by Amber Larkins

Created on: October 25, 2007

I placed my naked leg languidly over the Count's.

"So, how do you suggest that we kill the king?" I pursed my lips together seductively and licked them for emphasis.

"I suggest poison, dear lady. I can get a very powerful one from the apothecary." The count was an awkward man and he often stuttered over his words. He also wheezed terribly. It didn't matter, he would make sure the job was done.

I was not of the normal breed of courtesan. It took more than a jingly bag of coins to get between my thighs. This particular man was the vessel through which I would reach my gains, although I had several more men at my disposal, any of whom would do whatsoever I desired.

Why did I want the king dead? Duke Abernathy, a robust and valiant youth of twenty had offered to marry me if I could make him king. This was an offer that many men of twice his age would never even think of making. My kind of woman was not the kind that married, and I didn't particularly even want to be married, but oh, what power I would wield once I was queen!

Luckily, Duke Abernathy was only second in line. I would not have to have many men killed to have all that I desired. He was young too, that meant that I would have many years of power. It was one thing to have power over men, but things would be entirely different once I ruled over all the people in the kingdom.

The Count was to procure the poison and kill the king for us. He was actually doing it as a special favor to me. It was a very special favor, and I would spend the whole evening teasing and tantalizing him just to prove what wonderful man he was to do this all for me.

I made him fall in love with me that night, and within a week the king was dead. Duke Abernathy told me privately the morning the king had died that he would announce our upcoming nuptials at his coronation. I was very pleased and anxious to be queen. He didn't come to see me again, but I didn't expect him to. He was a king now and busy.

I went to his coronation, expecting to see him crowned and to hear him profess his claim to me. The Count breathed down my neck when he saw me. I could almost feel saliva dropping from his lips. I moved away from him as discreetly as possible, smiling with my eyes as I batted my fan before my face. He came to me again and whispered in my ear,

"As you see dear lady, I have done all you asked. Tonight may I come to your quarters?"

"Hush, the king has an announcement." I retorted. King Abernathy had raised his hand, motioning the crowd to silence. He began to speak, first thanking all of his subjects for their loyalty and then talking about how he would use his power as king to serve the interests of his people. Get on with it, I thought to myself.

He then took the hand of someone from the crowd. It was a woman! She was a very beautiful woman! I knew what he was saying without even hearing the words.

My face contorted with rage. He had tricked me! I had done all of this work to be queen for naught. I felt the Count's hand on my waist.

No, not for naught. If I got the Count to kill the king once, I can surely get him to do it again. This time I'll be smart about it. I'll have the ring on my finger first.

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