the Leathermines

Back to Chapter 20

 

There was a bit of a shuffle of people in and out of Laun’s green room as she approached with her escort.  Falmir had bowed, touching his forehead to her fingers and left her at the front entrance.  As Laun had gone up the stairs, she saw servants who disappeared into alcoves and behind hidden doorways as she approached.  She had only seen the nobles before.

Bedding and furniture and other things seemed to be in the arms of servants as she came closer.  She did not technically own any of it, but she was sad to see the table she used as a desk being taken away.

Several of the servants made cursory bows to her as she passed them.  That was different.

Laun came to the actual door of the room she had been staying in and found that it had been changed over, and possibly for the better.  There was still the bed and the window bench, but those seemed to be the only things that could not be moved.  There was now an actual desk on the wall near the windows and a small, delicate table set along the window bench.  There was a real rug over the painted one.  Several chests had arrived and were being placed either in the bathing chamber or near the bed.  The bedding it’s self seemed to have been changed over, a different cover showing beyond the draped curtain.  The white cloths that had been on the wall for theatrics and light reflection were gone, a few long white strips of cloth being hung from newly installed rods at the top of the green panels.  The horse blankets were there on the bench, but folded and piled on one end next to a few new, large pillows.  And Ithian.  And the red and black dressed servant from Lady Engrid.

Laun turned and saw that the screen that had been in front of the door was folded and leaning against the wall.  She was about to ask to have it replaced, but knew the servants working in the room still needed to have free access through the door.  She felt she needed a little privacy, but knew she was not going to get it.

“Ithian.  It seems I will be going to the reception after all.”  Laun did feel happy to see him in an odd way.  He was an enemy.  Someone from Rosemond, who she had decided was more to blame for the coup than Falmir was.  But he had been a good lover.

The Ambassador stood and held his hand out.  “Laun, I think this is good news?”

Laun lightly placed her hand in Ithian’s hand and felt a thrill as he kissed her knuckles.  “I have met her excellency and she has taken a liking to me.”

He winced.  He dropped his hand from under hers and motioned to the silent servant next to a covered basket.  “I was wondering.”

Laun stood in front of the servant and said, “The Lady Pearl asked you to bring things to this room.  You have done her bidding and have stayed as she requested.”  Laun smiled at the girl.  “Please show me what you have brought for me.”

The assassin-servant flicked her eyes up and then down to the basket.  She pulled back the black cloth covering the clothing beneath and pulled up a tunic of pale blue silk with a metallic braid around the sleeve ends.  It looked like it was going to fit around her midsection.

Laun started to pull the caplet off, and then stopped herself.  “Sorry, excitement over clothing.  It is fairly new to me.”

Ithian smiled.  “I would not complain, Lady.”

Laun went to the bathing chamber and the servant from Lady Engrid followed with the basket.  The door stayed open as Laun tried on the borrowed clothing, but Ithian turned and looked out the window.

He felt his body responding to what he remembered.  The kissing had been excellent and had distracted him from his usual methods.  Her own methods...  He closed his eyes on the bright afternoon and enjoyed the remembrance of her on top of him.  But... The scars.  They showed her like of pain, her tolerances.  In the heat of passion, they had not mattered.  He could not stand to see them on her, marring her perfection in the afternoon light.

Laun had to remember that the servant with her was not Hazalam or one of the servants who had already seen the scars.  The look on the girls’ face was one of both horror and wonder.  The caplet came off and the girl saw the growing stomach through the laced up slash in the dress.  The scars became evident as Laun needed help to unlace the dress.  The eyes of the servant did not leave the scar on her breast until Laun started pulling up the dress to remove it.

Laun saw a hand go to the red and black dressed servant’s own shoulder when she saw the shoulder wound.  Laun had not spoken until then and said in a low tone, “Let’s just say my tradition brought me through roughly in the tests.”

The eyes on the assassin went wide but she still did not say anything.  Laun rubbed her breasts where they were tender.  She looked and was grateful the halter she had rigged up was still there.  She tied it on around her neck and then leaned forward to wiggle herself into it.  She turned and the servant was attentive to tie it up for her.  There was real relief for Laun as the weight of the breasts was supported.

The two tunics that the Council General had mentioned were similar in cut, but one was a pale blue, one was a striking green.  And the green and blue cothardie that had been ordered was a series of heavy silk and velvet in darker greens and blues.  It was open on the sides and went over her head and body easily.  The skirt was full and the band that held up the weight of the fabric went just on Laun’s widest part of her hips.  It was pushed out by her baby, but it fit well.

