To be used later...
Priyya shuts the door to her room, latches it, and sags against it. What did I just do? She looks around the room and recalls that first evening when she discovered Felmor passed out on her bed... and the next morning when he thrashed in his sleep and said 'Armandia'... and then when he was so scared at realising he was in the wrong room.
How did I get from there to here? She doesn't know and she can't think about it. She kicks off her boots and drops her armor, weapons, and belt... every tool of her trade. She dumps her headdress, robes, and everything that identifies her as a cleric.
She pads into the bathroom and draws a very high and hot bath. She throws in a heaping handful of bath salts, trying to get the smell of the damned creatures from their recent adventure out of her nose. She sinks gratefully into the claw-foot tub trying not to think about anything except the soothing effect of the water and the aromatic salts.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...
Felmor finishes eating his dinner and his ale and waves a good night to the Kirmoon sisters and Morgaard. He trudges up the stairs and looks over at his room, the one he never ended up using. His mind is swirling with crazy thoughts, about what she said about having his child. Was that normal for a priestess to do? He wasn’t sure, but he figured asking her about it would be ok. Then why was he so nervous all of a sudden?
He approaches the locked door where Priyya has retired to, and then knocks on the door softly.
After a long soak, a good cry, and a lot of thought despite her attempts to avoid it... Priyya emerges from the bath a bit pruney but feeling better about her situation. She dries off, puts on a clean robe, and decides to tackle her hair. She gets into the mindless monotony of brushing out her long mane. It is an oddly mesmerizing activity, so she nearly jumps out of her skin when there is a knock on the door.
She queries who it is and when she finds it is Felmor, she has the odd desire to both fling the door open and barricade it all at the same time. She steels herself and opens the door about halfway, making sure he is alone since her hair is down. She tries to look him in the eye but her gaze falters some. She has stepped out on a very high, thin, branch. She tries to rally. "Hi Fel. I'm guessing this is a purposeful visit to my room... not like the last time." She smiles hoping the reminder of their first 'night together' will come across as funny.
Felmor is greeted by the smell of vanilla, clearly Priyya made liberal use of the bath salts... and Felmor realises he is still in the same dirty clothes he rode into town wearing.
Felmor, wondering just what the hell he was doing up here, and sure she had fallen asleep, was startled when she opened the door, but once again curses his timing. On seeing Priyya, oh, gads her hair is down he feels a rush of desire, and is very glad his blushing face is the only thing she can see. Ach, at least she ain’t asked me in yet.
He relies softly so as to not disturb the other guests, ”I, ehh was jes makin’ sure I wasn’t in th’ wrong room. But ye is all right. Ye look like ye is goin’ ok, so I jes…jes ehh…look I jes wanna apologize to ye fer what I said earlier. I dinnae wanna make ye feel like ye had ta worry ‘bout that now. There be planty o’ time ta worry ‘bout that.” He waits for her response.
Priyya looks utterly confused. She says, equally quietly, glancing down the hall to make sure they are alone, "Fel, I don't understand what you want to apologize for... you haven't said anything wrong. I might have but you didn't. I asked a question; you answered it. Then I... well... yes. I put you in an awkward position. I'm sorry about that." She is tempted to babble more but wisely shuts up.
Though she sees his response as understandable and even wise, nevertheless Priyya still feels cut to the core by it as a kind of rejection. She offered the greatest gift she had to offer and it was not accepted. She hears the branch she stepped out on snapping behind her. She idly rubs her abdomen, as if protecting an idea she held there. Summoning her best martial bearing, thinking of the long line of Surya-ka-Vahaak that she dare not shame, she stands straighter and looks him in the eye. "I'm sorry if I offended you."
Felmor is unsure what to make of her response, but he could feel the temperature drop noticeably. ” What didya mean by that, I dinnae take offense.” He realizes having a conversation out in the open, it was bad form, so he keeps his voice low.
She sees the direction of his glances and realises this is too public. "Would you like to come in?"
Felmor enters the room, and closes the door, he looks over into Priyya's eyes, and seeing a hardness he hadn't noticed there before, replays the last words spoken in his mind. Near as he could understand it, the conversation hinged on the offer to bear his child.
