On Target

All Rights Reserved

Published December 2025

------------------------------------------------------

Inhaling, I step through the guarded door of the castle. The scent of heavy incense inside the castle is replaced by pine from the trees that surround the estate. As far as the eye can see, rolling green hills and deep forests. Somewhere unseen by the eye is a gate, sealing the castle from the rest of the kingdom, to keep royal blood safe. The sun shines down upon me as I stroll through the courtyard, warming my skin. Stepping off the stone, I move to the grass, further away from the castle and into the courtyard until I find who I’m looking for: King Eryx.

The name suits him perfectly as he displays every bit the powerful ruler - from his majestic image to the authority he wields. Whenever I was summoned by him, always by a guard or advisor, it was never discussed as to why. It is not known whether they were given clear instructions to allow the King or his advisor to share such details but they’d only ever spoken to me enough to summon and give direction as to where I should go.

Before I had become his mistress, I was not a woman dressed in jewels and clothed in silver but dressed in white, the daughter of a nobleman. I was brought to court with the intention or at least the hope of being his future bride. He is a king, recently coming into his rule, in need of a Queen. This was a title I had no desire for. I caught his attention during a royal joust when I’d boldly refused to give a knight my favor. I was summoned in secret.

When the King asked me to be his mistress, I was thrilled, the same adventure I desired with the man I’d begun to fall for but without the need to rule. It is perfect. Father did not see it this way but could not refuse the King so he let it be.

As I move through the soft green, I shield my face from the sun, my red dress flowing in the breeze. Soft wispy clouds dot the bright blue sky. Off in the distance, a male figure, draped in black despite the harsh summer heat. At two decades of age, he had taken over the kingdom due to the death of his eldest brother: Soren, and the people of Velora thrived under his rule. Within the first year of his reign, trade flowed through the city, he increased stricter punishments for criminals, created more gardens throughout the kingdom- both for food and medical remedies. King Eryx brightens upon catching sight of me. Making my way to him, I smile back.

“Your Majesty,” I greet, dropping into a deep curtsy at his feet.

“Mistress Scarlett.”

I glance up to see him extending a hand. I take it in my own and rise to my feet. Glancing up, my soft brown eyes meet his deep green ones. King Eryx gestures to the grass where a stretch away, five noblemen stand, in the midst of practicing archery. Targets stand in a horizontal line away from them. Each had their own. Some had arrows deep in the center while others were shooting around it in a near-perfect circle. I watch as one draws back only for another to shout, sending the arrow off target and into the grass, feet away from its intended place. The men hoot and holler, jabbing and roughhousing. I cannot help but smile as the display reminds me of my brothers back home. One daughter in a house filled with boys, a madhouse, certainly.

I pull my attention away, back to the King, realizing my error. Any small slip-up could leave me cast aside. My care is not solely for my position but also for the man I find myself falling for. As my position is still fairly new, I must tread carefully in every aspect of my life. I am seen not as the daughter of a nobleman but as an extension of the King himself, as a partner. I may not wield power but that is of no concern to me. All I desire is joy, safety, and peace. Delighted by his invitation, I follow, taking his arm, walking by his side.

“Forgive me, Majesty. I have a fondness for the sport. I did not mean to ignore even a moment of your attention.”

The King, to my great relief, waves it off with a hand as we continue our stroll. Rather than guiding us directly to his nobles, he moves off to the side, away from earshot of anyone else. I listen to the sound of the arrow as it whistles through the air before striking the target with a thud. Another soon follows.

“Pay it no mind. Is archery a favored pastime? I ought to keep this in mind. Have you had much experience with a bow?”

“Only in private, for my own entertainment.”

He, with a raised brow, seems rather amused at this. I look away, embarrassed that such a sport is not where a girl or woman is expected to be. It is seen by all as a manly sport, one designed for war, not enjoyment. King Eryx halts in his step, forcing me to do the same. Hooking a finger under my chin, he forces my gaze to meet his.

“Never be ashamed of who you are, for it is a gift you are blessed with.”

“That is beautiful. What makes you believe this?”

“It is what we love that makes up a great part of who we are. We ought never to pretend.”

Together we approach where his noblemen stand, laughing, chatting, or in the midst of the sport. The reaction is instant, something deeply ingrained since youth. Upon the King’s arrival, they halt, turning to face us and bowing in respect.

“Your Majesty,” they all greet.

King Eryx tells them to be as they were and the men shift from dutiful tight positions to relaxed and calm demeanors. Keeping their attention on him, their focus shifts to me as he gestures. I smile, giving a head nod in respect. They do the same in return.

“Gentlemen, Mistress Scarlett has desired to join us.”

