Haley Thistle
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The Shadow, the Orc, & the Princess: Part 6 (rough draft)
🕑 Added 2022-06-22 20:01:00 +0000 UTCDarkness settled before I even saw the palace. What I once felt was my favorite place in the world looked like the maw of a beast by the time I arrived. The shadow of the palace was jagged, and the inky blackness of it made me see fingers reaching out to grab me and prod me, possibly claw me to shreds.
Inside I put the horse away and I went to my armory to fetch my favorite sword. I left it behind, and I am glad I did. I took it off the wall and made my way through the silent palace. Everyone I had ever loved was lying to me. All my life they had looked me in the face and told me nothing but the most absolute lies.
My father was not my father. My mother was a conspirator to kill a king. Brevalan had removed himself from my side and saw eye to eye with a man who possibly wanted me dead. My father promised me a throne, but all this time he was watching me to see if I was anything like Julain. Even the shadow man had been a mirage. I lied to myself, thinking he was possibly my equal. But that was all smoke, all my ideas placed upon a blank canvas.
I stopped short outside of my parents’ chambers. I had my hand on the door, but I hesitated to open it. I looked down the hall and saw Bronn’s door was cracked. I walked to that door and peered inside. A small lantern was lit and hung above his bed so I could see his soft cheeks and pouted lips in sleep. He was so small, but he was the crux of my problems.
I walked inside, standing beside his bed. He slept while my mind raced with the most awful things. If he hadn’t of been born, none of this would matter. I could be ruler. I could replace Falko. There would be no question who was rightful. There shouldn’t have even been a question now.
“Leo,” a voice whispered in urgency behind me.
I looked back, seeing Falko standing there in his nightclothes. His eyes were wide and frightened as he looked at me. “Darling, when did you get home?”
I made no reaction to his presence.
He stepped into the room quietly. “It’s late. You must be exhausted.”
“Are you scared of me?” I growled at him.
He stood perfectly still. “Leopoldine.”
I pushed my hair away from my face, nearly ripping it out at the root. “I asked you a question, Falko. Are you scared of me?” I hissed.
“Falko?” He chuckled.
I stiffened my jaw.
“Oh darling,” he breathed. “I knew this was a bad idea.”
“You’re damn right it was. All these years…when were you going to do it? Huh? I guess it would have been too suspicious to do it when he was born!” I pointed back at Bronn, still blissfully asleep as we spoke in hushed, harsh tones.
“You’re sick,” Falko whispered. “You need to go-”
“Go where?” I laughed. “You’ve been waiting for this haven’t you? Waiting for when my real father appears in me!”
He turned to stone, standing there with not a hint of expression upon him.
“I’m right aren’t I?”
Falko brought his hand to his mouth and closed his eyes. In the shadows I could barely make out his face at all.
“Admit it!” I cried out.
“Leo?”
His small, soft voice stabbed through me, sharper than any arrow or balde that had touched my skin.
“Leo! You’re home!”
I looked back to see Bronn sitting up in bed with a huge smile on his face. It quickly faded when he saw me.
“Leo? What’s wrong?”
“Stay in bed, son,” Falko’s voice tremored. “Your sister has been away so long she got confused.”
Bronn didn’t listen, he got out of bed anyway and walked over to me. He hugged onto my leg and wouldn’t let go.
“I miss you so much!”
My eyes burned and I patted the top of his head. “Go back to bed, Bronn. I’ll see you later, okay?”
He continued to hug, only letting go once he was happy. He crawled back into bed and I tucked him in while Falko watched fromt he doorway. I kissed Bronn’s forehead and watched him beam.
“I’m glad you’re home,” he whispered.
I nodded. “Go to sleep.” I left his bedside, pushing Falko from the room to close the door. He grabbed hold of me and I pushed back.
“Don’t touch me,” I snarled under my breath.
“You need to rest,” he commanded. “Go to bed.”
I laughed and shook my head. “Not until you give me one good reason that you have lied to me about absolutely everything. Tell me, did you always plan on killing me if I ever stepped out of line?”
That’s when I saw the tears in his eyes. His lashes were soaked, his cheeks and beard drenched. “I would rather die, Leo.”
“Don’t,” I hissed.
