preview: When it came to Annie, Smoke grew soft. It was something she had teased him about early on in their relationship because no matter how much she pissed him off, he was always going to give her whatever she wanted. She commanded his attention with ease, and how can you blame him when she pled with such a pretty, whiny voice; when she batted her eyelashes and apologized for doing what she shouldn't have?
They'd end up in this position again—with her not listening and doing something she had no business doing—but for now, he was giving in, letting her have it, and showing her just the type of rough nigga he could be—because she'd asked.
cw: smut, daddy!smoke, baby!girl!annie, bratty!annie, orgasm denial, possessive, spanking, aftercare, use of the nword
a/n: this was requested!!! i worked more on the build up of the scene but yessss. send me more requests fr because this was funnnn
masterlist
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She needed this.
This moment alone after her shitty day at work. This time to herself after putting up with Smoke acting like he could run shit. This was her damn house that she took care of. Fuck it if Elijah fronted a few bills. He only did it because he was a control freak. But this was Annie’s house, her business, and she needed this.
That morning, she realized she was out of coffee creamer after the pot had already been made, and Annie needed a perfect, homemade cup of coffee with her hazelnut creamer to start her day right. Then, her pantyhose ripped on the way out the door, and she hadn’t shaved in weeks, so it was between wearing shitty ass tights to the office or hairy ass legs. Then, she remembered that she was supposed to leave early that day because she needed gas, and since Smoke had been acting like he ran her life, she decided today would be the day she wanted to be an independent woman and pump her own gas. Then, when she showed up to work, inevitably late, her boss was standing near her desk with a stack of folders that took her all damn day to sort through. There’d been no lunch. No break. No chance to call her man.
So how could anyone blame her?
She needed this, damnit.
Over the years, Annie had found that when life was doing her in, the best way to fix it was to either manifest and set some intentions or to orgasm. She’d been doing the first thing often enough, and though the latter half of her day had settled some, there was a lingering frustration that needed to be overcome.
And her man wasn’t there to fix it because he had his own life, and his own house, and his own shit to do.
Reaching over into her side table drawer, she pulled out their vibrator. It was cute and petite and an electric blue because when Smoke had chosen it out of the sea of other toys, he’d commented that it looked “tough” (He meant to say that it would look good settled between her thighs and pussy lips as he used it to tease her later that day—but he was too shy in the environment to admit it). Annie twirled it in her hand, contemplating her next move. Smoke had put rules and regulations on their vibrator like he was the damn FDA, and the most important rule was that she couldn’t use it without him.
When she’d heard it, disbelief had entered her system. Who was he to be demanding shit? Who was he to be calling shots like that? He knew how sexual Annie was and how important an orgasm and pleasure could be. But Smoke saw that electric blue vibrator as theirs. It was theirs to explore with, theirs to use together. So if he wasn’t in her home and on her bed, Annie was not to be permitted access to it.
But this was her damn house. The house she made a home. The house she would have paid every bill for if her man wasn’t such a damn control freak.
When the vibrator hit her clit, a bolt of energy ran through her. All throughout her body, her muscles tightened, and a sharp gasp parted her lips. When Smoke would use it on her, he'd start all slow and shit, dragging it through her folds on the lowest setting just to piss her off. But Annie didn't want to be teased right now. She wanted release and pleasure as quickly and as easily as possible. Knees wide open, feet pressed into the bed, and head thrown back, she felt every ounce of the day begin to wash off of her. She started to forget all about the coffee and the pantyhose and the gas and being late and her boss and all those stupid folders. The only thing she cared about was how good her body felt right now and how quickly she was about to tumble over the edge.
~~~~~
When he stepped foot into her home, nothing seemed too out of place. He placed his keys in the dish and shrugged his jacket off. He removed his shoes and set them right beside the haphazardly-placed heels she had worn to work.
Smoke hadn’t heard from his girlfriend since that morning, but if he knew anything about her, the text saying she was out of her favorite hazelnut creamer was the perfect set up for an awful day. He’d already been at work himself, so he couldn’t save her, but he made sure to buy her a fresh bottle as soon as he could. Settling the creamer in the fridge, Smoke went in search of his girlfriend. He wasn’t the type to call out for her because she was the type to only be in one of two places: the living room or the back patio. And when both of those places came up missing, his attention was sparked.
It was like his body tuned in to find her. His ears perked up at every shuffle and buzz. His feet tingled with every vibration.
“I know she better not,” the man mumbled under his breath, gritting his teeth and already in motion toward her bedroom. He kept his steps light no matter how much he wanted to stomp. He needed to see this. He needed to look upon her wrongdoing.
The closer he got to her open bedroom door, the more her sweet moans filled his ears. He could tell she was exhausted by the whine that accompanied her cries of pleasure, and even though he wanted to halt her when he saw their—his—electric blue vibrator, he refrained. Shoulder pressed into the doorframe, he analyzed the roll of her hips and how her jaw dropped open when she shifted the toy upwards. He marveled at the sheen covering her body and how she went harder than he normally would.
He could tell she was chasing it, and as much as he hated it, he knew she probably needed this. Annie was a woman of order—after his own heart. She had systems. Procedures. Those misplaced heels at the door had been one sign that she was losing it, and her work attire which was tossed in piles on the floor and across a chair was another. He hated how much he knew she needed this, but he kept quiet and sat back watching the show nonetheless.
~~~~~
Her need had turned carnal.
She craved it. That release. That pleasure. That succumbing to her own body and crumbling as the result of her own efforts.
She’d been holding the toy in place, but now she was growing more courageous. She attempted to move and her body thanked her by releasing a tremble up her spine—encouragement that allowed her the peace of mind to circle her clit. She did it quickly, completely uncaring because if she was going to have this, she wanted it now.
Nails piercing the fabric of her sheets and feet grounding her in place, Annie felt herself tipping gloriously over the edge of her desire. Her body trembled. Her thighs ached, but that meant nothing because she was getting what she deserved after a long ass day where nothing went as planned. Bright color filled her eyes and her chest practically lifted into the air as she came with the vibrator between her legs, pressed right up against her clit.
And when she turned it off and the last buzz rang out softly in the dense air, her heart sank.
She was finally able to pay attention to her surroundings again, finally about to care, and the first thing she noticed was his cologne. Strong. Teak. Spice. It was his signature scent, and Annie could pick him out in a line up of men with her eyes closed—and she realized then that her eyes were closed. She was afraid to open them, afraid of the jumpscare that would be an angry Elijah upon seeing their—his—vibrator where it didn’t belong without his permission.
But, shit, this was her house and her bed and her pussy and her bad day. She could do whatever the fuck she wanted. Yeah—so believable.
There he stood: shoulders filling out the doorframe, eyebrows set in a scowl, jaw working in an effort to calm himself down.
As scared as she was, as regretful as she was, Annie could never deny the fact that her man was sexy as fuck. He was all shoulders and unsettling disposition, and that was the biggest turn on for a bitch with a bad day. Where her body had previously calmed down from the height of her orgasm, deciding that the awfulness of today had been rid from her, she was sparked again by greed to be taken care of by her Elijah. This was her bad day, and she should be receiving treatment from all sides.
“Hey, baby,” Annie breathed, shaky and sultry at the same time. She attempted a smile and her best and brightest soft eyes, but he wasn’t giving in.
“Put it down,” Smoke huffed, stepping one foot into the room. He had to gain control quick because Annie thrived off doing the exact opposite of what she was told. Her pout grew deeper and her finger moved back toward the button on the underside of the toy. She needed it. Turning it on and yelping from the vibrations that ran through her oversensitive body, she tried again to get her way.
“But, ‘Lijah—”
“I said put it down, Annie,” he interrupted, reaching for her wrist, but contrary to the response he hoped to gain, Annie moaned. Right in front of his face like she hadn't been properly touched or taken care of in ages. And that's truly how she felt inside her body. She watched her man scrunch his face in confusion and disbelief, rubbing the vibrator against her cunt as the feeling of Smoke's heavy breath brought her to the edge again.
“You in big trouble, baby girl,” he gritted, looking down at her, lust quickly clouding his eyes. His hand reached for her waist, but he didn't make her stop.
Got 'im, Annie thought, throwing her neck back in silent, wicked laughter when he began to kiss her pulse point. Her stomach curled deliciously, and even though she'd just cum, she felt like she could go for the rest of the night.
"Just give me what the fuck I want," she grumbled in his ear. Teeth marked her skin in response, keeping the memory of him on her body, and she laughed lowly from her throat. "Come on, baby," she coaxed, hips rutting against the vibrator and his left thigh. "Take care of what's yours, Daddy." The plea left her mouth raw. Her climax was near, desire at an all-time high. It was just in her reach, and just as her pussy clenched around nothing, Elijah sharply pulled the toy away from her.
Annie trembled against the sheets, orgasm ruined in a way that left her fluttering in disappoint. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, and before she knew it, her head was turning away from her man's face.
"Turn over," Smoke bellowed, wrecked in his own unique way.
"Fuck you," she croaked, too concerned with the view of him putting the toy far out of her reach. She writhed in the sheets, throwing a fit at him ruining this for her. "The fuck you even doin' over here? Don't you got a house or business to tend to or something? Always in my fuckin' face." Every word was laced with annoyance. She was pissed, angry, livid, because her bad day was just getting worse and worse. Now she was in trouble and her orgasm had been stolen and she was having a horrible day.
"I know yo' morning started off bad or whatever," Smoke deadpanned, "but you ain't finna talk to me like you ain't got no fuckin' sense. Now turn that ass over."
Huffing and groaning—like she ain't want it when she really, really did—Annie assumed the position. Smoke enunciated each word to make sure she heard him good and clear, and the woman could tell that even though punishment was coming her way, he was also working to soothe her and alleviate all pain because he understood.
"You know better, baby girl," the man roared, hand coming down to rain hits upon her ass. Gasping, she grabbed ahold of a pillow, stuffing her face in it to hide her moans. "You don't touch my shit when I ain't here," he growled. "This my pussy, and that's my damn toy. But since you had such a bad day and you obviously ain't thinking straight, I'll go easy on you."
"Please, Daddy," she moaned, pressing her ass back into his hand. One spank landed on the back of her thighs far too close to her pussy for her to hold it in any longer. She rattled off every thing she needed done to her. She needed to be put in her place, needed to be reminded that she was his, needed to remember why it was important to listen to what she was told.
~~~~~
When it came to Annie, Smoke grew soft. It was something she had teased him about early on in their relationship because no matter how much she pissed him off, he was always going to give her whatever she wanted. She commanded his attention with ease, and how can you blame him when she pled with such a pretty, whiny voice; when she batted her eyelashes and apologized for doing what she shouldn't have?
They'd end up in this position again—with her not listening and doing something she had no business doing—but for now, he was giving in, letting her have it, and showing her just the type of rough nigga he could be—because she'd asked.
Each thrust of his hips felt like an ambush, stealing her breath, looting her ability to do anything other than cry out his name. He smacked her ass with each stroke, and when she recoiled against his pelvis, he couldn't help what happened next. Leaning into her, he pressed the arch of her back further into the bed, stuffing her face into her emotional support pillow.
His thrusts sped up, and his words came out wet and reckless.
"This my shit," he slurred, sweat dripping from the tip of his nose. "This my damn pussy and you gon' listen to what the fuck I got to say."
"Y-yes, Daddy," Annie stammered, clawing herself up the bed.
"Fuck you think you goin'," Smoke questioned warningly, dragging her impossibly closer to him.
"Nowhere," she avowed. "I swear I-I ain't goin' nowhere!" The woman begged for forgiveness and appealed for mercy, but all she wanted was for him to go harder, stronger, rougher. She needed it to help her forget what had occurred up until this point. The only thing she needed to remember about today is that she had wound up with her face down and ass up with her nigga fucking her into the mattress. The more he tightened his hold on her hips, the closer she got to that glorious restructuring of her brain.
Fucked out of her mind is what Elijah called it, fucked silly and without a single care in the world.
So close.
Almost to the tipping point.
When Smoke reached over to retrieve the vibrator once more, he knew this would be the thing to successfully rid her mind of any thoughts. He pressed it into her folds, rubbed her clit, held it there until she was stuttering all the while making sure that his strokes stayed consistent and that she couldn't possibly want for more.
"Imma cum, Daddy," she thundered. Tears fell down her face, darkening the cloth of the pillow, and the man knew then that she was ready.
"Cum for me baby girl," he permitted, and as she broke apart, he held her through her fall, succumbing soon after.
~~~~~
Sheets changed, bodies clean, and clothed in soft fabric, Annie clung to Smoke's body, seeking refugee in his hardiness. He stroked up and down the length of her back, and she slipped further and further into him.
"I bought you creamer," Elijah admitted softly. His eyes that had been on the ceiling took in the woman's face. A glorious calm had settled into her features but her eyes looked appreciative because he understood. He cared.
"Thank you," she whispered, cuddling closer into his warmth.
preview: Annie, marveling at his honesty and clarity, almost allowed a moan to escape her lips. There was something about the way he'd been vulnerable about being a virgin, something about the way he trusted her to control this moment. He gave her a feeling that restored something in her, like this was her first time all over again, and in a few years, she might actually consider this It.
cw: smut, virgin!smoke, experienced!annie, young smoke x annie, first time, unprotected!sex, fluffy!smut
a/n: this was a request and i can’t thank you enough, anon!!!!! i didn’t expect to write this so fast, but here we areee (i’ve posted three days in a row now,,, let’s not jinx it)
masterlist
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Clouds streaked the early morning sky, creeping over the sun that peeked over the horizon. The spring air was fragrant with goldenrod and honeydew, and when the sun glared, water could be seen glistening atop blades of grass.
The pair had fallen asleep in Smoke's bed after staying up all night watching movies. They'd gone back and forth, each picking something that was significant to them, inching closer with each laugh or gasp of shock. Annie had wound up in his arms during a scary movie, and he had ended up with his head tucked into her neck while watching a romcom. It was a simple date, but it was special.
Smoke's arms surrounded Annie as she slept. He held her tight, felt for every shift of her breath and tightened his hold when she tried to move. He craved her closeness, and for the past few months—as their relationship flourished—he began to feel the absence of something that needed to be filled.
The earliest he could remember The Feeling was three months ago.
That night, he'd taken her out to some concert she'd been begging to go to, and as he watched her, the emotion budded. Her eyes were bright as she looked toward the stage. And the lights illuminated her face in a way that showed off her excitement perfectly. In that moment, his mind dipped off into thoughts that were far from chaste. He decided then that he'd do anything to make her happy enough to make that face again, to have his reaction to it be just that strong.
The Feeling persisted for weeks after that, blooming when she decided to try on a few options for a party she was going to. She couldn't decide what was best, and he was the only person available to give their opinion. Each outfit got skimpier and skimpier, and as he sat on her bed, watching her twirl for him, a pillow found its way into his lap.
He wasn't naive about his feelings, but Smoke had never actually done anything like that before. In 23 years, he'd done nothing sexual with another person; But with Annie, he was finally ready to go that far. He loved the person she was: her personality, her body, her laugh when he said something stupid about how they were both too damn nervous to give this a try when they were back in high school together. He loved her, and he could no longer resist The Feeling.
His body curled into hers, hands smoothing out his shirt that covered her back. She was beautiful like this—prettiest in the mornin'—he was known to say. Smelling the side of her neck, he jumped when she shuffled.
“Why you lookin' at me like that,” she groaned, stretching her over-exhausted body into his. Her fingers sought him out, pulling his body closer so she could bury her face in him to escape the light.
“‘Cause you sexy in the mornin’,” he drawled. His cadence was slow, the words slurring because he was both tired and turned on. Annie immediately picked up on his state.
“You betta' stop talkin' to me like that,” she chuckled, clutching onto him tighter. One eye peeked out to take a look at him, and her face flushed with heat from the intensity of his gaze. “Ion know if you ready for all this sexiness.” It came out as a joke based on conversations they'd been having for months about The Feeling and how she'd take care of him when he was ready. Recently, he'd been growing bolder. He complimented her body more—how he loved her thighs and her ass and how her titties sat just right. He allowed The Feeling to linger longer, pressing his needy body up against hers for momentary relief. They’d both been wanting it to the point where it took over their thoughts.
“I'm ready for it,” Smoke groaned, arousal strong. “I can handle all of it.”
Immediately following his declaration, his fingers began dragging along her thighs—because he knew just how to get her in a heady mood. His movements were slow and deliberate, and Annie rewarded him with soft moans before her lips met his. Plush lips against plush lips, their bodies fell into a rhythm of give and take.
They took their time, went carefully because it was still too early in the morning to do anything else. Dew still covered the edges of flowers outside, a crispness in the air that aided the moment.
Annie allowed her fingers to explore the man before her. They outlined the plains of his chest. They dipped over the curves of his abs. And when she came to the edge of his boxers, hers fingers toyed with the material, lips leaving his in time to feel the addicting tremble of his breath.
“You trust me,” she whispered into the quiet air, slow and steady. She held onto him, desperately needing the closeness because something about this was making her feel raw. He responded with a shudder, words broken with need.
“Ye-yes,” he breathed, “I'll always trust you.”
Annie, marveling at his honesty and clarity, almost allowed a moan to escape her lips. There was something about the way he'd been vulnerable about being a virgin, something about the way he trusted her to control this moment. He gave her a feeling that restored something in her, like this was her first time all over again, and in a few years, she might actually consider this It.
She rewarded the man was a kiss to the edge of his jaw, and when her hand found its way into his boxers, that same way-too-addictive shuddering breath landed on her cheek. She dragged her fingers down the length of his dick, capturing his arousal on the tip of a finger.
“I ain’t never,” Smoke choked out, groaning at the view of Annie sucking that finger into her mouth. “I ain’t ever been this turned on before.” And instead of responding with words, the woman simply hummed in acknowledgment before shifting her position on the bed. She pressed the man’s back into the mattress and settled atop his thighs. Unceremoniously, Smoke’s shirt that covered her upper body was pulled over her head, leaving her in nothing but a pair of panties, darkened where they sat against her. “Damn,” he commented, reaching out for her.
His face found comfort between her breasts with practiced ease, and Annie laughed as he held himself there and breathed in her scent.
“You always end up there,” she laughed heartily. And it was true. Whenever he’d had a hard day or a good day or a boring day, all he wanted was to lay up in her chest for comfort. Warm breath ghosted her skin.
“It’s my favorite spot,” he grumbled against her, hands somehow on her thighs again, pulling her into him.
Flushing, Annie reached down and dragged his chin up. She looked into his eyes, and when he melted at the sight of her, she dove in. When their lips met this time, it wasn’t soft and slow and careful; It was sharp and fast and greedy. Smoke’s hands found her hips, and his thumbs wedged found themselves in the groove where hip and thigh met. With ease, motion was made and pace was set. Her clothed pussy grinded against his dick, dragging up the length of him and forcing both of their bodies to shudder.
Smoke had never felt this good in his life. He’d never felt so consumed by something, and he never wanted to feel anything other than this. His palms found her ass next, taking up as much flesh as he could and keeping her hips in that tempting roll. He wanted her, craved her, but when he flipped their position and was leaned over her heaving body, he had no idea how to move forward.
“Baby,” Annie whispered, noticing the way his eyes darted away in a mix of shame and fear. He didn’t look at her straight on, and when her hand came up to his cheek, he jumped in shock. “Elijah,” she whispered to gain his full attention. “I told you I’d take care of you. I got you, and if you wanna stop, we can—”
“I don’t want to,” he nearly shouted, frightened that the very thing he wanted, craved, was beginning to slip from his grasp. Annie’s eyebrows were raised and a goofy smirk tilted her lips. “I-I don’t wanna stop,” he tried again, voice cracking. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, baby,” she breathed pulling him down on top of her. Naturally, her mouth found the edge of his jaw because she couldn’t get enough of that tremble when she did something that felt too good for him to contain it. “Take these off,” she whispered in his ear. Her hands pulled at his boxers—the only thing on his body—and when he moved in a rush to obey her, she removed her own panties.
Kneeling between her open legs, Smoke groaned when he saw her arousal, glistening up at him. His mouth watered. His tip flushed. She was the most beautiful sight, and he made sure she knew that. The man whispered about her beauty into her left ear, how he was addicted to her, how he’d love her the length of his life, how he felt so safe and taken care of. He made sure she knew what she did to him and just how much he needed her in his life.
When the tip of his dick nudged itself between her folds, they both needed a second to collect themselves. Their conjoined warmth and wetness was almost too much to bear, and when Smoke began moving his hips to drag himself across her clit and back down to her entrance, they both wept.
“Fuck, you feel so good,” he groaned, breath growing heavier. “How you feel so good?” The words were slurred, disbelief dripping off of each syllable, and although he asked the question rhetorically, he was beginning to think maybe he did need some explanation.
“You ain’t even got the tip in yet,” Annie laughed from her chest. She threw her head back when Smoke rubbed her clit back and forth. She was wet enough that she could hear it, and with the way Smoke was looking between her legs, she could only imagine the sight he was being met with. “Make sure you go in at an angle,” she instructed, placing a pillow beneath her lower back. They both needed this to be easy and enjoyable. The longer they waited, the more their arousal clawed through them and the more they grew worried about fucking this up.
What surprised Smoke first was how he slipped inside with such ease, but what surprised him most was how he could feel every shudder, ever shift, every vibration from the inside. With nearly half of his length tucked away inside of her, Annie pulled Smoke down so that their chests were flush, so that their breaths mingled.
“Can I move,” he questioned, voice breaking as he contemplated how long he’d be able to last once she gave him the go ahead. The feeling of her surrounding him was glorious, and the normally unflappable man felt anything but calm.
“Yeah,” she permitted, eyes dazed and dripping with emotion. Annie’s jaw cranked open as she eyed the man above her. They were both perfectly ruined for each other, so gone over the feeling of their bodies becoming one.
His hips moved timidly as he got a feel for the situation. And successfully delivering the man confidence, he stroked her walls in a slow rhythm when her hands landed on his ass in encouragement. Each thrust made them quake. Each drag made them moan. Each breath passed from one to another had them ready to break apart no matter how early in was in their pursuit.
“You doin’ so good, ‘Lijah,” Annie cooed, kissing his temple. His hips sped up, and hers rose to chase him every time he dragged out to the tip.
Breathing shakily, Smoke watched as the sun fell over Annie’s face. It floated through the windows, lighting up her eyes the same way the lights did at that concert—when he first got The Feeling. He decided in that moment, as her brown eyes revealed every fleck of honey in them, that the sun rose just for this. For her.
“You perfect,” he breathed, addicted, and butterflies flooded her body.
Neither of them wanted to tap out just yet. Neither of them wanted to let go. But when Smoke would pull out to the tip, Annie would pulse around him in a way he couldn’t resist. And when he’d bottom out again, a glorious pressure would form in the base of her stomach.
They continued to meet each other in the middle, arms holding on tight, bodies ready to give up the good fight.
And when they came, it was done simultaneously. They couldn’t do anything but surrender together, to each other.
Breaths hot.
Bodies trembling.
Morning dew fading away.
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word count: ~2,200
a/n: i'm still accepting requests! i have one more that i really want to get to, but i'm looking for anything interesting. smut, fluff, angst, whatever you got for me!
She simply slides her hands into her jacket pockets.
Then…her fingers brush against folded paper.
She pauses. Confused.
She frowns and slowly pulls it out.
A neatly folded note.
Her heart immediately begins to race.
On the front, written in pretty handwriting, are four simple words.
To You…
From Me…
Annie’s eyes widen.
A smile instantly spreads across her face.
He wrote back. He actually wrote back.
She turns the letter over in her hands.
Wondering…When did he put this in here?
She doesn’t remember seeing him do it.
She laughs softly to herself.
He really found a way.
For a split second she’s tempted to open it right there.
But Melissa and Lindsey are still standing nearby. Watching.
So instead…She carefully folds it back up.
Slides it into her pocket. And rests her hand over it. As if protecting it.
A few moments later, her father’s car pulls into the parking lot.
Annie climbs inside, but the entire ride home she keeps touching her jacket pocket just to make sure the letter is still there.
The moment she gets home, Annie hurries through the front door.
“Good night, Daddy,” she says as she climbs out. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
She barely waits for him to answer before hurrying inside.
She practically skips upstairs to her bedroom.
She closes the door. Kicks off her shoes. And flops onto her bed.
For a second…
She just stares at the folded paper.
Smiling. Then she carefully opens it. Cologne hits her nose.
The first thing she notices…
Is that it’s written as a poem.
A grin immediately breaks across her face.
“Of course…” She whispers.
She’d written him a poem…
And he’d answered her with one.
Somehow that makes her happier than anything else.
As she reads each line, her smile grows.
He answers her questions.
Tells her little pieces about himself.
Asks a few questions of his own.
The words are thoughtful. Honest.
And beneath the confidence she always saw in him…she catches something else.
Curiosity. The same curiosity she’d been feeling.
By the time she reaches the end, Annie presses the paper against her chest.
She lets out a quiet, happy sigh.
“So… you really are feeling me.”
She laughs softly to herself.
The nervousness she’d been carrying around for days eases just a little.
She wasn’t imagining the looks.
Or the smiles. Or the way he’d watched her.
It was real. He was just as interested in getting to know her as she was him.
Annie carefully folds the poem back along the creases. Then opens her bedside drawer and places it inside like a treasured keepsake.
She turns off her lamp and curls onto her side with a smile she can’t seem to wipe away.
For the first time since meeting Smoke…She isn’t wondering anymore.
Now she knows.
Whatever this thing is between them…
They’re both feeling it.
✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️
The next day at lunch, the cafeteria is as loud as ever.
Students crowd every table.
Someone is beating on the lunch table with a fork while someone freestyles. Another group argues over the latest rap album. The smell of pizza, fries, and chicken nuggets hangs in the air.
Annie sits down beside Rhonda, Ebony, and Devin.
She barely gets settled before Rhonda grins. “So…”
Annie already knows where this is going.
“What?”
Rhonda points a fry at her. “Did you talk to Smoke yet?”
Annie smiles to herself. “Not exactly.”
The girls immediately lean in.
“What that mean?” Devin asks.
Instead of answering, Annie reaches into her backpack. She carefully pulls out the folded letter.
Rhonda’s eyes get big. “He wrote you back?”
Annie nods. “He slipped it in my jacket pocket at work.”
“What?!” Ebony says. “Girl!”
“I didn’t even know it was there until I got off.”
Rhonda is practically bouncing in her seat. “Lemme see!”
Annie hesitates. “Don’t laugh.”
“I ain’t gon’ laugh.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
Annie hands her the letter.
Rhonda unfolds it carefully. “Ohhh…”
“He got nice handwriting.”
She clears her throat dramatically.
“Ahem.”
The girls laugh.
“Girl, just read it!”
Rhonda starts reading.
As she reads each line, the girls get quieter.
The teasing disappears.
By the time she reaches the end, every one of them is smiling.
Rhonda slowly folds the paper back up. Then looks at Annie. “Oh… he like you.”
“I told you!” Devin blurts out.
Rhonda grabs Annie’s arm.
“Girl, this is so cute.”
Annie blushes. “You think so?”
“Think so?”
Rhonda shakes her head.
“He didn’t just write you back…” “He wrote you a whole poem.”
“And he answered your questions,” Ebony adds. “He actually read what you wrote.”
Devin nods. “He ain’t just trying to flirt. He really trying to get to know you. He said you beautiful.”
Annie smiles down at the letter. “I liked that part too.”
Rhonda nudges her shoulder. “He matching your energy.”
“He really is,” Ebony says. “And that’s rare.”
“No games. No corny pickup lines.”
“He actually put thought into this.”
Annie carefully smooths the folded paper with her fingertips. “I was so happy when I read it.”
“You better be,” Rhonda says. “So…”
Annie looks up. “So what?”
“You writing him back.”
Annie smiles nervously. “I don’t know what to say.”
Devin laughs. “Girl, yes you do. You been writing since forever.”
“You on the newspaper. You write poetry. If anybody can write a letter back, it’s you.”
Ebony nods. “Tell him about yourself this time.”
Rhonda grins. “And ask him some more questions.”
Devin adds “Keep it going.”
Annie laughs softly. “I guess I could.”
Rhonda points at her. “Not ‘could. You will.”
The girls laugh.
Annie shakes her head. “Okay.” She smiles. “I’ll write him back.”
“There she go!” Rhonda says, clapping her hands once. “I knew you would.”
Annie carefully folds the letter back along the same creases Smoke made and slides it safely into her backpack.
Her fingers linger on it for just a second.
She can’t remember the last time someone made her this excited to write.
And somehow…She has a feeling this won’t be the last letter they exchange.
♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️
That evening, Annie is stretched across her bed with her notebook open in front of her.
The bedside lamp casts a soft golden glow over the room while a gentle breeze drifts through the cracked window. The sounds of her younger siblings arguing downstairs fade into the background.
She stares at the blank page.
Chewing on the end of her gel pen.
Thinking. Erasing. Thinking again.
A knock sounds on her bedroom door.
Before she can answer, Edward pushes it open.
He peeks his head inside. “What you doing?”
Annie quickly throws her hand over the page. “Nothing.”
Edward laughs. “Girl, please.”
He walks over and flops across the foot of her bed. “You only hide stuff when it’s juicy.”
Annie smiles. “It ain’t juicy.”
“Mhmm.”
Edward reaches for the notebook.
Annie snatches it away. “No.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Ooooh.”
He grins. “Who we writing?”
Annie sighs dramatically. “Smoke.”
Edward’s entire face lights up. “My boy!”
Annie throws a pillow at him. “He is not yo boy.”
Edward catches it, laughing. “He wrote you back?”
Annie nods. “He did.”
“And?”
“And…”
She smiles without meaning to. “It was really sweet.”
Edward notices immediately. “There go that smile.”
“What smile?”
“The one you get every time you mention him.”
Annie rolls her eyes. .”I do not.”
“You do.”
She laughs and finally hands him Smoke’s letter. Edward sits up against the headboard and reads quietly.
Every now and then he nods. “Mmm.”
By the time he reaches the end, he’s smiling too. “I like him.”
Annie raises an eyebrow. “You don’t even know him.”
“I know enough.”
He taps the letter. “He paid attention.”
“What you mean?”
“He answered your questions.” Edward looks at her. “He listened.”
Annie smiles softly. “I noticed that too.”
He hands the letter back. “So…”
“You writing him?”
Annie nods. “I’m trying.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
Edward laughs. “Since when?”
“I’m serious.”
She taps her pen against the notebook.
“I don’t wanna sound corny.”
“You won’t.”
“I don’t wanna scare him off.”
Edward looks at her for a second.
Then smiles. “Annie.”
“What?”
“Just be you.”
She sighs. “What if that’s not enough?”
Edward reaches over and bumps her shoulder. “If he likes your mind enough to write a poem back to you.” He shrugs. “…then let him get to know you. Answer his questions.”
Annie sits quietly.
Because… That actually makes sense.
Edward nods toward the notebook. “Don’t try to impress him. Talk to him. As if you’re on the phone. The same way you talk to me.”
Annie smiles. “I guess.”
“Nah. I know.”
She laughs. Okay, Mr. Editor.”
Edward grins dramatically.
“Thank you.”
“I accept that title.”
Annie finally puts her pen to the paper.
She writes for a few moments.
Then stops.
“What if I tell him too much?”
Edward shakes his head. “Tell him enough that he wants another letter.”
She looks over.
“Not enough that he knows everything.”
Annie laughs. “So keep him curious?”
Edward points at her. .”Exactly.”
She nods slowly.
“I like that.”
The room grows quiet except for the scratching of Annie’s pen across the paper.
Every so often she reads a sentence out loud.
Edward makes a face.
“Nah.”
She crosses it out.
“What about this?”
He nods. “Better.”
A few more minutes pass.
Annie leans back and smiles at what she’s written.
“I think I got it.”
Edward reaches over and ruffles her hair.
“I knew you would.”
She smiles up at him.
“Thanks, Ed.”
“For what?”
“For always helping me.”
Edward shrugs like it’s no big deal.
“That’s what big brothers do.”
Annie laughs.
“You younger than me fool.”
Edward gasps dramatically. “And? I’m still yo big brother.”
She shakes her head. “You so extra.”
“I know.”
He stands and heads toward the door.
Just before he leaves, he turns back around. “Oh…”
“What?”
“When y’all get married…”
Annie’s eyes get huge. “Edward!”
“…I better be in the wedding.”
She throws another pillow.
He ducks out of the room laughing. “I’M SERIOUS!”
Annie laughs until her stomach hurts.
Then she looks back down at the letter she’s writing.
For the first time since putting pen to paper tonight…The words come easily.
🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞
Wednesday arrives.
Annie gets to work a little early.
The evening air is cool as she steps out of her dad’s car with her purse over one shoulder and the folded letter tucked safely inside. Her stomach flutters the closer she gets to the employee parking lot.
She spots Smoke’s truck immediately.
A smile tugs at her lips.
She glances around to make sure nobody is watching.
The parking lot is quiet except for a few employees making their way inside.
Taking a deep breath, Annie walks over to his truck. Her hands feel clammy.
She carefully slides the folded letter beneath the driver’s side windshield wiper.
She presses it down just enough so the wind won’t carry it away. For a second, she just stands there. Smiling. “Please don’t think it’s corny,” she whispers to herself.
Then she hurries inside before anyone sees her.
The shift flies by. The dinner rush comes and goes. Just like always, Annie and Smoke steal quiet glances whenever their paths cross. Neither of them says much.
They don’t have to. Somehow…The looks have become their own little conversation.
By the end of the night, Smoke grabs his keys and heads toward the parking lot.
He’s halfway to his truck when something white catches his eye beneath the windshield wiper. His steps slow.
Then a grin spreads across his face before he can stop it. Another letter.
From Annie. He shakes his head. “Damn…”
He carefully pulls it free. Just holding it makes him smile.
She wrote back. He slips it safely into his pocket instead of opening it right there.
He wants to take his time with this one.
Later that night, Smoke is sitting on the in his bed. The house is quiet.
The television is on, but muted.
A blunt burns slowly in the ashtray beside him, forgotten.
His attention is somewhere else.
He unfolds Annie’s letter carefully, smoothing out every crease.
Then he begins to read.
Dear Elijah, 09/20/2004
You asked me questions, so here’s my reply,
I hope these words satisfy your curious eye.
I’m eighteen years old from Kansas City’s south side,
Still trying to figure out life and how to ride this ride.
You asked about dreams and what I hope to pursue,
Mine is becoming a writer… but I’ll save the details for you.
Some mysteries are better when they’re uncovered slow,
So you’ll have to keep writing if you really wanna know.
When work isn’t calling or school’s got a hold,
You’ll find me at games when the weather gets cold.
Football on Fridays, basketball too,
I’m loud in the stands when I’m cheering them through.
You asked what makes me laugh.
That’s easy to say.
People with humor who can brighten my day.
Life gets so heavy, so laughter’s a gift,
The right joke at the right time can give me a lift.
You asked what makes me cry.
That answer runs deep.
Sometimes I carry more than I should keep.
Like the weight of the world rests square on my back,
And no matter how hard I push… I feel like I’m losing track.
You asked how I’m loved, what speaks to my heart.
I’d say gentle touches are where feelings start.
Holding my hand, pulling me near,
And words that remind me somebody is here.
A simple “I’m proud,” or “ Are you doing okay,”
Can brighten a dark and overwhelming day.
Now here’s my confession…
And yes, it’s true.
I’ve never met somebody quite like you.
I’ve never really talked to an older man
So please be patient with me if you can.
You make me nervous.
I won’t even lie.
Every time you look at me, I forget how to try.
I wanna flirt back.
I really do.
But then I catch those sleepy brown eyes looking right through.
So if I look away, please don’t think I don’t care.
Truth is…
You’re just so damn fine that I forget how to stare.
I hope you’re different from the one in my past.
His promises faded… they just didn’t last.
He wasn’t good to me, that much is true,
So I guess I’m hoping for something different in you.
Your actions seem to match up with the words that you write.
That alone makes my heart feel a little more light.
So here’s my answer, honest and true.
You asked if I got feelings for you…Hell yeah I do.
Sincerely~
Annie
The room is still oddly quiet
She really answered every question.
Honestly. Without pretending to be somebody she wasn’t.
He smiles at her telling him she’s eighteen and from the south side. He really can’t believe she’s only eighteen. He’s never talked to someone who was still in high school. The thought kind of scares him. But then again age is a state of mind to Smoke, as long as she was the legal age of consent then Smoke was still interested. She was definitely mature, he liked that most about her.
He smiles even bigger when she tells him she dreams of becoming a writer.
He read that part twice. A dream. She has a dream. Something she’s chasing.
Something bigger than where she is now. He likes that. No…He loves that.
Too many people drift through life with no direction. But Annie? She has purpose.
She just isn’t ready to share all of it yet. And strangely…He likes that too.
It makes him want to earn the rest of her story.
He rereads the letter. She likes Football games. Basketball games. Her love of laughter. He chuckles when she admits she likes people with a sense of humor.
“Good,” he thinks. “I can make you laugh.”
Then he rereads the part about what makes her cry.
His smile slowly fades.
“Sometimes I carry more than I should keep… Like the weight of the world rests square on my back…”
Smoke stops reading.
His eyes stay on those lines for a long moment.
He leans back against the headboard and exhales slowly. “So that’s why…”
Now he understands. There’s something behind those eyes. Behind that sweet smile. He’d noticed it before but couldn’t quite place it. She always looked like she was thinking about something. Like she carried responsibilities most eighteen-year-olds didn’t.
Reading those words…he feels something tighten in his chest.
He hates that she feels that way.
He doesn’t even know everything she’s dealing with.
But somehow…He wishes he could take some of that weight off her shoulders.
He shakes his head. “You don’t even know this girl.”
Maybe not. But every letter makes him feel like he knows her a little more.
And every answer somehow makes him want to open up too. He keeps reading. Then he gets to the part where she calls him fine.
Smoke laughs quietly to himself.
“So that’s why you keep looking away…”
He remembers every time she’d dropped her eyes when he caught her staring.
At one point he’d wondered if she wasn’t interested. Now he really knows better.
He reaches the end.
“You asked if I have feelings for you… hell yeah I do.”
Smoke reads that line twice. Then a third time. He folds the letter carefully and rests it in his lap.
For the first time in a long time…
He isn’t thinking about who he’s going to call. Or where he’s going this weekend.
Or what business needs handling tomorrow.
He’s thinking about a girl who writes poetry. A girl with big beautiful brown eyes. A girl with dreams bigger than the neighborhood she grew up in.
A girl who feels the weight of the world…Yet still finds room to smile.
Smoke looks down at the folded letter and grins to himself.
“I definitely gotta write yo ass back.”
And for the first time since they started exchanging letters…
He isn’t just curious about Annie anymore. He’s becoming invested in her.
✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚
Thursday Afternoon…
Gym class is finally winding down.
The squeak of sneakers echoes across the hardwood floor as students finish their laps around the gym. A few boys are still playing basketball while others sit against the wall trying to catch their breath.
Annie and Rhonda collapse onto the bleachers, breathing hard after running.
Annie wipes the sweat from her forehead with the bottom of her T-shirt.
Rhonda fans herself dramatically. “I’m tired as hell.”
Annie laughs. “You always tired.”
“Because Coach be trying to kill us.”
They both laugh.
After catching her breath, Rhonda nudges Annie with her shoulder.
“Aye.”
“What?”
“Let’s go to Skateland tomorrow night.”
Annie looks over but stays silent.
“You off, ain’t you?”
She nods. “Yeah.”
A smile spreads across her face.
She loved Skateland. Ever since she was little, Saturday Gospel Skate had been her favorite. As long as she’d finished her chores, helped cook, and made sure her younger siblings were taken care of, her parents would let her go. Now that she was older, they’d even started letting her go on Friday nights.
