• Closed • [Astedia] A boy King

[Xander Andaris]

57th Ymiden, Arc 717

"Cassander has really pissed off a lot of people recently, first he becomes engaged to the empress and now the complete outlawing of magic. Something is going on and I don't like it one bit." Xander stood in the window, the morning light creating an almost silhouette of his muscular body to Celeste who was in bed still behind him. His finger tapped against its frame as he his hands rested on either side, his eyes danced as they searched the gardens before him and he considered what it was the boy king was attempting to do.

He hummed and scratched his chin as he noted the lack of pain in his side, the rib was definitely healed. He turned to face his lover and walked back to the bed. He climbed on and sat, legs crossed, beside her in a somewhat unusual demeanour for him. "How are you feeling this morning?" Xander looked at his pregnant bride with a warm and loving smile, these were the happiest trials of his life and he would not refuse to feel joy in them.

Leaning forward and placing a kiss on her forehead he would then shuffle back and stand, moving over to the dresser and collecting a shirt from within its draws. Leaning against it for a moment he would continue to try and figure out what Cassander and Emerson were up too. "What are they planning?" He murmured to himself as he looked at the wall and sighed heavily. "Why magic and why marry her, its disfranchised a lot of people. Why sacrifice that sort of support unless you felt you could gain it back or have enough support in other places."

Xander was confused by the whole situation and he was struggling to see the logic behind the moves this king was playing. He doubted the boy's advisors would suggest such moves so to him it fell to the Empress. Had she really bewitched the boy like people said she did? "Do you think it is true what they say about Empress Emerson Sands? Or is it just hearsay and drunken rubbish? Could the woman really have placed some kind of hex upon the foolish child? The whole idea seemed far fetched to Xander but then again he had met two mages in his life, one of which could turn into a bear-man so perhaps it was not that crazy of an idea.

"That boy is not fit to lead Rynmere, he has no idea what he is doing and whoever it is that i controlling him now is even worse. It sounds like they are trying to start another rebellion." It crossed Xander's mind that perhaps that was the desired outcome, an uprising in which they could eradicate all the opposition and non-loyal people across the kingdom. "Does it not worry you, Celeste? It does me and I have ignored it long enough I think." Xander turned back from the dresser and pulled his shirt on while awaiting a response from his lover and ally.

[Celeste Andaris]

Celeste looked at Xander, standing in the window and she could only agree with his assessment. "There is definitely something strange I concur," she said, lifting her head on to her hand and propping herself up on her elbow. Watching Xander she could see how his eyes moved, flitting around and seeming to move from one place to another but actually in synchronous time with his thoughts, rather than the sights.

As he moved back over to the bed, Celeste watched him and a slow smile lifted her lips. How was she feeling this morning? "Content," she said as she watched him, her hand reaching for his as he sat next to her. "Happy. A little nauseous." Pulling his hand and hers to her stomach which currently showed no sign of the pregnancy the doctor assured her was happening. "We're having a baby," she whispered and tears sprang to her eyes. "Emotional. I feel emotional."

He was off again, finding his shirt and moving. Since she'd told him about the pregnancy, Xander had been full of energy. It was like finding out that he was going to be a father had meant that he had to try and do everything he could now, right now. There was a frenetic feeling to his movements, sometimes, but he was calming down. Mostly, Celeste knew, he just wanted to make sure that she and their child were safe and protected. He had lists of worried in his head and he was working through them, around them, fixing them one at a time.

"Maybe she's bewitched him the way I have you. He's young after all and prone to an obsession with the flesh as much as the next young man." That was always a possibility. Celeste had never actually been sure about the story of Emerson Sands, having considered it much more likely to be propaganda.

As to why Cassander was behaving like he was, Celeste shrugged and thought that she probably should get out of bed. "One possible reason is that, as he grows older and sees how he is thought of, he seeks to flex his muscles, show his power. Like Rafael Warrick did, maybe Cassander is acting foolishly because he seeks to tell everyone that he's in control. Thus will he lose it."

She slid out of bed and sat on the edge, adjusting her short white nightgown so that it covered the top of her legs Celeste looked at Xander with a curious expression. "No longer a pup, my love," although he would always be her wolf pup, Celeste was sure. "Are you thinking about becoming Alpha?" Standing, she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist before kissing him gently "Do you have a hankering to be King, my lord?" Celeste whispered. She was teasing, but equally she was very, very serious.

What, exactly, was he thinking?

