He has nothing I like, I don't understand what Marlen finds in someone like this! she thought, peeved.
The Queen's daughter was determined to tame him. She wasn't a Huntress, but she'd been taught the techniques to tame Uncatchables. And she had her own ideas on how to humiliate those animals who were sex-obsessed.
Although Mikis had provoked with words, he hadn't raised a finger to her, not even when they'd first met. He didn't look interested. But he didn't respect her, and that was unacceptable. She must tame him, even if he looked tough.
Well, he was passed out now. She'd continue when she reached home.
Rena shrugged and went back to the upper deck.
***
"Marlen!" Rena was glad to be back in Maadre, but mostly to see her friend again. The brunette hadn't changed, actually, she looked even more attractive. "How are you, Commander Marlen?" she asked more formally, refraining from hugging her.
"I'm fine, Commander Rena," Marlen replied, amused. "I hear you brought back a man to tame."
"Yes, an arrogant prick from Noavaria who definitely needs taming. You should meet him, I'm sure you'll like him."
"Depends on his arrogance. I see your hatred for men is still very strong."
"It got worse after I met him and a couple of others!" Rena said.
"I think it's turning into admiration," Marlen replied.
Rena was about to retort, but the Queen interrupted them.
"You've just been reunited and you are already bickering?" she scolded. "Should I divide you again?"
The young women immediately apologized, since they still had a lot to talk about. Two years on ships around the world had taught both of them a lot. Each had seen different countries and wonders and they exchanged news and stories for hours.
"So you've met my father," Marlen said, thoughtful, as the sun set behind the palace.
"Yes, on the coast of Nera, with his ship."
"And did you meet Ritchie? How was he?"
"No, your step-brother was gone." Rena shrugged. "I mean, he'd have showed up at the palace in Noavaria, wouldn't he?"
"Probably. I wonder where he is..."
"Come, I'll show you my prisoner!"
Marlen rolled her eyes, but followed her with an amused smile, shaking her head.
Rena's Apartment was empty except for the slave she'd just brought in. Mikis was asleep when they entered his room. Rena let her in friend, ready to boast about her prey, but she was startled silent by Marlen's reaction.
***
Marlen paled and melancholy filled her eyes. The memory of her shy suitor floated to the surface. He'd become handsome, that shy suitor. Marlen realized she was holding her breath in front of the sleeping beau.
Mikis awoke with a sigh. He slowly focused on her and then his eyes widened in surprise. "Marlen!" He pulled himself up, incredulous. "You, here?"
"Hello, Mikis," she greeted with a smile. "My real mother was an Amazon, although when I left Noavaria, she was already dead."
"You know each other?" Rena asked. "But he's a lord's son, your father was a pirate!"
"That's why they say I consort with pirates and beggars," Mikis retorted. "Noblemen are very boring."
"And my step-mother made the best apple pies in Noavaria," Marlen added. "Unless that was an excuse to see me."
Mikis grinned and winked.
"Well, girl, I don't know what you'll give me in return, but I will give him to you," Rena decided. "Take him to your Apartment."
Marlen signaled Mikis to follow her before Rena's generosity evaporated. She didn't have an Apartment herself, but she had inherited her mother's rooms, which were spacious and allowed her to keep a man – or not.
"She's not that bad after all," Mikis said with a smile.
"She's not bad, just spoiled – she's the Queen's daughter," Marlen said, pointing him to the other bedroom.
"You have no idea of what she did to me," he replied. "She really hates me."
"You hurt her pride and she had you whipped. Royal blood is the same everywhere. She couldn't ignore your provocation. Did it hurt much?"
"I don't know..." He was staring at her with a dreamy look. "Marlen, you're so... You're more..."
"So are you," she replied.
"I missed you."
"So did I."
He stepped forward, serious now. "I tried to forget you," he whispered. "But I couldn't. I thought it was just a crush. But I love you, Marlen."
She closed her eyes and smiled. He took her face in his hands and her heart started beating faster. Her dream would become reality as soon as his lips touched hers. It was time to give up imaginary lovers. Give him a chance, taste real lips...