R&B Night. Seven to eleven. Her favorite. The whole city showed up.
Good music. Good skating. Good vibes.
Best of all…Hardly any drama.
“I’ll go.”
Rhonda squeals. “Yesssss!”
She claps her hands together.
“We finna have so much fun.”
Then she smirks. “So…”
Annie already knows. “What?”
“Did you give Smoke his letter yet?”
Annie smiles to herself. “Yeah, girl.”
Rhonda immediately bumps her shoulder. “Ooooh. Look at you making progress.”
Annie laughs.
Rhonda keeps smiling. “I can’t wait till y’all start talking on the phone.”
Annie shakes her head. “You more excited than me.”
“I am.”
Rhonda laughs. “I need updates.”
Annie rolls her eyes. “You so damn nosey.”
“I know.”
She grins. “Now make me proud.”
Annie starts laughing.
“What does that even mean?”
“You know exactly what it mean.”
The two look at each other.
Then busts into laughter.
🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃
Down in the city…
Smoke is behind the wheel of his truck.
He’s been making stops all afternoon.
Handling business. Checking in with clients. Running from one side of Kansas City to the other.
His cell phone rings. He glances down. Tobias.
Smoke answers. “Yo.”
“What’s poppin’?”
“Shit.”
Smoke turns onto another street.
“Makin’ a mad dash.”
“I feel you.”
A brief pause. “Aye… Ain’t you off tomorrow?”
“Yeah.” Smoke raises an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Let’s hit Skateland.”
Smoke smiles to himself.
“You ain’t came with me in a minute.”
He thinks about it. It had been a while.
Back then…Friday nights were automatic. Him. Stack. Tobias.
All three of them could skate.
Not just skate…They floated.
Spins. Crossovers. Backwards.
People used to clear the floor just to watch them.
Lately, though…Life had gotten in the way. Work. Business. The hustle.
He hadn’t made time for much else.
Smoke nods to himself.
“Bet. I’m down.”
Tobias laughs. “I knew yo ass wasn’t gon’ say no.”
“Aight.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Smoke hangs up with a small smile.
Maybe it’d be good to get out for once.
🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃
Later that evening…
Annie walks into the living room.
Her mom and dad are stretched out on the couch watching American Idol.
The television is turned up loud enough for everyone in the house to hear.
Simon Cowell is in the middle of critiquing somebody.
“Hey.”
Her mom looks over first. “Hey, baby.”
Her dad keeps his eyes on the television.
“Hello.”
Annie rocks back and forth on her heels. “Daddy…”
“Hmm?”
“Can I go to Skateland tomorrow?”
Before he can answer, her mother speaks. “Me and your daddy got plans tomorrow.”
Annie’s face falls. “But, Mama…”
She walks a little closer. “Mario or Tyree can watch them. They watch them too.”
Her mother sighs. “I know.”
“But I trust you more than them.”
Annie lets out a frustrated breath.
“Mama…” She shakes her head. “I don’t wanna spend my whole life in this house.”
Her mother looks at her. “Don’t do that. We let you go skating a lot.”
“I know. But I ain’t been in a while.”
She folds her arms. “I feel like I’m the one with kids.”
Her mother raises an eyebrow. “Annie.”
“What?”
“Why must you insist on going back and forth with me?”
Annie softens her voice. “But Mama…”
Before she can keep pleading—
Her father speaks. “She can go.”
The room goes quiet.
Her mother turns toward him. “What?”
He finally looks away from the television. “She’s right.”
He nods toward the hallway where the boys’ room is. “Mario and Tyree are old enough. They can watch the twins. It’s their turn.”
Her mother studies him for a second.
Then sighs. “I guess.”
Annie’s entire face lights up. “Really?!”
Her father nods. “Yeah.”
He smiles. “Just take Edward with you.”
“I will!”
Before he can say anything else, Annie leans down and kisses him on the cheek.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
He chuckles.’”You welcome, sweetheart.”
Annie practically skips out of the living room.
The second she’s gone, her mother looks at her husband. “You always give in to her.”
He smiles without looking away from the television. “No.” He shakes his head. “I just think she deserves to be eighteen every once in a while.”
Annie and Edward pull into Skateland just as the parking lot is filling up. Music thumps through the walls, and groups of teenagers and young adults crowd the entrance, laughing and talking before heading inside.
The moment they walk through the doors, the familiar smell of pizza, popcorn, nacho cheese, and freshly polished wood fills the air. Colored lights sweep across the rink while T.I.‘s “You Don’t Know Me” blasts through the speakers.
Annie sits on the bench, tightening the laces on her red skates with white wheels and tiny dice decorating the sides.
Just as she finishes, Rhonda walks through the entrance.
Annie’s face lights up.
She hops up and wraps her best friend in a hug. “Hey, girl!”
Rhonda laughs and hugs her back.
“Hey!”
Edward leans over and kisses Rhonda on the cheek.
“Hey, Ed.”
“Hey, sis!” Edward replies with a grin.
The three of them head onto the rink together.
Almost instantly, they’re gliding across the floor.
Meanwhile, Smoke and Tobias are just pulling into the packed parking lot.
Cars fill nearly every space, and people are gathered outside talking before heading in. They dap up a few people they know on the way through the doors before making their way to the skate counter.
Smoke reaches into his bag and pulls out his own personal skates—black boots with bright blue wheels.
After lacing them up, he stands to his feet and skates toward the edge of the rink.
That’s when his stomach drops.
There she is. Annie.
His heart nearly stops.
She’s out on the floor holding hands with a tall, dark skinned dude with perfect waves.
The dude is handsome. Too handsome.
Smoke’s jaw tightens before he can stop it.
Annie is smiling entirely too hard.
She has on low-rise bootcut Apple Bottom jeans with a silver circle belt resting around her waist. A matching cropped Apple Bottom tank shows just a sliver of her stomach. Her hair is parted into two playful pigtails beneath a twill hat, and colorful bracelets cover both wrists, jingling every time she swings her arms.
She looks…Beautiful.
Smoke notices Rhonda skating beside them, but his eyes never leave Annie.
She’s flying around the rink effortlessly. Fast. Confident.
Like she’s been skating her whole life.
50 Cent’s “P.I.M.P.” replaces the last song.
Annie and the guy let go of each other’s hands.
She spins around and begins skating backward without missing a beat.
As she glides across the floor, her eyes drift toward the wall.
She freezes.
Smoke is already looking at her.
Not casually. He’s staring.
Her stomach flips.
Heat rushes into her cheeks, and she quickly looks away before he can catch her looking too long.
Smoke pushes off from the wall with Tobias.
The two of them shoot onto the floor with practiced ease.
Smoke glides right past Annie.
She can’t help but look.
He’s wearing a Philadelphia Sixers throwback jersey with a matching fitted cap. His red Dickie shorts are sharply creased, just like every outfit he’s wears. A thick gold herringbone chain rests against his chest, while a gold Rolex catches the flashing lights every time he moves. A Sixers sweatband circles his opposite wrist.
He looks so damn good.
Annie suddenly forgets how to breathe.
Beside her, Rhonda squeals. “Oh my Goddd! They came!”
Annie cuts her a look. “You knew they was coming!”
She has to yell over the music.
Rhonda laughs.
“Yeah, girl, I did. I wanted to surprise you.”
Annie shakes her head, laughing.
“You ain’t right.”
The two of them skate off the floor and lean against the railing to watch.
Smoke and Tobias immediately steal everyone’s attention.
They skate like they’ve been doing this since they could walk.
Smoke moves so smoothly it almost doesn’t look real.
It’s like he’s floating across the floor.
He flies backward at full speed without ever looking nervous, weaving around people like second nature.
Annie can’t take her eyes off him.
Edward skates over and stops beside them.
Annie nudges him.
“Smoke’s out there.”
Edward raises an eyebrow.
“Where, sis? Point him out.”
Annie smiles and points toward the middle of the rink. “There he go. The one with the Sixers jersey.”
Edward squints for a second before his eyes widen. “Oh my God, Annie…”
He looks back at her. “He fine as fuck.”
Annie and Rhonda bust into laughter.
From the middle of the rink, Smoke glances toward the sidelines.
His eyes find Annie immediately.
He watches her laughing with the same dude again.
Something twists in his chest.
Jealousy.
It sneaks up on him so fast he almost doesn’t recognize it.
He doesn’t even know this girl like that. So why the hell does seeing another man beside her bother him so much?
Smoke sucks his teeth to himself and shakes the feeling off.
Man… whatever.
He pushes harder, picking up speed as he and Tobias carve across the rink, weaving around other skaters with ease.
Meanwhile, Annie and Rhonda head toward the concession stand.
The smell of buttery popcorn, pizza, and nachos hangs in the air as they wait for their drinks.
A few minutes later, Smoke and Tobias skate off the floor and lean against the wall backs facing the rink.
Smoke casually folds his arms across his chest.
Or at least he tries to look casual.
His eyes never leave Annie.
Her back is turned as she laughs at something Rhonda says.
The bracelets on her wrists jingle every time she gestures with her drink.
Smoke feels that same heaviness settle back into his chest.
She never told him she had a boyfriend.
Did she come here with that dude?
Was she playing him this whole time?
His jaw tightens.
Tobias follows Smoke’s line of sight before grinning to himself.
“Look at you,” he says with a laugh. “Just go speak to her, nigga.”
Smoke cuts his eyes at him and sucks his teeth. “Whatever, nigga. I don’t know what you talkin’ ’bout.”
Tobias chuckles. “You ain’t foolin’ nobody but yo self”
Smoke ignores him, but Tobias already knows.
His homeboy is gone.
Once Annie and Rhonda get their drinks, Rhonda looks across the rink.
“There go Tobias and Smoke. Let’s go say hi.”
Annie immediately shakes her head.
“No, girl.”
Rhonda grabs her wrist before she can protest again. “Come on, scary ass.”
Annie laughs as Rhonda drags her across the floor.
By the time they reach them, Annie can already feel her heartbeat climbing.
Rhonda smiles. “Hey, y’all.”
“What’s good?” Tobias replies.
Smoke nods at Rhonda before his eyes settle on Annie.
Everything around him fades.
The music. The conversations.
The wheels rolling across the floor.
All he sees is her.
Up close, she’s somehow even prettier than she was from across the rink.
Her lip gloss catches the colored lights every time she smiles.
Her cheeks have a soft glow to them.
He lets his eyes drift over her for just a second. The Apple Bottom outfit.
The bracelets. The little pigtails.
Damn. She’s beautiful.
For a moment…he completely forgets what he was about to say.
Annie feels every second of his stare.
It sends butterflies tumbling through her stomach.
She swallows hard before finally looking him over too.
The Sixers jersey. The fitted.
The gold chain. The Rolex.
Lord…he’s too damn fine.
“Sup wit you?” Smoke finally asks.
Annie opens her mouth…Nothing comes out.
Her entire mind goes blank.
Rhonda gently bumps her shoulder.
Annie lets out a tiny nervous laugh.
“Nothing much… you?”
Smoke smiles to himself.
“Nothing. I seen you out there.”
He nods toward the rink. “You know what you doin’.”
Annie giggles.
The sound hits Smoke right in the chest.
He swears he could listen to her laugh all night.
“Yeah,” she says with a shy smile. “I know a little somethin’.”
She tilts her head.
“I see you know what you doin’ too.”
Smoke nods once. “Fo’sho.”
He wants to ask. He really does.
Who was that dude?
But he stops himself.
He doesn’t have that kind of claim on her. Not yet.
And he damn sure isn’t about to sound jealous in front of Tobias and Rhonda.
Before Annie can say anything else, someone skates up beside her.
Smoke looks over. His shoulders stiffen. It’s him.
The same dude. “Annie,” he says with a grin, “you gon’ introduce me?”
Smoke waits.
Annie clears her throat. “Smoke… Tobias… this is my younger brother, Edward.”
Smoke blinks. Brother?
The knot that’s been sitting in his chest all night instantly loosens.
He almost laughs at himself.
Damn. All that over her brother.
Edward sticks his hand out with a grin. “Hello. And I’m her older brother. Don’t let her lie to y’all.”
Annie rolls her eyes. “Ed, stop it. Just ‘cause you believe it don’t make it true.”
The siblings immediately start laughing.
Smoke looks back and forth between them.
He can’t help the small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Yeah…They’re close.
For the first time all night…He can finally breathe.
Just then, the DJ’s voice echoes through the speakers.
“Alriiight y’all! It’s time for limbo! Everybody who wanna play, make your way to the floor!”
A chorus of cheers erupts throughout the rink.
Annie’s eyes light up. “Come on, Ed!”
The siblings hurry onto the floor, leaving Rhonda standing with Smoke and Tobias.
Workers lower the limbo pole as everyone lines up.
The music switches to something with a Caribbean vibe, and one by one, people begin making their way underneath.
Smoke folds his arms across his chest, watching from the sidelines.
His eyes never leave Annie.
She laughs the entire time, clapping whenever someone falls or stumbles.
Then it’s her turn.
She glides forward confidently.
Without breaking her stride, she leans back, bending lower… and lower…
The crowd erupts.
“OHHHH!”
She clears the pole with ease.
Smoke can’t help but grin. “Damn…”
She really can skate.
Annie pops back up laughing while Edward throws both hands in the air, celebrating like she just won a championship.
Smoke chuckles to himself.
He loves seeing her smile.
A few minutes later, the DJ calls out again. “All fellas! Fellas only! Ladies clear the floor!” Pharrell-Frontin comes on.
The women skate to the sidelines.
Annie and Rhonda lean against the rail, watching.
Smoke pushes off alongside Tobias.
The second the beat drops, the two of them slip effortlessly into routines they’ve clearly practiced for years.
They weave around each other without touching.
One skates backward while the other spins forward.
They switch places without saying a word, their movements perfectly timed.
They even break into a few signature footwork combinations that only they know.
The crowd starts clapping.
A few people whistle.
Annie watches with wide eyes.
He makes it look so easy.
Like the wheels are part of him.
Every move is smooth.
Controlled. Confident.
She can’t stop smiling.
Beside her, Rhonda cups her hands around her mouth.
“Okay then, Smoke!”
Annie joins in, cheering and clapping as he glides by.
Smoke hears her over everyone else.
Even with the music blasting.
His eyes find hers for just a second.
He flashes the smallest grin before skating off again.
Annie’s heart flutters.
She can tell he’s been doing this his whole life.
When the DJ announces “All skate!” everyone floods back onto the floor.
This time, Annie and Edward decide to sit down for a minute.
Their legs could use the break.
Rhonda, on the other hand, heads right back out to the rink.
Annie and Edward settle at a table near the edge of the floor with their drinks.
Across the rink, Smoke and Tobias return to their usual spot against the wall. Backs against the wall
It doesn’t take long before a group of girls notices them. Two walk over smiling.
One points toward the rink.
“You wanna skate?”
Smoke shakes his head politely.
“Nah, I’m good.”
Another girl turns to Tobias.
“What about you?”
He laughs. “I’m cool.”
The girls linger for another moment before eventually walking away.
Annie watches the entire exchange.
Something uncomfortable stirs in her chest. Jealousy.
She looks down at her drink.
Of course girls were gonna come up to him.
Smoke was fine as hell.
She’d noticed that from the first night she met him.
And he wasn’t hers.
He could skate with whoever he wanted.
So why does it bother me?
Edward glances between his sister and Smoke before smirking.
“Sis…”
Annie looks over. “Hmm?”
“Don’t be lookin’ like that.”
She furrows her brows.
“Lookin’ like what?”
Edward laughs.
“Don’t even play with me. I can see the jealousy all over your face.”
Annie lets out a nervous laugh and shakes her head. “You crazy.”
But she never actually answers him.
Because deep down…He isn’t wrong.
Just then, the DJ’s voice booms through the speakers.
“Aight, y’all… last song of the night! If you got somebody special, grab ‘em. It’s couple skate!”
The opening notes of Alicia Keys and Usher’s “If I Ain’t Got You” fill the rink.
Almost instantly, skaters begin pairing off.
Some people head for the floor.
Others decide to call it a night and make their way toward the exits.
Rhonda’s eyes immediately find Tobias.
She smiles to herself before skating over to him.
“You gon’ skate with me?” she asks.
Tobias grins. “I thought you’d never ask.”
They roll onto the floor together.
Meanwhile, Annie remains seated beside Edward.
Before she can even think about getting up, a guy she doesn’t recognize skates over.
“You wanna couple skate?”
Annie smiles politely and shakes her head. “No thank you.”
The guy shrugs before skating away.
Across the rink…
Smoke sees the entire exchange.
His heart starts pounding.
This is it.
If he doesn’t ask her now…
Somebody else eventually will.
Before he can talk himself out of it, he pushes away from the wall.
His wheels glide smoothly across the polished floor until he comes to a stop in front of Annie.
She looks up. Their eyes meet.
For a second…Neither of them says anything.
Smoke slowly holds out his hand.
“Come skate wit me.”
Annie stares at his hand. Then at him.
Her pulse races. She glances over at Edward.
Edward looks between the two of them before a grin slowly spreads across his face.
He gives her a small nod as if to say GO.
Annie smiles shyly before placing her hand in Smoke’s.
The moment their fingers touch, a warm rush spreads through both of them.
Smoke gently helps her to her feet.
Without letting go of her hand, he leads her toward the center of the rink.
The music wraps around them.
🎶Some people want it all…
But I don’t want nothin’ at all…
If it ain’t you, baby… 🎶
They begin skating side by side, their hands still intertwined.
Smoke gives her hand a gentle squeeze before smoothly twirling her beneath his arm.
Annie lets out a surprised laugh as she spins.
Her back is now fully against his chest , Smoke slides his arms carefully around her waist.
They begin gliding backward together, moving as one.
Annie suddenly becomes very aware of how close they are.
His hands resting securely around her.
Her heartbeat pounds so loudly she’s convinced he can hear it.
Smoke smiles to himself.
He can feel the nervousness radiating off of her.
He leans closer, speaking softly in her ear so only she can hear. “Relax for me.” His voice is calm. Warm. “I got you.” He pauses. “You don’t gotta be nervous.” A small smile tugs at his lips. “It’s just me.”
Annie lets out the breath she’d been holding. Somehow…Those words settle every nerve inside her.
She relaxes into his hold.
Their movements become effortless.
Their skates glide in perfect rhythm across the smooth wooden floor, weaving through the other couples like they’ve done this together before.
🎶 Some people search for a fountain…Promises forever young..🎶
Annie breathes in. His cologne wraps around her, warm and clean with a hint of spice. It makes her smile without even realizing it.
She can’t believe this is happening.
Just the other day they were exchanging messages.
Now…They’re here. Holding each other.
She tries to fight the smile growing across her face. She loses.
Smoke notices immediately.
Seeing her smile because of him fills his chest with a warmth he’s never experienced before.
He lowers his head slightly into her neck, catching the soft scent of her Pink Sugar perfume. Sweet. Light. Completely her.
He closes his eyes for just a second.
If he could freeze this moment…
He would. Nothing about this feels rushed. Nothing feels forced.
Holding Annie this close simply feels…
Right.
Standing near the sidelines, one of Monica’s friends spots them skating together.
Her eyebrows lift. “Oh…”
A knowing smirk crosses her face.
She already knows exactly who’s going to hear about this before the night’s over. Monica.
Back on the rink Smoke has the urge to kiss her. It’s what he’s wanted to do since the very first moment he saw her. He goes back and forth about it and then he makes his decision.
Smoke lifts his hand and turns Annie’s head toward him to look at him.
She leans a little to the left.
🎶 Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you, baby
If I ain't got you, baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything🎶
Smoke stares in her eyes while they continue to glide.
He leans his head in and kisses her lips softly and then the kiss deepens.
Their tongues dance slowly.
As they continue gliding around the rink, the rest of the world seems to melt away. The music…
The lights…The conversations…
None of it matters.
For these few minutes…
It’s just the two of them.
They never break their rhythm skating even while kissing.
Smoke tastes her lips gloss. It tastes like peaches. Annie tastes the mint on Smoke’s tongue.
Rhonda and Tobias look at each other while they skate hand in hand and laugh at them.
Edward Smiles from the sidelines.
They keep kissing, neither of them wanting break it. Smoke moans a little and Annie feels the vibration against her mouth. Finally he breaks the kiss. And Annie’s chest heaves.
She smiles big at him.
The song slowly comes to an end.
Neither of them wants to let go.
Even after the music fades, they remain hand in hand as they skate off the floor.
Rhonda and Tobias meet them near the benches, both wearing knowing smiles. Nobody says a word.
They don’t have to.
The four of them sit down and begin unlacing their skates.
The sounds of wheels rolling across the floor, lockers slamming shut, and people saying their goodbyes fill the rink as everyone starts heading toward the exit.
Once they’ve changed back into their shoes, they walk toward the front doors together.
Just before Annie steps outside, Smoke gently reaches for her hand.
His touch stops her in her tracks.
“Let me talk to you for a minute,” he says.
Annie looks up at him and nods.
“Okay.”
Edward glances over his shoulder.
The second he sees Smoke standing there with Annie, a grin spreads across his face.
He doesn’t interrupt.
Instead, he keeps walking outside with Tobias and Rhonda, giving them a little privacy.
For a moment…Neither of them says anything.
The music from inside is muffled now.
People continue walking past them toward the parking lot.
Smoke looks at Annie, trying to gather his thoughts.
There are a hundred things he wants to say. Only one comes out. “I really wanna talk to you.”
He smiles a little.’”And when I say talk…” His eyes meet hers.
“…I mean I wanna hear yo’ voice.”
Annie immediately knows what he’s asking.
A soft giggle escapes before she can stop it.
Smoke smiles to himself. “Since you don’t wanna be the one to call me…”
He rubs the back of his neck. “Can I call you instead?”
Annie studies him for a second.
He suddenly doesn’t seem nearly as intimidating as she thought.
He almost seems…Nervous.
Smoke chuckles quietly.
“Please?” His smile grows.
“You don’t gotta be shy wit’ me.”
He pauses. “And even if you are…”
He shrugs. “I like it.”
Annie’s cheeks warm.
“I wanna hear those pretty words leave yo’ mouth instead of just readin’ ’em on a page.”
A blush immediately spreads across her face.
She lowers her lashes before smiling.
“Okay.”
The smile that spreads across Smoke’s face is different from all the others she’s seen. It’s genuine.
Bright.
The corners of his eyes crinkle, golds flashing
And then…She notices them.
Dimples. Deep ones.
Her heart skips so hard she nearly forgets to breathe.
Lord…How he get even finer?
Smoke tilts his head.
“So…”
A playful grin tugs at his lips.
“Can I have yo’ number, Annie?”
She finally looks back up at him.
“Yes, Elijah.”
Hearing his real name on her lips sends a warmth through his chest.
He quickly pulls his Nokia cell phone from his pocket.
“Go ahead.”
Annie softly recites her number.
Smoke types each digit carefully, making sure he doesn’t miss a single one before saving her contact.
He slips the phone back into his pocket. “I’m gon’ call you.”
He points at her with a grin. “So make sure you answer for me.”
Annie smiles. “I will.”
She nods once. “I promise.”
Smoke’s grin widens.
Without thinking too hard about it, he leans in and presses a gentle kiss to her cheek. “Have a good night.”
Annie smiles so hard her cheeks begin to hurt. “You too.”
They finally walk outside together.
Smoke stands near the entrance, watching Annie make her way over to Edward.
The siblings exchange a few quiet words before a car pulls up to the curb. They climb inside.
Before the car pulls away, Annie glances back through the window.
Smoke is still standing there.
Still watching. He lifts one hand.
She smiles and gives him a small wave.
Then the car disappears into the night.
Smoke lets out a slow breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
A smile spreads across his face as he looks down at the phone in his hand.
He finally got what he’d been wanting since the day they met.
Her number.
And somehow…
He has a feeling this is only the beginning of something different.
As Tobias walks up beside him, Smoke shakes his head with a quiet laugh.
“What?” Tobias asks.
Smoke slides his phone back into his pocket, still smiling to himself.
“Nothin’.”
But he knows. This has been one of the best nights of his life.
I really tried to squeeze this into two parts. This is why the third part is so short. I’m so mad. 😩😭 Tumblr needs to change this shit. 😂 Mannnnn we used to have a time at Skateland every Friday night. I miss skating real bad.
This is a pro-black women, pro LGBTQ, protect the dolls, protect black dolls because they deal with the highest rates of violence in the community, Anti fascist, fuck MAGA, F*ck trump, fuck nazi's, fuck Israeli violence, f*ck the IDF, f*ck the military & their war violence ass page. We also don't support predators of any kind on this page, I will NEVER support people that commit violence of any kind against innocent women/girls/people. I also support anyone that's not anti-black.
She remains unmarried. With a list of betrothals broken off due to her being a "difficult" woman to deal with by past suitors, her council, desperate to find her a husband hatch a plan to host a tournament for men across the land to fight for her hand in marriage. Two Mercenary twin brother's, down on their luck, see it as their moment to strike big. The biggest they've ever went to bat for.
Content: enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, violence, peer pressure, manipulation, misogyny, sexual tension, slow burn, political intrigue, eventual smut
Cw: explicit language (not the healthiest coping mechanisms), sexual situations, *light* manhandling, voyuerism... shit idk, Its alot going on.
A/n: Soooo uhmm.... I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I dont write, and I surely dont write stuff like this so be easy on a girl, cuz Idk what the fuck Im doing😩😭
Just know Im doing my best, lol
And if your a minor... Dont read this shit bruh.😭
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As soon as the door to the library closed behind her she moved swiftly through the darkened corridors like the devil was on her heels. Her night robe gently swayed every which way at the speed of her gate. She clutched the robe tighter to her body.
She felt off balance. Like her skin was too tight for the body it was wrapped around. She felt hot everywhere despite the chill of the night. A prickle of moisture just beneath the surface of her skin was lying in wait to eventually perspire down her body was ever lingering. Her heart was racing, and it wasnt just from the speed at which she walked.
Damn him, she cursed in her mind.
Most of the staff had gone to bed by this time. The only people occupying the halls were a sparse few royal gaurds, as most of them were concentrated on the outskirts of the property. They gave small bows to her as she passed by, she gave a brief curtsy and bid them goodnight.
She finally reached her chambers after what felt like hours, eventhough at max it was closer to five minutes. Somehow heading back from the library to her room felt longer than heading to the library to find her frustrating husband.
Despite her erratic movements from before, she closed the door slowly with a quiet click careful to not wake anyone nearby. As soon as the door closed behind her she leaned her back against its cool surface, letting out the longest sigh into the empty room. The cool wood, juxtaposed to the heat emitting off her frame had a small calming affect on her.
It didnt last long.
An irritation of two kinds bubbled to the surface. She clenched her jaw, "The fuckin' nerve on that man." Annie could hardly recall any man doing something like that to her.
But what pissed her off even more, was the fact that he had her in such a vulnerable position so easily and she didnt put up any fight. How docile she got just from a little handling from him. She just let herself land in the palm of his hand, and the things he was saying to her-
She covered her face with her hands letting out a bemused groan. Sitting right beside the anger she was feeling, was embarrassment.
The way I just asked that man to tell me what he'd do to me. That was way out of character for her. Even if it wasnt- it cut too close to begging for her comfort. It was even worse knowing that if he pushed just a little more she would've shamelessly let him do whatever he wanted to her right there in that library. Propriety be damned.
Made her almost forget herself. Something he seemed to have the knack for doing. It was getting out of control, even worse now that he now knew that she wasnt nearly as against his advances as previously let on.
He did all that, put her in a vulnerable position, leaving her wanting, just to pull away suddenly? Make demands? Talkin' 'bout how he'll keep doin' her like this 'till she confesses that she wants him as much as he wants her. If she was in her right mind she would've cussed his ass out- 'cause how dare he?
But instead she fled.
A man never made her run as much as he did. He was just so... intense when he's ready. Far from the men she was used to dealing with.
She placed a hand to her chest. Her heart was still beating rapidly, and she could feel every trecherous pulse of it beating right between her thighs. Like a constant reminder of the affect he had on her body... On her.
She grunted, pushing herself stiffly off the door and went straight to her bed, rearranging the pillows in the way she liked for sleep. She put the rest of the decorative pillows onto the ottoman that sat at the foot of her bed.
Once it was set to her liking, she grabbed her silk bonnet, turned off the singular light in the room that casted a warm glow across the room, and eased her way under the silk sheets. She shimmied her body around until she found a position that felt just right, and closed her eyes.
It seemed that the position she chose didnt sit quiet right with her. She didnt feel her body sink into the feeling of sleep like she wanted so she switched positions again, facing the curtained glass doors that led outside to their shared balcony, trying to melt into the bed and relax her body.
It didnt feel right again, her neck and chest still felt hot.
That incessant heat that settled low in her belly had not cooled down.
She was restless. She turned on her stomach, which became equally as uncomfortable after a while, her chest was pressing a bit into her ribs. She flipped over to her side again, hand tucked under her head as she stared into space in her darkened room, letting out a frustrated breath.
She flipped on to her back, eyes to the ceiling. Sleep was struggling to find her, a buzzing energy settled underneath her skin. That consistent pulse that she felt between her thighs was not going away, refusing to allow sleep to find her. The heat in her belly had not cooled down, every change of position, every movement of her legs added pressure exactly to where she was starting to ache. A temptation to touch was steady growing-
No. She refused.
He dont deserve my pleasure.
It seemed like her refusal made the throbbing worse. A budding wetness made its self known, she clenched her legs in hopes that it would stop it from getting any worse.
It didnt.
Her mind kept buzzing with the words he said, the way he touched her, wrapped his strong arms around her soft waist, how easily he maneuvered her around as she was by no means a petite woman. The feel of her body pressed against his. How for a second of insanity she purposefully brushed her hips against his when he spun her around to get an Idea of what he was carrying in those undergarments of his.
She was not disappointed... far from it as a matter of fact.
Those thick, full lips of his- She briefly imagined what they would look like between her legs- his wide callous hands wrapped around her thick thighs as he took his fill of her...
She clenched, her legs crossed between eachother tightened the slightest bit more.
A trecherous need to quench the fire that was building was steady growing. Her fingers twitched.
But once again she refused.
Like if she touched herself off the back of what just happened she would be admitting defeat of some nonsensical game they were playing with eachother. 'Cause thats exactly what it was, and thats what he was playing at. For her to give in to him. Her ego couldnt allow something like that, for some reason a paranoid, unreasonable part of her mind believed that if she touched herself to the thoughts of him, he would know in some way.
Knowing him, he would never let her have peace if he ever knew and with the last words he left her with he clearly had no intentions of coming up off from her.
She scoffed into the empty room, he has enough audacity drippin' off him to drown the whole kingdom with his annoyin' ass.
She resolved herself to simply refuse thinking about him. Veering into thoughts of duties that she had to take care of as a distraction, old wrinkled faces of the elders . In a way it did work... almost immediately dosing the fire building in her to just embers.
Her sleep was very fitful.
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Annie was not in a good mood.
Her lips seemingly stuck in a twisted in a frown as she rubbed at her puffy eyelids.
She didnt get nearly as much sleep as she would've wanted and it made her feel highly irritable. All thanks to Smoke.
The thought of his name crossing her mind made her grimace, but as always, a quiet knock at the door shifted her attention. She already had an idea of who it was before the door was cracked open.
"Goodmorning my Queen." Ruth piped cheerfully as she fluttered about the royal chambers, followed closely by Pearline, her smooth voice wafting across the room, "I hope you got yourself some good rest."
The queen kissed her teeth.
There was no way in hell she was gonna tell Pearline the reasoning behind her lack of sleep. Still, not wanting to be rude she answered anyways, prim, proper, and formal, "It was fine. Thank you for asking." Short and sweet.
The response made her friend lift a curious brow, but Pearline knowing Annie as well as she did made the choice to leave it for now. As stubborn as the queen was, trying to wrestle out what was troubling her was like pulling teeth.
She'll tell me when she's ready... Atleast I hope she does...
She made a beeline towards Anisa's closet, looking for a gown of the day.
Annie moved to her vanity and Ruth started on getting her hair in order, as the, usually, timid girl quietly rattled off about what kind of new braidstyles were in at the moment and if Annie wanted to try any. Annie let her choose what style the queen would wear for the day, " I trust that you wont have me out here lookin' crazy Ruth, go on an' choose a style for me." Lending the young girl a soft smile.
She figured giving the girl some freedom would aid in building up her confidence, make her feel more sure of herself. She could tell it was working little by little as the young girls footsteps no longer sounded like she didnt want to be heard, sounding more sure of herself, like she belonged here.
Annie turned her eyes toward Pearline sorting through her clothes and noticed the pointed absence of Mary... Once again. The last conversation she shared with her other friend crossing her mind " Why Mary aint with yall today?"
Pearline paused, before letting out an irritable huff "I dont know what's up with her, she all sulky an' she refuse to tell me whats wrong- oh, what color you feelin' today Ann'?", she added, still focused on the task at hand.
"Im feelin' red, -You know what got her down enough that she dont feel the need to show her face round here an' shirk her responsibilities?" Annie raised a manicured brow, her dormant irritation threatening to breach the surface.
"Girl, she aint tell me a thing-but judgin' by how she look at me with enough heat to set me on fire since her twin kissed my hand? I can think up a thing or two." Pearline finally wrenched out a warm red gown, just shy of looking almost orange. "How you feel 'bout this color. Its not a solid red, but I think it'll look real nice against your skin."
"Looks nice Pearl, I like it..." the queen trailed off, there was a thought plaguing her mind and she was deliberating on how much she wanted to divulge, if she wanted to say anything at all. From how things were looking there was already a simmering tension between Pearl and Mary, she decided against it for now. But she will most certainly have a conversation with Mary.
Cause clearly what I told her aint go through that thick skull of hers.
After Pearline and Ruth made their final touches on her outfit, Annie had an urge to take a stroll outside the estate walls before taking on the stress of the day.
She looked at the clock and knew forsure she'd have enough time to.
Just before the two ladies were about to excuse themselves for the rest of the morning, Annie spoke up,
"Before yall leave... would yall like to... Go on a walk with me?"
While she was met with enthusiasm with Ruth giving an immediate yes, Pearline paused for a second, face wrought with subdued suprise because, when was the last time the queen, her friend, offered to hangout outside of obligated times?
Annie's anxiety starting to bleed into her nerves as each second ticked by without a response from Pearline. She contemplated taking back the offer. She didnt want to make her long time friend feel as if she was obligated to just because she was monarch.
She didnt have to wait much longer because soon her worries were calmed when a warm smile slowly spread Pearlines lips, one that could be heard in her voice when she spoke."Which route you wanna take?"
"Let's go to some of the walkways just outside the estate, someplace I can exhale without my breath feelin' restricted. Its too stuffy up in here." Annie fidgeted around, unconsciously proving her own point.
"Girl, I thought you'd never ask- c'mon Ruth!" Pearline motioned excitedly.
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"Im not gone lie Anisa, I dont know how you do it. Even me bein' here a few days back Im already startin' to feel stale. Like some old bread. Them few weeks I spent visitin' family- even with my ancient husband, was such a nice change of pace... You need a vacation or somethin' that takes you outta here for a little while, take a little edge off."
"I already had a vacation. I had a honey moon." Annie supplied confidently, brushing off the suggestion.
"-Which was still spent here and knowing you? A majority of that time was spent actin' like that man you married aint exist..." Pearline turned to Annie, her gaze expectant.
"I... It wasnt that bad, I allowed him to help me with my garden." The queen crossed her arms, and if Pearline was in her right mind she could've sworn it looked like the queen was pouting.
"You 'allowed' him?"
"Yeah, after I discovered he wouldnt stop pesturing me. I figured I might as well have given him somethin' to do."
"Anisa. Theres no way in hell you both felt refreshed from somethin' like that. An' seein' the way you two loom around eachother in all that loaded silence yall both walk around here with? You two carry enough tension to set this whole place on fire."
Annie stiffened, was it that obvious?
Almost as if Pearline read her mind, she Annie patted her on the back with a delicate hand, "Dont worry, aint nothin' obvious when it come to you an' that husband of yours. But I know you Anisa..." she trailed off.
A tension of a different sort say between them. One of a disconnection and a friends past unsuccessful efforts to be close once more.
Ruth, sensing a shift in the atmosphere between the two women slowed her steps giving them some space, before wandering off the trail into the long grass fields, a small movement between the blades caught her attention.
"Dont go too far now!" Anisa called, before she quieted down again, looking somewhere into the distance. She heard Ruth's response back, but didnt fully registered what the girl said.
Pearline didnt speak for a moment, panic in her mind started to set in. Feeling like she ruined what could've been a simple nice one on one outting with her closest friend that she hadnt had the chance to have in God knows how long. She should've been satisfied with just that... she shouldve-
"Hhm..." Annie breathed with introspection. "When you put it that way... I guess you gotta point. Might have to plan a vacation sometime. By myself." She asserted.
"You aint takin' Smoke with you?"
"His ass can stay here an build a damn castle from the ground up for all I care, since he got his nose stuck in all them damn architect books. He irritatin'."
Pearline chuckled, taking note of her friends stiff, closed off posture. While Anisa has been mostly herself, she could feel a buzzing energy of irritation surrounding her. She always had one, as she was having to constantly deal with egos and incompetency at times, she was always good at hiding it for the most part.
But today, she could tell Annie needed to get something off her chest, wether it was steam or something else entirely. Clearly as far as Pearline could tell, the source of her deepened ire was quiet obviously directed towards the king.
"He done anything wrong by you?" Pearline question seriously.
"No... maybe.." the previous annoyance on the queens face morphed between a strange mix of irritation and bashfulness. Her lips twinge.
Interesting
Though Anisa didnt say anything, Pearline had an idea of what it was that was bothering the queen.
"Anisa."
The weight in which Pearline uttered her name immediately drew Annies attention, she turned her eyes towards her friend.
"If this comes off as oversteppin', Im sorry but... have yall been intimate?"
"..."
"-Not that you gotta answer or anything. I just- well... I know what its like to feel a bit frustrated from the lack of, ehm..." Pearline looked towards Ruth wanting to know if she was within ear shot. Not because she felt it was a subject too grown for her ears, she was almost a woman grown and should be aware of these kinds of conversations, but because she didnt want to broach a personal subject of the Queen while others could be with in earshot.
"Hmph!" Annie let out a derisive snort, a scowl twisted her glossed lips.
Pearline stopped in her tracks, eyes widened. "Wait!... Annie" she said in disbelief. Her mind working into over drive. It wasnt an answer, but it was an answer.
Annie turned around, confused by the sudden outburst. "Huh... Girl what's wrong with you? Whatchu doin' all that for?"
"Annie... Anisa."
"Yes Pearl? You better start sayin' somethin' 'cause you 'bout to piss me off."
"Oh hush Anne, like you dont walk 'round here on the edge of cussin' somebody out all the time... as a matter of fact its only gotten worse since that Smoke of yours came along..." she stiffled a fit of laughter trying to escape.
"He aint my Smoke" she huffed, folding her arms across her chest.
"Well you sure is his Annie though..." Pearline teased cheekily, a chesire grin spread across her mouth.
That caught the queens attention, her eyes squinted, "What makes you think that?" She said it in such a blasé way, it was like she was asking about the time. She did made an effort to quiet the eagerness trying to bleed through her voice with the question... She was still pissed with him.
"Now Annie. Even if you wasnt my friend, anyone with eyes can see how that man dont play when it come to you... Now I aint seen much, but from all the whisperin' them servants do when they aint got nothin' better to do, and from what little Ive seen of that man? C'mon now."
