Chapter 68
"Yseldra," I said softly. "Cease staring at me and take your meal. I must depart shortly."
Since our return, she had changed into one of my dresses and seated herself beside me at breakfast. Yet instead of eating, she rested her elbows upon the table, her chin on her palms, gazing at me with that look of affection.
"I cannot," she replied. "I have longed for this moment for years. Tell me, are we restored to one another? When shall we fuck?"
"Do eat," I answered then took a bite from the sausage upon my fork. "I have given Aelunira my word that I shall fetch her today and bring her with me to work. And I suspect you intend to follow."
"Why will you not simply admit that you still love me?"
I turned my attention to my meal, hastening my pace, for I was already quite late.
"Very well," she said, rising from her seat. "I shall go to the Landfox kingdom and take part in the tournament in earnest."
My fork struck the plate with a sharp sound, sending part of my meal aside. She was provoking me and it was working.
"I jest!" she declared with bright mischief, and reclined once more with effortless grace. In the next breath her hand seized my face, and her lips claimed mine. "You urged me to eat," she murmured, her voice low and wicked, "so I shall indulge. Will you grant me leave?"
I drew back. "Stop it, Yseldra. I am already late for my duties."
"I doubt House of Gab shall crumble for want of you a single day. At present, I am famished."
Before I could gather another protest, she lifted the fine white cloth and vanished beneath the table. My heart leapt into my throat, for at that very instant Andrew entered the dining room. Terror seized me as unseen hands parted my legs, and I felt her presence press into the sanctuary of my skirts.
"My Lady," Andrew began.
A kiss brushed against my pearl, and I nearly gasped aloud at the shocking spark it sent through me. My fingers trembled upon the table's edge.
Andrew stepped nearer, concern clouding his countenance. "My Lady, are you unwell?"
Her tongue slid between my folds with obscene precision and I could scarce command my own breath. My entire body quivered, torn between dread and a rising pleasure.
"N-no," I stammered, striving with all my might to steady myself, for beneath the table, her tongue moved without restraint now, her breath warm against my sex. "W-what is it, Andrew? Might it wait?"
Andrew cast a glance at my plate, left in utter disarray, then upon my face. By some mercy, he did not inquire further. He straightened with propriety. "I wished to speak on Neal's circumstance. Forgive the intrusion, My Lady, yet he has just departed, and I am aware how deeply he frets over his cousin's entry into the Contest of Champions."
Her tongue plunged into my core with a boldness that stole the strength from my limbs. I thought I might perish upon the spot. The sensation was too much, too wicked, too heavenly.
"In truth, his cousin harbors affection for a noblewoman and seeks her hand," Andrew continued, whilst my thighs quivered despite all effort to still them. "Yet her family demands he present the golden rose. I stand before you to ask if you might speak to that house on his behalf."
She withdrew her tongue and slid two fingers into me. My body answered her at once, tightening, aching, pleading for more.
"Yes," I breathed, though I knew not to whom that assent belonged.
"Thank you, My Lady." Andrew bowed, then turned toward the door, only to hesitate. "Rose is in the garden tending the vegetables. Shall I bring you a fresh plate?"
Yseldra drove her fingers into me with ruthless speed. A broken gasp caught in my throat as pleasure surged through me. My hands flew to my face in a futile attempt to conceal myself. Her mouth worked at my pearl with shameless hunger while her fingers thrust within me. My legs parted of their own, inviting her deeper.
"Andrew," I managed, "grant me a moment alone."
He lingered, concern plain upon him. "Are you quite certain you are well? And… do you hear that sound?"
"…no," I answered, though my body betrayed me with every ragged breath.
"I must be mistaken," he murmured, rubbing at his ears with puzzled unease.
Beneath the table, Yseldra's fingers curled within me and struck that hidden place she knew too well. My body jolted, a sharp tremor of pleasure rushing through me, indecent and irresistible. I nearly cried out. Andrew stepped forward in alarm, and I raised my hand at once, bidding him halt.
He obeyed, though concern lingered upon his face. "Are you quite certain you are well, My Lady? You appear flushed. Shall I summon a physician?"
"I am… quite well," I answered. "Please wait by the carriage. I shall join you shortly."
He studied me a moment longer. "Yes… of course."
The instant he departed, I reached beneath and seized Yseldra, forcing her back. She emerged without shame, her lips capturing mine, pressing me into a kiss that stole sense from me. I tasted myself upon her tongue and my heart fluttered in mortified delight at the sheer depravity of it.
"I am not yet finished with my meal, Naevia," she whispered, her hand already lifting my skirts once more.
"I am late," I protested.
Her gaze sharpened with wicked amusement. "Then tell me, if you were not bound by duty, would you permit me inside you?"
I turned my face away and quickly wiped the dampness from my lips with a napkin. "I am to fetch our daughter."
I hastened from the room. Had duty not called me away, would I have permitted her to take me fully? Perhaps.
My right hand was seized. Yseldra laced her fingers through mine as though it were her rightful place, walking at my side with ease. "You are exquisite, as ever," she murmured with a wicked softness. "It is a pity I did not witness your juices spill."
