the Leathermines

Back to Chapter 15 - Wondering what is going on?  The first chapter of The Slave Lady is here, and the beginning of the series in Chapter one of The Slave Warrior is here.  Please check out the Tribute page and consider supporting the Web Mistress.

 

There were two servants outside the room.  This was not unusual.  But, the way they were standing...  And they had differences in their household tabards.

Ithian had been in the Palace for an hour.  He had made his way slowly through the groups of clinging nobles.  He had walked each level so that he did not sweat, resting as much as he could.  He had been around the corner from the Lady’s room until he heard the chimes.  He adjusted his pure black velvets and silks, patted his hair and knew he was about to conquer another of Falmir’s favorites.

As he approached, the servants bowed and parted.  The door opened and two women servants were...barely wearing their tabards.  They parted and Ithian stepped into the room.  At least as far as he could.

There was a screen a few steps into the room.  The servants closed the door to the hall and stayed at the door.  One of them motioned and Ithian went around the end of the screen.  He stopped and looked about him.

It was not what he expected.  On any level.

He knew that this was called the Green chamber.  There were a few hints from the walls that were not covered, but what he mostly saw was white, draped and glowing in the lamplight.  He saw a table, partially set with wine and something else.  Then thick horse blankets along the bench that had the glow of the southern Capitol City beyond it through clear glass panes.

He turned to the curtained bed, expecting Laun to be there, but instead, one of the servants was kneeling beside it, only wearing breeches.  The servant’s eyes were on the ground and he looked like he was barely breathing.

The door to the bathing room opened and Laun was framed by the soft light coming from behind her.  She stepped forward and he was taken back by how she presented herself, an almost transparent white tunic framing her body.  It took a moment for him to focus on her face.

Her voice was soft as she held out her hand to him and said, “I hope that you are well tonight, Ambassador.”

He stepped forward and took her hand, lifting it to his lips and not taking his eyes off her eyes.  He wanted to go lower, but he dared not.

Laun motioned to the table and started to walk.  Ithian kept his hand under hers and escorted her to the refreshments.  He had to look at her as they walked.

The white tunic she was wearing flowed down from her shoulders and seemed to float as she walked.  She had ribbons wound about her wrists and he saw them also wrapped around her ankles.  Her hair was up in a simple bun, one of the hair sticks he had given her securing the gleaming hair.

Lady Laun paused at the table.  “I did not know what your preferred drink was.  I knew there were stocks from Rosemond, so I had some brought up.  Please, choose.”  Her voice was still soft and she seemed very demure, though her eyes were sharp as arrows.  The tunic draped over her breasts and belly covering to entice and, without a belt, the fabric slid over her skin and changed the shape whenever she moved.

He chose the red that was decanted on the table.  She smiled and took up a goblet with milk.  She saw him look at the milk and she raised the goblet to eye level.  “It seems all the baby wants for me to drink lately.”  She took a sip and motioned to his own goblet.  “Please, the King is paying for it.”

He smiled and sipped.  He looked at the goblet and seemed pleased.  “I didn’t know there was still any of this around.”  He took another sip and grinned.

Laun tilted her head to the side.  “I did not know what was going to happen tonight, so I want to make sure that things begin...right.”  She sat on the window bench and glanced out the window.

Ithian sat next to her.  “May I say, Lady, that you look stunning.”

She did not have to try to blush, it came to her cheeks unbidden.  She looked in his eye and said, “Thank you.  I was pleased.”  She took more of the milk and swallowed slowly.

Ithian motioned to the city below.  “You have quite a view.”

She nodded.  “I am getting tired of it, though.  It is all I see all day.”  The goblet hand dropped and she rested her hand on her leg.

He reached for her chin, ostensibly to wipe a speck of milk from it, and ran a finger along her jaw.  Her eyes closed slightly and she smiled at the touch.  When she opened her eyes, they were softer as they looked at him.  “What do you see when you close your eyes?”

Laun took another sip and smiled at the corner of her mouth.  “Home.”  She looked at the milk in her hand.  “I may never see it again.”