Laun had picked the bright green to go under the dark over garment.  There was still the veil to try to stick on, which Laun figured a pin and a ribbon would work well.  She held the veil on her head with one hand and moved around the bathing chamber to feel the weight of the clothing.  It was good.

She moved to the doorway and called to Ithian, “Am I presentable?”

Ithian turned and Laun saw him jump slightly.  “You look like...”

Laun had caught her image in the mirror and knew.  “Tressa.  I have only seen her picture, but I can tell that this is going to be hard for my Father.”  Laun turned and felt the flow of the skirts around her feet.  “Am I going to completely stick out and embarrass Falmir?”

His eye was on her stomach as he said, “Stick out, yes.”

Laun made a rude hand gesture and turned to go back into the bathing room.  The veil hit the floor as Ithian came up behind her and grabbed her around the middle, his hand going under the top garment and onto her stomach.  “I thought you would never ask.”

Laun had not been expecting the amorous attack and Ithian found that he was doubled up and on the tiled floor, his hand on his own stomach.  Laun was not quite sure what she had done, but she felt a twinge in one of her shoulders as she rounded on him and knelt.  Her hand went to his head and he opened his eyes only after he had been able to draw in a full breath.

“I am so sorry!  You surprised me...”  Laun was on her knees and she felt bad about taking the man down.

Ithian looked at Laun and said in a very breathy voice, “I shall try to never surprise you like that again, my Lady.”  He had almost a smile.

Laun smiled and leaned over to kiss him.  She found she was lying on the floor, her arm around him, locked in a long kiss.  They came apart for air and she said, “Do you need me to kiss the wound to make it better?”

He smiled, a nice relaxed smile.  “I may need more than that kissed.”  He started to push himself off the tile and grimaced.  “That was quite a shot.  Where did you learn that?”

Laun held up her hand and the servant from Lady Engrid helped her up.  “Training.  Long years of training.”  Her own hand was out to Ithian and he took it.

They were touching, hand to hand and Laun could feel something in his touch.  He had stood, but had not leaned in to kiss her, yet.  She tilted her head and said, “Thank you for saying I was a resource earlier.  It is good to know someone sees that I can be one.  It sounds like you need that resource.”

“If you would like me to stay, I would prefer pleasure to business, Lady.”

“As you wish.”  Laun turned to the servant and smiled.  “If you would help me out of this, I would greatly appreciate it.”

The servant had been wide-eyed when Laun had taken the Ambassador down.  She had looked away, but only briefly, when they had kissed.  She helped the Lady out of the clothing and found that she was then watching the Ambassador fondling the scarred Lady from behind, his hands going over her exposed skin as his mouth was on the back of her neck.  Then the servant was locked eye to eye with the Lady and could not turn from the intense gaze.

“Tell your Mistress everything you have seen.  This is why you were sent.  Do not embellish, but do not take out, either.  And,” Laun reached out and touched the assassin’s face, “conceal your blade better, apprentice.”

She was beet red as she left, her hand going to her back to move her dagger.

Ithian had both of his hands on Laun’s belly but had stopped kissing and lightly nibbling on her neck.  “Apprentice?”

Laun leaned her head back and tried to look at him.  “I thought you wanted just pleasure, Ithian.”

He moved and held her from in front, one hand going to her throat as the other was around her back.  “Perhaps a little of both.  Apprentice?”

Laun pressed into his hand at her throat and looked steadily into his eyes.  “I perhaps have said too much, but then again, I am sure you have seen the women dressed as men at the back of your Council General.”

He nodded, his mouth getting closer to hers.  “She always has the servants.”

Laun smiled and their lips brushed slightly.  “The information is right there for anyone who knows to see.  I am surprised you haven’t, Ithian.  So, for my eye’s knowledge, you need to offer me something.”

He pulled back slightly, his grip around her neck tightening.  “You little minx.  What would you like?”

She gasped slightly and put her knuckle into the sore spot she had created in his stomach.  “Only what you are willing to give.”

He winced as she pressed in, his eyes flaring in his bright blue.  “You have a damnedable negotiating style, Lady.”  He leaned in and they kissed, still with passion, but knowing that either could hurt the other at any moment.

Laun heard something slightly scrape on the floor of the other room and broke off the kiss to turn.  The screen had been replaced in front of the door to the hall and servants were gathering behind it to give them privacy.  Laun let up on her pressure on Ithian’s stomach and he released his tightening grip on her throat.

“Do you still need my medical assistance, Ithian?”  Laun’s hand was on his belt buckle and the tilt to her head made her look wicked.

