Kiora

"Dancing?"

"Yes, dancing?"

Athan chuckles and leans back in his chair, shaking his head.

"Athan," Kiora says, smiling softly, "I have travelled to countless realms and seen the best parts of countless cultures. Allow me to teach the concubines some of the dances."

"What's your game here, Kiora?" he asks, narrowing his eyes.

Kiora laughs and rolls her eyes. "There is no game here," she says, the lie coming out effortlessly. "I simply want a purpose in this place that isn't gossiping with the other wives. I've told you this countless times." She tries not to let her frustration leak into her voice as she says the last part. How many times does she have to tell Athan of how bored all of the wives are? How many times does she have to explain that having nothing to do but wander around gardens and gossip about the nobles leads to more drama, fighting, and competition between them? Teaching the concubines some dances gives her a goal to work toward and a challenge to think about.

It would also give her an excuse to stay away from the other wives, Illyria in particular.

The main reason for her interest in teaching is so she can get closer to the concubines. Not in a friendly way. She still wants to be the ethereal, mysterious wife. But she doesn't want to be cold like Illyria. She doesn't want the concubines to look at her with fear, or make them feel as if they are below her as Illyria does.

As the head wife, so to speak, Illyria is their superior. However, that role comes with responsibilities that Illyria does not fill. The concubines should be able to come to her if they have a problem or need advice. Instead, they look at Illyria with fear.

If Kiora can get on their good side now and show them what it's like to have someone in this palace who will look out for them and try and protect them, then hopefully Athan will see it too. No, more than that. Hopefully, the whole palace will see it.

Kiora doesn't need to be the favourite in title, though it would be nice. What she will do, however, is become the favourite in spirit.

It will take a long time, but one day, everyone in not only this palace but this empire will look upon Kiora as the perfect wife, the perfect empress.

"What is going on in that head of yours?" Athan asks, ignoring her previous question, which doesn't surprise her. Athan likes to pretend that the problems in his harem either don't exist or are beneath him.

"You are wasting my potential, Athan," she tells him. "You have a woman right before you who understands the world. Think of the things I can teach, not only to the concubines, but to you, or your generals, or your scholars."

He lets out a long sigh.

"Kiora," he begins.

"I know, it isn't a woman's place to educate a man," she snaps, "which is why all I am asking for is to teach your concubines how to dance. What is more womanly than dancing? Even Alethia wouldn't be able to argue against that?"

"True," he agrees and then stands, walking over to her. "I understand your frustration, Kiora, I really do." He pauses and rests a hand gently on her shoulder. "But you have a role here as my wife."

Kiora bites the inside of her cheek and lets him continue. "Your place is to be the woman this empire needs you to be. Beautiful, radiant, kind, and obedient. Going around telling my generals how to do their jobs or educating the men who have spent their whole lives reading isn't going to get people to like you. They will resent your intelligence."

Kiora laughs dryly and rolls her eyes. "If scholars are afraid of education just because it comes from a woman, they clearly aren't that good at what they do. Two-hundred and fifty years I've been alive, Athan. Two hundred and fifty years I've travelled across the realms and watched history in the making. If your scholars aren't frothing at the mouth to talk to me, to ask me questions, then you need new and better scholars."

Athan pauses and smiles softly.

"It is impossible to argue against you, my love," he chuckles.

"Then don't," Kiora says, trying to smile at him through her resentment.

He sighs and offers his hand. Kiora takes it and they stand. "Fine, I will give you your dance lessons. You may work with the concubines for two hours every day starting from the beginning of next week."

This time, Kiora's grin is wide.

"Thank you, Athan," she replies.

"And my wives may join you if they wish."

"Of course," she says, but highly doubts they will. They'll be glad to be rid of her, she suspects.

"You know, Illyria will see this as some sort of attack," he warns.

"Then shut it down," Kiora tells him. They start walking from their study toward his bedroom.

"If I am supposed to abide by your rules and know my place, so should she. You ordered this, so don't let her interfere. Order her not to."

He nods his head but doesn't say anything further about it. Frustration pulses through Kiora once more, making her feel stiflingly hot. She suppresses it though and keeps her composure.

He opens the door to his room and gestures for her to enter first.

"Are you going to sleep tonight?" he asks.

"I suppose," she replies as Athan pulls the covers away. Gently, she lowers herself down, trying not to think of the fact that Athan shares this bed with so many other women.

Their reading and debates in the study is special because it is theirs. Sitting in their chairs, reading their books by the fire feels much more intimate compared to when they are lying beside each other.

With a heavy sigh, Athan flops down on the bed next to her. She turns to face him, looking into his spectacular dragon eyes. Gently, she lifts her hand to his face, trailing her fingers across his black scales before running them up his horns. Athan shuts his eyes and takes in a shallow breath.