“I am sure that is not true, Lady.”

“Please,” she touched his arm.  “Call me Laun.”

He nodded and took the hand touching him and put it to his lips.  He pressed his mouth to her knuckles for a moment.  She turned her hand after he released his kiss and ran her thumb over his mouth, her fingertips up his jawline.

Ithian closed his eyes at the sensation.  The women never did that and he was not expecting it.  He felt her nails lightly drag down his throat until her hand rested lightly on his chest.

He opened his eyes and saw her, head tilted to the side and a small smile on her parted lips.  “What did you see, Ithian?”

“Something a lot closer than home.”  He put his goblet on the floor next to him.  He took her hand and started to kiss it on the palm.  Her hands were delicate, but he found slight ridges on the inside showing a scaring.  He suppressed a slight shudder as he ran his lips across them and to her wrist.  The ribbons were wound and crossed and went up her arm under the light tunic sleeve.  There was a bow at the inside of her wrist and he had an impulse to open the present.

He heard a sigh and looked into her eyes.  She looked relaxed and happy.  Good.  It was easier when they were relaxed.

“That is nice.  Thank you.”  Her voice was still soft, but had deepened slightly.

“My pleasure, Laun.”  He kept ahold of her hand but lowered it until it rested on his knee.

She smiled.  It was not an embarrassed smile or one of the coquettish smiles he was used to.  An honest, happy smile.

“Laun, what lessons would you like tonight?”

Her smile broadened and he could see her teeth.  They were not the whitest, but she had all of them and they were reasonably straight.  “I may need a refresher on the basics before any...specialties.”

He took the milk out of her hand and placed it on the floor next to his own drink.  He put one hand on her neck, sliding it back to under her wound hair and one on her shoulder.  There was little resistance to his touch and he went in to kiss her.

His kiss was supposed to be gentle, slightly probing to warm her.  He found that the warmth was already there and he had to reign in himself as she responded to him.  He pulled away and had to catch his breath.

There was desire in her eyes, but also concern.  “I hope you are well, Ithian.”  Her hand went to his mouth.  “You seem to have lost your breath.”  Her fingers brushed his lips and then he found her hand on his cheek, pulling him close to her again.

The simple act of kissing was not supposed to make him react this way.  There were moments while they were embraced when he wondered who could have pushed her away, but then the sweetness of her breath, the heat of her lips would pull him back into the sensations of the moment.

He felt his skin had flushed while they were kissing.  “Laun... I do not believe you need any lessons in this subject.”

She ran her thumb over his mouth, removing a slight wetness.  “I am glad you are pleased.”

There was a slight scratching.  Laun turned her head and nodded.

A small tray was brought in and placed on the table.  The almost naked servants placed the items from the tray and also put the goblets up on the table from the floor.  The servants moved back to behind the screen.

“I was not sure if you would have eaten, so I ordered up a few things.  Nothing too heavy.”

There were several small plates, each with enough for a bite for each of them.  There was also a goblet that had a small trifle in it, the mounded sweetened whipped cream on top slowly sliding sideways.

“You are very thoughtful.  Thank you.”

They had to stand to get to the table.  Laun did not need help to rise, but his hand was there anyway.  She put her hand in his and stepped close to him.  Her tone was playful as she asked, “Do you see anything presented that you would like to eat?”

He kissed her again.  He found his arms wrapped around her, hers around him.  Her hands went up his back and grasped the velvet on his shoulders, pulling him to her.  His hands went down her back and he could feel her react as he pressed into the small of her back.  They breathed into each other until she turned her head and gasped.  She put her head on his chest and sighed.

Ithian felt that she was going to be fun to play with.  She was very responsive and did not retreat from his touch.  Many of the women in the court thought they knew what they were doing.  This Lady seemed to know.

They parted and Laun took up her milk again.  She picked up a small morsel from one of the plates and approached his mouth with it.  “Please, have some.”