He walked away from me, heading down the hall away from the bedrooms. I followed behind him, letting him lead me into the study my mother used. He sat down before the fireplace, staring deep into it.
“I never told you the truth about my brother because it would only hurt you. It’s bad my mind is twisted, but I didn’t want you thinking you would grow up to inherit what he had. I loved you so much I wanted to do everything to let you know what a powerful and amazing girl you could become. What you have become. I wanted you to know that no matter what you were loved.”
“But that was before Bronn was born.”
He stood up so fast he knocked over the chair he was in. “I thought you would be able to see through Arda the First’s bullshit. I’m so sorry I ever let you go. But nothing changed when Bronn was born except that he was.”
“But it did,” I whispered. “Everything changed for me! You stopped training me. My place was uncertain.”
“There wasn’t anything I could teach you! I thought it was best for you that way. And to me your place was never-” He looked angry all of a sudden.
“Then why use Brevelan against me?” I shouted.
“Brevelan was the test,” Falko whispered. “Because I knew I could never ever fight you with my all. I would always let you win.”
“Liar!” I screamed.
The door opened and my mother walked in. “I thought I heard voices.” She was carrying a cup in her hands. “Leo, stop yelling at your father.”
“So I can yell at you then?” I roared at her.
She just stared blankly at me. “Come here, drink this.”
“You’re just as awful as he is!” I thrust my sword towards Falko. “You married Julain to spite your mother? Then you had him killed?”
My mother stormed up to me and slapped me as hard as she possibly could. I dropped my sword I was so stunned. Falko’s face opened wide he was so shocked.
“You listen here,” she hissed at me. “Listen hard and listen good because I do not plan to repeat this. But I will not take such horrible lies spewing from my child’s mouth!” She grabbed my face and shook me. “Julian took me. I was sixteen he was in his thirties and he just took me. I was kept prisoner for my mother, and then I was taken as one by Julian. When I met your father, your real father, the man standing right there, I was a very sick, very sad young girl who wanted to die. He saved me. He saved you-” Tears streamed down her face. “He loved us. He was willing to die for us to make sure we were safe and happy. He didn’t kill Julian because I asked him too. He killed Julian so we could live!” Her fingers gripped hard onto my face, making sure I never looked away.
“I never wanted you to know. It was me. But I never lied about who your father was, not for one moment, Leopoldine. You are Falko’s, from the moment you came into the world he held you and he never let go!”
The heat in my eyes flowed down my cheeks, spilling onto her fingers. She let me go and shoved the cup into my hands.
“You drink this. All of it,” she commanded. “Your grandmother’s fancy tea is still inside you. This will help you sleep an dby morning maybe you’ll be the smart child I fucking raised!”
“Mom-” I whimpered.
Falko, my father, put his hand upon my back. “It’ll be okay. We’re here with you.”
The drink my mother gave me was bitter, but by the time I was led back to my room I felt as though the weight of the world was upon me. I drifted to sleep so heavily that I wasn’t sure where I was or what happened to me.
When I woke it was daylight and the sun was blazing through the uncovered windows almost violently. I shielded my eyes with my arm, groaning in irritation and confusion as I sat up in my own bed.
Something jumped up from the floor an ran to my beside. “You’re up! I’ll go get Mom!” Bronn said excitedly, but his voice sounded like rocks clattering down an empty hallway.
I flopped back down in bed, covering my head with blankets to keep the light off me. Sometimes later, someone bounced onto the bed and pulled back the blankets.
“Awww, did somebody get drugged by their grandma?” Kirsha taunted me.
I squinted through the hellish light seeing Kirsha on the bed and Veerle standing beside it. “Oh good, you’re both okay.”
“Yeah, we’re fine,” veerle scoffed. “You had us worried there.” veerle sat down beside me and her cool hand petted away my wet hair. “You’re sweating like a pig.”
“What happened?” I muttered. “Did brevelan make it back in time? Or did we all die?”
Kirsha sputtered. “No one is dead yet. You aren’t so lucky.”
“You were drugged by your grandmother and you punched Kirsha pretty hard. We knew we had to do something,” veerle murmured. “So we worked with the shadow man to get you home.”
I could have barely understood a nursery rhyme then, I could barely take in this. “You weren’t kidnapped?”
