Back to chapter 1 - Start at the beginning of the series with Chapter one of The Slave Warrior.
It was still sticky. The crowd of people made it hot in the Great Hall, but the celebration was more than just a welcome feast. It was a needed show that the Hawkwell family, once divided by many things, was now together and standing at each other’s backs.
There were too many people. The Great Hall was not large enough for those who had been there before Laun had come back. With over two hundred more people, it was the nobles and top officers and a few entertainers that wedged themselves into the stone and beam room.
A calf had been roasted in hunks, plattered and passed with as much ceremony as the household ever was able to do. Fine breads were tossed from the head table as wheaten largesse. Sweetened tea was had by most, cider and ale by a few. It was a fine feast inside the Great Hall.
About an hour in, Laun excused herself from Falmir’s side and kissed Dreng’s head on the way past, putting her fingertips on the cheek with the scar. She touched the shoulders of many of those seated, some for the first time. She worked her way through the crowd until she was at the door to the courtyard.
It was cooler, even though the night winds were not licking down into the walls as Laun would have liked. There were a few people in the stables, a smile for their Lady as she paused to wave to them. Laun saw people along the roads, getting some of the night air, and talking. She started to walk towards the soldier’s encampment, a few people asking if they could walk with her as she went.
Her sandals let through most of the heat of the road, reminding her of her first walk from the safety of Salam-Dir, but the thin leather did protect her from the stones that were lying in wait. She had on more layers than she really wanted, but the skirt and tunic were both very light and let through most of the cool air pushed down the slopes of the old volcano. She even had let Disa put up her hair to show off her Aunt’s crown, but had refused any coloring on her face.
She was on the arm of one of the nobles that had come with Falmir, one of Dougals men on the other side. A Private was behind her on the right and one of the women protectors was on her left. A good selection of who was in the household right then. Several soldiers along the outskirts of the camp stood and saluted as Laun and her escort approached. She stopped a few yards away and saluted, asking, “May I enter?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Do you need directions or escort?”
Laun turned to the Private and said, “You should know the way to the camp’s mess, yes?”
The Private stepped forward and bowed to her, taking the place of the noble. It took a while to get to the largest tent in the middle of the military encampment. All the soldiers stood at attention and saluted as Laun went by, Laun trying to salute to them all, but missing some and getting sloppy towards the end.
Happy noises were coming from the tent. The Private pulled the flap back for Laun, though with the tent sides rolled up and the flap already back most of the way, some of the soldiers had already seen the civilian group walk up. There was a call to salute and Laun walked in.
She smiled and looked around before calling out, “At ease, gentlemen.” One big exhalation from everyone at attention almost ballooned the canvass of the tent. Most of them sat back down and continued to eat. Some of the men started to clear a space for Laun and her escort.
Tea was placed after hard cider had been offered. Laun accepted a tin plate with what the men were eating, though the smell of it was not exactly to her stomachs liking. She sipped on the tea and had a few spoonfuls of the meat gruel. The men across from her seemed shy but friendly, so she asked names and started to try to get them to talk.
It worked, especially after one of them had said they were at the tent when the assassins had appeared. He had not seen her fight, but in the dark, he had heard it, and had seen the assassin with a blade through her wrist, before the assassin had killed herself. The men around her opened up and told their side of the night, none of them mentioning Ambassador Ithian.
The protector sitting near her kept looking back to Laun as the men told their stories. Laun nodded, let them embellish, unless it was about what she had done. Soldiers pushed in and through the knot of people around Laun to get in on the brag, Laun laughing and kidding with the men around her.
“Well, it is getting a little too deep in here for me,” Laun said to the crowd around her. There were noises from the men calling to her to stay, some sounding like whimpers. Laun drank the rest of the tea in one tilt of her head and slammed it on the table. “I wish that had been ale! Damn the babies, anyway!”
