The Shrinemaiden (The Maidens)

by Annie Eppa

  “I do not understand,” another voice murmured.

  “I am the best thief in all the kingdoms,” Sana boasted, “Tell me where these documents are, and they shall be in my hands by nightfall.”

  “Ah, and there’s the rub. We don’t know for sure where the documents are just yet.”

  “Becky is still keeping an ear out,” Nemar said, “Once I receive word from her, we can act immediately. In the meantime, let us take our leave, and be constantly on guard. We have already spent overlong in this brothel.”

  Adelai took the glass away from the wall, thoughtful.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The Ball

  As Lady Wilchestrom had promised, a ball in Adelai’s honor was to be held that week, over her protests. The indubitable lady, with the same zeal and enthusiasm she applied to everything, responded to her pleadings with an armload of tapestry, clothes, and food selections, and all of Adelai’s attempts to cancel the ball were ignored completely.

  “You will have to humor her, I’m afraid,” Allan told her, amused. “The Lady Wilchestrom is a rather flighty woman, and parties and balls are all that occupy her thoughts. You are still the talk of the city, milady; she has been known to make pet projects out of less. The better you acquiesce and give her what she wants, the sooner she will lose interest and pursue some other new novelty.”

  In the end, it was easier to get swept up in the tide than to resist it, and Adelai eventually acceded to the earl’s wisdom. It was difficult not to get caught up in Lady Wilchestrom’s energy, at her unabashed delight at every detail, even as the party drew nearer.

  The gown Adelai wore that night was one the woman had personally designed for her. “It is a gift, of course,” she chuckled, “I wouldn’t dream of asking you so much as a penny for it! I like dressing pretty things, my dear, and the gods know I’ve got enough to spend it on them!”

  That she was being referred to as a pretty thing should have been offensive, but it never sounded that way with Lady Wilchestrom.

  “Thank you, milady.” It was one of the most beautiful gowns she had ever seen, a lavender dress with yards of satin and tulle wrapped around her, and affixed at certain points by small flowers. The bulk of the soft material was gathered around her waist and allowed to trail behind her.

  “Call me Rebecca, dear. We’re friends now, aren’t we?”

  “Of course!” Adelai agreed, smiling. “But is there any other way I can repay you?”

  “Give all the women who shall be attending every reason to be jealous. That should be payment enough.”

  Adelai could not help but feel nervous as the time of the party approached, however. No one had ever thrown one on her behalf before, and all the instruction in the world could not prepare her for what to expect. Allan had given her permission to complete her preparations at Lord Wilchestrom’s manor. The man himself could not attend, and was pleased when his son had immediately offered to accompany Adelai during the ball, with very little nudging.

  What Rebecca had laughingly passed off as a small soiree for a few friends turned out to be a grand ball with over five hundred guests in attendance. The manor was built to accommodate such numbers, and the foyer was stunning to behold. There was the crystal chandelier sparkling above them, easily eight feet long and made of a thousand little candles. The large room had every appearance of being gilded with gold at corners, and rich draperies hung from the ceilings, with rose petals gathering at the floor. By the time Adelai had made her entrance, walking down the grand staircase as she had been instructed to, the place was full of people in elaborate gowns and suits, talking and chatting among themselves as they waited for the first waltz to begin.

  When her name was announced, all eyes turned in her direction as she continued her leisurely walk down the stairs, a faint hush falling over the crowd as five hundred pairs of eyes watched her. Adelai had never faced such a large number of people before, and she was thankful that the nervousness besetting her previously had nearly disappeared, and she allowed her training to take over, hoping to make as good an impression as she could.

  It was when she reached the end of the stairs did she catch sight of a familiar pair of blue eyes studying her, and she nearly missed a step, catching herself in time.

  It was Thornton. The captain of the guard looked just as handsome as ever, clad in his military dress uniform of a muted gray and black design. There was no expression on his face as he watched her, unreadable as always, and Adelai forced herself to do the same, meeting his steady gaze with a barely trembling smile and a heart threatening to hammer its way out of her chest, before turning away to regard the rest of the crowd.

