The princess' chambers.

When Fate arrived at last at Silquintis’ chambers, he was very happy to find the one guarding her door was not one of the one of the common guards.

She was one of the tundra-folk, a human woman who was tall even by their standards. She had to have been at least six and a half feet tall, making her taller even than Fate, and more importantly she had incredibly well-defined muscles that were also well-scarred. Her fair skin was also covered in the precise but twisting tattoos typical of the northern barbarians. Her light brown hair was done into a messy curtain of braids, all with metal loops and ornaments woven into them.

On the woman’s strong back was slung a massive well-crafted but well-worn warhammer. She looked extremely capable, and she barely even blinked at his arrival. Fate found himself counting his blessings that he had not encountered this titan of a woman when he was raiding the castle earlier.

“Hail,” she greeted plainly.

“Hello, my name is Fate Darkbane.” Fate greeted, trying to be as amiable as possible.

“I am called Desca Steel-Mammoth. I am Princess Silquintis’ personal bodyguard. What do you want?” She was gruff, and blunt. A little rough around the edges, but Fate liked those sorts of people. She reminded him of the knight-commander he had back in Syldon. The sorts who had no time for formality because they were always busy actually getting stuff done.

“Well first I would like to thank you, Aria means a lot to me, so I’m glad she’s been left in such capable hands.”

Desca grunted, “I was told to treat her like I would my own charge. You should thank Lady Silquintis, not me.”

“Not everyone would have the sense of honor to make good on such an order. It’s refreshing and appreciated. But I can tell you’re the sort who’d prefer I get to the point. I’m here to see her highness. Did Silquintis make allowances for visitors?”

“Only for you, go ahead,” she nodded. Fate noted, with satisfaction, that while she was taking great pains to maintain her tough exterior, there was a certain sparkle in her eye that told him she appreciated how he handled that.

He took a deep breath and stepped into the room. Silquintis’ chambers were impressive but given that she was a princess this was to be expected. The room was actually more impressive than the Dark King’s royal quarters. A large circular bed was nestled into one corner of the room covered in a pile of black pillows and sheets, several decoratively carved armoires and chests likely filled with clothes and personal belongings, a rather stylish and refreshing private bath with a constant source of running water pouring down from a duct in the wall for an impressive waterfall effect, and several shelves full of old books and tomes. There were also two other doors that led to rooms connected to this main one, but Fate could only imagine what might be within them.

Princess Aria was peering at the bookshelf, browsing the small library when Fate entered, and his entry caused her to whirl around in place. Since they last saw each other, she had put on clothes, but not many. A single simple short-skirted purple nightie that was very sheer now adorned her regal and curvaceous frame. Fate could see nearly every detail of her body through the fabric.

“Oh!” Aria exclaimed then she quickly, but also half-heartedly, brought an arm up to cover her breasts. She did not do a good job, as one of her nipples was still very much visible. Her other hand made an attempt to pull down the short length of the garment which only went down to about the middle of her thighs, but this didn’t have very successful results either.

“Your highness,” Fate bowed.

“How cruel of my captors to give me such a meager excuse for clothes to wear. It is so embarrassing to be dressed this way in front of you,” she replied. However, one of the armoires was wide open, and Fate could see its contents clearly. He saw at least three other nightgowns that were less sheer and much longer. He tried to fight back his knee-jerk reaction of disgust, as he fully recognized this was a direct result of his noble lineage and understanding of court etiquette. Instead he chose to focus on how oddly cute it was, because that was a much more comfortable and frankly more positive reaction.

“I’m just happy that you are safe,” Fate said, “I think we should have a small chat. Would you allow it?”

She wiggled a bit, sensing now that the conversation had turned more serious, “Yes, let us sit down.”

They both crossed the room to the bed and sat down at the edge. After a brief moment of silence, Fate spoke, “Now that we’re out of earshot of Silquintis I want to ask, are they mistreating you?”

Aria’s response was to shake her head, “I was scared at first of what they might do to me, but they’ve been very considerate. They were occasionally a little rough but…” she squirmed and blushed furiously.

“But that was just fine by you?” Fate asked.

She nodded.