Ithian did not say anything, he moved his hand to behind her head and pressed himself into her.  His mouth covered hers and he held her so that she pressed into him.  They kissed and Laun undid his belt, letting it fall to the floor.  He moved and she found she was walking backwards.  She hit the doorframe and he held her there as he forcefully kissed her and ran his hands over her body.  He gripped her breast through the halter and Laun gasped in pain.  She brought up her leg and threatened his groin.

He released her breast and stepped back.  A quick tug and his tunic was on the floor.  His loincloth was straining to keep his manhood in check.  Laun caught her breath as he leaned against the other side of the doorframe and pulled his boots off.  His socks went on the pile and he almost lunged at Laun.

She was ready for him and sidestepped him.  She went into the room and felt the new rug under her feet.  He was being more than aggressive.  He was being more than playful.  Laun had to be careful because there was something in Ithian’s attitude and movements that made her cautious.  He leaned on the doorframe for a moment, watching her.

“Shall we retire to the bed?”  Laun was trying to diffuse a situation she was not sure about.

Ithian stepped forward and tried to overpower her.  His hands went for her and she swung around under his arms, coming up beside him.  “Get back here.  You are slippery.”

“If you had wanted to play, you should have told me.”  Laun kept her feet moving as she turned and he tried to follow her.

“Play?  I need to catch you first.”  He crouched slightly and turned with her.

Laun felt the steps of one of the cane dances coming out of her as she moved.  “Perhaps I need to catch you, instead.”  She made a half step forward and then a full step to the side, Ithian falling for the ploy and missing her as she moved.

He had a smile on his face that was not entirely nice.  “Another of your disciplines, Lady?”

“My first one, Ambassador.”  She moved and he missed her yet again.  She saw he was getting frustrated and could be even more dangerous than he already was.  “We don’t have to do this.”

“I do.”  He lunged and caught at her arm.  She felt where a bruise was going to show in about a day as she dropped, taking him with her to the rug.  He did not hit hard, but the look on his face showed surprise.  She had a hand on his chest as he lay there, but he still had her arm and he pulled on it.

Laun found that she was on her back, his chest on hers and his face very close to hers.  She saw the quick thoughts going across his face and he went to kiss her.  She slightly turned her face and he forced her mouth under his.

He had her pinned.  There was little she could do about it.  She submitted and found that he was being tender with his hands, his lips, as they lay on the floor.  Her hands went to his back and they lay there on the floor, kissing.

Ithian’s hands went to her breasts and gently massaged her through the halter.  It felt good and Laun sighed as his fingers found and played with her nipples through the fabric.  His hands went down and into her fur.  She was warm and wet and his fingers were soon going in and out of her.

The floor was not being as kind to her butt and back as she would have liked, but the sensations were worth a little discomfort.  Ithian started to move down, kissing as he went.  He turned and draped himself across her leg, his face pointed at her groin.

His own groin was just out of reach, though he looked like he was ready for anything as the silk strained and had a slightly dark spot to show the excitement he was under.  Laun stopped trying to reach him when his mouth went to her lower lips and she let out a small whimper.  He started using teeth, but it soon changed to lips and tongue and she was lightly moaning as she wiggled her hips in time to his motions.

She felt her back start to complain.  She did not want him to stop.  It was going to be hard to not feel one when the other was going on.  Soon.

Laun put her hand on Ithian and said, “I think the bed would be better for my back.”

He looked up at her and nodded.

It took a few minutes to actually get up as Laun licked her own juices from his clean-shaven chin and they kissed for a while.  When he raised up onto his knees, Laun gently stroked him through the silk, making his head go back and delaying them just that much more.

They finally crawled up into the bed and Laun noticed that there were loopcloth towels lined up at the head of the bed that she had not had put there.  She was certain that the old bedding had taken the knife out with it.  She was starting to get very nervous and felt insecure about her surroundings.

Ithian was the distracting one as he went down on her again and her face was buried in one of the pillows as his fingers were stroking in and out of her.  He moved her leg and he seemed to reposition himself.  She then felt something slide around her foot under his hand.  She tried to sit up.  He put a hand on her stomach and kept her laying down.

She saw the ropes on the top bedposts then.

Laun said, in a quiet tone, “No.”

Ithian’s face was full of concentration.  She could not see the lust any more.  He was not stopping.  She started to kick as the tightness of the rope pinched her skin. She tried to roll over, but his body trapped her other leg and he was threading her foot through a loop in another rope.

Laun felt the darkness rising in her.  It had been a while since she had felt it so strongly.  She pushed herself up despite Ithian and said, “Please don’t.”

Her legs were caught by the ropes and Laun felt them tighten, pulling her legs apart.

