Rough Draft

Sometimes a rough draft isn't just a rough draft...

Writing Jewel Of Humanity has been challenging not because I don't know what to write, but rather I want to put too much content inside of my book. It dabbles in the afterlife as well as the main charector being Royalty. Research, research, research folks, and through that research I have been able to mold and shape a thought into more than just that a story...

The Jewel Of Humanity

Princess Flossina awakes in a strangers arms. She has no recollection of how she got there, or why. After being taken to a secret location by the stranger, she soon discovers her mother, the Queen, has been murdered, and they have accused her of the crime. She needs to find out the truth, but how... Marlon, an undercover assassin, disguised as the Kingdom healer is intrigued to help Flossina when she is deposited on his doorstep bruised, bloodied, and unconcious like so many girls before her. She was everything he didn't expect her to be, firey, beautiful and Royalty.

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If youre still on board after this synopsis I hope you'll enjoy just a taste of what I've written so far, and thank you so much for taking the time out of your life to chose my stories.

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She recalled falling asleep in Marlon's arms that night but she did not recall him bundling her up and flying them back to his home, Moena, or being placed inside his bed chamber. She saw no trace of him when she awoke. She was trying to quiet the voices of defeat and grief that seemed to be replaying over and over again in her mind as the events that took place over the past week flooded her as she put on a cotton dress. She wondered where he had gone to, and opened the bedchamber door to go in search of him. She was halted by a young boy, no more than sixteen summers, who was standing guard at Marlon's chamber door. She wondered who he was. He was staring at her like he had never seen another person before.

It almost became awkward. He spoke to her then.

"My Lady, you are to not leave these chambers without the Commander's escort."

She was puzzled as to who the Commander was and why he was the only one who could escort her around a castle she had been living in. Where was marlon? Had he lied to her? Was this not his home? She felt the panic rising up in her as the young soldier's gaze rested on her many bruises and she realized she must look a fright.

"Very well. Thank you." She said, hoping she didn't sound as perturbed as she felt.

He nodded at her and she returned back into the room shutting the door behind her. She went in search of a mirror. She found one that leaned on the stone wall only a few feet away from the bed. She gasped at her appearance. Her left eye was dark purple and swollen shut. She had visible bruises on her wrists from where the shackles had rubbed against her delicate skin, and her bottom lip puckered out a bit because it was split. There was no pain thanks to Marlon tending to her wounds last night. Thinking about him made her wonder once more where he was. She felt overwhelmed and alone then. Thinking about everything that had occurred. All the evidence showed her that she should flee from her Kingdom. Her stepfather was being used as a pawn by a madman. She had been framed for her mother's death and left for dead, but her heart told her she had to continue to be strong and fight. Fight for her mother, her Kingdom and her crown...

It was well past nightfall when Marlon returned. Flossina had occupied herself with reading his many herb journals. She left them strewn about the large room.

The further he walked into the room the more he noticed it changed from books to various weapons of his neatly lined up on the mattress at the foot of his bed. He took his scabbard off and layed it down alongside the others.

"I see you've kept yourself occupied." He remarked as if this was an everyday occurrence.

She looked up from a holistic medical journal she was reading, smirked at him and then spoke.

"There was nothing for me to do. The boy guard at the door told me I was to stay here. I cannot tour the castle alone. I can only go if your 'Commander' escorts me. Who is he? You've never spoke before of having a Commander, or being aprt of the military."

He was the Commander and Chief of the Collective, but he hadn't told her that tidbit of news for fear she would break his cover. He hadn't known what to expect, and still didn't. The time would come where he would have to fight the King of Zuff and his General. Thoughts of him restoring her to the throne of Zuff and her turning on him just as her stepfather had done to his father during the great war so many years ago were a great possibility to him.

Only time would tell, and right now there wasn't too much of it to go around. The time had come for him to tell her who he really was, and deal with the possibility that she would be frightened and repulsed by him and all the blood he had shed. He hoped she wouldn't. He hoped she would keep looking at him with that look of adoration in her wonderful eyes of hers. Noone had ever looked at him the way she did.

"I am the Chief Commander of Moeina." That was partially true since he was a Chief Commander of the Collective, and Moiena was his home. He tried to say it as nonchalantly as possible. By the expression on her face he knew she was surprised.

"Oh my, well I didn't know, I apologize. I thought you were just a Master Healer." She smiled. "It would explain why you're so adept with weapons and why you have so many." Her gaze was on the weapons.

"You have chosen fine blades." He complimented her taste.

She smiled, walked over to him, and they both stood inches away from one another looking down at the various blades she had picked out from his vast collection.