  “Oh, you killed them, my dear!” Lady Wilchestrom said happily, meeting her at the bottom. She looped an arm around hers, assuming control, much to Daken’s dismay who had approached her to offer the same gesture. The woman beamed at him. “I’m afraid I must take Adelai away from you for an hour or so. Don’t worry, milord - I promise you first dance with her as soon as I am done.” She led Adelai away, as Daken shook his head, used to the noblewoman’s whims. “You must meet my friends, the Lord and Lady Baxenwood. Horrible people,” she confided unexpectedly, “and unmitigated sycophants. The husband’s a greedy miser, the wife’s even more of a notorious spendthrift than I am. When his Lordship opens his mouth, try not to stare at his teeth, or the lack of them.”

  It was hard not to giggle at her rapidfire commentary, but Adelai managed to paste a smile on her face and stop her shoulders from shaking with mirth, as they approached the couple. Though the other woman didn’t know it, she was grateful for the distraction from Thornton. He hated balls and formal affairs, she knew, and the only reason he would be attending is because this was a ball in her honor. It took all her strength not to look his way again, though she dearly wanted to see his face again.

  There were many other couples who introduced themselves to Adelai, and Lady Wilchestrom’s mischievous barbs for them all were just as catty as those she had given the Lord and Lady Baxwood. “This is the Lord Englebrent, a spineless little twit who follows the General Kazer around like a human lapdog. Now this is the Lady Mauvensteir and her daughter. Ugly as a hound, those two, and with the personalities to match. Lord Flant is a thorough rake and womanizer, who would sell his mother for a raised skirt.”

  Still there were many others where the lady was more fulsome in her praise. Lord Gleist was ugly in a rather interesting way, with a scar that ran from ear to jawline, but Rebecca only praised him for his military prowess, having once routed a company of Highrolfe soldiers almost singlehandedly. Adelai started a little when she was next introduced to Nemar Lacroisse, a young duke who had inherited both title and lands after his father had recently passed.

  “It is a pleasure to finally meet the shrinemaiden I’ve been hearing about,” he said gamely, lifting her hand to his lips. Adelai, who had recognized his voice as one of those she had heard through a wall only some days before, curtsied lightly toward him and gave nothing away. So this was Nemar, Daken’s friend and one of the rebels in the city he met with.

  “I thought they were all your friends,” Adelai whispered to her hostess, after they had moved away.

  The woman’s cheeks dimpled. “There are friends, and then there are friends. Don’t let my spitefulness distract you, my dear - everyone I have villified have reasons to be, and it’s best that you remember that. Shrinemaiden as you are, you’re still quite inexperienced in Sarcopian ways, so take these as fair warning. Some people would use you to further their own ends, and hurt you in the process. At least the worst I shall do is throw parties on your behalf! I wish Lady Maestre would have attended the ball, but it seems there is trouble at home. I warrant that her handsome slave has been very stubborn again, and that she’s taking certain measures to reel him in.”

  “I was surprised when she bought General Khalid at the auctions,” Adelai said, remembering the tall, pale woman who had confronted the imprisoned general. “She did not
strike me as a woman who would keep slaves.”

  “She doesn’t, which is why her purchase came as a surprise to most,” Rebecca chuckled. “The general indirectly caused her father’s death, did you know? I suppose this is her way of exacting revenge. Personally, I would have poisoned that old man’s drink, had I been his daughter. The poor girl has been horribly mistreated by him over the years - I know for a fact that he was very abusive toward the help, and it’s likely that he’d harmed her in the same way. Why, I visited her once, and the poor woman had marks on her arms up to the shoulders. I’d asked her to leave her father and stay with me on numerous occasions, but she’d always refused. Always been too proud, the Maestres have, some worse than others.”