There was laughter and a surge through the men as she was able to get to the tent flap again. She turned, someone from the middle calling for salute. The men all stood and raised their arms, a few knocking their neighbors around a bit. Laun giggled at the unintended slapstick and saluted back.
Laun and her escort made it to the road again, a slight change in the military man at her side. Hunter had been coming from the tent he was sharing with several other Sergeants when he had heard the commotion in the mess tent. He could not get to her inside, so he waited for her to pass, taking her arm from the Private.
The next stop on Laun’s tour of the grounds was Hellon’s Hill. The people with her who had not been with the household had not known it was there. Hunter only knew because he had chased one of the stallions into the brush and had come across the Salam-Dir staff setting up for the household part of the welcoming feast.
The entertainers had found it on their quest for a place to set up, very put out that they could not take it over. Though, as Laun and her escort came up the mossy trail, it looked like the entertainers had.
There were ropes tied to the large trees that were the living columns making up the open walls of the Great Hall of the Hill. People in bright colors danced in the air in the firelight, the household people below applauding and enjoying the show.
Laun put her hands around her mouth to amplify the sound as she booed. The household people did not exactly understand, but the entertainers did. Several bounced down the trees and surrounded Laun. She was pulled into the entertainment.
First, as a subject for Adelmar’s magic with him pulling things out of his hat, including the bell and twine. He looked confused until he shook it at Laun. She had to laugh. She had flower petals thrown over her for his finale, some made out of paper and cloth.
Then there was a strong man who lifted her up and balanced her on one hand. She made a show of rubbing her butt after he put her down. She also made a show of whispering to him and winking to him, causing a note of lewdness in the crowds reaction, even though she was telling him right out that she was only whispering to him to get a reaction from the crowd.
Charel started with his silk scarves, Laun there to take them from him. This time, instead of her cleavage when she could not handle the number of floating squares in front of her, she put the silk scarves behind the points of her crown. The juggler pouted slightly, but they were able to move to tossing the multiple balls between them. Laun saw an opportunity to make Charel show off a bit and started moving to the firepits. He saw what she was doing and easily moved with her.
It was there, tossing small wooden balls across the firepit that Falmir found her. Dreng knew of the gathering and had tried to excuse himself. Since Laun had not come back, Falmir wanted to go, too. It was much too warm in the keep and Falmir was ready to get some air.
Charel saw the Kings first. Laun was wondering why he was keeping all the balls when she felt a body behind her. It was close and hot and with the look on the juggler’s face, was probably not Hunter.
Falmir was standing behind her, looking like he regretted having his formal garb on. He was happy to be in the open air, and as Laun turned, a mug of something harder than tea was pushed into his hand, with several of the troupe’s women hanging off of his arm.
“And who let you in?” Laun winked at him and stepped away from the fire.
Dreng had met up with Bett and was trying to embrace her without touching much. “I’m afraid I did. Couldn’t sneak out like you did.”
Laun sat, her back telling her she should have a while before. The babies were being active and Laun mentally admonished them to not be acrobats when they came out. Some clear water was given to her, not too cool as the barrel had been sitting in the summer kitchen on the Hill for a few days. It still felt and tasted fine going down.
“Have you been to the soldier’s encampment, Father?”
His brows went together slightly. “I am assuming you have.”
She nodded and drank more water. “It is good for morale to let them know that the people in charge care about them. It was fun hearing different versions of the night the assassins tried to get you.”
He grimaced, though he was having the whispered breath of one of the women in his ear. He nodded to the woman, who had a lingering finger on his chin before walking away, a wiggle and a bounce to her hips. “Um... That was not a good night. But it showed me that...” His eye was caught by something the acrobat was doing as she was slowly climbing up the rope in the closest tree.
Laun put a hand on his arm and laughed softly. “Just watch. Don’t try to think too hard right now.”
There were many eyes looking up at the woman as she climbed up the rope to a loop tied in it. She put one of her hands into the loop and started to do amazing twists and turns while hanging from the rope.
