5. Imputation

After reaching the atrium, the ceremony seems to pass by in a haze. At some point near the end you remember signing an unknown document. Once you finished, it was quickly whisked away and you found yourself facing Alexius. A flush had quickly spread across your cheeks after he lifted the veil and roughly pressed his mouth against yours. That seemed to signify the end of the process as everyone began moving to the banquet hall next. The people around you seemed quite celebratory and you did your best to try looking happy. Even Alexius' mood seemed to have improved marginally. Though, you suspected the large amounts of wine he downed had more to do with that than anything. Being seated to his right had felt slightly strange at first. However, as the celebration progressed the feeling slowly dissipated. Eventually, a sense of calm and composure replaced your anxiety. You even ended up partaking in food and drink after a while. The feast continued long into the day but you were hardly aware of the festivities taking place around you. At one point you caught glimpse of the Centurion from the night before. However, his helmet blocked you from getting a view of his expression. He hasn't resurfaced since then and you're not sure why that slightly bothers you.

Eventually, the sky begins to darken as the sun slowly starts setting. You don't pay much attention when Alexius sets his goblet down then stands up. His figure disappears behind your eye line and a moment later your chair is moved back. Just as you're starting to turn, he re-emerges and pulls you up by your arm. The rowdy crowd in the hall cheers when he effortlessly hoists you onto his shoulder. Your face turns red from the mixture of blood rushing to it and the slight embarrassment you feel. When you attempt to struggle Alexius tightens his arm around you and the sound of cheering grows. This only serves to upset you and increases your efforts to get loose. While it is customary for the bride to be apprehensive, you find yourself more annoyed than anything. The noise finally subsides when Alexius reaches the privatized area of the complex. He pauses for a moment and readjusts your weight on his shoulder. "No one is here, you can stop the performance." His voice is low and somewhat apathetic as he walks forward again. "Then you can put me down now." You exhale irritatedly, and continue squirming around in his grasp. He remains silent until you reach the end of the hallway and stops before a large door.

"You may not care for tradition." He remarks in a slightly abrasive tone. "However, there are enough bad omens surrounding this day. I've been advised not to bring more about by failing to carry you over the threshold." His comment causes you to cease moving momentarily. Something stirs in the back of your mind, though, you're not quite sure it's a memory this time. Before you can dwell on it further, Alexius' grip around you loosens and you feel yourself falling. A small gasp escapes your lips when your body hits the mattress below you. "The patricians were quite displeased with my breaking of traditions the other night." He steps forward and a shiver runs down your spine while his eyes gaze over your form. "They say I'll bring about the anger of the gods if I'm not more careful..." He trails off slightly before he leans down towards you. However, you quickly move back on the bed and slightly out of his reach. Alexius frowns and you see his eyes drift down to the band tied around your waist. He straightens up and narrows his eyes slightly before saying, "And what sins have you committed before this 'divine union'?" Furrowing your own brow, you stare back silently at him at for a moment. "None." He scoffs when you finally reply and his gaze returns to your face. "I know of your meeting with Leonos." You can only assume this is the name of the Centurion and confidentially reply, "Then you know I'm innocent of anything beyond exploring my new home."

"That is what he reports as well." Alexius steps forward again before leaning over and grabbing onto the front of your robe. "You may not be of noble blood, however, you are my Empress now. I will not have you thinking you can go behind my back." Flinching, you pull back slightly and say with some disgust, "You're drunk and paranoid." His eyes flash slightly as he pulls you towards him and sharply states, "You should watch your tongue." You notice his other hand move to your waist and begin untying the knot around it. An unexpected feeling of anticipation begins building up inside despite your irritation. Trying to ignore this, you unsuccessfully attempt to pull away from him. "Let me go!" You gasp as the hand gripping your robe tightens and you feel the sash pulled away. Alexius doesn't reply and roughly pushes you back onto the bed. Once you're down, his fingers slip in between the robe and quickly pull it open. "It's not quite as exciting when there's nothing immoral about the act." He comments offhandedly while running his hand down your bare torso. "Is the fact that I don't want to be here not enough?" You retort spitefully and try again to get out of his grasp. He easily pushes you back down then continues to move his hand down your frame.

You flinch slightly when his fingers slide between your legs for a moment before he pulls his hand away from you. "You are a poor liar." He scoffs haughtily when he sees the moisture on his fingers. An angry blush streaks across your face as you feel yourself growing wetter in response. Alexius reaches back down and grabs one of your arms with his free hand. The hand on your shoulder moves to your wrist and pulls your arm across your body. He grabs onto both of your wrists with one hand and uses the other one to pick up the discarded sash. Your eyes widen slightly as he wraps it tightly around your wrists. When he's done he ties the remaining slack to the bed post behind you. Twisting your hands, you attempt to free yourself while he stands up and begins removing his toga. By the time he's done you've only succeeded in inadvertently tightening the band. Wincing, you sit up straighter and feel some of the tension release. You're unable to retreat back any further and watch warily as Alexius makes his way towards you. The mattress shifts slightly under his weight and his coarse hands run up your thighs as he leans over you. Tilting your head down and to the side, you avoid eye contact while he roughly pulls your legs open. You gasp out in pain when his grip around your thigh grows firmer and he drags you closer to him. The band around your wrists tightens again but you're more distracted by Alexius' form pressing down on you.

