Part IV"Father said I'm welcome here anytime I wish to see you," A female voice huffed. The Lord Lion glowered at the dark haired woman standing before him. She was barely over five foot something, but her attitude could fill a gothic cathedral to the brim. Her hands were at her haughty angled hips, a sneer plastered on her face. "I just so happened upon the strongest desire to be with you, My Lord Lion." She smirked. The sheik tapped his fingers impatiently on the arm of his throne.
"Rinoa, I happen to be busy. You interrupted something very important," The sheik ground out, obviously bristling at Rinoa's presence. Rinoa rolled her eyes.
"Like fucking another whore?" She interjected, scoffing. The sheik glowered at her. "I don’t see why you can't just release all your worthless concubines and take me as your wife. It would save us a lot of this ridiculous courting..." She murmured. The Lion snarled, a look of utter disgust shadowing his cold gray eyes.
"I'm not marrying you, harlot. I have endured your constant, annoying visits, because I am a friend of your father's. But," He said, standing from his seat, walking over to the large double doors of his throne room. "Enough is enough. I am done with your hampering, woman. Leave." He threw open the doors, glaring at the dark haired woman.
Rinoa had the look of one who'd just been shot. Her eyes were wide, her sneer replaced with an open-mouthed gape. Turning on her heel, the deep blue sashes barely covering her slim body flying out like an angry whirlwind, she stalked out of the Lord Lion's throne room, but not before stopping just in front of him.
"You've insulted me, Squall. My father will hear of this the second I return home." She snapped at him, a slight twitch in her eye. The Lord Lion glared icily at Rinoa, silently demanding she leave. Without another word, the dark haired woman left. Squall, the Lord Lion, heaved a great sigh, turning back towards his throne.
A sharp cough caused the sheik to waken from his distracted state. Seifer, standing to one side of the large throne, bowed slightly.
"My Lord, I understand this will cause problems for you. Lord Laguna is a great ally, but he loves his daughter more than any treaty," Seifer said low, keeping his gaze averted. The sheik smirked, dropping down into the deep cushions on his chair. Seifer leaned over so he could whisper into Squall's ear. "You are tired, My Lord. Return to your quarters. I'm sure Zell would appreciate the company, as would you, it seems." Seifer said, only the tiniest hint of a smile playing at his lips. Squall raised an eyebrow.
"That's rather direct, Seifer." Squall said, the slightest allusion of amusement in his voice. Seifer allowed his smile to show through now, bowing his head.
"You can be a little difficult to deal with sometimes, My Lord, and, therefore, a more direct approach is necessary." Seifer spoke quietly, standing straight. Offering his arm, he tilted his head towards the door. "You do need your sleep, My Lord. I'm sure the Lady Rinoa will spare no ride to her home leagues from here, just so she can tell on you to her daddy. Tomorrow will most likely be a tiring day." Squall nodded absentmindedly, accepting Seifer's arm, slowly getting to his feet.
Seifer strode arm in arm with the Lord Lion to his bedchamber, cracking the door just a little. A small sliver of light broke through the dark, illuminating the sleeping face of the little blonde captive, still tied securely. Squall saw the image of Zell's peaceful countenance and smiled.
"Are you planning on untying him, My Lord?" Seifer asked quietly, trying to keep his gaze from sweeping the form of the naked blonde. Squall shot him a sideways glance, noting Seifer's inability to detract his attention from Zell. Scowling, the sheik strode forward into his room, turning to face Seifer before placing his hand on the door.
"Rise me before the sun gets too high, Seifer. I'll need to send a messenger to Laguna as soon as possible." The sheik said, avoiding Seifer's question all together. Seifer inclined his head, stepping away from the door. Squall shut it quietly, turning to face his bed.
Squall watched Zell's chest move with his breathing, his eyelids twitching under the veil of sleep. He could see tiny goose bumps raise on the blonde’s soft flesh. Walking forward, he reached out with one hand, running his fingers through Zell's short hair. He sighed, caressing Zell's face gently, playing his thumb across his full lower lip. He inhaled sharply when Zell stuck out his pink tongue, licking Squall's thumb rather than his lip. He pulled his hand away quickly, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together, curious as to whether the difference in texture would waken his beautiful captive. Zell, however, remained asleep.
Standing straight, he quickly stripped off his robe and climbed into bed next to Zell, keeping the short blonde tied securely. He wrapped his arms around the sleeping male, holding him close. Feeling at ease with the warm nude body pressed against his, Squall quickly found himself drifting to sleep, his worries the next day will bring temporarily out of mind.
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