Flossina spoke. "Any one of these blades would have come in handy when I was last at Meadowbrook. Mother detested weapons. She thought they were barbaric." She touched one. "Tell me more about these blades, please."

Flossina's comment surprised and amused him. He was only slightly curious as to why she was showing an interest in his weapons. Her eyes seemed to light up and her demeanor relaxed. He knew she felt safe with him and that made him proud. He picked up the biggest weapon she had placed on the trunk. It was thin long, wide and shaped like the letter 'C'.

"When I was a child my father gave me this. I had to use it for my first hunt. I ended up being stranded in the dark forest alone."

"You were just a boy." She gasped at the thought of him being young and lost.

"Aye, but I've seen younger."He commented.

She couldn't believe what he was saying, but knew it was the way of their world. Young boys were sent on pilgrimages. She watched him put the blade down and picked another one up. This one was a much smaller dagger. It was made from pure gold and looked as if the handle had been dipped in a rainbow of jewels. She loved the way it sparkled. He handed it to her, seeing how she couldn't keep her gaze off it. She smiled as she held the weapon in her hand.

"And what of this one?" She asked him.

"This one was payment.."

"Payment? What services did you provide? Holistic?"

"No, I killed a man." He watched her face to see her reaction.

She only smiled and rolled her eyes, and it made him smirk.

Next, he picked up a double edged sword.

"I borrowed this from a soldier I had to incapacitate. I needed his armour for a disguise."

"Yes, I see. Like you did at MeadowBrook?"

"Aye."

"Would you teach me to use a blade? "

"Your Maj-" She shot him a disapproving look and he corrected his error mid-sentence, "Floss, You have me. You have no need to train."

She felt like that was his way of telling her 'no' without hurting her feelings.

"I didn't have you when I was in that bastard General's clutches." She closed her eyes to ward off the tears. Seconds later they were open again and she was back smiling and talking. "Please, teach me. You are a Commander afterall."

Marlon rolled his eyes and began putting the blades back in their hiding spot. She followed him and watched as he put them all back where she had found them. All but the beautiful jewel dagger she held in her hand. She saw him looking at her in that way that made her insides melt, and she felt herself moving closer to him. They were standing face to face. He then took his left hand and placed it on top of hers.

"I will teach you." He finally agreed.

He watchwed as she let out a shrill cry of delight then smail, then wince, and then smile again. She was so beautiful to him. He was caught up in the rapture of her.

"Thank you. You won't regret it." She was so elated.

She looked down and noticed they were still holding the dagger in their hands. When she looked back up suddenly his lips were on hers.The kiss started off harmless at first, but ended on an intense note. She put her arms around his neck as if they were meant to be there, and he acted as if she weighed nothing at all and picked her up and carried her over to the bed. Their lips were still locked in the passionate kiss. Her fingers found their way into his soft locks of hair at the nape of his neck. His masculine scent smelled divine to her. She was becoming consumed by the thought of mating with him. His kisses trailed from her mouth down to her neck. She let out a happy sigh. Her body was tingling all over. She felt drunk. Marlon broke the kiss and Flossina began to protest by pulling his face close to hers.

"We can't do this." He stated soberly.

She kissed his lips once more, hoping he would cease his talk, but instead he gently pushed her away so she couldn't kiss him any longer.

"Yes we can. It's alright." She assured him.

"No, Princess. Really, we can't." He saidwith finality as he got up off of the bed. He tried to put some distance between them. It wasn't working. This woman had invaded his thoughts the moment he had found her on his doorstep, and now she was in his room kissing her.

Flossina had never been rejected and the feeling was unfamiliar and unpleasant to her. She crawled on the bed until she was on the edge. She stood on her knees. He saw the way she looked at him, dejected and sad.He felt guilty.

"It's not as if I don't want to." He offered.

"Then what is it?" She asked.

"It's the Law. You are of Royal blood and no man may touch you."

"I know exactly who I am. I am the next Queen of ZUff, indebted to you. And I'm quite familiar with Zuff Law. It states no 'unworthy' man may touch me." She emphasized the word 'unworthy' as she got off of the bed and turned him around to face her. "You Marlon, are worthy."

"You would give your virtue to me to pay a debt? You would allow me to bed you to fulfill your Royal obligation?"

"No, of course not !" His words were hurtful and made her feel lessened, another feeling she had never felt before. He was twisting her words around and making her seem callous and snobbish. She didn't know how to say she needed him. She wanted him to understand that she understood what she was asking of him. "Every time I have been in trouble you have been there for me. You're more than my champion. You rescued me again. I didn't think that would happen, but It did. I was so happy to see you. We kissed and when we did I felt something between us. Something I'm sure you felt because it was so strong. Without my mother and my home, for a moment life felt unbearable. Life feels more than bearable when I'm in your arms. I forget about all the killing and betrayal when you kiss and caress me. Is it so bad that I want to forget? Forget who I am and what is happening to me and to my Kingdom? If only for a few moments." A silent tear slipped down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away and smiled up at him.