For two years she'd been wandering the world looking for someone. Then she'd found The Suitor – better, sweeter, out of a dream. She must get that love.
Their lips met. A short sweet kiss that left her wanting more.
"Oh, Mikis, I've never wanted anyone like this," she whispered, nestling in his arms.
"Not even Lucas?" he teased.
"Unrequited love." She giggled. "Why, are you jealous?"
"A lot. You were always the only one for me," he replied. "You're not the first, but still the one and only."
"You are my first," she replied, amused. "I was too old for the Rite when I got here. See what you can do, Mikis Dekaimenon, or you shall regret it!"
"Really?" He held her tighter. "Come here, my beautiful Amazon, let me seduce you..."
***
"What are you looking at?" Marlen asked bluntly, sick of Rena's stare.
"You're different," the princess answered, thoughtful. "You look older. No, beaming. Tell me it's not that friend of yours."
"Actually, it's him," Marlen smiled. "But since you seem to have had only the Rite, I don't think it can compare."
"I was already pregnant when I turned fourteen," Rena grumbled averting her eyes. "Anyway, tell me all about your lovemaking."
"Do you really want to hear me gush over a hated man?" Marlen warned.
Rena glared at her. "I gave him to you. Prove me I did the right thing."
But Marlen wasn't surprised that Rena averted her eyes, her foot tapping impatiently against the wall, so she kept her description to a minimum. Rena would never know how she felt in Mikis's arms – Rena probably didn't care, unless she was trying to figure out a way to lure Marlen to her bed anyway...
4. THE INSEPARABLES
"Goddess, this guy is dumb!" the blonde exclaimed with a snort.
"Damn it, Marlen, why are you friends with this silly girl?" he retorted.
Marlen smiled at both. The three of them sat on a bench in the garden behind the Temple of the Goddess and the brunette was in the middle.
"Enough – both of you. Rena, you're my best friend, don't force me to turn my back on you. You forget your pride when you're with me, try to do the same with Mikis."
"But he's a man!" Rena protested while Mikis rolled his eyes.
"He's a foreign man. And he's mine," Marlen replied. "I love him and you must learn to accept him."
Rena frowned and averted her eyes. Mikis glanced triumphantly at her.
"As for you, Mikis," Marlen continued, staring at him, "since you're very much like her, try to behave. I'm wondering where my shy suitor has gone."
He blushed and pondered. "Your quiet awes me more than that haughty blonde who always wants the spotlight," he said.
"Listen you..." Rena started.
"Enough!" Marlen sighed. "If you intend to keep bickering like this, I'm warning you – I'll get rid of both of you!"
Mikis hugged her, whispering for forgiveness, and brushing her skin with his lips. Rena averted her eyes, annoyed. She envied him, since Marlen gave him what she refused her.
She pretended to leave and looked at them from afar. Mikis had taken Marlen into his arms. Rena couldn't see very well, but it looked like Mikis had a strange way of kissing Marlen that lasted longer than usual.
The Queen
's daughter turned her back on the lovers, irritated. She'd find a girl less squeamish than Marlen. Alexia brightened when she entered her room, and her smile warmed Rena's wounded heart.
***
"Now I can appreciate the Amazons Country," Mikis said, standing at the top of Maadre's highest tower with Marlen and Rena.
"True, you're not a prisoner or a slave anymore," Rena teased.
"Exactly. This is much better. I mean, my first trip out of the Kingdom of Noavaria and I can't see a damn thing? Definitely better this way. Thank you for allowing me to leave that place, by the way."
"You're not funny, Mikis," Rena snapped.
"I'm not trying to be funny, I am grateful," he replied, staring at the city of mostly white buildings spreading in front of them. Maadre was much bigger and much older than Noavaria, and ancient classical buildings stood next to more convoluted architecture with pointed arches and higher towers. He pulled Marlen closer to whisper something in her ear. His smile was very sweet. The brunette grinned in return and nodded, squeezing him.
Rena snorted when they asked permission to leave.