Then men welcome me kindly and respectfully, making small talk of the sport. They jape with one another, making fun of the competition they’d been having, praising the winners, and jokingly shaming those they’d defeated. When one tries to walk me through it, King Eryx kindly thanks him but explains it is not necessary as I’m experienced. This stuns them all as it is not something that is heard of. Some seem impressed, others are confused at such a thing. I feel my face warm a bit with embarrassment. It was a skill I practiced in the secrecy of family walls, never in the public eye. One of the men steps forward and hands me his own bow, giving me a head bow in respect.

“For you, Mistress Scarlett.”

“Thank you.”

Taking the bow in my left hand, I run my fingers along the dark wood, amazed by the level of detail in the engravings. The entire set is a masterpiece, crafted carefully and with deep passion. Never in my life had I held such luxury. The arrow is tipped with steel, the fletching created using goose feathers rather than the common turkey.

Blinking, I focus back on the task. I grab an arrow from the quiver with my right. I look down at the target stretches away from me. Nocking the arrow, I draw back, feeling the pressure of the eyes upon me. I can feel the tension in my muscles as I hold the arrow in place, aiming carefully before I release. All watch as it zips through the air, burying into the outer area of the spiral target. The nobles clap or cheer in response. I smile, stepping back to allow the next to go.

King Eryx steps forward from beside me, knocking an arrow before pulling it upwards, leveling the arrow at the target. I cannot help but allow my eyes to wander along his muscles as he keeps his tense. Exhaling, he releases. The arrow zips through the breeze before hurting itself a few inches from the center of the target.

“A decent shot, Majesty,” One of the nobles reassures.

“Better than Sir Williams, certainly.” Another jokes

“You caused me to miss that shot!” Sir Williams says pointing a finger at one of the others

“I know nothing of what you refer to.” The man says, but a smile dances upon his lips.

“I shall beat you all the same.” Sir Williams replies firmly

King Eryx turns to the men.

“Certainly men of the crown are not placing bets upon their fellow noblemen?” He questions

The mood within the group shifts as they all become silent, downcast in their gaze. King Eryx’s serious expression remains, glaring them down.

“Put five thousand on Reynolds for me.” King Eryx says, cracking a smile.

The men, stunned, begin to whoop at one another, playfully punching and shoving one another for falling for the King’s joke.

After firing a few more arrows, the king and I stand back to watch the noblemen. The last noble aims and fires but misses the target, sending soaring into the fields. The men chuckle amongst themselves watching the display. While they hadn’t all fired dead center, (most likely due to the spiced alcohol that can be smelled) they hadn’t missed the target altogether.

“Perhaps more time at practice, less at the brothels, Sir Edgar?” King Eryx jokes with the man

“Or a bit less spiced wine, Majesty,” Edgar replies, glancing down at his cup.

“Nonsense. We ought to have this around more often, I say.” Another nobleman states

This sets the rest of them off into another fit of laughter, poking and japing with one another until it ends and they begin their archery again. In public, we are all meant to display the highest seriousness and dignity but in private, matters change.

“This is my favourite place in the kingdom.” King Eryx says.

“Do tell, why is that?” I ask

He gestures for me to shoot whilst we talk so I continue and follow through, lining up my arrow with the target. Exhaling, I feel the arrow leave my fingertips, listening as it whistles through the breeze towards the spiral made of straw.

If I had been anyone else, I would not have had the privilege of openly speaking to a royal family member. This is one of the many luxuries of being a mistress, even still caution is needed.

“When I bore the weight of the crown, I decreed that when I am here, I am to be treated as a man, left to my own. No servants feet away. It is freeing, even if only for a short while.”

King Eryx lines up his next shot, nocking his arrow on the string, with the cock feather facing up. He moves cautiously yet at a quick speed, as if he’d done it a thousand times, which given his position, he probably had.

“I cannot imagine the weight you carry. I hope my company lifts your spirits.”

“Rest assured, your company always does.”

I brighten at this.

My next arrow sinks right beside his.

King Eryx turns to me, a playful smile upon his lips. He tilts his head at me, in a subtle but knowing way.

“Are you challenging me, my lady?” He questions

I keep my gaze on him.

“I would never dare, Your Majesty,” I reply, flashing him a smile in return before I draw the string back and send another arrow into the target.

“Leave it to us if you would please, gentlemen.” King Eryx tells his men

They halt in their actions, placing everything back and stepping away, no longer participating but observing.

Giving a playful nod in response, he takes another arrow from the quiver. His arrow splits mine in half at the center, somehow managing to get even closer to the center than my own had. King Eryx looks quite pleased with himself as he grabs another arrow from the table. When he turns back his eyes lock on mine, a playful smile dancing upon his lips.

I inhale sharply, focusing myself. My eyes pull away from him, back to the bow. Drawing back, I feel the tension in my arms and chest as I aim. I exhale and release watching the arrow speed through the air, burying deep into the target, but still not in the center. I exhale a bit through my nose in frustration before turning to watch the King perform his next shot.

