The Land Below our Feet II (Unleashed) COMPLETE

CONCLUSION

-So? Are you satisfied with this examination, Your Majesty? – Ajora´s sultry voice asked him in the shadows of the dimly lit regal tent – Was your checkup thorough enough this time?

They were lying side by side, sweaty and naked after the king had insisted on doing a second review once they were done with their hot bath and the even hotter session that had ensued after that.

-Mhmm… I don't know – Ishtun replied, rolling over her body and trailing over her playfully – I really think we need to take a third look just to be safe… Give me five minutes to recover from the last one and we'll have another round.

-You are mental! – She chuckled, running her fingers down his broad back and distractedly inhaling his refreshing scent – We're in the middle of a war and THIS is all you can think about?

-Well… for your information THIS actually helps me focus– The young monarch said, seductively pecking her nose and batting his dark eyelashes innocently at her – I don't know why, but it grounds me somehow.

-Really? – Ajora groaned in a skeptical tone, weakly trying to shake him off her body – How is that so?

-That's simple, it keeps the voices in my head quiet – The ruler shrugged slightly off. Letting out a satisfied exhalation before lying back on the sheets beside her and staring blankly at the fabric ceiling over them – I find it much easier to concentrate when my mind is clear… That way I can recall all the messy details around the battle much better, and plan accordingly for the next one.

-Ishtun… - The sharp girl said, rolling her eyes at him and leaning on her elbow - I think you're just making excuses so that I end up staying the night here instead of going to my own tent.

-Oh… That too! For sure – He replied, pulling her towards him and grinning nonchalantly at her – I truthfully believe that there is no reason for you to freeze your bum on your way out there when you can just stay cozily warm in here with me instead… The concentration part is only a helpful plus for me.

-All right – She conceded, glaring at him audaciously – Tell me one useful thing that you've recalled about the battle since we've been fooling around here then.

-Sure – He sighed, his tone darkening considerably as he turned to look at her with a concerned expression on his face – I was too busy staying alive earlier to properly pinpoint exactly what it was, but there was something bothering me all that time. So, now that I've cooled down thanks to you, I think I've figured it out… And it's not good.

-Why? – Ajora asked intrigued, searching into his deep eyes and biting her lower lip as she felt a strange unease slowly grow inside her chest.

-Because I've come to the conclusion that there must be a traitor working for Hathengatt – He informed her, staring back at her pointedly – One that must have served under Ussiariah´s command during the Argantean war.

-Are you sure? – She breathed out with a trembling voice that betrayed her casual tone – I mean, we've only fought one battle… What makes you think that is actually the case?

-It's this little detail that keeps standing out – Ishtun explained, springing up and sitting crossed-legged before her – You see… Even when they are not the greatest shooters in the world, just as I had expected. There is this thing they do that I find terribly unsettling: They know how to take over.

-W-What? – Ajora stammered in utter confusion, glancing at him and feeling a sudden shiver run down her back at his enigmatic words.

-I took down a few gun-bearers over there myself – The monarch continued saying, his sight lost within his own thoughts – And whenever one of them fell, another instantly replaced him.

-Is it really that strange? – She asked in a hopeful whisper – Maybe it is an instinctive display of solidarity among the crew.

-Maybe - He agreed reluctantly, shaking his head – Yet I doubt it… Because that used to be the Commander's signature method during the war, and his way to maximize our modest initial arsenal. So, I just don't buy that they coincidentally came up with this effective strategy all by themselves, in such a limited time, and with no previous knowledge of firearms whatsoever.

-Then they got help. That's what you're saying? Not only did they manage to get their hands on a forbidden type of weapon, but they also found someone to share some inside tips with them – Ajora somberly deducted, her eyes widening – … That can't be good.

-Trust me, it's bad – The young ruler nodded severely, his eyes narrowing – That would mean that they found someone dirty enough to commit treason even despite the certainty of the gruesome punishment that their actions would earn them.

-You're right… But I don't think “dirty” is the word we're looking for here – She replied, scratching her chin pensively – I believe the adjective you meant is “desperate”. There is a hopeless person standing on that side, Ishtun… Someone with nothing else left to lose but his own life.

-Or several ones! – The King reminded her markedly, worriedly massaging his temple – So far, we have no way of finding out exactly how many people have turned… Or where to begin looking for that data either. That woman could have one single ally whispering in her ear, or a hundred for all we know!

-But you will figure it out, I know it! – Ajora spoke in a reassuring tone, ruffling his messy hair briefly– You just need to clear your mind… Take a step back and the image will come to light.

She smiled, crawling over him with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes and furtively kissing his lips.

-Besides, right now we need to focus our energies on neutralizing their attack rather than trying to understand how this all happened… It is a little too late for that anyway – She shrugged off, grinning at him – There is no use in trying to find the culprits at this stage anymore. What's done is done. Now we must stop it however we can.

-See? – Ishtun smugly chanted, grabbing her by the waist and pinning her against his body – This is what I'm talking about… You keep my mind centered! So, for mere tactical reasons, I shall insist that you stay here with me tonight.

-You're insufferable! – Ajora chuckled, letting him creep over her body and mindlessly opening her legs to him.

-Am I? – He distractedly asked, raising a brow while locating her entrance and slowly sliding inside, making her moan – How much?

-Hum… Quite a lot! – She huffed, her eyes rolling backwards as she grabbed him by the rear and pulled him a little bit deeper in, her voice breaking between labored breaths – You drive me crazy...

-Yeah, I can tell – He smirked while moving within her, then purposely pausing – … And wet.

With an amused look sparkling in his eyes, he closed in on her face and bit her lower lip slightly, breathing out a muffled laugh as he felt her thighs melting sideways below him and the moisture between them increase with every push he took.

Ajora´s previous words suddenly forgotten while she gave way to his hardened member and instinctively moaned in pleasure. Any witty comeback long lost in the delightful ache that had replaced every doubt or objection she might have had. A strange and irrational feeling taking over each fiber of her being as she wrapped her arms around him longingly.

-Will you hold me tonight, Ishtun? – She heard her oddly emotional voice asking in an incomprehensible reaction that had overpowered all her self-restraint before she realized what she'd just said, and she mentally slapped herself.

-Of course, my dear – He merrily replied after a brief silent moment, gently recovering his pace while she furiously bit her own tongue in bewilderment – I will gladly hold you until sunrise if you want, just let me take care of this little thing you've got down here first…