"What you hear 'bout him from the servants? What they whisperin' about me an' him?" Annie was curious but on gaurd. Of course people talk, she didnt feel any sort of way about that, it was apart of being royalty.
"Well, when it comes to him, he's a more reserved man but he's been nothin' but kind to 'em..." she trailed off.
The queen hummed, but she could tell there was something Pearline was holding back.
"Go on" Annie prompted, "I aint gon' bite your head off or nothin', I can tell theres somethin' on the tip of your tongue you wanna spill."
"Well, I heard ol' boy came back not too long ago, Brandon. Went as soon as he came. Some said he was flyin' like a bat outta hell."
Annie tampered the smile threatening to break across her face when Pearline mentioned the speed at which Brandon got the hell on back to wherever he came from.
Pearline continued, leaning in conspiratorily, "Heard your husband had his ass cornered, bit the barrel of a gun right to his head. Scarin' the piss outta 'em. Don't help that some of the house keepers were talkin' 'bout how they could smell it off him when he left."
"Oh really?" She played, fake suprised.
"Nah, dont play me Anne. You was my friend longer than you been my queen, you been known about this."
"Yeah, I knew, he told me what he did that same night..."
"Really?"
"Yeah, Im not too suprised. He almost too upfront. Not that I mind really."
"Ah... I see." Pearline nodded in some understanding.
Annie cocked her head to the side quizzically, "I know you mentioned some of the housekeepers and servants gossipin', but Im curious... How you know them kinda details? He never mentioned usin' any kinda weapon. Though I wouldnt put it pass 'em.." Her mind floated back to the time he told her about his background as a mercenary with his twin.
Pearline sneered slightly, "Well, before that 'lil heffa decided to be all weird to me all 'cause she aint gotta leash on her twin, she told me a bit that she heard a bit from Stack, probly pillow talkin' or somethin'."
"Huh..." the queen muttered a knowing look on her face. Her mind was churning,
Smoke made no mentions of his brother bein' involved... Mary steady runnin' her mouth... Stack stirrin' things up...
She kissed her teeth, I aint got the patience for this shit...
Seeing her friend visibly getting worked up over the info she just gave her Pearline tried to soothe it over. " Im sorry, -I aint meant for this to upset you-"
Annie held a hand up to stop her mid sentence. "No Pearl... You didnt upset me, Im just thinkin', I... Thanks for lettin' me know." A smile returned to her face, honestly this little walk she's had with Pearline unfurled some of the tension she didnt realize she was carrying, her shoulders loosened slightly.
Maybe Pearline wasnt someone she had to keep at arms length... Maybe she could let her in just a little mor-
"Queen Anisa!"
Ugh
She knew that shrill voice anywhere. Pearline and Annie turned towards the direction it came from, Ruth a little deeper into the field doing the same.
Councilwoman Maevis, with her ever present scowl etched upon her face made her way to the three women, with two royal gaurds in toe.
"Looks like our little walk is comin' to an end early..." Pearline sighed.
Annie snorted, "Was only a matter of time. Things were too calm...", she turned to her friend, quiet for a moment. Hesitant in what she wanted to say to her.
"Thanks for takin' a walk with me." She let out a loose chuckle, " I didnt realize how much I needed this. How much I missed this..." Annie felt her eyes unexpectedly get heavy with emotion, a tell tale sign of her eyes feeling a bit misty, just before she steeled herself from getting too emotional.
Pearline grabbed a hold of both her hands, "Anisa... Im just happy you wanted me to come with you, I know things haven't been easy. Our friendship can't be what it used to- I mean, we aint kids anymore obviously, but..." she squeezed her hand a bit firmer, Annie felt the warmth of Pearlines hands seeping into her own, a stark contrast from the cool, crisp morning air. "Thank you."
"What you thankin' me for? I didnt do much-"
"Oh girl hush all that nonsense that's bout to leave that mouth a your's an' just listen." She said sternly. Surprisingly, Annie didnt argue, patiently waiting for what she had to say.
"I just wanted to thank you for trustin' me. For lettin' me in even for a little bit, even if its just this one time."
Annie wordlessly pulled Pearline into a long warm hug, slightly rocking eachother side to side, pouring into her what words could not suffice. "It wont be a one time thing Pearline... not if I have any say in it." She could feel her friend melt into at her words, releasing a quiet exhale like a weight was lifted off of her, the both of them really.
Looks like she needs this just as much as I did...
She could tell how sad it made Pearline to see Anisa pull away as she took on her duties over the years. At the time Annie thought it was the right thing to do. The paranoia was just too high to go from having a family one moment to both taken away from her for reasons that remained unknown to having the highest seat in the kingdom. To dealing with men and women alike always looking for an angle...
But maybe... just maybe she could let people get close again...
"Your highness!" The voice got closer.
"Alright", Annie started to pull away, not before rubbing her friends forearms soothingly before she let go of her. " Time to find out what this woman wants." She turned towards the field, seeing Ruth inspecting a black fuzzy caterpillar inching away along a blade a grass. "C'mon Ruth we headin' back now!", waving her over.
Maevis finally reached the pair at the same time Ruth scrambled her way to them aswell. The older woman face forever in that permanent scowl she carries, spoke, her voice slightly out of breath "Did you not here me calling for you?"
"Mhm" Anisa hummed noncommittedly as she began to make her trek back to the estate, her long gait caused the shorter woman to pick up the pace to remain next to her. "And you're all the way out here with no security. Why didnt you respond bac-"
"-Cause last time I checked you weren't in my schedule for today." She cut in sternly, making sure that Maevis could hear that she was not in the mood for any of her nonsense today. "So now Im here wondering what has you walkin' all this way to come and bother me while Im out here enjoying nature with my ladies?"
Maevis was quiet for a moment, taken aback by how biting the Queen was being this early in the day. Today was a day for her to tread lightly, as it seemed that Anisa's fuse was shorter than it normally was.
"I- uhm, well." Maevis cleared her throat, she felt her face warm with embarrassment from her sputtering, "Councilman Cyrus called for another meeting."
"What for?"
"He wanted to check the temperature on the king, see how he's doing with the blueprints for that Youth Center."
"Didnt we just give him those yesterday? How has there been enough time to check for his progression?" A frown already taking over Annie's lips.
"Its not a check for progression, he just wants to know where the king is at with it."
Like that aint vague as hell, Annie quipped in her mind, she already knew it was some bullshit from the get go. It didnt help that she didnt want to see Smoke's ass either.
"So what do I have to do with this? Why not just meet with him yourself?"
"We figured it would be good for you to just have an ear in it, just so your up to date."
Annie sighed, If yall were competent and did good on what you said, you wouldnt need me to be around all the damn time to listen to every little ass detail.
"Alright."
_______________
.
.
.
Annie stiffly took her seat next to Smoke, agitation radiating off her in waves. He already looked heavily uninterested in this last minute meeting that he most likely thought was bullshit too.
The only good thing to thos was the fact that Maevis and Obidiah were more subdued in their demeanor this go 'round. No doubt they could feel that she was not in a very patient mood today like she normally was.
All that ire she was carrying in her chest; Mary, Stack, the Council, the whispers, Elijah without allowing much to spillover thanks to that much needed outting with Pearline was beginning to ramp back up. Especially now that she was right between two of the culprits that were part of the reason.
She spared no greeting, no aknowlgment whatsoever of her husband. He had the nerve to look put off by her restricted demeanor.
He needa fix his damn face, lookin' at me like I done him wrong or somethin'
Luckily her thoughts didnt show up on her face which remained neutral and stoic.
No one spoke, they all were looking to her to say something to get the ball rolling.
Already on a short fuse, Anisa broke the silence, voice low and clipped, "Well Im hear now. You dont need to wait on me to start."
All but Smoke fidgetted uncomfortably in their seats, the jingle of jewelry chiming together with each stilted movement with some quiet grumbling from the council.
It was a very clear sign to the elders that she was not having it with them today. Hell, she'd probly fire them on the spot if they said one wrong thing trying to push their luck like they would any other day.
Cyrus, sensing some of the mounting tension lightly coughed in his hand to add a break into an ever mounting tension. "Ehm- first I want to say thank you your majesty's for coming to this meeting on such a short notice... It is greatly appreciated. I assume Maevis explained the nature of this meeting my queen?"
She hummed in agreeance. It was the most aknowlegment he was going to get out of her today, so he went straight into the order of business.
"So... My King, how are you finding the planning for that youth center? I take it you been hard at work?"
Smoke gave a distracted hum, he had not taken his eyes off the Anisa from the moment she entered the councul meeting room all while she was pointedly not meeting his eyes. "Seein' as I only got the blueprints yesterday there aint much to report on, but its been goin', kinda wanted to rework the orginal build so Its been keepin' me busy."
"I bet it has" Anisa muttered under her breath. Smoke no doubt could detect the sarcastic haughtiness in her tone.
"Yeah. The library damn near became my second room right behind my bedroom." He grunted.
She stiffened a bit at the mention of the library, but her face gave nothing away. She hummed, choosing to ignore his goading, "Is that enough of an update for you? Councilman Cyrus?".
The older man seemed caught up in trying to piece together what was being said between the royal spouses and what wasnt said at the same time. "Cyrus-" Her stern voice cut through his wondering.
"Oh- uhm, yes my queen?" He sputtered, unsure and a little embarrassed to be caught not paying attention while simultaneously being the one to call this impromptu meeting in the first place.
"I believe, as you can see Cyrus, the king has everything under control, Im sure he'll ask for your aid should he he need it immediately." And with that, as far as Annie was concerned her part of the meeting was over, she shifted in her seat, ready to make her exit as soon as possible.
Luckily, for once in their old incompetent lives the elders got the hint and swiftly and quietly exited the room.
'Cause what she was not gonna do is play along with what Smoke was trying to get at. Tryna be lowkey slick mentionin that damn library. Let alone at a council meeting infront of company. Granted it was such a subtle comment, given the nature of the discussion, that no one would piece together an idea of what he was implying underneath, but still. It was already taking all of her patience to hang onto (barely) some form of politeness with everyone. That was not reserved for the man that was the aided in her being this prickly in the first place.
Once everyone left, Anisa fixed her skirts before getting up. As she did Elijah wrapped his strong fingers around her wrist, her bangles jingling at the motion. "You aint gotta be all snippy with me, the day just started and it look like you startin'."
This man-
She roughly wrenching her hand out of his firm hold. "Dont go on touchin' on me. I told you before already, you been lost your damn mind." She was out the door before he could get another word in. The skirt of her dress fluttering about with the speed she exited the room with.
It was like being brought back to the beginning, with the queen having this seemingly magical ability to dissappear from him again.
.
.
.
She didnt make an appearance at their shared balcony that evening, what had steadily become their ritual spot of quietly sitting with eachother before going to bed. Whether in shared silence or small talk.
Oh she real mad.
Elijah folded his hands behind his head staring up into the night sky. Watching the thin string of smoke from his cig curl amongst the numerous stars.
He let out a long exhale.
Maybe I pushed too much... He could feel something almost close to regret lightly hold around his chest. Not quiet a squeeze.
No... He immediately shut the thought down. With a woman like that, he'd have to draw it out of her, 'cause if he left it up to Annie, her stubborness wouldnt allow shit to happen whatsoever even if she herself wanted to. She'd just run all over him.
As fucked up as it was he couldnt find himself to fully feel bad about it. Not like she hadnt been teasing him all this time to get a reaction out of him.
And seeing how she reacted when he wrapped his arms around her... Elijah closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. That glimpse of her showing how she desired him- He shook his head, softly chuckling to himself before putting out the cigarette and heading to his bed.
.
.
.
_________________
The next day didnt prove much difference.
Anisa was still holding out on him, avoiding him when she could, and when she couldnt she was being snippy with him, appearing to always have something to say whenever he spoke. She mostly did that when there weren't other people around, keeping things tense but still respectful infront of company.
It was amusing at first, but after a while Elijah was starting to get annoyed, already over the attitude that she was constantly, unrelentingly, giving him.
.
.
.
He managed to catch her walking down one of the outside corridors where there was always a pleasant breeze blowing through its columns.
He walked up next to her, discreetly folding his hand in hers. She must've been deep in thought because she jumped in suprise at the unexpected touch and proximity from him.
On realizing who had a hold on her arm he saw her face makeup almost instantly, she tried to pull her hand from his, but this time he was prepared for her to do something like that. He firmed his grasp on her hanf preventing her from leaving, "What are you?-",
"Just what do you think you doin'?" He grunted, eyebrows furrowed.
"Huh? What I think Im doin'? Tryna stay the hell away from you is what. Which you like to make impossible for me the way you chasin' me around like you some unruly dog with nothin' better to do."
"You better watch yourself woman." He warned.
"Or what?" She stopped and turn towards him, pushing into his space, puffing her chest out against his. "Whatchu gon' do Smoke? Huh?... Run your mouth some more? Talk about how you mean whatchu say? Drone on 'bout how you not like them "other" men?"
"Nah, you dont get to do me like that."
"Boy if you dont leave me 'lone-"
He firmed his grip on her arm and pulled her right back to him, "Uh-uh, Now what you not gon' do is start sayin' shit that aint true. You know what kinda things Im willin' to do for you. Things Ive already done. I even left that lame ass friend of yours live instead of just killin' his ass 'cause he made you upset in your house."
She paused, he saw her eyes flutter, she faltered slightly.
"Oh so you quiet now? Seemed like you couldnt run outta shit to say to me these past days."
That quickly broke her out of her little quiet spell she just had. At first she looked angry for a split second, before it quickly dissipated, replaced by a cool expression.
She hummed thoughfully, though the silence she held was charged.
"You know... not too long before I came to get you again from that meeting. The one where Cyrus first gave you those blue prints, I talked with Mary."
"..."
"She havin' some problems with that crazy twin of yours. Think he cheatin'."
"Hm." Smoke felt himself increasingly become more apprehensive, unsure of where she was going with this.
"Mhm. Said she wanted to switch twins cause he givin' her a headache... Maybe she's right."
She felt Smoke stiffen next to her
"The fuck you mean by that." His anger flared.
"I mean exactly what I say."
He kissed his teeth, " If you were in your right mind, you wouldnt take half the words that girl says out her mouth."
"And what? Im supposed to take your word over her's?"
"If you know whats good for you"
"If I know whats good for me?" She reiterated, incredulous. "You think just 'cause you been here a lil while as King and I give you some projects means you must know everything then huh?"
"That aint what Im sayin'. You need to watch that friend of yours."
"Mary? The woman thats been one of my closest friends since I was a child?" Her eyes turned to slits. "You gettin' way too comfortable to be sayin' shit thats not your place to say."
"Not my place? Im your husband, the one you married an' said all them vows to, so- I'd say its definitely my place to say that. You need to get rid of her ass."
"Why?"
"Cause she aint no good to you."
"How?"
Elijah paused, mulling over whether he wanted to tell her about the fact that she'd nearly slept with every past suitors of hers. Shit for all he knew those could've aided in her broken betrothals.
"She been sneakin' behind your back."
"Sneakin' doin" what exactly?" She folded her arms across her chest. Still agitated, but holding enough space to hear him out.
"All them past suitors of yours? The broken betrothals? She slept with a good amount of those men behind your back."
She froze as if she was put on pause, air didnt even stir from her. She held her breath altogether at the new information, digesting the bomb he dropped on her. She was quiet for what felt like hours before she finally spoke again, her voice quivered slightly but otherwise remained even.
"How do you know this? Where'd you hear that from?"
"Stack."
Her eye twitched. "Stack." She deadpanned.
"Mhm."
"An' Im just supposed to believe that? Comin' from the twin that like to stir up trouble?"
Elijah felt a flare of defensiveness over his younger twin but he kept his voice even, "You aint gotta believe it for it to be true, you cant keep someone around that moves like that. Its bad for business."
"Just bad for business?"
"Nah, it aint just that. She a shitty friend too."
Annie stared at him blankly, face unreadable, completely shut down from him. The change took him aback, loosening his hold on her. Her anger he was used to, her passion he was used to, and in small little pockets her joy as well, but this? The complete lack of reaction took him off gaurd.
His lax hold on her gave her room to slowly turn around and leave. Leaving him alone with nothing but an empty hall way and the gentle wind brushing against his clothes, and the ever growing distant clicking of her heels against the pavement.
.
.
.
She puts him on ice for several days after that. It wasnt like the previous times when she avoided him because he got on her nerves. This was pointed, overtly so.
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________________
Smoke ventured out the estate again, but instead of his usual trek around the perimeter he took a detour. Walking through the dense, thick foliage-covered narrow path. The path he first walked through when he came here.
Damn, havent even left this place since I won that tournament...
Annie. His wife was the reason he was walking around in the middle of the forest.
He would never admit it, but her silent treatment was getting to him.
Regret that had been hiding in the shadows of his mind were trying to make itself known, and not for the first or second time either. His earlier bravado and confidence he carried was starting to flag and doubts started to seep through.
He took a deep inhale of his cig, head tilted up towards the sky, watching the dappled rays of sunlight flash through the thick canopy of trees overhead. The air here was thick and humid with the type of warmth that sits and doesnt move. He'd only been walking a few minutes and there was beads of sweat cascading down the sides of his temple.
He exhaled, watching the smoke dissipate into the air, mind in deep thought.
Maybe... I should just leave her be... Give her space...
It was obviously the best thing to do.
The sane thing to do in a situation like this...
But Smoke was anything but sane when it came to Annie. The very idea of accepting her distance made his stomach churn, as if his body rejected the very thought of doing something like that despite his wife's very obvious attempts at keeping things like that between them.
"Shit dont even sound right." He said outloud to nobody but himself.
He knew that speaking on Mary would only drive a further wedge between them but he couldnt bring himself to regret that either. She needed to be aware of some one that moved with that kind of specificity in her circles.
The way Mary moved was pointed, a pattern...
Elijahs mind started thinking of all the possible motivations for Mary doing what she did, what for?
Did she want to be Queen? Was there hidden animosity on Mary's side? Is she just plain stupid? An adrenaline junkie that gets off on the idea of doing things she wasnt supposed to be doing?
After watching how Mary moved for a while he was inclined to believe that the girl was plain stupid and just loved trouble... Maybe she did want to be queen, but as far as he knew and what Stack ran his mouth about her, he didnt pick up on her making moves that could lead to that kind of conclusion.
Didnt hear about or see Mary communicate with the councilmembers or show any initiative in taking on responsibilities, quiet the opposite actually. She seemed to like to lounge around with nothing much to do and just enjoy the lavish lifestyle of the uppercrust. Then again, maybe she wanted to be queen from the little power trips she seem to like having, as small as they seem to be.
But she made no moves to network, or make friends or acquaintances with any of the staff and servants. Not even visiting lords or ladies...
Unless she tryin' to sleep with they asses too...
She seemed to isolate herself in all aspects except between herself and the Queen, and their friend Pearline. But even that is getting shakey now, seeing how Stack's interaction with the woman pretty easily drove a wedge between the two, judging how she was huffing and puffing and ready to blow the whole damn house down, when his twin kissed her hand.
Either way it didnt matter. If it was up to him, he'd get rid of her ass in anyway he could just cause. He knew Annie would hate him for it... Probly Stack too. Lord knows what the fuck they got goin' on 'tween them two...
He had no idea what the hell was the nature of the relationship between his twin and that girl. Either way he was gonna have to have a serious talk with Stack eventually. He could sense all the moving parts leading up to something. Whether it was good or bad was anybodies guess.
Smoke hummed, "Man... you really know how to pick 'em Elias..." He said sarcastically to no one in particular, it was just him and the trees and their roots there to offer him a listening ear.
"Damn..." His cigarette was already finished. His mind must have drifted longer than he thought. He couldnt help but laugh at himself, the irony of it all. One of the first things he told Stack before going through this crazy plan of his was that he wasnt going any Politicking. And now look at him, tryning to piece something together.
He knew the reason behind this change of heart. It was that frustrating woman he couldnt get enough of, the one currently driving him insane with the way she snatched her presence away from him, and how determined she was in keeping it that way. "Tch." He crushed the butt of his cigarrette before flicking it into the brush. He turned around, heading back to the compound, whatever was happening the fuse had been lit a long time ago. It was only a matter of time before things would blow up. It was anyone's guess as to exactly what that would look like.
Soon as he reached the front gate he saw his brother waiting for him, gesturing at him with his hands animatedly. "Man what the hell? You know I been lookin' for you? Where you been?"
"Took a walk, needed to clear my mind."
"An you just left by yourself? Don't no gaurd come witchu or some shit? Whatchu need to clear your mind for?"
"They seen how I fight, I dont need no gaurdin' I tell 'em when their needed an' when their not, and in this case Im still in the front yard of the property." He grumbled impatiently, his own fuse was getting shorter each day. Not like he had a long one to begin with.
"I aint never seen you walk off that far, what had you runnin up an' down the jungle cause it was botherin' you that much?..."
Smoke didnt answer. Something Stack noticed he was starting to do more and more these days. He didnt like it. This new found distance that he was starting to feel grow between them.
Stack stopped talking for a moment. There was only one other person on earth that he knew would have Smoke moping around like this.
"Damn, you walkin' around tense as fuck. Got your shoulders damn near scrunched up to your ears and walk all stiff like you got a stick up your ass or somethin'. If you dont go an' put it on her good, all this bickerin' you two be doin' might be the end of all of us". Despite light hearted manner in which he spoke, he couldnt help the slight frustration he was starting to feel with his older brother leak through.
Smoke breeze right on past him without another word.
.
.
.
He set out looking for her.
He checked the gardens, she wasnt there.
The council room?
Not there either.
The kitchens?
Nope.
Library?
Hell no.
He chanced their shared balcony, thinking maybe she retired early in her efforts in avoiding him the whole damn time.
He was tempted to ask one of the servants on her whereabouts. Maybe Nina? Probly not, she was damn near like a daughter to Annie the way she worries about her. Maybe Damian? He was damn near becoming a mini Smoke the way the young boy would shadow him at times. It didnt help that Elijah always seem to have his favorite sweets with him whenever Damian scampered about, most likely doing what he wasnt supposed to. The boy stayed getting in trouble with the head maid.
Nah...
Not only would word of him looking for her reach Anisa before he could ever find her with the way word travels fast through the halls, (probly why shes been so good at avoiding him so far.) he didnt really want to involve anyone in their petty little spat they were having, let alone the younger ones.
Pearline and Mary were out of the question.
Smoke left the balcony, then his chambers. Once again found himself wandering the the hallways until he walked past the central courtyard again, irritated and somewhat aimless. The rush of the garden waterfalls did nothing to calm his agitated nerves.
Until he heard the sounds of footsteps approaching him from behind at an increasing pace. His body tensed immediately. The feeling of being snuck up on made his body pull tight, ready to spring into action at a moments notice, but he had to remind himself that he shares a space with multiple people, and he wasnt in the mercenary business anymore.
A feminine voice, one that most definitely was not Annie, obnoxiously cleared her throat behind him. An indication that the owner of the voice was expecting a response from him.
He turned, a scowl firmly fixed to his face, to see who it was. He was met by the pissed off form of the very last person he wanted to see right now.
Mary.
In another slim pink gown, brunette hair perfectly curled, and the incessantly tapping of her foot echoing across the expansive corridor. She was close to wearing her heel down to the sole at the rate she was going.
"Now, I don't remember exchangin' any kinda of words with you, but just who do you think your clearin' your throat at?" He rasped warningly, low and quiet
Mary looked slightly taken a back. His tone sounded different, but she quickly gathered herself, eyes narrowed. "Just who you think your talkin' to Stack? I been lookin' all over for you-"
"Who do you think your talkin to?" He cut in, "For how you stay up under his ass you should be able to tell the difference 'tween us."
"Smoke?..."
"Mary"
Her previous bravado deflated almost instantly, realising she was addressing the wrong twin. Drawing into herself, becoming almost meek.
"Well- um... have you seen 'em? Your brother I mean."
"Yeah, just passed him at the front gate." He tileted his head in its direction. "That's where you'll find 'em if he aint move from now."
"Oh- ok..."
She stayed rooted to the spot.
Smoke turned to continue his search, but he felt Mary's hand grab his wrist before he could fully walk away, "wait!-". He turned towards her, and she let go of his wrist just as quickly, as if she unkowingly put her hand on a hot stove top and burned herself.
"Whatchu want girl, I aint got all day."
"You lookin' for Annie?"
His ears perked, but he had his reservations still, especially with this woman right here... But it had been several days since he last talked or seen Annie. Still he didnt respond. Not that he needed to anyways, as Mary continued talking even though he didnt say anything back, just stared at her with the same scowl he carried everywhere with him.
"She always dissappearin' it seems..." she trailed off.
Hm...
Smoke wasnt a stupid man, running the streets as long as he and Stack have. He had an inkling of where this was going, but he needed confirmation of something. 'Cause if there was one thing Annie pointed out that he couldnt blame her for being suspicious of, is the fact that the info he got from Mary primarily came through Stack.
A man that at this very moment, the queen trusted as far as she could throw him, which wasnt much at all.
And all Smoke had besides that were assumptions and suspicions. Nothing concrete.
Shit- this was more of Stacks area of expertise, but as far as he was concerned Mary was a liability to Anisa, to his brother. And for that simple reason he wanted her ass out of here.
"Is that right?..." he didnt like the idea of having to seem intrigued by this kind of gossip, but he needed to give her rope, and if his assumptions were right, it would be just enough for her to hang herself with...
"Yeah. You aint gotta say nothin' shes my friend, known her since we was kids and could barely string words together." Mary breathed out a light chuckle, filling in the uncomfortable stretch of silence, as Smoke remained stone still. His unwavering eye contact made her feel slightly uneasy, but she pushed on. "I know she aint always the easiest woman to deal with. Seein' whats been goin' on between you two its not hard to assume that it's somethin' your already aware of."
"What makes you say that? What's a 'lil bickerin' gon' do to me? That shit dont bother me none. I like a woman with a 'lil bite." He shrugged.
"Yeah, but all the time though? I cant recall a long enough period where yall two went without there bein' an issue. You dont crave a 'lil peace?..."
Oh she bold.
"An' whatchu know 'bout peace?" He grunted, like you dont do shit but carry trouble an' cause problems. His patience for this was already ticking with each second he was spent hold up by her and hearing how Mary was speaking of Annie was not helping.
He saw a flash of movement from the corner of his eyes. His sight briefly flitted to a shadowed hallway.
"Oh I know plenty 'bout it... Know enough to see that, that aint what you gettin' from her-"
"You betta watch that loose mouth a your's, talkin' bout my wife like that." He stepped to the woman, his presence looming over her slight form. Her eyes widened for a split second, her stance faltered.
Smoke didnt let up, "Dont think I dont know whatchu tryna do. What you've done already- goin' 'round behind her back, fuckin' the scraps she wouldnt give the time of day to."
She was taken aback, her body jerked as if he'd just slapped her. Her face heated with embarrassment, a ruddy pink marring her cheeks as she began to sputter, " I- wha? Where you hear that from?!" She hissed.
Not a denial. Not a defense. An accusation that carried venom and a silent vow to poison whoever leaked such info and allowed such a thing to spread.
"Dont matter." He gruffed, his words final.
"You tell anyone this?"
He remained silent, it was the loudest silence Mary ever heard in her life, her body language screamed of agitation. The way her fingers started fidgeting. That mouth of her's that always put on gentle smile contorted into a deep sneer. Until suddenly she stopped fidgetinf, he could see in real time the gears turning in her head as she was caught red handed.
Her light unbothered tone contrasted the twisted look on her face. "I find out anyone else know about this... find out if they heard it from you? If I Annie hear about this, Imma bury you. Ruin this shit for you an' your brother quicker than you can reach the end of this damn hallway, your asses will be gone 'fore the sun even get a chance to set the same day..."
He leaned away, a cool mask of indifference took over his expression, folding his arms across his wide chest. He cocked his head to the side, looked her up and down and it wasnt in a suggestive manner. He was analyzing her, deliberating.
"Im gone' tell you somethin', an' Im only gon' say this once. You can go head an' do whatever it is you do, just know this... You out here threatin' me... Threatenin' my baby brother, sneakin' my wife. Ill make sure your ass is buried 'fore the night ends whether they send my ass away or not. Shoot, I might even put your body beneath them pretty flowers beds by the fountain or maybe Annie's 'lil herb garden. 'Least that way you'd be some use to her, returning her kindness to you by bein' fertilizer for her lemongrass or her ginger root that she put in them little healin' remedies of hers..." the casual tone of his would've fooled someone into thinking he was discussing something as inoffensive as what the time was.
He scoffed, "Only thing savin' you from me gettin' rid of your 'lil pasty ass is that Annie would hate me for it." And with that he breeze past her unfazed, his path took a detour, fillowing the hallways where he could've sworn he detected movement.
Leaving a behind a speechless Mary rooted to the spot, her heart in her throat. A part of her wanted to retaliate, call his bluff but...Something about the older twin made her stop herself. If even half of the things Stack said to her were true about what he and Smoke did to make Brandon tuck tail and scurry on outta here... Then he wasnt a man that made empty threats, he made promises.
A shiver went up her spine. The chill that came over the intimidating man when she threatened him was unlike anything she experienced.
Mary resumed walking, her movements stilted and akward, as if in a daze. Her mind was a maelstrom with this new revelation that he knew of some of her escapades with the queens ex suitors which meant there were more than a couple of people were privy to the "rumor".
She was determined to find out how he found out. She had an inkling of who it might be...
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Smoke walked towards the hallways were he swore he could sense movement. He didnt know why but something in him told him to follow. He thought he was going crazy cause there was no noise to accompany the idea that someone was there, until he reached the open mouth entrance that led into an interior of the main building. A flash of a deep Azure hemline skirt disappeared around a corner before he could fully catch whoever it was.
He followed, his feet picking up the pace to catch up to them. Clearly the person heard him trailing because he could hear the click of their footsteps quicken, aware of the fact that they were being followed.
He bent another corner, almost crashing into Nina, "-Oh! Greetings your highness is there something going on? You look to be in as much of a rush as-"
"''Scuse me, sorry Nina- cant talk right now. I'll get back witcha'." Manuervering around the young lady without a hitch, just in time enough to catch more of the skirt of a royal blue dress dissappear around the corner.
The closer he got, he could hear the soft chimes of delicate jewelry brushing against one another. There was only one person that it could be walking around with that distinct noise.
He was increasingly closing the distance following through the maze of hallways, each turn getting closer and closer. Until one final turn had him able to see her fully before she turned another corner. The swiftness in which she moved was starting to make him dizzy and the constant evasion was starting to piss him off.
"Annie"
He heard her footsteps falter at the mention of her name... Right before she picked up the pace again.
Luckily for Elijah, that slight falter she made allowed him time to close the distance she was keeping between them just a bit more. When he his the next turn he was able to fully see the back of her. Her deep blue gown fluttering just above the ground, making it look as if she was floating across the stone floors. Her smooth, deep brown skin looked radiant even in the diffused lighting of the windowless hallways of the interior. Even now the glint of her ever present golden jewelry caught in the low-light like a beacon.
He drank the image of her in, like a parched man stumbling upon an oasis after wandering the desert for many days.
"Anisa."
She ignored him.
"Annie! I know you hear me callin' you-" he grunted.
She walked up some steps, the light of the sun coming back in full force. His eyes squinting against sun light peaking through the pillars of the second floor of the estate walkways.
He knew exactly where she was headed, as it was mostly royalty and their guests were stationed on the second floor of the main compound. She was heading to her chambers. No doubt to lock him out. Literally.
Just as he passed the door to his own room, Annie had her hand firmly wrapped around the door handle to her Royal chamber ready to twist.
"-You better come an' talk to me. I know you heard all that."
She opened the door with a little more force than necessary. He expected an immediate slamming of the door in his face as she physically communicated how much she did NOT want to talk with him.
She stormed past him but unexpectedly left her door completely opened. A silent invitation, albeit a tenuous one.
He slowly walked in, realizing in all this time he never been in her room before. It felt cozy, the warm, spiced scent washed over him like a phantom's touch. Cinnamon? Her room was an array of earth tones. He could see it having a calming effect on anyone embraced by the space. But at the very moment, it felt as unwelcoming as the woman who it belonged to.
"Well?..."
A dry, humorless laugh escaped her. She shook her head, her back still facing him. "Boy you... you REALLY got alot of nerve."
"Then tell me. Tell me how I got a lot of nerve then." For as deceptively calm they both sounded, there was an ocean of unresolved tension, things left unsaid, and an undercurrent of emotions in its depths threatening to spill over, like a fractured dam whose faults only grew bigger, and deeper overtime.
Annie let out a tired, frustrated sigh. "You... you just-" she turned, facing him. Her brows furrowed, face full of displeasure, her full lips turned up in a frown. None of it took away from how beautiful she was.
"You know what? Nevermind, I dont know what I was thinkin'. Leave." She waved him off.
"No."
"What?"
"I said no. I aint leavin' this here room." He said with an edge of stubborness, promising to be just as difficult as her in this moment.
"If you dont leave I'll-"
"You'll what? You been avoidin' for almost a while week now without another word. Were going to talk."
"There aint much to talk about."
"The fuck you mean there aint much to talk about?"
"Well, there aint. You proved your point. Heard it straight from the horses mouth that my friend I've known for almost my whole life been on some back doorin' shit. You happy now?"
When He didnt respond immediately Annie continued,
"For all I know she might be part of the reason for my reputation being known as being "difficult" to be betrothed to. The reason my council came up with makin' a whole fiasco of a tournament just to get someone to marry me, like Im some unruly, desperate woman whose unfit to be a wife. Shit- they probly makin' me look like Im unfit to be a damn ruler." Her breathing became slightly elevated, she was getting worked up.
"After all the things I gone through..." she locked eyes with Smoke. "She was right along with me, seein' all the moments where I started feelin' like I was inadequate. As a woman... As a potential wife..." her voice becoming uncharacteristically small, a crack in her vulnerability.
"An here I was, isolatin' myself from her an' Pearline, thinkin' it was the right thing to do. Maybe somethin' in me felt that things were off. I was just too distracted." She brought her hands to her face, covering it as she took a deep breath.
"Now Im here feelin' like a damn fool after you told me what she was about. An' I refused to listen...Is that what you wanted huh? To prove a point?" Her temper flaring back up.
"No thats not-"
"Maybe you shouldnt have turned her down. Since she seems to know so much about bein' a mans peace, seems like its worked for her so far, I aint built for that shit."
"You aint even makin' no damn sense right now woman. How much you heard?"
"I heard enough. I aint gotta make sense to you, you stay talkin' bout how you not like them other bums I dealt with before and you know what? You right. You way worse then any man I had to deal with, you just wanna prove a point, thats all you wanna do." She hissed at him, pushing at his sturdy chest.
"Now get the fuck outta my room Smoke, I dont know what the hell you thought you was gon' accomplish followin' me all the way up here." She turned her back, pointed letting him know that the conversation was over and she would ignore him beyond this point.
Wordlessly, and not for the first time either, Elijah grabbed a hold of her arm, spinning her around to face him, his eyes so heavy on her, she swore she could feel the weight of his gaze. "How many times you gon' grab me?!-"
His voice came quiet, low and raspy, " As many times until you remember that, that aint the name you call me." He walked her backwards, firm but not forcefully, his grip loose enough that if she wanted to escape she always could.
She never did.
The back of her knees met the side of her bed and he continued to press until her back met her bed. Her soft body jostled slightly off the springy mattress.
A sharp breath escaped her, completely caught off gaurd as Elijah loomed over her, strong hands still wrapped around her wrists. Her eyebrows creased together, nose widened in anger, preparing to curse him out or slap the hell out him, maybe both. "If you dont get your sorry ass-", he grabbed her face, pulling towards him, searing her lips with an almost bruising pressure. Teeth almost clacking together in the heat of it. As if he was trying to pour out every once of anger and irritation he was building towards her in that one kiss.
Disappointingly she feels her own body yield slightly. Feeling her shift in demeanor, he softened, with her now able to feel the plushness of his own lips fully as he switched to lightly nipping her own, before he pulled his face away from hers. His breath newly labored from him kissing her, his face showing only mild irritation. "You dont know what you do to me? You piss me off like nobody else." He moved his face to the side of her neck, she could feel the vibration of his voice rumble against her own chest. The warmth of his breath ghosted across the nape of her neck, " An' nobody put a fire in me like you do." He lightly kissed her neck. She instinctively moved her head to the side to give him more access letting out a soft sigh, before he started to travel a little lower. "If you aint have a heart for her ass, I woulda done her the same way I did your other "childhood friend, 'cept I would've finished the job" His voice rough and gravely, juxtaposed to how he softly nipped at her collar bone.
"Dont say them kinda things. You dont mean that 'Lijah", she groaned. Her jewelry chimed with every slight squirm she made.
There it was, the way her rich soft tone wrapped around her little nickname for him. He pulled back, "when you gon' learn woman? How many times imma have to tell you I say what I mean..."
His hands that rested at her wrists started to move. Gently grazing across her smooth skin with the delicate lightness of a feather, a sharp contrast to his earlier handling of her. Wherever he touched he left a trail of heat and goosebumps in its wake. Distractingly making her hyper aware of the position they were in now. That intensity in his eyes never changed, as his hand settled on her waist briefly.
"I know what gotchu more upset, you bein' more vicious than usual... Its my fault aint it?" He cooed softly.
His warm callous fingers lightly fanned across her body. His hands traveled up, brushing over her sides, chest, barely grazing her peaked nipples as he brought both hands to either side of her neck. Leaving a trail of heat in their wake wherever he touched, before he seared his lips across her own once more, this time much more gentler than before. Her breathing deepened and her body became restless.
He didnt linger too long, she felt his warm hands start to travel lower and could feel her body start to heat up in anticipation, her body kept the score from when he last touched her. When he set a fire in her so deep it refused to cool down since. Distance just made the ache worse.
She was so keenly aware of his touch as one of his hands traveled lower, brushing past her hips, Annie could've sworn she could feel every ridge of his fingertips prints through her dress.
She held her breath, body taut, wordlessly shifting her legs, slightly parting them. A silent invitation. One he took graciously.
His hand traveled up one of her plush thighs, before reaching its destination at its apex. He cupped her, resting his hand against her panties. Feeling of soft, warm, and undeniably wet she was, if the dampness he could feel there was any indication, before shifting it to the side, feeling the heat of her flesh underneath. Only a slight hitch of her breath was the only sound she made giving away how much his touch was affecting her.
"Looks like 'lil miss down her got more sense than you" he murmured. He held his hand still, barely applying any of the pressure Annie really needed as she'd been incessantly aching.
She shifts her hips, attempting to push herself onto his hand, but feels him pull back again. She let's out a sound of pure frustration mixed in with desperation, she was starting to ache just shy of being uncomfortable.
Elijah's voice roughly cut through, "I already told you what I wanted to hear from you Annie. I need to hear it straight from your lips-" she lifts herself up from her lying position, her elbows digging into the mattress. She was already at her wits end with want, and he just set her off with his demands of her.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Your dick dont work or somethin?" She hissed.
"Whatchu just say?"
"You heard me." She responded, defiant.
As defiantly as one could look with his hand beneath her skirt. He froze, his face blank aside from his blown out pupils, eyes almost black against the diffused sunlight that flitered through the sheer curtains against the windows of her room.
She almost regretted what she said until he felt his hand move, applying morr pressure to where she was silently begging the most. She lets out a light puff of breath at the change, becoming very still as she leaned back down.
"You angry with me baby?..." His hands start to gently caress her folds, fingers grazing her clit with lightness of a feather, more pressure than he applied before, but not nearly enough as she needed.
"Smoke-" she gritted her teeth, the feeling of desperation was slowly starting to rear its ugly head.