“You think we’d let ourselves get taken so easily? You really were sick.” Kirsha snickered.
“Move aside girls,” I heard my father say. “Let me through.” He kissed my forehead then sat down beside me.
“How are you feeling, Leo?” he asked.
“Awful.”
He chuckled. “You’ll be okay now that you’re home. I’m really sorry I sent you there in the first place. Your mother knew it was risky, but if Arda the First had come here it could have been much worse.”
I placed my hand over his. “I’m so sorry-”
“Oh hush.” He held my hand tightly. “We have a lot to talk about. But right now, I’m just happy you’re home.”
I smiled and closed my eyes again. “It’s so hot in here.”
“You’ve gotta sweat it out kid, your mother’s orders,” he chuckled. “When you get to feeling better. You’ve got another guest who wants to see you.”
I sighed as something cold touched my forehead. My mother placed a cold cloth on my face, then had my father sit me up so I could drink water and a warm broth.
“When I was little, she would give me that tea when I wasn’t behaving as she’d like. I was hoping she’d have left that behind but-” My mother sighed. “It’ll be okay. I know how to deal with it now.”
“I say this is reason enough to go and kill her,” my father scoffed.
“Dearest,” my mother scolded.
I was feeling a bit better with something on my stomach, but as the day wore on I still felt groggy and heavy. By the evening, I was able to sit up and read with Bronn. All the sweating had actually worked.
“You smell bad,” Bronn teased me.
“You’re no bed of roses either,” I threw back. “I have an excuse. What’s yours?”
He giggled and still snuggled up to me. “I was really scared, Leo.”
I stroked his soft hair and smiled. “Me too. But we’re okay now. Everything is going to be fine.”
“Bronn, come along sweetie,” our mother came and fetchd him. “Leopoldine still needs to rest, and she is about to get a bath.”
Bronn hugged me once more. “Can we play tomorrow?”
“Sure, I’ll plan on it.” I watched him go with our mother and then someone came in carrying a tub.
Brevelan and I met eyes and my guts churned fiercely.
“Good to see you looking somewhat normal,” he murmured.
I nodded.
“They’ll be bringing up water for your bath, hopefully that’ll finish off the process,” Brevalan grunted.
I covered my face with my hands. “I kicked you in the crotch,” I whined. “I’m so sorry! I can’t believe I acted like that!”
“You weren’t yourself.”
“No, no, it’s still not okay!” I looked up at him. “You can hit me if you want.”
He smirked. “Hit you?”
“As payback! I was awful. You were trying to save me and I just-” I sniffled and bit my lip.
Brevelan stepped towards me and I readied myself for the blow. I closed my eyes and held up my chin, but all I felt was something soft then something scratchy. I peeked open an eye to see he was kissing me.
“I’m not going to hit you. I think you’ve been punished enough,” he chuckled.
I placed my hand upon his face. “So it’s true. You really were the shadow man all of this time.”
He chuckled. “I thought you had it figured out a while back. Guess my disguise worked better than I planned.” His hands were still stained by the dark ink, but his skin showed through, and his tattoos were now visible.
“But why disguise yourself?”
“So you’d fight me honestly. It was your dad’s idea. He wanted to make sure that we went at each other as equals.”
I smiled. “How did he know you’d play along?”
“Because if I didn’t I’d never see you again.” He kissed me again, holding my face softly as he pressed in closer. I could feel his tusks against my skin, the rough stubble on his jaw. He stood as they brought in the buckets of hot water for my bath.
“I should go,” he growled.
I used his hand as balance as I stood. “No. Stay.”
He gulped as the door closed behind him. “Are you sure about that?”
I nodded. “Come and bathe with me. I still owe you for that low blow.” I stripped out of my nightgown and let it drop around my ankles. “Besides, I have ever gotten to see you naked before.”
“That’s true,” he sounded flustered.
I watched him undress, stripping away his tunic and then his pants. His body was heavy and hairy. He had muscle, but there was also a softness to his belly. I smiled as I drank him in. All these years I had been stealing moments with the shadow man, and this was the view I was denied.
I sank into the hot tub and brought Brevalan with me. I let him lean against my chest so his head rested upon my breast. I then stroked my hands down his body, able to touch him as much as I wanted.
