The veils of her dress were red. A crimson red that reminded a person of a delicate rose or the lush blush of a lover’s lips. That was the desire of course, to set the temptation before a person and say “come, come and taste.” The slithering veils hung gossamer thin in countless layers that shifted with each movement she made, allowing a glimpse of ivory skin, of a flawless thigh, or the gentle curve of a breast. Yes it was all designed to tempt, to seduce, all for one man. He had chosen her above all others, had handed her a single, perfect rose that now lay clutched in her small hand. It was his symbol, his mark for his chosen ones that bid to all others that she was his and his alone, at least for tonight.

Her bare feet made no noise against the smooth, cold stone as she made her way down the expansive hallway. The marble of the floor was black, the same as the walls, and though it was shot through with gold it had a cold beauty that spoke more of museums than a home. It was no matter she told herself and quickly pushed the thought aside as she quickened her footsteps. She could feel the cold shock of metal snap against her thigh where the small but effective knife lay strapped by a thin band of leather. The few guards stationed along the walkway averted their eyes as she passed, their stance straight and proud as they held their weapons out in ceremony, the torch light sliding across the steel in the sensual patterns of molten gold.

Absently her fingers slid across one of the many palm plants that littered the hallway, an Eden in the desert she mused. No smile accompanied the thought as she stared stead fastedly at the white silk that billowed in the warm breeze that brought the quiet sounds of the night, of the world slowly slipping into sleep. Pushing the silk aside she let it slip absently through her fingers as she stepped into a room so large, so rich it was almost overwhelming. The large four poster bed, the simple, dark tapestries that hung on every wall, the plush carpets, all exuded an arrogance that mimicked their owner as a shadow would the body. The same black marble abounded throughout the room, the colors picked up in the black silk sheets and hangings on the bed. She didn’t have to touch the material to know it was silk, he would allow nothing less to touch his skin. The entire wall opposite the massive bed was open to the night, white curtains billowing softly, allowing fleeting glimpses of the city below and the sparkling bay that lay beyond it. Yes it was a bedroom fit for king and he knew it.

“Ahh I see you’re finally here.” The voice was low and husky, supremely male she thought. She turned towards him, bowing her head slightly, the veil covering her face and hair surged forwards slightly with her movements.

She felt his eyes raked her form, her face hidden by her crimson veil, only her blue eyes were bared. Her breasts were covered with the same sheer material, layered to leave just enough to the imagination to entice, while her taut stomach was bared to the midnight winds. The low skirt was a collection of scarves tied in a intricate and complex pattern that seemed haphazard, as if the whole creation would fall to the floor at the slightest movement. She watched his eyes darken with satisfaction, he must want her beyond all reason, only then would his guard be dropped, only then could she kill him.

His hand suddenly swept through his ebony hair and she watched the muscles in his arm shift in fascination, he really was magnificent. His broad shoulders emanated power as did everything about him. He stood now in only black silk pants, his chest was bronzed and muscular, perfection in flesh and blood she thought warily. He knew his charm and wouldn’t hesitate to use it, would probably enjoy the exertion.

“Shall we?” With a wave of his hand towards the massive bed and a small twist of his mouth he watched for her reaction, but her face remained expressionless. Without a word she walked towards the seductive mass of shimmering black, her step never faltering even when she felt his warm breath on her neck. She never stopped, even as she reached the edge of the bed, she simply climbed on and stood on her knees as she turned to him, beckoning him silently to follow her.

“You are a temptress. I knew it from the first moment I saw you. All that ivory skin.” His hands slid down her bare arms at the words with a look of awe evident in his dark eyes. Swiftly he climbed in beside her, seeking to pull off the tantalizing barrier of gossamer that hid her from him but she merely danced out of his reach, sliding across the exquisite material of his sheets with evident amusement. He had never seen her face, only her eyes, those haunting blue eyes that seemed to call to him. As soon as he had seen her he’d known she was different.

