Heir, p.23
Heir, page 23
part #5 of Ressaline Series
“I’m taking her away from that,” I said. “I shouldn’t have asked her to go with me.”
“I disagree with you, and she would, too.”
In the meantime, Lisolte was trying to teach Viella, although my countrywoman was red to her knees. Claary and Aresht seemed to have a good competition, and I couldn’t tell who was going to win. “Predictions?” I whispered to Gionna.
“Lisolte will win, of course,” she replied. “The other is less assured, but I think Aresht.”
“She’s more red?”
“Yes, and that’s going to continue, but watch.”
And so we did. And yes, it looked like Aresht was ahead, the resin reaching her waist. But then it began flowing from her to Claary, and from her reactions, I thought Claary was beginning to lose after all.
“This event plays better to Aresht’s strengths than Claary’s,” Gionna whispered. “Claary runs hotter.”
Lisolte must have decided she’d taught Viella as much as she was going to, as the woman began moaning, and the resin’s climb was steady and quite obvious.
“That won’t take long now.”
Bee, Dee, and Allium moved from the tub, approaching Olivia. She ordered them to kneel to her, and they stayed there.
I leaned back to Gionna’s ear. “When I come back, I want us to do this.”
“I want you to have a few with other people first,” she said. “It’s not good to have your first few with someone you have strong feelings for.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’ll become addicted and will beg to become my permanent slave, Ahlianna. You’re going to lose your first several competitions, and you don’t really think I’m going to go easy on you, do you?”
“Like the people at home did for you?”
“Well, everyone loses at first, but yes.”
“Fine. But I want to do this with you.”
“You’ll lose.”
“We’ll see, but do you think that will stop me?”
“No, I don’t.”
“You’re right.”
Lisolte carried Viella from the tub. Viella was entirely out of it. Lisolte offered partings and walked from the room.
I wouldn’t see her again for some time.
Claary rallied, but it wasn’t enough, and she surrendered to Aresht. The two slumped together until Claary knelt, still in the resin, and laid her head in Aresth’s lap. The woman gazed down, affection clear, although she was flushed, and I had a pretty good idea they would be up late. Finally, she said, “Let’s go home, Cee.”
Claary stood and strode from the room, holding Aresht’s hand.
“Well,” Gionna said. “That was lovely.”
“Take me to the embassy,” I said. “Good night everyone.”
* * * *
I turned to Gionna then began undressing. She smiled and moved to the bed, sitting down. I took everything off, putting things away, and then I turned to her. She cooperated as I removed her clothing.
And then I knelt before her and laid my head in her lap.
She bent over me. “Is someone feeling submissive?”
“Yes. Let me belong to you tonight.”
“I wish pleasure,” she said. She moved up the bed and lay back. “Attend to me, my pet.”
I did. I’m not sure which of us enjoyed things better.
Chapter Fifteen
Gionna and I had our last day together. We both hid from that fact. We took an easy ride, returning in time for dinner, shared with Olivia, Bee, Dee, and Allium. We played two games of cards, and then I stood. “Gionna, take me to your room. You have an itch.”
“I do, do I?”
“You do.”
Giggling, arms linked, we ran to her room. I turned aggressive, pushing her against the wall and latching onto her. I kissed her deeply then began yanking her clothing from her. She laughed and tried working on mine, but I pushed her away and did it myself. Clothing became strewn across the room, but then I pressed against her, pushing her to the wall again.
And then I latched my mouth to her shoulder and began sucking.
“Ahlianna!” she screeched. She tried to push me off of her, but I held tightly and continued to suck. “You’re a brat!”
Finally, I lifted away and examined my handiwork. “I have something to tell you, later,” I said. “There’s something Holliahta taught me I think you’ll like.”
“I imagine I will.”
“Come with me.” I walked backwards to the bed, then crawled up and arranged myself. “Give yourself to me.”
“I definitely like this plan.”
She smelled wonderful. As I lay under her, pinned to the bed, she tasted wonderful, too.
* * * *
It was perhaps an hour later that we lay together, now both spent, but I turned to her. “There’s something else I want.”
“I can’t. I’m sorry. You wore me out.”
“Don’t be a baby. I want a mark that matches yours.”
“Oh, that I can definitely do.” She rolled on top of me and attached to my shoulder. I cradled her head, deeply blissed out, as she marred my skin. Eventually she examined and rolled back. “Now we match.”
“We do,” I said. Then I sat up.
“Come back here.”
I moved away faster than she could grab me, and then I began working around the room, sorting out clothing.
“Where are you going.” I didn’t answer. I pulled on a few more clothes. “What are you doing?”
That was when I moved back to the bed, partly sitting on it. She reached for me, but I grabbed her hands and held them in mine. Then I released one hand and leaned forward, brushing the mark I’d given her. “I want you to promise something.”
“Anything.”
“I don’t want you to accept kisses from anyone else until this has entirely healed.”
Her smile faded. She didn’t promise, but she nodded.
“Thank you,” I whispered. I touched my own shoulder, through my tunic. I could feel the mark she’d given me. “I love you. Don’t follow me.”
And then I began sobbing as I ran from her room.
