnetic to the eyes. She poured the wine into his goblet with quick short glances at the stone, then the cup. Slightly bent over she pulled her long, silken blonde hair to the side.
"See something you like?" King Torto asked lowly. Her eyes shot upwards to his then slighted him a smile.
"It's very pretty," she said shyly. Then stood erect after filling his silver goblet. She went to turn away and King Torto gripped her wrist lightly and pulled to get her attention. She spun back around in fear she may have upset him.
"Sorry sir, I was only admiring the stone," she snapped with a hint of fear. She curtsied and lowered her head which was the custom of a servant in the presence of a King or Queen.
"That is quite all right fair maiden," the King replied to ease her insecurities. What would you give me for it?" King Torto asked with a wicked smile.
"I have nothing of value sir, I really should be getting to my duties," she responded in an attempt to flee. The King released her arm with a trickle of fingers along her hand sensually.
"What is your name?" He asked.
"Jasmine sir," she replied with another curtsey. She gazed at the stone again only as a choice not to look the King in the eyes.
"Well Jasmine, perhaps we can strike a barter," he said with his mischievous grin. The backside of his hand run up the side of her leg.
"Is there something wrong my King?" Asked the Queen which sat to his left. Leaning into her husband to see what was wrong. Her eyes shot to the servant with temperament.
"No my love, I was just telling our new server that the proper way to serve a king was to serve from the left, not the right. Isn't that right, Jasmine?" The King smiled at both women.
"Yes sir, I shall remember this," Jasmine said then whisked off to her duties of pouring wine to the guests. The Queen run her fingers along the Kings strong bare chest, then along the garnish of his tiger skin cape. The room was vast and lit by the many fires and candles. The occasion was his birthday and most of the courts council was there for the feast. The King turned and kissed his wife then drank from his goblet, with eyes that searched the room for Jasmine. She had sparked his desires and was not going to let her get to far away before the night was thru.
The Queen settled back to chatting with the woman to her left. King Torto watched the crowd with a smile plastered to his face. Then it grew when he saw Jasmine come from the kitchen with more wine and began serving again.
"Can I get you anything sire?" Darth asked, the Kings aid who walked up beside him, lowering slightly to be heard clearly. His tall, lanky frame towered over the muscular King, smiling.
King Torto nodded towards Jasmine and smiled then cautiously looked back at his wife, the Queen. She was engrossed in her conversation so the King turned towards Darth smiling with his usual mischievous grin. "You see her?" King Torto asked.
"Yes sire," Darth grinned back at the King. "The usual sire?"
King Torto nodded 'Yes' and turned to be sure his wife was still occupied then took a long drink of his wine as if savoring the maidens touch to his goblet.
The 'usual' meant after the guards shift change, at midnight he would be headed towards the 'room.' A room set aside where the King had many frolics, it was well known the king was a man of many desires but no one dared speak of it aloud. After the shift change meant the halls of the castle were mostly clear of guards going home, and those going to they're post were settled into a game of stones and bones or falling asleep. Which ever the case, the timing was perfect for moving about the castle unnoticed.
The King slowly walked the corridor towards the 'room.' He opened the large wooden door with ease and stepped inside quickly, looking back to see who may have seen. Once inside he shut the door and turned to see Jasmine rising from her seat and apply the proper curtsy.
"Sire," she said respectfully. "I wish not to--"
"I have two choices to give you Jasmine," King Torto didn't give her a chance to finish, he had heard such speeches before. Walking towards her till he was standing before her. His broad chest in front of her small rosy face. "I can take what I want, or we can strike an arrangement?" King Torto said sternly. Running his hand along Jasmine's outer arm assuring her of his intentions.
Jasmine looked up slightly till she was gazing at the Tigers eye stone and necklace. Its worth was great for the times. She knew she wasn't going to be able to talk the King out of his desires. She trembled a bit from fear and anxiety. "I don't know exactly what you mean, sir?"
"Come now," King Torto put his hand under her chin and raised her face to make her look at him in the eyes. "You know what I want, now tell me what you want."
"I want to go home, sir," Jasmine said with certainty. King Torto run his finger down her neck slowly and lightly. Toyed gently with her exposed collar bone then let his hand brush her chest as it fell even farther down her body.
"I will have you my sweet," He said with a light tone in his voice. Bringing his hand back up to her chin and raising her face upwards as he slowly leaned in and began kissing her. Jasmine went to step back and the King gripped her shoulders and pulled her to him and he kissed her again. Leaned back and looked at her with a smile of delight. Licking his lips, tasting her flavor.