He walks over to her ,and takes her hands in his, resisting the urge to do anything more, and says quietly, "This be 'bout me saying I dinnae want ye ta 'ave me child now, aint' it." He sighs, and sits down on the bed, guiding her to sit next to him. "Look, Priyya, I know ye wanted me ta jump inta this willingly, and I would love fer ye ta bear me child, but, I am jes worried 'bout how the child be raised, that's all. I dinnae wanna worry 'bout the child, or ye, Priyya. I know who ye be, and I be acceptin' that. I wouldna be the only one in ye heart, I be sharin' it wit' Saranae. If'n ye decides ta leave me, it be breakin' me heart, but I cannae stop ye. Tis aint my place. I know ye loves me, but I be never doing that ta ye, i never make ye choose between me an' ye goddess, or our child. I wouldna have it any other way, Priyya, because that is why I loves ye." She can see his voice is breaking, and is close to tears. I made th' mistake wit' Armandia, 'n it be wrong."
He rubs his eys, the events of the day starting to catch up with him. If'n ye wants me ta stay 'ere 'n keep ye bed warm, I would, inna heartbeat. N' I wanna stay. But if'n ye tells me ta go, I be leavin' ye. 'N we be friends, I be never hatin' ye. I swear it."
Priyya tears up and punches him softly. "You fool! This isn't about having a child now. It was about you appreciating the magnitude of what I offered. All you said was 'There be planty o’ time ta worry ‘bout that.' You're a good man. I know you didn't mean that to be dismissive... but that's how it made me feel. And given what I offered, being dismissed as if it were trivial, hurts. I'm not a regular woman, I know that... but I do have feelings."
She hugs him close, "Thanks for explaining what you really meant. I appreciate it." She pulls away from him and stares at him with her wide almond eyes, her desires revealed. "I want you to warm ME, not just my bed, Fel but... I know this is prissy of me, but it would be nice if you paid me the courtesy of showing up bathed and cleanly dressed. And while you are doing that, in your room, I can collect myself. Will you do that for me?"
Felmor, laughs softly, and replied, "I neveah said I wasn't a fool, since I dinnae realize what ye meant 'bout that earlier. I be truly sorry 'bout insultin' ye like that."
He stands up, and says, "Ok, Priyya, I be changign in me room, 'n hopefully find some decent clothes ta wear. I be back in a little while." He gives her a kiss on the cheek, and exits her chambers, and pads quietly to his room.
Once he gets there, he strips naked and grabs his clothes, and dumps them into his sink, and fills it with hot water and soap. While his clothes soak, he climbs into the tub and then soaks his aching body, allowing the bath salts and water to ease his aching bones. He soaks in the tub for 15 minutes, and then steps out, and then removes his clothes from the sink. He then fills it with cold water, and then rinses off his clothes, and hangs them up to dry.
He hunts around his pack, and does find a clean wool undershirt, and a pair of heavy wool pants, still kinda scratchy on his skin. 'Tis a noble's outfit ta be sure. I think she be impressed. He then turns his attention to his scraggly beard, and moustache, and decides to trim it quickly. Once he finishes trimming up, he takes a few more minutes to still his beating heart which has started beating faster, and head back to Priyya's room, knocking softly on her door.
Priyya works quickly. She runs cool water across her eyes - red eyes aren't pretty. Not that Fel would notice. She straightens up, kicking her equipment into a corner. She stares at her pile of gear for a moment and thinks better of it... placing her scimitar by the bed. She arranges candles around the room, pillows on the floor, lights some incense, and changes into her sheerest robe. She just has time to prepare a small pot of tea before she hears his knock.
She opens the door before he has a chance to pull his hand away. She sees his startled expression and smiles ruefully at herself. A tad overeager, aren't you Priyya? She gently pulls him into the room and shuts the door. She doesn't want anyone else to see her dressed like this.
Priyya eyes him appreciatively up and down - clean, facial hair trimmed, well-dressed. He looks dashing. She smiles and stands back so he can look at her. She's wearing a sheer, diaphanous, robe of white with delicate gold flowers. In the dim light of the candles, and given her emotional state, she glows softly. Her thin robe does little to hide the glowing which outlines every curve, prominence, and feature of her body. Felmor is almost embarrassed, her glow leaves little to his imagination.
Fel's eyes roving over her body causes her to smile, making her feel seductive. "Would you like some tea? Or something else to drink?"