* * * *
I ran – literally – into Bee. She grabbed me. “Ahlianna! Ahlianna.”
“Let me go,” I sobbed. “Let me go.”
“Dee!” she screamed. “Dee!”
I didn’t see from where, but as I struggled with Bee, Dee arrived. The two of them dragged me to Olivia. She took one look at me and said, “We’re taking her to Allium.” Then she stepped over and surprised me.
She picked me up.
I clung to her, sobbing into her dress. She carried me from her house, Bee and Dee running ahead. She didn’t take me out the front but to the side, and when we arrived, Bee and Dee were harnessing a horse to a small carriage. But they turned to us and helped us into the carriage. A minute later, Dee was driving us through the streets.
It wasn’t far. I could have walked, or run, as I had originally planned. We pulled up to the embassy, and then Dee took off, yelling for Allium. By the time Bee and Olivia got me into the foyer, Allium was there, still pulling on a robe. She stepped forward and pulled me from Olivia. “I’ll take care of her.”
I hadn’t stopped sobbing.
Chapter Sixteen
I was a horrible travel companion, and not any help at all. Allium had to see to me while also acting as tour guide for Gretchena.
Olivia provided a significant escort, and under Allium’s authority, an armed troop of Ressaline soldiers rode into Flarvor. I didn’t say a word about it. We were only a day and a half from Barrish when we encountered the Royal Guard, heading north to meet me. Our group came to a stop. Allium turned to me. “Ahlianna,” she said. “I need you to be the Crown Princess now. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
I didn’t have to hesitate. I’d heard the Ressaline guard explaining. I stepped from the carriage and walked forward. When I reached the head of our group, I kept going but told them to follow behind.
The Royal Guard came to a stop. I walked up to them. “Greetings,” I called out. “This is my honor guard, courtesy of Lady Olivia.”
“Welcome home, Princess,” said Major Nest. He looked past me.
“They have come this far,” I said. “Would it unduly disturb you if we invite them the remaining distance to Barrish? I think they might like to see the city.”
“Not at all,” he replied. “On your authority.”
I nodded. “On my authority.”
I turned. Colonel Bess waited, and I walked back to her. “You and your troop are welcome in Barrish.”
“We’d like that,” she said. “We can see if we’re escorting Allium back.”
“Thank you, Colonel.” I lifted my voice. “Major Nest of His Majesty’s Royal Guard, this is Colonel Bess. I’m sorry, I don’t know more of your title than that.”
“Colonel Bess of Ressaline,” Bess said. “My pleasure, Major. I am the ranking officer, but this is your country. Together, we can keep the princess secure.”
The man approached, still mounted. I stepped from the way, and he offered his hand to Bess. The two clasped. “They’re all women.”
“That is quite true,” Bess said.
The major lowered his voice. “Some of my men will make offers.”
“They can offer, but will these be somewhat forceful offers?”
“Only if they wish to be hung,” replied the major.
“Then we’ll accept your advice on discouraging untoward behavior, but I find it exceedingly unlikely they’ll make headway.”
The major looked over his shoulder then back at Bess. “I suppose the usual.”
“Major,” I said. “They probably have never had to worry about ‘the usual’. Bess, no one travels in small groups. Minimum four. Don’t let one of the men lead any of you aside.”
“Don’t take offers to look at their etchings,” the major added.
“Etchings?” Bess prompted.
“A ploy to lure a woman to a man’s quarters,” I translated. “It’s not necessarily etchings. Books. Bug collection. Weapons. It can be anything.”
“Right,” said Major Bess. “I’ve used a ploy like that a time or two. We’re not as innocent or naïve as we appear.”
“Good,” I said. “You two work out the rest. I’m returning to the carriage. I presume if necessary, the ambassador or I will be consulted, but you both have impeccable reputations, and I know you won’t need us.”
“We’ll handle the details, Princess,” said the major. “Colonel, is there anyone in the carriage I should know about?”
“Ambassador Cuprite,” I said. “As well as a 16-year-old girl, a friend of my family. Major, I do not want word to travel ahead we are bringing a guest. On my authority.”
“We’re going to dress her in leather,” Bess said. “She can look like one of the guards.”
“Thank you, Bess.”
“Major, does my order cause consternation?”
“Tell me she’s not royalty.”
“A glassmaker, actually.”
“Then I feel no consternation.”
“Thank you, Major.” I walked back to the carriage. I climbed in and said to Gretchena, “Bess will be providing you with leathers.”
“That’s not legal.”
“You’re not in Ressaline right now, and you can wear whatever you want. I don’t want word arriving in front of us. I’m using you as a bribe for my sister.”
She laughed. “All right.”
It took a little time, but Bess sent some clothing in for us, and a short while later, as Gretchena changed, we were moving forward.
* * * *
Gretchena stared out the window, pointing and asking questions from time to time. One of the women from the Royal Guard rode along beside us, answering her questions, laughing from time to time. Inside the carriage, Allium and I smirked at each other.
Our enhanced troop rode all the way through the palace gates, coming to an orderly stop with the carriage immediately before the steps. Mother, Father, and Darfelsa were waiting for me. I peeked and then said, “Keep her hidden until I get Darfelsa alone.”