I held him and rested my cheek upon the top of his head. “From now on, you’re staying here.”
Brevelan chuckled. “Is that a command, princess?”
“A wish.” I smiled to myself.
“The secret is out, there’s no reason for me to hide anymore. I suspect I won’t be leaving anymore. I’ll be home from now on.”
I kissed his bare shoulder then moved my lips onto his neck and bit him. Brevelan moaned and placed his hand upon my thigh.
I stroked my hands down his chest. “I’ve gotten a bit plump from being so inactive at Arda the First’s. I’ll need some extra help to work it off.”
Brevelan chuckled. “You need your rest princess.”
“I’m not so weak I can’t enjoy my favorite pastime,” I purred into his ear. “Unless you need some time to heal.”
Grevalan turned and kissed me. “If I stay the night, can we see how the morning fares?”
I kissed him in return, hugging him tight in my arms. “Of course.”
After my bath, I dressed lightly to go have a small meal. My father was waiting, smiling as I walked into the room.
“Hungry?” He asked.
“Famished.” I sat down at the table, looking at him rather than the food. I reached out, hugging him tight and burying my face into his shoulder.
“I’m so sorry,” I cried.
He stroked my back and sighed. “So am I. I never meant for you to have any doubt.” He looked into my eyes with a smile. “You will make a good queen someday. I never thought otherwise.”
“But Julian-”
“You are nothing like him,” he whispered. “By the time he was your gae it was already too late. But you? You’re saner than anyone in this castle.”
I laughed and sniffled. “Oh come on.”
“I mean it.” He laughed. “Now eat something. I’m sure you must be starved.”
I started eating, sniffling as I did.
“I’m going to ask Brevelan to stick around, just in cae your grandmother tries anything. I know your girls are trustworthy, but I would feel better having him around.”
My cheeks blossomed bright pink.
“And I’m sure you have no complaints about that,” he laughed. “You two have always been drawn to one another. Even when you didn’t know it was him. It makes me feel assured, knowing my daughter is with a man she genuinely adores.”
“I do,” I murmured.
“He’s worked hard, he’ll make a good king. At least, in my eyes he will be.” He turned and smiled as he gazed out the window. “When the time comes. I want you two to have fun before then. I still have time left in this body, and you two have youth to fulfill.”
“You sure?” I’m a bit surprised.
He nods. “I became king when I was seventeen. I know for a fact you have time. I never intended for you to rule so young. But in a few years it’ll be time. Until then enjoy your betrothed, enjoy being yourself. That’s all I ever wanted for you.”
I smiled brightly and hugged him again. “Thanks Dad.”
I returned to my bedroom, finding Brevalan tucked under the covers and snoozing gently. I crawled into bed beside him. He adjusted himself, laying so I could place myself into his arms. He was so warm and I felt so comforted by his presence.
I’ll admit, when I pressed in a little closer to his body I was testing what I could do. I had never been with my shadow man unclothed before, and I had always desperately wanted to. I pressed my face against his chest, ran my hands down his stomach to his hip. I giggled to myself, thinking how this wasn’t just a fleeting moment.
“Princess,” he growled into my ear.
I peered up from his chest with a girlish smile. “Is there something wrong?”
Brevalan pushed his hand into my shoulder, forcing me back onto the bed. “You know what you are doing. Now that you are back to your senses, your aim is true again.”
“Sorry, I’ll behave,” I sighed.
A smirk crossed his face. “When have you ever?”
I pushed myself up and kissed him, easing him back down onto the bed. I straddled his big thigh and felt no fight in him. “I know you said to wait until morning, but what if I did a little kissing to make you feel better?”
His brow arched. “How so, princess?”
I lowered myself down, kissing his belly and thighs. His cock was soft, but I knew exactly how to make him throbbing and hard. I plucked him up in my palm, feeling his weight before I began pressing kisses to his shaft. Above he grunted, laying back and relaxing as I tended to him.
“We usually never get to take our time like this,” he growled. “It’s nice.”
I took his tip between my lips and felt his hips twitch. I smirked to myself before lapping him up and dragging my tongue down the side.
“No reason to rush anymore. Less reason to steal our moments.” I sat up to see his expression and winked. “More kisses?”