She looked around at the others near her and Laun saw how entranced they all were. She not so quietly got up from the bench and wandered the crowd, touching shoulders and having a few words here and there with people. Charel came to her and started to pull the squares of silk from her hair. He was smiling and looking at her eyes as he pulled the colorful points from the metallic ones.
Laun looked into his eyes and smiled back. She tilted her head to the side and wondered something that came out as, “Why haven’t you tried to sleep with me?”
He hesitated while pulling out one of the silks. “It isn’t that I do not wish to...”
Laun saw a tightening of his jaw and he pulled the last of the silks from her crown. He let it drift in the air down the side of her face, tickling and catching sightly on her sweat. His fingers caught the silk and pulled it down her throat and almost touched the skin on her chest.
He closed his eyes and swallowed hard, pulling his hand away. “Lady, I am not worthy of such an experience.” He put the scarves into a pouch and tried to step away.
Laun put her hand on his arm and he stilled. “You are only not worthy if you think so. But I know that you enjoy something else...” Laun winked at him and he turned red as she backed off and into the crowd.
Laun saw Hunter, his eyes glued to one of the women in the air. She lightly drew her finger along the stubble line along the back of his neck to get his attention. She whispered an invitation to him and he stood from the bench, his neighbors hardly noticing his departure.
Laun was holding Hunter’s hand as they passed the juggler. Her eye caught Charel’s and winked yet again. Laun followed the paths she knew, and had made sure were set up again, to the bedding in the grove.
It was much cooler than inside, the only walls being the berry bushes on one side and a few strips of fabric on two others. The path to the grove was twisted so there was some privacy from the rest of the maze through Hellon’s Hill. There were alcoves along the way, some with people in them, most without. They came to the grove, a night lamp set in a pole the only light directly on them.
No one else was there. Laun reached for Hunter and he took her into his arms. They moved onto the thin mat that was there, Laun knowing that the moss that had grown in the grove since the last year was enough to cushion them. They kissed and his hands went to the hem of her tunic. It was up and off and the light breeze coming through was delightfully cooling.
Laun started to help Hunter take off his uniform when she heard a light footstep along the path. Laun pulled Hunter slightly as she worked on his buckles to keep him from having a good view of the path. Laun motioned with her eyes to their lurker and Charel moved past and to a small place behind one of the fabric walls.
They were both naked. The clothing was spread at the bottom of the mat with little regard for where it landed. They heated each other up as the coolness gave them both more energy. Hands went up Laun’s back, her neck stretched so she could reach Hunter’s mouth. Hunter lifted her slightly and then knelt on one knee. Laun sat on his raised leg and put her arms around his neck. They kissed like that for a while until Laun giggled from the feeling she was getting from the movements of the babies.
They laid down and Hunter lightly rubbed Laun’s belly. The babies moved and kicked making Hunter smile. His hands went lower and Laun’s back arched as much as it could when the sensations of his talented fingers touched her sensitive parts. She sucked in air and then found his mouth on hers sharing her breath.
Her hand tried to reach for his manhood, but it was just out of reach. He moved and she could just touch the head of the cut shaft. It was already moist from his own excitement and she could feel the pulsing heat from it.
“My Lady, it may be cooler if you are on your knees,” he whispered into her neck.
Laun nodded and she tried to roll onto her side. Hunter had to help her and she made it to her knees. Hunter held her from behind, his mouth on her shoulder and his hands on her breasts. He started to kiss his way down her back and Laun leaned forward.
She was on her knees, her hands lightly touching the mat when she felt Hunter’s fingers entering her womanhood from behind. She gasped and he pushed his manhood into her, one hand on her hip holding her still. She went down to her elbows as his thrusts became deep. Her belly rubbed the mat on the thrusts and she was feeling every inch of him as he tried to take things slowly.
Laun hoped that Charel was enjoying the show.
Hunter was trying to hold back, but his thrusts were getting erratic. He leaned over Laun’s back and pulled her to him as much as thrusted into her. He panted, trying to keep his voice low, making it work until there was a shake of one of the bushes along the path back to the main clearing.