[Xander Andaris]

She was crying and although he knew she was not sad he could not help but be curious what it was about pregnancy that caused women to become so emotional. He himself had reacted with emotion too but that had mostly passed and now he was instead focusing on making sure everything was ready for when the babe arrived. "I can see that my love." He said those words before kissing her and departing from the bed in favour of dressing.

The crisp cool fabric of his shirt was somewhat soothing as Xander did up the buttons, his fingers gently pushing them through the slits in the shirt. "Perhaps, however, I did not get that feeling when I met him or when they gave their announcement at the ball. No it felt different than what we have, it felt false." Xander ran his fingers over the recently healed wound on his arm, the fresh scar still somewhat itchy. He tried to recall everything of that hectic night but he was unable to do so. "Breaking such an age old tradition is not really common and to do so without real explanation makes everything seem off." It didn't add up and he knew he must have been missing something.

Celeste moved to explain about why she thought he acted in such a way and still it did not seem right to him. "But why mages, they could be of great use to Cassander, I have once seen what a mage can do and I am sure it would be a most useful skill to the military." Xander bit his lip an continued to think, his eyes again alive with motion as he searched for an answer that was not there. "The Boy King is failing at whatever he wishes to achieve, discontent is everywhere we do not have to look any further than myself to see it." She came towards him and his eyes stopped moving, settling on her.

"Alpha." He murmured the word under his breathe as she wrapped her arms around him and placed a kiss softly against his lips. Her question brought up many things that Xander had only recently considered, since the loss of his dreams for Krome he had been searching for something new. Maybe being with people of such powerful families as Venora and Andaris had rubbed off on him and made him dream bigger. To be King, was that what he wanted? "I don't know." His eyes once again gained motion, searching through his mind and the room as he pondered the idea.

"I had never thought about it before recently, with the King seemingly losing his grip and me becoming an Andaris. Perhaps it is something we could consider." His hands rested on her lower back but he was not looking at her, his face showed serious thought and concern. Morality and his beliefs played heavily into all this, whether he could really go back on arcs of ideology and become a man he had seen to be one of Krome's biggest problems. "Rynmere can not survive under the rule of a child and his mistress puppet master, once that would have been a good thing for me. A failing king would have given me the chance I needed for Krome but now I must think about Andaris too and a child. Power is dangerous and I never planned to lead Krome after the revolution, not unless I was elected and I have to wonder if I could be a just king."

To say he was seriously considering this was an understatement, in his head he already had a sort of plan coming together but was it the right time and the right thing. He had to do what was good for the people and that was the hard part. "Ethelynda saw something in me and that gives me faith but to be king, I just can't say for sure if I could do it?" The words were more of a question, like he was seeking her opinion.

[Celeste Andaris]

Celeste frowned, thinking through what Xander was saying. "People might look at us and think that it is fake," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe they are putting on a front to the outside world?" Maybe. Yet, Xander was a good judge of character and she did not really have any doubt that he would be able to tell. If he was sure, then it was good enough for her.

But why mages? Celeste considered it and looked at him. "Maybe he is setting up a plan and mages could stop him. Somehow. Something he wants to do would usurp their power or something?" She chewed her lip thoughtfully and nodded. It was hard to think, she realised. Harder than it was before the pregnancy. Her brain felt slower somehow; although her heart had taken over and seemed to rule her. It was not what Celeste was used to that was for certain.

Her arms around him pulled his attention back to her and Celeste smiled up at the man who would soon be her husband as he repeated the word. Alpha. Her smile was genuine and she watched him. Yes, the word itself pleased him, there was no doubt. "Alpha," she whispered, listening to him. He was more than considering it, she knew. Maybe he didn't fully realise it himself yet, but he was more than considering it. He was planning it.

His hands were on her, holding her close to him, but his mind was not. He was mulling it over, he was thinking about it and Celeste smiled up at him. She didn't distract him, she watched him. When they had met he had been Krome through and through. Now, though, he was becoming an Andaris and even he used that phrase. More than taking the name, he was becoming an Andaris. "Traditionally, the King's line take the name of the man. But if we are already married, my love," she had to be cautious here, Celeste knew. Had to step with care; for him, for her and for the child she carried with her.

"Then we will already both be Andaris. Unless you plan on this before our wedding?" Her brown eyes watched him with care and then, when he had finished, Celeste spoke. "Andaris are the traditional rulers, were for generations. The name would give your claim more legitimacy to the old school." There was more than that, though, and Celeste was thinking, her mind ticking over as she spoke. "My family, my history and name will help with the southerners. Yours with the northerners. We both have strong alliances and have made a number of moves which are in opposition to Cassander's regime."