He grunted and rolled his hips. “I think you still owe me a few more.”
I took him back into my mouth, letting saliva dribble down onto his sack as I slurped him. I wasn’t quite as skilled here as I would like. Not like Brevealan anyways, his tongue was much more talented than mine.
When my jaw began to ache I lifted up my head and stroked him in my palm where his pulse tickled my fingertips.
“I see that look in your eyes, princess,” Brevalan laughed. “Take what you want, you can have it.”
I bit my lip, rising upon my knees. “I know what I want. But do you want it?”
“Look at me,” he waved down to his cock. “Of course I want you. That will never change.”
I climbed him, straddling his hips as I gazed upon his face. “We’ve never done this facing each other.”
“I’ve faced you quite a lot.” Hi slarge hands circled my hips and kneaded into my rear. “I’ve memorized every moment. Every look of pure pleasure. Every cry. Being inside you is only the second best thing to being with you, princess.”
My heart trembled and my cheeks went hot. “Don’t change your mind now that you’re stuck with me.” I lifted up, guiding his cock with my hand.
Brevalan’s eyes focused, watching me lower myself upon him. His breath halted as he slipped inside, and I whimpered from a slight soreness. I sat upon him, squeezing around him as my hands pressed into his chest.
“Oh, princess. I never grow tired of this feeling.”
I looked down at him, swooning from the pleasure of seeing his lusty expression. “It feels almost new to me.” I rolled my hips to feel him. “I’ve nly ever known the shadow man. Brevalan’s cock is all new to me.”
He beamed and his palms rubbed into my hips. “Does it feel new?” From below he raised up, pushing deeper inside me like I enjoyed.
I was swept up in the feeling while being lost in his eyes. “Bigger,” I teased.
He scoffed. “How dare you? Are you saying the shadow man is small?”
I bit my lip and leaned forward a bit. “Not small. Just smaller.”
He thrust up again, almost bouncing me off. I leaned back, thrusting myself down upon him as he lowered. Brevalan growled and held my hips firm. He thrust up into me, hard and fast so the bed shook.
“Is this the same for you, princess?” Brevalan snarled.
I sat up, pressing my hands into his thighs for balance. My tummy had gotten a bit soft, so it jiggled as Brevalan thrust into me. I placed my hand over it, holding it so I could properly see going into me.
“It’s cute, let it be.” He took my hand and sat up to kiss my palm. He rolled us over, pinning me down onto the bed. I locked my legs around his waist then looked into his eyes.
“Wait, wait-” I gasped. “Hold on.” I cupped my hands around his face.
His brow furrowed. “What?”
I lost track of time briefly as I looked into his face. I hadn’t seen it up close in so long, and never uncovered by his hood. I smiled dreamily, having both men I adored with me at the same time.
His expression shifted and his eyes darted. “What?”
“I like looking at you.” I brushed my fingertips along his cheek then pressed a finger to his lips. “It makes me happy.”
Brevalan kissed me, pressing out bodies tight together before we went at it again. I held on fast to him,moaning and kissing as our bodies melted together.
“I’m coming,” he rattled breathlessly into my ear. “You’re making me come!”
My whole body responded to these words and I held tighter onto him. “Do it! Come! Fuck me and come!”
“Yes. Oh fuck yes.” His movements became faster, thrusting so that he never left. I bit onto his shoulder, whimpering loudly as I felt my own end rapidly approach.
There was a burst, a grunt, and whine, and his trembling hands. I breathed and felt the glow wrap around me in a featherlike embrace. Something warm cooled upon my thigh and slowly I could see him. He nuzzled into my neck, panting from his efforts.
“I’m dizzy,” he huffed.
I laughed and held him, nuzzling into his hair.
After a few moments, he rolled over onto the bed and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I had to hide all this time. But now, I promise, no more secrets.”
I smiled softly as he came closer, kissing me and holding me in his warm arms. “I’m sorry too. I never should have listened to Arda the First. I should have known what was true.”
Brevelan kissed my temple, smoothing my hair away from my forehead. “I just realized, this will be our first night together.”
I smiled up into his sweet face. “First of many.” I kissed him and held him, happily falling asleep that night with little fear of what the night would hold.