"Please, get out of my sight if you want to have sex," she retorted.
But once alone at the palace, sadness overcame her. Marlen was following her own way that diverged from Rena's every day a little more. Still, Rena's attraction for Marlen grew stronger every day, in spite of the rejection. She couldn't understand what Marlen found in men – their flat chests, their deep voices, often clumsy and not as harmonious as women! Not Mikis, though. Mikis was young, but Rena couldn't see the beauty of his clean-shaven face and toned body.
"Gloomy again, Princess?" Marlen's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
How long had it been? Quite some time from Alexia's look – and the fact that Marlen had left Mikis somewhere else in the big royal palace, to find her in the inner garden.
"You're neglecting me, Marlen," the blonde chided.
"You're childish and possessive as usual," Marlen replied. "I split my time equally between you and Mikis, but you feel neglected. I guess it's impossible to teach you to overcome your faults."
"Look who's talking!" Rena retorted. "You're an Amazon and spend half of your time with a man!"
"Like I already told you, dear girl, men have much to teach you. Including Mikis."
Rena was speechless with outrage.
"He... him... no! He's only an arrogant young man!"
"He's just like you," Marlen replied with a smile. And she left to go to back inside the palace.
Rena was disappointed, but a part of her knew Marlen was right.
And then on the Day of the Goddess, as she came out of the Temple with Marlen and Mikis, she was attacked by two disheveled men.
The quickest to react wasn't the Queen's Guard, but Mikis. He grabbed one of the men and threw him to the floor, quickly finishing him with his cutlass, then attacked the other. At that point the Queen's Guard also came to the rescue and the two would-be assassins were promptly dispatched. Alexia recognized them as runaway slaves, who were probably trying to avenge their friends or themselves for having been mistreated by the princess.
Marlen bandaged an ugly gash on Mikis's arm. Rena hesitated, then went to him.
"Thank you, Mikis."
"My duty," he answered, staring at Marlen's hands moving around his arm.
"Duty to who?" Rena asked. He wasn't born in the Queendom of Maadre!
"To the daughter of the Amazon Queen and my girlfriend's best friend – a gal who is often quite blunt, but doesn't lack courage," he answered.
"Thanks." Rena decided it was a compliment. Besides, she was too tired to keep bickering. "You're brave too. You're a good fighter."
"Not bad for a spoiled rich young man, huh?" he grinned, finally looking her in the eyes.
She had to admit he was indeed good.
"Thank you, honey." Mikis briefly kissed Marlen who had finished her ministrations.
"One day you should kiss Rena," Marlen suggested, amused. "Who knows, you might become best friends afterward!"
"Kiss... me!" Rena was speechless with horror.
"Sure, want to try?" Mikis said.
"Stay away from me, Mikis!" Rena threatened. "By the way, Marlen, why don't you cuddle me a little? I'm not wounded, but..."
"You escaped an assassination attempt today," Marlen replied. "You should retire to your room with a guard outside your door."
"Those men don't have accomplices!" Rena snapped. "Marlen, I need to talk to you!"
"No, Rena. I'm not a real Amazon – only half. I will not give you what you want. Leave me alone."
"It's an order."
"I won't obey certain orders, my lady. I will not sleep with you."
Rena scoffed. "While with Mikis..."
"Mikis is a man. I might get pregnant soon. Breed for the glory of the Goddess."
Rena went to her rooms, full of anger and frustration. Marlen had no sense of duty or respect! Rena had another hysterical outburst, kicking things around her bedroom for a few moments, then calmed down and started crying.
Alexia's hand on her shoulder startled her. She pulled up, composing herself and glaring at the redhead.
"Don't worry, Princess, I won't tell anyone," Alexia assured with a smile.
Rena relaxed. If only Marlen were like Alexia... but maybe she loved Marlen precisely because she was different.
Goddess, why did she meet Marlen? She was doing just fine with Alexia before the half-Amazon came into her life!
Poor Alexia – neglected for an ungrateful bitch. Alexia was everything she needed – respectful, in love, always present and ready to serve. Alexia deserved Marlen's spot in Rena's heart.