He allowed her to put it in his mouth and the perfectly done beef wrapped around a hard cheese of some sort almost melted in his mouth.  He reciprocated and put the other bite into her mouth.  Her lips touched his finger briefly and he felt an unaccustomed thrill.

They fed each other the light meal, fingers getting deeper into each other’s mouths and sucked or lightly nibbled until there was only the trifle left.  Laun kept a hand on Ithian the entire time, on his arm or his hand or his shoulder.  She could feel that he was patient, but also that he was ready for anything to come.

“Why that smile, Laun?”  He ran his finger across her lip.

“I am enjoying myself.  I hope you are, too.”  Laun put the tip of her tongue out slightly past her teeth and brushed his finger with it.

He pressed his mouth to hers and found that he really desired her.  She was not the perfect woman that he preferred.  She was plain of face, the nose a bit too much and her eyes were a color that was no match for his.  Her mention of being disfigured made his skin crawl.  Beyond that, she had a gentle way about her, and the meal fed to each other had been inspired.

He felt something move against him through his velvet.  He looked down and remembered her belly.  Her hand went to it and she closed her eyes.

“I think the baby likes this, too.”  She took one of his hands and put it on her.

The softness of the tunic slid over her skin as she moved his hand over her belly and he felt the life inside her.  Then she slid her hand off of his and up to her breast.  He followed and her head went back.  Her eyes closed and there was a small sigh that came out.

He had his arm around her, pressing her into him, his hand on her breast covered by her own hand.  Her head tipped to the side and his mouth went to below her ear.  He licked and blew lightly and ran his nose up the outside of her ear.  He breathed in...

She smelled of lavender and stables and heat and oranges and sweetbark...  He found that it was as intoxicating a scent as any from the perfumers from his homeland.

She giggled and turned sightly away.  “That tickles.”  Her hand was on his cheek and she looked into his eyes with a glint from the lanterns that showed a passion just under the surface.

He remembered himself and backed off, taking one of her hands and putting it to his lips.  “You make me quite distracted, Laun.”

She made a slight curtsey.  From the hall, the chimes were being sounded.  He had been there for an hour?

Laun turned from him to the table and seemed to be looking for something.  “What is it, Lady?”

“Oh!  They did not send up spoons for the trifle.”  She held the large goblet by the stem and turned to him.  “How ever shall we eat it?”

He took it away from her and put it back onto the table.  “That is not the desert I am interested in.”  He took a finger of the melting whipped cream and put it to her lips.

He closed his eyes as she licked the cream and then took his finger into her mouth, running her tongue around his finger.  It held such promise.

She held the tip of his finger with her teeth as he was pulling out.  Her tongue flicked across his finger tip and then she let go.  He had to remember to breathe.

She moved and seemed to be pulling him towards the bed.  This was more to his liking, though he was unaccustomed to being the one to follow.  She stopped partway to the curtained bed and stood.  She tilted her head and looked at him.

“Would you like to see what you are getting tonight?”

He nodded.  He tried to step forward, but her hand on his chest stopped him.  He did not see the signal, but the servant he had forgotten about stood and went to behind her.  The servant’s hands went down to the hem of the tunic brushing the floor and started to slide the fabric up her skin.  It bunched around his hands as he drew his fingers up along her calves, showing the silver ribbon that wound up the pale legs.  The hem got up as far as the bows just below her knees and the servant changed slightly how he pulled up the hem.

His hands went up the backs of her thighs to her butt and then around to her front, gathering the fabric into a mass in front of her.  Ithian had glimpses of skin and he saw that she was enjoying the servant’s hands on her.  The servant paused with his hands on her swollen belly until she clicked her tongue and he jumped.  He continued to run his hands up her sides and then, as the tunic was being pushed over her head and arms, Ithian saw the servant take a liberty of kissing the nape of Launs neck as it was uncovered.