"That aint my name- and I asked you a question." He berated roughly.
"Yes! Im angry with you" She hissed, but there was an unmistakable whine saturated along the edges of her tone. She turned her head to the side, as if she wanted to bury herself away somewhere. The admittance making her oddly feel vulnerable. A small part of her wanting to escape the unwavering focus of Elijah's dark eyes. Until she faced him again, her doe eyes boring into his before allowing herself to release her unfiltered frustrations.
"You comin' and tellin' me that my friend that I've known for almost all my life, been sneakin' behind my back with men that were courtin' me, just for me to come and see her try that with you- and then you-." She stops herself mid rant, letting out a harsh exhale as Elijah started to add more pressure, circling her clit gently before sliding his hand further down to where her she was yearning for the most. He slightly pushed one of his fingers into her wet opening, not enough to penetrate, but enough to feel its promise.
"Elijah..." she quietly groaned, it wasnt enough.
"I dont give a shit 'bout that lil heffa you call friend, an' whatever the fuck she up to. Im talkin' to you, about you." He grunted, "Its a part. But that aint all why you angry with me." He rasped, he grabbed one of her legs, lifting it slightly and pulling it to the side, spreading her open a bit wider to give him some more room for his fingers to work, one of them inserting itself deeper into her
"Ah- I-", Annie turned her head to the side, eyebrows scrunched together, eyes screwed shut. She felt more wetness pool out from her, her kneejerk instinct to close her legs were blocked by his body being in the way, leaving her open at his mercy.
"That dont sound like nothing to me, use your words woman. You aint have no problems usin' em' when you was lashin' out on me. Like Im some aint shit bum on the street that you can talk any which way to, like I aint your husband. What else are you angry with me about?" He pushed, his smokey voice wrapped around her like his namesake.
She was soaking so much so from all the pent up sexual frustration she was feeling that she could hear how much noise her pussy was making. Even the intrusion from his finger had her walls fluttering, desperate to pull him in further, hungry for more
"Im mad at how... how you left me." She rasped. Anticipation was starting to kill her.
"How I leave you?"
"You already know how you left me-"
"Nah Annie, I already told you. You better start usin' them words or I swear 'fore God Imma stop right now."
Annie felt her temper flare "how 'bout you leave me the fuck alone then If you aint gon' do shit"
He pulled away taking her undergarment with him, the heat of his hand leaving her where she craved most had her ready to properly cuss him out.
"You-"
"Hush up all that damn noise" He barked, "You sittin' here yellin' at me, talkin' to me any sorta way- all while you leakin' like a faucet up under me, messin' up these nice 'lil expensive sheets of yours an' I barely even touched you yet."
He roughly grabbed her hips pulled her towards his. Resting her now bare pussy onto his clothed manhood. She unashamedly tried to grind herself onto him, just to seek some kind of release, any. But the infernal man firmed his strong grip on her hips, restricting her movement. She almost let out a sob, biting her lip to prevent such a pathetic sound from escaping.
At this point she didnt even understand her stubborness, her refusal to give him what he wanted, but he was really starting to wear her down. Little cracks were beginning to form in her previously iron clad resolve. She wanted him. Bad.
As bad as he wanted her.
Just as she was about to throw caution into the wind and take pleasure for herself she felt him starting pull back slightly again, to deny her again. Her thick thighs that were previously laid out to either side wrapped around him, preventing him from fully leaving.
"You talkin' 'bout how Im crazy an' you over here makin' no kind of sense. You tell me to leave you alone and then you got your legs wrapped round me like you aint ever want me to leave. Which is it huh? You want me gone, or you want me to stay? I already told you what I want from you."
"..."
"You better say somethin' Anisa or I'll leave you as is." He warned.
"I-...", She fell silent giving no answer.
Smokes patience was wearing thin, unexpectedly he grabbed Annies hips, tilting her pelvis slightly upward with her legs spread. She let out a startled grunt. He grabbed one of the pillows that was strewn about the bed in all the rustling they were doing and placed it under her hips. He leaned back slightly drinking her in, eyes half-lidded.
The skirt of her dress had ridden up past her hips, fully exposing her lower half. Her upper half was askewed, no thanks to his earlier ministrations. One of the sleeves of her dress hung off the sides of her shoulder, her generous chest threatened to spill out of her top, her body completely lax, her hands splayed to her sides. Her beautiful piercing eyes almost arrested him on the spot,
Fuck. There aint no one on Gods green earth that deserves to see such a sight. Hell, he didnt even know what good he did in his fucked up life to deserve to see such a thing...
He quickly regrouped himself, focusing on the task at hand. He hadnt said a word.
Eventhough just moments ago Annie wrapped her legs around him to keep him here this new position felt deeply vulnerable and exposing as from where he situated her, he was looking directly at her fluttering pussy.
Oddly enough, the need to cover herself never came, the new position allowed her to melt into the soft mattress, even with the intense scrutiny Elijahs hooded eyes were giving her. A quiet, maybe equally insane part of her loved when all of his focus was directed towards her. However intense it was, she consumed it all like an addiction.
His raspy graveled tone cut through the breathing silence between them,"You dont wanna tell me? Fine... but you better show me."
"Show you?" Her voice breathless.
"Mhm..." His voice low, eyes lowered.
She didnt know what possessed her, but she reached down between her spread legs, parting her lower lips and started touching herself.
Circling her stiff nub, before flicking it side to side, she needed more. She released a sharp exhale, not realizing how long she was holding her breath.
Elijah locked in on her hand, watching as it gradually became more and more covered in her own arousal, the glide of her fingers becoming smoother as she continued to play with herself.
"When's..." he trailed off at a loss of words. He was in a trance. "When's the last time you touched yourself?" The words came out uncharacteristically strained.
"I- It's been a while... I almost did..."
"When"
He watched her hand intensely as she moved it lower, cirling her entrance but never penetrating, not only could he see how wet she was getting, he heard it. Everytime she brushed her opening it was as if he could hear her pussy trying to suck her own fingers in.
He was impossibly hard, he was almost suprise his dick didnt just burst open through his trousers.
"T-that night after the library... When I left you." Her breath hitched, she fucking herself with her fingers slowly.
"Why didnt you?"
"I- ah, I didnt think you deserved it." She whined.
"Didnt deserve what? Your pleasure? Your pussy? You?" He asked, stern, but an edge of desperation. His control was wearing thin, fraying at the edges.
He grabbed one of her legs in an almost vice-like grip, lifting it up resting it against his shoulder, parting them wider, just shy of uncomfortable.
"Ahn-" The unexpected shift made her fingers plunge deeper than she anticipated.
"Im waitin' Annie."
"Yesss..."
He hummed.
"You didnt..." she paused, "you aint made no good on your promises. You left me..."
"How I leave you?" He mummured softly against the skin of her ankle, restrained but anxious to hear what truth would leave her trembling lips.
"You left me aching... I-" she sped up her pace, fingers working furiously, her thumb brushing back up against her clit as she fucked herself with her fingers. Her head tipped back, exposing the line of her neck, necklaces sliding against each other at the action, no longer nestled between her breasts as they pooled against her neck and collar bone. "Ugh..." she groaned, low in her throat.
Elijah felt the muscles in her legs tense up, her hips twitched, simultaneously lifting and pulling away, as if they were unsure whether they wanted to move away or towards the release she was chasing.
Elijah quietly watched her, watched as her fingers moved in and out of her pussy, the closer she got to her peaked the wetter she got. The wet, squelching noises emanating from between her legs were down right filthy. It was music to his ears.
Her whines reached a fever pitch. He watched as her walls clenched around her digits then released. Then clench again, then release. She was close, her face twisted in a grimace, biting the bottom of her full lips. Breathing heavily, concentrated on reaching her peak.
Just as she felt her release coming, Elijah grabbed her wrist, stilling her movements.
A sob escaped her lips, "Lijah please-!" She almost thrashed herself around the bed. He lowered himself, pressing chest to chest watching as she squirmed. Her eyes were wet with desperation, she looked close to crying.
"Annie... look at me." he cooed quietly, calm in a way that commanded her attention. "You let me take care of you. Ya' hear me?"
She nodded her head so slightly, he wouldve almost not registered it. "Elijah please... I want more... I want you, please... take care of me. 'Lijah." She begged quietly, she couldnt take anymore, she felt like she was about to explode.
He kissed her softly, before pulling back "Thank you mama. Thats my good girl..." he spoke softly against her lips.
He knew how much weight those words carried for her. It was more than just to satisfy her, he wanted her to let him take care of her in anyway he could. If she allowed.
He gently pulled her hand from between her legs, making her whine softly at the loss. "Shh... Dont worry, Imma make it all better. I know you achin' baby. I know its my fault." He brought her hand towards his face, her fingers coated in her essence, before he brought them to his lips, getting a taste of her on his tongue. He stiffled a moan that threatened to to make itself known. He needed to taste her, needed it more than anything right now.
He replaced her hand back with his own, she was soaking. It made it easy for him to glide his fingers through her lips before inserting his fingers into her heat, all the way down to the knuckle with almost no resistance. She clenched around him in a vice grip. He couldnt help the groan that escaped his mouth. Her pussy held on to him like she never wanted him to leave her.
The noises coming out of Annie grew in volume, stiffled moans and choked off whines were the only things she was could manage. Her body was vibrating.
He slid against her body, removing his hand while he was lowering himself until she could feel his cool breath ghosted across her heated center. It made her shiver in anticipation, her already elevated heart rate sped up just a bit more. She lifted her legs, wrapping them around his shoulders. In turn he wrapped his strong arms around her thighs, anchoring him to her, leaving no space for her to run if she wanted to.
He didnt let her wait before he went straight to it. Dragging his tongue across her slit, before thrusting it into her opening, licking on her like he was trying to swallow her whole. The sensation coupled with his nose bumping across her clit in tandem had her groaning, long and low.
He felt her fingers card through his curls, her nails scraping across his scalp, just shy of pain. It sent a shiver down his spine. He traveled up, focusing his attention directly on her nub, flicking it side to side. He moved his hands, one thumb sliding across her slit before it crooked, pushing one of her pussy lips to the side, exposing her innerlips to the cool air of the room before he shifted his hands once more putting his fingers back where she needed it most, steadily thrusting in and out in a come hither motion.
He didnt stop his onslaught of him tonguing her down, like he was making love to her pussy. "Ugh... shit, Smoke- 'Lijah, fuck. Dont stop. Please ah-!"
He could her walls rhythmically spasming, she was getting close again. He sped up his efforts. The grip she had on his gair tightened, every part of her body pulled taught like a drawn bowstring ready to snap. Annie' legs started to quiver, until they tightened around his ears, her hips working in tandem with him, grinding back and forth. She was damn near impaling herself on his hand like it was his own dick in her chase for her release that had been denied from her so many times
She let out a low, desperate keen before her body locked up, keeping Smoke in place as he felt her inner walls spasming and tighten, and she damn near drenched his hand with a new wave of wetness as her orgasm finally hit her in waves.
He never stopped stroking and licking her through, riding each wave until she tugged on his hair. Silently letting him know it was almost too much, she was starting to get overstimulated.
He finally eased off, his fingers pulled out of her with a wet pop. Her legs went limp at his sides as she was still catching her breath.
Annie watched him with blown pupils, her mouth slightly agape. Elijah couldnt recall a time she was ever as subdued as she was being now. She moved placing her hands on both sides of his face, one of her thumbs caressed his lips, her eyes half-lidded, looking at them intently before she moved it to his cheek, gently moving her thumb back and forth. She had a look on her face he'd never seen before.
Open... The quietness she carried wasnt one thick with tension, but one that carried a delicate vulnerability she rarely showed. She almost looked like she didnt know what to do with herself in the aftermath of something like this. In the quiet.
Any previous fire from before was snuffed out. He shifted, laying his body next to her on the bed looking at eachother. Elijah's chest felt weird with the way she was looking at him. Warm from the inside out.
He didnt realize that the thought to get himself off didnt cross his mind. Just her pleasure. He wanted her to feel good, in the moment, it was all that mattered.
He saw her eyes droop slightly she was tired. It was more than just the fact that he wrung the pleasure out of her, but relaxed sleepiness that came with a release, sexually, emotionally.
He knew everything was laid out in the open, it was still an unfinished conversation. But looking at her heavy eyes, they could get to that later.
"C'mere go head an' rest some." He pulled her to his warm chest.
"I cant it's only the middle of the day, I got things I have to do..." she trailed off, her voice getting heavy with sleep.
"The kingdom wont fall if you take an afternoon Anne'" he mummured quietly. He felt her body melt into his, her breathing deepened, tickling the skin of his neck
She was already gone.
He tightened his hold on her before settling, her drowsiness contagious and the warmth of her being in his arms was all he needed to follow her. Closing his eyes, the afternoon breeze caressing the room, calming the heat that was once there.
Elijah couldnt recall a moment in his life where he felt this content in someone's presence.
But she wasnt just anyone, she was Annie.
His Annie...
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A/n: I dont even know... Just a whole lot going on, sorry for the wait🥴
Fuck- I hate being shy, lowkey wanted to blow up writing this and not even post anything.😭
Just fade into obscurity, all dramatic an' shit.
*Im so sorry Annie, I dont know why I had that man torture you like that😭*
Theres still alot of things left unsaid, conversations that need to be had so... Its only gonna get more convoluted from here, just lemme cook, I know where Im tryna land this plane🙃😤✈️
She remains unmarried. With a list of betrothals broken off due to her being a "difficult" woman to deal with by past suitors, her council, desperate to find her a husband hatch a plan to host a tournament for men across the land to fight for her hand in marriage. Two Mercenary twin brother's, down on their luck, see it as their moment to strike big. The biggest they've ever went to bat for.
Content: enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, violence, peer pressure, manipulation, misogyny, sexual tension, slow burn, political intrigue
Cw: explicit language, heavy sexual tension, sexual situations.
A/n: Its been a minute, so If it feels a little jumpy, sorry in advance. This chapter was giving me a hard time🥲
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For once, it wasnt blisteringly hot.
It was a nice tepid weather, a cool breeze acting as a balm against the risidual heat of the sun.
Annie, Pearline, and Mary were outside seated next to the estate fountains. It had been a while since all three if them had the chance to spend some recreational time together. Servants flitted about handing out refreshments to the ladies.
The women shared a companionable silence, listening to the calm rush of the water fountain, watching the butterflies and bees fluttering about, too busy collecting nectar from the lush flower beds surrounding the garden.
Pearline was first to break the calm, asking Mary and Annie how things have been as she had been gone for a little while to visit family with her husband.
"Well 'lil Ms. Mary here has been quiet busy since you been gone." Annie quipped cheekily. A sly smile spread across her face.
Mary almost choked on her drink, leading her into a coughing fit. Pearline leaned over to her, patting the woman's back to help clear her airways. A slight giggle shaking her shoulders as she did.
Mary whirled on the queen, cheeks a light pink from both her exertion and to what Annie was implying at the same time. "Anisa! You cant just be goin' on saying those things in front of mixed company." She breathed, looking around at the few servants that were around, flustered.
"Oh girl hush, aint no one mentioned anything inappropriate." Annie rolled her eyes dramatically, though her light smirk still lingered from her subtle teasing.
You done told on yourself with that reaction... She thought to herself.
Pearline watched the interaction, eyes heavy with intrigue. "Oh? Now girl you gotta tell me whats been goin' on, on your side of the pond." She leaned back, eyeing Mary with an expectant look.
"Pearl, it wasnt much that was goin' on, Annie just bein' dramatic." She waved her off, "but if you must know, me an' Stack have a 'lil thing goin' right now."
Pearlines eyes bugged in suprise. "The twin to Annie's husband?"
"Yep that's the one" she nodded in assent.
"Wow... I dont know Mary, seems like a lot happened while I was gone. Couldnt have been only a few weeks so far. Now how'd that go about?"
Mary breathed a reflective sigh... "Didnt take much, we just seem to really connect is all. Then all of a sudden, were a thing."
"You gon' marry 'im?"
"I dont know... In my mind, and in a perfect world I'd like to. I dont know how possible it would be you know? With my status an' all... Anisa's circumstances is a 'lil different than mine" Her mood shifting into a quiet melancholy.
"I wouldnt worry 'bout all that. You aint married and you know you have freedom behind these walls. If marriage aint in the cards for ya'll then I say enjoy the relationship you got while you have it." Annie soothed.
Pealine leaned over and wrapped her hand in Mary's with a reassuring squeeze," Trust me. Its better to have experienced a relationship and a love like that, than to not experience it at all.... besides, you dont know what the future holds."
"I know... -but enough about me, why dont you ask Annie how things have been going with her husband." Mary added mischievously, while also no longer interested in talking about whag was going on between her and Stack.
Pearline brightened, "Ooo- yes girl, I was gonna get to that. How've things been Annie? I know last time when I left things were a 'lil tense between you two."
Annie rolled her eyes, " Well it aint much, mostly been busy. Tryna adjust to the new dynamic an' all now that he's assuming a new position."
"Are yall cool then?" Both Pearline and Mary looked at her, anticipating their friends response.
"We cool..."
After a few moments of silence they realized that she wasnt going to add anymore information than that.
Mary huffed out a snort, "Really? Thats it? "We cool" is all you gotta say?"
"Yes, thats all I gotta say an' thats all you gon' get from me too." Annie replied in a playful manner, but an undeniable air of defensiveness that said dont push too much now.
Pearline grasped Annie's hand, "Thats good to hear. Way better than the way yall were squabbling last time I saw you two." A small smile formed across her face.
"-Dont get me wrong now, he still a fussy man to deal with but we gettin' used to eachother. He aint useless or nothin' like that." Annie added.
Pearline let out a light chuckle before it ended in a knowing hum. "Alright..."
Mary piped in again, "So you tellin' me you sleeping next to a man like that an' yall aint tried nothin'?" An air of suprise in her tone as she tried to wrap her head around the nature of the queen and her husband.
"Mary- Girl, you an' I had this conversation before, and my answer is still the same. Aint nothin happenin' 'tween me an' him. We husband an' wife on paper only." She let out a derisive snort at that.
Pearline piped in, " I aint gon' lie Annie, you my girl an' all but he aint a bad lookin' man... from what it sounds like from you is that he seems decent enough. You know lives like ours were lucky to end up with a partner that aint half bad to look at. Im over here stuck with some ancient dinosaur of a husband who cant do shit for me." Pearline sighed dramatically at the mention of her husband.
"Damn he still aint made you a widow yet? That bastard must be immortal or somethin'. Would've thought he'd croak during your family visit." Mary groused.
"Lord, I wish he would've", Pearline let out another long suffering sigh. "The way his wrinkled ass kept tryin' to get a 'lil piece of me like his dick work still or somethin'." She shuddered at the memory.
"Ugh- sorry Pearl." Annie tried to comfort her after involuntarily letting out a noise of disgust.
"Tell me about it, the minute I felt his shriveled up hand tryna touch my thigh, I was drier than desert sand. Mind you I wasn't wet to begin with, I damn near gave myself carpet burn." Pearline nose wrinkled in disgust at the memory.
Mary gave the woman a pat on her back, "Nuh-uh Pearl we cant have you goin' out like this. You aint get your itch scratched at them clubs you go to in town?"
The woman shook her head, "I really only go there to sing an' dance. Let loose for a while, remind myself that there's more to life than all this stuffy courtly business." She waved her hand around the area for emphasis.
"No girl. I cant let you go on in this life without finding you someone to properly scratch that itch for you. I wont allow it. Imma find you someone." Mary said resolute in her decision to find somebody for Pearline.
"Mary you cant be serious-"
"Serious as a heart attack Pearl. We gone find you a man... or woman, you know I dont judge."
Annie shook her head at her friends shenanigans.
Not too far off the women heard distant chatter. It was the very twins they were talking about, seemingly deep in conversation.
"Well speak of the devil..." Mary muttered, her cheeks turning a light pink.
"Looks like my headache is makin' his way towards me." Annie breathed.
Despite her words Pearline noticed an inexplicable fluttering of Annie's eyes as he saw her husband make his way near her.
Is Annie...? Hm...
"Whats goin' on ladies? See ya'll enjoyin' this nice weather we havin' out here." Stack greeted, arms wide and open. The older twin remained silent, nodding in acknowledgment to the other ladies, turning to Annie.
"Anisa" is all he said in greeting.
"Smoke" is all she responded with, nodding in a small curtsy towards her husband. For some reason she noticed his eye twitch st the name she used.
What the- now he gotta problem with Smoke? Like he wasnt arguin' me down the first week of our marriage about that? This man cant be serious...
Her lips pursed, eyebrows slightly furrowed as she burned a hole into his face. Her look saying what the hell is your problem?.
He slightly kissed his teeth at their silent exchange.
The rest of the group continued on, unaware of the silent argument the couple were having with their eyes.
"Hi Stack, we out here enjoyin' the weather an all. Its been a minute since we last had it calm enough to be outside without roasting."
"Aint that the truth- oh Im sorry Lady Mary, I dont think Ive probably been introduced to your other friend here?" Stack's eyes landed on Pearline.
Elijah cut his eyes to the side of the younger twins head. Stack could feel heat of his intense gaze, but didnt look at the other brother.
"Oh this here is my one of my closest friends Pearline." She chirped enthusiastically.
"Oh is that right? Well its lovely to meet you Ms. Pearline. Pleasure to meet your aquaintence." He lightly grasped her hand, planting a whisper of a kiss onto her lifted hand.
Annie watched the exchange with an increasing interest. She noted Mary's face slightly twitch. A twinge of barely contained irritation seeming to leak out of her, at the friendly exchange between Stack and Pearline.
Annie's mind thought of the loaded look Elijah had gave his brother. Her eyes squinted.
Oh... Theres something here, and he aint said nothing to me about it.
In all honesty Annie knew part of it was because they spent a good portion of their relationship arguing, but now that they were at a tentative truce at the moment she was curious to know what that was about. She'll bring it up to him later. For now she was in no mood to open up what would no doubt be a can of worms while the day has been so nice and relaxing so far.
"Welp-" Annie interrupted the current introductions, "dont let us keep yall, seems like yall were deep in conversation."
"Oh it aint know issue my Queen, me an' Smoke weren't talkin' bout anything all that important."
Annie stiffled a frustrated huff, that was ready to escape her nose, I know they weren't talkin' 'bout nothin that important. What I want is for him to move on from here since he clearly stirring up foreseeable trouble. Mary breathin' through her nose so hard, puffing like she an angry bull.
She eyed Stacks very comfortable actions he was displaying against the very married Pearline. She fixed her lips towards him, " careful now, Lady Pearline a married woman. Don't want to let people get the wrong idea's 'round here in court..." her eyes unwavering as she stared at the mischievous twin.
Stack let her hand go, "Oh sorry, that wasnt my intentions at all- dont want to cause problems 'round here." He lifted his hands in a surrender.
"Me an' Stack were just passin' by. Aint mean to cause nothin'." Elijah gritted out. He grabbed Stacks shoulder firmly physically moving the younger twin away from the women.
The ladies resumed their conversation, a little less animated than before, a quiet, unspoken tension had settled over them.
Annie didnt like it.
There were too many questions swirling her thoughts, fighting for dominance over which took residence over the others.
What kind of debt drove a man like Elijah to agree to this in the first place?
What exactly was the nature of Mary and the younger twins relationship? From all that Mary went on about, you'd think they would be infatuated with eachother. After seeing that interaction, its looking a little one sided if Annie was being honest.
-And what exactly was the younger twins deal? She didnt like how easy his presence titled the peaceful balance they had just minutes prior.
She wouldnt lie and say it didnt make her side eye her husband a little. Sure, they were... she actually wasnt sure where exactly they were at- but again he's done things for her she's never asked.
Even getting rid of her childhood friend because he made her upset. However if the company he brought with him were causing any issue's, then that would reflect on him as well. They're kin, known eachother their whole lives, and even with the things he had said to her despite the somewhat short time of knowing eachother, blood was still thicker than water.
She didnt acknowledged the small twinge in her heart at that thought.
Then there was matters of the council... Too many things have been happening, she hasnt had the chance to work on revamping her team with new advisors. Not even had the time to look around and evaluate other elders around here or neighboring kingdom's to build a new council instead.
Annie brought her manicured fingers towards her forhead, attempting to rub away the oncoming headache forming. Her brows creased.
"You good Anne?"
The Queen turned her head towards Pearline. Her friends eyes full on quiet concern.
"Y-yeah Pearl. Im fine. Just a 'lil tired is all, I didnt get much sleep."
"Oh is that right?" Pearlines brows lifted suggestively, a humorous smirk on her face.
"Girl- stop it-" she giggled, "you know I got alot on my plate" she playfully patted her arm, both their shoulders shaking from restrained laughter.
Annie noticed that Mary became a little disconnected from their little hangout, no longer joining the conversation that much.
Annie took a sip of her drink...
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"Now, just what was that?"
"What was what?"
"Dont act like you dont know what Im talkin' 'bout fool. Whatchu doin' stirrin' some shit up between Anisa's girls now?"
"Whatchu mean "stirrin' up trouble"? Im just greetin' a pretty lady."
"Stack... I know you may be deaf, but you sure as hell aint blind. You seen how Mary was lookin' when you did that."
"Sounds like that's her problem, I aint said shit to her about bein' official 'bout nothin'. 'Sides she sure as hell aint one to talk bein' jealous over shit like that. Dont matter what what I do Smoke, that girl addicted to me." Stack shook his head with a smile, borderline one of disbelief. "Give a girl a lil lip service 'tween the legs and they wont come up off ya' I swear."
Stack looked to his brother, "So how 'bout you huh? Give the queen any relief?... -heh, prolly not, she move stiff- she's wound up tighter than bow string."
Smoke completely skipped over what Stack was implying, refusing to grace that comment with an answer, "I dont give a fuck what you an' that 'lil hussy of yours got goin' on together, I just dont want none of that shit yall be doin' affecting Anisa, which affects me too. She already got a lot of shit goin' on with her Stack."
"Man, didnt I already tell you not worry 'bout nothin' you know little brother got this."
"Do you? Really? Cause I see another fuck up in the makin' looking nice an ready to blow up in our faces again."
The younger twins face tightened, his jovial attitued seemed to vanish in an instant.
Before he could say anything back, a woman, no doubt one of Stacks many flings in the manor had called him over.
Like a switch, his devil-may-care attitude came right on back, "Well, looks like I got some other things need attendin', see ya' later Smoke" he gave the older twin a hearty clap on his shoulder, before heading towards the unidentified woman.
"Ms. Lady, you lookin' mighty fine today- I see you wearing all that red. Now you know that's my favorite color right?"
Smoke continued on, walking the grounds. Things around here were so quiet, he had no other space than to just think.
Aside from Stack sowing seeds of chaos like he seemed incapable of *not doing, his mind drifted back to his wife again. Something he found himself doing more and more often these days.
He couldnt help the distaste and irritation that seemed to bubble up when Anisa referred to him as Smoke infront of company.
Shit dont even sound right comin' out her mouth anymore.
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Smoke found himself walking across the fields outside the estate again. Something he found himself beginning to do habitually as he would patrol the outskirts of the estate. Old habits die hard.
He came out here whenever things got too loud within the walls, and he needed to decompress a little.
There were no council meetings today so he had the chance to enjoy the the weather, the lukewarm sun and the wind of a distant ocean breeze made the long grass undulate against the shine of the sun like waves of green.
After a certain amount of distance, Elijah sat on a flattened patch of earth. He paused, listening to the distant chirps of songbirds in the distance, the buzzing chatter of distant cicadas, and the rustling of trees, their leaves gently rubbing against eachother.
He closed his eyes, inhaling the earth and air around him for a few moments, before he dug in his pocket, fishing out his pack of cigs.
He pulled one out and placed it against his lips before igniting a match-
"Smoke"
His hand froze in midair, the small flame shimmering in the wind.
"You know that aint my name woman" he gruffed, finally lighting his cigarette before taking a deep inhale.
"Oh really? Last I remember you was adamant that, that's what your name was to me. Or am I forgettin' somethin'?" Her rich tone dripping with sarcasm.
The fuck?
"Whats your problem? You was just pushin' all up on me last night, now you all irate an' shit the very next day."
"You must got some amnesia like you aint just kiss yo' teeth at me not too long ago. What was that between you and your brother?"
Elijah turned around to look at her, her deep purple gown billowing in the wind, its rich iridescent fabrics glinted a rich shimmery almost gold-like shimmer in the sun.
He was irritated plenty. How Stack was moving, stirring up trouble, Obidiahs annoying bald headed self, his wife following him out to his place of peace to disturb it, and above all, how fine she was looking to him right now. Made all that other shit that was annoying him dissappear.
"You want a answer?"
"Yes."
"C'mere", he motioned her over to where he was seated.
"This is close enough"
"No it aint"
She puffed out an exasperated breath, already over him and his demands. "Your impossible", but she still made her way next to him regardless.
"Just as much as you are baby", he reached for her hand as she got near and pulled her down next to him gently.
She seated herself next to him, a few inches of space between them. "Well?" She prompted, a curious brow raised.
"My brother..." he trailed off, trying to compose his thoughts on exactly what it is he wanted to say. "Stack seem to have a knack for stirrin' up trouble without meanin' to sometimes." Elijah kept his eyes forward, looking out towards the field, taking another deep inhale.
".... Is this gon' be a problem?" Annie's eyes were lazer focused on the side of his face. Hunting for any micro expression to say what his mouth might not.
He was quiet for a few seconds, but it felt like hours, waiting for the verdict.
"Elijah" she pushed a bit more.
"No. Imma handle it 'fore it even becomes one." He turned his face towards hers, his heavy eyes wanting to implore her that this wasnt something he wanted her to worry about.
"Okay..."
Elijah didnt like the way she dragged the last syllable, but he didnt blame her. She was perceptive. Already trying to calculate all the outcomes a budding dynamic between Mary and Stack could become a problem.
With that little stint he did with that other woman, Pearline, and the blurred lines of what exactly the relationship status between those two, he'd hope it wouldnt become and issue. Smoke wasnt worried about Stack, for all the nonsense he gets up to he somehow always manage to weasle his way out with limited to no repercussions.
Hell I dont even know how he does it.
It was Mary that he was worried about.
He hasnt interacted with her much, if at all, but as troublesome as Stack is, he was always strategic with it. But this girl was a wild card...
He wasnt sure how aware Anisa was of her friend and her little "rendezvous" that shes had with her past suitors, but he didnt want to broach the subject... at least not yet.
They had a tentative understanding of sorts, but they still havent known eachother that long, and Marys been her friend since she was a child. He knew Anisa probably still trusted him as far as she could throw him and adding on to the new found suspicion that she is developing for his twin, bringing something like that up anytime soon would just end in disaster.
He decided to change the subject, "That council of yours... you ever thought 'bout changing them out?"
Anisa was quiet for awhile, in the corner of her eyeline she caught the glimpse of blue butterfly wings. She zeroed in on it as it perched on one of the purple wild flowers in the long grass, watching as it was extracting nectar, its wings batting furiously to keep its balance on its petals long enough to get its fill.
After a while she let out a long exhale before she finally spoke...
"Why you ask?"
"I know you aint too fond of 'em, cant say I blame you either. If Im bein' honest, I dont think they got your best interest at heart."
"And you do?"
"Yes..."
"How so?"
"Oh- uh, well..." He went quiet, at a loss for words, "You my wife aintchya?" His hands waved around to the open field, gesturing at nothing.
"An' whats that s'possed to mean?" She was looking at him now, her head titled to the side while her hand cradeled her face, a speculative brow raised.
"Well its what Im s'possed to do as your husband. I thought we went over this already." He was beginning to get a little flustered. He never questioned why he did what he did. He just did what felt right, and what felt right to him was to make sure she was good.
"Looks like you startin' to take this husband business seriously..." she trailed off, a teasing smirk graced her lips while she looked at him with mischievous eyes. " Who woulda thought, you aint even like me callin' you by a name you were so adamant at having me call you huh? I seen that attitude you gave me when I called you Smoke in front of my ladies."
"Well- I told you, that my name is only for you-" He cut himself off taking another deep inhale of his cigarrette. It must of been too deep 'cause it landed him right into a coughing fit.
Annie's shoulders started to shake, a quiet but warm giggle bubbled out from her at Elijah's floundering. She lifted her hand to pat it repeatedly against his wide back, to help him clear out his airways.
A deep frown formed on his lips, "whats so funny?"
"You, you a mess."
"No I aint."
"Yes you are."
"I aint" he groused, but there was no real heat behind his words.
At some point her pats became a soothing circles against the middle of his back. He was always keenly aware of her touch, it felt like a searing brand against his skin despite the layers of clothing between them. Its been a little over a month and they rarely ever did.
Almost like she could read where his thoughts were going she removed her hand. The loss of her heat emphasized by the cool breeze.
It brought a shiver to his spine.
"To answer your question, yes I have thought about it. Plenty of times- getting rid of 'em. Replacin' them with some actual competence. -Its just-" she paused, "Ive been so busy, I havent had the time to go an' make preparations for it. I mean it would be complete turn around. A change as big as that cant be made so rash."
"Mmm..." he hummed, "I can help if you want."
"No. I wouldnt ask you to do that."
"Good thing you didnt, I offered-"
"Smoke-"
"What I tell you 'bout callin' me that."
"I aint gotta listen to a thing you tell me to say, just like you aint listenin' to me when I tell you to leave somethin' well enough alone."
"I dont have to leave shit alone, you say you been too busy to deal with it, then the fuck am I doin' sittin' around here for? I might as well make myself useful."
"But I just said-"
"I already heard what the fuck you just said an' it sound like nonsense."
The intensity of the glare Annie was throwing his way, would've incinerated any man on the spot, but Elijah was anything but an ordinary man.
"I dont know what kind of men you used to dealin' with, prolly the type that let 'chu run all over them, tuck tail when things get a lil hard, but I aint one of them ones."
"...."
Elijah half expected her to leave, something she seem to develope a fondness for when it came to him. But instead, she stayed.
She stubbornly faced away from him, he could tell she was very unhappy, but the fact that she stayed felt like progress in a way.
"Anisa..."
No response.
"Annie"
She turned slightly, she was looking at him from the corner of her eyebrows. She was listening.
"I dont mean to be rough with you. I wanna help... Like I said before, we in this together... This is just as much for me as it is for you. 'Cause you already know I dont like none of them muthafuckas- If it were up to me..."
Annie let out a wry chuckle, "what? You'd get rid of 'em?"
"Shit, If I have to. Either way they'd be no more, dead or alive- only if you were okay with it though"
"Ha- well atleast you considerin' how I'd feel about it."
" 'Course, I remember what you told me last night."
Annie felt heat bloom across her cheeks as memories of their conversation last night. How she blatantly teased and rubbed up against him, something would've never thought in a thousand years she would do to a man that constantly makes her want to choke him... And do other things too
She would never say it out loud, but he sets a fire in her, a heat she never felt before with another man. It drove her insane, she didnt know whether she wanted to kill him or kiss at times.
Sometimes both.
"Good to know you can listen when your ready" she rolled her eyes.
"So whats it gon' be?"
".... okay. You can help me."
"Dont worry, Its all on your time I aint gon' overstep. This here still your domain, I just wanna be useful." He reassured.
"Useful?" She fully turned towards him, here expressive doe eyes wide and open.
"Mhm"
"Huh..." Is all she said before she got up ready to leave. A reflective look across her face.
"You leavin' me already?"
"Oh boy hush, Im right next door I couldnt escape you if I tried."
"You got that right."
This man-
And with that she left him to his own devices.
She didnt know what it was, why she never hung around him for too long. The air always felt suffocating, thick with things said and unsaid. Taut like a bow string ready to snap at any point.
Aint one of them ones he say?
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Elijah didnt know what happened, but another shift between him and his wife happened.
He didnt know what to do with himself with this new change. Somehow it was worse... for his psyche at least.
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It started small.
They had wrapped up on another council meeting where they essentially talked in circles for an hour. Everyone was getting up to leave before the Queen had stopped Elijah from leaving, grasping one of the sleeves of his robes.
Everyone exiting the room momentarily paused, they had been curious about the status of the newlyweds. They weren't sure if much progress had been made between those two so to see the queen initiate contact with the king was something of note.
Anisa got up from her chair, Elijah assisting her ascent, then she leaned on to him, placing her face right into the crook of his neck. Her other hand planted over his chest, directly over his heart.
He stiffened, not expecting her to do something like that. Be so forward im initiating any type physical contact between the two infront of an audience. Something she rarely did even when it was just the two of them.
She whispered in a low hush, quiet enough for only him to be able to hear her, the ghost of her breath caressed his ear. He supressed an oncoming shiver crawling up his spine. "Im almost ready, I'll let you know when the times right."
He could've sworn she lightly blew in his ear as she said it.
What did she even mea- oh? She must mean replacing the council...
There was almost a double meaning to what she said but he kept it to himself for once.
Just as he was about to make a move to touch her, she stepped away and walked out the door with the rest of the council. She moved so quickly it was like she flowed between his fingertips like he was trying to grasp at smoke. The irony wasnt lost on him.
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He'd be lazing about on the balcony just before it was time for bed, occasionally joined by her.
It was becoming a sort of ritual by this point, he would take his little smoke break to decompress from the days activities, and it seemed Anisa used that period to decompress as well.
Though Elijah knew of better ways to decompress than staring at trees and bickering all the damn time.
As predicted, Anisa came out to sit in the chair not too far from his own, this time with a few knitting supplies. There was no greeting, because there was no need to, a small exchange of glances was all the acknowledgment needed in their shared space. All that could be heard was the quiet rustle of shifting threads as Annie went about knitting them together. Into what exactly? Smoke didnt know, but he'd eventually find out as she progressed.
He watched her hands dexterously move in quick, fine tuned movements, quietly, intrigued.
"What you knittin'?"
"Huh? Oh- this? Im making a light sweater for Ruth."
"Ah... She a 'lil ball of nerves aint she."
Annie let out an amused breath, "Yeah she is. Always shiverin' an' shakin' good lord- poor thing. She been here for over half a year now. You'd think she'd be used to it by now, but no."
"She still young, maybe this typa life just aint for her. Shit- I get it. Dont know if Ill ever get used to all this. Dont know how you do it"
"You only been here a few weeks Elijah..."
"I know... Im just sayin' I get it."
Annie hummed, "I figured I'd go ahead and make a 'lil sweater for her. She such a small thing, all that shiverin' she be doing. I know its part nerves but I wouldnt be suprised if she cold. She needs some iron in her diet."
Smoke saw a small crease of worry at her brow for the young girl. "What about you? I know you been here all your life, an' you know what your doin' thats for damn sure but- If you had a choice... would you still be here?"
"I...-In some ways I think I'd be doin' the same thing Im doin' now, just on a smaller scale. I sure as hell wouldnt be runnin' no kingdom thats for certain... Maybe a shop? Some place where I could help people. The community one on one."
Elijah nodded quietly, a thoughful hum leaving his lips.
"- I will say... even with all the extra hoops an' regulations that come with bein' queen... Its fulfillin' in a similar way. Only difference is scale is all." The clicks of her knitting needles slowed to a stop. She looked off into the distance. Like she was quietly deliberating over the next words that were she would say.
"I know we talked on it briefly but... I seen how capable you are, no doubt your twin as well, so I wanna know... just what kinda debt was it that had ya'll going through with all this?"
Annie had never seen Elijah shift so uncomfortably. His hands started that same tremoring it was doing on their wedding day. "I- Im not gonna lie to you Anne. I dont know if Im ready to speak on the why. Just know aint nothin' gon' come of it."
She left it alone. Inexplicably she felt he would eventually tell her when he was ready. But that did leave a question:
"You dont have to tell me how much you owe. I just wanna know if its steep enough that the crowns funds would would be deeply affected."
