Unlocked

Fahmeen's POV:

"Will you come with me in the morning?"

I untie the corset of my dress, staring out of my large bedroom windows. All I see is a vast ocean and the moon.

"Of course I will." Rolf sounded pleased with himself for that reply and I couldn't help but smile, undoing the final string. I find him sitting at a desk, leaned over scripture. He was reading from these pages on the ship here.

"What are you reading?" I was curious of course, but also because Rolf didn't usually read a book before going to sleep. The way his eyes tore through the pages also lured my intrigue.

"Only some old scrolls we found on a raid." He wasn't telling me just what was on there. However, I was happy to leave it there tonight as I wanted to enjoy my first night back here in months. Rolf was a part of that.

I stood before the desk, completely bare. He still hasn't looked up from those papers. I clear my throat.

Nothing.

Why was the picture of him reading in candlelight so effective? I just wanted to clear that desk and replace the ink and paper with my...

I didn't want to disrespect the literature, so I shuffle the papers till they're a neat stack ignoring his bewilderment. He says nothing as I place them on top of a shelf. Out of sight, out of mind. I look back and see his eyes roaming my naked lower body.

"Mmm."

He pulls at his trousers and I can hear the effect on him too. I go to his seat and he runs his hands up the side of my body, pulling me in by the ass and staring at my face. I stroke his hair away from his eyes as he looks up at me. One of his fingers slips between my lips and he feels for my arousal. My heart jumps as he pushes two fingers in and watches my face. I steady myself with a hand on his moving shoulder.

"You like that baby?"

My reply could only be an appreciative moan. My breathing is shallow and I have closed my eyes. Before I lose myself and my initial idea, I push off his fingers and sit on the desk directly in front of him. I raise my legs and spread them apart, inviting his mouth. Rolf stands up and pulls off his shirt, licks those fingers of his, moaning as he tastes. His eyes don't leave mine. Kicking the seat back, he pulls me to the edge so my ass is almost off the desk. Dropping to his knees, he finally looks away from my eyes and stares at my pussy. I was so exposed like this. As soon as his mouth closes in on my clit, my head falls back in sheer ecstasy.

*The following morning*

"Father, could I have the black pepper?"

I reach out as he passes me the dish, full of crushed peppercorns. As I sprinkle some over the top of my breakfast, my father asks my husband a question. This shouldn't be a cause for concern, however considering the glare and obvious disinterest Rolf was showing to him, it was becoming so.

"Rolf?" I whisper. He doesn't seem to hear so his gaze doesn't falter.

My mother has noticed.

"So, will you be seeing dear Sapphire? She has asked about you."

I return her warm smile, but she understands the knot in my brow as she looks between two kings.

"Yes mother. Very soon I hope." I stab at my eggs and grimace when I realise they're now cold. I find Rolf's plate yet to be touched.

"Rolf, please eat."

His grip on the fork was tight but he wasn't using it for the correct reason. Judging by his face, I could only imagine what he'd rather do with it. Father is ignoring him. Sitting back as a servant gives him seconds.

"Damn it Rolf." Using my utensil, I scoop some oats and bring the lukewarm food to his mouth. I was a little impatient, so I touched his lips which seemed to do the trick, and like clockwork jaws open and empty the spoon. I sigh my relief and continue to feed my husband as he places down the fork now, mirroring father's posture.

An hour or so before sunset

There were a lot of birds today, keeping above our island like vultures. What were they seeing?

"Hello, do you know where I can find the house of More?"

The kind baker nods eagerly and I regret leaving my hood down. I had to be quick before news got around. I thank him and follow the descriptive directions. In no time, before me stands an impoverished looking shack. Certainly not fit for more than one person. It made my heart heavy knocking on the plank of wood they called their door.

Maximus, a little taller than I last saw him answers. I crouch down to his level.

"How are you doing little one?" Over his head I see no one. He shrugs his shoulders and I wipe off the dirt smear on his cheek. I see the basket of goods I asked to be sent here weekly, on the floor. Not much has been consumed except for the jar of melted chocolate.

"Where are your sisters?"

Maximum grins a toothy smile and points behind me. I hear them before seeing and I sigh with relief. Though I couldn't help the concern as Max has definitely regressed in his speech. I couldn't be surprised either. Losing a family member, being too young to understand why, must take its toll.

Once the girls are in, I ask,

"Are the groceries okay? Is there anything else you need?" I also wanted to know why they'd left their young brother alone. They reassure me the food is sufficient and everybody is indeed eating. I mentally note to have someone check on them once a month. Lori, who looked about seventeen years picks up the food.

"We were only out picking herbs. There was none in here." She picks at something in her teeth and ushers Maximus to her.

"My apologies. There'll be more than you'll need next week. Anything else, you tell me whilst I'm here."

Somebody knocks on the door. It's like a short burst of ammunition. I open the door to reveal one of the servants that retuned with us.

"His Grace is asking for you at Poseidon's Drop." Before I could ask which grace was that, he had walked off.

The sun had set a while ago and I'd just reached the last cluster of trees before the clearing. I could hear the water. Voices too. I crouch into some nearby tall grass and find my father and Rolf discussing something.

"You will tell me and you will tell her. You'd risk your own daughter's life, even now? I won't respect this alliance if I think you'll fuck me over me too." Won't respect this alliance? As in our marriage?

Rolf was half turned away, unable to keep his eyes on my father's face. There was nobody else there with them.

"Every king has his secrets."

"They can't be secrets if they threaten our people you old fool!" Rolf spits at his feet. He looked vicious. Part of me was relieved he was able to confront my father about this. Whatever this was. This seemed to be an unearthing of some kind.

"I did what I had to do all those years ago to protect my people. Any threat outside of Covas had been taken care of, which is more than what you could say."

Rosie.

I see the sting as if he'd been slapped.

"She is dead. Burnt. Forgotten. Your 'threat' returned and almost wiped your kingdom clean, Micah." He is breathing harder, staring at the stones by his feet when he suddenly roars,

"My brother is dead!" Before I could register it, Rolf takes out a small axe from his belt and has my father in a headlock.

"Why is Oko after you?"

"Rolf wait!" I knew he wouldn't hurt him but I couldn't stay hidden any longer.

"Stay there." He orders, tightening the lock around father's neck. He is gasping and starting to choke.

Okay, now I was panicking.

"Rolf?"

"Stay there!" He shouts.

"Tell me Micah. I will do it."

Father is heaving and clutching at the strong arm, once it releases its death hold he is allowed one sentence.

"I killed his parents... it's me that he wants."

Rolf's arm drops and father falls to his knees, struggling to build up his breathing. I don't go to him. I stay exactly where I was told.

My father was a murderer.

He continues to mumble words like '*because of me... my people... I'm sorry*'.