There was a low voice calling, “Laun?”
She thought it might be Fount. She had not been able to have both brothers together, yet. Hunter recognized the voice and swore, slamming into Laun and growling as he peaked in her.
Falmir came to the entrance of the grotto and stopped. Hunter was not quite done and the shock of his King finding them was slowing his finish. Laun looked at her Father and saw a desirable man for a moment, but forced herself to see him as untouchable, even as her own heat had risen but not been quenched.
Hunter withdrew but did not move from behind Laun. He pushed her slightly and she understood. She repositioned herself so that, when Hunter did move, she was not exposed to her own Father like a mare in heat. There was no denying what had just happened, the scent of sex heavy in the air and Falmir had seen the finish.
Laun sat on the mat, Hunter kneeling next to her, breathing heavily and trying to not look like he was guilty of something. “May I help you, Father?”
He was still just looking at them. Laun could see him blink in the low light. “I-I...”
Laun looked down and said, “Not my finest moment, sire. You should have seen me last night.” She looked back up, the smile flashing in the night.
“Little minx. I-I wanted to find you to say I was going to see the soldiers. I guess I have.” Falmir leaned on a small tree across from the opening, glancing from her eyes to the three-pointed crown firmly pinned to her braids and down to her eyes again. “A little too much, I think.”
Laun felt herself blush and knew that Falmir could not see it. “Father, I am sorry you did not have warning.”
“Me, too.” He turned and started to walk away.
“You know that the acrobat is willing.” She saw him pause and heard a grunt before he disappeared back down the path.
Laun leaned back and hung her head. “The man is getting worse with his timing.”
Clothing was being touched and sorted in the low light by Hunter. “I should...go.”
Laun put a hand out but Hunter avoided it. “What’s wrong?”
“I shouldn’t have done this. I could loose my rank for this.”
“It didn’t seem to bother you before.” Laun leaned forward and grabbed his tunic as he pulled it over his head. “What changed?”
Hunter stopped moving. There was a sigh and he turned to her. “Highness, you have been sheltered all your life. I had to fight for everything.” Laun felt her temper start to raise, but she kept quiet. “Word from the top is that Falmir will break anyone from the ranks who is found with you.”
Laun had several reactions. “Why didn’t you tell me? I know why he didn’t. He doesn’t want me to know that he is trying to protect me. But...why?”
“Because I want to spend as much time with you as I can while I am still here. You are worth the risk. At least-” He turned from her. “I thought so until about five minutes ago.”
Laun let her rage go. “So, until we were caught, I was worth it? Nice to know my value.” Laun took a breath but did not let him say anything before she blasted him with, “And what haven’t I fought for? I have fought for my life. I have fought for my people. I have fought for this Kingdom. I just don’t have the cock to throw around to prove it.”
“My Lad- Laun, please, I know what-”
Her voice lowered and the edge was unsheathed from her as she said, “If you knew, you wouldn’t think of me as a private conquest. Get your clothing on. I’m not sure I want to see what you just withdrew from me.”
Laun grabbed her own tunic and skirt and pushed herself away from Hunter. He was stunned. He was trying to think of what to say as he saw Laun’s form draped with the loose linen again. She used a sapling to stand and did not pause before she stormed out of the bower.
Laun did not even try to paint a calm, pleasant, or even bland face on. She went through the gathering on the Hill and kept going. She did not care to look back. She did not care to look to the side. She gave a scant look to what was before her as she went through the dark towards the keep. Several groups of people tried to greet her as she waddled past, but she was trying not to let the rage she had within her out, making the people in her wake confused.
The courtyards had many more people in them as she went through. It was hard for her to not nod acknowledgment to people as she made her way through to the offset inner gate. She slowed down but did not stop as she was met with the body heat in the Great Hall. The corridors and stairwells were cooler, but not as cool as outside.
Laun reached her room and saw there were people inside. She went in, looked around and said in a low tone, “Get out.”
