His eyes caught every single pulse of emotion that passed through her, from her rich anxiety as she saw the effects of the drink take hold, to the chilling sensation of her gradually encroaching fear, threatening to swallow up every last ounce of her courage, to her peaks of defiance and outrage at his intoxication and dismissal of her royal guards to their respective chambers with their vampire escorts.  Her heart beat out a delicious tempo that increased to a rapid, staccato rhythm that accompanied bursts of panic that Aria could barely keep restrained behind a thin veil of regal discipline.  Even if every drumming beat of her heart wasn't as loud and clear, and even if the blooms of rushing blood that pumped through her veins weren't as plainly visible as lightning in the heavens to his enhanced senses, her little hand, wound so tight around his as to leave marks upon his pale skin, would be more than enough all by itself to express the terror rising within her.<br/><br/><i>He couldn't have been more pleased.</i><br/><br/>And when she released her death grip upon him, and drew herself up to her full height, beautiful and courageous and<i>all by herself </i>with him, his predatory smile did not diminish under the onslaught of her fierce words and regal demands.  In fact, this was the second occasion on which she revealed that incredibly attractive bright, fiery spirit within her to him and it ignited his arousal as he looked up at her, listening silently with that same smile upon his lips while she made her stand.  When she finished, he allowed a moment of silence to hang ominously between them as he closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of her fearful, righteous fury.<br/><br/>Then he rose smoothly from his chair, ascending to his full height above her, looking<i>down</i>into her eyes, and with unnerving cool, addressed her concerns and demands in his own dark royal manner:<br/><br/>"Queen Aria Demos, with due respect, given your kingdom's<i>surrender</i>to mine, I have as much<i>authority </i>over<i>your </i>guard now as<i>you</i>, and I am well within<i>my</i>right in<i>my</i>kingdom to treat<i>your</i>retinue as I would my<i>own</i>.  I seek to unite and<i>join</i>our kingdoms as<i>one</i>, so your guards are welcome in<i>our </i>kingdom just as they would be in what<i>used to be </i><u><i>your</i></u>kingdom."  His fangs appeared as his lips slid back, glimmering in the torchlight menacingly as he advanced on her, entrapping her left wrist in his right hand like an iron shackle, yanking her against his body as his left hand slid around her lower back.  His face was a mere breath from hers now, and she could feel his solid, unyielding form against her hips and breasts.<br/><br/>"Your guards will be allowed passage from this kingdom of<i>ours</i>if they so desire it by morning, but if they<i>choose</i>instead to<i>stay, </i>who am I to deny their wishes?  In fact," his voice dipped into a low, seductive register that vibrated through her skin, "it looks as if they went quite contentedly to their respective chambers.  I believe they're<i>accepting</i>this kingdom quite well as their<i>own</i>, and will find their places here in due time."  Kryos' grip remained fast around her as he drew closer to her lips, so that she could feel his breath and voice upon her own.  "It is<i>time</i>, Aria Demos, to assume<i>your</i>rightful place<i>here </i>by my side, as my Queen, Queen of the Kingdom of Serenity<i>and</i>the Dark Mist."  He had maneuvered her back against the table and leaned in, pressing his dark lips to hers fully, his powerful frame against her own, trapping her between himself and the table.  She could feel his teeth bite down upon her lips before his tongue slid over them, tasting her, pressing against her even more so that she could feel his thick, hard shaft bulge against her soft body.<br/><br/>After a breathless moment, he moved to her ear, sucking and tugging upon her earlobe as he whispered with a hauntingly hungry voice, "The<i>terms</i>of this evening are that you and I will be<i>joined together as one.  </i>By<i>morning</i>, you may leave if that is what you still wish..."