When you open your mouth to protest, his large hand quickly clamps over it. Sharp pain stabs through you when he forces himself inside you. Thankfully, it dissipates much quicker this time and you're left conflicted by the pleasure you now feel. Alexius lowers his hand and wraps his fingers around your chin then forces you to face him. A slightly arrogant look comes over his eyes when he sees the flustered expression on your face. "While I did expect you to give in quickly, I am still rather disappointed." Grimacing at his words, you pull your head back and feel his fingers slip off your face. "I was unaware you could experience any other emotion." Alexius raises an eyebrow at your sharp reply, then gives you a somewhat amused smirk. "There is something to be said about your intrepidity." His response isn't what you were expecting, though you get the impression it's less sincere than it sounds. You remain silent as he shifts his weight off you slightly before ramming back down. Groaning softly, you tug against your restraints while he continues thrusting deeper inside you. Closing your eyes, you notice a familiar sensation building between your legs. You're sure Alexius is aware of your body's increasing response to his movements. A steady stream of liquid has been running down your inner thighs since he entered you. After letting out another small exhale, your back arches slightly as you twist your upper half to the side.

Your movement quickly pauses when a sudden wave of ecstasy overcomes you. A deep moan forces its way out of your throat while you somewhat involuntarily climax. Alexius is distracted enough not to notice your hands slip out of their binds while you writhe around. He is slightly caught off guard when you place your hands against his chest. Which is enough to allow you to just barely manage to push him over and quickly scramble on top of him. A somewhat puzzled look comes over his face when you straddle his waist and straighten up. "I thought you admired boldness." You comment provokingly as you feel your slick skin brush against his rigid appendage. He groans lightly at your movement and seems to relax marginally. Growing more confident, you reach down and gently run your hand down the length of his shaft. Wrapping your fingers around its base, you lean forward and guide him back in. Another moan emits from your lips when you slowly sink back into him. Shrugging your robe off, you feel emboldened as you begin sliding up and down his thick member. Alexius watches with interest while you trace a hand down your bare torso and stop when it reaches your clit. Something has seem to taken over you as your body continues moving almost reflexively. A deep wave of pleasure runs through you when your fingertips brush against your sensitive skin.

Instinctively, your back arches, providing a better angle for your touch. Your eyes roll back slightly when you increase the pressure and pace of your movements. Alexius places his hands around your waist and slams your body down roughly onto him. Groaning, you feel your inner walls tense around him as another orgasm rushes through you. When you slowly open your eyes again, you see an approving smirk on his face and your heart race slightly. The knowledge of pleasing him only seems to drive your body further as you notice yourself longing for more. Biting the inside of your lip, you lean back until you can place your palms on the mattress behind you. Your head hangs back between your shoulders and blood rushes to your face. Ignoring this, you begin moving back and forth along his shaft. A small smile flashes across your face when you hear him groan again. The sudden sensation of his fingers against your clit causes you to moan in return. His touch is far rougher than your own had been but doesn't fail to elicit a jolt of pleasure. Exhaling deeply, you relax and enjoy the new sensation. After a moment, your movements slow down and your body tenses slightly. Unconsciously, you find yourself gasping out Alexius' name when a large climax sweeps over you.

While you're still recovering, he sits up suddenly, causing you to lose your balance. "That was impressive, however, you still have much to learn." He states before flipping you over onto your stomach. Your body continues to seem to move on its own as you obediently spread your legs open. Alexius' weight presses down onto your back while he slips in you. His fingers curl around your now messy hair and twist your head to the side. You can see his broad form out of the corner of your eyes as he continues trusting in you. Air is **** out of your lungs each time his body slams against your own. Gasping, you notice a slightly uncomfortable feeling of pressure between your legs. It only seems to grow with every strong thrust from Alexius. Just as the sensation is about to reach its peak his movements stop. Frowning softly, you turn your head further to try to see his face. "Do you submit to me, not just as your ruler?" His voice is stern but somewhat teasing and though you can't see his expression, you're sure it's smug. When you don't immediately respond, he begins slowly pulling out of your now throbbing opening. A small whimper escapes your mouth and you quickly bite your lip. Closing your eyes, you do your best to try to resist giving in. Just before he pulls out all the way, he pauses again and waits.

An involuntary tremble runs through your body and you let out an exasperated sigh. Wincing slightly, you nod before saying, "Yes, I submit to you." When nothing happens in response, you open your eyes and frown again. "Are you sure you wish for me to continue?" He asks toyingly before he begins to leisurely slide back into you. Another whimper emits from your lips and your eyes roll back. "Yes...please..." You hope Alexius doesn't pick up on the slightly **** tone in your voice. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to escape his attention and he scoffs lightly. The fingers in your hair tighten and another gush of air rushes out of your lungs as he rams into you. You feel his elbow dig into your back and you're pressed further into the mattress. His movements become increasingly rougher and somewhat painful. Disregarding this, you instead focus on the gratification felt from being enveloped by him again. It's not long before the pressure reaches its climax and you finally feel your tension release. Moaning in pleasure, you squirm slightly as Alexius maintains his forceful ****. More of his weight pushes down on you and you feel his body tense. Grunting lightly, he thrusts deeper inside as you're filled with his seed. You inhale deeply when he finally shifts his body and moves off you. Wincing softly, you slowly sit up and notice how sore you've become. Glancing over, you see Alexius stretch out on the bed and close his eyes. Rubbing your bruised wrists, you exhale silently as an odd sense of satisfaction comes over you.