Laun reached up and as the tunic slid over her head and down her front, she pulled her hair stick.  Her hair flowed down her shoulders and almost reached her nipples as the tunic hit the floor.  Her eyes were on his, but his eyes were flicking from scar to scar, from stretchmark to pucker.  Her hand on her hip caught his attention as she lightly drew her fingers up her side and to her face.  She reached behind her to the servant still standing there and stroked his hair.  The servant’s eyes closed and pushed his head into her hand before kneeling behind her.

A flash of nervousness went through Ithian.  She had been able to cow one of the Palace’s servants in just a few days.  And the confidence she showed was not what he expected.  He had to remind himself she was just a woman as any other.  One that may play at control, but Ithian knew how to be in control.

Launs hand went across her chest, not in modesty, but to support her heavy breasts.  “May I undress you, Ithian?”  He nodded and her light touch was on him.

She stroked across the velvet of his jerkin, unbuckling each strap slowly and drawing it out of the fastening with fingers tracing the line on his silk tunic beneath.  He felt his muscles tense and had difficulty keeping his eyes open and on her face.  She pushed the velvet back over his shoulders and leaned in to pull it down his arms.  Her breasts pushed into him and he felt her belly brush something that should not have been awakened, yet.  Her lips were so close to his that he tried to kiss her.  She moved away and smiled.

She had the jerkin off of him and to the servant behind her.  She did not look or say anything as he carefully folded the garment and set it to the side.  Her hands were on the buckle of the belt at his waist, holding and pulling and drawing through.  She put her hands around him as she took the belt off, her body pressing into his.  She moved the belt to behind her and the servant caught it as she dropped it.

She dipped down and held onto the hem of his tunic.  She pushed in and her hands brushed the fronts of his thighs.  He twitched at the touch, a rush going through him.  She gently stroked up his body, the tunic raising and showing his loincloth, also of silk.  Her hands went up the sides of his chest, to his arms.  She pushed her hands along his arms inside the tunic and there was no where else to go.  The tunic went over his head and fell to the floor, but he had her hands in his and he drew her to him and kissed, her hands held behind her back under his.

They kissed for a while, warm skin pressed against warm skin, her sighs getting louder.  He found he also was letting out small moans and had to pull back to regain his composure.

She was not smiling, but her eyes were half closed as she said, “I hope that my meagre skills have distracted you from the defects of my body.”

He had to admit to himself that he had not thought about anything but her kiss.  “I would not call them meagre, Laun.”

She smiled.  “Shall we see what lessons I do need?”  Her glint was back in her eyes as the smile on her lips showed a little wickedness.  He started to step forward and felt he was still overdressed.  Her eyes flicked down and nodded.

The servant came forward and helped Ithian off with his boots, placing them next to the neat pile he had made of the other items.  There were also socks which took a little longer to take off and was a lot less dignified.

Laun took up her milk and sipped on it as she looked at Ithian.  He was not overly muscled, but he obviously worked to keep his body fit.  She saw where the tunic had been slightly tailored to make his body slightly bigger in the chest, possibly the stomach, with the clothing.  It would be good to match the shape of those around him, even if his garments were so much more refined.

Ithian took his wine and drank some, the first gulp a bit hurried as he had found his composure had slipped.  But she was not giggling or laughing at him as some might have.  He felt that her look was appreciative of him.  He put the goblet down and took hers away.

Laun backed up holding her hands out to Ithian.  He followed and the servant scooted around to pull back the curtain.  Ithian was not following his own plans.  They had hardly spoken.  He had not been able to ask the delicate but probing questions to find out little bits from them about Falmir.  He usually was done and out of the woman’s room by then.  

Laun stepped back onto the step at the side of the bed, bringing her breasts up almost to his face.  He put his arms around her and went for one of the nipples.  They were erect and tight and tan in color.  The feel of them and the taste of them were wonderful and her head went back, her back arching slightly.  She had her hands on the back of his head and lightly guided him.

He moved to the other breast and felt her knees weaken.  He held her tight, her belly against his chest.  Laun’s breath caught and he looked up.

He saw her tongue right behind her teeth in her smile.  “I think that perhaps we should go further into the bed.”