Her admission seemed so melancholy and sincere. She had lost quite a lot in the past days and there was a chance she could lose more if they didn't put a stop to her Stepfather, the King. He admired her bravery and the way she could be so open and genuine with him. His desire for her grew. He pulled her close and and kissed her passionately. Flossina felt her heart leap. Her conviction and confidence in him was overwhelmingly sexy to him. She would be a wonderful Queen, but that didn't matter to him at this very moment. Watching her enjoy his kiss and hearing the soft moans she made in the back of her throat was all he seemed to care about. She stood on her tiptoes and his hands slid the sleeves off of her soft shoulders. She was enjoying every moment. She felt nothing but the affection and warmth she felt when she was with him intensifying as the kiss deepened and he gently slid his tongue inside of her mouth. She mimicked him and he thought it would be his undoing. She was like sweet honey. She felt his arousal being pressed against his trousers. Only when she held him in her hand, hard and waiting, did the severity of what she wanted to do dawn on her. She felt nervous now. Her breasts were exposed. Her nipples hard from arousal and his strong hands gently stroking them until they found their way to her round firm buttocks. Her shape was perfect to him and his touch was delicious to her. She found herself unconsciously wrapping her arms around his neck, not being able to get enough of him and the kiss they were indulging in. She removed his shirt and lost her train of thought when she saw how muscular he was underneath his black shirt and apothecary apron. She drank him, and in doing so she lost her train of thought. Her touch was light as she made a trail along his chest to his well defined abdomen.He felt like living marble to her. She looked at him. He was watching her intently.

"Undo them." He commanded.

She smiled at him. She had to work up the courage to do it. She had never noticed it until now, and now she was really noticing it. She began to untie the thin leather strips at his groin when there was a loud knock on the door. It startled Flossina and she instinctively covered herself with her hands. He pulled the top of her dress up and she got under the covers. He quickly located his shirt and put it back on. Then he walked to the door and opened it. She watched as he opened it and went outside. She wondered what the young guard must think. A few moments later he was back inside the bedchamber. She noticed the worried look on his face.

"Is everything alright?" She asked.

He didn't know how he should answer her question. News was spreading about her escape and the Zuff Army had a price on both of their heads. He didn't want to alarm or frighten her with more bad news, but he knew in just the short length of time he had known her that she was strong and resilient. He saw no use in hiding it from her. They were going to be facing these obstacles together.

"General Torunn has put a bounty on both of us. He has sent his men to the four corners of the Kingdom in search of you."

"Are you surprised? He is power hungry. Of course I see no cause for concern . You yourself said this was a fortified castle and he will not be able to find it."

"No, my exact words were 'see' it . It is an optical illusion. I have sent men to take watch. If this place is found it will be protected at all costs." He walked over to her then and looked into her eyes. "You will be protected at all costs. We have little more than a week before we hear anything, give or take a few days."

"Until then?" She asked.

"Until then, I have more work to do."

"What do you mean? What work?"

He knew she still didn't know his true plans. He couldn't tell her everything, not just yet. He would tell her when the time was right, possibly tonight after he spoke with Deleav.

She touched his left forearm she seemed to touch his soul. It was an eery yet wonderful feeling.

He had been right. He couldn't let his attraction to her make him fall prey to a bad decision. He had to finish what he had started. Love wasn't apart of that. He would have to wait for that. She was so eager to be intimate with him and he wasn't sure she knew what she was in for. He wasn't the type to love and leave someone. He would want a future with her. He would want all of her. That wasn't in the cards for them. She was a queen to-be and he wouldn't be the crazy bastard who ruined the Queen of Zuff. Could he share her with a Kingdom? Would she even want him once she was rightfully seated on the throne as Queen of Zuff? This was something he couldn't enter into lightly, and no matter how beautiful she was or how good she tasted and looked when he had kissed her there was also the issue of her attraction to him. It was due to him being her recent rescuer/hero. He just couldn't bring himself to bed her tonight, or possibly ever. As much as he wanted to stay he had to leave he had to make sure his orders were carried out and Moeina wasn't discovered.

"I have a favor to ask of you." He said deflecting her question for now.

"Anything." She said quickly

"Please don't leave this room. I have some things I must tend to. I want as few people as possible to know you are here."

"People? Your servants?"