The darkness was barely controlled.  She was panicking.  She tried to move, to kick and it was not happening.  She could not prop herself up and reach him with her hands at the same time.  She went back flat on the bed and found he had one of her arms.  She reached across herself and he was out of her grasp.

“Stop. Now.”

He was not listening, was going through with a plan of some sort.  Laun fought inside herself and started to fight outside, too.  He tried to get her other arm but she was starting to roll and squirm and slap and punch when she could.  It was not the complete and overwhelming darkness that she knew could bring her into herself for days.  It was the darkness that made her feel powerless and in need of escape.

Escape.

That word rang through her head and the small gestures she was making to get Ithian to stop were replaced with measured hits to the pressure points she could reach, knocking the man back with gasping pain.  She pulled on the rope around her wrist and felt the pain as it popped out of place, but that moved things so that she could get out of the rope.

The hand was useless to her, but she used the slickness of the cover and pulled herself down the bed against the pull of the rope on her ankles.  She turned towards Ithian who was moving towards her.

“Don’t,” was all she could get out.

Ithian grabbed her by her hair and tried to pull her back to the top of the bed.  Laun pulled back and wrapped her arm around his, her hand going under his arm and her hand into a sensitive spot.  He let go and Laun took the advantage she had.

The darkness changed.  It was still telling her that she was powerless, trapped, but there was also the blood power that the darkness leant her.  She had his arm and, even though it hurt her back, she pulled him off balance and had him face down, her elbow in his kidney and her good hand around his neck.

She felt her other hand pop and loose strength, but it was as she was pushing in on the place Silar had shown her that would drop him almost instantly.  There was a cry from Ithian as the pain hit and the bloodflow stopped to his brain.  He went limp and so did she.

Hazalam was there.  He had the curtain back and was up on the bed.  He pushed Ithian off of her leg and tried to hold her.  She was still feeling trapped and pushed at him.  She reached for the rope on her ankles but could not do anything with it with her wrists out of place.  Hazalam undid the rope for her and started to go for Ithian.

“No.”

Laun’s voice was quiet, tired.  She tried to flex her hands and the first tears came out.  The darkness told her that she was weak.  That she was unfit for this life.  That she should just stop living.

The kick in her belly helped to focus her.  She moved up the bed, away from Ithian.  She suddenly needed to pee and she was feeling cold and shaky all over.  Ithian was blocking the step down.

“I need to get to the privy.”  Hazalam was off the side of the bed and helped Laun down.  She could not hold onto anything with her hands.  Hazalam had to help her wipe herself and that was a little much for him.

Laun could not emotionally deal with how the assassin was holding her.  It was too close and she was still in pain and internal turmoil.  She saw the look on his face and knew that she had just shown him tears and pain and his idea of her was now changed.  She still could not hold anything.

“Hold my hand and pull.”  There was stress in her voice, but he did as he was told.  She tried not to yell, but she did cry out as the bones moved.  Her wrist mostly went back in, enough that she could do the same for herself with the other hand.

She was limping back to the bed and she could see Ithian stirring.  She dared not go onto the bed right then.  If he even tried to touch her, she would not hesitate to take him down again.  This time, it may be permanent.  She stood on the step and Hazalam pulled back the curtain for her.

Ithian was looking around and saw her standing at the edge of the bed.  He also saw the servant and thought he had been the one to knock him out.  Laun could see the hatred towards the man in servant’s colors.

“Don’t look at him.  I took you down.  I told you to stop.  You went against me and you lost.  Do not try that again.”

Ithian looked back and forth between Laun and the servant.  “You did this?”  He held his head with one hand.

“Why are people so surprised?  I have been trained.  I have used my training.  Still people discount me.”  Laun stepped back down to the rug.

“I thought-”

“You did not think!”  Laun yelled and she heard the servants react behind the screen.  “Even after you were on the floor of the bathing room, you try to do this?  If this is your pleasure, I would rather deal with your business.”  Laun turned and strode to the window.  She looked out on the afternoon.  It seemed so calm out there.

The tears flowed and she could not stop them.  She sat and leaned against the pillows that had been stacked there.  She felt a body and Hazalam was kneeling facing away from her.

The Ambassador was leaning against the bed holding his head.  “I’m sorry.  I should have...made sure before doing that.”

Laun just nodded and kept her eyes on the outside.  She so desperately wanted to be back at Salam-Dir.  Even with impending battles, it was preferable to where she was.

Hazalam moved slightly to face Ithian as he moved towards Laun.  “With the scars...  You always are so in control, I thought if you let that control go...”

She said in a soft voice, “There are reasons why I stay in control.  Do you want to loose your control to a stranger?”  Laun turned slightly.