"No. Not at all- I aint touchin' none of that money to pay somethin' like that off ya hear me?"
"Then how you gon' pay it off? With your own money? If thats the case you wouldnt be here right now." She reasoned.
"I been toyin' with some Idea's..."
That made her perk up, "Like what?"
"Me an' Stack always thought about startin' up a 'lil Juke Joint. A place for people to come an' forget their worries. Music. Dance. Drinks an' all the like. As long as the crowns name is attached to it, revenue'll come pourin' in. It would be a good way to check the temperature of the kingdoms subjects, interact with them, keep up morale and build deeper relationships if used wisely. I'll use those funds to pay off our debt in no time."
"Huh."
"What?"
"Its not a bad idea, I just wouldnt have thought you'd wanna do somethin' like that."
"You wouldnt be wrong. Its more of somethin' Stack would want to do. I do like a slower pace."
That had Annie's mind moving. Since knowing her husband, she hasnt seen him explicitly express anything that would be of interest for him and himself only. Not counting his overt interest in her, just the thought had her flustered all over again. It pissed her off -nows not the time to be thinking of those things Annie- think...
Then a moment came to her. A very small one but one that felt significant to her. The first council meeting, the mention of a recreational center of sorts for troubled youth had caught 'Lijah's attention like a fly stuck in a spiders web. I thought took root. A thought that she would never in a millions years she would think to share or do in any capacity, but with how adamant he has been in wanting to share some responsibilities-
I think the man just loves work,
She was hesitant but willing to take a risk.
Only one way to prove if he was a man that could handle this kind of pressure, of course she knew he could handle pressure, but this required a different kind of pressure, diplomacy and patience, however it goes will determine if she'll really welcome his help in searching for new members.
"Elijah?"
"Mhm."
"How you feel about overseein' the creation of that recreational center for troubled youth we've been talkin' about in these meetings on an' off for over the month. I doubt those incompetent people that I call a council will truly go through with it... Is this somethin' you can handle?" She watched his face carefully.
He was quiet for a beat. Fully taking in not only what she asked, but the inquiry buried underneath it. You wanna share some of the burden? Let me see if this is something you can handle. Not only was he up to the task, it was something he'd been quietly wanting to get involved with in the background. He was planning to ask her about it the day that sorry ass "man" called Brandon got him sidetracked.
"Yes... I would like to be involved in that. Dont worry 'bout adding on to my plate. Im built sturdy, I can handle the pressure an' then some."
Annie couldnt help but let her eyes wander over his relaxed posture when he said that. He aint lyin' 'bout that. She felt just how sturdy that man was when she pushed up on him. She currently took a particular interest in the way his lips wrapped around that cigarrette he seem to always have in his mouth. A thought. A particularly dangerous thought, that through sheer determination she refused to let cross her mind, widdled its way to the surface.
What would it be like to really feel those lips against her own? Not like the chaste kiss they shared a month ago on their wedding day, but one that lingers long enough to for her to taste him upon her lips.
Elijah was not a subtle man at all when he was ready. Very much the opposite. He had no issues in voicing his attraction to her, as audacious and rocky his approach was it lit her up. Simultaneously turning her off by his uncouth behavior, having never dealt with a man so forward, and undeniably turned on. He caused a whirlwind in both her mind and body.
The way his featherlight touch caressed and toyed with her earring led her treacherous mind into wondering what it would be like if he touched other parts of herself with the same level of attention.
She felt a light, fluttering of a pulse between her legs at the thought. She covertly crossed her legs to one side, distractedly clearing her throat.
"-ehm, that's good to know. In the next meeting we'll make sure Cyrus gives you the blue prints, you can make it your own. Lord knows he aint doin' shit with 'em 'cept talkin' out his ass." She let out a nervous chuckle
He eyed her with a curious glance, "Thanks Annie. 'Preciate it." He responded gruffly, but with an underlying tenderness and appreciation for her letting him get involved.
He knew how difficult it probly was for her to relinquish some control. Especially on the backs of people constantly letting her down as it seems lately. Given how big of a move this is for her...
He refuses to disappoint her.
Due to the cooler weather from this afternoon, the night air was brisk, making Annie and Elijah wear thicker night clothing. In Annie's case she wore a thicker loose robe over her usual night gowns, so it wasnt the usual feast for the eyes that he'd get almost every night, and his eyes were always greedy when it came to her. It didnt matter though, that woman could wear a trash bag and still look as radiant as the sun. It looked like she just absorbed the moonlight with how luminous her skin looked. No doubt doused in expensive body oils and butters.
She shifted, resuming back to her knitting, leaned to one side of the chairs. Almost unconsciously leaning into the space closest to where he was currently seated. The movement made the neckline of the robe open slightly, a sliver of cleavage almost peaking out. The fine tuned movements from her knitting making her chest slightly jigg-
Lord- this woman got me thinking like some green teenager. If Id known better I wouldve thought she was doin' this on purpose-
Smoke thought about how she teased him a few days ago on this very balcony. How close she got to the point where her lips almost brushed his as she whispered her displeasure at him "taking care" of Brandon with out her knowledge.
Nah- she know the affect she have on me. Im startin' to think her ass is doin' this on purpose...
She can play the hot an cold game all she wants. One of these days he gon' call her bluff. Again, and again, and again, 'til she gives in eventually to him.
Smoke is a patient man. Observant too. He knows when to release, be hands off, give space whenever needed and when to apply pressure. With the kind of woman Anisa was, he'd probably have his work cut out for him. Shoot- the kind of man he was? She aint even know whats coming her way.
'Cause once theres something Smoke wants? He stops at nothing to get it, and fortunately or unfortunately he was dead set on Annie.
Their conversation fizzled into a comfortable silence. Despite the whirlwind that was going through both of their minds. His cig long forgotten, as the cherry end of it fizzled out with a thin trail of smoke in its wake.
Elijah let out a long, low yawn. The day decided to catch up to him. He stretched out his arms in emphasis, "Im goin' to sleep."
"Alright. Go on an' get yourself a good night's sleep." She didnt look up from her knitting.
"You aint goin' to bed?"
"No... got some things on my mind."
"Hm.." Im sure you do.
As he got up to take his leave he could feel her eyes on him like the fleeting brush of fingers up the back of his neck. He shook his head once he closed his balcony door behind him.
This woman's somethin' else
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When time came for another meeting Cyrus only was happy to give away the blue prints for a center. Annie had an inkling he had no intentions of actually doing anything with it. Elijah had no outward reaction, but she could see a restless energy in his posture. He almost looks excited...
Once the meeting adjourned and everyone was leaving, Annie paused at the doorway as she was almost the last one to leave the room. Elijah hadnt moved from his seat. He was looking over the build plans with intense focus.
"'Lijah?"
"Mm?"
"You comin'?"
"Uh- yeah, give me a minute. I'll make sure to lock up 'fore I leave. Just wanna take a 'lil look at some of these plans..."
"Okay. Dont take too long."
"Why? You'll miss me?"
Annie rolled her eyes so hard, she could sworn she saw the back of her brain, "No fool just dont leave the room unlocked too long, we got invaluable info and plans in this here room you know?" Even still there was a telltale warmth she felt across her cheeks at the implication.
"How that gon' happen when Im in here?"
"I- well. It dont matter- just make sure to lock up or somethin'." She said in a rush.
"Alright Mrs. Annie. I'll do what you say."
The husky way he said those words, in that low rasp of his-
Annie- get yourself together girl. Gettin' worked up over some damn words, like Im not a grown ass woman.
She left the room, leaving him to his own devices, as he definitely seems very serious about the new venture... She was curious. What exactly was it about this particular project had him so drawn to it? From what she saw of him, she knew for a fact that he had a soft spot for children like her.
But there has to be something more to it...he'll tell me when hes ready, or not at all.
Either way she had to admit she could already feel a bit of alleviation from him taking charge of those plans already. Like she had just a bit more extra room to breathe.
Guess I'll use my free time to check in on 'lil Mary. Last time I seen her, she looked 'bout ready to explode with that trouble maker of hers.
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It took a minute for the Queen to find her. She had to ask one of the staff where to find her.
Mary was standing by on of the open. Corridors in one of the furthest corners of the compound. A location that didnt have as much traffic of people walking through there. Whatever the reason (Annie had an obvious idea of why) she chose this area to be left alone. Too bad for her, Annie was gonna disrupt all that moping.
She was looking out towards the tree line.
"How you doin' lil Mary?"
Mary didnt turn around to aknowledge her presence.
"Still upset with Stack?"
Mary let out a derisive snort, "Hmf! You could say somethin' like that."
"This 'bout that stint he pulled on Pearl?"
"You could say something like that." She groused.
"Well what is it then?" Annie found herself getting irritated with that crytpic shit she was doing.
Mary let out an annoyed huff, turning around to face her friend. "I think... Im sure Stacks been cheatin' on me."
"C'mon Mary, just from that lil interaction between Pearline an 'Stack you think hes cheating all a sudden?"
"Iono, didnt see Pearline pull back fast enough when he was slobbin' all over her hand. You seen it."
"Girl- are you even hearin' yourself right now? She was just tryin' to be polite. If you feel that way you need to take that up with twin, not with Pearl."
Mary deflated a little bit. I know your right. He's been damn near MIA since that day. I only see snippets of him throughout the day. He aint never in one place long enough for us to address anything."
Annie placed a hand on her shoulder, "Iono what to tell you girl, but you gon' have to figure it out."
Mary brought her hands to her eyes, but no tears came. When she pulled them back her eyes remained dry, but an undeniable tiredness was visible. Annie could now see the vague bags under them. She no doubt was losing sleep over this.
No longer interested in where the conversation was headed, Mary quickly changed the subject. "Enough about me an' my situation, how you an' Smoke been?"
For once, Annie didnt feel so defensive about the status of where their relationship is at. As clunky as its been at times, it seems that they're starting to find even footing with eachother, however clumsy this little dance if theirs has been.
And it looked like Mary could use a little distraction, so she divulged a little.
"If im bein' honest girl. Its been fine. He still aint gotta a lick of manners in his bones, but hes proven himself to be a man of his words so far. Already better than most of those bums that were courtin' me in the past."
"Mm I can imagine."
"Yeah, I have half the mind to believe his ass just love work. He's helped around in my garden when I let 'im, so he can stop pesterin' me. But I wont lie an' say its not appreciated."
"Wow. Shoot, I almost wish we switched twins. You want to? 'Cause mines stressin' me the hell out." She chuckled.
It gave Annie's pause.
She knew it was a light joke but... She didn't find it all that funny. She still remembered how Mary was at the tournament, gushing over Elijah. Annie had half the mind to think that Mary went after Stack, cause they almost look the same. Not to Annie though. She could tell wether which twin was 'Lijah with her back turned. As soon as the thought came she waved it away, doubtful.
She hummed in response. "Nah, Im good. Ill stick to his annoyin' ass. Its what Im familiar with", she shrugged with a small huff of laughter. "I hope you an' Stack figure it out. If you need anything, just know you have a listening ear in me." She rubbed her friends back one final time, before leaving her to her own world.
"Bye... Annie"
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Annie made it to her room before she realized. She didnt hear any noise coming from the room next door. Elijahs room.
Curious, she went and knocked on his door.
No answer.
Aint no way- Is he still in the meeting room?
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There he was. In the same spot she left him, looking no less ready to leave than when she previously saw him. It had been well over an hour. Hell, probly even two and he hadnt moved. This time he had a pencil hanging halfway off his ear, looking just about ready to drop onto his work.
Clearly he had been reworking the plans, his scribbled handwriting all over the papers. She slowly walked over to him, leaning over his shoulder to look at some of his plans.
"This look nothin' like you gettin' ready to leave now does it?"
He paused. Always distracted by her presence. Even worse with her proximity with her looming over his shoulder. Her breasts were damn near pressed across the wide expanse of his back. Her floral perfume invaded his senses, while she stood bent over his shoulder.
"I was just gettin' ready to head on out."
"Aint look like it."
"Dont gotta look like it to be any less true."
"Hm..." She hummed while absent mindedly grabbing at the pencil that looked 'bout ready to drop out the crook of his ear. Her nails lightly grazing the shell of his ear while she lifted the pencil back in place a little further back to prevent it from falling off.
His whole body tensed at the contact. He let out a long, quiet exhale attempting to relax his shoulders that were looking very close to giving his ears a high five with how much he was attempting to not shrug them up. His ears were always a particularly sensitive area for him.
She 'bout to be the death of me. I swear...
He got up suddenly, effectively making her back up off him, to give more room. When he looked at her, her doe eyes looked at him seemingly clueless as to what she was doing to him.
"You think you so slick huh?"
"The hell I need to be slick about? Only thing you need to be slick with is slidin' your ass up outta this here room so we can lock it up. C'mon."
He watched the sway of her hips as she walked in front of him, leading him out the door.
"Mhm..." is all he hummed in response.
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A tension that lingered in the background between them, remained on the brink of... something. Like blowing into a balloon thats one more breath away from popping.
This hot and cold shit the Queen was doing was starting to drive Elijah up the wall.
Next time she try some shit, like I dont know what she doin', Imma call her out on her bluff. Cant have her out here thinkin' she could do anything with me like I aint gon' do shit about it.
"She stay testin' me..." His lone raspy voice echoed across the empty room he was currently occupying.
He rubbed his eyes. Quietly groaning to himself at the thought. The diffused low light of the library he found himself in made his eyes lower with a heaviness thay was bordering on the side of sleepiness. It was late night and he had been using it as a place to flesh out his plans for the recreational center. He even looked into some architectural books for some inspiration. Maybe it could become something made sustainably.
His earlier musings came back with a vengeance. He got irritated all over again. Just walking around pent up.
"An here her ass come along to come an tease me" he kissed his teeth. "I aint never dealt with no shit like this." He groused to himself.
A knock on the door interrupted his disgruntled thoughts. He got up and lumbered his way over, fatigue starting to drag his body.
And there at the door was the object of his distress.
"Whatchu doin' in here so late?" She accused, her eyes squinting in suspicion.
"Woman- dont tell me you walked all the way cross the estate to come find me to nag at me." He bit.
She instantly picked up on his sharper tone that he took with her. Something he hadnt done in a minute as they've almost fully settled into their roles.
"The hell is your problem? An' if I did? That aint no ones problem but mine- let me through." She pushed right on past him, further into the library and directly to the table with all his books and blue prints scattered all over. The dim lights of the room illuminated the baby blue silk night robe she had wrapped around her body, making it almost appear gold in this light.
Each thought entering his mind at that very moment was more sinful then the next of things he wanted to do to her, do with her. Instead of going to her, he went to the aisle's on the other side of the room stacked with books from the floor to the ceiling. He needed some distance.
"Im doin' some research." He finally answered.
"Is that right?"
"Thats right... Now whatchu doin' in here aside from lookin' for me."
"I wasnt lookin' for you... I came to look for a book."
"A book." He deadpanned
"Yes. Is that a problem for you?"
"No... go on' head." He said distractedly leafing through the different hard backs, looking for a book that didnt exist. Anything to distract himself from her proximity to him in the room.
He heard her rustling about through the room, ever drawing nearer. He decided to pick a random book, lean on the opposite shelves that his back was facing. Flipping through pages blindly. Not reading a thing.
She drew nearer, looking through the different titles on the spines of the books, apparently struggling to find what she was looking for. "Whatchu lookin' for?"
"Wouldnt you like to know." She quipped sharply, not looking away from the shelves he himself was just looking through.
He tensed, but didnt move. His body pulled tight, like a fully drawn bow string. She paused right in front of him, her body still facing the opposite, her back to his front. The aisles between the book shelves were narrow. With her just in front of him, her backside almost grazed his front.
Time stood still for him, his eyes narrowed. Every move she made slowed. His book already forgotten. After seemingly not finding what she wanted in the upper shelves, she slightly bent over to look at the lower ones. Her ass lightly pressed up against him, before she quickly shifted away.
He grabbed a hold of her hips, before she got too far. She stilled.
Elijah didnt know if he was going a little crazy 'cause for a split second he felt like he could feel her lean into it, pressing her hips to his-
She whipped around, moving so quick that he felt the residual wind she caused from it.
"What the fuck you think you doin'?" She hissed, positively affronted.
Elijahs face remained unchanged, face as calm as ever, "Nah baby, what the fuck you think your doin'?", he set the book he wasnt reading down on one of the shelves, his eyes never leaving her's.
"Last I checked passing by didnt require all that you just did." She quipped bluntly.
"It does when you steady throwin' ass at me. You think I aint gon' do nothin' about it? C'mon Annie, you know the kinda man I am"
"Throwin' ass? Boy I aint throwin' you a damn thing."
"Woman, you throwin' a whole lot at me, now you mad when Im tryna catch somethin'?"
"The hell you talkin' bout me like Im a ball or somethin? What's wrong with you?"
"You is whats wrong with me."
"Me?"
"Dont act like you confused, you been known what Ive been on witchu, I aint never hid."
"Huh...and what have you been on with you?"
"You wanna know what I been on?"
"Mhm".
She let out a small gasp as he spun her back around, facing the opposite shelves away from him. He leaned over her shoulder, his arms wrapped around the soft skin of her waist, his mouth by her neck, without touching it. He was so close, he could see the goosebumps raise to the surface of her skin in real time. He let out a slow exhale, calming himself, before he spoke again.
"You think I wouldnt notice whatchu doin?" He quietly rasped. He could feel the slightest of a tremble emanate from her body against his.
"I-I aint done shit. Watchu on about? You actin' crazy." But there was no real bite behind her words. She was winded, her voice breathless.
"No crazier than how you been actin'."
"..."
"Walkin' around in that 'lil scrap you call a night gown havin' all them curves out for me on display."
"Maybe they just comfortable to wear." She said back, so quiet, it was almost a whisper.
"Woman, you an' I both know it gets chilly at night. Aint no way to all that comfortable with them titties all out an' about. Not like Im complaining." He felt her shift in his hold. Her body restless.
"Out here blowin' in my ears whisperin' an' shit, like you aint know whatchu do to me." He felt more than heard her take a quiet inhale of breath, her rib cage gently expanding, before contracting.
"Then you stay toyin with me like I aint gone do shit huh?..."
She didnt respond.
"I keep tellin' you the kinda man I am Annie, why you stay testin' me?" She turned her head to the side, her wide, brown- doe eyes looking directly into his. Her face unreadable, except the barest hint of a twinkle in her eye. He gently grabbed her chin, lifting her face just a little closer to his. So close that when he spoke, his lips almost brushed her own, slightly parted ones.
"And now, you find yourself on the opposite side of the building from where your bedroom at. Where you s'possed to be at sleepin'- but instead you out here tryna fuss at me about some other shit we know damn well you dont care about. You know Im out here workin' on that project you gave me."
"Out here fake lookin' for books." He gruffed.
"I wasnt- there's somethin' I am lookin' for..." her voice was starting to sound dangerously close to a whine.
"Hmm..." he was unconvinced, he pulled back and spun her forward, having her facing him. He eyed her down, kissing his teeth as he did, when he grabbed her up a few moments ago, it skewed her robe, she almost had her whole chest out.
She made a move to adjust herself, but Elijah grabbed her hand before she could. He brought his hand up to her skewed neckline, lightly grazing the fabric, just barely touching the half exposed skin of her breast.
He let out a sound that was teetering on a groan, "woman... the things I'd do to you if you let me...", he went to shift the neckline of her robe closer together to help her completely cover up her chest.
She stopped him. Her hand wrapped around his wrist. When he looked in her eyes, all that brown from earlier was swallowed by the dark of her pupils. She opened her mouth, then closed it. Her eyes never left his.
Then she opened her mouth again. This time words escaped as a hushed whisper,
"What would you do to me?... If I'd let you... What would you have done to me?" Her eyes grew heavy.
He cocked his head to the side. "If youd let me?..." I'd gone down on you, where I know you want me, where your bodies begging for me, weeping for me. I would've ate you 'till you cried, all while you still fussin' at me." He saw her fidget, her legs shifting and crossing where they stood.
"I wanna do things to you that aint at all befittin' of a queen. I wanna hear you screamin' my name across these halls to the point where everybody know just how good Im takin' care of you. I wanna stress you out and be the reason you get stress relief ya hear me?"
Her eyes started to flutter a bit, she was completely silent, her eyes zeroed in on his lips.
"I want you to let me take care of you..." he firmed the hold on ber chin, gently pulling her a little closer, close enough to kiss. "...but only if you let me..." He rasped against her lips.
He pulled away suddenly. In that same instance Annie felt like she could breathe again, think more clearly.
"You have yourself a good night Annie. Imma head to bed."
Wha-?
"What."
"Whatchu mean "what?" I said Im goin' to bed."
Annie started to sputter, "I- wait a minute. You-" The sudden shift felt like whiplash to her, knocked her off balance. Then she felt herself get more irritated than she was when she first entered the room.
She let out a sharp exhale, straightening herself before she shifted her posture. Her back ramrod straight gathering herself together. Looking as if the past few minutes never happened, aside from that mean glare she was casting Smoke's way.
"Whats that look on your face for?"
"-You think you can just do somethin' like that an-"
"-an' what? Hm?" He challenged. "Walk away?"
She stubbornly remained quiet for a beat, before she opened her mouth again "Go 'head then, 'cause if you think Im 'bout to let you do somethin' like that to me again you got another thing coming." She spat before she promptly left the bookshelf aisle, and back to the study area where Elijah's blue prints and plans for the recreational center remained scattered all over.
He took his time, slowly following her out the same way. "Its gon' happen again an' again Anisa, 'cause you gon' let it happen again an' again, and Im gon' keep doin' it again an' again. 'Til I hear it straight from your mouth how much you want me too."
Annie let out a laugh, shaking her head in disbelief, "You really are crazy"
"Only as crazy as you let me."
"Good night Smoke." She said sternly, leaving the room in a rush, leaving him the only one in the room again.
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Elijah paused for a little while, letting out a long exhale before he went about gathering his things. He almost regretted not not pressing further, taking them both out of this misery. No matter how she refused to fully give voice to her attraction to him, he knew she felt what was between them just as much as he did, but he wouldnt press any further until he heard her desires straight from her lips.
Stack wouldve clowned his ass for it and he'd probably be right to. He knew if he pressed any further she wouldve let him.
Now he's here, pent up as hell in a space between agitated and satisfied in seeing a glimpse how much she actually wanted him. She could probly feel him through all them clothes, just how much she was affecting him. He didnt give a damn either.
Actin' like she aint know what the fuck she was doin'
He's lucky she didnt directly ask him to do those things he said he wanted to to her, cause in his heart of hearts he knew he wouldnt tell her no. With those sultry eyes of her's and her luscious, plump lips. He wouldn't deny her a thing.
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Cant believe some of things I wrote, Im a lil nervous.🥲😭
A/n: theyre kind of at a transitional period in the progression of their relationship so if things seem a little chaotic going back an forth from being cool then quarreling, thats why😭 (doesnt help that theyre pent up asf)
With a list of betrothals broken off due to her being a "difficult" woman to deal with by past suitors, her council, desperate to find her a husband hatch a plan to host a tournament for men across the land to fight for her hand in marriage. Two Mercenary twin brother's, down on their luck, see it as their moment to strike big. The biggest they've ever went to bat for.
Content: enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, violence, peer pressure, manipulation, misogyny, sexual tension, slow burn, political intrigue
Cw: sexual tension, peer pressure, minor depictions of violence, peer pressure, Smoke is a lil unhinged...
Sorry for any mistakes was in a rush to get this out. I lowkey like this one tho...might add some edits even though its posted.
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Their Honeymoon was over.
Maevis burst through Annie's doors. Jolting the Queen out of her sleep.
"Wake up Queen Anisa, Honeymoon's over time to attend your duties." The older woman quipped primly.
"Well first of all- how 'bout a hi, hello, goodmorning to you?" Annie bit back.
The hells her problem?
"My apologies... good morning Queen Anisa. I hope you had a fruitful honeymoon?" She asked, one of her thin, sculpted eyebrows quirked expectantly.
Annie didnt like what her tone seemed to be implying. "Uhm, yes. I'd say it was productive." She said evenly.
"That's good, safe to assume we may have incoming heirs in the future?"
"What? -no, I dont recall having any conversations about children. I just met the man almost 2 weeks ago." Annie was taken off gaurd by the switch in subject. Yeah, she knew that children would be expected eventually, but so soon?
"Well dont wait too long, don't want you to reach an age where baring children is no longer viable for you. Come on-the councils waiting on you and the new King to take on your duties." Maevis said curtly.
The he she talking to me like I aint been runnin' this kingdom by myself for years? He come along and now she movin' like I aint on nothin' ? She aint gon' push me to the side like Im some glorified broodmare.
"Go retrieve my ladies. Let them know Im ready to get dressed..." just as the council woman was about to leave the queen addressed her one more time. "And Maevis?... You ever talk to me like that again? Im terminating your status in the spot- ya hear me?..." Annie said curtly, promptly dismissing ber already done with the day and just started.
The older woman paused, her face remained in that permanent scowl she carried everywhere she went but her previous bravado piped down some. " Yes your majesty, apologies for my outburst. Things have been a little stressful while you were away..." she placated.
Annie's eyes squinted, "mmm... I bet it was. Your dismissed.", promptly waving the older woman away so she could get ready for the upcoming council meeting.
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When she reached the council chambers she saw all the elders seated.
Elijah was already there before her, on the outside he probably looked unbothered and unreadable to most, but after spending some time with him she could tell he was agitated already before the meeting even started.
She went and took a seat to the right of him, keeping her eyes on him.
Sensing her gaze he looked right back at her. Her eyes held a question.
He just shook his head in response, just as lost as she was. She could tell the energy in the room was different, more restless than it normally was when they held these meetings.
One of the elder's, coincil man Cyrus, was a darker skinned man with a thick head of snow white, curly hair with a large beard to match, with a a deep violet shawl. He was the one to speak up first. "Alright. Let this meeting commence." With a final party clap of his hands.
The meeting for the most part went as it normally would, voicing petitions, bringing up small folks issues, figuring out where best to section out the crowns funds for more recreational area's for children in shakey situations to see if it could help reduce some of the juvenile crime rates occurring in their town. That one in particular caught seemed to catch Smokes interest, his ears perking up.
Annie caught that reaction, filing it away for later.
She noticed that Elijah had stayed quiet for most of the meeting, just observing for the most part.
But gradually things started to get strange again.
Annie would offer a solution to the declining literacy rate amongst her people, wanting to expend more of the crowns finance into giving the tutors and teachers a higher pay- It would get shot down. Being told that the funds have more important things to go to.
A strong storm came through and people lost their homes? She suggested to not only rebuild them back, but with steel reinforcements and a build plan that creates a foundation more resistant to blowing over. It would be a years long project as she eventually would want to add reinforcements to all the houses and building's in the town to limit damages when hurricane season came around.
That got shot down as well. Council woman Abatha, a very light skin woman with white hair and green eyes and a forest green shawl to match, had promptly shot down that proposal as well. Claiming that such a project would be too expensive, and with most of the houses still standing- some for decades- then there was no need to put funds into something just in case of a natural disaster that doesnt happen often where they live.
Annie was growing irritated by the second, "Im saying if we invest in it now-it doesnt even have to be a lot in the beginning, just starting with the few damaged houses we already have- then we wont have to dig even deeper into the crowns pockets incase a disaster occurs, resulting in so much damages that it would land us straight into bankruptcy." She firmly retorted.
"-Listen Queen Anisa", Councilman Cyrus cut in. "While we believe that it is for a valiant cause, we simply have more important things to prioritize that are getting a large portion of the funds we already have."
Before Annie could respond back he cut her off, diverting his question to Smoke instead. "What do you think King Smoke?"
Throughout the meeting they've been bypassing her and disregarding her little by little. She was gearing up to tear into the councilman- and quiet frankly all of them, until Elijah spoke up.
"I dont know why the fuck yall asking me all this like Im s'pposed to just know whats goin' on by now. I just got here." He gruffly stated. Any form of pretense thrown out the window.
A silence took over the chamber, unused to such language being used in this setting. Even Annie was taken aback, but not for the same reason the council members were.
Smoke then turned to Annie, a knowing look in his eyes. She knew there was something he was trying to silently communicate with her, she had an idea, but she wasnt sure if it was the right one.
"I think the Queen's Idea is solid. Yall should know that whole saying, "prevention is better than a cure" right?"
"Well, yes-but as we told the Queen its going to be too expensive-"
"And it'll be a whole lot more when this place is flooded to smithereens and you gotta do a whole lot more than reinforcin." He bit back.
Annie looked at him. Her brain was churning, a thoughtful look bloomed across her face watching the man by her side set Cyrus straight.
Not that she couldnt defend herself, she's always had to...
But the support was appreciated all the same.
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______________
After the meeting was adjourned, everyone went there separate ways.
Except for the -now- two ruling monarch's. Elijah was getting up to leave, but he paused when he realized that Annie made no moves, body still stuck to the chair.
"You good?"
"Yes."
"You sure?"
"Mhm"
He was unconvinced, "whats botherin' you? I can see your thoughts gettin' loud again."
In another circumstance, Annie would've found his prodding invasive with her go to action to be defensive, hell, she's already done it before. But she didnt, not this time.
Because...as much as she wanted didnt want to, she knew that under his cool tone, was a real concern that he seemed to have with her.
Each day it was getting harder and harder for her to stick to her own promise.
"Yes, Elijah...Im okay."
Despite that she still couldnt bring herself to open up.
If she were to open up, she would be vulnerable, and to be vulnerable within this place where the walls have ears was dangerous for her.
For once, she didnt know what was different, but he didnt push. He gave her a firm nod and quietly left the room.
She knew things had shifted between them.
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______________
Hours later, she was left alone in her room. The sun casted purples, oranges, and yellows across the walls and her clothes, creating a beautiful array of colors against her vibrant yellow nightgown.
Her mind was still on what happened in the council meeting earlier today.
She sat at her vanity, just staring at herself in her mirror.
She'd come to realize, however small it was, Elijah was slowly seeping under her skin. He was getting harder and harder to cast out of her psyche. He occupied her mind more than she'd like to admit. His presence around her felt like a caress she could physically feel, though they rarely touched.
They'd done nothing but get on each other nerves. She couldnt understand why she had these feelings towards this man regardless.
A small part of her. One that she kept tampered down, refusing to give a voice to finally made itself known.
Somewhere underneath it all, all this fiasco, all the prickly bravodo, all the fussing and fighting, she wanted this to be real. To have someone she could depend on, someone who could hold her up when the weight got heavy.
She was tired...
She already knew she was attracted to him, but he was slowly watering a small part of her that was long forgotten. A want for connection, a genuine one and the way he was moving was making her want to hope for more than what she already agreed with herself on how this only being real on paper...
Which was exactly why, however small the feeling was, she had to nip it in the bud before she it seeped into her bones.
She patted herself on the cheek, willing herself to snap out of her wishful thinking. "Remember the reason to why anyone would want to marry you Anisa. Remember what you have, a seat that everyone wants and that everyone's trying to take from you."
She repeated it to herself in the mirror a couple of times, making sure the reality of the situation stuck with her.
Grounding herself.
He's the first man to almost make her forget. That wont happen again. She thought to herself resolutely.
She grabbed a soft sweater and exited her chamber, heading straight to Elijah's room next door, firmly knocking on it.
She could hear him grumbling from inside his room.
He wrenched the door open looking as grumpy as can be, until he saw that it was his wife at the door.
He froze, never in a thousand years would he have thought she would come to him directly, 'specially with all the chasing he been doing trying to catch her around the estate grounds.
"Well, are you gon' let me in or just let your wife catch a cold out hear blocking up the door?" She moved past him into his room.
He grunted, wordlessly moving out the way so she could walk in.
She noticed how neat he kept is room.
She didnt comment on it.
She went to take a seat at one of the wooden chairs at the side table in his room, before he stopped her. "Uh-huh, I cant have you sittin' in one of them hard chairs in your nice 'lil expensive gown"
Anisa could tell that under he's gentlemanly pretense, he was eyeing her backside, which was a bit counter intuitive to the manners he was showing her.
She hated when he did that.
Hated the affect his gaze had on her, her skin heated almost immediately, she felt a tingle in her lower belly that she refused give name to. She wrapped her sweater around herself a little tighter.
"I can sit where ever I want to-"
"Not in my room you not. I aint havin' my wife sit in that hard uncomfortable ass chair, you go on an' sit on my bed."
He could see her get flustered, visibly starting to get worked up- "dont worry yourself I aint gon' try nothin' you dont want to. Imma sit where them chairs are instead."
He walked her over to his bed, hand on her lower back, she could of sworn she felt one of his fingers graze the top of her behind. Her senses were heightened, hyper aware of his touch. But she said nothing about it, just went ahead and let him guide her to the soft mattress.
She waited until he got himself as comfortable as he could in a wooden chair that had no cushions.
He patiently waited for her to say what was on her mind. She took a deep breath, then turned halfway to meet his eyes face to face. He was always taken aback by her eyes, they always looked at him like she knew every secret he had. Shit- something about her...at this point if she'd ask, he'd spill his guts freely.
He didnt know what it was. Smoke didnt do much lying, if he could he simply wouldnt say anything, but something about this woman...something about her-
"Why?...When you held my hands at the alter. When you helped me around with my 'lil projects, looking out for the servants...looking out for me in that meeting... Why?" She asked.
"Why?" He repeated back.
"Yes, why do you feel the need to do all that. Aint no where in our contract state that you gotta be all up under me, helping around the place... You dont gotta do none of that."
Smoke leaned back in his chair, his eyes looking towards the ceiling thoughtfully.
He could see it.
Under all that defensive bravado of hers, a soft center underneath. An uncertainty.
No matter how furrowed her brows were or how she narrowed her eyes he could always see it. That gentle nurturing nature she carried within her.
It was only confirmed when he saw how she looked after her people. From those that had status almost as high as hers, to the servants and staff that would otherwise be deemed invisible to any other kind of monarch. How deep this woman held love. Even under a gaurded, prickly exterior, she couldnt help her true nature underneath it all.
Elijah was quiet for a little while. His silence was beginning to make her anxious, she had already mentally prepared herself for whatever may fall from his lips.
"Listen...", he took a deep breath. "We aint gotta get along for me to see this as somethin we both didnt make a full choice to be in the situation were in now." She looked at him expectantly almost as if she was goading him to continue. So he did...
"I know i can be an ass, but I pay attention. Cant live as long as I have iving the way I do by being oblivious."
That comment briefly sparked her curiosity about him, what did he do before this? Where did he grow up? How did he grow up?- She quickly cast those thoughts out, determined to keep her distance.
She decided to rip the bandaid off, "And why is it you here feelin' like you forced to stay here stuck with me? You clearly have an ulterior motive" she voice going from soft to accusatory at the flip of a dime.
Her heart pounded waiting for what his response would be.
Waiting for the sweet lies to spill from his lips to deny what she just said.
He let out a short humorous laugh, "The hell girl? Of course there were ulterior motives. Do I look like the kind a man that wants to be in a place like this by choice?" His voice taking a hardened tone towards the end of his sentence.
Annie sat in a stunned silence. She expected anything but straight up admittance.
He gave her with an unimpressed stare, repeating himself once again, "Well- do I?", irritation seeping in his tone after a lack of response.
That seemed to snsp her out of her quick stupor.
"Dont take that tone with me, I just asked you a question. I'll get up right now and leave your chimney-smoking ass by ya'self right now" She bit back.
She was still reeling from him plainly admitting to her that there were ulterior motives from him, so excuse her if it took her a minute to re-center herself. The conversation took a turn she wasnt expecting.
"That just wasnt...a normal response -atleast, not one that Im used to. Im just a little suprised you straight up admitted to it is all."
"I dont make any bones about the kinda man I am baby. You been 'round me often enough to know that by now."
He continued, "Me an' Stack, we owed a debt to some mean ass muthafuckas. If they could rob you of the dirt under your fingernails they would've found a way to make sure you aint even have a speck of dust to your name."
"So you and your brother were desperate?" She surmised.
"C'mon Anisa, I know you intelligent- you been already put two and two together."
"I had my suspicions, but I wanted to hear it directly from your mouth."
"Well now you know..." he said with an air of finality. He leaned further back in the chair, legs parted as he relaxed his body. He continued to watch her.
This didnt go at all like Annie had expected. She came in with the plan to suss him out-to confirm that there was a mask that he chose to wear for her. Only to find that there never really was much of one to begin with, he'd always been who he was with her from the moment they got off on the wrong foot.
She was looking in his eyes again, searching. For what?
He didnt know, but he let her look and search as much as she wanted, he'd already reached a point where he had nothing he really wanted to hide from her. Now what she would do with the answer he gave her was anyone's guess.
Her eyes narrowed, but the rest of her face remained soft, more like she was in deep reflection. A soft breath left her lips.
"You know...You still aint fully answer my question. You didnt have to all those things for me regardless..."
Elijah was quiet for a minute, one of his hands raised to rub his chin, the pads of his fingers grazing against the hairs of his goatee, his mind in deep thought.
"You a good woman, Anisa. Yeah you work my nerves damn near like no one else can but you a good woman. I see you out here tryin' your best to look after everyone. Even them goofies you call your council-sorry. But I...
-I guess, eventhough we both in this when neither of us wanted to be here-hell, we fuss an' fight plenty, but I just want you to know that I gotchu. As far as Im concerned we in this together, whether you want my support or not." He said earnestly.
She eyed him intensely for a bit before her face shifted. Eyes briefly flashed, heavy with emotion, before she sharply turned away from him.
"Thank you for telling me."
"Mhm"
She slowly got up from his bed, moving as if her body weighed a ton. He watched as she leisurely made her way to his door, before she briefly paused at the frame. She slightly turned her head, only her side profile partially visible.
" You go on an' get you some rest 'Lijah." She spoke gently from over her shoulder, almost a whisper.
Before she quietly opened and exited his room, the door closing with a soft click.
.
.
.
She had returned to her room and sat on her bed, staring into space for a bit. She was feeling overwhelmed, she felt pressure behind her eyes starting to heat up, heavy with emotion.
She was rewinding what he just said to her over and over again in her mind.
He told her she was a good woman, even with how she had been intentionally difficult to him, trying to push him away at every turn...why?
Why was it him of all people that could see her drowning and want to help her stay afloat instead of quietly letting her sink beneath the weight of her responsibilities.
As much as she hated to say it...Even Pearline and Mary had done nothing but silently watch her as she drowned.
It wasnt their fault though, she would've never burdened them with her worries, and wouldnt dare ask them for help. The only difference was where they would back off after the first few no's, Elijah was Aggravatingly stubborn, sometimes moreso than her.
She pressed her hands to her face, "This wasnt how the conversation was supposed to go" she groaned. She then dropped her back to the mattresses, making her body bounce a little. She let out a long sigh, staring up at her ceiling.
Lost on what to do next.
Damn you Smoke...Elijah...you really are the worst one of them all.
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___________________
It had been a few days since they had that conversation they had Elijah's room.
.
.
.
Not much progressed between them, as a matter of fact Elijah noticed Anisa was more distant then before. Not exactly in a way of her trying to avoid him, just...disconnected.
He gave her space.
Despite that he couldnt help but feel a bit nervous. What was she thinking about? He knew he dropped a bomb on her- well it wasnt much of a bomb, just an elephant in the room that was always quietly in the background.
Maybe i did fuck up our opportunity...I dont regret what I said though. Stack'll be pissed but he'll just have to get over that, just like I had to with his fuck ups
Whatever happend next, he'll take it in stride.
They still worked together, inspite of it.