But it was useless. Her irrational attraction for Marlen was stronger than any other feeling. She could quench her thirst for tenderness with Alexia, but always ended up rotating around Marlen.
5. TRIANGLE
"You're in love with Marlen, aren't you?"
Startled, the blonde glared at the young man. "None of your business."
"I only want to know." He smiled.
"Know what?" she snapped. "If she sleeps with me? You know she doesn't! She doesn't give me anything, all her tenderness is for you!"
"Calm down." He was serious again now. "Rena, Marlen loves both me and you, I love you both, but you still hate me. What can I do to change your mind?"
Rena hesitated. "What do you mean by love both? What kind of love do you have in mind?"
"Physical and spiritual."
"Marlen doesn't love me physically." She frowned.
"You should see all three of us naked in the same bed," he replied, amused.
"What kind of perverted idea is this?" she protested.
"It was Marlen's idea," he said. "You'd be surprised to hear what goes on in her head – her erotic fantasies so well hidden behind her angel face."
"I don't believe you."
He rolled his eyes. "Why am I not surprised..."
"You're insatiable!" she exclaimed. "Isn't one woman enough for you?"
"It was enough, before meeting the two of you. Now I can't choose." He smiled at her, blocking her protest.
"Don't look at me," she grumbled, averting her eyes.
"Why not? You're a gorgeous blonde tiger who completes that black panther of Marlen. You're two wonderful women..."
"And what is she like, your ideal woman?" she snapped. "Blonde or brunette?"
"Who cares?" He stepped forward. "You're both beautiful."
Too late she realized how close he was. He kissed her and took her breath away. She clung to him since her legs failed her and was surprised when his tongue invaded her mouth.
When he let her go, Rena ran away, upset.
***
"What's wrong, Rena?"
Marlen sat on the edge of her friend's bed. Rena was curled up on the bed-sheets and had kicked out poor Alexia.
"Is it true you'd like to see me naked?" she asked bluntly.
"No, w
hy?" Marlen answered, startled.
"I knew he was a liar!" Rena muttered.
"Who?"
"Mikis."
"What did he tell you?"
"That you'd like to see the three of us naked in the same bed."
"Oh, that!" Marlen chuckled. "Of course! With him, why not. I told you he could teach you lots."
"I could teach you lots too," Rena retorted.
"I doubt it. He knows more things, more pleasurable."
Rena scoffed. "Like kissing with his tongue?"
"I see he's done it." Marlen grinned. "Did you enjoy it?"
"No!" Rena snapped. "Yes," she admitted in a whisper, lowering her eyes.
"I knew it. Let him guide you, you'll like it, I promise."
"Wouldn't you be jealous?"
"Do I look the jealous kind?"
"No, but I could be jealous of you if I started liking Mikis too much," Rena said with an impish smile.
"I'll endure. I've put up with your scenes for three years, what's a few more..."
"Thank you!" Rena wasn't sure if she should feel offended or not.
Marlen smiled, caressed her cheek and left.
Rena followed her with an adoring stare.
I could never be jealous of you. You're so beautiful, so...
A black panther, in Mikis's words. He was right. Maybe surrendering to Mikis was the only way to reach Marlen's heart.
***
Now that she was ready to be seduced, Rena noticed that Mikis ignored her. He wasn't wooing her, as if she'd lost her only chance by running away after his kiss.
To her dismay, the princess realized it was her turn to make a move. But he wasn't a man of the Queendom of Maadre, and she couldn't claim him as her right. No, she must be more subtle and tempt him, so he'd make another move.
"I won't humiliate myself for you," she muttered. "You will come to me on your knees!"
The palace women started noticing a different behavior. She came out of her rooms wearing short tunics instead of her soldier apparel or long aristocratic gowns, showed off her cleavage and when the only free man was present, she exposed more skin thant was allowed in public. Anywhere else she'd be labeled a whore, but for the Amazons it was just an obvious display to find a mate – not that there was much choice around.
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