Terms of Engagement

"My dearest wife."

His voice, smooth in its silken darkness, holds just a tinge of mockery. The hundreds of onlookers are blind to what I know. All they see is the powerful Khaosi ruler; bending down and murmuring an endearment to his young blushing bride of The Empire.

With this union, our warring countries will finally enjoy a period of peace. Something unheard of in hundreds of generations.

I swallow. If it means taking the most dangerous man of the five kingdoms as my lawful husband, then I will have to endure.

My eyes open slowly as he draws away. From the audience's perspective, we shared our first matrimonial kiss. However, with a clever tilt of his head, his lips barely brushed the corner of my lips in a chaste concession.

We had discussions regarding this arrangement.

I let out my breath slowly. So far he's keeping to it. I wonder how long that will last.

Or how long I will.

----xxx-----

Fantasy AU of Love and Deepspace Sylus x Reader.