Canu
1
Accacia was sipping her tea in the study of the Tower, enjoying the feel of the citrus taste of the refreshment. The candles illuminated the room with a dim light, giving the office a relaxed and romantic aura. She looked at her life partner, Zyle, who sat across from her at his desk, pouring over the details of the sailboats of the harbor. The king was assessing the number of ships at his command. He had to be sure there was enough room for everyone to comfortably travel overseas.
Zyle looked up at Accacia and smiled. She returned his look with a grin of her own and he looked away, returning to the task before him. Accacia had made it clear she wanted no association with the responsibilities of the leadership, but she hated being apart from him. So, she sat across from him while he read, refilling his tea and bringing him lunch while he worked throughout the day.
Zyle dropped the parchment he was examining and leaned back in his chair. “We will need to leave some members behind.” He fixed his gaze on her and she recognized the look; he wanted to be at home with her—alone. She smiled at the meaning in his gaze. “We need to ensure the survival of our race if we perish in the attempt. Besides, we don’t have enough room for everyone.” Accacia nodded then took another drink of her tea. Zyle watched her for a moment, pitying her bored look. She sat in front of him every day while he worked, and he felt horrible for not giving her more attention. “Accacia, go enjoy the beautiful day. I’m sure Laura is done training for the afternoon and she always loves your company.” He rose from his seat behind the massive desk and walked over to her. “I’ll see you at dinner.” Zyle kissed her on the head.
Accacia rose to a stand and wrapped her arms around his neck. Zyle smiled and pressed his forehead against hers. She rubbed her nose against his and he groaned at her touch. “I need to discuss something with you, Zyle.” Zyle grabbed the back of her dress and squeezed the material in his palm, pulling it up from her waist. She could feel his hand on her bottom and she knew what he wanted. She grabbed his hand and pulled it away. “Later,” she said. “I thought you were satisfied from this morning.”
“I’m never satisfied.” Zyle dropped his hands and stepped back, adopting his political face, which he always did in serious conversations. “What did you want to discuss?”
“I want to bring Roxian with us.”
Zyle raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“She has the right to fight for her family just as much as we all do.” Accacia met his gaze with her enchanting green eyes. “She deserves the option. Besides, she would be a vital warrior in battle—we need all the hands we can get.”
Zyle met the look of his queen. This was a touchy subject for him. Roxian could die, lose her immortal soul, and he wouldn’t care whatsoever. “Accacia, you don’t understand how evil that woman is. She desires me the same way I desire you, always has since the day my spouse died. Secondly, she will try to take back the office in whatever way she can, even if that means killing me. And the biggest reason of all. She tried to kill you, Accacia.”
“If I can overcome these reasons, so can you.” She reached her hands up and caressed his shoulders. “I don’t care if she wants you—she’ll never have you.” Zyle smiled at her faith in him. “And she won’t take back the office. She may be insane but she isn’t stupid—she knows she would never succeed in the attempt.” Zyle’s eyes softened at her words, despite his hatred for Roxian. “Yes, she tried to kill me, but she was upset at the time. Let me talk to her first and feel her out. If she is still threatening, then we’ll leave her here. If not, then let’s invite her on the journey. She deserves the option as a member of the Asquithian society.”
Zyle sighed as he met her gaze. Accacia’s ability to forgive anyone despite the heinous acts of their crimes astounded him. Roxian tried to send Accacia to the Soul Binders, and then to the Void, but his life partner treated Roxian as if she just tried to steal her pineapple tart at lunch. Her wisdom baffled him. He still considered her to be the better ruler. “Okay,” he said. “But I’m coming with you to the meeting. I can sense her intents and feelings—she can’t lie to us.”
Accacia pressed her body against his and he immediately felt aroused. Her ability to manipulate his emotions both pleased him and annoyed him. He was wrapped around her finger. She kissed him on the cheek then brought her lips to his ear. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Zyle shivered at her words. His body betrayed him and he knew Accacia understood his desire. “You owe me, Accacia. I expect you to reward me for my generosity.” He fixed his gaze on her and she felt her heart flutter.