Our arrows move closer with each shot, dancing around one another, teasing each other. Gripping my bow, I grab another arrow and pull back, focusing my gaze on the center. This shot is another miss but still sinks into the target, the arrow hits down by the bottom of the target.

I’m focused on my bow when I hear the thud. Realizing I’d missed the shot preparing for my own, I look up to see King Eryx smirking, satisfied. I look from him back to the target. All joy falls from my face upon seeing the arrow buried deep: dead center. I can almost feel the color draining from my face. I don’t look away from the target, not wishing to see my smug lover’s face staring back at me.

“My, my love. Feeling alright? You look a bit pale.”

I flash a tense smile.

“Of course, my love.”

He chuckles.

We both turn to look at the target, perhaps a hundred paces away. Arrows are buried deep within it, so many that it is nearly impossible to determine which arrow belonged to which archer. King Eryx turns to one of the noblemen and questions if there are more targets. The man nods in understanding, bows, and walks off to complete his king’s command. The king turns back to face me, stepping closer, and he whispers in my ear.

“You didn’t think this through, did you?”

I feel my cheeks warm at his comment.

“Is it obvious?”

“Very.”

Reaching down, he uses his fingers to tilt my face towards his, gently, his green eyes gleaming.

“You could always forfeit.”

I narrow my gaze at him, a grin still on my face.

“Never.”

Off in the distance, I can see a servant setting up the new target, swapping it for the old one, tossing it aside, out of our way. King Eryx leans closer, his lips near touching mine.

“Stop being so stubborn.”

“You’re practically telling me not to breathe.”

King Eryx chuckles before pulling away, turning back to his noblemen.

“You’re dismissed. We shall meet again for lunch.”

“Your Majesty, Mistress Scarlett.” They each say with a head bow before making their way out

The King’s gaze trails from my eyes slowly down the rest of my body.

“Claim your prize, Majesty.”

In a blaze of passion, he sets his bow to the ground and steps forward, closing off the distance at a speed so fast, if I had blinked, I would have missed it. I feel the weight of his body against my own, his lips are on mine, his hot hands against my skin, sliding up my body. I gasp, not believing he’d ever take me in such a way, especially in the courtyard. Then it stops. Shock and despair fill me when I feel him pull away. I say nothing watching him closely, uncertain as to what is to happen.

Did he change his mind?

I watch as he unclips his cloak and lays it upon the grass. He gestures for me to sit and I do. He does the same and a moment later his lips are on mine again, passion burning, just as bright as a moment ago. His breath mixes with my own as his hands move to explore my skin. He moves forward pushing me back until I lie all the way on my back. He glides his fingertips against my skin slowly, starting from my thigh all the way up my body. I shiver, my mind overwhelmed with the sensations I feel and the desire to extinguish the rising flame within.

“Do you consent, Mistress Scarlett?”

“Yes, Majesty.”

Our breath mixes as one. My soft breathing becomes heavier, desire outweighing any logic. His lips brush against my ear. The muscles in my stomach tighten.

“You wish me to take you here and now, my love?”

“Yes, Majesty. I desire nothing more in the world.”

The chuckle he gives in response only drives me more wild. His hands squeeze my breasts teasingly. His movements send tingling sensations of pleasure throughout my body. Any noise I make is muffled by his mouth against mine as he presses himself against me. His lips move to my neck as he slowly slides in. I gasp, feeling my body respond, opening up to him, body relaxing, mind a buzz with blissful sensations.

“I’ve missed this greatly.”

“I couldn’t agree more, Majesty.”

Due to his duties, he’d been away from the castle for weeks, managing some secret project. Each night my body craved what I could not have. Now, the waiting is over. With a soft groan, he slides himself deeper between my thighs. Moans echo from my lips as we begin to rock gently against the ground. My hands grip his shoulders as he thrusts. The cloak is soft against my skin, sheltering me from the roughness of the hard ground. King Eryx continues rocking his hips in a slow rhythmic motion, his hands traveling up and down my naked flesh.

My skin feels as if it is on fire, only getting hotter with each kiss, each brush against my skin. His soft lips travel from my own down to my neck, causing me to gasp, caught off guard. My body reacts to his, uncontrollably, as my muscles tighten and relax from the spikes in exhilaration.

Sliding his arm underneath me, he rolls, changing our positions so I now straddle him. Already knowing what he seeks, I begin to rock my hips and arch my body, taking over the role of thrusting. Moaning in pleasure, I’m pleased to be satisfying him as he does me. Increasing my speed, my moans of lust do as well, it isn’t long before we cum, bodies trembling against one another, gasping to catch our breath, knowing full well that we’d be at it again later when the sun sets. King Eryx smiles, kissing my lips as he pulls at both sides of the blankets whilst pulling out of me, covering us in the blanket, allowing us to relax in slight privacy, still catching our breath.

“You must visit more often, Mistress Scarlett.”