"Gods, Aurelius..." Mileena's voice broke apart with pleasure. Her nails scraped down his chest as she bounced above him repeatedly. "Don't stop. Please don't stop."
Her auburn hair stuck to her sweaty skin as she moved. Morning light through the window made her body glow like gold. She'd been moving on him for quiet a while now as she gave him different styles. Her legs shook from the effort but she wouldn't quit. Not when she was finally close.
"Look at me," she gasped as she bounced on him, her breasts bouncing above him while her brown eyes burned with need. "I want to see your face when you lose control."
Aurelius grabbed her waist to steady her. His fingers digging into her soft flesh as he felt a rush of pleasure run down towards his belly. She just felt perfect around him. Hot, tight and his.
"Gods Mileena," he groaned. His voice coming out rough. "You're driving me mad."
She laughed and bent down to kiss him hard, her breasts resting on his chest as her tongue slipped into his mouth while her body still kept that slow rhythm that made him grab her ass as he prepared to pump into her aggressively. "Good. I want you mad for me."
Before he could do anything, he suddenly heard heavy boots stomping down the hall outside. Then voices. Angry ones. Aurelius could then hear his guards outside his door trying to stop someone.
"Sir, you cannot enter," one of his men said from beyond the door.
"Move aside," came a cold reply. "We have orders."
Mileena went still on top of him. Fear replacing the lust in her eyes. "What's happening?"
Before he could answer, his door crashed open. Wood flew everywhere as three royal guards pushed inside. Their armor made noise with every step. Swords hung ready at their sides.
"Commander Aurelius Morales," the first guard said. His voice filled the room. "Come with us. Now."
Mileena grabbed the sheets to cover herself. Her face went red with shame. Aurelius quickly snatched his clothes from the floor and dressed fast while his hands shook with rage.
"How dare you," he snarled feeling very pissed. "I'll see you whipped for this."
The guard's hand dropped to his sword. "You're not giving orders anymore. The king wants you. Move."
Aurelius pulled on his pants with difficulty over his hardened cock and finally his shirt with quick movements. Each piece felt like armor for what was coming. Something was very wrong here.
"Why does the king need me?" he asked, his rage dying down as his calculated mind took precedence as he hoped to gain insight on what was wrong.
"Not our place to say," the guard replied coldly instead. "But you'd better hurry. His Majesty hates waiting."
Mileena held the sheets tight against her chest. Tears filling her eyes. "Aurelius, I'm scared."
He sat on the bed and kissed her forehead. Her skin was still warm from their lovemaking. "Don't worry. I'll be back by evening. Probably just some trouble at the borders."
But dread formed in his stomach. Royal guards didn't break down doors for border troubles. They didn't look at him like he'd already done something wrong.
"Move," the lead guard said again.
Aurelius followed them out. The hallway felt freezing after the warmth of his room. Servants pressed against the walls as they passed. Their faces showed fear and confusion.
The throne room was packed when he finally reached it. Nobles and advisors filled every space. King Aldric sat on his golden throne looking older than usual. Dark circles ringed his eyes. More gray showed in his beard than before.
Victor stood next to the throne like a loyal hound. His smile was too wide and suspiciously too happy. Seeing that smile made Aurelius want to hit something.
"My king," Aurelius said. He dropped to one knee and bowed his head. "You called for me?"
"Stand up," King Aldric said. His voice sounded tired and sad. "We need to talk about some bad news."
Aurelius stood but kept his head down out of respect. The king had been like a father to him. He'd lifted Aurelius from nothing to commander of the First Order. They'd eaten together and fought together and shared stories.
Now the king looked at him like a stranger.
"Aurelius," the king started slowly. "I've heard you're planning to kill me and take my throne."
The words hit him like a punch to the gut as off all the things he was expecting, this wasn't one of them. Aurelius's head snapped up. "What? My king, that's crazy. I would never..."
"Victor brought proof," the king said. His voice cracked. "Words from your own men."
Victor stepped forward with papers in his hands. "I'm sorry, old friend. But I had to tell him."
He opened the papers and started reading. "Plans to kill the king at the harvest feast. Lists of nobles who would help. Gold paid to buy guards."
"This is madness," Aurelius said. His voice got louder. "Victor, you know me. I've bled for this crown. I've killed for this king. Why would I throw it all away?"
A side door opened. Two guards dragged in a broken man. Blood ran from his nose and mouth. His First Order uniform was ripped and dirty.
Aurelius recognized him right away. Sir Marcus, one of his best knights.
"Tell them what you told me," Victor said to the beaten man.
Marcus lifted his bloody face. Pain and shame filled his eyes. "Commander Aurelius... he offered me gold to help him. Said the king was weak.... Said we needed a strong leader."
The words cut deep into Aurelius's chest. "Marcus, no. That's not true. Look at me. You know me."
But Marcus wouldn't look at him. Someone had hurt him until he'd say anything to make it stop.
"You lying bastard," Aurelius roared as it all clicked. He jumped at Victor with murder in his heart and rage in his fists.
Royal guards caught his arms before he could reach his target. They threw him down on the marble floor. His knees hit hard. Blood filled his mouth where he bit his tongue.
"No," King Aldric whispered. The word came out like a sob. "Why would you do this to me Aurelius!"
The old man's face broke apart with grief as his eyes seem to fill with unshed tears. He looked like he'd aged twenty years in twenty seconds.
"My king, please," Aurelius begged. "Victor's the traitor. He's been planning this. You have to believe me."
"Enough," the king said. His voice was barely there. "I trusted you with everything. I loved you like my own son. How could you do this?"
Those words hurt worse than any beating. Aurelius felt his heart crack as he watched his father figure turn away.
"Guards," the king said without looking at him. "Take him to the dungeons. I need time to decide what to do with him."
They dragged him away like common trash. The last thing he saw was Victor's pleased smile. The snake had won. He'd destroyed everything with lies and pain.
The dungeon was cold and wet and he could hear water dripping in the dark, also with the faint sounds of rats running across the stone floor. The guards threw him in a cell and slammed the door.
Aurelius fell on the moldy straw. His body shaking with rage and despair as questions ran in his mind. How had this happened? How had Victor fooled everyone?
"First time down here?" a woman's voice asked from across the hall.