His face dropped slightly.  “We have only known each other for a few days.  I-It feels like I have known you for far longer.”

“I remind you of someone.  Someone you were very close to.  I understand that you need to replace them, but don’t do it with me.”  Laun knew she was right and felt slighted somehow.

“You deserve...  You are your own person.  You are right, I do miss someone.”  Ithian was a pace a way, just at arm’s length to the servant protecting her.  She would not look at him and he saw the tears running down her cheeks.  The top of the halter was getting damp and her belly was looking shiny in places.

Ithian went to the other end of the window bench and sat.  She was such an enigma to him.  She saw things that others just did not see, could tell things about him.  Then would be so oblivious to other things, not caring or just not knowing.  She was the first woman he had tried this with that had not only objected but fought back.  The scars had told him she was a tough, someone who liked the pain and restraint, but he did not know her, did not know how she had been scarred.  Ithian's hand went to his head.  His head still hurt from whatever it was she had done to him.

“You have been away from Rosemond for quite some time.  Yes?”  She turned her head to see him.  He nodded.  “You were trained, reached for this position you hold.  I was trained for something else and have been rift away from my home and family.  You are my enemy.”  Her eyes were sad and she looked away again.  She rubbed her hands and wrists and looked back out into the sunlit afternoon.

Ithian sat and thought.  He watched her, and saw the calm deadliness in the man at her side.  The way she was rubbing and holding her hands...  She must have been in extreme pain to have been able to pull her hand out of the rope he had tied.  Only one person ever was able to get out of his bonds...  Laun was a fighter.  A woman who had to fight for what she had.  She was right, because of the war in the Midlands, they were enemies.

There was no reason for him to stay.  There had been little reason for him to be there that afternoon.  It had been a whim and he had not had any appointments to clutter his time.  He had wanted to be with her.  That had been very odd for him.

“Lady.”  She turned her head slightly, just enough to see him.  “How may I make it up to you?”

Her face was stone cold.  Ithian was unsure he had wanted to speak, but it had been done.  She rubbed her stomach and glanced around the refurnished room.  She looked out the window again.  He noticed that the fingers on one of her hands had started dancing on her leg, tapping out a rhythm.

“Runner!  Some food, please.  Sweet Milk, bread, preserves...and if Klemner has any oranges, they would be wonderful.  Thank you.”  Laun rubbed her arm as if she was cold, even though she was in the sun coming in the window.

Ithian watched her reach out and stroke, pet would be a better term, the head of the man sitting next to her.  The eyes of the servant closed hesitantly but the look on his face was one of bliss.  She still had the tapping going, a different rhythm and a slight tilt to her head.  And, yes, she was shivering.  What he could not see was how she was deciding to salvage the situation without throwing the Ambassador out and making him bitter towards her.

The control and denial of body she had was incredible.  The control she had over the man at her side showed a loyalty that he should not have had.  Talents of the information gatherers, assassins and red scarves mixed in her.  The unconcerned nature she had about her body being exposed when it should have been covered.  Ithian looked at himself just in his loincloth and wondered about how she could be so unconcerned about his own skin showing.  

Her eyes cleared and he saw that she had calmed.  Focused.

Launs’ voice was quiet.  There was very little inflection in her tone and he had a hard time reading her.  “There is little you have to make up for.  I should have seen your intentions sooner.  It does not make it right.”  Her hand gripped the hair of her servant and Ithian heard a small sound from him.  “If you wish to stay do so.  You are pleasant to look at.”

Ithian felt exposed with that statement.  He had not felt concerned for himself, but with her eye on him, he felt as though he was completely naked in front of her.  He drew up a leg and covered himself slightly.

“Ithian, since I am being forced to go to this reception, and you had already offered, I would like it if you were to escort me to it.”

The ambassador nodded.  “My honor, my Lady.”

There was a twitch to her eyebrow.  “So that I do not have the wrath of the Council General on me, please make sure that you introduce me to people.  And please tell me what I should not talk about.  I seem to have a habit of bringing up exactly the wrong thing.”

He jumped on the opportunity.  “In exchange for the information you have about the appr-”

Her eye had not changed where it was looking.  Her face had not changed expression.  But there was something that had happened and he had to stop talking.  He looked at his hands and felt like an apprentice himself.

Laun kept looking at him.  She leaned forward, steadying herself with her hands on the bench, a flash of pain gliding through her features.  “Your eyes have become too accustomed to seeing what you wish.  Your training has been so narrow you see only that which you have been trained to see.”  She stood, one leg on the bench, one on the floor.  She reached for a saddle blanket and threw it to Ithian.  She wrapped another around herself and sat back down.