Most of the people looked at her, smiles draining from their faces. Only a few saw the bloodglint in her eye and those gathered themselves up and left as Laun sat in one of the chairs. She glared at the people who were left.
Gem was wearing just a loincloth and had a sheen of sweat on her pale skin. She knelt at Laun’s feet and started to ask, “Mistress, what can I do-”
“Get out.”
Everyone, regardless of who or clothing state, left, Gem closing the door behind her for her Mistress before sitting on the stone to guard the door from the corridor side.
Without anyone there, Laun let herself release the emotions. It was sadness and frustration and anger and loneliness. Part sob, part growl as her throat tightened and roughened with the noise.
She did not want these feelings. She did not understand them, but it was as if she had just stumbled during a performance for her Lord and Lady. She felt the wave of embarrassment from Falmir’s coming upon them, but also the odd satisfaction that she had shocked him so fully. The rejection of Hunter, of her and her of him, was too close to her heart to be taken at all lightly. It was what the rejection came from, Laun’s loss of self worth and the seeming price that had been put on her by someone she had opened her heart to-that was the deepest emotional wound.
She was too hot. She stood and took the tunic and skirt off and just left them on the floor. She went to the windows and leaned against the glass, the heat from outside not quite coming through in the night. She could see lights moving about in the courtyard through the rippled glass and then the tears that started to well up made it almost impossible to see anything at all.
She sat on the rug and leaned against the stone under the windows as the tears streamed out of her. She knew how depressed she was, but she did not understand why. She had so many people around her that not just said they loved her, but showed her they wanted to be with her every day. Why did it hurt so much when one man pulled away from her?
There were voices outside the door. Gem was trying to keep them out. Good girl, Laun thought to herself. But... If she was really needed, they should come in. She should not be pushed to show the skills Laun knew the assassin had.
“Gem... Who is it?”
There was a pause in the voices and Laun heard through the door, “Falmir, Mistress.”
Laun leaned her head back and looked at the ceiling. She sighed. “Yes.”
The door opened and then closed, Falmir being the only one to come through. Laun could hear others in the hall when the door was open. She stayed on the floor and kept her eyes on the ceiling.
“Thorn... Are you well?”
She shook her head and shrugged at the same time. “I don’t think so. I have not had to deal with something like this before.”
Falmir dragged one of the chairs over. He sat, the position of the chair more beside her than facing her. “I’m sorry I interrupted...
Laun’s lip twisted into a mockery of a smile that had a sneer to it’s base. “It showed me something that I was not expecting. I thank you for that.”
Falmir’s voice was quiet as he asked, “Showed you? My finding you showed you what?”
“Several things, but mostly that my heart is too vulnerable.” Laun looked down from the beams above and to her knees up in front of her.
“Thorn, you confuse the hell out of me. I don’t like knowing you are in pain. What the hell are you talking about?”
“You told your men that you would break them from the ranks if you knew I had been with them. Yes?”
Falmir shifted slightly away. “Perhaps not so precisely, but, yes.”
“The sergeant told me, after you caught us. He then went on to say that I had not been worth it to be caught with.”
Falmir shook his head and whistled. “That is one of those situations that I know I have been caught in myself. You left him alive?”
Laun snorted out a laugh. She turned her head and looked at Falmir slightly sideways. “It was close, sire.”
Falmir held his hand over the arm of the chair and Laun took it. They sat like that for a moment before her father said, “I had known about Hun-Kan. Hell, I think everyone knew. It was something I said when I was being angry at you that was taken as law. I meant it at the time, but really not.”
“Good. There is a squad that would probably like to know that.” Laun felt herself flush slightly as she looked up at Falmir obviously thinking about what she had just said. His eyebrow went up and he shook his head.
Laun sat on the floor for a few more minutes and then found that she was very thirsty. With the sweat and the tears and her constantly full bladder, Laun knew that it would be easy to get dehydrated and get heat sick. She looked around and saw a pitcher on the corner table but no mugs or tankards. The closed her eyes and leaned her head back.
