Chapter 44

Nasari opened her eyes and looked around the tiny, sparsely furnished room that had been her home for the past five years. Five years, had it really been that long since the old King's death? Five years that she had lived in this palace, this prison; forced to bow to the person that was responsible for the King's death, as well as other tragedies. More importantly, it had been five years since she was separated from her children. By now, Leorin, her little kitten had reached his adolescent years and Risha? Why she was a fully grown woman by now, no doubt turning heads wherever she went.
Closing her eyes, Nasari tried to conjure up an image of her children, not as they had looked when she last saw them, but as she imagined that they looked now.

My darling children, Nasari thought. Will I ever see you again?

As the tears began to roll down her eyes, Nasari longed for someone to comfort her, but who? She was all alone in the room; Miranda having spent yet another night in the dragon's lair. What about Jeraddin? Sadly, while her husband was frequently summoned to the palace, the last time Nasari had been able to spend any time alone with him had been during the feast celebrating the victory over and subjugation of Frigonia. A feast that Nasari, being the wife of the guest of honor, had been allowed to attend.

She could still remember that day vividly: After he had managed to get away from his horde of admirers, she and Jeraddin had wandered through the palace-garden, reminiscing about happier times. Eventually, they had ended up making love, in this very room. An act which had culminated with Nasari whispering something in Jeraddin's ear.

"You are sure?" He had asked, surprise in his voice. "Last time I wanted to try it, you refused."

"That was ten years ago, dear" Nasari had replied. "This time, I am willing."

She positioned herself on all four, tail raised.

"Just promise me that you'll be gentle."

"Of course" Jeraddin assured her. "When have I ever not been?"

Despite Jeraddin going in as gently as he could, the pain, at first had been almost unbearable. Nasari recalled how her claws had dug into the pillow and a sound, the off-spring of a scream and a moan had erupted from her throat as her husband took her the way one man takes another.

Gradually, however, the pain had subsided and was replaced with feelings of pleasure, as was always the case when she felt her beloved lynx inside her.
Afterwards, the two of them had cuddled and Nasari had fallen asleep with her head resting on her husband's broad chest.

Nasari's reminiscing awoke deep-seated desires in her.She reached down between her legs with her right paw, while its sister massaged her breast. She was on the verge of climax, when there was a knock on the door and a female voice cried out from the other side:

"Nasari, the Queen just woke up. She wants you to bring her her breakfast."

It was with great reluctance that Nasari got out of bed.

*****

The Sound of singing combined with splashing water reached Nasari's ears as she entered the Royal apartments. Apparently, the Queen was in her bath, was Miranda with her? Shaking of that unpleasant thought, Nasari put the silver-tray with the Queen's breakfast down on a nearby table. As an act of rebellion, she spat into a jug containing cream. A small act to be sure, but nonetheless it brought Nasari some satisfaction.

Enjoy your breakfast, Your Majesty, she thought with a bitter smile on her face.

"Good morning" a voice chirped behind her.

Nasari, who had not been prepared, almost jumped out of her skin.

"Damn it Miranda!" She swore, her heart pounding. "You really gave me a start. Don't go sneak up on people like that!"

"Sorry" Miranda apologized. "So, did you sleep well?"

"Well enough, I suppose" Nasari replied, her shoulders moving up towards her whiskers. "You?"

"What little sleep I got" Miranda yawned. "Tonight, Her Nibs was quite insa..."

"Spare me" Nasari interrupted brusquely. "I really don't want to know."

"Someone's being a real grumpy cat this morning" Miranda remarked teasingly poking Nasari's cheek with her index finger. "Cheer up, maybe this evening, the Queen will chose someone else to share her bed and then, I'll be all yours."

"She hasn't for the past five evenings" Nasari sulked, crossing her arms and glaring at the bathroom door.

"Well, you should know the Queen's ways by now: Every once in a while, she only wants to eat one particular type of food. Don't worry, it won't be long before she starts craving some variety in her diet."

"I suppose..."

"Besides" Miranda continued, wrapping her arms around Nasari's waist. "Being with the Queen is just one of my duties. Being with you is a pleasure."

Nasari could feel her cheeks heat up. She reached down and caressed Miranda's butt. The Two of them were just about to kiss, when they heard the sound of the Queen getting out of the bath.

Quick as lightning, the raccoon and the cat pulled away from each other and stood with their paws crossed demurely over their knees and their eyes aimed at the carpet.
The Door to the bathroom opened and Vinoli's monarch appeared, wearing a dark-blue bathrobe.

A chorus of "Good Morning Your Majesty" greeted Argath as she made her way across the floor. The Queen did not return the greeting in words, but gave a small nod to show that she acknowledged it. She then sat down by the table, the chair groaning slightly under her weight.

Shifting slightly in her seat, Argath motioned to Nasari that she could uncover the plates lined up on the table. Nasari did and as the aroma from the dishes filled her nostrils, she became acutely aware that she had not had breakfast yet and would not have until the Queen had finished hers. Not that Nasari would even consider begging Argath for a morsel. No, she'd rather go hungry.

Her tongue sweeping across her lips, the Queen began to dig into her breakfast, washing it down with mugs of hot tea, which Miranda stood by ready to refill at a moment's notice. Having finished the final dumpling, Argath was just about to pour cream over a plate of strawberries when there was a knock on the door.
The Queen put the jug down and stared at the door in surprise. Then, she nodded to Nasari to open it.

"What is it, Chamberlain?" She asked, addressing the figure bowing to her in the doorway. "You know that We do not appreciate being disturbed during Our meals."

"A thousand apologies, Your Majesty" said the chamberlain while wiping his brow with a lace handkerchief. "There's a foreigner here who demands a private audience."

"Tell them to make an appointment with Our secretary like everybody else" Argath replied. She waved her hand dismissively while turning her attention back to the strawberries.

In that moment a voice cried out for her to wait and to the surprise of everyone, another person pushed past the Chamberlain.

Three pair of eyes stared in astonishment at the stranger before them: He was wearing a dusty brown cloak with a hood which partially concealed his features. Argath was the first to regain her senses:

Guards!" She called out.

Immediately, as though they had been summoned by a magic, two rhinoceros guards appeared and seized the stranger by his shoulders.

"Take this wretch who has disturbed Us outside and whip the fur of his back", the Queen commanded.

"Your Majesty, wait!" The Stranger implored. "I know that I committed grievous offence, intruding upon you like this. However, there are matters I must discuss with you and every second counts."

The Stranger's words succeeded in arousing Argath's curiosity. She ordered the guards to stand down.

"Very well" she said. "Tell us your story, but first; remove that hood so we may see your face clearly."

The Stranger pulled down his hood, revealing himself to be a fennec, with youthful and quite handsome features.

"Your Majesty" he said. "I know my appearance at the moment makes what I am about to tell you next seem fantastic, but I am as a matter of fact a colleague of yours. You see before you the King of Guanaca."