Within seconds, the door to the room opened and there was a bit of a shuffle as the servants let through the tray of food.  The small table was between them and the food placed there.  Laun thanked the servants with a dazzling smile, smiles and bows returned before they left.  Hazalam stood and poured the sweet milk for Laun and knelt again.  She ran her hand over the servant’s cheek.

The ambassador reached for a slice of the bread and scooted slightly closer to the middle of the bench.  He reached for the butter and stopped.  “Lady, would you like some of the bread?”

“Yes, please.  What preserves were sent up?”

Ithian looked and just saw dark.  “I’m not entirely sure.  Perhaps raspberry?”

“As long as it isn’t rhubarb.”  Ithian heard the information and put it away.  He was not sure how it mattered or how it could be used, but he now had it.

Ithian spread butter and the fruit on the bread and handed it to Laun.  She took it, but he saw that she made sure not to touch him.  He prepared a slice for himself and leaned back against the window.  The food was good and he hadn’t listened to his body.  He was hungry.  He tried to make the bread last, but it was gone in a few bites.

Laun had eaten most of hers, too, by the time he had finished his slice.  The last bit of hers went to her servant.  His lips went around her finger as she withdrew and Ithian saw a glimmer of something in her reaction.  It was low, but she was still receptive.

She sipped on the sweet milk and he realized that there was another mug available.  He poured himself some and sniffed it.  He drank some and found that it was actually pleasant.  It flowed down his throat and he felt filled and somewhat satisfied.

Ithian was starting to get restless.  Laun not talking to him was getting on his nerves.  He wanted to hear her voice.  He wanted more than that, but it would be nice to have her cut through the silence and space between them.  She was not going to be the first to speak.  He knew that.

“Lady?  If you would permit, may I massage and put your wrists back?”

She looked at the hands that were both holding up the mug.  It took her a moment, but she nodded.

Ithian stood and let the saddle blanket fall to the floor as he moved.  The mug was placed on her tray and he stopped as the servant at her feet watched Ithian.  There was a gentle finger along the blue and gray clad man’s ear and he moved slightly to the side.  Laun moved one of the pillows she was leaning on to the floor and tilted her head at Ithian.  He knelt and took the hand that was offered.

It had been a while since he had done body work.  He had studied so that his seductions would be almost effortless physically.  He ran his hands over her forearm down to the tips of her fingers.  He felt hot spots and things not quite in place.  There was a slight puffiness that had come to her hands.  He also saw when she clenched her jaw at the pain.

He worked on her forearm, relaxing the muscles.  He had to be gentle as he did not have oil on his hands, but he did what he could, working towards the injured area.  His thumbs felt before his eyes saw that there was a trace of scar around her wrist.  He remembered her showing it to him, but had almost forgotten that it was there.  Along with the rest of them.

A tender spot was reached and she closed her eyes and stopped breathing.  She took in a large breath and let it out slowly as the hot spot was loosened and he moved to the next one.  He felt the bone that was out of place and tried to gently put it back in, pressing on it and stroking around it.

Laun shook her head.  “More pressure.  You have already hurt me.  Do not be afraid to do it again.”

Ithian felt his face flush, but he kept working on the bone.  He flexed her wrist, pulled and felt it go back in.  She had jumped slightly.  She wiggled her fingers and moved her hand, a slight raise of the corners of her mouth almost a smile.

He massaged the hand and fingers and felt that they had become loose.  He laid her hand on her leg and held out his hands for her other hand.  She put the mug down on the padded bench and held out her hand.  It was not as tender, but Ithian tried to give it as much attention as the first hand.

He looked up and she looked relaxed.  She was leaning against the window and her eyes were closed.  There was a light trail left by a tear down one cheek.  She looked young.  Her eyes opened and the youth changed.  She was older, wiser and the eyes on him seemed to look right through him.

He looked down and realized that he had stopped, his hands holding hers.  “Is that better?”

She nodded.  “Thank you.”  She did not pull her hand back and just looked at him.

He leaned over her hand and kissed the back of it.  There was a little reaction and it seemed positive.  He moved to her knuckles and brushed his lips across them before kissing them.  She smiled.  He lightly licked between the knuckles and her smile was bigger.

He wanted her to smile.  He needed to make her happy.  He turned her hand over and started to kiss her palm, feeling slight calluses and ridges along the inside of the fingers and palm.  She blinked slowly and he saw she liked that.

He also saw that her servant was not pleased.  They were next to each other and the servant was watching what the ambassador was doing.  Very closely.  There was something about the look that made Ithian pause.