He nodded and let go.  She turned and crawled to the far side of the bed.  He was not usually an ass man, but hers moved in a way that made his mouth water.

They were in the bed and the sheer curtain was down.  All the light from outside made a shimmer inside.  She sat, her legs to the side and her hand over the scar on her breast.  Her breast.  He had completely ignored it as he had suckled on her.  The silver ribbon shone on her arm as it lay against that scarred breast, and he again wanted to pull on the bow, though his present was already unwrapped.

He reached for the bow.  He pulled on the end and it drew out, the ribbon’s tension lessening and falling to the bedding as it uncoiled from around her arm.  He tossed it to the side and reached for her other arm.  She lay to the side to let him at her supporting arm, her hair falling, partially covering her throat.  The second bow was gone and the ribbon off to the side.

She glanced down and he went to her legs.  Her legs were together and she moved her top leg out slightly so he could get to the ribbon.  He pulled on the bow and the coil was pulled from around her leg.

His hand went between her knees to find the end of the next ribbon.  His hand went up instead of down and her soft thighs parted as he reached for her womanhood.  Her hand went to her mouth and her eyes closed as he found her furred mound hidden by her leg and belly.  She sighed and gasped as he stroked and found how wet she was.

He moved closer to her, kissing her and pushing his hand further between her legs.  She spread them and he could feel every tremor, every thrill he was giving her.  He felt her hand on his stomach and he felt himself tighten.  He then felt a small flip of her wrist and his loincloth was loose.

Ithian pulled back and said, “Lady!”  It was more in surprise of her being able to do it while he was actively fingering her than for the dexterity it took to do it without looking.

She smiled, and he finally saw that the playfulness and the passion had been controlled.  She was an expert.  In the metaphor they had chosen, she did not need lessons and he was not her teacher.

“Is it fair that I am getting all the attention, Ithian?”  She moved and his head went back as she flicked his silk to the side and took his manhood under the head.  He completely forgot about what he was trying to do to her as her hand manipulated him and brought him completely erect and to the edge within a few strokes.

He had to stop her.  His hand went to hers and she stopped.  He rolled to kiss her and held her arm behind her.  She wiggled her hips which rubbed his manhood on her belly and made him draw in a breath from her mouth.

He had to take the upper hand somehow.  She had disrupted his pace.  His eyes opened as he pulled back from her and saw her smile.  It was a little smile, but it held so much behind it.

“Am I too fast of a learner, Ithian?”

He had to take a breath before he answered, “I don’t think I have anything to teach you.  If anything, you need to slow down.”

She pulled her hand from his at her back and put it on his cheek.  “Any speed you want.  I am all yours tonight.”

He saw an opening, and not the one his little man was trying to get to.  “Would Falmir call for you tonight?”

Her eyes flicked down and then back up to his.  “I don’t know why he has kept me here.”

Ithian went up on one elbow and stroked along her shoulder.  “A prize, perhaps?”

She nodded.  “He has called me a thorn in his side.  I will not pledge to him as I have pledged to his father.”  She looked away and said, “He had me kidnapped, just like...”

Ithian perhaps was a little quick, but said, “Like?”

She shook her head.  “I always say too much.  I can’t stop talking.”

He pulled up her chin and stroked along her cheek.  “If it bothers you, you need to talk about it.  It will make you feel better.”

Laun had very clear and open eyes.  “Falmir likes to make people disappear.  And my household had risen against him, so he had me kidnapped.  And I know of nobles and... others... who have had their homes invaded and members of their families or apprentices taken from them.”  Laun closed her eyes and a tear was at the corner of her lashes.  She looked very young at that moment.  “And if he doesn’t get what he wants, he makes you marry someone you could never love...or you just disappear forever.”

Ithian kissed her on the forehead, trying to make some time to think about what she had just said.  What did she actually know?  It sounded like it was all from rumors, some he had heard himself.  But Ithian knew that word of the nobles and greyworld Master’s troubles had been suppressed.  And people being forced to marry?

“Shhhh.  He seems rough, but I am sure he would not force you to marry anyone.  I don’t think he has the power to do that.  What ever gave you that idea?”