She had been given as a gift from the desert tribes of the north, a peace offering to the king they had shunned for so long but who now held their tentative fate in his hands. The girl had been presented, dressed in her red veils just as the sun was setting, outlined in the burst of fiery oranges and red she had seemed a goddess brought down to earth, for him. He’d chosen her for his own then. Even now she still held the rose he’d given her as his mark, his token of admiration. Blood red to match his passion.

Slowly she crawled towards him, the scene of her on hands and knees on the black silk of his sheet possibly the most arousing thing he had ever seen. The red of her dress spilling across the dark material like blood, shifting with her cat like movements, highlighting her graceful, lithe body. Gently her hands snaked up his chest, her nails lightly scoring his skin, her delicate mouth followed, placing soft, all to innocent kisses across his flesh. Ever so slowly she pushed him back, until he lay on his back with her straddling his hips, carefully to keep her knife from touching his heated skin. She watched his eyes close in bliss as her fingers skimmed lightly across his skin, feeling the taut muscles bunch and jump beneath her feather touch.

Now if she could only get him on his stomach, he would be open to attack. She gently tried to ease of his middle but strong hands roughly held her there, he wasn’t going to make this easy she thought. If she couldn’t get him on his stomach then she had to get him preoccupied so he wouldn’t realize when she went for her dagger. Placing her small hands firmly against his chest she deliberately moved her hips, crushing his arousal against her and causing a small moan to escape his lips and his fingers bit into her waist in a crushing grip. She set up a heady rhythm, pressing him again and again against her, only the gauzy material of her veils and his silk pants between them. His head fell back against the bed as she gradually increased her pace and pressure, riding him harder. She’d never had a man respond to her like this, as if her mere touch could set him on fire. One hand moved to her breast, molding it to his palm as one thumb rubbed across her hardened nipple, eliciting a surprised gasp from her. He was thrusting to met her now and she knew she would have to attack soon or it would go to far and he would take her and she would lose her chance.

Increasing the pace again she reached down, between her scarves for the steel blade that had served her so well in the past, eyes never leaving his face. His eyes were still closed, his face taut with the sweet agony of their situation. Carefully she pulled the blade out, palming the handle and holding the blade against her arm, away from his view. Pulling her other hand away from his chest she flipped the dagger out and clasped with both hands and slammed it down in a move so fast her actions blurred together as she aimed for his hammering heart. But just as quickly his hands snapped out and captured her wrists, stopping her only inches above his flesh, his eyes still closed as his body stilled.

“And what pray tell where you going to do with this?” He asked as he gently untangled the blade from her numb hands. His eyes snapped open as he waited for an answer and she nearly flinched at the fury she saw there. Gods he looked as if he would gleefully rip her limb from limb. “No answer huh?” All she felt was a quick shift of his hips and suddenly she was pinned beneath him, his body covering her from head to toe.

“Well my little assassin shall we see who’s under this all this red?” The gossamer ripped easily as he hands snapped out and stole the veil from across her face. His eyes went wide in astonishment and she watched them darken until they were nearly black, all the while a riot of emotions spilling across them. And then his lips were crushing her in a desperate kiss that spoke of an urgency and longing that shook her with its intensity. His lips moved from hers and cruised across her jawline all the while he muttered soft words that didn’t make any sense to her.

“Serena. My God Serena, you’ve come back to me. I’m never going to let you leave me again. God I love you. I’ve missed you so much.” And on and on he went, kissing her as if he were worshipping her body, his hands skimming across her skin as if afraid if he touched her fully she might disappear. After long minutes he came back to her face, he stared deep into her eyes, hope gleaming in his as he took her in, savoring each bit of her appearance. God it had been to long, he been without her to long but now she was here, she was with him and nothing could change that.

Then suddenly his world crashed around him as her musical voice floated through the air, caressing him if it weren’t for the damn question she asked him.

“Who the hell is Serena?”
~*~*~*