Kiora knows the effect she has on him. She knows how much he wants her. But she will not give him that. Not yet. Not until she has everything she wants.

"How do you bear it?" she asks.

"What?" he asks, opening his eyes.

"Sharing a bed with me? Do I not feel awfully cold to you?"

"I am a dragon, Kiora. The cold is nothing."

"Will there be a winter here?" she asks softly.

"We are coming into winter now, but do not expect much. We'll get a tiny sprinkle of snow, that's about it."

Kiora sighs with disappointment and drops her hand. The emperor reaches for it, bringing her wrists to his lips and pressing a delicate kiss on her soft skin. Kiora shivers, not looking away from his intense stare.

"One day, you and I will go to the other side of this world where the snow falls every day for three months of the year."

Kiora smiles and he pulls her close. She nestles into his warmth. Despite being a creature of the cold, she had come to like feeling his heat. There is something comforting about it, something safe.

"And what will we do there?" she whispers as he snuffs the candles.

His low chuckle sends vibrations through her whole body.

"We'll be snowed in of course," he says, "what is there to do when two people are trapped in a warm, cosy cabin?"

Kiora pauses for a second as Alice's face pops into her mind. A deep ache settles in the pits of her stomach. Tears prick her eyes as she remembers the times they shared in Alice's cabin. How they would make love next to the fireplace and how they'd read each other stories or how she would dance whilst Alice expertly played the fiddle. The music still echoes in her mind, mixed with Alice's perfect, joyous laughter.

"Is something wrong?" the emperor asks. Upon hearing his voice, all thoughts of Alice disappear. Kiora tries to cling to the memories, but they vanish like smoke.

"No, nothing," she replies in the darkness. "It sounds wonderful. How would we get there?"

"By dragon back, of course," he tells her. Kiora bites her lip as she smiles. He kisses her neck, his breath hot on her skin. A rush of electricity shoots through Kiora and her breath catches. She leans into him, closing her eyes as he trails kisses along her collarbone. Each delicate kiss tickles her, making little flutters of desire pulse through her.

"Athan," she whispers.

"Yes, my love," he says, his deep voice wickedly seductive as he purrs in her ear. She opens her eyes and looks at him, her sight well-adjusted to the darkness thanks to the moonlight that pours into the room.

"We are not there yet," she tells him.

He laughs softly and pulls away slightly, though still hugs her close.

"And when will we be?" he asks, amused. Kiora pauses to think about it, then sighs as she rests her head on his chest.

"When you and I can be completely honest with each other."

"I have been nothing but honest with you," he replies.

"I know, but I don't mean it like that."

"Then how do you mean it?" he asks casually as he runs his hand through her soft hair.

"We both have lived for a long time," she begins, "we both have people in our past that affect our relationships today."

He stills beneath her, his hand stopping mid-stroke.

"That is what I am talking about," she whispers. "You have your ghosts, and I have mine. You may use the other wives as a distraction, never allowing yourself to truly grow close to them, to care about them, but I will not allow that in our relationship. I want to be your wife, Athan, but in more ways than just status and sex. I want to be loved."

He gulps but starts stroking her hair again. Kiora bites at her lip nervously, waiting for his response, wondering if he'll see her words for the fluff they are. She doesn't mean it, of course. She wants Athan to love her, to worship her, but she will not love him back. She will never love the man who keeps her prisoner here. But Athan loving her will give her power. It will give her more of a voice. Most of all, it will keep her safe.

Athan takes in a deep breath and then chuckles, squeezing Kiora a little tighter and kissing her on the forehead.

"You're going to be the death of me, woman," he sighs. Kiora laughs and closes her eyes, snuggling into him, knowing that the conversation is over.

***

"What are you playing at?" Alethia asks the following morning as they walk back to Kiora's room.

"I don't understand what you mean?" Kiora asks. Alethia stops and turns around.

"Dancing?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

"What's wrong with dancing?" Kiora asks.

"This isn't about dancing and we both know it."

We also know I'm not going to tell you what I'm up to, Kiora thinks as she continues to look confused.

"This is a good thing, Princess," Kiora says innocently. Alethia raises an eyebrow and crosses her arms.

"I don't like the idea of you spending two hours a day alone with the concubines. Who knows what you may say to them to get them to turn against the emperor."

Kiora lets out a bark of laughter before she can stop it, quickly covering it with a cough.

"Princess," she begins, "all I am teaching them to do is dance. You are welcome to come and watch just to make sure I'm not saying anything inappropriate to them if you want."

"Oh, I will," she snaps, "as will High Lady Illyria."

"All the wives are welcome."

Alethia huffs and rolls her eyes. "I don't know what that man is thinking when it comes to you," she mutters under her breath. Kiora just ignores it and follows her back into her room.