He almost chuckled at her. "No. My men. Until I have come up with a suitable plan before I can let you freely roam my home. Some of these men haven't seen a woman as beautiful as you in quite some time, and some know exactly who you are and would hurt you because of it."

He searched her face.

"I understand." She said simply.

"I promise I will explain it all when I come back, but now I must go." He planted a quick kiss in the center of her forehead and exited the room, closing the door behind him.

She wrapped her arms around herself. She shivered when she thought about what almost happened between them and hoped her wouldn't be long...

Marlon could barely keep his mind on the round table discussion he was having with his three Chief officers. He hadn't realized how preoccupied his thoughts were until Deleav nudged him back to the conversation.

He heard Deleav. "Those are all sound suggestions what do you think Marlon?"

"Although you are right, I feel we must discuss another matter."

This was a change. Usually their discussions were centered around devising a plan to free his father. Marlon felt all plans like this were all about timing. He wanted to get his father out with very little disturbance. He knew it was possible. He continued speaking.

"A few days ago a woman was deposited on my doorstep in Zuff. After an examination I discovered she was the lost Princess."

There was a deafening silence. His words seemed to echo in the large meeting room. The three men looked on waiting for him to say more. He knew Deleav was playing the role as to not give the game away, but he could tell Oakley and Bolt were genuinely shocked. He had known all three men for quite some time and trusted them equally with his life. That however didn't mean they always all agreed on matters they discussed in here or Marlon's decision as the commander and chief of the collective. He knew Oakley would be apprehensive because of the danger he had put them in. He didn't know what Bolt would say. He was a wild card, and just as quickly as he had thought about their reaction they spoke.

First Bolt. "Marlon this is bad."

"No it isn't." Chimed Oakley.

"And why isn't it?" Bolt asked annoyed with Oakley.

"Because we could ransom her for Marlon's dad."Bolt said with a wide grin on his gruff face.

Marlon felt like punching him square in his jaw. He knew if she was any other person he would be considering that very idea, but this was her. He knew her and would tear anyone apart who tried to touch her.

He showed no outward emotion, and chastised Oakley instead, "Of course you would."

"Oh, and what would you have us do with her then?"

Marlon hated he even had to speak on it but he had no choice now, not if he wanted his men to fight for this cause.

"I would assist her in dethroning the King. Putting us all back in Royal positions and clearing our orders name. That would be on my short list."

All three laughed at his arrogance.

"That is why you are the Chief commander," Bolt noted.

"How are we going to dethrone a King? Are our resources strong enough?"Oakley sounded worried.

"Yes." Marlon answered.

"There isn't more than one hundred and fifty of us fully trained." Bolt countered.

"Numbers have never stopped us before." Marlon said.

"The King has enemies." Deleav noted.

" The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Oakley stated.

" Exactly." Marlon agreed.

They were all getting on the same page and he was beginning to see a plan unfold, giving them hope.

Flossina was sound asleep by the time Marlon came back to his room. The reaction from his men at the meeting when he had brought up her name was unsettling. There were mixed feelings floating around. He once again took his sword and belt off and placed it atop the trunk that sat at the foot of his bed. He sat on the bed and removed his boots. How could his men see her as a bargaining chip? She was the rightful heir to a Kingdom they'd took an oath to protect . She was the one and only person who could re-write history for all parties concerned. She was also a person. A person who he had vowed to help and protect. He wondered if his father would have been the one to propose this plan would the outcome be different. He wasn't sure. Was he expecting too much from his men? Almost two decades ago, these menand their fathers fought, bled and died for the crown of Zuff. They brought honor to their houses. After the Great War had ended it had all changed. Their leader gone, thrown in the dungeon for treason. A crime no one really believed he took part in. They were all shunned and outcast. Their only way to survive was hiding in plain site. There was nineteen years of harbored anger, resentment and downright contempt for the Crown.

He watched her sleep. She was peaceful. It was as if for one moment she was just his in their bed sleeping. He felt torn. He wanted to continue to lead his men. He also wanted to help the Princess. He removed his shirt and kept his trousers on as he laid atop the fur covers. He knew she was naked underneath the fur pelts and he didn't want to be tempted. He was suppose to be on high alert and she was a distraction. He decided tomorrow she would start her combat training. He wanted her to be able to protect herself if he wasn't there. He watched as she sighed in her sleep and inched closer to him. Her body was searching for warmth. When she found it she pressed her back to his chest and herbottom on his groin. She sighed in her sleep once more. He gently touched her hair and inhaled her scent. She smelled like the soap he had made just for her, when she first arrived here. It seemed like ages ago, and not days. He resisted the urge to caress her. He turned away from her lying on his back. He rested his head on the pillow. He looked up at the ceiling and knew that this would be a long night...