Laun saw that the two of them were glaring at each other.  Rank and position did not matter.  They were men who were jostling for territory, and she was the territory.  

They were not her loves.  They were lovers.  Experience and inexperience next to each other.  Still, they had the balls to try to claim her for their own.

Her voice was quiet as ever, but to the point.  “If you two don’t stop that, I will drag the-”  Laun had to not say planted officer, “next servant around that screen into bed with me and make you two watch.”

Hazalam looked hurt and looked down at the floor.  Ithian raised an eyebrow and seemed intrigued.  They both said, “Yes, Lady.”

The flash across her face caught both of them and they watched her eyes as she looked back and forth between them.  “Stand.”

Ithian found he was standing next to the servant and was mentally kicking himself for automatically following her command.  She pointed at the servant and he took his livery off and down to his breeches.  She just looked down and he was taking his boots off, too.

She was smiling.  It was a smile that neither of them entirely liked, but could not but smile back at.  She stood, putting a hand on their chests and drawing her fingers down until she hit fabric on both of them.  Ithian felt a tap on his loincloth and he started to undo it.  He did not know why he felt compelled.  This woman at least ten years his junior had made him strip himself of not just his clothes in front of her.

Hazalam was naked and very ready in front of Laun.  His hands went behind his back and his feet spread slightly.  He knew this part well, though it was different with another man there.  Her hands drew trails of sensation across his skin and he felt himself tremble.  She leaned into him, her halter covered breasts warm on his skin.  He was expecting the phrase, enjoyed the thrill as she asked in a low tone, “Do you wish to live today?”  He nodded, his eyes on hers before he closed them reflexively as her nails traced down his stomach.

Laun turned to Ithian.  She saw his eyes wide, not knowing what to expect next.  She put her hand on his cheek and smiled.  He smiled back as she pressed into him and had her lips close to his.  “Shall I trust you today?”  He nodded and she kissed him.

His knees almost went out from under him with that kiss.  The blood went down and he had to hold onto her shoulder to keep from falling.

She had a hand on both of them.  She walked between them and they followed her to the bed.

She felt them behind her as she stepped up to the bed.  She did not care who entered first, but she did want them both.  She went to where the rope had been left and tossed it to the side, not removing it completely.

She pulled down the covers and saw for the first time that the linens were an almost pure white.  She hoped that they were going to get messed up, soon.

They chose sides and Laun turned so that her assassin was behind her as she sat on the bed.  She reached for his hand and placed it on her breast.  She reached up and untied the halter and it fell, her breasts heavy.  His fingers cupped her breast and fingered her nipple.

Ithian reached for the other breast and paused before Laun pulled his hand to her.  He felt the warmth of her skin and flicked his thumb over her nipple.  Her hand flinched and he slowed his movements.

Laun was on her knees between the men.  She felt Hazalam’s breath on the back of her neck and his hand sliding around to her stomach.  He was hard and she felt him press into her back as he held her.  Ithian leaned in and they kissed, his free hand trailing fingers down her arm.  She had her eyes on him as they kissed.  His eyes were closed and she felt his breath become excited as they kissed.

She was also becoming excited.  She measured it out, though, because she still did not wish to have the lurking darkness overcome her.  There were so many things her body wanted, her mind wanted.  She was hoping to have some of that fulfilled.

She felt Ithian start to lean in a little much and pressed her hand to his chest.  She could feel her hand had swollen slightly, but it was no longer painful.  He stopped leaning and kept kissing her, but not as strongly.  She raised up on her legs a little and leaned forward, pushing Ithian back.

Laun moved the assassin’s hand to her ass from her breast.  He took the hint and as she was pushing Ithian further into the bedding, he started to finger her.  Ithian felt the slight intake of air as she reacted, her eyes closing.  The ambassador moved his legs around so that they were not pinned under him and took her kisses.

She was holding herself above Ithian as she was entered by her assassin.  Her head went up and her breasts were above his face.  He held them and went back and forth, licking the nipples and blowing on them.  The slow rhythm of the other man pushed her forward onto Ithian, her belly rubbing against his groin.

She felt his manhood growing and reached for it.  She loosely played with the head and watched his face change.  He was thinking of nothing but his body.  He was reacting, not planning.  She smiled and pressed her breasts into his face.

Laun felt the man behind her start to speed up.  His hands were on her hips and she knew he did not have long.  She said over her shoulder, “Stop.”

Hazalam stopped.  He held his breath and tried to concentrate on the piece of sky he saw out the window.  She was so warm and tight and he breathed slowly as he tried to not move.