Laun rubbed the tear from her cheek on the pillow under her head.  “He...  He compared me with someone.  And he said he was glad he had married her off if all women were like us.”  She closed her eyes and he felt a sob go through her.

He smiled and then calmed his face.  “No, Laun.  He would never do that.  King Falmir is a just leader and would not.  And if he did offer your hand to someone, would that be so bad?”

He saw a flash of anger.  Her voice was still quiet and calm as she said, “I fought for my title.  I am not giving it to just anyone.  My people deserve more than an arranged marriage for his Majesties’ convenience.”  He heard the venom, and the concern for her household.

Ithian shrugged slightly.  “I still cannot believe he would do as you have said.  It just isn’t in his nature.”

They both knew that was a lie.  “I hope so.  The young man I met...  I again say too much.”  She started to trail her hand down his chest.  “I would rather think of other things...”

He leaned in and both of their hands started to explore again.  She moaned as he found her nub and he had to force a breath out when he felt he had not breathed for a while.  He ran his hand over her hip and to her butt, pulling her closer to him.  She raised her leg and showed remarkable limberness as her leg went across his back.

“How would you like me, Ithian?”  It was a direct question with so many possibilities.

He smiled and went onto his back.  Her eyebrow went up but she flowed with him as her body followed and she straddled his legs.  She leaned forward and he felt her more wiggle her hips forward than crawl up him to place him just at the entrance of her womanhood.  Her lips were close to his and he put his hands on the roundness of her hips.

She just hung there, her hips rocking back and forth maddeningly on the tip of his cock.  Her breath was hot and her breasts grazed his chest.  She was teasing him and he just wanted to be in her.

“Laun, please...”  He looked into her eyes and saw the gold and green blazing.

“Do I really look like her...his love?”

His frustrations got the better of him and he blurted out, “No!  Her eyes are pale to yours and your hair golden to her coal.  If he doesn’t see your beauty, he doesn’t deserve it.”

She did something with her hips and he was in her.  He gripped her hips and let out a call of agony as she was finally around him.  She slid down his shaft and then stopped.

“Ahhhhg!  Laun, please!”

“And he would not marry me off, even though I am heavy with child?”

He shook his head from side to side several times before he was able to say, “He hasn’t before.  He wouldn’t do it to you.”

She moved and he felt the tightness of her squeezing him and then she was almost off of him.  Her lips brushed his and he opened his mouth to let her tongue enter.  She was forceful and kissed him deeply.  He found he could not breathe except when she breathed, taking what she gave him.

She sat up, her hands on his chest.  She was using her legs to keep herself at his tip and was undulating her hips back and forth.  “And he would not put me in a hole with the other apprentices?”

His voice was gravely as he said, “Greir House is already too full.”  She plunged down on him, arching her back and making him call out.

He felt her breathing change and her eyes closed.  She started thrusting and stroking on him, her hands still on his chest, his on her hips.  Laun’s moans became loud and he felt her start to peak, her womanhood becoming even tighter and touching him off.

She fell forward as her orgasm took her over and he kept thrusting up into her.  He grunted as he felt himself go, filling her, but having it squeezed out as they both became spent.

He saw something akin to pain cross her eyes as she held herself over him.  He reached up and pushed the hair from her face.  “Lady?”

She was panting.  She shook her head and said, “Just remembering someone from home.”  She rolled off to the side and reached above their heads.  She came down with two cloths and offered him one.

He smiled and took one, wiping himself with it.  He saw her make a subtle motion with her hand and the two women servants pulled back curtains from either side of the bed.  They had water in crystal goblets for them and took the cloths away when they were done cleaning themselves.  The curtains went back down and it felt like they were alone again.

Laun sat cross legged next to him as she sipped on the water.  He looked at her and saw the glow in her eyes, on her skin.  There was a trickle of sweat running between her breasts.  Ithian reached out and ran a finger through the trail it had left and further down.