Smoke was respectful of her distant attitude towards him, she no longer was turning their interactions into an argument every time, but this new development was making him antsy. He almost wanted to go back to deliberately pushing her buttons so he'd get some type of reaction from her...Something.
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.
.
The estate recieved a high profile visitor from a neighboring kingdom.
Lord Brandon was his name and he just so happen to have known the Queen since childhood.
No one had known he was coming, it was a bit of a suprise to Anisa when she had been summoned to one of the study rooms by one of her advisors mentioning that she had a visitor.
When she opened the door she was greeted by a familiar face. "Oh- Hi Lord Brandon. Long time no see", she greeted warmly.
"Anisa, its great to see you! Its been-what? How many years since we last saw eachother?", he gushed, he went to give her a warm hug but she held her hand up, blocking his advance. His face held confusion.
"Sorry Brandon, we cant be as familiar with each other as before, Im Queen now...and a married woman. It wouldnt appropriate" she said cordially.
"C'mon Anisa, its just me and its only us her- wait. Your married now?" His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Well thats what I just said didnt I?" She said flippantly making her way to the long table in the room, Brandon following suit, taking a seat across from her.
"I know, I know...I just didnt expect it is all."
"Well, expect it now, just like I didnt expect you to come up here unannounced." She folded her arms across her chest. "Why you come here for? Its been years and not a peep from you."
"Things have been real busy for me you know? Especially since taking up my late father's mantle. Im finally at a place where I have some free time, so I figured Id make rounds reconnecting with those I care about."
She wasnt liking the loaded looks he was giving her. It felt like he was expecting something of her...
There's something hes hiding.
"I can imagine taking up the mantle can make you very busy, its no easy job. I understand- i mean, last we saw eachother I just took on the becoming the Queen not so long after my parents passed...before you left without so much as reaching out to me afterwards"
"I know...It hurt me everyday I wasnt able to be there for you." His voice heavy with unexpressed emotions. "But Im here now, and I want to make ammends."
Annie was still suspicious, but she nodded in agreeance anyways.
.
.
.
They'd talked for what seemed like an hour. Catching up with eachother, exchanging stories, reminiscing on the good old days before life got too heavy.
"Remember when Mary dared Pearline to jump on the back of one of the wild horses?"
Annie lightly chuckled at the memory, "Yeah, I remember. The horse flew that girl back so hard she ended up flying directly into Mary and they both landed straight into the mud-"
"Served her right, that little stint landed all of us in punishment. I wasnt allowed to go out and play for 2 weeks!" He giggled.
But then his demeanor shifted, more serious. "So tell me about this husband of yours. Whats his name?"
"Oh you mean Smoke?" She didnt feel comfortable divulging her husband's real name to her friend, even if she knew him since childhood.
Elijah said it was for her and her only.
"Thats his name? Who names their child that?" He guffawd.
Annie didnt laugh.
"Watchu wanna know 'bout 'im?" Her voice, though light carried an edge of defensiveness.
"Whatever your comfortable with sharing, dont worry, I remember how private you are." Brandon placated.
"Well, he's decent enough. A 'lil rough around the edges but he's been a good partner to me so far."
"It sounds like things could be better."
"Huh?-excuse me?" Her eyes widened, incredulously.
"Im just saying it sound like he could be doing better." She didnt know why, but him saying that made her bristle in irritation.
He talkin' about doing better like he aint just show up here unannounced after 8 years of radio silence? He might just rival 'Lijah in the amount of audacity he carryin' right now.
Before she could set him straight for his overstepping he grabbed her hands in a firm, vice-like grip. "Im sorry- I havent been upfront with you."
Ahhh, here it comes- what hes been hiding. She thought unamused, they never are.
"I came here, cause I wanted to court you for your hand in marriage." He said in a rush, "after getting word of what that infernal council of yours was planning for you I came here as fast as I could...looks like I was too late though." He said, deflating in disappointment.
Annie looked at him with a blank stare. She was really unamused with the words that just came from his mouth. She was 'bout ready to lace into him before they were interrupted. Both Annie and Brandon turned to the sound.
It was Elijah by the door.
His face held still, but the energy radiating off him was brimming with with tension on a short leash. An antsy energy just swimming beneath the surface of his skin.
His gaze flicked to their intertwined hands, before he looked at the man that currently had his hands ensnared in hers.
It was a look she'd never seen on his face before.
.
.
.
Elijah had been looking for Anisa.
He wanted to discuss more about about the plan of making a recreational center for the youth, he had some ideas that he wanted to run by her first. Then he ran across Ruth.
"Hey 'lil lady Ruth, you seen the queen?"
"Uh- yes your majesty, she just recieved a suprise visitor in the drawing room"
"A suprise visitor?"
Yes, his is Lord Brandon. Apparently, from what I've overheard, he was a close friend of the queen when they were children, but he dissappeared when she ascended the throne."
"Thanks Ruth, you enjoy the rest of your day alright?"
"Oh-um, thanks your majesty" the girl beamed, bending her knees in a deep curtsy to bid him goodbye.
Elijah gave her a deep nod, not quiet a smile reaching his face but his face undoubtedly relaxed around the sharp edges he carried in his day to day.
Once he walked from her his mind started whirling.
A man? What kinda business he gotta handle with Anisa where he needed to be by himself with her?
His eye twitched.
Aint no such thing as a man travelin' all this way, wantin' to be by himself with another woman like her without no intentions attached.
He picked up his pace, stepping with more force then needed. His long robes billowing behind his sturdy frame.
Everyone made sure to keep a wide berth from him, as they could tell that the reserved king was a man on a mission.
Soon as he got near the drawing room he heard the voices of his wife and some other man whos voice he never heard of.
He caught the tail end of their conversation.
"I came here, cause I wanted to court you for your hand in marriage." He said in a rush, "after getting word of what that infernal council of yours was planning for you I came here as fast as I could...looks like I was too late though."
Who the fuck this man think he is?
Smoke was indignant. Who ever he was, Elijah made up his mind that he needed to get the hell from around here.
Steppin' up to his wife under their roof? Knowing damn well she's married to him? He didnt give a damn if they were at odds with eachother 95% of the time, as far as he was concerned.
Oh- he was gonna make sure his ass never tried some shit like this again.
He gon' find out just who the fuck I am.
.
.
.
Smoke entered the room to see this man holding Anisa's hand looking quiet comfortable. The man looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, quickly snatching his hands from her's from the moment Smoke entered the room.
He watched the man, his eyes unblinking. His body still for a few moments before he slowly reached into one of his pockets of his delicate robes, pulling out a cig. He lit it unhurriedly with a match stick. Still... his eyes never once leaving the mans.
He knew smoking wasn't allowed inside the estate walls, but if he didnt calm his nerves from what he just heard and what he just saw right now? He would've been in the middle of ending that mans life right at this moment.
If he was still in the streets he probly would, but circumstances were different now.
Anisa looked about ready to get on him about his smoking, but he cut his eyes to her. There must of been something in them she saw that made whatever quip was about to leave her lips died in her throat.
His voice remained low, raspy and even, he pointed his cigarette at him. "And just who the fuck might you be?" He cocked his head to the side.
"Oh-uh, Im lord Brandon, Im a close friend of your wife."
"Mmm, is thats right?...She aint never mentioned no body named Brandon to me." He grumbled.
"Well, Im not suprised. Its been a while since we last spoke."
"Couldn't have been that long seeing how comfortable you was lookin' just a minute ago."
"Oh I didnt mean anything by it" Brandon raised his hand in surrender.
"Huh.."didnt mean anything by it" you say?" He rasped quietly nodding. His calmness a thin veil for the storm that was beginning to rumble underneath the surface.
Smoke was disgusted, this punk bitch aint have no spine, tryin to act like he wasnt doing what the fuck I just heard 'im doin'. Im gon' have somethin' for his ass...
He didnt take any type of disrespect whatsoever and he was gonna make sure he nip this shit in the bud immediately.
Just as he was about to start, he felt Anisa's soft hand touch his chest in a soothing manner.
No doubt sensing his oncoming outburst. It gave him pause, her delicate touch was distracting, especially after she had been distant recently. It felt like a soothing balm to the irritating wound that was his brewing emotions.
"-Brandon, go on and make yourself comfortable. I'll have one of my ladies show you to your chambers" she spoke primly.
Elijah leveled her with an quiet, incredulous look, too subtle for anyone around him to pick up on, but not her.
She knew that he was not happy with what just transpired.
"Alright- I'll uh...see you around Anisa." And with that he scrambled out the room.
Which left them alone. The atmosphere tense.
She released her hand from his chest, turning to exit the room as well with out so much as a word to her husband, when she felt Elijah's firm hand catch around her wrist, her jewelry chiming with the sudden movement.
She looked at his hand covering her wrist, then to his face. It was unreadable. His gaze shut out from their, what she was beginning to realize, normal openness he seemed to have in them when he was around her.
He tugged her along with him without another word. His gait was forceful and quick making her have to pick up her own pace to keep up, her gown fluttering with the movement.
A few royal gaurds seeing their brisk pace scrambled to fall in line behind the two monarchs before they got too far out of reach.
Elijah pulled her all the way to the entrance of the manor, then past it taking her to the fields surrounding the estate. The long grass undulating in the wind, shimmering like a sea of green. Before walking any further he turned to the gaurds, telling them to stay at the gate to keep watch, before trekking further into the fields.
Elijah eventually let her hand go, walking a few paces ahead, before he stopped.
He turned around to face her, his brows furrowed.
"Who the fuck was that, an' why his ass movin so comfortable to be doin' allat shit with you?"
"His names Brandon-"
"I already knew that- I wanna know why his ass feel so comfortable to be doin' that 'round you, like I wont knock his head off."
"I dont know-I was just as lost as you were."
"Hmm."
"Dont do that."
"Do what?"
"You soundin' like you aint believe me."
" I never said that, I was just thinkin'."
"Well you can stop all that thinkin' shit cause Im 'bout to tell you what happened."
"...alright." he relented, allowing her to have the space to speak her piece.
She took a long breath, "He came here, tellin' me he wanted to see how I was doin'. Things seemed friendly enough, I grew up with him an' hadnt' seen him in eight years, so I was a little happy to see him. Im not gonna lie an' act like I didnt think there was another reason he was here. I didnt think he'd ask me to marry 'im. I know you heard that part..."
She was quiet for a little while, distractedly toying with one of the long blades of grass.
"Took you by suprise." He stated as a fact, not a question.
He watched her deflate a little bit...
"Yeah...I felt a lil disrespected, he acted like he aint know I was married 'till he started spewing about how he heard about the tournament an' everything...Why now? After all this time- silence, not even a letter to check in on me to see how Ive been doin'. An' now all a sudden you show up asking me to marry you?..." She was starting to get worked up, her hands making wild gestures with her ramble, until she quieted down.
"And I... I aint really like what he was hinting at about you..." she quietly confessed.
Elijahs earlier energy diminished. He didnt ask for her to explain what her friend said about him, it didnt matter. What did matter to him was how the situation was making her visibly upset.
"If its makin' you upset, then why'd you allow him to stay?"
"For proprieties sake. It wouldnt look good on my end to just cast him out. I got different obstacles then if I were just some king 'Lijah. Any move I make that seems a bit more on the direct or harsh side, Im scrutinized so much more for it. Its a very tight rope Im walkin' here." She exhaled, exasperated.
He hummed in understanding.
"You want 'im gone?" His voice low.
"If I had things my way, I would've sent 'im packing by now, to where ever he came from an' take his shit somewhere else."
After a few beats of silence she tentively walked near Elijah. Lightly grazing his side. Her hand gently carding between his fingers as she leaned into his body. She'd never seek comfort from anyone else like this...Hell- she hasnt been this verbalized about what was bothering her with someone else in so long. She was already dealing with too much, and for her friend to come and drop this on her? She was feeling overwhelmed.
Something about him... She couldnt help but lean on his warmth.
She'd been isolating herself lately, trying to wrap her head around what exactly she was feeling towards him. It only made her more tired and confused.
Elijah had been respecting her distance, but it seemed right now, what she needed was his comfort. He hesitated, but he released her hand from his and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, rubbing soothing circles into it.
He felt her lean in to his body, almost as if she wanted to seep under his skin, letting out a long exhale. Her breath rustling the fabric against his delicate undershirt. It raised goosebumps underneath. His body hyper aware of hers whenever they had the rare occasions when they touched.
He didnt dwell too much on it though, he had other things preoccupying his mind.
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Stack was having one of those rare occasions where he was lazing about. One of the rare occasions where he was enjoying the quiet.
Until he heard a firm knock on his door. He already knew who it was.
And there he was, Smoke, looking gravely serious.
"Imma need you to do something for me."
Stack immediately locked in.
"Watchu need?"
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Stack was working his magic. He found Brandon walking the hallways. He was weary at first, thinking he was Smoke, he quickly dispelled his worries, making sure to let him know that he was a twin.
Got him comfortable, asked him about himself. Found out he had a liking for horseback riding and locked in on it. Adding his own wacky stories and encounters he's had with horses.
"I aint all that into horses though, they too scary for me. Them muthafuckas' is scared a they own farts, cant deal with no nervous shit like that when they way half a ton." Stack added jovially.
Brandon chuckled, " I understand. Thats why you have to desensitize them, their prey animals, so anything that happens they're programmed to run from it"
"Dang, Iono if I got that kinda patience for all that."
"Im telling you, one solid horse is worth theyre wait in gold."
"Is that right?"
"Yeah!"
Oh really? Then show me, we got some new horses in the stables . I wanna see how you go 'bout desensitizing 'em."
"Since when yall get stables? Last I was here the king was allergic to horses so they couldn't have them around like that."
"Alot can happen in 8 years, and last I checked the queen aint allergic, so yeah, they added some stables. C'mon, Ill show you."
"Alright."
The shorter man followed Stack into a little room that supposedly would lead them to the stable, it smelled of nicotine.
"Sorry, Its a 'lil dark in here, the lights on the opposite side of the room so you might have to feel your way around."
The second he stepped into black room, he heard slide of metal against metal. A gun was cocked. The cool steel pressed against the right side of his temple. His heart froze.
Stack walked into the room behind him shutting the door on his way in, leaving them both in the dark.
Brandon heard the clink of a lighter, its low light illuminating very little of the room. It was Stack. He watched as the man walked to the otherside of him, raising his lighter until he saw the flame spark against the end of a cigarette, sparking the end a cherry red. Against the backdrop he saw a second face. One the exact same as Stack.
Smoke.
In the low light he could see Stack place a toothpick into his mouth next to his twin. The earlier air of friendliness he exudes with him completely gone. The smile on his face had somehow sharpened.
The older twin took a long exhale of his newly lighted cig.
His low raspy voice breaking through the tense silence, Smoke billowing out his mouth like a sleeping dragon.
"Imma tell you this one time, an' one time only, you aint know shit 'bout me boy, an' aint you aint know a damn thing 'bout what Im capable of. I'll have have them beady eyes of yours blasted to the back a ya damn head 'fore you een have the time to call fo' some help. Ya hear me?"
Brandon was frozen in fear, his legs shaking.
"Ion think he heard ya Smoke? Look like he aint know how to be respectful." An unsettling grin splitting Stacks face.
"No-no, no, no,- I heard you nice and clear your majesty."
"Mmm...you made my wife upset today. Imma need you to explain why I shouldn't just kill you now?" His face remained unchanged, but his stare was sharp, unblinking, pupils blown like a shark that smelled blood in the water.
The light only made their faces visible in the dark, casting severe shadows across twins faces only, towering over him like a pair of demonic spirits. One smiling maniacally and the other unflinching lazer focus scared the smaller man shitless.
"Im sorry, I- didnt mean to disrespect you, I swear-"
"But you did, out here tryna dirty mack behind another mans wife?" Smoke pressed his gun further into the mans head, the entrance of the muzzle biting into his skin.
"I-I-Im so-" the man started to soil himself. The smell of urine wafting into the air.
Smoke and Stack were unmoved.
"Imma tell you whatchu gon' do. You gon' go into ya room, repack all ya shit you just unpacked, an' get the fuck on...An' if I even hear of your whereabouts being close to 'round here? Imma find you personally and make do on my promise...And trust me...I dont break 'em."
Brandon nodded his head vigorously, his chest rapidly moving up and down, close to hyperventilating. "Yes your majesty, Ill leave right now."
"Mmm" he grunted, Stack capped the lighter, while Smoke stubbed out his cigarette, leaving the mans in complete darkness.
Brandon took that as his opportunity to exit, scrambling out the door, running down the hallway from where he and Stack came from, damn-near sobbing. He left the door swung wide open in his wake, washing the twins in the light from the hallway.
"Punk bitch" Smoke groused, looking at the puddle the terrified man left on the floor. Stacks nose scrunched in disgust, "atleast he aint do the other thing. I hate when they shit themselves." He handed the older twin a cloth and they went about cleaning the mess themselves. Didn't want or need any of the servants involved in some of the more unsavory parts of themselves.
"C'mon, let's get on outta here."
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Elijah laid in bed, staring at the ceiling...thinking about the rare moment of vulnerability his wife displayed earlier that day, when he heard a light tapping against the glass door in his room the one that led to their shared outside balcony.
He got up with a low groan and meandered over to the door.
And there she was again... this time in a creme nightgown, hair loose, her mini afro swaying in the gentle breeze of the late evening.
"Brandon changed his mind and left not too long ago. Decided he had an emergency to attend to." She spoke quietly.
"Mm-is that right?"
She gave him an expectant look, knowing there was something he wasnt telling her.
He relented, "That would be my doing" he affirmed with a firm nod.
"I know, just wanted to know what you did to get 'im like that. Never seen that look on his face. He ran outta here like the devil was hot on his trail."
"Thats cause he was..." Smoke grunted cryptically, but kept it at that. Neither of them spoke for a while, an unsure but comfortable quiet enveloping them.
Anisa looked at him, leaning her head slightly to the side like she was reading every untold secret he ever withheld.
Smoke didnt mind the scrutiny, after she had been reserved and distant with him the past couple of days, he didnt realize how much he relished in her eyes caressing him, whether she was pissed off or not. Anything but indifference is all he wanted from her.
She quietly turned around and walked to the balcony, the place where most of their interactions always seemed to take place.
He followed her.
Annie leaned against the railing, arms folded in front of her, looking out beyond the fields surrounding the manor to the thick forest bracketing the property. He stood next to her, lightly brushing her shoulder as he did.
She felt the heat of his body emanating off him as he went to stand next to her. She didnt make any mention for him to follow her outside, but he did anyways. She closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in.
"What did you do before?"
"Hm?"
"I know the fighting tournament was meant for warriors of any kind, but there was something different in how you moved compared to everyone else..." she turned her eyes to him. "What did you do before?"
He turned his eyes to her's, gaze unwavering, but there was a softness there that wasnt there before. She was beginning to get used to his intense staring.
"Me an' Stack were mercenaries... Occasionally did made people dissappear if the price was right."
"You kill people for money."
"Exactly what we did."
"Hmm" she hummed, "So thats what you did with Brandon?... Made 'im dissappear?"
"Mhmm" he nodded, chest puffed out.
She shook her head, making her way to leave-
Elijah grabbed her hand before she could leave, she whirled around on him, and he grabbed her second arm while he was at it, making her fully face him with her arms locked in his.
He pulled her in close, her body almost flushed to his. His eyes heavy-lidded and relaxed.
Her breath caught.
"I aint kill 'im if thats whatchu worried about", he quietly rasped.
She was distracted by his proximity, it was like this man was looking for any excuse to touch her at this point. None of this was necessary.
She didnt move out of his grasp.
"Of course I know you didn't, I saw the man leave... I aint worried 'bout all that"
"Then what has you ready to run off on me again..."
"I wasnt runnin' off." She defended, "You already answered my question...What I wanna know is why you got a hold on me, keeping me from my room right now?" She puffed her chest out, fully pressing up against him, invading his space this time. Her eyes squinted at him.
She saw his eyes waver for the first time, she could feel the beat of his heart on her own chest. It was elevated. His pupils were blown, making his deep brown eyes appear almost black against the diffused lighting of the setting sun, just as moonlight was growing brighter.
He seemingly ran out of words to say...
"I aint holdin' you all that tight. You can leave whenever you want to" His hold slightly tightened for emphasis, pulling her ever closer. Her light weight clothes had her feeling almost every ridge of him. Her generous chest pressed against his sturdy one, soft belly pressed against his solid abdomen..
Oh?
Everything about him was solid. She was acutely aware, her body started to buzz.
"I thought you might've had something important to tell me with how you just grabbed me up"
"I aint grab nothin up yet."
"Stop doing that."
"Doing what?" She felt one of his hands move from her wrist, lightly grazing up her arm leaving goosebumps in their wake, to the nape of her neck. His callous fingertips started to toy with ear, lightly touching the shell of her ear before gently caressing her earlobe, her earring jingling from the movement.
She shivered at his touch before she grabbed his hand and pulled it away from her ear.
"Just so you know, I was thinkin' about how I wouldnt have cared if you did... an' I dont know how to feel about it." She breathed quietly...
"Anybody come 'round here thinkin' they can fuck witchu an' your mind? Imma put 'em in the dirt if you wanna. All you gotta do say is the word."
"Elijah, you dont know me enough to be doin' all that for me."
"I know enough. He made you upset, and you my wife. Id be a sorry ass man if I just let someone do you like that an' then they just free to roam under the roof where you lay your head at."
"I dont know what to say to that"
"Dont say nothin'... I aint hail from royalty or none a that, but If theres one thing I can do, is protect what's mines only way I know how."
"Whats yours?"
"Mhmm, you heard me right"
"Hmm... Is that so?" She leaned into his space, so close that she could feel the air he breathed through his nose tickle her face. He watched her with lazer focus, his eyes shifting to her lips. She watched him, his reaction to her.
Her nose a whisper of a touch from his;
"Dont do no shit like that again unless you let me know first." Her voice a hushed whisper, her grip on his hand squeezing a bit firmer for emphasis.
With that she pulled away from his hold. Brushing her body against his as she turned around and walked away, pausing just before she went into her room, "night 'Lijah" she said, leaving him by himself.
Her door making a soft click.
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Elijah say on one of the chairs, pulling out a cigarette to calm himself down.
He was wired, body very awake prior to before.
Elijah didnt chase, he didnt have to. There was no shortage of women who wanted to take the twins for a spin or two. Whenever the opportunity presented itself just right and he was in the mood for it, all he needed to do was give them a look to let 'em know what timing he was on.
No woman ever made him sweat, not like her.
Feeling her soft, supple body against his own- made him wanna act up, and the way she stayed disappearing on him after leaving him craving more of her, was starting to drive him up the wall.
"Goddamn..." he took a long, slow drag of his cigarette, wishing his lips were wrapped up in something else.
Fuck, I'd eat her off the bone if she let me. Talkin' bout how stressed she be, shit- it would relieve mine the way she got me pent up.
He rubbed a hand across his face to cool himself down
An' she just next door... She been in my room.
He looked out into the night sky releasing a heavy sigh. Somewhere along the lines, things started to get muddy for him. Why exactly was he doing all these things for her for real?
He didnt even stop to think about it, doing it just felt like second nature, something natural. He never had any intentions of doing half the things he finds himself doing or wanting to do for her.
Heh- look at me now, foldin' under zero pressure.
He thought, chuckling to himself like a secret he shared between himself and the night.
Whatever it was, he had no intentions of fighting against it...
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A/n: Smoke is so dramatic when it comes to his Annie...hes not wrong tho 🙂↕️
Quiet as kept, Annie's lowkey into Smokes violence ngl😶🌫️
He's so thirsty for her. Idk why I wrote him like this😭
Mind you this was meant to only be 5 to 6 chapters, which is why I was jumping around alot 🫠
With a list of betrothals broken off due to her being a "difficult" woman to deal with by past suitors, her council, desperate to find her a husband hatch a plan to host a tournament for men across the land to fight for her hand in marriage. Two Mercenary twin brother's, down on their luck, see it as their moment to strike big. The biggest they've ever went to bat for.
Content: enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, violence, peer pressure, manipulation, misogyny, sexual tension, slow burn, political intrigue
Cw: sexual tension, sexual situations (nothing too explicit), explicit language.
Word Count: 8.6k
*I didnt do too much edits/rereads on this one, so if its a little janky Im sorry😭 I deadass get tired of staring at shit staying in my drafts after awhile😶*
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The day of the wedding was here.
Annie felt oddly calm.
Her mind, normally filled with thoughts crashing into eachother like waves into rocky shores, were now as still as a shallow undisturbed tide pool.
It was all hands on deck. The estate was buzzing with energy. Maids and servants flitting left and right in order to get the bride together.
Despite being a royal wedding, they kept things more reserved at Annie's request. It was only fair, she really just wanted to get over the whole thing and go back to what she was doing.
She was getting the final touches of her wedding dress put together. She had a white lace, golden trimmed corset, with a mesh that over layed her chest and arms giving it a sheer appearance. The bottom half of the dress a pristine white, that flared out, lightly grazing the floor.
As for her hair, she went a simpler route. A white headwraps with one link of cowrie shells and just below it was a second thin gold chain wrapped across her forehead. Connected to the gold link were two separate chains, one long and one short, that hung off the sides of her face that connected back together just under her chin, one loop ending just under her chin, the longer loop ending at her collar bone, making it look like gold framing around her face.
Outside of her headpiece the rest of her jewelry was kept simple. Chandelier earrings made of gold and cowrie shells to match the thin headpiece framing her face. With only two thick golden bangles on each wrist. She left her neck bare.
Pearline walked in, "Whew- girl you look good enough to eat!" She gushed giving Annie a once over. Although her face was beaming, it gradually shifted into a serious look.
"What's on your mind Pearl?" Annie inquired, fidgeting with her jewelry, making sure it laid as she wanted it.
"I just...I- I just wanted you to know that you dont have to go through with this if you dont want to." Pearline drew her lips into a thin line.
Annie was taken a bit off gaurd. It brought up feelings that she did so well tamping down to where she was beginning to feel normal for once.
Pearline had never shown any signs of disagreeing with Annie's marriage from the inception of the tournament planning.
"Im ok with it. Why you ask?..."
"Well, it's just that- over the course of a few days it dont seem like you an' Smoke aint really takin' a liking to eachother at all. With all due respect, eventhough he's a handsome man an' all, he dont come off the most respectful to you...I dont like that. I know what's its like to be married to someone you dont want to be married to." Pearlines eyes flashed with a look of forlorn, but as quick as it came, it disappeared.
Annie knew of the man Pearline was married to, a very old man who seemed extremely traditional from what she had told her. Being trapped in that marriage was exactly why she'd go out perform in places that the upperclass society would deem as sinful.
Annie felt for her, didnt judge her. She understood why.
Honestly if Annie wasnt Queen, she knew she'd probably be right beside Pearline to sweat and forget about all her troubles, all the rules, the regulations, the claustrophobia that came with being in these circles.
"Listen Pearline-" Annie stopped herself.
She wanted to tell her how overwhelmed she was. How unsure and honestly afraid she was feeling deep down inside. She wanted to vent her suspicions of the council because she was really beginning to not trust them and their decision making. She wanted to spill everything to her, believing that she would understand. She was one of her- if not- her closest friend.
She didnt say any of those things.
"Thank you for your concern Pearline, but I'll be fine." Annie fixed Pearline with a soft serene smile and patted her on the shoulder. "C'mon now. Let's get this over with."
Pearline had seen a glimpse of the old Annie. She knew that her unfiltered thoughts were about to spill forth on the tip of her tongue, then she saw her put her walls up instead. It seemed like Anisa was only getting further and further away. She was so gaurded now.
Feeling a bit helpless, Pearline followed her long time friend to the wedding ceremony.
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She tried her best not to pay close attention to her surroundings. The warm lights from the chandeliers cast a warm dewy glow against everyones skin in the room. Lords, ladies, and other officials were in attendance dressed in various muted colors. Despite her registering those details it all came across as a blur, whites, golds, browns, tans, messed together like an over-mixed painting. No details, just colors blending into eachother, cuddling her mind.
When she reached the alter she didnt entirely know what to do with herself or her hands. They fell awkwardly by her sides as the officiator droned on with all the vows in the world. Annie didnt really hear a word he said, all of it sounding like he was far away from her underwater despite being right next to her.
Smoke...was staring at her, his eyes undreadable, but a quiet tension remained between them.
They hadnt spoken since their argument at the garden, and Annie wasnt a nervous woman, but his unwavering gaze was making her feel antsy, like she needed to do something but didnt know what it was.
Her hands started fidgeting again.
She shifted her focus from his eyes instead, to what he was wearing. He wore white and gold, same as her, she had to begrudgingly admitted to herself that he looked very handsome.
Her hands were starting to sweat, she started toying with the cloth of her dress.
Then she felt it.
A warmth brushed her fingers.
She looked down... Smokes hand brushed her own, he had a slight tremor in them. Something about it took her off gaurd.
He seemed like this indestructible wall, but here...In this little bubble they were in, she saw it. A small glimpse of something else.
Something else under the heaviness he seemingly carried everywhere he went.
He was just as nervous as her, she realized, and seeing that made her feel a little less anxious, a little less alone in this.
She felt him shift his hands to fully grasp her her own. He was warm, she could feel the callouses across his palms and the soft pads of his fingertips as they closed over hers.
It made her heart flutter and she felt heat coming off from her face to the tips of her ears.
She gave his hands a light squeeze back. A form of reassurance even though they weren't on good terms.
She didnt know why. This man has been nothing but an ass to her, but she did it anyways.
Maybe some part of her needed some comfort too, so much so, it didnt even matter if it came from him.
It seemed to help stop his hands from trembling, long enough for him to slide a ring onto her finger without a hitch when the time came.
"You may now kiss the bride." The long winded officiator finally said.
They shared a quick peck on the lips, too brisk to really make note of, but even with that, the contact lingered, like the heated impression of his lips remained on her own, she felt a lingering tingle from the contact.
The attendees of the wedding broke out in raucous cheers and whistles in celebration of their union.
And that was it.
She was married now, and Smoke was her husband, her partner, her king now. She felt her head start to spin, but then was abruptly brought back to reality when she felt Smoke guide her off the alter, his hand on her lower back.
It felt like a brand. This was the first time they shared any physical contact, and she was hyper aware of his touch against her clothes, feeling his presence against her skin.
This is just for show. As long as the public see a united front from us then thats all that matters. Annie leaned into his body for added effect. She couldnt help but notice how sturdy and solid he felt against her own body.
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After the festivities came to pass Annie felt tired, her eyes growing heavy, the past couple of weeks catching up to her.
Smoke leaned over to her ear, "C'mon, I can tell your tired." His breath tickling her nape caused goosebumps to bloom across her skin.
She knew she was really tired since she didnt feel the need to argue with him. She got up wordlessly and followed his lead as he pulled her in a direction, hand remaining on her lower back.
He pulled some of the councilmembers to the side letting them know that she was tired and was taking her to bed. A few people they passed by gave the pair whistles and a few suggestive looks, thinking him taking her to bed was a completely different thing than what it really was.
He walked her to her bed chamber with two gaurds in toe and two servants to help the queen take her clothes off. Once they reached her door Smoke turned to her,
"They moved my stuff to the next room over, so uhm- if you need me or anythin' you know where I to find me." He murmured.
And with that Smoke left her with the servants to help her prepare for the bed.
She was left feeling a bit bewildered. Last time they talked they'd argued, so she didnt understand this supposed 180 from him. It was a little suspicious.
He aint strike me as a man who likes to pretend all that much. Unless how he'd been acting before all this was an act as well...But that dont even seem right- I'll admit he gotta be the most convincing one. He confusin' me...
A small-a very small part of her couldnt help but think that maybe thats just how the man was...
No.
She squashed the thought, there's an ulterior motive somewhere at play here. I cant afford to slip up.
As she got in bed she couldnt help but think about how anticlimactic it all came to be. With a quiet end to a normal day and not at all like her life would be completely different from this day forth.
Her and her now husband, who's real name she had yet to know, hardly exchanged words for most the wedding except for the exchange if vows.
She was glad that they bypassed on a bedding ceremony. It was one of the few stipulations she had if she were to go through with it.
If someone wouldve tried something, she should've knocked some teeth out.
Smog's ass included if he tried something funny. She groused to herself.
But he didnt. He kept most of his physical contact with her chaste.
She didn't know what to really make of him...
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Somewhere else on the the other side of the estate, Stack and Mary were laid out in Mary's her bedroom chambers, halfway beneath the covers.
His head layed across her chest as she twirled and played with the coils in his hair.
"I never would've thought i'd see the day Anisa got married." Her fingers caught onto a little fairy knot. She gently went about separating the tangled hairs.
"Whatchu' mean by that?" Stack grumbled, half asleep.
"Well, she's so gaurded, 'specially since she became queen. You shoulda seen how she handled them other men that courted her for her hand. Normally they wouldve ran off by now with how she had disregarded your brother when they first met."
"Oh is that right?" His ears perked up, listening in closely.
"Mhmm, when I tell you she looked at him like he was filth that she accidentally stepped on. I ain't never seen her blow someone off so callously, she left and we shut the door on 'em. I will say it was deserved, your brother...he a little-"
"I know. He the type of man that when he sticks his foot in his mouth, he'd rather kick his teeth in rather than admit he fucked up."
"Hmm" she said thoughfully.
"Why you think she so gaurded?"
"We'll, its a lot of instances, she gotta watch her back at all times ya know? Being a monarch an' all. I wont lie though, she was always gaurded but it definitely worsened after the king and queen died."
"That would make anyone more paranoid Mary." He deadpanned.
"I know that-" She groused a little irritably.
"You think they gon' last?"
"Knowing Anisa? Probly not, she'd find someway to sabotage it. I know she said she wouldnt but I seen it happen too many times for it to not happen this time." Mary huffed
Stack stuck a pin in that.
"Hmm...damn, well it looks like we on borrowed time then." He lamented.
She wrapped her hands around him, her thin fingers splayed across his chest possessively. "Not if I can help it. Ill find a way to make it so you both can stay. Maybe I can convince her to really give it a chance. At least long enough that he could get her pregnant maybe? That way ya'll have no choice but to stay. The council would see to it that it doesnt happen"
"Mary...you know I wouldnt ask you to do something like that...I dont want to get you in trouble or nothin'" despite his somber tone, he watched her closely out the corner of his eye, calculating her response.
"C'mon Stack- let me help. I'll find us a way for you two to stay." She vowed, desperate to keep him here with her.
"Damn girl, I dont know how I'd repay you. Doin' somethin' like that for me? -For us." Stack murmured, his breath grazing her chest causing goosebumps to flare across her skin.
Mary grabbed his face, her eyelids lowered.
"I can think of a few ways you can repay me" she breathed against his lips.
"Is that right?"
"Mhmm"
"How you want me to repay you?" He rasped.
He ower his body against hers, the sweat that accumulated from their previous activities had his body gliding against the planes of her skin as he made his way downward.
All the way until he was at the apex of her thighs. Evidence of her need pooling on to the sheets.
"Oh she cryin' for me?" He cooed softly.
"Yes" she breathed, her voice pitchy in anticipation.
"Dont worry ima kiss it better...Make her feel real good."
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Annie woke the morning after, stretching her limbs 'till they cracked. Memories of yesterday rushing back to her, the ending of the night sticking out the most.
Smoke had treated her gently throughout the whole ordeal. She knew he did it for public perception, which was fine.
She herself had planned to only deal with him during public appearances. Outside of that- she'd stay out his way, and make sure that he stayed out of hers.
They hadnt had any official conversation about their own expectations with each other as now husband and wife. Not that they had time to, and both times they interacted it went south, all on the account of him. The man seemed incapable of being civil towards her, but they'd have to speak about it at some point.
Dont gotta be now though...
This was the first morning where she didnt wake to a bunch of servants bombarding her to get ready for the day with council-woman Maevis in toe, who would no doubt be complaining about what more she could be doing, or how she was too soft on a servant who kept messing up. It wasnt the their fault the boy just started working here a few days ago.
That woman gets on my damn nerves. I dunno how daddy dealt with her miserable ass all the time.
She threw on a thin robe over her night dress and headed to her balcony for some crisp, morning air before the sun would make things humid and unbearable for the rest of the day.
Soon as she stepped out she already saw the man that she wasnt trying to see at that very moment.
There Smoke was leaning over the railing, his hair mused from his sleep, smoking on a cigarette.
She immediately got irritated. All memories of how they were with eachother at the wedding flew out the window.
"What you doin' outside my room?!-" She hissed.
Smoke slowly turned his head, looking at her like she was crazy, like she must've lost her damn mind, eyes heavy with sleep. His raspy tone was especially gravely as he'd gotten up just a few minutes ago.
He kissed his teeth, "-Woman if you dont get outta my face with all that yellin' this early in the mornin" his brows, always furrowed, wer scrunched even more in annoyance.
"Well clearly it aint early enough for you to not be smoking like a chimney outside MY balcony" she put a hand on her hip.
"Our balcony." He corrected.
"I just got up an you already bein' insufferable." She huffed exasperatedly, folding her hands underneath her chest.
"So are you." He shot back.
"Cant you find somewhere else to be? You not the first face Im tryna see first thing in the mornin'."
"We share a balcony and this just outside my room so I dont think I got any better place to be.... Besides... The view from here aint that bad either", he paused.
"Dont mind being greeted with it every mornin' I wake up..."
He wasnt looking at the view at all when he said it, he was looking directly at her. His eyes taking a leisure once-over of her.
Annie got flustered,
that was new.
"I- excuse me? You must be talkin' bout them trees outside." She shook her head in disbelief, cause there was no way she was reading into what he was implying right.
"You know good an' well I aint talkin' bout no trees." He grumbled, slightly turning his body towards her, this time more overt in his perusal of her body.
His robe shifted slightly, showing a sliver of his bare chest. Her eyes flitted to the movement before looking him in his eyes again.
"You better watch yourself" Annie warned, the back of her neck was beginning to feel uncomfortably hot and she felt a tingle in her spine.
"I aint gotta watch a damn thing-you my wife aint you?"
What the hell is with this man? One second he lookin' like all he wanna do is argue, and now...Annie didnt want to finish the thought
Nah...I dont know what his angel is but I aint gonna fall for it.
"Only thing Im your wife in, is in public and on paper. Outside of that nothin' else." She clipped. Promptly shifting her thin robe closed across her chest, covering herself from his wandering eyes.
Not that it did much.
"Alright, whatever you say." With that, he turned away from her, looking back out into the forest and continued to puff on his cigarette into the dewy, crisp air of the morning.
Effectively putting an end to their conversation.
"Hmpf-!" Annie let out an indignant grunt and marched back into her chambers shutting her door with a resounding slam!
My God- the audacity of that man! Who the hell is he feelin' like talking to me whichever way? Imma show his ass- out here ruining my morning with his nonsense.
Annie was annoyed-she felt her heart fluttering rapidly, she initially thought that it was because she was irritated, but she already walked away from him and it hadnt slowed.
Her skin felt hot.
"Aint no Way-" she said in disbelief.
Nah, I must be feelin' unwell with my nerves an all. Cause aint no way that man got me feelin' like this. Annie reasoned
Her treacherous mind went back to their back and forth on the balcony just moments ago. She'd never dealt with a man talking to her like that, she didnt know how to handle it. The way he spoke with such conviction and surety, she almost could believe the words coming out of his mouth.
She patted both sides of her face with her hands; "-get it together Annie, dont let him trip you up."
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Smoke watched as the queen made her quick exit back to her bedroom, leaving Smoke alone once again.
He himself didnt know why he decided to say something like that to her.
He didnt regret a thing he said though, he meant every word. Yeah, the woman got on his nerves to no end but fine was fine, and she was the finest he'd ever seen.