  There were other shrinemaidens attending the ball, and Lady Wilchestrom was quick to introduce them as well. Laeticia was a stunning brunette with wide violet eyes and pale skin. She had been purchased by Lord Antleby five years ago, and had remained in his company ever since. “I heard about your bidding price,” she admitted, not without some honest envy, “and to be favored by King Belair himself! I would say that I am jealous, that I wished I were in your place, but…” Her eyes drifted to her patron, and smiled. “It would be a lie to say I am not happy where I am right now.”

  The second shrinemaiden, Caera, was a bubbly and cheerful blonde, and had been purchased by the General Kazer, much to Adelai’s surprise. If the man was as cruel as his reputation had proclaimed, the young girl was surprisingly merry about it.

  “There is one more person I would like you to meet before you’re completely worn out, my dear. Adelai, I would like to present to you Captain Thornton Altfyre, Sarcopia’s captain of the guard.”

  Adelai froze. Standing before her was the man she had risked nearly everything for, looking down at her, unsmiling. His own gaze was still unbending, and it helped her remember to keep her own mask at bay. “Milord,” she said, proud that her voice didn’t quaver or break.

  “Milady,” His voice sounded almost bored. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet the shrinemaiden who’s taken Arbentide by storm.” Like the others before him, he lifted her hand to his mouth, and Adelai felt his lips linger a little longer than was required. “How have you been, Lady Wilchestrom?”

  “Fantastic as always, Captain,” the woman purred. “I’m so glad you were able to attend. You have always turned down most of my invitations in the past.”

  The captain smiled them, and it was a slow, dangerous smile. “Simply assuaging a curiosity.”

  “Isn’t he delicious?” The woman murmured, after he had taken his leave. “He’s quite a charmer when he sets his mind to it, though he would much rather walk around with a scowl than not. He’s always away on missions by the king, which I find rather strange. It’s a wonder he even made it here.”

  Adelai was too dazed to listen to the many other introductions that took place after. She barely remembered the other guests she’d been introduced to, and Lady Wilchestrom eventually sensed this. “I must be tiring you,” she apologized.

  “Oh, I’m alright.”

  “No, you’re not. Lord Bewilt is a pompous, long-winded ass, and you’re right not to listen.” Adelai laughed despite herself. “Come on, the dancing will start soon. I’m afraid you’re going to have to dance with a couple of people, but I’ve taken great pains to limit it to three dances tonight, at the most. I think you should rest until then, Adelai. There’s a small drawing room here that I almost never use, and it should afford you some privacy. I shall make sure no one will bother you until then.”

  “You are too kind,” Adelai said, grateful and eager for the respite.

  “Don’t be, I’m the one who snagged you into agreeing to all this. Sometimes I forget I have enough energy for three men, and expect my friends to have the same.”

  The drawing room was smaller than the main one often used to receive guests, but it was clean and freshly aired. There was also a small open terrace leading into the back of the gardens. Once she was left alone, Adelai found herself drawn to the large windows, liking the feel of the cool air against her face.

  Now that she was here on her own, she had more time to pull herself together. The shock of seeing Thornton there had been great, and she had no idea how she was able to hide it from everyone. She had hoped for a longer meeting, but knew the futility of such a hope, knowing that the captain of the guard would have no real reason to linger with a shrinemaiden.

  She was still too wrapped up in her own thoughts to notice another new presence in the room, until he was standing directly behind her. She gasped out loud, but he was quick. A hand covered her mouth to prevent her from crying out. At the same time a husky, familiar voice sounded by her ear. “Adelai.”

  She turned, found herself being kissed almost immediately, as Thornton’s mouth ravaged hers with an urgency that more than matched her own. His hands burrowed into her hair even as she melded herself against his body, seeking to take in as much of his warmth as she could. “How?” She managed to ask, when his mouth finally lifted from hers.

  “Not through the door, where your little lady hound is guarding,” he kissed down her neck, pushing the front of her gown to reveal her breasts, which he cupped in his hands. Adelai moaned at the touch. “I saw you leaving. I have visited the Wilchestrom manor enough times to know about this terrace.”

