Thanks so much for reading. I truly appreciate reading comments and messages. Some of you are making guesses on where the the story is going which is fun! I'm publishing each chapter as I write so apologies for any roughness in the editing or story flow. This is in the non-consent/reluctance category, so please do keep that fantasy dynamic in mind.
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Zoe sat curled on the terrace with a mug of the strange warm drink that could almost be considered coffee. If coffee were thick and flavored with cinnamon and other spices. Paragon moved around the chamber, munching on his breakfast as he prepared for the day. She tried to let her mind settle into the seemingly calm, domestic picture. From the intense blue of the sky it would be another hot day on Homeworld. Like every day. She sipped at the coffee and glanced down to the book on her lap: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.
She'd had to chuckle when she'd found it on the shelf. Paragon had the simple, pale golden dress she'd chosen the first day replaced after he found her sadly fingering the ripped lace. She wore a similar one now in honor of Regency England. She touched the simple white ribbon on the empire waist, sitting in this palace she could almost imagine she'd been transported back in time, back to Earth. Zoe smiled grimly. She'd just been one pilot of thousands within the Confederation, nothing special about her. And now she sat, the lover of an alien king. The reluctant lover.
She let her eyes travel into the room, following Paragon's movements. It was becoming so easy to give into him. All he wanted was her. She'd thought Aegis was on her side, was her one chance of escape...but Paragon had quelled that notion last night. He said Aegis had dissuaded him from letting her go. Was it the truth? As she watched Paragon she couldn't believe he would have actually set her free. He'd given no indications he felt guilt for taking her, had any sort of qualms in using her body, in breaking her. He reveled in it. And he so enjoyed torturing her and Aegis. Perhaps this was just more torturous manipulation. THAT she could believe.
The door to the chamber opened and Aegis slipped in. Zoe snapped her book shut as she watched the two Oathkeepers lean into each other. Aegis's wings twitched anxiously as he spoke to Paragon and she realized he wore his heavy black armor once again. Something was afoot it seemed. Both their eyes turned to her, and she sucked in a breath, feeling their consideration. Her body ached from the day before. The skin still held the pink welts from the whip. She pressed her legs together, her entrance was tender, swollen from Paragon's constant fucking.
Paragon stepped from Aegis and padded lightly across the chamber to stand in the doorway of the terrace. "Duty calls, my love," he said as he ran his eyes over her relaxing form. "I need Aegis at my side today so I'm sorry to say you must entertain yourself while we're gone."
"That's fine. I have all I need," she said softly, letting her eyes flick to Aegis. Something was wrong. His expression was dark as he met her eyes. His and Paragon's wings continued to twitch, flexing and giving away their anxious moods. She'd never seen Paragon show anything but calm authority. It left her nervous.
Paragon stepped towards her and placed a tender kiss on her crown. He paused a moment, lips against her hair, breathing in deeply and then he turned to sweep from the chamber. Aegis followed, sparing her a heavy look before he pulled the door shut behind them. She sat for a long moment staring after them. She trembled with undercurrent of unease they'd carried with them. What could disquiet one such as Paragon?
She flipped the book back to her chapter, but her eyes ran over and over the same sentence. She could not read while her anxiety rippled up through her limbs. She realized it was the first time she'd been truly alone since she'd arrived. As she sat in indecision on the cushions on the terrace her mind began to waver. Should she try to escape? Was this her chance? The door was solidly locked with two Garnets always on guard. She stood and moved to the terrace railing. Craning her neck, she felt defeated. It was a straight drop, hundreds of feet down to the sparkling ocean below. She remembered tumbling through the air, the spray of the waterfall churning around her. The certainty that Aegis would catch her. It left her heart thumping madly, a swelling sense of security in his arms.
She turned from the railing, pushing the feeling of Aegis's arms from her thoughts. She spun in a circle, her eyes darting around the terrace, back out over the Boundless Abyss. Such a beautiful view from her prison. Hopelessness coursed through her veins, mixed with the constant anger she held in her center. With a scream of rage, she sent PRIDE AND PREJUDICE sailing into the sky. It arced, fluttering like a broken bird before plummeting from her view. "Fuck you Elizabeth," she muttered under her breath. "What would YOU do if Mr. Darcy kidnapped you and fucked you brainless?"
~~
Aegis stood to the side of Paragon's throne. The cavernous chamber hummed with anticipation. Word traveled quickly. Aegis let his eyes slide up, up the arching dome to the tiers of glittering Oathkeepers that watched. The handsome Bronzes with their proud eyes gathered together. The steadfast Garnet guards ringed the groundfloor. He traced the other deep gem-like colors that perched around the chamber. Forge and a few other of the Onyx Wardens stood resolute with Aegis around Paragon.
Bastion walked slowly down the length of the chamber towards them. Though Paragon leaned casually as ever on his throne, Aegis felt his agitated mind. A dozen other Onyx paced behind Bastion. The War Warden's fleet sat above Homeworld. He'd taken it upon himself to return from the front, bringing most of his army. Onyx, Bronze, Garnet, the highest colors. Was it a threat? From Bastion, everything was a threat.
"War Warden," Paragon breathed as Bastion came to a stop in front of his dais. Bastion leaned nonchalantly forward, placing his foot on the lowest step. "What brings my fleet back to Homeworld?"
"Your fleet is weary, Paragon. For hundreds of years we've held Oathkeeper space. Never pushing against the human encroachment."
"Yes," Paragon agreed.
"I ask that we be allowed to use our strength. To finally take what is rightfully ours. The humans, their worlds are rich with unused resources."
"Are you so hungry Bastion? I've not heard of reports anywhere within our Oathkeeper empire of want. Of any of my subjects going without," Paragon said softly.
"The humans need to learn their place. Eventually they will push too far. Too long Gilded have let them have free rein."
Aegis stiffened. Bastion's true motives were surfacing. Around him, there were murmurs as an Onyx questioned the last Gilded.
"But that is my will. As Gilded," Paragon's voice rippled with low warning through the chamber. The low colors all shrank from its weight, but Bastion seemed to shrug off the threat. He straightened, his eyes going hard.
"The last. Your ancestors have led us to this state Paragon."