A very rare quirk formed on his lips, one of his elusive dimples making an appearance.
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Annie was making her way to the kitchens, wanting to get some hot water to steep her personal blend of herbs from her herb garden to make some tea.
She could feel the steam and heat emerging from the kitchens. As soon as she was about to enter; she bumped directly into Mary.
"Oh-hey Mary! Where you been?" Anisa took a hold of her shoulders, stopping the slender woman from crashing into her. She seemed like she was in such a hurry.
"I barely seen you during the wedding?" Annie's warm eyes searched Mary's, checking to see if she was ok.
"Oh well you know? I wanted to give you some space. Seemed like there was a lot going on and you already had so much on your plate."
"You know that kinda stuff dont matter to me Mary. I would've loved to have seen more of you either way, duties an' all I would've made some time for you." A slight frown forming on her lips
"Im sorry 'bout that."
"Its ok, maybe you do have a point. I dont remember most of it anyways, I felt so far removed from the whole thing." Annie moved one of her hands and carded her fingers through Marys. "Come, walk with me."
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Anisa and Mary walked hand in hand through the court yard.
"Would you mind if we took a walk through the fields outside the estate? Feels a little stuffy behind the walls." Mary asked.
"Yeah sure, let's go"
They walked a few paces outside the estate walls in silence before Mary finally faced Annie and asked her a question she wasn't expecting.
"You met your husbands twin yet?"
She nodded, "Yes-Stack right?" lifting a curious eyebrow.
Mary nodded, but Annie was curious, "yeah I met him- why you ask?"
"Oh nothin' just wonderin'".
Annie immediately sensed bullshit. "Uh huh Mary, there aint no such thing as "just wonderin'" with you. Why you really ask me?"
Annie's mind went to the day of the tournament. She thought about how interested she was in Smoke. Even after he was being rude she couldnt help but gush about how masculine he was, how handsome he was, how strong he was...And Stack was his twin-
"Damn. A girl just cant be curious?" She said defensively.
"Ok, ok" Annie pacified the woman that was clearly starting to get worked up.
"...I just wanted to know your thoughts on him?" She finally said after a beat.
Annie hummed. "Well, It was brief but he seemed ok. He for sure had better manners than his ogre of a brother that Im stuck with." In the back of her mind she had a weariness to him, honestly moreso than Smoke.
At least it seems that Smoke is forthright, almost to a disarming degree. The other had an air of mischief that put her on edge.
"You know he came to me trying to apologize on his brothers behalf?" Annie said in disbelief.
"Really? What'd you say?" Mary's eyes were huge with curiosity.
"I said no, he a grown ass man, if he really wanna apologize he betta' come to me himself."
Mary let out a loud guffaw, "No way you said that to him, Anisa!" . She swatted Annie on her shoulder playfully.
"Maybe not exactly but yeah, thats basically what I said to him. I dont think he knew how to handle my reaction." She started giggling a bit herself, but she trailed off.
"I still wanna know why your really asking me about the other twin- dont lie to me." The abrupt change in Anisa's tone took Mary off gaurd.
"Well, I was uh- Ive been hanging out with him recently. He seems pretty cool and with you being one of my closest friends I wanted to know your thoughts on him."
Annie stared Mary in her eyes for a while, its started to make the woman feel a little uncomfortable.
"You slept with him."
"I-....yes..." Mary said sheepishly.
"Mmm..." Annie levels her with an expectant stare, one of her eyebrows quirked, almost like she was saying "I dont know why you were trying to lie to me about that" ,but with just her eyes.
"-b-but hes not at all like other men I've ever been with. He's so kind, charming, funny-intelligent. And when I tell you the mouth on him Annie, and Im not just talkin' about how slick he talk-"
"-Alright, alright I get the picture" Annie waved away Mary's gushing about the younger twin.
"Im just sayin' maybe theres some qualities they share. Wouldnt hurt to take older brother for a test drive and see whatchu like?" The Queen looked at her friend like she grew a second head.
"What the hell are you on about? I aint doin' none of that with his ass, and if try somethin' he betta go find somebody else to do that shit, cause I aint the one."
"C'mon Annie, atleast try to see if yall can work out. We could even go on double dates outside the palace. Together!" She gushed excitedly.
"Girl, what you on about? You must be out your damn mind. Im telling you no, and that's it." Promptly shutting Mary's idea down.
Annie shifted her arm still intertwined with her's;
"C'mon looks like you need this walk more than I do. You might be going stir crazy staying behind the estate walls for too long."
"Annie-"
"Nope, come with me, I gotta new blend I been meaning to try out and I want you to try it, see how it taste, how it make you feel." Annie chatted on excitedly.
"....Ok, Ill follow your lead" Mary huffed exasperatedly after her friend promptly shut down her idea.
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Smoke heard a knock on his door, he immediately fell his neck get heated in irritation.
"I swear if its that old bird Maevis coming to chew me out 'bout kingly duties again Im cussin' her ass out, I dont give a damn no more." Not that he cared that much in the first place.
He wreched the door open ready to start something, but instead of the short, shrewed woman it was Stack.
Smoke quickly pulled him into his royal chambers.
"Where the fuck you been at?" He grunted impatiently.
"Damn this place a hell of an upgrade, and the first room they gave us was nice as hell already."
"Stack." He warned.
"Calm down man, I was with one of the queens ladies-in-waiting. The thin, pale one with brown hair."
"The one you said been with some of Anisa's previous suitors or somethin'?"
"Mhmm thats the one"
"And what the hell you were doin' with her?" Smoke questioned, eventhough he already knew what the answer was. It's Stack
"Gathering information." He answered cryptically
"You sleepin' with her?"
"Yeah."
Smoke eyes the younger twin wearily. "Im just sayin, be careful with that one."
"Why you say that? You think I dont know what Im doing?"
"I didnt say that. All Im sayin' is a woman that move like that can only attract trouble." Cant trust no woman that calls herself a friend but goes on backdoorin' behind her friends back. Somethin' aint right with that one. Smoke had noticed the looks the pale woman made at him when he first met the queen.
Her 'lil ass was barking the wrong tree with him.
He'll leave it alone, but keep an eye on that one.
"Thats exactly why Im with her right now. She attracted to trouble, something Im full of. Im tryin to see if theres something I can get from her. Maybe some information we can utilize that'll keep us here." Stack reasoned.
"Stack leave that shit alone. You aint gotta do all that anyways. Anisa dont strike me as a woman that'll just drop everything and break things off just because, she well aware of what's at stake with this"
"That aint what Mary told me, and shes known the queen most of their lives-"
"I dont give a fuck what that woman told you. She move like there aint alot goin' on upstairs anyways. Imma stick to what I see with my own eyes." Smoke groused.
Day one as a King and here comes bullshit at my door.
Stack decided to drop the subject, "So whatchu got goin' on day one of being a king?"
"Not much, were technically on our "honeymoon" right now, so they'll be leavin' us to ourselves for a coupla' days 'fore we fully take on our duties. I figure the councils handling responsibilities for now."
"Mm-An have you been "handling" somethin' else while you been here in this shared suite with the queen?" He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Man- go on with all that. Only thing im handlin' that you need to know is business."
"Sound like you aint handlin' much business then-"
Smoke flung a pillow at Stacks head.
"Boy if you dont get the hell out my room!"
"Ok-ok damn! Im leavin-" Stack scurried out his room closing his door shut.
Smoke could here him laughing all the way down the hall.
Cant stand his ass sometimes.
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It was evening and Smoke hadnt seen Anisa since that morning, it was almost time for dinner. Servants popped in and out a few times to check if he needed anything, Smoke wasnt all that fussy, he'd normally end up dismissing them with an affirming nod and a thank you.
Until one of them, a young servant boy had come by to let him know it was almost time for dinner. A young boy, couldnt have been any older than 14. As he was about to leave Smoke stopped him. "Aye young man, whats your name?"
The boy had froze, not expecting the-now-king to stop him and ask his name.
"The names Damian My King". Smoke cringed a little internally at the title, still unused to it.
"Well, its nice to meet you Damian, think you can do somethin' for me?"
"Uh yeah, no- sure-ah! I mean yes your majesty" The boy started bumbling about trying to correct his slip up." Smoke waved off his blunder.
"Boy dont worry 'bout none a that when its just me an' you, I can promise you that I could care less bout all that proper business, I aint come from all this." This seem to do the trick in loosening the boy up to speak as he wished.
"I gotchu, what you want me to do uhm... Mr.Smoke?"
"I wanna know if you know where the Queen is at? Havent seen her since this morning." The boy paused, putting a finger to his mouth thoughtfully. "Last I seen her she was at the gardens, she had just came back from outside the estate talkin' with lady Mary I think. Couldnt have been less than 15 minutes ago I seen her."
Smoke got up, about to leave right behind the boy exiting his room, but before the boy could take off Smoke extended a hand to him. "Thanks for the info Mr. Damian" he gave the boy a firm handshake.
Damian could feel something in Smokes palm when wrapped his larger hand in his. Smoke took his other hand and pressed it against the boys hand in a solid hold before letting go and walking past him.
When he looked down, he saw that Smoke left him a couple bills in his hand, and it wasnt no chump change. The boy made sure to quickly put the money away and went about his business. Whistling down the hallways with a little extra pep in his step.
Smoke was making his way towards the gardens, his thoughts spinning.
They hadnt taken breakfast together or nothing, and he refused to deal with a wife who was gonna constantly be missing in action when it came to him.
"Aint no way." Smoke shook his head in disbelief.
"She think she can go 'bout all this ignorin' me? Hell nah- fuck all that." He was a man on a mission, but he did make sure to pause and greet any servants, ladies, or lords that he came across, being cordial as best he could. Just because he hated all the courtly shit didnt mean he had no manners.
The after a few minutes of walking he found her. Instead of picking herbs like he had seen her doing last time she was changing out the nectar feeders for the hummingbirds and other insects that lived in the gardens.
"I havent seen you since this morning."
"Oh wow really?" Annie's tone was dripping in sarcasm.
Smoke didnt take the bait this time, "Dinners gon' be ready in a few, and you comin' to eat with me." His tone brook no room for argument...If he was dealing with someone else.
"-How you gon' tell me what Imma do? You sure none of them men at the tournament punched you in your thick ass head, cause the way you been actin' since I met you? You clearly lost your ever lovin' mind at some point. Tch- thinkin' you can just order me around." She muttered never breaking focus on her task.
"I aint tryin' to order you around. Im just tellin you what IM gonna do. And Im gonna go get ready to eat, and your gonna eat with me."
"Aint that the same thing?"
"No."
Here he goes again, why cant he leave things well enough alone? Leave me alone?
"Boy if you dont-", a low grumble from her stomach cut into their bickering. Her cheeks warmed in embarrassment.
"Mhmm, thats what I thought. C'mon." Smoke grabs her hand, without letting her finish-walking her back inside. For once she didnt protest, though she was still simmering in irritation from him, she silently followed his lead.
Maybe if I give in this once, he'll leave me alone after.
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The servants set up a little private dining area for the couple out on their shared balcony. As they were flitting about the room Smoke watched Anisa as she was checking in with them and asking about their days.
She seemed to show genuine interest in all the mundane details and the servants were always excited to share.
Eventhough the Queen had been nothing but prickly toward him, he saw the way people loved her, and how she loved them.
"Nina, is your stomach still been feelin' funny?" She addressed one of the servants, a lightskin girl with short loose curly brown hair.
"Yeah, a little bit."
"Did you finish out that tea blend I made you?"
"Uhm...no your majesty, I had dropped the rest of it when I was steeping the batch you gave me." the young woman said sheepishly.
" Why you aint tell me? I have some more of that in my storage." The queens brows furrowed in concern.
"I didnt wanna trouble you, you already went through all that work to make the first one you gave me."
Annie waved her off, "nonsense, you know I wanna make sure yall are ok. I'll make you some more tomorrow."
"I...thank you Queen Anisa." And with that she was the last servant to exit the area. Leaving the quarrelsome couple alone again.
They shared their meal in silence for a bit until Annie shared something thats been brewing on her mind.
"Why'd you say whatchu said this morning?"
"Mmm?"
"That comment you made about the view. About me."
"Cause I meant it- How many times do I gotta repeat myself that I only say what I mean woman? You hard of hearing or somethin'?"
She was split between being flustered at his admittance and annoyed by his unnecessary side comment about her supposed lack of hearing skills.
"No I aint! I just want to make sure that I heard you right and not just jumping to conclusions."
"Well now you know."
"Mhm. Now I know...And now im gon' tell you stop doin that. Keep them comments to yourself."
"Nah."
"And why not?" She said indignantly.
He was quiet for a moment, and when he spoke he didnt answer her directly,
"You can go on an fuss all you want, we stuck in this hell together. An' I dont know about you but I dont plan on spending this marriage with my wife pickin' a fight or avoiding me everytime we cross paths."
"You sure have an interesting way of showin' it, you actin' like you a pleasure to be around."
"-Spend enough time around me and I can assure you It'll become plenty pleasurable to be around me." He stated as matter of fact, like he was talking about the weather.
As much as she'd fuss at him, he saw it.
The stares that would linger just passed what was appropriate, the way her body would react to his proximity to her, the slight increase of her breathing...
Annie dropped her knife and fork on her plate, the cutlery loudly clinking together sounded deafening in otherwise silent room.
"Im full now" She placed her hands on the table getting ready to get up and leave.
"No you aint, but Imma let go on ahead an run off like you stay doin", he said unbothered.
She was about ready to blow up on him, but then she paused. Maybe thats what he wanted.
She puffed a breath of dry laughter.
"You know what? Yeah, you right-thats exactly what Im gonna do." She got up and walked from the table.
"There. You had your dinner with me. Now im gon get ready for bed. Make sure to tell Nina that we done here." And with that, she was gone again.
Maybe her name should be Smoke the way she stay disappearin' from me. He let out a slight chuckle, amused instead of feeling rejected.
He was gonna wear her down at some point. He could feel it.
She would give in eventually.
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Annie hadnt seen Smoke for the rest of the night. Or at all the next day...
Not that she cared much or anything.
She made her way to the estates library, wanting to get her hands on some more books on horticulture, she had plans on expanding her garden.
She sat down quietly, briefly turning a couple pages to see which one she wanted to start with.
It couldnt have been but a few minutes before she heard the door to the library open again.
She let out an exasperated breath when she heard the owner of the steady footsteps the were getting louder the closer they got.
Her husband again...great.
She already prepared herself for whatever nonsense was gonna to spew out his mouth this time.
"Whatchu readin'?"
She didnt respond thinking that maybe if she ignored him, he would get the point and just leave.
He didnt.
As a matter of fact he walked up to where she was seated. His body slightly looming over hers.
"Medicinal Botany? That got somethin' to do with plants or some shit?."
She sharply turned her face up towards him.
Oh.
She didnt realize how close he was. Any closer and their noses would've brushed.
"Man can you step back some! Damn-" she hissed. And he actually did, listening to her for once.
A small-wait
Am I going crazy or is that a hint of a smile I see? Damn near thought he was incapable of one with him always walkin' round here without a permanent frown of his face...
He does have dimples...
It was a pleasant look to his face...
He should do it more often.
Her heart started doing that annoying thing again, fluttering at the beat of a humming birds wings. She started to get a little annoyed with the fact that she was constantly getting the same feelings in her body whenever he was around her.
Im startin' to think he loves to get a rise outta me...
"To answer your question, Yes. But its not just about some "plants or some shit". She scoffed
"This details the medicinal properties in plants."
"Your 'lil herb garden outside?" Curiousity coloring his voice.
"Oh- uh yes...You noticed?" Annie was a little taken aback from the observation. He mightve been the first man to ask her about her herb garden.
"I got two eyes dont I?"
My God, Im starting to think he's just like this.
"As a matter of fact thanks for tellin' me, I didnt notice." She sarcastically shot back. "-But yes its for my herb garden, I plan on expandin' it. Wanted to see which plants grow best in this kinda climate."
"Mmm." Smoke gave a thoughtful hum. "The young girl from the other day. The one with the stomach problems. You do that often? Lookin' after your folks?"
Annie started to feel a little uneasy. She wasnt used to someone asking her about herself...Theres gotta be an angle.
"Why you askin?"
"Because I want to"
Against her better judgement, something in her, a very small part of her wanted to share a little bit. Not like this kind of Info could be used against her.
"Yeah, its somethin' I like to do."
"I see..." there was a thoughtful silence. He didnt press anymore. Without another word, this time, he let her be.
"See you around, Anisa." And with that he was gone and Annie went back to reading....
-Wait...was that the first time he called me by my name?
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Over the course of next seven days Annie always seem to find Smoke occupying her space whenever she was alone. At some point Annie begrudgingly accepted his presence being around her every so often.
When they weren't too busy bickering she almost found herself enjoying his presence.
Almost.
When he wasnt being annoying he'd offer to help her with her gardens. There she found that he was capable of actually following directions. Listening to her barking orders and fuss at him on which place was best to for a plant, what depth it needed to be buried at for best results.
"No- not there! That cats-claw need full sun, there aint nothin but shade over there."
"I heard you the first time woman! I was movin' that other plant out my way. Couldn't see shit I was doin." He took a pause to wipe the sweat off his brow.
"Damn its hot. I dont know how you can stand out here in this heat with all that shit on"
"Thats cause I make sure to keep hydrated you unlike you who look like you just beggin' to burn up out here."
He heard a small clinking sound right by his ear, when he turned towards the sound he found Annie holding out a refreshment, the liquid a deep red with a few ice cubes circling around the glass.
"Oh-uh thanks, thank you." He grabbed the drink from her soft hands, his fingers lingering just shy of too long before he pulled it out her grasp.
"What kinda drink this is?"
"Its a chilled hibiscus tea. C'mon drink up, cant have your ass passed out in my garden cause I surely aint picking your heavy self up out this heat." She chidded, but her voice didnt have the usual bite it had.
"Don't worry I aint gonna do you like that. C'mon- which seeds you want planted next?" After all the courtly activities he had to get used to doing, it felt nice to do something physical with his hands again.
"Ok... let's see about them lemongrass seedlings." Anisa resolved.
When they weren't fussing, they worked pretty good together.
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Annie was getting ready for bed, she had on a light pink nightgown and her hair loose. Her short, tight coils oiled and moisturized with a nice sheen to it. As she was about to put her hair in plaits she smelled the faint waft of nicotine coming from their shared balcony.
He was outside again.
She thought about him helping her plant earlier today. Even though she was giving him a hard time, she deeply appreciated his help.
She couldnt help but admit how different he's been compared to all of her past suitors. He was hard headed, blunt, and crass and seem to have a talent for pissing her off, but...He had moments.
How he handled himself around the servants and workers. Looking past how ill-mannered he could be in terms of how to act appropriate in Royal court, he made sure to check in on them.
Never treated them poorly.
The younger ones in particular took a liking to him, especially that young boy Damian. The way he'd talk to them you'd swear he was their father instead of their king with his no nonsense attitude, but undeniable soft spot he held for them. Whether sneaking them a little sweet that the head maid said they couldnt have, or a little extra change in their pockets when he could.
She couldnt help but feel herself soften to him-No.
Careful Annie. Dont forget yourself.
She shook her head and let out a slow breath.
Remember what you told yoursel-
"-I can hear you thinkin' from way out here. Betta stop 'fore you combust up in there." She heard him gruffly call to her from outside.
The curtains bracketing her door to the balcony billowed in the night wind with in a come-hither motion. Almost as if it was beckoning her to come outside.
With no reason as to why, she went outside towards him. Maybe the first time where she went to him instead.
He was sitting in one of the chairs, a dark blue night robe around his shoulders, and dark pants. He had no shirt underneath.
The moon light loved him.
Its diffused lighting softened all those sharp edges of his.
With his legs spread and his robe skewed, he was just out here displayed for the world to see. His well developed chest and defined torso that held a certain amount of thickness in the right places made him look very sturdy. Like he could handle a whole lot.
A gust of wind caused his robe to flutter in the wind around his shoulders and made her thin nightgown bellow in the wind.
Her skin pebbled and her nipples tightened. She couldnt say if it was just from the chill of the wind alone that caused that reaction. She crossed her arms along her chest and took the seat next to him.
"You cold?"
"Im fine."
He kissed his teeth. Taking off his robe from his shoulders as he got up, "move ya arms, imma put this on you."
She didnt move, but this time it wasnt because she wanted to be difficult. She didnt want him to see the reaction she was having to seeing him like this. She didnt know what slick comment would come out his mouth.
He didnt wait.
He grabbed her arms and pulled them from her chest and guided her hands into the sleeves of his robe, now warmed with his body heat.
If he noticed her state he didnt comment on it.
He sat back down and continued to quietly puffing on his smoke.
"How you feelin'?"
"Fine."
"You good?"
"Yes"
You sure?
"Yes"
"You dont sound sure."
"....."
"What was you thinkin' about in there, I could damn near feel how hard you were thinkin' from all the way out here. You came out here so somethin' gotta be botherin' you."
"And you just so sure you know what bothering me? Dont act like you know me like we familiar with eachother like that. You dont get to ask me nothin' like that, you aint my friend."
Smoke was taken aback by her outburst.
"Woman Im just askin' you some questions. Just wanna know if you alright."
"And I aint gotta answer shit- I dont even know your real name, and you out here demanding that I answer your questions on me?" She hissed without looking at him.
He's quiet for a while, body so stiff she didnt even here his clothes rustling from movement.
Smoke was quiet for so long Annie thought he left.
"Elijah."
Annie perked her head up and looked at him, eyes wide.
There it was again.
On his face.
That same something she saw from him the day of their wedding a week ago, when she saw his hands trembling, when he folded his hands in her own.
"I..." she was a little stumped, she didnt think he'd actually answer.
"Uhm- Thank you...Its nice to know I dont have to call my husband Smog, or Smoke or whatever anymore." She grumbled but an undeniable softness in her voice.
Hearing her call him her husband did something to him.
He felt his chest tighten.
"Now you know...but understand that names for your lips only, dont no body else call me that you hear me?" He muttered.
Her knee jerk reaction was to fuss at him for trying to tell her what to do again, but something about him-not only telling her his real name-but that it was only for her to use made her yield (just a little).
Whatever the reason it was, she knew that him giving her his real name was a big deal for him.
"Ok... Elijah..." She said his name so softly, so delicately it almost sounded like a lullaby to his ears.
He'd never heard his name spoken in such a way.
Like it was sacred.
Hearing her breath out his name like that made him want to hear her say it again and again.
When she was Fussin' at him.
When she was beaming with happiness.
When she was furious with him.
When she was sad and wanted to confide in him.
When she was in the throes if pleasure.
He'd already been on his best behavior lately, tampering down the pressure he was starting to put on her. But seeing her... seeing her like this. Knowing she only next door to him. Seeing how her eyes dilated when she looked at him, how her breath got shallow, her pebbled nipples, knowing it wasnt just the wind that caused that.
He knew what he said before all this but he aint never met a woman that ran him this ragged, he was addicted to her, and knowing that a woman like her- her body telling him what her lips wouldnt, he couldn't let her go.
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From here on, he only wanted to hear his name from her lips.
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A/n: the way my near asexual ass has no business writing anything remotely sexual is frying me right now, u dont understand😭
Be easy on me 👐🏾 😭
*might dissappear into the lab for a lil bit*
Alright lemme leave before I overthink this shit all over again (eventhough this whole story is completely self endulgent for me)🏃🏾♀️💨
With a list of betrothals broken off due to her being a "difficult" woman to deal with by past suitors, her council, desperate to find her a husband hatch a plan to host a tournament for men across the land to fight for her hand in marriage. Two Mercenary twin brother's, down on their luck, see it as their moment to strike big. The biggest they've ever went to bat for.
Content: enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, violence, peer pressure, manipulation, misogyny, sexual tension, slow burn, political intrigue
Cw: manipulation, explicit language, light sexual tension, implied sexual situations
Word Count: 5.8 k
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When Smoke met the Queen face to face, he didnt have much expectations.
But he wasnt expecting this.
The sight of her...She was arresting.
Large, brown, doe-shaped eyes that looked at him as if she knew every secret he held. A slender face with delicate cheek bones, button nose, and thick, full lips. Her intracate braided up-do inlaid with golden jewelry that chimed with every slight movement she made, was a perfect frame against the beautiful canvas that was her face.
Her chunky, golden collared necklace drew his eyes to her ample chest that was framed by her pastel green dress.
Damn...
Was the only word that came to Smokes mind.
He was unashamedly staring.
He didnt care.
She was a whole lotta woman and just the type he liked to handle.
He heard the bald headed councilman introduce himself bringing him out of his trance, prompting Smoke to say his name.
They dont gotta know my real name. That's for muthafuckas I actually care about and its only one of 'em.
"Smoke...The names Smoke" he said evenly.
The Queen-Anisa, her name as he'd recently found out- looked at him skeptically. Confused by the moniker he had given her instead of an actual name.
She lifted a manicured brow.
"Smoke?...That can't be your real name." She scoffed.
It made him bristle. He never let anyone talk to him like that and he wasnt gonna start now.
"-To you it is" he said defensively. After the words left his mouth he stared, challenge in his eyes.
Waiting to see how she'd respond.
Her eyes narrowed, a smirk gracing her face, and she looked him up and down in disdain like he was an insect not worthy of her time. Once she decides she had her fill, she let out a derisive grunt-closer to a snort more than anything.
She turned briskly and left him and the room without another word, more than half the room following after her.
Never had a woman disregarded his presence with such contempt. He almost felt like he got his manhood chopped off in front of everyone in the room.
Damn woman...
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With a small enterouge of his own; the councilman-Obidiah and the two Queensgaurds- slowly made their way out the arena. Waddling through the sea of people who were also exiting now that the event was over.
Obidiah was giving Smoke a rundown of expectations and rules that he must adhere to as he was taking on such a role, when Smoke spotted Stack amongst the retreating crowd.
"Hey uh- ole head?" Smoke addressed the councilman, realizing he didnt know his name either.
"My name is Obidiah" he groused.
"Oh yeah-uh Obidiah, you see that man over there with the same face as me?"
The councilman turned his head in the direction Smoke was pointing in, and there he saw another man that had the exact same face as the man next to him- who was beginning to give him a migraine with his uncouth behavior.
It was a little unsettling how similar they looked.
"Hey there Mister councilman!" Stack waved, eagerly greeting the man before extending his hand out, shaking the older mans hand in a firm grip.
"Hellooo....?"
"Names Stack. Or you could call me Elias. Only people I fuck with get to call me that." Stack he leaned in towards the older man whispering the last part all conspiratory, like he was sharing a secret between just them.
"Your his brother I presume?" The older man questioned.
"Brother? What makes you think that?...I dont know about you but Im far betta' looking than he his." Stack threw an arm around the older man, cozying up to him quickly.
Obidiah's shoulders shook silently as he supressed a small chuckle. After having to deal with the moodier twin for most of the event he relished in someone else talking about him in such a way.
Smoke tuned them out as they headed in a direction that he assumed would lead them to the royal estate.
Stack aint even ask If he was allowed to come along or anything, he already working his magic on 'im", Smoke shook his head tampering down a smile of disbelief.
This boy, I tell ya-
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The advisors took care of arrangements to get their belongings to the Queen's estate.
Smoke was expecting some kind of sprawling palace or castle. As far as abodes made for a monarch it was modest by those standards, but the atmosphere...the energy...
It was a view to behold.
It was at the end of a lone dirt road, passed a pair of unassuming gates, tucked in a deep, densely packed forest.
A sea of greenery ranging from colors as bright as lime green, emerald, to shadowed foliage so deep it almost looked black. Towering trees with leaves the size of a man's head, the tops of their canopies tangling together competing for space. Small dappled rays of sunlight sparkling against the brush making it look like a constellation of stars against a green backdrop.
The path opened up to a sprawling field and in the center was a family compound with multiple different manors built around a shperical courtyard. In the center was a large fountain and a manicured garden that was currently inhabiting all kinds of species of butterflies, humming birds, and bees fluttering about.
Each building was connected by roofs attached to open air walkways allowing for the air flow of the soft warm breeze to breathe throughout the structure.
The place felt light.
Sacred in it's seclusion, like a portion of paradise was carved out in the world for just a place like this.
The first thing that hit Smoke when he first entered was the light, perfumey-floral scent from the multitudes of flowers coming from the interior garden. Jasmines, gardenias, and hyacinths.
A blue butterfly gently fluttered past his head when he took in the site. He couldnt help but stare. Its delicate, iridescent wings beating in the air, twinkling like blue gemstones.
Obidiah was just a few paces ahead of him, walking up to a young girl in a bright orange dress who looked just barely out of her teen years.
He could tell she was nervous, the way she stood ramrod straight, posture unnaturally still, and she was picking at the skin around manicured nails.
"Alright gentlemen. I'll be handing you over to lady Ruth, she'll be showing you where you'll be staying for now as we start to prepare for the upcoming nuptials." And with that Obidiah left them, leaving two other Queen's gaurds to continue trailing after the twins.
Ruth curtsied towards the brother's.
"H-hi. Welcome to the royal estate. Im lady Ruth. I would like to extend a warm welcome and a congratulations on the tournament-" she paused with a bewildered look flitting across her face. "-er...um...Im sorry, I dont know which one of you Im supposed to be congratulating." She said sheepishly.
Smoke was first to speak up making sure to soften his tone, as the girl already looked ready to shake out her skin. "That would be me 'lil-lady Ruth. The names Smoke, yhank you for the congratulations an' all."
"Mhmm, this man right here is the winner -and Im Stack." Stack hardily clapped Smokes back, causing the older twin to jolt forward a little bit. "Pleasure to meet you Lady Ruth." He finished with a respectful bow.
"Alright-" he clapped after introductions were made, "show us the way, captain-Lady Ruth." Playfully saluting the young girl.
Ruth let out a light chuckle.
"This way." She said pivoting to the left, following an open corridor to one of the houses in the compound.
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She led them to an expansive room with two queen sized beds, decorated with an array of purple and red pillows. Glossy red silk bed sheets that would keep them cool during the current heatwave.
A heavy oak table in the corner partnered with two chairs made of the same material as the table-dark, with intricate designs carved into the legs, arms and back. A soft lounge chair on the opposite end with plush cushions. And lastly a single, equally decorative, dresser.
After Ruth had left them on their own, Stack dropped his back onto the bed furthest from the door, bouncing a few of times on the springy mattress.
"Jesus. Shit feel like layin' on a damn cloud. After sleeping on floors and pallets so uncomfortable that might as well of been restin' on a bed bricks-this damn near feel better than pussy-shit I could cry right now", he sighed dramatically.
Stack flipped over, looking at his brother who just finished taking his shoes off and lowering his body against the soft mattress.
Smoke didnt realize how tired he was with all the adrenaline from earlier seeping out of him. He was about to rest his eyes until Stack interrupted his oncoming nap.
"-You never told me how the meeting with the queen went. She a dime piece aint she? Im almost jealous cause your ass aint do shit to deserve somethin' like that."
"An' what makes you think you deserve a woman like that?" Smoke grunted, disinterested.
"Shit, I dont. That dont mean it'd stop me from trying. She a queen. A woman like that always having to watch over and direct shit? She gotta be pent up with a 'lil need for release, no doubt about it" A mischievous grin splitting his face.
"Boy if you dont hush-up with all that nonsense." Smoke grunted.
Stack was quiet for a beat.
"....You aint answered yet. Tell me, how it go?" He pushed.
"We'll that old head-Obidiah, introduced me to her. Told 'er that my names Smoke. She said theres no way that, thats my real name. An' I said "To you it is"...She aint respond to that. Matter of fact she left the room after I said what I said."
Stack had an incredulous look on his face.
"Man- the fuck you do that for?!"
"...."
"This aint no ordinary woman that we dealing with Smoke. You bout to fuck up the plan 'fore it can even take root an' we just got the ball rolling."
Smoke turned to Stack, a pensive look marring his features. "Look Stack, I already told you-I aint doin' all that courtly politicking shit, Im leavin' that to you. I just agreed to fight to marry 'er, which I did."
"You aint marry her yet fool. What if she decides to back out, now we'd of done all this for nothin'."
Smoke atleast had the decency to look at least a little sheepish. Although he had no interest in engaging with all the expectations that come with maneuvering with the uppercrust of society, Smoke did promise to go through with this to make sure that he and, especially, Stack were in a position where they'd be taken care of without Smoke always having to worry about him 24/7.
"I'll handle it." He grumbled.
"You betta find away to get her to like ya ass. At least enough to allow you to put a baby in her or somethin."
"Elias" Smoke warned.
"Listen man, Im just sayin', If you did then they'd have no choice but to keep us around. Them stuffy councilmembers wouldn't want to risk a scandal of a separation. A King leaving a queen to rear a child by herself? They gotta image they wanna upkeep, Im just sayin' it's a foolproof idea...."
"Man- imma handle it how I see fit. I aint doin all that other shit that you talkin' about. You do whatever the fuck you wanna do, but Im going the fuck to sleep. Im tired an' sore as hell." Smoke groused.
And with that. He turned his back to his younger twin, and went to sleep.
Leaving Stack to entertain himself.
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It was late in the evening, and the manor was quieting down. Preparing to retire for bed.
Annie was back in her chamber, already changed out of her Royal garbs and her makeup in exchange for a bare face and a comfortable, loose, powder blue shift. She was tired and wanted to be left alone after the long day she had.
She thought about that tense exchange between her and...Smoke.
Her nose scrunching in distaste at the thought of his "name".
After she had promptly left the room after his slick remark about how she would refer to him, Pearline and Mary were bombarding her with comments and questions.
Wanting to know what she thought of the him, If she was really gonna go through with marrying him? What kind of a man she thought he was? How intense he was came off. How nice his lips were, how broad he was, how masculi-
Mary seemed like she was actually intrigued by the brutish man, if her line of comment's were any indication.
The hell's side was she on? She thought irritably.
That woman always had poor taste in men. As long as it was something that she felt like she was not supposed to have, here she come with her nonsense, wantin' something that clearly was no good for her. His ass probly no good for anyone.
Annie grabbed a wide-toothed comb and started combing through her moisturized coils, now free from the excess braiding hair and jewels she wore to the tournament.
"Who the hell does he think he is anyways?" She muttered aloud into the empty room.
A knock at her door broke her musings.
"Who is it?"
"Its Ruth."
A small smile formed on her lips. "Come on in Ruth."
Ruth started floundering when she entered the Queens chambers, seeing how lax the queen was dressed. Fearing that she may have caused some nonsensical offense, she started sputtering. "A-apologies my Queen, I didnt know that you weren't decent."
"-Ruth. Calm down baby, you dont gotta speak all formal to me right now. Its just us." Ruths eyes widened. She'd never heard the queen speak so casually, it was completely different from her formal speech that she uses when addressing her advisors and councilmembers, or even the servants that flit about the manor.
"I just wanted to let you know that your husband to be and his brother are situated and taken care of. I placed them in the eastern wing for now, until your nuptials have passed."
Before Annie could bristle at the mention of that mans name again, another thing caught her attention.
Brother? No body mentioned that...Then again, our interaction was so brief 'fore I left. Im not suprised.
"Thank you Ruth, you did an amazing job today." She smiled at the young girl.
The praise from the queen made the young girl preen. "You're most welcome your majesty." She gave a deep curtsy then exited the royal chambers, leaving the queen alone with her thoughts once again.
She just had to get through the wedding, so that her court can finally get off her back about needing a husband.
After that?
Its back to business for her. She'll interact with the man when she needs to. Make public appearances with her on his arm and everything, but once they're home? He's invisible to her.
He can go off and do whatever the hell he liked for all she cared, as long as he stayed out the way.
And with that she finished up her hair, putting it in chunky twists, covered it up with a silk bonnet and went to bed.
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Annie was taking a stroll through the open walk ways in the direction of her central gardens and decorative fountains.
Her loose lilac caftan gently rippled from the light breeze outside, jewelry chiming with every step.
She requested to be left alone for the afternoon to go to her gardens and check on her flowers. See which plants from her herb garden were ready to be picked so she can make her personal tea's and other holistic creations.
She saw another man coming in the opposite direction. Smoke?
She tensed, but kept walking. Head held high.
As she drew closer she sensed that something was....off.
He felt different.
"How you doin' Queen Anisa?" He bowed.
That's definitely different.
The queen looked at him with intense scrutiny.
It made the man slightly uncomfortable as she hadnt responded to his greeting at all.
"Im doing fine thank you." She finally said, her voice a little clipped, sizing him up. She noticed the very slight differences in appearance. He wasnt as broad as Smoke, but she could tell he was still a built man. His eyes weren't as hooded and held a mischievous glint to them.
The biggest difference was that dimpled smile plastered across his face, his side grills gleaming.
Unbidden she wondered if Smoke had dimples as well since she had yet to see that man smile. She quickly squashed the thought as soon as it came.
"Who are you? Cause I know for damn sure you aint him. You got his face though...", she tilted her head. "You must be the brother I heard about."
"Yes that would be me. Names Elias, but I normally go by Stack."
"Stack..." she repeated. She was still analyzing him as she tested his nickname across her lips.
"I just wanted to apologize on behalf of my brother. Growin' up in the streets the way we did dont leave much for manners sometimes." He reasoned, scratching the back of his head.
"-But I promise if you get to know him, you'll find out he a solid man for real..."
Annie was silent for a beat. Stack couldnt read her, couldnt figure out where her mind was at. But the way she looked at him made him feel like she could read his mind. It made him feel a little uneasy.
She breathed a thoughtful hum, considering his words.
"Mmm....No"
She stated with an air of finality.
"Whatchu mean no?" Stack was puzzled.
"I mean no to your apology on your brothers behalf. He wanna apologize? He a grown ass man, he can say it to me himself." With that Annie walked passed him, continuing her trek to her gardens.
Leaving Stack at a loss for words.
Damn. I know she still upset, but Im having trouble getting a full read on her...I need more information.
Then again...he hadnt set out looking for the queen in particular.
There was one person he was looking for. The thin pale one, with a taste for trouble.
That's where he'd start.
His grin sharpened as he continued his stroll in the opposite direction of the queen, exploring the estate grounds.
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Smoke had already been at the manor for two days without so much as seeing a glimpse of the queen.
He was changed into new threads, loose midnight blue robes, with gold leaf trimmings along its edges. The inner ends of the cloth artfully crimped to a point, held together on the side in the space between his collar bone and his shoulder by a gold pendent.
The servants made sure to scrub him down within every inch of his life. Mortified seeing his dirty body splayed across the delicate silk sheets of the bed he'd fallen asleep on, on the first day.
They completely changed his wardrobe eventhough they had brought his belongings they obviously were not clothing befitting of a-now-king.
He shifted uncomfortably in the new attire. After being bombarded with servants and advisors coaching him on expectations, rules of the court and the like, he was drained.
He needed some fresh air.
He left his shared room with Stack and walked towards the central courtyard that had the gardens with all the nice smelling flowers. Figuring the hush of water spilling from the fountain would calm his nerves since he wasnt aloud to smoke on the compound.
When he reached the gardens he saw her.
On her knees, foraging through some of her herbs.
She wore a yellow dress. The neckline more daring than the last one he saw her in. Her hair was different this time. Small, uniformed bantu knots with gold thread and beads intertwined throughout her hair. Including the ends of the two braids that dropped just infront of both her ears.
The sun made her skin look like burnished gold.
Shimmery, shiney, moisturized.
The multiple thin necklaces across her neck and collar bone slightly dipped. Drawing his attention to her generous cleavage.
Woman look like a goddamn dream. Stack did have a point. If she wasnt so damn stuck up I woulda been took her ass down by now...shit, I still m-
"You gone say something or is your mute-ass gon' stay over there and just stare? Since it seem like you can can't speak unless there some bullshit attached". Annie quipped without looking up from where she was.