Then, of course, there was another point. "You are marked by Ethelynda. I am a devout follower of Rynlism. Or I can say I am." In truth, Celeste couldn't give two hoots and he knew that. But it wasn't the point. "Also, there are grave concerns about Cassander and he is young. This will be his second wife and he has produced no heir. You have the blood of Krome in your veins, I have Andaris in mine. And your heir is already on the way." Celeste looked up at him and spoke with pride shining in her eyes.

"You could and would be a just and fair King, Xander. In all things, you are fair." Lifting her hand up to his cheek she smiled a soft smile. "If it is what you want to do, my love, I will support you and Andaris will be behind your claim. My grandfather, I am sure, can be persuaded. I believe yours would be too? We will have the support of Venora."

He wasn't sure whether he could do it? "If it is what you wish, my love, then I believe that you will be an excellent king. You can do it Xander, if you want to. Do you?"

[Xander Andaris]

He still had some mixed feelings about taking the name of Andaris, losing the name he had always treasured. However, he was slowly getting used to the idea and knowing that it would mean he was in a family with Celeste and their slowly growing baby then it was worth it. He would sacrifice the name but at heart he would be Krome too. His name would bring with it the power of the Dragon and his veins the blood of the Wolf, all in all he would soon be a key player in politics between the North and the South. Even if he did not pursue the throne he would. He was the link, the bridge between two regions.

Still in all of this is came back to that question of whether he wanted it or not. Xander looked down at her, re-engaged from his thoughts to his lover. "I do." The two words rolled off his tongue and he felt something he had been missing since the loss of his aims for Krome, he felt a purpose. Suddenly he felt the same fire he had for revolution before and now having love and an heir on the way only made things more perfect. "I want to be the King of Rynmere, Celeste. I want to rule over the kingdom with you by my side and our child in your arms." He slipped his hand from her back and placed it on her stomach.

This changed things and one of the first things he knew was he would need to meet with Alistair again, the man needed to know he had changed his aims. Even if it meant he had an enemy in the man rather than friend then that was what it would be. "However, we will wait until after the wedding. I will not put it at risk because we must be married before anything happens." His mind raced ahead of his words as he realised he was plotting the most treasonous of acts possible, something that had been failed only an arc earlier. He would not make the same mistakes as the Burhan though.

Xander dropped down onto one knee and gently placed his forehead against Celeste's stomach. "I know you cannot hear me in there but this is for you, for the future that you will one day live and I must make it the best I can." It was an odd position to be in, kneeling before Celeste with his head against her stomach but he looked up at her an smiled warmly. Pushing up on his leg to a stand he kissed her, pulling her into an embrace and meeting her lips with his own. The kiss lasted a few trills as his passion ran through and held him there.

"We will make Rynmere a better place, together we will lay the new future and together we will lead the people to brighter times." Xander would not go into his plans right at that moment of what he would do to ensure this but he had ideas. "We will usurp the Boy King Cassander and his Bewitching bride and replace him with a pair who can truly bring greatness back to our nation."

Xander looked at Celeste and smiled, everything was changing and it seemed every trial brought with it a new surprise. Today's surprise, however, could prove fatal to everyone around him and so he had to be careful especially for the sake of Celeste and the child that was inside her. "Let us bring in a new era." He kissed her again. "I love you Celeste, more than anything and your support is more than I deserve."

[Celeste Andaris]

When he said that he did, in fact, want to be king, Celeste felt a tingle of anticipation and delight run through her. This was good, this was right. This was exactly what she had wanted and hoped since before she could remember. Here, it might be possible. When she had discovered that she had been promised to a Krome, Celeste had been horrified. However, Xander Krome was like no other and she and he would do what needed to do.

His description of what he wanted, his hand on her stomach caused Celeste to pull him to her, kissing him with passion and a by now familiar need for him. "I want that for you too, my love." Celeste looked at him with passion, but more than that; it was pride which shone out of her eyes. "For us, for our children and for all the people of Rynmere. My husband." Not yet, not in name. But soon. "You will be an excellent king, Xander." She did not doubt it.

He determined that after the wedding would be right and she agreed. "Will you speak with Alistair? I can speak to Andraska if you wish it?" This was a tricky time, Celeste knew and he would be running many risks. It was important that she did not charge ahead with what she thought, but that they went together, side by side and hand in hand.

