Although she was much weaker than I was, Tási had learned to handle her tendrils almost as well as I could, and she sent them running wild inside me as her hands slid over my body. For the first time ever, I abandoned all my defenses and let her simply have me. Letting go of all my control was strangely liberating, and I lost myself in the sensation of her soft mouth as it explored my body, and the passions that her flows ignited inside me.
As Tási felt me abandoning myself to her, I experienced her sense of pure joy at having me at her mercy. In return, she left all her own desires aside, and pushed her powers to their limit to fill me with her most powerful currents.
I felt her tongue lingering over me somewhere, but amid the passion that was coursing within me and the jumbled sensations of her touching me almost everywhere at once, I had no idea where the warm, soft brush against my skin actually came from. All I could say for certain was that it was the final thing that pushed me over the edge and sent me into a long, rolling wave of release.
My whole body shuddered with ecstasy and I felt my thighs wrapping around her as I fought for something to hold onto. As my body quivered, my hands gripped the sheets tightly, and I heard the sound of ripping fabric as I pulled on them with all my might. Tási held onto me in return, and the sensation of her mouth still pressed against me sent a second burning wave flowing though me. Then, just when I thought she was finally allowing me to wind down, her hand slid along my inner thigh and she sent another wave of passion directly into me.
My body shivered as her power slid inside me, and my hips pulsed reflexively as the overwhelming release wound its way through me and I felt my teeth biting down on Tási’s shoulder. Tási finally relented, and slowly withdrew her tendrils as I shuddered with a few lingering tremors. As I lay still on the bed, barely more than a quivering mass amid the tattered remnants of our sheets, Tási sent a new set of tendrils inside me. This time it wasn’t the waves of passion that she’d used to bring me to a crashing release. Instead, these were the warm, soothing waters that she had so frequently used to send me to a restful night’s sleep.
The soothing touch brought me down softly, and although I couldn’t decipher her words in my overwhelmed state, I heard her whispering softly in my ear as I slipped away.
So, as we waited on the Palace steps for the first of our guests to depart that morning, I couldn’t help but have Tási, and the amazing night we’d shared, dominate my thoughts—just as she’d intended.
Each of the monarchs was to exit the Palace separately, where I would bid them farewell and they would make a show of marching off with their entourage. The separate departures for each was all just pomp and ceremony, however, as the monarchs would be traveling together for increased security for as long as possible.
The dwarven King was the first to depart, and we said our farewells as he joined his escort and made his way towards the Garrison where he would await the others before they left together for the main trade route.
Nadiel came next, and she broke decorum just slightly by taking me in a hug rather than offering the more correct tilt of her head. I only smiled at her when we parted, as I felt the same sort of affection for the halfling queen in return.
Nerec followed closely behind and offered a polite nod as he promised to send me the five hundred troops the Charter obligated him to provide to the Imperial Army.
“I consider it a matter of principle to provide you with my best, Empress,” he explained. “My Kingdom is by far the most secure among your vassals, and I can afford to rely on my lesser trained soldiers for a time.”
“That is most generous of you, Nerec,” I replied gratefully. “I will remember your consideration in the future.”
I figured that it wouldn’t hurt to let him know that his gesture was appreciated, and if the occasion ever did come up where I could repay his kindness, it would behoove me to remember his devotion and not let it pass unnoticed or unrewarded.
My smile only grew wider as I anticipated Líann’s departure. The bitch that had originally arrived at my Palace had transformed into a real threat to me. Not due to her original shitty attitude, but because of her ability to wind me up in knots and tempt me into a relationship that I was simply unable to handle. I was looking forward to not having to deal with her manipulations, and her increasingly bold advances.
So, as I glanced back at the Palace, I was surprised to see Líann’s junior aide stepping outside. The younger elf greeted me with an apology before explaining her presence.
“Queen Líann has graciously decided to stay on with you, Empress,” the aide explained. “I will be returning to Íforn to convey her directives to the steward who shall govern in her absence.”
The shock of the news left me speechless, and I knew that somewhere in the Palace, Líann was probably looking on in satisfaction as she got her revenge on me for what I’d done to her the previous night. My silence was shared by Tási, who had been looking forward to Líann’s departure just as much as I had.
“I’m sorry, is there something wrong?” The aide inquired when neither Tási or I was able to respond to her.
“I wasn’t informed of this change in plans,” I recovered.
“Yes, apparently the Queen only decided to remain last night,” the aide informed me.
I fucking bet she had, I growled in my head as I realized that Líann had once again outfoxed me.
“Well then, I wish you safe travels, and please convey my best wishes to the steward and the people of Íforn,” I managed to utter.
“You have to get rid of her,” Tási grumbled by my side as the aide departed.
“She’s my damn vassal now,” I moaned in frustration. “I can’t just throw her out, and she knows it.”
By the time we reached my residence, Talína already had a letter from Líann waiting for me. So, I sat down beside her desk and read it while Tási headed back to our living area in a huff.
“Tási and Líann are somewhat at odds,” I confided in Talína as I opened the message. “In the future, please don’t say anything about Líann around her.”
