The Enchanted Pool
"That's the last of them, your Majesty."
A lesser man would have heaved a heartfelt sigh and stretched until his joints creaked. The Saiyajin-no-Ou simply nodded, signed his name with a flourish and handed the document to his aide.
"When is my next appointment?"
"Not for a couple of hours, your Majesty."
"Then I will take lunch." He hesitated for a moment, and his aide grinned widely.
"His Highness is by the small pool in the grounds, your Majesty. Shall I have a meal sent out?"
There's no keeping anything from anyone these days! Vejiita smiled to himself. He nodded. "And wine. I assume the kitchen staff know Prince Zarakyu's favourite?"
"I'm sure they do, sire."
It had been three days since their... encounter, and neither had seen the other in that time. In Vejiita's case he'd really been too busy - and he'd also felt it wise to allow a little space for them to come to terms with what had happened. He would not admit, even to himself, that he was afraid to meet the Renkian any sooner, afraid that he'd simply pull Zarakyu into his arms and complete what he'd started earlier.
Now he felt more in control of himself. And even though he was aching to see the alien again, this would be in public. Well, almost in public. Not in private, anyway. His self-respect and the awareness of his position would ensure he remained circumspect. Wouldn't it?
He flew swiftly through the grounds, his guard following at a discreet distance and stationing themselves out of sight but close at hand as the king neared his objective and landed. He passed silently through a stand of small trees and came to an abrupt halt, staring at the scene before him.
The small pool, fed by a tiny waterfall bubbling from a crack in the rockface, lay at the foot of a tapering semicircle of white, craggy, mossy rocks, twice the height of the king at their highest point and so aesthetically pleasing as to appear almost deliberately arranged. Zarakyu was sitting on a moss-covered boulder, barefoot, one leg stretched in front of him, the other pulled up close to his body, hands clasped around his knee, chin resting on top. Half-open golden eyes gazed at the pool below him, its surface almost covered with huge, pale yellow lilies: emerald hair cascaded down his back, greener than the leaves of the sweet-scented plants clustering the base of the tumbled rocks around the pool's margin. His sleeveless black bodysuit had a high neck - to hide the bruise, Vejiita thought guiltily to himself, suddenly longing to taste that smooth, faintly spicy skin again. The Renkian was lost in reverie, relaxed, a gentle smile on his lips.
Vejiita swallowed, wondering if this was such a good idea. But there were certain things he needed to find out, and now was as good a time as any...
He walked slowly towards Zarakyu, giving the alien plenty of time to notice his approach, but the Renkian was far away, lost in some inner world. Vejiita had to cough, softly, before his companion realised he was there.
Zarakyu blushed ferociously and hurriedly stood, stammering an apology. The king laid a hand gently on his shoulder, relieved when the alien didn't flinch away.
"I didn't mean to startle you, your Highness. Please, be seated." He smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Is there room for me?"
Still flushing hotly, Zarakyu moved over to make room on the impromptu seat. The king joined him, and for several moments there was an awkward, strained silence. Then Vejiita turned to the alien.
"It's beautiful here, isn't it?"
Zarakyu nodded, still keeping his eyes lowered. "There was a place on my homeworld a little like this."
Very beautiful. A setting worthy of you. "Which is your homeworld?"
"It... no longer exists."
Vejiita nodded understandingly. "Furiizaa?"
The Renkian sighed, closing his eyes and raising his face to the sky. "Yes."
"Are any of your family left?"
"I don't think so. The few of my people that survived were taken in by the Cold Empire, forced into military duty, most of them." He bit his lip. The lucky ones, at any rate...
"You didn't like it?"
"Few of us did. We were never warriors. Some of us were better suited to the life than others - my brother was always strong, and found battle more to his taste than I did."
Vejiita frowned. "What were you, before."
Zarakyu gazed down and stretched out his hands, the palms upwards, long fingers curved gently skywards. "I was to have been an artist." He glanced up into the king's face, his expression desolate. "I wanted to create beauty - and I showed much promise. I did not want to kill, to destroy. But Furiju threatened to take away my hands if I didn't obey him..."
Suddenly desperate to take the Renkian into his arms and hold him, comfort him, Vejiita contented himself with softly cupping the graceful hands within his own strong broad palms.
"Would you like to go back to what your life should have been? Become an artist?"