...and she already startin'.
"I speak when I mean what I say woman." He groused, steadily making his way towards her, still fidgeting with his new threads.
"Heh- mustn't mean much then-and my name aint woman! You know what it is so you best use it. I dont need to hide behind my titles unlike you" She looked him directly in his eyes, a challenge in her gaze.
He glared back in a heavy silence.
She broke their locked eyes first, looking back at her herbs. A dry laugh escaping her lips, "-Ok you wanna keep to the nicknames huh? I'll give you one... How 'bout Smog? Cause you out here just polluting the air with all that nerve you walk 'round here with. In MY house at that."
Smoke stiffened. "Well this gone be OUR house now so you best get used to it-and dont go around callin' me no damn Smog."
"I aint gotta do a damn thing. Imma call you what I wanna call you since you tryin to be all mysterious. You don' wanna give me your real name? Fine-I gave you one myself." She got up from her kneeled position, brushed off grass from her dress, grabbed her basket of herbs in one hand then turned around, walking away.
"Dont you walk away from me-"
"I just did-Go find somewhere else to be at Smog, where you can pollute the air far from me." she called over her shoulder.
He was almost tempted to follow her to keep arguing with her. Unsatisfied that she had the last word.
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Smoke was heated. He'd never let a woman talk to him like that ever. He didnt give a damn if they were royalty or not. He tell them something and they listened.
But simmering underneath his irritation was a different kind of heat, as he watched the Queen walk away.
His heart rate picked up, skin warmed and prickled with a certain sensitivity, and there was a peculiar warmth settling in his stomach.
The fuck?
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Annie was vexed.
She knew she had already resolved herself to dealing with whatever may come with the man she would marry, but she didnt think he'd be so...Tactless, stubborn.
Rude.
He didnt even pretend to suck up to her to get on her good side like the others did. She hadnt dealt with a man going back and forth with her like that before the man eventually would cave in, and that man-Smoke, seemed incapable of caving, too stubborn- too bullheaded.
Never had someone gotten under her skin like that.
Calling that man Smog of a things?
Her mother would be rolling in her grave seeing her act so brazenly to someone in court as the ruling monarch, whether it was deserved or not. And in this case, it was very much deserved. The man was insufferable.
He's clearly used to getting his way, thinkin' he can boss people around and they'll just fall in line. Too bad for him, cause here in MY house- that shit aint gonna fly no way. He wanna be difficult? Fine. Two can play at that game.
She sniffed indignantly. Her skin heated with irritation.
She quickened her pace to get as far away from him as physically possible while living under the same roof.
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After their second, equally bad interaction Annie virtually disappeared for the rest of the day and the next. It was already a day before the wedding and nothing had improved.
Smoke continued to do his new habit of making daily rounds just outside the estate grounds.
A crazy part of him kind of hoped he'd run into the frustrating woman, he felt his heart speed up at the thought of her.
He grit his teeth, pulled out one of his cigarettes and puffed on it trying to snuff out his ever increasing heart rate.
The hell's wrong with me?
He continued his quiet stroll. Still a little disturbed by this new development that he had in reaction to that woman. Anisa. Yeah she was attractive but damn was she a pill, always talkin' back at him.
When it came to woman that he got involved with they were typically more mild mannered, with an eagerness please him. No doubt that it was because they wanted to sleep with one of infamously known SmokeStack twins, it didnt help that Smoke was known to be the more selective of the two. He had no time for games and no time to do no chasing. He told em what type of time he was on thats it. He'd make sure they get theirs and he get his, and that was it.
Those woman were not nearly as combative as the Queen was...but against his better judgement he couldnt help but find her attitude a bit of a turn-on.
That was a first.
Aside from his strained relationship between him and his wife to be-Damn. She really 'bout to be my wife- Reality really starting to hit him.
He was too busy being cantakerous and irritable with the whole upcoming preparations with people constantly troubling him.
"Cant even take a shit 'round here without someone up under your ass asking if you need help to wipe it. Like, if you dont get the fuck away from me." He grumbled to himself as this was the first time since he came to the royal estate that he's been fully left alone.
Hell, he was even short with Stack when he was around and not gallavanting with the maids and servants. He wouldnt be suprised if he was already fucking some of them already with his reckless ass.
He would fill Smoke in with some of the gossiping around the manor.
Who was fucking who. How "apparently" one of the servants was a daughter of a royal elder councilman that he had outside his marriage that almost no one knew about.
Whispers of Pearline, one of the queens personal ladies in waiting, going out to lechurous places to do god knows what. Whatever it was, it was very unbecoming of a woman of her status.
Or even rumors of Mary sleeping with some of the queens past suitors without her knowledge. Apparently while they were still in the middle of courting the queen.
Smoke had asked him how the hell even found shit like that out in such a short period of time.
"Aye, loose lips got loose lips." Stack said cryptically.
Smoke had given him an unimpressed stare.
Stack huffed. "A well satisfied woman an' a 'lil pillow talking go a long way. Some of these bitches, more pent up than a burst pipe. All it takes is some deep cleaning." He said as he leaned back on his bed, elbows resting behind his head.
Smoke shook his head, thinking back to that conversation.
His ass better becareful 'fore that shit blow back up in his face messin' with all them woman under the same roof. I aint even gon' try to save his ass on that one. He on his own...
Smoke really needed this break away from the estate though.
He was "this" close to punching the daylights outta some of these advisors fussing with him. Being all pushy n' shit.
Dont know how that woman deal with all this. All these rules an' regulations, an' all these folks in my ears is startin' to make my damn head spin.
He couldnt help but empathize with her a little bit, as much as he'd allow himself too.
Yeah the woman got on his nerves an all that, giving him that ugly-ass nickname, but from what he observed, he can tell she had lot on her plate.
Especially with these hyenas that she calls her council members.
Shit they more annoying than she is. With they stuck up attitude and their garbage advice. The way they were movin'? Looks like they got some hidden animosity towards the woman they s'pposed to be serving.
Smoke could tell from the very haphazard set up they had when he registered to fight in the tournament. They didnt do any background checks and the way they were moving so desperately to get the queen married did make him raise questions.
He figured part of it was them probably wanting a King by her side to bolster the look of the kingdom and its people. Even more if the king had a background in combat. But something wasnt right to him...
Even though he can admit he had been an ass to the queen, a part of him knew that he owed it to her that he was out of his precarious situation. So even if they didnt get along, he'd still make sure to watch out for her. 'Cause if she's taken care of, then so is he and Stack.
Speaking of-
Where the fuck is he? I havent seen that fool since mornin'.
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Stack was walking the hallways of the estate, greeting servants, ladies, lords, and advisors all the like. Having small talk, asking about there lives and such.
This continued 'till he finally saw the woman he was looking for. There she was- standing by one of the pillars in one of the outside corridors, wearing a deep wine dress, brunette hair pinned to the back except for the two lightly curled sections of hair that cascaded over both sides of her face.
She had noticed him as well. Her gaze averted at first, then flitted back to him a few times, her eyes were filled with restrained interest.
Stack didnt approach her. Opting to pause and look out towards the forests surrounding them loke it was the most interesting thing in sight.
He waited.
After a few minutes, he heard her quiet slinky steps towards him, her heels lightly dragging on the floor.
She curtsied toward him in greeting.
"I believe we havent formally met. Im lady Mary. I believe your name is...Smoke?" She said, interested coloring her tone.
Interesting...
Stack grinned.
"Im sorry lady Mary, you might be mistaken. Im Stack- the other twin." He lowered his eyes as he looked her directly in the eyes.
"Oh? A twin?". She eyed him up and down, stepping just a little closer. "I've spent most of my time here in this manor, 'cept for the few times Im not. I dont know if I ever seen twins so similar."
"Is that right?" Stack fiegned intrigued.
"Mhmm"
"We'll I can assure you if you spend more time 'round us, you'll see that we got quiet a bit of differences."
"Like what?" Her voice turned velvety.
"You just gon' have to find out." His dimples on full display as a smirk graced his lips.
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Drip
Drip
Drip
Steady water droplets fell off Annie's lifted leg as she soaked in a lavender infused bath. Rose petals floating by.
She was trying to calm down as her wedding was just over the horizon. Letting out a long exhale, she submerged her body further into the bath.
Her upcoming nuptials had a lot of unwelcomed feelings bubbling up to the surface.
She thought of her parents...The last people she could remember she could fully trust. Ever since they-
When it happened.
Something never fully felt right to her. The walls that she grew up around, always carried a familiar enveloping warmth, now felt like they were closing in on her, scrutinizing her. Waiting for her to slip up. Like they knew something she didn't.
Something hasnt been right since then. No- not just the fact that her parents were no longer with her...something...something was off.
Something was off and she couldnt pin point what it was.
She kissed her teeth in frustration. The pressure. It was getting too much, all the planning, all the invasive questions, the lack of alone time.
She couldnt even afford to vent her frustrations to anyone, she was too paranoid. She feared it would only be used against her some how.
Mary was rarely around these last couple of days, and Pearline tried her best, but they didnt have much time to talk to eachother because Annie was getting pulled in 7 different directions on top of taking care of her regular duties required to her as queen.
Attending the fitting for her dress.
Having to settle disputes.
Making sure her staff and servants were well looked after. She didnt have to, but she wanted to make sure they were all good and her having daily meetings with the elder council members.
Her head was spinning.
She plunged her head fully into the bath water letting air bubbles escape through her nose.
To her suprise. Her mind wandered to her out-of-order husband to be once again.
She thought back to their last interaction in the gardens. He was a frustrating man who's done nothing but be disrespectful and piss her off, but- a quiet part of her, a very nonsensical and insane part of her found it refreshing in an odd way.
His blunt, crass nature was something that was non existent in the realm of court politics. He was firm and direct, letting her know exactly what was up with him.
Even if he's an ass about it. She rolled her eyes.
But she atleast could tell where his mind was at for the most part. She obviously knew he and his brother had an ulterior motive in having Smoke marry her. That was a given. But still...
Being surrounded by a lot of fake ass-kissers all the time, his presence was...
She wasnt sure what to make it....different?
-But just because she found it different didnt mean she was gonna let him talk to her any kinda way,
thinking his no-name havin' ass can just walk all over me? He gotta another thing comin'.
She breathed a ghost of a laugh, thinking about the affronted look on his face when she called him Smog.
He looked 'bout ready to catch some flies the way his mouth gaped open at that nickname.
Serves his ass right...
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Part 5
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An: ngl I got the smog nickname from a tiktok where someone did a poor drawing of Smoke and Stack and someone in the comments called them "Smog and Pile"😭
I hope someone knows what I'm referencing here🤣
*sorry for any mistakes cuz ur girl did NOT double check😭
Next part is long asf, and honestly so will the rest of the parts, and theres gonna be waayyy more Smoke and Annie interactions from here on out🙂↕️
With a list of betrothals broken off due to her being a "difficult" woman to deal with by past suitors, her council, desperate to find her a husband hatch a plan to host a tournament for men across the land to fight for her hand in marriage. Two Mercenary twin brother's, down on their luck, see it as their moment to strike big. The biggest they've ever went to bat for.
Content: enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, violence, peer pressure, manipulation, misogyny, sexual tension, slow burn, political intrigue
Cw: Graphic depictions of violence (its probably not that bad, but Id rather be safe than sorry), explicit language
*This part jumps to a lot of POV's, so hopefully its followable😭
Word Count: 6.1k
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His nickname was Smoke for a reason.
One wouldn't know they were being suffocated until it was too late.
It was how he moved.
Smoke wasn't an outgoing man, but he wasnt shy by any means. If there was something he wanted, he'd get it.
Where he lacked in easygoing finesse the younger twin had, his own blunt directness had its own unique charm. Where Stack would convince, he would command, and it would be in someone's best interest to do as he told.
They never assumed Smoke's reserved nature was a thinly controlled leash for the hair thin trigger he had. That's how they'd get em'. They'd be so focused on keeping Stack in their sight, assuming that he was the one to watch for, that they'd never notice the "Smoke" closing in on them before it was too late.
Stack used people's assumptions of him to let people slip up, thinking they had him figured out. They never did.
Dont get it twisted though. Smoke was known for his combat abilities, but Stack was formidable in his own right-if his fondness for knives were any indication.
Where Smoke was efficient, focusing on the maximum output of dropping bodies quickly, Stack loved the intimacy of watching someone's life drain from their eyes. He played with his food too much, too risky.
This was exactly why Smoke was perfect for the tournament.
He was good at dispatching a lot of people in a short period of time; whether in a physical brawl-a quick snap of the neck or grabbing the nearest object to dent some poor souls head in-or wielding a weapon, his prized dual pistols.
He'd make sure the damage was lethal from the first strike.
A well placed bullet to the head-painting the pavement with brain matter or blasting someone's heart out the back of their spine...
The most he'd let someone suffer was a clean shot to the gut-blood bubbling out, slowly suffocating on their own fluids, until he'd administer a bullet to the brain.
It wasn't out of mercy- he justed wanted to make sure they were dead with no chance of coming back.
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Smoke currently found himself in a holding area under the arena, minutes from when the main event was to take place.
His mind wandered to his brother,
Stack prolly found a spot in the crowd to watch from, most likely close to where the royal entourage was, working his magic by now.
That boy was slicker than oil.
He was surrounded by the final 20 men that passed the preliminary rounds that weeded out the weak.
He scanned his surroundings, sizing up the competition. Analyzing each individuals physicality.
Which side of the body was more dominant than the other, what leg they favored, seeing if they had an old injury that he could exploit.
How a man stood and held their body could tell him everything he needed to know.
Some of the men were lords from houses big and small who no doubt had *some* combat experience. Some were decorated, experienced, warrior's from both this kingdom's army and of distant lands. Other's were still green. Wet behind the ears and eager to prove their worth.
And some were desperate mercenaries like himself.
No merc that was well off would ever gamble with something this risky, but the few that were there, he noticed, were eyeing him closely.
They knew that he and his twin, we're no ordinary mercenaries that joined whichever wayward army that was desperate for more warriors to join they're cause.
Hushed whispers of the twins dabbling in personalized, contractual assasinations were floating around in many of the mercenary circles in the area.
Seeing Smoke only confirmed to them that the elusive twins were in fact present and around. They heard rumors of not only his renowned efficiency in "making people dissappear" without a trace, but just the sheer amount of people he's made dissappear along with his equally feared twin.
Gone.
Like Smoke in the wind.
Smoke made sure to pay close attention to those other mercenaries. If they already put together who he was, he knew those men would try to dispatch of him quickly once the tournament would start.
He filed it away for later, continuing to size the room up.
As he directed his attention elsewhere he overheard a group of young warriors gloating about how much respect they'd gain from their peers if any of them won the Queen's hand. Some even joking about how they'd outrank their commanders who were no doubt kicking their asses in training as a sort of get back.
Similarly, the the older, more experienced warriors were droning on about how much of an honor it would be to marry the queen. How proud they'd make their families.
All while subtly getting into a dick-measuring contest to see which man was more accomplished than the other. Boasting about what things they would change once they were in power as the queen (apparently) needed men like them to elevate the kingdom and bolster the common folks confidence in the power of the crown.
No matter their words, Smoke knew what it really was. He sneered.
Aint none of them give a fuck about no honor. We all here for the same thing.
Power. Wealth. Status.
...A way out.
He didnt give a damn about socializing with the rest of them. He had no frilly words for why he was actually here. Smoke made no bones about the kind of man he was and he didnt plan on putting up an act any time soon, that was Stacks job.
A man came into the room followed closely by what appeared to be a royal gaurd. The man that came in was bald with whispy hints of curly silver hair. He was dressed in a bright yellow shawl that loosely wrapped around his shoulders and torso, a sliver of his white top peaking through a slit made between the shawl and a pair of white linen pants.
The man was dripped in jewels from head to toe. Looked late 50's to early 60s.
One of the Queen's councilmen? Smoke figured.
"Hello gentlemen. Were down to the wire now as you all are the about to enter the last round to determine who's worthy enough for Queen Anisa's hand. For the final round there will be no weapons allowed so you'll have to get resourceful."
That garnered a reaction from some of the contestants, some groaning in trepidation.
Smoke watched quietly.
"Just to go over the rules one more time, you are free to opt out anytime, just make sure you raise your hand. No killing is allowed, and if you feel the need to be a hero and prove something while clearly looking incapacitated, we will disqualify you ourselves. Got it?"
A cluster of "yes sir's" and "yes your highness" filled the room in response.
The councilman clapped his hands together with an air of finality, "-alright! Let the final round begin!"
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The outside arena was humid.
The type of heat that had a phyisical presence.
Breathing felt like standing over a simmering pot of water while inhaling the warm vapor it produced. You could feel the moisture entering your lungs as you breathed in the air.
Annie was rapidly beating her hand held fan. The force of the wind from her furious swipes caused light ripples across the delicate fabric of her dress.
It wasnt much help.
All it did was blow hot air against her skin that was becoming increasingly moist as her body was beginning to sweat.
She was miserable.
"-Whew! Its hot." Pearline whined as she waved the neckline of her deep plum colored dress- her silver bracelets clinking into eachother, in hopes that the airflow would cool her skin.
"We might just faint before the tournament even starts. They sure are taking their sweet time-" Mary grumbled, waving her fan in a frantic motion-similar to Annie. The sweat turning parts of her light pink dress a darker color.
"All the fussing we had to go through for all this-there better be some eye candy out there atleast." Mary added teasingly.
"Aint that right?" She turned to Annie and Pearline lifting her brows suggestively.
"Mhm..." Pearline hummed. "There better be, 'else I'd be hot and bothered-and not the good kind." Her and Mary broke out in giggles, covering their mouths in an attempt to restrain their laughter.
"What about you Anisa?" Mary pressed through her chuckling fit.
Despite her melancholic mood, she couldnt help but lift a brow in amusement. Something close to a smirk gracing her full lips. "It wouldn't hurt. 'Least there'll be something interesting to watch in the midst of this ridiculous event-"
"-My Queen, my lady's- it is unbecoming for women of your station to speak in such an informal manner at a public event such as this!" A stern voice from behind them had cut into their conversation.
Elder council woman Maevis - a short, shrewed woman, with black and silver hair pulled into a severe bun, her lips always seemed pursed in distaste. She had a red shawl on compared to Obidiah's yellow one.
Next to her, the other council members that were there to witness and watch over the event. All in decorated shawls of various rich colors indicating their rank, were flanked on both sides by two members of the Queen's royal gaurd.
Annie had cast an unreadable glance over her shoulder at the council woman who had interrupted her conversation. Her golden jewelry melodiously chimed with the movement.
Calmly-but with a tone that booked no room for argument she spoke;
"While I appreciate your concern council-woman Maevis, I see nothing wrong in engaging in a little informal chatter amongst friends during an unprecedented event as this. Wouldn't you agree?"
She ticked her brow, daring the older woman to chastise her again, before she'd make a fool out that old bird for being so comfortable in cutting her off in front of company.
She betta' watch herself. Annie thought to herself irritably, I dont give a damn if she a councilmember or not. I'll straighten her ass out publicly if she does something like that again.
Just because Annie conceded to their ridiculous plan to find her a husband did not mean she was gonna start doing everything they asked her to do.
You give 'em an inch, and they're already trying to take the whole mile. With interest.
Maevis' face tightened in response. She leaned back in her chair, muttering out a reserved "Yes your majesty" and remained silent for the time being.
The other council members exchanged loaded looks to eachother but none of them spoke a word. Annie sharply turned her head back, facing away from the irksome woman. Their conversation was done and would remain done for the rest of the event if Annie had any say in it.
Mary trurned around and gave Maevis a smug look after witnessing Annie shut her down. She wanted Maevis to look at her face, following the council-woman's humiliation.
The older woman's face further pinched, if it was possible in front of Mary's face, knowing that the younger woman was relishing in her embarrassment.
Serves her ass right. She thought. Uptight bitch...Im 'bout sick of her ass.
A slight smirk formed across her lips before she followed the Queen's lead and turned around to refocus on the dirt covered pit where the fighting would take place.
Maevis had been insufferable ever since she got Annie to agree to the marriage conditions.
Pearline excitedly patted Annie's arm, point I ng at the fighting pit. "Looks like the event's about to start." Pearline said, restrained amusement coloring her tone.
Annie turned her attention to the arena as the crowd quieted down, releasing a quiet breath to center herself.
Outwardly she was the vision of calm tranquility, her eyelids were lowered, mouth slightly agape, and posture loose, but her hand- the one not holding her fan- the one repeatedly fiddling with a loose thread on her dress was evidence of how wired she was feeling.
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In the stands not so far behind from where the Queen was seated, Stack was watching the interaction between her and who he now knew was Council-woman Maevis.
As he had watched the scene unfold he couldnt help the thought that crossed his mind.
So nobody was gone' mention how stacked the queen was?
The interaction was brief but when the queen had turned around to address the older woman it left Stack enough time to take in her appearance.
While she was still covered modestly for the most part, her curves were hard to miss. The voluminous pastel green dress and bright gold jewelry she was wearing made a striking display against her deep brown skin. The thick golden collar necklace that graced her throat drew attention to her heavy chest.
I aint even have to see her get up to know her backside tells the same story. Stack thought salaciously.
The light sheen of sweat across her skin made it glow a burnished bronze. And her face-Delicately sculpted cheekbones, plump, full lips with deep soulful doe eyes that could get a man to do anything she wanted.
She was magnetic.
Hard took at. Hard to look away from.
Stack was almost jealous.
Hell, if Id knew she was walkin' around looking like that, I would've been took Smoke's place.
-But that's not what he was there for, he was there to scope the scene out and the restrained tension between the Queen and the council-woman piqued his interest.
Looks like theres some trouble in paradise huh...
The gears already started to turn in his head.
He made note of the pale woman in the blush dress sitting right next to the queen. Watching her closely, trying to intake as much info of the interaction that he could. Seeing her turn around to give the chastised elder a smug look once the Queen's back was turned, made Stack light up like it was he just recieved a birthday present.
It was small, but he had a target now.
For however brief the look was-Stack locked in on it like a dog with a bone.
Looks like someone's on a lil power trip- knowing the queen on her side.
He was already thinking...Thinking of ways he could slither in.
She look like she enjoy pushing what she can get away with. Like she was attracted to trouble.
And trouble is exactly what Stack was.
A sly smile broke across his lips. Grills glinting in the heat of the sun.
This gon' be easy work.
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Annie slightly leaned forward, watching as the contestants slowly trickled into the arena.
Their bare feet kicking up clouds of red dirt, dried from baking in the unforgiving afternoon sun. All of them were clothed in the same attire.
A simple white cloth shirt with loose brown pants. No doubt made of the same material. Loose and breathable clothing. Easy to maneuver in.
Similarly their hands were also wrapped in a cloth, like a boxer prepping for a spar. That was the extent of cushioning and protection they would have entering what was essentially going to be a brawl with no weapons.
Annie began scrutinizing the men passing through.
Young and old.
Short and tall.
Thin and thick.
Or somewhere inbetween.
Some were decently handsome, other's were not so much.
Most were average.
And all were unremarkable to her.
Either way she went on with her persual of the stock made up of all the finalists from the days long preliminary rounds.
"Only the best the lands have to offer...", She had thought wryly to herself, remembering the words elder councilman Obadiah said in his attempt to assuage the Queen's concerns.
"Ill see to it myself", he told her...
I should denote you my damn self if this is what you could find for "only the best the lands have to offer"" she thought irritably.
Anisa was growing a little concerned seeing the haphazard way they planned this.
Did they even do any background checks? Half these men look like downright criminals.
It clearly showed her that there was a certain lack of care they seemed to have in making sure she was atleast safe and that could very quickly turn dangerous for her.
Imma have to clean-house cause they're clearly showing they ass right now. If they dont even want to put in the effort of making sure Im safe as leader of this kingdom, then how the hell are they supposed to council me into the right decision?
She had been seriously considering clearing out her elder council lately. There have been one too many questionable decisions they've been making.
Annie tried.
Her council had been there to advise her late-father. They were almost like family. Aunts and uncles. And now....
"-Oh? And who's that?" Mary spoke, cutting through the whirlwind that was Annie's thoughts. Her voice drenched in intrigued.
"Shoot, its about time. I was starting to give up hope" Pearline murmured. Crossing her arms in front of her chest. Annie followed their gaze.
The last to enter the arena was...
A man.
In every sense of the word.
The plain clothes he wore did nothing to hide his sturdy body. Everything about him was solid. His arms-wrapped in thick, corded muscle. The slope of his wide defined chest that casted gentled shadows across his shirt. His skin. A shimmering golden-brown in the heat of the sun.
And his face.
Annie couldn't see it all that clearly from the distance she was at. But from from what she could see?
Stoic and still.
Not a twitch of muscle to give an inkling of what he was thinking.
He cut a strapping image and against the other men in the arena?
He was striking.
His presence, although reserved, demanded attention.
Annie couldnt look away.
"-Annie"
"-Anisa"
"Queen Anisa!"
Annie slightly jerked, "H- what?"
"Mary asked you a question." Pearline stared at her with a curiosity in her eyes.
"Oh-uh sorry, I didnt catch what you said." Her voice coming out a little more breathless than she intended.
"I asked if you like what you see out there?" Mary was looking at Annie. Confusion visible on her face.
Did I zone out?
"Its...decent.", she said lightly, recovering from her earlier sputtering.
She was the image of indifference, but her inner thoughts started to spiral.
She was a little unnerved. Never had the sight of a man ever effect her the way that he had. He made her lose focus, made her feel uncomfotable like her skin was too tight for her body, but then- against her better judgment, she allowed herself to indulge. To relax a little.
Drinking him in unabashedly.
A 'lil starin' wont hurt. Lord knows the next time I'll see a man like that again
So she continued watching him with a quiet intensity masked as indifference.
Following the mystery man, councilman Obidiah was closely behind. His bald head and bright yellow shawl shimmered in the sun. He quickly made his way towards the middle of the arena to make his grand introductions; state the purpose of why such an event was being held, and to wish the contestants good luck.
"May the most valiant man win."
And with a final clap of his strong hands, the fighting had begun.
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Smoke was focused.
Scanning the circumference of the arena. Looking for anything he could use to his advantage.
A blind spot. Maybe a slight impression in the dirt from the ground being uneven. Hell-even the sturdy walls that bracketed the arena's spherical shape could be used.
In the right hands anything could be turned into a weapon.
As soon as the councilman made his exit, everything turned into mayhem rather quickly.
Specifically among the younger contestants-over eager to prove their worth.
Arms and legs were flying in every which way, tugging and ripping open clothing, tripping over eachother in its sloppiness.
Bumps and bruises were starting to bloom against their bodies and it hadn't even been five minutes yet.
The more experienced fighters hung back as the competition was eliminating itself. Circling and eyeing up the other fighters that hadn't joined in the chaos.
Smoke was gingerly walking the perimeter of the field. Keeping his back to the walls. Covering his blind spot. He was eyeing the fighters that had stayed back, who were equally eyeing him as well.
He particularly payed attention to the other three mercenaries that were eyeing him up from when they were in the holding room earlier.
He knew they would target him first. Wanting to take out who they presumed was one of the more dangerous men amongst the group first to better their odds.
The three mercs all moved in tandem towards Smoke.
Smoke kept his steady pace, moving against the walls, purposefully sliding his feet across the ground, kicking up dust and caking his feet with a thick layer of the dry rusty-red dirt.
Where is it? I know theres a spot somewhere in here.
They started closing the distance quickly as Smoke was still shuffling his feet.
Where the fuck is it? I shoulda found something by now.
Time was running out for what he was searching for and three men were rapidly closing the gap between him.
I can still take em on. It'd just be easier if I could find a-
There it was.
A dip in the ground. Barely perceptible just by looking at it, but deceptively steep. Something you could easily trip over if you weren't paying *close* attention.
Just what I needed.
And with that, Smoke stopped moving.
Firmed his stance, bent his knees, relaxed his arms and waited. They all charged him at the same time.
The one that was a bit ahead of the other two slightly tripped on that barely visible divot in the ground that Smoke went through all the trouble to make sure he situated himself behind. That small hiccup was all he needed.
He shot a hand out and gripped the back of the first ones neck like vice. Using the momentum of the mans trip to hurdle his face into the stone wall behind Smoke's back. Breaking his nose and busting his lips from the impact. His teeth were likely shattered.
The other two he dispatched of just as quickly. The fallen, crumpled body of the first merc got in the way, causing the second one to miss their aim. Fist narrowly grazing his Smoke's ear.
Smoke grabbed that ones arm and twisted it at an unnatural angle behind his back until a snap was heard. The man howled in pain.
The grip that he had on the man was bone crushing. Arms pumped and veins pulsing with adrenaline he let out a low grunt as he launched the mans limp body, sending it barreling into the third one. The impact launched both men to the ground, knocking the wind out of the one that he just threw a whole man at.
His first instinct was to "finish" the job while they were incapacitated. Years of his kind of work hardwired into his being, but he stopped himself, remembering the rules.
Been so long since I left anybody alive-shit feels unnatural almost.
Smoke moved on, leaving the three crumpled up bodies writhing on the floor.
Swear for God if any of them muthafucka's get up and try to so somethin' other than raise their hands to get the hell on? Im putting all three of 'em in the dirt. Fuck them rules. He darkly thought to himself.
Looking around, he saw that there were already a few left. Most of the competition took eachother out in the initial scuffel. Some of them already walking off with a twisted ankle, a broken leg, or a busted nose.
What was left were the experienced warriors who were squaring off with eachother. Completely disregarding Smokes presence, believing that he probably got taken out by the three men that rushed him.
Smoke waited. A strategy that he's been finding to be pretty successful against a group of men that were already familiar with eachother, aware of their feats and weakness, leaving Smoke on the outside orbiting.
He was virtually unknown in the circles that they most likely ran in.
Smoke and Stack made it a point to do most of their Mercenary work in lands far away from here, so they could keep their status and who they were virtually unknown.
Save for the few mercenaries that were competing in this tournament and look where that got them?
A crumpled-beat up heap on the ground.
Smoke was watching the other warriors fight. It was three of them left. Counting himself that made four.
One was tall, taller than Smoke, and as solid as a brick house. He was slow, but he knew that his blows held power. One direct hit from his bulky fist could break a man's bones.
He was squaring up against the other two remaining men. One was thin, but agile, able to quickly evade the larger mans sweeping blows.
The other more medium sized one was less lucky, taking on the brunt of the large mans fists.
His face was disfigured.
His nose and mouth were beginning to look indistinguishable from eachother, a mangled vision of blood and pulp as most of his teeth were knocked out. He had dark, bruising circles around his eyes, blood vessels bursted in one making the white sclera look blood red.
He had so many discolored marks on his skin that he was starting to look like one giant bruise.
The smaller agile one was trying his best to do some damage to the larger man, but it barely did anything.
Damn. Is that guy even breathing at this point? The hell happened to them interferin' if shit went too far?
Just as that thought crossed Smoke's mind it immediately was interrupted by the booming voice of the bald councilman.
"THATS ENOUGH! Raise your hand boy. I told all of you to not be a hero. If your beyond incapacitated were taking you out. And you...."
He made a wild gesture towards the medium sized man who was beat to a pulp. His face held disgust.
"Your beyond even that. Get out of here-if you can even drag yourself out." He spat.
Before the councilman even finished his tirade, Smoke used the distraction to jump on the larger man's back. Wrapping his sturdy arms around the his thick neck in a vice grip. Effectively cutting off his air flow.
The larger man brought both of his hands up, grabbing onto to Smokes forearms trying to pry him off.
Smoke shifted his position, moving each hand to his opposite shoulders to hold on to. His grip so tight he was fingers indenting the skin surrounding his own shoulder muscles.
It made it almost impossible for the larger man to pry him off.
At this point to smaller man that had been evading the monstrous hits coming from the larger man stopped moving. Looking on with widened eyes. Taken by suprise by the unexpected interruption, but a little grateful that he could pause and take a breather from the monstrous man.
The councilman was livid.
"I SAID NO KILLING-"
"Man, hush-up! I heard what you said." Smoke grunted, arms straining against the giant.
The council man started sputtering, unused to someone disregarding him like he was a nuisance rather than an esteemed councilmember.
Finally, the large man stopped struggling his body going slack as he collapsed to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.
The impact kicked up a large dust cloud slightly obscuring his fallen figure as well as Smoke who was standing over his body.
Smoke shrugged his shoulders a few times, loosening up his arms after having them tensed for so long trying to choke that man out. He then looked to the councilman who was simmering, nose widened as he was breathing heavily out his nostrils with restrained anger.
Smoke could honestly give less of a damn. He was only here to secure his and his brother's future by any means necessary.
"You can come on down here and check his pulse if you wanna." He said boldly. "I aint kill him. Just put his ass to sleep is all." Leveling the council man with an unimpressed stare. Only a small crease of irritation was visible across his brow because quiet frankly he was already starting to find the bald headed bastard annoying already.
The councilman felt a little disturbed by the intensity of Smoke's unblinking stare, especially after he saw the man take down someone almost twice his size.
He let that little slip up go. Opting to pinch his lips instead. Silently conceding to Smoke's blatant disregard of respect for the elder.
For now...
Seeing that the elder didnt respond Smoke turned his attention to the last man standing against him. The thin one.
As soon as he looked at him, the thin man went ahead and raised his arm, signaling his defeat. He didnt feel like going through all the trouble after seeing the speed at which he ambushed the giant, and the strength he possesed in keeping the monster of a man in a headlock. His arms didnt budge, not even a bit.
He turned and went over to the mangled man who took most of the beating. Picked up his broken body and made his way out the arena.
Smoke was the winner.
The crowd exploded in a triumphant uproar.
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Stack cringed when he watched Smoke disregard the elder so carelessly in front of the crowd.
Damnit Smoke, at least try to act like you got some home training. You 'bout to fuck up our chance 'fore it even starts.
Stack was gonna have his work cut out for him, trying to get Smoke to act like he had some sense.
These is royal folk, you cant be talking to 'em every which way. He thought exasperatedly, rubbing a frustrated hand across his forhead.
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It was over.
The winner was decided.
It was the man that Annie couldnt take her eyes off of.
The way he moved. How quick he was in incapacitating men that he crossed blows with.
She noticed how he'd patiently wait. Only striking when necessary, never exerting more energy than he needed to.
His efficiency was almost terrifying to witness. She could see the gears turning in his head as the brawl was happening.
Staying back when the overzealous ones in the group would all charge at eachother getting lost and pummeling themselves as fists and feet were flying in wild directions.
Having his back against the walls of the arena to cover his blind spot when three men tried to corner him. Then using the environment to his advantage to take all three of them out in only a few moves.
Then waiting on the right time to pounce on that large, seemingly indestructible, man, bringing him down.
No wasted movement. No wasted energy. It was captivating to witness. She was in a trance watching him.
Seeing him blatantly brush of councilman Obidiah did something to her. She felt a little guilty from how much pleasure she took in watching the mystery man disregard the councilman like that. They had become insufferable towards her lately. The switch up was giving her whiplash.
But then reality hit her, she stiffened as if being doused with ice cold water.
It was decided. That man was to take his place as her-now- husband. Something she didnt want in the first place.
"Oh my...well aint he a lil intimidating..." Pearline spoke in hushed whisper.
"You seen how he blew off councilman Obidiah?" Mary whispered enthusiastically. "- I dont think Ive ever seen him so caught off gaurd, looked like steam was coming off his bald head- he looked so mad." She preened, taking delight in the councilman being publicly blown off like that.
By someone who wasnt a noble at that.
"Who you tellin' he looked 'bout ready to blow his top off. Only reason why he aint say nothin' back to that man is cause he knew he was right. He aint kill em. Looks more like he passed out from what Im seeing." Pearline agreed.
"And that other man- the thin one. He didnt even try to go up against him after that. He took himself out instead-" Both women fell into a fit of giggles.
Annie tuned them out.
"Queen Anisa?" Maevis grave but strong voice pierced through the stupor that she was in.
Annie turned to face the woman, a slight, dazed look on her face.
"Are you ready to meet your husband to be?"
She nodded, eyes more present once the question was asked.
Get yourself together Anisa! She scathingly thought to herself.
I've dealt with plenty of 'em before and they all the come out the same. This one aint no different. Just move as you always do. Findin' him attractive just means I gotta be more careful is all.
He's just a man.
With steel in her spine, she stood up. The rest of the royal enterouge getting up along with her, ready to guide her to meet her husband to be.
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The royal gaurds guided the queen into one of the rooms along the interior of the arena, it was spacious with minimal furniture. It clearly hadn't been occupied in a long time if the thin layer of dust was any indication. Her enterouge followed closely behind her, all of them guietly filing into the discreet room.
This was where their official introductions were to take place after the winner of the tournament was decided.
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They waited.
Annie stood completely still in the middle of the room, flanked by her ladies in waiting, Pearline and Mary, two council members, one of them being Maevis and the other a much older man, wearing a blue shawl wrapped around his frail frame. The only evidence that showed that the Queen was alive was the gentle upward and downward motion of her chest as she was softly breathing.
Her face was unreadable save for the slight pout of her lips as she waited.
Then the door opened.
Obidiah was the first to walk through, body language pulled tight like a bow string. Following behind him was another two royal gaurds and the last to enter was him.
Annie was a tall woman, and seeing where her eyes met his, he was above average hight for a man.
His eyes. Deep brown.
So intense.
His stare felt like a physical presence in it's own right, pressing down on her. The Weight of it unsettled her, it made her feel like she needed to cover up despite her body being covered from head to toe.
His sloe-shaped eyes, long lashes, and full lips juxtaposed his dark glare and furrowed brows. Adding an odd mix of softness to his features.
Does this man even blink? She thought to herself.
Her face remained neutral when he came up to her. He wasnt the largest man in the world, but Annie felt like his presence took up the whole room-
"Queen Anisa" Obidiah greeted her with a bow. "I present to you the winner of the tournament and your husband to be...-um?" The older man made a gesture towards the mystery man, prompting him to say his name.
"Smoke...The names Smoke" His voice as raspy as his namesake.
Smoke?...Who the hell names their child Smoke? Annie thought confused.
"Smoke?..." Annie spoke, testing the way the name felt on her lips. "Wgat kind of name is that? That cant be your real name." She scoffed
A twitch of irritation briefly crossed his face.
"-To you it is." He bit back. His voice slow and gravely, making sure she heard him loud and clear.
Everyone in the room froze as the man, now known as Smoke, spoke to the monarch in such a brazen way.
Annie's eyes narrowed to slits. She didnt speak for a beat.
Then after a few moments of tense silence a wry smile graced her full lips.
She gave him a long once over from the bottom of his feet, to his dirt smeared pants and shirt, to the top of his mused, coily hair.
As if she were inspecting something as insignificant as a bug beneath her shoe.
"Hmph-" a derisive grunt was all she let out in response.
She turned and walked away, without someone much as another word, fully ignoring both him and councilman Obidiah.
Her enterouge stumbled and clamored over themselves to follow her out the room, promptly shutting the door behind them.
Leaving the remaining men in a tense, charged silence.
.
.
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__________________
Part 4
A/n: soooooo, Annie and Smoke finally meet and they're already off to a great start am I right?-🙃
I was a bit nervous posting this one, but fck it we ball guess🤷🏾♀️ im just trusting the process🥲
I know this chapter had a lot of moving parts, but things will be more focused from now on as the main focus will be on Smoke and Annie.
The remaining chapters after this will most likely be lengthy like this one if not longer. Gotta a lot to cover and Im only trying to do it in a few parts.
Anyways, thanks for reading~🤓
*Edit: if anyone else wants to be tagged let me know😶🌫️