“Of course.”
I climbed from the carriage, stretched, then waved to a few people before climbing the steps. “Hello, Father. You look well, Mother. Hey, Baby Sister.”
I took hugs. I whispered to Mother, “I have a surprise for Darfelsa. I want to present it out here. Don’t let Father sweep us away until I’ve talked to her.”
“I’ll handle it. I’m glad you’re home. I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you, too.”
I hugged Father. But with Darfelsa, I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her to the side, down the steps, then turned her to face me, her back to the carriage. “So.”
“So,” she said.
“I had my First.”
“I would hope so. That’s the entire reason I’ve been down here, sweltering away.”
I laughed. “You could have gone south.”
“Mother wanted to. I bet she has you on the road tomorrow. I’ll be heading north the minute they turn their backs.”
“You may want to alter that plan, but we have to talk about my First.”
“Now?”
“Now. Darfelsa, please don’t be angry with me. Please.”
“Why would I be angry?”
“I have a bribe. So, if you’re going to be angry, let me bribe you before you decide.”
She laughed. “I like being bribed.”
“Unfortunately for my negotiating position, I think you’re going to get the bribe whether you’re angry or not.”
“Just tell me.”
“It was with Holliahta.”
She said nothing for a minute, then nodded. “Okay.”
“That’s it?”
“Sure.”
I cocked my head. “I’ve been worried you’d be angry.”
“Why would I be angry?” And then I heard her tone.
“You promised to accept my bribe before you came to conclusions.”
“Fine.” She crossed her arms. “You know how I feel about Gretchena.”
“I know.”
“You had an entire country to pick from.”
“The list wasn’t that long, but that is a fair point.”
“You were right to worry.”
“I’m going to give you some advice. You’re going to listen to me. If my bribe isn’t sufficient, we can have it out later.” I leaned closer. “Listen to me, Little Sister. Do not let Mother catch you kissing.”
“What are you taking about.”
“Did you hear me.”
“Yes, but you’re not making any sense.”
I stepped back. “Turn around.”
“What?”
“Turn around.”
She did, and then she was screaming. “Gretchena!” She ran to the woman, and they hugged tightly, exchanging a Ressaline-style greeting. While technically, it involved kissing, they were kisses on the cheek, so that wasn’t so bad.
They talked for a minute. I waited. Finally, Darfelsa wrapped her arm around her friend, and the two walked back. My little sister’s joy was obvious. “Bribe accepted.”
“Good. You heard my advice.”
“I did.”
“We’ll talk about my first later. Let’s go introduce her. Do not mention kissing.”
She laughed. “I’m not an idiot, Ahlianna.”
I slid my arm around my sister’s waist, and then I gestured. Allium joined us, and the four of us climbed the steps. Allium curtsied, and then I heard Darfelsa whisper to Gretchena, who lowered into an awkward curtsey of her own.
“King Leander,” Allium said, still in a curtsey, “Queen Ralifta. This is Gretchena.”
“She’s my friend,” Darfelsa added.
“So we gathered,” Mother said.
“Gretchena’s family was kind to me during my stay, and so I invited her to visit Barrish. I thought she could return with Allium and Darfelsa.”
“Thank you for having me,” Gretchena said.
“Welcome to Barrish,” Father said. “We’ll have a room made up. Allium, are there more guests?”
“Colonel Bess deserves a greeting,” I said. “Can we offer quarters for her troop? I don’t know the plans. We can either send them home, or they can wait and serve as escort for the return trip.”
“We can offer quarters,” Father said. “I am anxious to talk to you, but we should be gracious. Ralifta.”
“Of course,” she said. “Oh, for goodness sake. You two get up. Darfelsa, you will teach your friend.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“And Allium, you were being a smart ass.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“As long as we all understand it. Introduce us, please.”
We walked down the steps. Bess’s troop had dismounted but were hanging back. Father greeted Major Nest. Mother took my arm, and so I led her to Bess.
“Mother, this is Colonel Bess of Ressaline. She led this fine troop to ensure my safe arrival. As we were so close to Barrish, I invited them to visit our city.”
“Thank you for seeing to the safety of my daughter,” Mother said.
“Thank you for trusting us,” Bess replied.
“Major Nest,” Mother called out. “Do you need assistance seeing to arrangements for the Colonel and her troop? We can settle them in the palace, but if you have a barracks you can devote to them, that might be better.”
“It will take an hour to sort,” said the major. “I’ll see to it.”
“If you require my assistance, Major, I’m sure you can find me,” I said.
“I’ll make sure the Ressalines are comfortable.”
“Thank you, Major. Thank you again, Colonel.”
We were halfway back to the steps before I realized we hadn’t introduced Father. I mentioned that to Mother.
“Yes, well, she can meet him tomorrow,” she said. “I want to hear about your travels, and I’m done waiting.”
I laughed. “Of course.”
“Did you do it?”
“Yes. Get out the hot pokers if you want details.”
“Absolutely not,” she said. “But I want more than ‘yes’. So does your father.”
“Fine, but I decide when I’ve said as much as I’m going to say. Please, Mother.”