Zarakyu gazed sadly into the king's eyes. "I don't know if I could. It has been so long..."
"Would you like to try?"
"...yes..."
Vejiita smiled. "Then let us see if it's possible. Let your Steward know what you require, and we'll do our best to provide it."
"Thank you, your Majesty."
"Will you call me Vejiita, when we're alone? Please?"
The Renkian blushed. "I'll... I'll try..."
"Thank you." The king frowned slightly, biting his lip. "Zarakyu..." It was a difficult subject, but he had to ask. "Did you... have you ever had a mate?"
To Vejiita's relief the Renkian shook his head. "No. I was too young when Furiju took me. Afterwards - well, there were so few of us left, and we were mostly kept separate. There was no chance."
"And other - liaisons?"
"Wh... why do you ask?"
The soft voice was suddenly nervous, an undercurrent of fear adding a faint quaver to its smooth flow, and the king raised his hands, backing off as delicately as he could. "I'm sorry - that was intrusive of me. Forget I asked."
But Zarakyu had tensed, flinching away as the king moved fractionally towards him. Vejiita was relieved when Damarin appeared through the trees, escorting two of the palace staff, their arms piled high with rugs and cushions, while another two, carrying an enormous hamper, followed close behind - just in time to stop the silence from becoming too strained. He turned to the Renkian, one hand extended, his voice formal, an unspoken plea in his eyes.
"Your Highness, I would be honoured if you would join me for the midday meal. Here, if you have no objection."
For a moment Zarakyu gazed at him, unspeaking, apprehension in his eyes - then he relaxed a little and nodded.
"Very well, your Majesty."
They watched in silence as the staff laid rugs on the grass and arranged cushions, plates and bowls of assorted foodstuff, and glasses of a rich, sweet, pale golden wine ready to hand, then bowed and retired. Vejiita stood and gestured to the picnic.
"Shall we?"
The king made sure Zarakyu's glass remained full, careful to drink sparingly himself, but even so it was a long hour before the Renkian had fully relaxed again, the combined meal, wine, and the warmth in the secluded sunspot making him drowsy. He lay back on the cushions and stretched, stifling a yawn. Vejiita smiled at the delicious sight.
"Tired?"
Zarakyu blinked lazily up at him. "Haven't been sleeping very well."
"I'm sorry to hear it. Is there anything I can do to help?"
You could share my bed... Zarakyu blushed, and the king inclined his head, divining his thoughts, and grabbed the opportunity.
"Zarakyu... the other night..."
The Renkian coloured further and averted his eyes. Vejiita frowned.
"Do you regret it?"
"No, your Majesty." It was a whisper. The king touched his hand, no more than a brushing of his fingertips across cool green skin, but both felt burned by the contact. Vejiita threw caution to the winds.
"Neither do I..."
Zarakyu's head came up, startlement in his eyes.
"Your Majesty?"
"May I come to you again, tonight?"
The Renkian stared, eyes huge, lips parted. "M...Majesty?"
The king risked a gentle touch to the mouth he so badly wanted to kiss.
"May I?"
Wordlessly, Zarakyu nodded - and Vejiita caught sight of Damarin from the corner of his eye. The guard stood ready to escort the king back: lunch was over.
He sighed, gazing down into deep golden eyes, feeling an untimely warmth gathering in his loins. It's probably just as well. If I stay here much longer...
"I must return now. Much as I would rather stay here."
Zarakyu smiled, a little tremulously, and sat up.
"I also, your Ma... Vejiita."
The king rose, reaching a hand down to assist his companion to his feet, then lowering his head slightly.
"Until tonight."
Zarakyu licked suddenly dry lips. "Until tonight, Vejiita."
He watched as Vejiita took off, his guard in formation around him, and tried to calm his pounding heart. He'd intended getting some sleep - but with the feelings running riot through him now that seemed extremely unlikely. He had to do something to relieve the nervous tension flooding his body...
Some hard exercise, perhaps. Then a long, hot soak in a deep, fragrant bath, a luxury he still hadn't grown used to. He'd need to prepare for the night, as well. He was sure the kitchen staff would know the king's favourite wine. Or whatever else he liked to drink. And he should provide something to eat, as well. What else should he do?
Do you really know what you're getting into? Do you really care?
His head spinning, he headed home.
© 2001 October 7th Joules Taylor
