"A Kiss?" by Elisabeth A. Wilhelm

A Kiss?

The news from the battlefront rarely was current or even wholly accurate, but some sort of news was better than none at all. Ajj, Royal Consort to the Emperor Orian had long ago given up hope of seeing her mate riding his horse of red upon the horizon, because, as the military advisor patiently explained to her, “Wars do not simply end, Your Highness.” Instead, she threw herself into the heavy workload that needed to be picked up after their emperor left. There were more men to recruit, a palace to maintain, and a country to keep running, she didn’t have time to cry herself to sleep at night, fitfully waiting for Orian to take her into his arms. But what stood before her brought a hidden smile to her lips behind her mask of ebony.

“A kiss?”

The man in his black robes with silver trimming bowed deeply before her, his eyes downcast. “Yes, the Emperor sends it along with his love.”

Ajj tilted her head upon her fingertips and considered the proposal.

“Yet you carry no sign of my Orian upon your person.”

The man arose, his eyes flashing behind his own metal mask. “Your Highness, the front lines have been shattered to many separate forces, all who struggle to keep the Hordes back. It would have been suicide to have brought a sign of your husband’s upon my person. I would have been executed if caught, and you, Your Highness, may have never learned of the most urgent news on the front.”

“What news? Ajj shifted in her seat, uneasy.

“The Emperor has managed to drive back the Hordes, all the way to the Ardralth Stronghold, which has been retaken.”

The nobles and court members murmured and rustled, their wave of excitement and restlessness hitting Ajj in a welcome wave of hope. Perhaps her Orian would be back in time for the Festival of Songs. She would be able to sing for him again.

“But, that is not all what my message contains, Highness.” The man’s eyes twinkled in gentle reminder.

“Indeed.” Distractedly, Ajj waved out the courtiers and nobles until the room stood silent, save for her two maiden guards. With much protest, they too left the room.

It left the two figures standing alone in the immense hall, the sound of water flushing the room.

“Tell me, dear sir, who are you?”

The man bowed again and moved closer to the dais. Carefully, he removed his plain metal mask. Locks of silvery hair fell to his shoulder blades, his beautiful eyes the color of the sea after a storm, although his sharp-angled face few would call handsome. The glint in his eyes faded slightly as his voice spoke in serious tones. “I am Drexchsa, High Commander of the Armies of the Empire of Griffin.”

Ajj’s eyes narrowed. She had heard of Drexscha. A capable swordsman, a born strategist, and loyal soldier to the Crown. “Why are you here, and not some low-born to send us news?”

Drexscha shifted. “His armies are not in need of a general out in that bloody chaos.” A bitter note tinged his voice.

The water burbled forlornly.

Ajj took the moment of awkwardness to remove her own mask.

The man before her tried to stifle a gasp.

“So, what of the kiss, Honored Drexscha?” she smiled.

Drexscha came forward slowly, his eyes taking in the radiant beauty before him. “Highness,” he murmured, “I intend no disrespect.” He ascended the last step, took firm hold of her shoulders and kissed her fully upon her lips, soft and entreating. The splash of water seemed to cease, the worries of war fallen away, as two people kissed in message of love and tenderness.

It was, as he saw it, the last joy she’d experience of her Emperor, and he wept for her.