"Good morning, Sorcha," she says as she enters.

"Good morning, Lady Kiora," she replies, curtsying. "And to you, Princess Alethia."

Alethia scoffs and turns around, storming out quickly. Probably on her way to inform Illyria about the new plans.

Sorcha raises her eyebrows and turns back to Kiora, who just chuckles softly.

"Don't worry about it," she sighs, "please just draw me a bath and get my dress ready."

"Of course," Sorcha says and clicks her fingers at the other ladies in waiting.

Kiora walks into her wardrobe and begins to strip out of her nightdress with the help of Lia, one of her maids.

"How is your sister holding up, Lia?" Kiora asks.

"She is doing better now, thank you Lady Kiora. That ointment you sent us cleared up her fever in only a few days."

"That is wonderful to hear," Kiora replies, smiling widely.

"I tell Ada about you, my lady," she says.

"You do?" Kiora asks.

"Yes, I tell her I work for the most beautiful woman in all the realms."

"That's not true, Lia," Kiora scolds jokingly.

Lia laughs and undoes the last ribbon of her dress.

"Well, Ada would love to meet you one day."

"And I her," Kiora replies. "I'm sure the emperor will let us tour the city soon."

"The bath is ready," Sorcha says, walking in.

"Wonderful," Kiora replies as her dress falls off her body.

She continues chatting to all her maids, making sure to call them by their names and mention their families. She shows them that she is listening to them and that she does care about them. When one mentions a little bit of trouble, Kiora uses some of her allowance to help them, whether it be for expensive medicine or home repairs. Sometimes, she even gifts them some of her jewels and dresses.

Kiora cracks a joke and the handmaids giggle. Sorcha even dips her hand in the water and splashes Kiora in the face with it.

"Honestly, my lady, that is hardly appropriate," she says, hiding her smile.

Kiora pouts. "We are just having a little fun, Sorcha," she says, then moans as Lia starts massaging her scalp.

Sorcha shakes her head and holds up a towel. "Come on, we really need to get you dressed. It is breakfast soon."

"Very well," Kiora sighs and lets Lia wash the soap suds from her hair.

Once that's done, she stands and they make their way over to the dressing table where Kiora sits in comfortable silence as her maids dry and style her hair before applying some delicate makeup. Then, she is dressed in another one of her pale, elegant gowns.

Just as she is about to make her way to the dining halls, there is a knock on her door. The guard outside opens it and steps inside.

"High Lady Illyria is here to see Lady Kiora," he says, then steps out of the way for Illyria to walk in.

Kiora instantly stiffens but forces a gracious smile onto her lips. The handmaids all stop, curtsying for Illyria. Kiora does the same.

"High Lady, how can I help you?" she asks.

"Out," Illyria says to the handmaidens. They look at Kiora wearily, fear in their eyes for her. Then, they scuttle out without question.

Silence hangs in the air as the doors close behind them. Illyria walks over to Kiora's dresser like she owns the place and takes a seat without even asking.

"High Lady, may I ask the reason for a personal visit?"

Illyria doesn't look at her, instead, she stares at her reflection in the mirror. She fiddles with her hair.

"Your handmaids did an excellent job with your hair and make-up today," she says.

"Thank you. They are very talented," Kiora replies.

Illyria nods in agreement.

"Yes, they are." She stands and turns to face Kiora. "I think I shall have them."

Kiora's stomach drops, a cold chill spreading through her.

"If that is what you desire," she replies.

"It is," Illyria says casually. "You can keep Sorcha."

Kiora only knows that Illyria is allowing that because she doesn't have the power to replace Kiora's head lady. Still, Kiora will act as though Illyria has done her a favour.

"Thank you, High Lady."

Illyria doesn't respond as she walks around Kiora's room. She stares at the white and silver décor with her nose turned and a cruel smirk on her face.

Kiora gulps, desperately trying not to show Illyria her discomfort.

"You will have replacement handmaidens, of course," she finally says. "Women of my choosing, I think."

Her eyes finally meet Kiora's and they are alight with hate and arrogance. She moves toward Kiora slowly.

She comes to a stop only inches away from Kiora and the air grows thick with tension, making it almost stifling to breathe. Kiora doesn't back down from Illyria's stare.

"Your desperate attempt to make friends is pathetic," she says lowly. "And with every attempt, I will crush it swiftly and effectively."

Kiora doesn't have a response. She dare not even make one even if she did in fear of angering Illyria further. Illyria brings her hand up and gently swipes some of Kiora's locks from her face. It takes all of Kiora's strength not to flinch at the woman's wicked touch.

"We're going to have fun, you and I," she says, then turns around and storms out of the room, laughing as she goes.