“Please hold this?”  She handed her goblet to him as she untied the last bow and used the ribbon to tie her hair back.  There was still a small ribbon around her ankle with a small bell on it.

He handed the water back and fingered the little bell.  “A keepsake?  It seems to be broken.”

Laun took a sip of water.  She swished the liquid around and swallowed before saying, “Even a bell without a tongue can be heard by the right people.”

“That’s a sweet-”  His eyes went wide.

She just sat and drank water.  Her back was straight and she looked into his eyes.  And the damned clapperless bell that he should have seen was on her all that time.

“He brought you here to get to me.”

She shook her head.  “I was taken from the Salam-Dir lands by force and presented to Falmir for the ransom.  It was purely a chance that you interrupted his... interrogation of me.  It was you who asked to come up.  And it has been your choice to stay or go as you wish.”

He narrowed her eyes at her.  She was right on all counts.  “What rank are you?”

Laun looked embarrassed and her eyes went to the side.  “I have not been able to go through the full tests, Ithian.  For any of my disciplines.”

He wanted to throw the water in her face.  He wanted to slap her.  But mostly he wanted to kiss her again.  There were hands on the goblet taking it from him before he knew the curtain had been pulled back.  Hers also was out of her hands as he sat up and took her head in his hands.  He kissed her deeply.

He had his forehead against hers as he held her head in his hands.  “You did that so easily.  And I walked right into it.  I saw what you wanted me to.”

Her hand was on his chest, a thumb right below the base of his throat.  “No, you saw what you wanted.  I just...played to that.”  Her head went slightly to the side.  “You aren’t used to that.”

He kissed her again, feeling his desires rising again.  “That is an understatement.  That is how I became Ambassador.”

She nodded in his hands.  “We go where our talents are needed.”  Her teeth bit her lower lip and he went in for another kiss.  He pressed more and she leaned back, her hand going more around his throat.  He moved with her and was between her legs.  The loincloth slipped completely off and he reached down to remove it.

And he felt how hard he was already.  He positioned himself against her.  “Who’s apprentice are you?”

She flexed and her legs were around his waist.  “You know I can’t tell you who I apprenticed to.”  She wiggled her butt and gasped as he entered her.  “Ahhh - Any way.  Who said.  I was.  Only.  An apprentice?”

His hands were on either side of her head and he smiled.  He drew back and held there.  “I could kill you and be out of the Palace before anyone would know.”

He felt something cold against his ribs.  She smiled.  “Or not.”

Her hand held a knife.  She had the pommel against his skin, the curved blade away from him, but a flick of her wrist and he would have a nasty gash.  And her other hand was still on his throat, fingernails on either side of his windpipe.

“My Lady!”  He started to thrust into her and closed his eyes, enjoying the sensations and the feeling of being so elegantly bested.  She moaned and he opened his eyes to her full passion playing across her face.  Her reactions were always real, but now she did not veil them so she could play him.  His hands went from beside her head down to her breasts and then one to on her belly.  Her hips met his stroke for stroke.  The hand with the knife went to above her head as she tried to grip the bedding, the blade slashing through the silk easily.  Her other hand was on his chest, a fingernail grazing his nipple.

A male hand came under the curtain and took the knife from Launs’ hand.  Ithian had a flash of a thought before his bodies’ sensations took back over, that was how she was able to get it, too.

Her legs were strong but trembling as they continued.  No deception, all sensation.  Her back arched and she let out a low wail.  He felt her peaking and wanted to ride her to the other side.  But the sound, her motion, brought him too far and for the second time in the evening, he came in her, the lights in his head flashing in time with his orgasm.

He fell to the side next to her, exhausted.  He could hear her low moans and felt her still writhing next to him.  She calmed and took in a series of deep breaths, one that came out slightly staccato as she had another wave of sensation go through her.

He opened his eyes and watched her as she came back from the sensations.  Her face was flushed and even her chest had a red glow to it.  He could see part of the scar on her breast.  It was part of her, not a disfigurement.  A sign of what she had gone through, of what she could do.