"Cease this at once, Yseldra. I had thought you learned how to feel embarrassed. It appears I was most mistaken."
"Ah, that," she breathed, a sigh slipping from her lips before it turned to laughter. "Since you have so graciously laid bare your feelings, I shall offer honesty in return. I have no desire to conceal myself from you any longer."
She leaned in and dragged her tongue across my cheek. I gave her a flat look and wiped the dampness away with the back of my hand.
"That moment," she continued, her voice lowering with indecency, "I was on the verge of pulling out your drawers and wrapping it about my cock. Then you entered."
I halted where I stood, struck motionless by the confession. Each time I believed I had grasped the depths of her depravity, she revealed yet another.
"Are you telling me," I said, "that you have been using the drawers I left within the palace to pleasure yourself, and that you carried one with you here?"
She raised two fingers, smiling without a trace of shame. "Two. I wash them myself once I have spent."
What manner of woman…
"I am quite finished with you," I said, forcing my feet forward once more. "Release my hand."
"Never."
"You shall attend to Andrew's request. This matter is of your making."
"Very welllll," she sang, utterly unrepentant. "I shall obey, as my beloved commands."
---
"This one," Aelunira breathed in wonder, her small finger resting upon the shade of purple within the book of samples. The delight upon her face was so pure that I could not restrain my smile. She was dressed in black trousers and a white blouse, her hair neatly bound, fresh from her lesson with the sword master. Beside her lay the spear I had gifted her. It was quite safe, for I had ordered the blade removed. At present, it was but a polished steel pole, more ornament than weapon.
I had taken leave from my duties for a few days, for my residence required renewal. The wallpapers seemed old in both color and spirit, and I wished to present a finer home, as I intended to host further gatherings in aid of House of Gab.
"A most elegant choice," the decorator, Debra Pinewood, said with approval.
We were seated about a round table within my pavilion, the day being most agreeable. Before us lay several volumes filled with colors that Debra had brought for our selection.
"And why purple?" I asked gently, desiring to hear her reasoning.
"Mother Yseldra says it is the color of royalty."
Debra's expression shifted to confusion. "Pardon… Yseldra? Queen Yseldra? Mother?"
"Indeed," came that very voice.
Yseldra stepped forward, moving the spear aside before seating herself beside Aelunira. Debra stared for a breath too long before rising at once and bowing deeply. "Greetings to Her Majesty, Queen of Dunverra."
"Yseldra," I said, "I do not recall extending an invitation."
She leaned near and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. "Good afternoon, beloved."
Aelunira tapped her own cheeks. Yseldra inclined herself and kissed her there as well. "And good afternoon to my little princess. Did my guards see you here safely?"
Aelunira nodded, then turned to me with hopeful eyes. "Mother, may I remain here tonight? I miss you at night."
"Of course," I replied, warmth filling my voice. "You may remain whenever you desire. This shall always be your home."
"May I remain as well?" Yseldra asked shamelessly.
"You possess a residence of your own."
"But I wish to reside here, with my family."
I sighed, knowing too well the futility of refusal. "Very well."
I cast a glance toward Debra, who yet remained bent in a deep bow, her frame beginning to tremble beneath the strain.
"Oh," Yseldra said, finally just recalling her presence. "You may rise." A laugh followed. "There is no need to persist so rigidly when greeting me."
Debra placed a careful hand to her back as she straightened, drawing in a quiet breath. "My thanks, Your Majesty." She resumed her seat with composure, though I could sense the questions gathering behind her silence. Wisely, she kept them unspoken.
"So many volumes of color," Yseldra observed, her gaze drifting over the table. "What occupies us?"
"I have resolved to renew the walls," I replied.
"Have you selected the principal shade?"
"Not as yet. We have settled only upon the secondary tones."
"And those would be?"
"Teal and blue."
She considered this for but a moment. "Then let the main color be white. It is, after all, your favored hue."
Aelunira nodded, her eyes bright. "Yes."
Thus it was decided. White would grace the walls, and with that conclusion, Debra took her leave.
---
Aelunira lay in peaceful slumber within her chamber. As for Yseldra, she made no effort to occupy the room prepared for her. Instead, I found her upon my own bed, wholly at ease, her hair still damp from her bath, clad in one of my nightgowns.
I approached, drying my own wet hair with a soft cloth. "Why do you remain here, rather than in your chamber?"
"Why else?" she replied with languid certainty. "I intend to hold you as you sleep."
"Do you truly expect me to believe such innocence?"
"No."
"I shall retire to the guest room, then."
"Wait!" Her hand seized me, and in one swift motion she pulled me down beside her. "I shall truly do nothing more than hold you."
So she claimed.
Scarcely a quarter hour had passed before I felt it. Her hardened cock pressed against me through the thin fabric, rubbing against the curve of my body with slow intent. It even twitched.
"Yseldra," I murmured, drowsiness lacing my voice.
"You are not asleep?!"
"I endeavor to be, yet you persist in your movements."
"Then let us have sex?"
"Compose yourself. Let me sleep."
At last she stilled, and I was granted the mercy of sleep. When morning light poured through the window, I found stains on the back of my nightgown. She had spent herself upon me.