  Any questions Adelai might have had was lost for the moment, when Thornton’s mouth captured hers again. She melted into his kiss, her hands around his neck even as he pushed her dress further down, a callused thumb grazing at her nipple. He forced her close to him, letting her feel his hard arousal pressed against her leg, before lifting her up into his arms with ease. Adelai bit back a louder cry, fearing they might attract attention, even as he carried her across the room to press her against the wall. He hiked her skirts up, paused to free his breeches. Adelai knew that this would be a quick, fierce, mating. They had gone too long without the other for her to think otherwise.

  She wrapped her legs around his waist as he pressed his member against her entrance, already wet and eager for him. He shifted her up, angling her hips and bending to align her with his cock, so he could enter her with one smooth thrust. He did not stop until he was fully sheathed in her passage, and the familiar feel of him nearly made her weep with joy, her eyes falling shut. She had never remembered ever feeling so full before.

  She started to move, impatient and already bucking her hips, but his hands on her waist stilled her, and she whimpered.

  “Look at me, Adelai.”

  She opened her eyes. Thornton was staring down at her, his face a mask of desire that easily mirrored her own. He leaned forward and bit her lip, tongue exploring her lips before plunging past them into her mouth. He kissed her hard again, swallowing the cries she was making, and began to fuck her; deep, rough thrusts that sent her moving a few inches up the wall behind her from the force, clinging to him for dear life as he pistoned into her pussy again and again. She felt her wetness flowing out, helpless to stop as it dripped down and coated his shaft, allowing him even slicker entry. His lips left hers, this time found a pebbled nipple, and Adelai lifted a hand to bit down on the back of it, muffling her cries as an orgasm tore through her, her body wracked with small explosions as she spent lustfully on his cock. Her cunt walls contracted around his, almost painfully, and it triggered his own release, his seed spurting up inside her.

  For a few minutes neither of them moved, Adelai too overcome to do anything else but remain clinging to him even as he supported her weight. When some sanity returned, she was all too aware that he was still hard inside her, throbbing and flexing and re-igniting her own desires.

  Thornton’s blue eyes were a mystery. She could see desire there, but also a realization of his unmanning, at allowing his emotions to take the better of him inside this crowded manor. And there was something else, a look Adelai couldn’t quite define.

  He gave her no time to read more. He began to move inside of her, only this
time they were short, shallow thrusts that only promised to inflame more than assuage their lusts. He moved them away from the wall, with her still impaled on his rod, writhing for more of what he was refusing to give. Every little step he made caused his cock to bounce slightly inside of her, rubbing against a spot inside her that made her toes curl and her breath come out in ragged pants. “Thornton,” she begged, unable to sound any more coherent beyond that plea.

  He continued to hold her this way for a few more minutes, seemingly content to rock himself against her, taking great pains to assault that secret place against her again and again until she began to hump against him, hips seeking to lift herself up and force herself back down more violently onto his rod. He laughed, knowing her actions were futile, but his own breathing was ragged, proof he was just as much affected by this as she was.

  Finally, he laid her down on the floor, the wood smooth against her back. Her legs fell open of their own accord even as he brought himself up, to kneel in front of her body, splayed lewdly for him in her exhaustion. In all this time, Adelai realized dimly, she still kept her gown, though her breasts spilled out of the corset she wore, the tips hard against the cool air and begging to be kissed. Similarly, the captain had divested himself of his breeches after that first orgasm, though he still retained his dress shirt.

  Thornton bent down and licked each of her nipples, coaxing them into further stiffness, even as she wriggled under him, desperate for more. Finally, his hands found her hips again, pulling her against him. The movement forced his cock to spear deeply inside her cunny, and Adelai clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle more sounds of her excitement.

  She was right to intuit this. Thornton shot her a look, the one that told her she was about to receive a thorough fucking, and that she could do nothing about it. He lifted her legs, keeping them suspended in the air and her body almost bent in half, and began to ram repeatedly into her.