She did not open her eyes, but she spoke to him, softly but clearly.  “Now that we have shown blind to blind, what are we going to do?”

“Sticks player?  Hmmm.  I say use each other until one of us drops.”

She smiled and let out a laugh.  “Again?”

He also laughed.  “I think I am not going to be able to again tonight.”

“One advantage to being female.”  She opened her eyes and looked into his.  “You dropped, I’m still ready.”

He laughed but stopped when he saw she was serious.  “My Lady!  Let me rest.”

She shrugged.  “So, the next question is, do you go back to the embassy to keep your reputation or do I feed you breakfast?”

Ithian smiled.  “It would be best if I left.  For many reasons.”  He leaned over and kissed her, meaning to make it a short peck but finding his mouth opening to hers and gently kissing her for several minutes.  He leaned back and took a breath.  “That is one of the reasons.”

She smiled.  She put her hand to his cheek and then had a concerned look on her face.  “I think I messed up your hair.  I hope your man can fix it.”

Ithian waved the concern away.  “He’ll fix it in the morning.”

“Do you really spend a hundred crown on him?”

He nodded.  “Every month.  Best investment I make.”

She smiled and ran her fingers through his hair.  “If I had known that, I would have grabbed you by it.”

“My Lady.  I really should be going.”  He kissed her on the shoulder.  Right next to the scar there.  “And I mean it.”

He saw a flip of a finger and the curtains were up around the bed.  The three servants were standing quietly after following their Lady’s subtle instructions.  The cool air from the rest of the room washed through the bed, drying sweat Ithian did not realize he had.  It felt good.

Laun watched him as he climbed out of the bed and was helped into his garb.  He went to her after making sure he had everything and leaned over her.  They kissed a shorter kiss than before but still one he had to pull himself away from.

“Oh, Ithian.  I never did thank you for the brush and combs.  They are beautiful.”

“Just like you, My Lady.”

She just smiled and took the compliment.  He bowed and was escorted out of the room.

Laun laid on her back cooling off.  And then there was a double kick and her bladder needed to be emptied.  She looked at her belly and said, “At least you waited until now.”

It had been fun, she had made her bet, and then some.  Sort of.  Laun held herself up as she walked into the bathing room, her hands on her back.  She felt a familiar wetness sliding down her leg and felt both good and bad about it.  It wasn’t the sex that was making her uneasy.  It was the play acting she had done.  Though most of what she had said had been true.

She welcomed the cold ceramic of the privy.  She used it, cleaned herself with some of the paper flowers and cleaned the bowl by pressing the pedal, too tired to feel any excitement over it right then.

Hazalam was kneeling just outside the door of the bathing room.  He was looking expectantly at her.  She motioned and he stood.

“What was in his pouch?”

“Three smaller Midlands coins and one Rosemond gold coin.  A small phial with a brown powder insealed with wax.  A rolled piece of paper with several names.  I copied it for you, Lady.  And a dried flower.  I think it was a rose.”

Laun put her hand on his chest and said quietly, “Good.”  She walked to the edge of the doorway and leaned on the wood.  “His boots?”

“Made imprints of the soles and heels as you asked.  And they were made here in the Capitol City.  I have the maker’s mark.”

Laun ran her hand down his arm.  “Excellent.  And his tunics?”

Hazalam looked down for a moment.  “No maker’s mark.  But the stitching was not even and it looked like two garments went into the velvet jerkin.  And there was a small tear on the under tunic that was expertly mended.  I did not see it in the low light at first.”

Laun thought for a moment and then leaned into the man.  Her breasts pressed against him and she could feel how he jumped at the touch.  “Very good.”

Laun moved away and turned to the other four servants.  “I thank you all for your attendance tonight.  It is getting late and if you are tired, feel free to leave to get some rest.  If you still have some energy, I think I have a way to work it off.”

There were a few glances between the women servants.  The men bowed to her and stepped forward.  She felt Hazalam at her back.

Laun smiled.

 

After a long night, a lazy morning in Chapter 17.