Ithian looked at Laun and saw the control she had within herself.  He had both hands around one breast and was sucking on the nipple.  Her hand was lightly stroking him, enough to keep him erect but not enough to bring him further.

Laun heard the difficulty that her man was having breathing.  This was her kind of torture.  If he had anything else for her to get out of him, she would be able to do it.  Well, there was always one thing she could get out of him.  “My quail, you may-”

His body had been waiting and he felt everything that was pent up straining to get out.  His arms went around her belly as he leaned over her and his strokes were strong and deep.  Her sounds as she was beneath him urged him on until he was spent.  He was breathing hard and he did not want to withdraw.

Laun opened her eyes and sighed.  She looked at Ithian and said, “You are getting seconds today.”  He knew she could feel the pulse that went through him and his manhood.  She smiled.

Her hips moved and the wet sound was loud.   The servant reached for a cloth and wiped himself as well as her.  She moved and was on top of Ithian.

He liked the overly wet feeling.  He suppressed an urge to reach for the other man to get a taste.  She was sitting up and had her hands on his stomach between her thighs.  She was sliding her lower lips up and down the shaft before having him enter her.  It was maddening.

He watched her and expected her to say something, ask something of him.  She did not and when she moved her hips and slid down him, he almost peaked right then.  She stopped moving and he started to breathe again.  She ground herself into him, her hips moving as nothing else on her was.  His hands went to her thighs and clenched.  He tried to not move but he could not help the thrusts that started in response to her hips.

She leaned back and put her hands on either side of his knees.  He could feel the change and she was even tighter around him.  He called out a low growl and felt himself too close to his peak already.

She smiled and said, “Not yet.”  She was watching him until she turned and was kissing the servant.  He watched and knew those lips and that tongue and could almost feel her breath with his.  Her hand went to herself and started rubbing on her button.  He had no choice but to watch.

And feel.  She knew her body and her fingers played the right notes.  She gasped as a small wave went through her.  He felt it through his shaft and grabbed the bedding to either side of him to try to help himself not let go.  The servant’s hands went around her and played with her body, concentrating on her belly.

She leaned back into the chest of the servant and closed her eyes.  The flush that played over her skin went up over everything Ithian could see.  Several of the scars stood out and her breathing became very shallow.  And then her head went forward and he felt her peaking, the pain and pleasure of her orgasm on her flushed face.

“Yessss-” and she was deep in her orgasm.  He could not hold back any more.  He felt her ripples and he thrust into her from below.  He called out and saw flashes of light as he came in her.

He was breathing and able to see again after a few minutes.  She had rolled off of him and had her servant wrapped around her, holding her.  He was still feeling pulses coming from deep within him, and he had limply withdrawn from her minutes before.  He was expecting to see her with a blissful look on her face, or at least a smile.  He looked over and saw neither.

He panicked.  Somehow, he had not pleased her.  He needed to see her smile, to be satisfied.

“Have I done something wrong, Lady?”

Laun shook her head.  She slowly blinked, her eyes never leaving his.  “That was the pleasure.”  She put her hand on his chest.  “Now for the business.”

Even he could not switch that quickly.  “Lady?”

“You are all afraid of her, but most people don’t know why.  I don’t know what Master she is, but think of the servants she has with her.  Servants who are not servants.  Unless she was paying for them, which would make no sense for such a high ranked official and low ranks around her, why would she have them with her?”  Laun moved up onto one of her elbows and closer to Ithian.  “The servants I have seen with Lady Engrid are assassins.”

There was a start from behind her.  “Yes, you should have seen that.”  She reached back and slapped his ass.  There was a mumble that Ithian could not hear, but Laun responded to with, “The blonde was openly wearing her dagger.  An apprentice move - not more than second, I would say."

There was a nod from behind her and he rolled onto his back.  “Forgive me, Mistress.”

“We shall see.”  Laun focused on Ithian.  “Who is she?  I mean, she is her Excellency, the Lady Engrid Pearl, Council General of Rosemond.  That is her play to the world.  Ithian, who is she?”

He suddenly felt cold.  He did not know.  He always hated to go before her to give reports, her manners so exquisitely precise and yet cutting.  The voice that could lull you into a sense of welcome comfort but then tear you mentally limb from limb.  She had been the Council General for decades, but no one really knew how she had taken over from the previous man.  She was the only woman on the Rosemond council to their King.  But she was also his...

He shook his head.  “I don’t know, Lady.”

Laun closed her eyes and the men heard a frightened tone as she said, “Then I do not know why she wants to keep such close tabs on me.”

 

Next Chapter, Laun is introduced to the formalities of the nobility