respect of his men.”
She fluffed a powder puff between my thighs.
I sighed, my pussy throbbing. “How large is his…entourage?”
“Large enough, I trow. The DarkDwellers make dwarves of us
all.”
“I have a task for you.”
Maia set the shaving implements on the sideboard, then
turned to regard me with her fullest attention. I sat up and took a hairbrush,
handing it to her. As she brushed, I talked.
“I do not wish the leaders of Darkness and Light ever to be
alone together.”
She paused and the brush stilled. “I see your concern. If
they join against Shadow, we would have no chance against their combined
forces.”
“Yes. We would be squeezed like an orange in a press, the
life-giving juices extracted and the dry husk left to rot.” Fear twisted deep
in my belly.
The brushing resumed. “Kaldir strikes me as ignorant of
statecraft.”
“I agree. He may not have thought of such a strategy, but
Storne…” I pressed my lips together.
“Yes. I also believe it must have occurred to the Prince of
Darkness. He is far too canny a warrior to allow this opportunity to pass
unheeded.”
“Or at least considered the possibilities. He has a
reputation as a fine soldier.”
The brushing concluded, she tugged at a bellpull. “I will
make certain that Darkness and Light do not merge. But you must also do your
part.”
I smiled. “That will be my pleasure.”
Several of my ladies entered, opening wardrobes and bringing
out gowns for my inspection. Others braided my hair and pinned it to the top of
my head like a crown while others rimmed my eyes with charcoal and pinkened my
lips with a rose-colored tint. With unaccustomed nerves, I dithered over my
choices, wondering which dress or what color would most entice Storne. I
finally said, “The rose-pink, the one trimmed with gold lace.” I felt
overheated, and the gown was of thin, slick satin. Cooling, as in cooling my
lust. I did not want to indulge in hasty actions with the Prince of Darkness.
I continued, “And high shoes. I do not wish to look like a
dwarf.”
Maia emitted a sharp bark of laughter as she found pink
stockings, which were fastened above my knees with ruffled garters of golden
lace. She draped a pink chemise over my head, which was followed by a matching
corset, laced tightly to show my narrow waist and lift my breasts. I slid my
feet into heeled slippers, and as the satin gown was tossed over my head I
heard a door open, followed by the clatter of boots.
“Lord Storne.” Maia’s tone was respectful.
I shook my head free of the enveloping folds of lace and
satin as she tugged the gown into place. “Good evening,” I said.
“Queen Audryn.” Without being bidden, he approached. He
reached for me, then stopped. “May I?”
“Y-yes.” I did not know what he intended, but…
His smile transformed his angular face. He wrapped a big
hand behind my neck. His grasp was firm, warm, the skin of his palm a little
rough, from swordplay or riding, I imagined. I tried to breathe through a
tight, nervous throat.
He kissed me full on the lips, rather than a chaste buss on
my cheek, which would have been proper. Though he did not intrude his tongue,
the contact was warm, vital and vigorous, hinting at the pleasure we could
share.
As he withdrew, his gaze met mine, the gray eyes demanding,
gentle and amused. How he packed so many emotions into one glance was a mystery
to me. I told myself I was imagining more in his look than actually was there.
I had become infatuated by the Prince of Darkness swiftly—far
too swiftly. That was bad. I could not make decisions affecting the history and
welfare of my realm based on a passing fancy.
Maia bustled around me, fastening golden earbobs onto my
lobes, bracelets on my wrists. Another lady laced my gown up the back. I was
grateful for their presence and the respite that the mundane tasks afforded. I
could collect myself, regain my lost poise.
When I was dressed, Storne said, “Let’s walk
She fluffed a powder puff between my thighs.
I sighed, my pussy throbbing. “How large is his…entourage?”
“Large enough, I trow. The DarkDwellers make dwarves of us
all.”
“I have a task for you.”
Maia set the shaving implements on the sideboard, then
turned to regard me with her fullest attention. I sat up and took a hairbrush,
handing it to her. As she brushed, I talked.
“I do not wish the leaders of Darkness and Light ever to be
alone together.”
She paused and the brush stilled. “I see your concern. If
they join against Shadow, we would have no chance against their combined
forces.”
“Yes. We would be squeezed like an orange in a press, the
life-giving juices extracted and the dry husk left to rot.” Fear twisted deep
in my belly.
The brushing resumed. “Kaldir strikes me as ignorant of
statecraft.”
“I agree. He may not have thought of such a strategy, but
Storne…” I pressed my lips together.
“Yes. I also believe it must have occurred to the Prince of
Darkness. He is far too canny a warrior to allow this opportunity to pass
unheeded.”
“Or at least considered the possibilities. He has a
reputation as a fine soldier.”
The brushing concluded, she tugged at a bellpull. “I will
make certain that Darkness and Light do not merge. But you must also do your
part.”
I smiled. “That will be my pleasure.”
Several of my ladies entered, opening wardrobes and bringing
out gowns for my inspection. Others braided my hair and pinned it to the top of
my head like a crown while others rimmed my eyes with charcoal and pinkened my
lips with a rose-colored tint. With unaccustomed nerves, I dithered over my
choices, wondering which dress or what color would most entice Storne. I
finally said, “The rose-pink, the one trimmed with gold lace.” I felt
overheated, and the gown was of thin, slick satin. Cooling, as in cooling my
lust. I did not want to indulge in hasty actions with the Prince of Darkness.
I continued, “And high shoes. I do not wish to look like a
dwarf.”
Maia emitted a sharp bark of laughter as she found pink
stockings, which were fastened above my knees with ruffled garters of golden
lace. She draped a pink chemise over my head, which was followed by a matching
corset, laced tightly to show my narrow waist and lift my breasts. I slid my
feet into heeled slippers, and as the satin gown was tossed over my head I
heard a door open, followed by the clatter of boots.
“Lord Storne.” Maia’s tone was respectful.
I shook my head free of the enveloping folds of lace and
satin as she tugged the gown into place. “Good evening,” I said.
“Queen Audryn.” Without being bidden, he approached. He
reached for me, then stopped. “May I?”
“Y-yes.” I did not know what he intended, but…
His smile transformed his angular face. He wrapped a big
hand behind my neck. His grasp was firm, warm, the skin of his palm a little
rough, from swordplay or riding, I imagined. I tried to breathe through a
tight, nervous throat.
He kissed me full on the lips, rather than a chaste buss on
my cheek, which would have been proper. Though he did not intrude his tongue,
the contact was warm, vital and vigorous, hinting at the pleasure we could
share.
As he withdrew, his gaze met mine, the gray eyes demanding,
gentle and amused. How he packed so many emotions into one glance was a mystery
to me. I told myself I was imagining more in his look than actually was there.
I had become infatuated by the Prince of Darkness swiftly—far
too swiftly. That was bad. I could not make decisions affecting the history and
welfare of my realm based on a passing fancy.
Maia bustled around me, fastening golden earbobs onto my
lobes, bracelets on my wrists. Another lady laced my gown up the back. I was
grateful for their presence and the respite that the mundane tasks afforded. I
could collect myself, regain my lost poise.
When I was dressed, Storne said, “Let’s walk
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