“And they didn’t do anything serious?” Fate made sure to make eye contact as he asked this.

“No, they haven’t touched me. Not like that,” she replied, accurately surmising what Fate had been implying. “Princess Silquintis threatened them rather harshly. She seems to be determined to treat me like an honored guest until the next king decides what to do with me.”

Fate nodded. He definitely owed the dark princess one for that, “Likewise. I haven’t really decided what I want to do yet if I may speak frankly. It’s so overwhelming. I came here to rid the world of evil, but I can’t help but feel like I’ve just become that evil instead. It makes me feel like my whole journey has been worthless.”

Aria shook her head vehemently, “Not at all, Sir Fate! If you hadn’t come here, then…”

“Then you would have gotten exactly what you wanted?” Fate replied darkly.

Aria’s eyes widened as though she had been struck by a stray arrow, “No! Sir Fate, not at all! I would have… felt good but it wouldn’t be… it wouldn’t be right.” She was on the verge of tears, “Please, it’s not like that. I like being hurt and humiliated, and if I wished to keep my sanity I would have had to adapt, but I am so much happier knowing I won’t have to. I don’t want to be abused by just anyone, I want to be abused by you.”

Fate felt an overwhelming sense of guilt wash over him that almost make him sick. How could he even think to say that? It was insensitive of him to say the least. “I’m so sorry your highness, that came from… an uncomfortable place. I did not mean it, truthfully. Please forgive me.”

She nodded “It is fine, I… I love you, Sir Fate. I always have. It’s true that I would often fantasize about being captured and taken away to dark places like this. But in those fevered daydreams it was… it was always you who did it.”

Fate was conflicted upon hearing this. To know that the princess had thought of him in her wildest fantasies was definitely something he took pride in, but he wasn’t sure how to feel about the role he took in those visions. If she viewed that role as a positive thing then he supposed it wasn’t something to worry about, but he couldn’t help his reflex. There was nothing about this admission nor even this entire situation that was normal.

“I know it’s strange, but please, don’t think less of me.”

Fate shook his head, “I do not, I promise.”

She suddenly reached her hand out and grasped his fiercely. She made eye contact with him and had a look of determination in her aqua-blue eyes, “The important part of what I said is that I love you. And if you believe nothing else, believe that and this: I would be much happier to have a husband who pretends to be abusive to me than have a husband who is abusive. I know you would never truly wish to hurt me, and that’s why I love you so.”

Fate supposed he really should be looking at the silver lining of this dark cloud. Sure, he was the ruler of the darker, seedier, and more monstrous parts of the world; but he was a ruler. How many knight-initiates in the kingdom of Syldon dreamed of merely being nobility? How many times had he wished for such a thing? And now he would be officially recognized as royalty. He had a castle, servants, good food, a comfortable bed, and princess Aria, the love of his life. She was a little different than he anticipated, but she was still her, and she was willing to be his.

Aria giggled beside him, “You’re smiling, Sir Knight.”

And he was, now he was blushing, “Aha, thank you very much, your majesty. You’ve helped me to see what is truly important.”

“Will you remain here as the Dark King?” she asked, seeming a bit hesitant.

“I still haven’t decided on that completely,” Fate admitted, “however there is one thing I have decided.”

“What’s that?”

“Even if I decide not to take the Dark King’s throne, I will take you with me wherever I end up going. I don’t care how many bodies it will take. I won’t allow you to remain here without me.”

Aria smiled and blushed deeply, “Oh Fate!” then she practically tackled him and pressed her lips against him fiercely with a desperation he had never experienced before from anyone. Her kiss was deep, loving, breathy, hot, and strong. He could feel her soft breasts through the meager fabric of her sheer nightie, and it awoke something in him again, something down below.

When their lips parted, Fate squeezed her hand and smiled.

“Sir Fate, I’m so happy to… to finally be yours.”

“And I am happy to finally have you.”

“Will… will you…” she averted her gaze suddenly, blushing and covering her mouth with a fist. But then a sparkle of determination seemed to cross her eyes, and she moved her free hand instead to Fate’s groin where an impressive bulge had formed, “I want you to have me. Would you?”