Chapter 11: Pomp and Circumspect

The Noise of the celebration cascaded all about the palace, as it had done for the past three days.

Her ability to endure more unbridled adulation of her fawning subjects long since exhausted, Ayeka finally sought relative peace and sanctity in her chambers. She bore no ill will, did not fault the common folk their desire to see, to speak and even attempt touching her! After all, they were her subjects and she, their new queen. Still clad in her flowing gown, Ayeka found the relative quiet of the terrace to her massive bedroom comforting.

"No..." She thought smiling, not hers, theirs! For indeed what was a queen without her king?

"There you are!" Came a gentle yet powerful voice. Prompting she turn to see him standing crowned in the light from the chambers high windows, heralding the new day. Her excitement threatening to rob her breath, Ayeka hurriedly joined him, kneeling prettily before her new king, as was only proper!

"How handsome you look my lord Tenchi." She said quietly, head only slightly bowed.

"Ayeka my dove." He answered, extending hand. "You need never kneel! Nor call me lord again. After all I am your husband am I not?"

"Aye beloved!" She breathlessly gasp, it was a simple question yet one she had longed to answer. "You are that! That you are and more!" She stole a glance upward and finding only approval in his deep eyes, clasped the offered hand. His urge for her to stand bringing them together, their faces so close she could feel the sweetness of his breath.

"Yet I fear my lady." He whispered, eyes burning into hers. "You have done you new king a grave disservice!" Her eyes responded, going wide as twin moons.

"Beloved?" She gasped. "Tell me what have I done that has offended thee! That I might amend strait away!" With free hand, he responded seeking the high collar of her gown.

"And so you shall!" He promised knowingly, deftly releasing its clasp, bearing her to the waist. Ayeka allowing her gown to fall. "The one kiss granted me within cathedral proper." Tenchi informed as her heart quickened arching spine elegantly to maximize view of her treasures. "Hath served only to inflame my hunger!" Delighting at his ruse, sighing, she melted at his touch, bending body to a graceful arc, his hand at her back as its apex.

"Then beloved..." Ayeka whispered. "Very is my pleasure to sate that hunger, as is my wifely duty and most fondest wish!"

Without further word, for indeed what word would not pail against the language of their unbridled passion? He swept her into his mighty arms, conveying her swiftly to their bed. There, in a ritual timeless, in the annals of passion his hands upon her, removing the harshness of her clothes leaving only the softness of her flesh. For a time after there she lay, head in his lap, while his hands busied themselves with the unbinding of her hair.