As he knelt in front of her, Celeste looked surprised, but then delight quickly took over as she realised what he was doing. Her hands buried in his hair as he spoke his promise to their child and then he stood and kissed her. There was a change in that kiss, Celeste felt it. Power. He was feeling powerful, strong and determined. He was resolved and as he pulled her into his arms, she happily melted against him. "Xander..." she whispered, her voice ragged with desire for him.

He loved her and she did not doubt it. He wanted her and she could not doubt that. When he said that he did not deserve her support, though, Celeste shook her head. Her hands moved to his face as she gently stroked his cheeks. "My love," she whispered so quietly that no one but him would hear, even if they had been in the room. "My husband and my King. You have all of me." Looking at him, she knew that he was thinking about the dangers and so she looked at him calmly. "Would you like to plan what we will do, or do you wish to speak to Alistair first?"

She had to tread carefully now, she knew. Politics was a dangerous game and they were stepping up to the next level of it. Time and planning was vital. Careful handling of everyone concerned was, too. Including, and especially, Xander Krome. The pup who would be King.

[Xander Andaris]

She seemed to wish to do a little planning now, even if it was just the first steps. "I will speak with Alistair, we have been allies for some time and I have noticed a change in him like myself. I am not sure he still wishes to rule Rynmere." Xander had sensed something with the man in their last meeting, the lack of motivation or his willingness to take things slow and follow a new path. Xander knew that Alistair must be influenced and motivated for something else, perhaps he too had found love. "You may speak with Andráska if you think it will be better. However, you must be careful with him, he is a member of the kings guard after all. Sometimes honourable men struggle to betray their duty, I know that myself." He could not say for sure if Andráska Venora would join them or not.

After he dropped down and then rose again they kissed and even he could feel the difference in himself. Regaining the sense of purpose completed him, it was what made him who he was. Revolution and purpose were his core and he was sure Celeste knew that, especially now. The passion in their kiss was disarming and Xander no longer really wished to talk politics. Nature and instinct fuelled part of him that was taking over. Still she fell against him and he let her, rest against him before she assured him of the fact he deserved her and had her.

He smiled as she did so and ran his fingers through her hair as he just held her, wondering whether they would ever have an uneventful few trials. "I will plan for a while in my head and once we know what we want I will approach Alistair and see whether we have his support." Xander knew they should plan together and they would but at that moment he had other plans for the two of them.

"Enough politics for now, we can spare a few moments for something more intimate I think." He smiled seductively and lifted her with his strong arms, on her legs, heading with two big swift steps for the bed. His eyes full of passion and his heart racing like it always did at times like these. He fell softly onto the bed, allowing Celeste to drop into the soft duvet and mattress below. He caught himself on his arms and looked at her with a look of true meaning and happiness. "Let us take some time to be one and enjoy each others company in a more adult way." He leaned forward and kissed her neck, his hands bent at the wrist supporting his body weight on his bent arms.

He smiled against her skin and spoke deeply and softly to her, his lips by her neck still. "I shall be King and you my Queen, the Great Krome Wolf and the Silver Dragon of Andaris. We shall restore honour and justice to Rynmere." He could feel it already, the pull of power but he knew he could resist its corruption as it was not who he was. He did not care for tyranny and dictatorship and in this very moment he cared only for Celeste and the call of her body below him.

[Kali'rial]

Thread Rewards:

Celeste

Skill Knowledge
Deception: Pretending to be a devout follower of a religion
Detection: Noting eye movements
Discipline: Not charging ahead
Intelligence: Consider why someone would do something apparently illogical
Logistics: Planning to overthrow a throne

Loot:
N/A

Injuries/Overstepping:
N/A

Fame:
N/A

Devotion:
N/A

Magic EXP:
No

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Xander

Skill Knowledge
Intelligence: Identifying information sources
Intelligence: Question the validity of gossip and unverified sources
Intelligence: Consider the consequences of actions
Investigation: Considering different sources of information
Investigation: Look at the motivation behind behaviour
Psychology: Considering what someone who is in love looks / acts like
Seduction: Distract her with kisses
Seduction: Sweep her off her feet
Strength: Carrying a pregnant lady

Loot:
N/A

Injuries/Overstepping:
N/A

Fame:
N/A

Devotion:
Ethelynda: Choose the Right Path over the Easy One (+5)

Magic EXP:
No

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Skill Points Awarded:
15

Comments:
Xander, I love how incredibly descriptive you are with even the littlest things. Finger tapping on the window frame, buttons slipping into their holes. Those little details are what make your writing come to life. Celeste, the way you write how her clever political mind thinks, plotting and planning about how to move on the idea of Xander becoming King - I thoroughly enjoy the way you write her. Again great read guys!