“Need to get something to drink. I am parched.”
Falmir shook her hand slightly in his. “Send for something?”
Laun nodded. “First, I would like to ask you something.”
“I don’t promise to answer.”
Laun smiled and looked at him. “If I were not your daughter, am I...attractive... to-”
He looked at the other side of the room for a moment. “There have been times over the last few months when I have had to remind myself that you are my Daughter. You have been dangerous to have around.”
“I had to tell myself tonight you were off limits when you found us. You are...a type that I enjoy.”
He glanced down at her and said, “No wonder that shy bastard caught your eye.”
Laun felt the red on her face. “I should get something to drink.”
She was able to angle herself to a standing position and panted for a moment. Falmir graciously looked out the windows as she waddled through the room. Before she opened the outer door, the skirt was tied on over her high enough to cover most of her. She looked down through the opening as the door swung open and saw the big blue eyes of Gem looking at her from the stone floor outside the door.
“There seems to be water but nothing to drink from. May I have some more water and some vessels brought up?”
Gem was up and gone as Laun finished. A glance around and Laun saw many people that wished to spend time with her and she was tempted to close the door again. She had a sad smile as she opened the door fully and went to sit on the bed. The candor of her unhappiness made most pause before coming in. Several of the women went to Laun, sitting in front of her on the mat or climbing up on the bed to lightly touch her in the heat. The men stepped in and saw the tears that were starting down her cheeks and went to stand by Falmir, if they came in at all.
Several kitchen staff came in carrying platters with some of the remains from the meal downstairs. Several pitchers of cold water, and a pitcher of milk were brought in along with a tray stacked with mugs and tankards that had been freshly washed. Gem brought two mugs for Laun, one with the water and one with the milk. Laun drank the water in a few gulps and then started to sip on the milk.
She was tired. The heat and the emotions and the walking all were catching up with her. She was feeling some better with the people around her, but she held off several forward advances from the women because of Falmir’s presence. She still had the lingering need from earlier, but she just did not feel...right about it.
Gem sensed that there was more to Laun’s sadness than just the pregnancy, but was not sure how to ask in front of everyone. She also saw that the usual strokes and petting were not bringing the reactions Gem was used to seeing. Laun seemed to briefly enjoy the touches and then would shy away from them.
The blonde stood and took Laun’s hands, kissing the wrists and then turning them over to kiss the palms. Laun smiled at her, but there was a sadness that the gentle kisses could not erase. Gem put her hands on Laun’s extended belly and felt how hot she was under the thin linen.
Laun’s eyes went down to her belly and her arms went around herself cradling the babies that had not been born yet. Gem stepped away and found some cloths and dipped them in one of the pitchers of water. She carried the pitcher to the bed and brought out one of the cloths.
Laun sighed when the wet cloth was placed on her shoulder and the back of her neck. There were other cloths and other hands placed or pulled cloths along Laun’s arms, and some on their own. Soon, some of the men were handling the cloths on themselves as well as over the skin of the women.
It was slightly more humid in the room, but they were all cooler. Cooler made Laun feel better, and seeing the others around her taking care of each other made her happy. She started to move to the top of the bed, Gem moving onto the bed to lay next to her.
“Mistress?” Gem’s hand drew along Launs bare shoulder.
Laun put her fingertips on Gem’s cheek. “I am tired. Let others have their fun. I am...not feeling good about myself and I am embarrassed that I was in such a rage.”
Gem traced her fingernails back up Laun’s shoulder and to her neck. “Do you want the crown out of your hair?”
Laun’s hand went to her hair. “Yes, please.”
It took longer then needed as Gem pulled out pins and finger-combed Laun’s hair as she went. Laun had her eyes closed and had started to sink into a calm place with the gentle pulling on her scalp. More cool cloths were drawn down her skin cooling her and relaxing her.