“I’m sorry,” Talína apologized. “I was not aware that there was any friction between them. If there is something you need to be aware of and Tási is present, I will be more discreet.”
“Thank you,” I replied as I began to read the letter.
It was a request from Líann to meet over lunch. She had heard the news that Gilfri would be coming, and ostensibly, wanted to discuss our strategy for my meeting with the treacherous elf King. While, in theory, this was a great opportunity for me, I was certain that Líann viewed our meeting as an entirely different sort of opportunity. Even more troubling, despite my desire to get her scribes, I’d never even broached the subject with her—all of our discussions had wound up diverted into other areas, and I’d never had the chance to bring it up with her.
“You seem troubled by what Líann has written,” Talína observed. “Can I offer you any help in drafting your reply?”
I didn’t think so at first, but then I realized that perhaps Talína just might be able to help me out after all.
“Líann proposes to have lunch together to go over some important issues, but she has a way of manipulating our discussions away from the topics I wish to discuss,” I confessed to her. “I need to limit our talk to only the matter of dealing with Gilfri, and a request I have for some of her scribes.”
“I can make sure that your reply makes your meeting with her conditional on her agreement to limit things to those two matters,” Talína replied. “This is actually quite a common thing when there are a great number of issues that could potentially come up between two leaders.”
“Then please do so, and let me know if she accepts,” I responded in relief.
“I will schedule you in the west meeting room in anticipation of her acceptance,” Talína informed me.
When I returned to my quarters, Tási was angrily shuffling through a stack of papers, and pointedly said nothing to me as she rifled throu
gh them. She’d promised not to keep harassing me and was trying to keep her word… after a fashion, at least. But as she stewed, it only made me angry in response, so I left before things blew up into another confrontation between us.
I wandered across my suite to the room where I was to meet Líann later to gather my thoughts. Even if she behaved herself and honored the limits I’d set for that day, I couldn’t always count on being able to restrict her in that manner. I had to come up with a way to buy myself some time before she pushed things too fast. The fact that Tási and I were already so at odds even before I developed any real relationship with Líann told me I was already on thin ice. I needed to be on much firmer ground before I could even consider adding Líann, with her powerful needs and drives, into my life.
Just like last time, the kitchen staff arrived with lunch to interrupt my thoughts, such as they were. Truthfully, I hadn’t come up with a damn thing—the Queen was a far more accomplished debater than I was, and rather than retreating in fear from my displays of darkness, they only enticed her even more. In return, her beauty and the link that had been forged between us only drew me towards her when what I really needed was to get away. Far, far away.
“Good afternoon, Empress,” she called to me sweetly as she strode into the room.
When I turned around, I was surprised to see her in a simple dress and not one of the elegant gowns she had always worn before. While the outfit was still in her forest green color, it was of a more casual design, almost plain enough for one of the regular folk—almost. The gold embroidery around its edges gave away that this was an article that belonged to someone of importance, but all things considered, it was surprising to see Líann in something so relatively understated.
“I see that you like it,” Líann commented with a flourish as she took her seat at the table.
“It’s much more suitable for these casual conversations,” I replied as I sat across from her.
“So, I understand that you felt the need to limit our little talk today,” Líann nearly pouted. “I had thought that my decision to stay on to offer my aid and counsel would be rewarded.”
The look in her eyes left no doubt as to just what sort of reward she was after.
“Gilfri,” I redirected her. “How should I deal with Gilfri?”
“He’s polished, refined, and will have no fear of you since he’s come under a promise of safe conduct,” Líann said before she bit into a peach.
“But,” she began again after wiping the juice from her lips. “He does have quite the temper, so if you can rile him enough somehow, you’ll get the better of him.”
“How do you propose that I do that?”
“Mmmm, propose, yes,” she stared at me intently before returning to the actual question that I’d asked. “My presence alone should help throw him off, but anything you can add to that will certainly help.”
“I’ll have to give that some thought,” I replied, having nothing else to offer.
“So, what is this about needing scribes?” Líann inquired as she took a sip from her glass.
“Yes, well,” I began cautiously, knowing that my request would give her an opportunity to ask a boon of me in return. “At some point, I will be forced into war. When that happens, I intend to try and raise any of my soldiers that fall in battle. Nadiel promised to recruit Curates for me, and I’d hoped you might be gracious enough to send me some of your scribes to craft resurrection scrolls as well.”
“And what did you give Nadiel in return for her promise?” Líann asked pointedly.
“She was decent enough to offer without asking for anything in return,” I replied to her in kind.
“Sounds just like Nadiel,” Líann huffed.
I let her snarky comment slide and took a bite of one of the small fruits that had been laid out for us among the assorted items. It was sweet, but with a tart aftertaste, and just as I was reaching for another, Líann spoke to me again.
“I will send word to see if any of my scribes would be willing to come serve you,” Líann offered. “But I am not so inclined towards charity as Nadiel. I want something in return, and you know exactly what my price is.”
“I can’t do that Líann,” I let out a sigh as I replied. “You’re asking too much of me. I just can’t handle that right now.”
“I’m not asking to take her place,” Líann came back at me. “I just want you to let me take mine.”
“I’m already dealing with too much,” I confessed as I slouched back in my chair, desperate for a reprieve. “Between ruling this Empire and dealing with you and Tási and the others, I can’t take any more right now.”
“The others?” Líann glared at me as she hit upon my slip of the tongue. “Just how many am I competing with?”
Oh, shit. I really hadn’t meant to go there, but with my ‘secret’ out, I figured that perhaps it was time for some brutal honesty. It was my best, and maybe even my only option at that point.
“I have come from literally nothing, Líann,” I sighed as I began to tell her my tale, although I didn’t reveal just how true that first statement was. “And in the span of months, I’ve risen to become Empress, blessed by the Gods, and tasked with the challenge of uniting all Arrika and conquering the Dark Lands.”
Despite the delay in answering her question, Líann leaned in towards me, as her interest was piqued in hearing more of the story of how I came to be where I was.
“During that time, I’ve also learned that I am a Sintári, and that my power draws people to me, much like it’s drawn you, Líann,” I continued, leaning slightly away from her, into the back of my chair. “Most come to me because they need some sort of healing. For many, the only requirement for that to occur is that they be in my presence for a time. For a very few people, however, a more personal connection is necessary.”
“Then there are others, like you and Tási, who feel my pull for even deeper reasons. You have come to me as a partner, someone who seeks my love and affection, and in time, you will have it.”
“But only if you can accept the fact that you will have to share me with those who need my attention to make them whole,” I told her firmly. “Tási knows this already, and despite how much it pains her, she has come to accept me for who I am, and I love her all the more for that.”
“I need your help Líann,” I confessed to her. “I need your scribes if I’m to have any chance of success in the coming wars, but I also need you as well. I need you to give me time to find some balance and come to terms with everything that’s happening.”
“I’ve already felt you, Líann. Beyond your beauty, there’s something within you that’s almost irresistible to me. You keep pushing me, Líann, and I want to give in to you more than anything, but if I do, I know that your intensity will be far more than I can handle right now.”
“So, I’m asking you—no, Líann, I’m begging you, to please back off. I need you to wait until I’m ready for you. I need you to be patient and let me come to you when it’s time.”
“If you want there to ever be anything between us, Líann, you will have to accept the same terms I have imposed on the others. Tási must never know what transpires between us. Our relationship will be between you and I, and no one else must ever learn about it.”
Líann sat still, pondering all I had revealed to her for a moment before she looked me in the eye as she responded.
“You have bared your heart, and I dare say much of your soul to me, Empress,” she replied with far more empathy that I thought she was capable of. “I can’t help but respect your candor, so I’m willing to do as you request. To ‘back off,’ as you say. I only ask that you answer a few questions in return.”
I really, really needed her to give me some breathing room, so I nodded reluctantly, and she proceeded.
“How many, and who are they?” She asked immediately, and I saw the jealousy burning fiercely in her eyes.
“There are three, including Tási,” I told her bluntly. “But that
is all I’ll tell you. The discretion I require of you applies to them as well.”
“So, I will be fourth in line for your attentions?”
“No, Líann,” I replied honestly. “The others only have need of me infrequently. Once I’m ready, no one but Tási will come before you, and to be honest, your places would likely be reversed had I met you first.”
Líann’s eyes lit up at my candid admission. Perhaps it was unwise for me to be so honest with her, but so far, it was the only tactic I had used on her that didn’t seem to blow up in my face.
“I know something of the Sintári,” she responded. “Forgive my crassness, but you will live far longer than your halfling companion. As long as you promise to come to me when you’re ready, I can afford to wait in the shadows until your time with her has run its course.”
“And the rest?” I asked her pointedly.
“So long as you keep them from me, I will look the other way as well,” she replied without much objection. “It is not uncommon for Kings to have a mistress or even several of them. At least yours are for a higher purpose, and you have the decency to keep things discreet.”
“Then I think we’ve reached an understanding, Líann,” I couldn’t help but sigh in relief as I rose from my chair.
“Yes we have, Empress,” she replied as she matched my movements. “I will send word back to Íforn and see how many of my scribes I can call to serve you. But I warn you, although I can send out the summons, and some will undoubtedly answer my call, I cannot prevent them from charging you for their services. The cost for the scrolls you seek is steep, and you will need deep pockets indeed if you are to have the number of scrolls to match your needs.”
“Yes, so I’ve been told,” I responded. “And I’m working on that issue now.”
Well, not directly I wasn’t, but I was hoping that something would come up to help me solve that problem. At the very least, I had the Khelduin to fall back on, but I was reluctant to give that up too easily.
“Empress,” Líann called to me as I started to leave the room.
“Yes, Líann?” I replied, somewhat concerned over what she intended to add to the conversation that I thought had come to an end.
Second Skin: Unified: A litRPG Adventure (Second Skin Book 3) Page 71