Laun lay back on the bedding and curled around her babies. She kept her eyes closed as hands started to stroke her feet and she felt Gem touching her arm. There was movement and Laun heard Falmir say, “Sleep well, Princess.” Her hand went up slightly.
The mood changed as Falmir went up the stairs. Laun could hear a few more wet sounds and she assumed that it was not cool cloths.
Fount came in, one of the troupe’s dancers on his arm. He saw the quiet people around the room, some kissing, many cooling each other with wet cloths. Laun was on the bed with someone rubbing her feet and Gem gently stroking the bare skin on Laun’s shoulder. He did not see anything amiss.
Several people started to go down to no clothing at all. The cooling cloths were being used as both an excuse and as foreplay. Fount liked the idea as it was far warmer than he really liked in the room. He escorted the dancer to the far side of the bed where there seemed to be room. He used his strength to hold the dancer in his arms and place her on the edge of the bed as they embraced.
The look he saw from Gem took a few minutes to get through the lust and heat in his brain. He deeply kissed the dancer and motioned to her to continue stripping. He moved onto the bed and gently touched Laun on the forehead while leaning close to her.
Laun opened her eyes and when she saw the grey eyes, the calm place she had been in fractured. She saw the longer black hair, the younger face. It was too close to Hunter and Laun started to tear up. She closed her eyes again and tried to keep in and block out.
He looked at Gem, concerned and confused. The assassin shrugged and shook her head but kept a light stroke on Laun’s shoulder. Fount put a light hand on Laun’s belly before moving to the dancer again. Fount was greeted by hungry lips and wanting eyes which enflamed him. There was a nagging voice in the back of his mind that said that he should focus on his Love, but that was drowned out as the bodice the dancer was wearing finally came off and her breasts were out for him.
The bed and surrounding mats became active and Laun’s mind started to rebel against it. That there were people in her room doing things that she would like to be doing, but did not feel like she could. She did not want to give out and take pleasure if there was a chance that it could be used against her.
Used against her. That phrase stuck in her mind. She had been professing to be of the information gatherers. It was only fair that something was out there that people could use against her. Or at least try.
Laun opened her eyes and saw the head of Fount kissing his way down to the crotch of one of the women of the troupe. Was she so easily supplanted? Laun thought about that. Was she afraid to loose what she had, the people around her? Yes. Was she going to loose those around her? Not any time soon. She could not tell herself it would never happen for it had already happened. Several times.
So why did she feel it so deeply when she was told she was not worth something? Laun sighed. She knew why. She had rolled the strength and loyalty of Edgar and Fount into what Hunter offered while they were together in the Manor. She had needed that anchor, something that Hazalam and Gem tried to give her but had not quite been doing. She had expected more from Hunter than she had any right to expect. He was a soldier in the employ of the Midlands. The Kingdom was his first consideration, his pledge. She could not base any of her self-worth on him...or anyone else outside of her.
Laun reached up and put her hand on Gem’s hand. Gem had shown herself to be loyal, even with her background with the Blue Master, Lady Engrid. Hazalam also, and the two of them had bonded, making them both stronger in their trust of each other.
Trust. Laun had to trust. Trust in those around her. Trust in her knowledge that had been stuffed into her mind. Trust...just in herself.
Laun felt herself relax. She was not quite all the way to where she would like to be, but she was better. She rolled slightly towards Gem and smiled.
Gem’s hand stroked along Laun’s cheek as she said, “Are you better?”
“Some.” Laun sighed. “Be aware that Hunter may not be coming into the room any longer, except if there is duty that brings him.”
Gem nodded, a flash of something sad through her eyes. “I am sorry.”
Laun shrugged slightly. “It taught me something that I had to learn.”
A finger went down her cheek and to Laun’s lips. “Do you still wish to just be among but not with us?”
Laun smiled and then kissed the finger. “I think I would like to be with... Starting with you.” Laun drew the blondes’ finger into her mouth and started to suck.
Onto Chapter 3
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