Standing outside her door, Felmor feels very much like the awkward teenager, certainly he has always been shy around beautiful women, ever since he was a child. Maybe it had to do with his father, and his teachings. He had always said, control your emotions, don't let yourself turn into a rutting animal. Now looking at things, it seemed like that advice has served him well.
Now seeing Priyya glowing like this, she certainly was the priestess of Light. He gives a thankful prayer to Saranae for allowing her to spend this time with him.
Felmor gives her a rakish grin, and replies "I'd love some tea, Priyya. 'nd mebbe I be gettin' somethin' else later too, in case ye run out o' tea." The way his eyes rove over her body leaves little doubt what he means by this.
Priyya smiles at his request... for tea and something else.
She indicates a pillow for him to sit on, in the middle of the room, surrounded by the candles. Priyya takes the tea set and sits on another pillow across from him, the tea set beside her. She settles down, her knees tucked beneath her and her robes spread out. After pouring the tea, she hands him the cup ceremoniously, and then as an odd after-thought, she pulls her hair over one shoulder so it flows down like a waterfall into her lap. Knowing how much he likes her hair, how could she not?
She sighs, "Fel, I need to explain why I can't get married, about who I am." She pulls a candle closer and shows him her palm. He inspects it. The scar bears a strange resemblance to Sarenrae's symbol. "This is my birthmark. It shows I am one of the chosen implements of Sarenrae. I was born into her service."
She then takes the same scarred hand and uses it to snuff out the candle. The space between them darkens. Her glow is evident. She is limned in something like a faerie fire, defining her features - but more indistinct. Her voice comes from the darkness between them, "I come from a long line of Kelesh people. None in my family, save one cousin, in any record, or living memory, glows as you see. It is an indicator of something Celestial in my bloodline. Another gift of Sarenrae."
She relights the candle. "From the time of my first memories, I have known my path. I have always walked it. Before I studied and took on the mantle of Surya-ka-Vahaak, I knew that I was Surya-ka-Vahaak. Do you understand? It is what I am. My order has few rules. I have a great deal of freedom... but marriage is forbidden to me. I am sorry. You are a worthy man and if it were in my power... you would make a wonderful husband. You still may." She leaves unstated the conclusion ... but not for me.
She sighs heavily, "No matter how much I love you, I can never marry you. It is the price I pay for the power I am granted."
Felmor looks over at the woman who stole his heart, and briefly wonders why Saranae imposed such restrictions, and then it seemed to come to him in a flash of inspiration, or as his father used to do, a clot to the head. As he realizes what she has already done, using the gifts bequeathed by Saranae in vanquishing the evils of Kassens Tomb, and rescuing Dimira, and Roldare, not to mention saving his own life several tmes, and those of Alis, Alexis, and Morgaard. He now understands why she is the Surya-ka-Vahaak, and why she can never be his wife. The world is filled with evil, that must be fought, and she has been chosen for such worthy tasks. Unlike himself, just a common sailor. He also feels a sense of compassion flowing from Priyya...or was it something else...he wasn't sure. Just looking at her glowing form, he realized she was not alone, and would never be alone. Her goddess walks with her, always.
Priyya stares at Felmor as he seems to gaze elsewhere, but after a moment, he returns to her and whispers, "I understand, Priyya."
She watches the thoughts and emotions move across his face, hoping he truly understands and can accept it. When he whispers, she hopes it is true, needs his understanding to be true on some level. Her heart hammers in her chest. She cuts to the chase, saying quietly, her eyes cast down, afraid of what his answer might be, "So, knowing all that, will you still have me?"
Felmor looks into Priyya's eyes and sees a sight few people have ever seen, he sees Priyya, the young woman, all too human, and stripped of all defenses, who is scared of being rejected. He murmers a prayer to Saranae of thanks, for giving him this one night, at least. While he wishes it would be many nights, he knows she will always love him.
Now the tears flow, and she is relieved to know they are tears of happiness. He takes her in his arms, and murmers softly, "I'll have ye as long as Saranae permits it."
Then he kisses her gently, knowing how much she has bared her heart for him. Truly the greatest treasure he has ever found, in his many years of sailing.
Their kisses and tears last some time.
Through his closed eyelids, Felmor realises the room seems brighter. He opens his eyes when they finally part and sees the source. Overcome with emotion, Priyya body is wreathed in something like ghostly white flames. What little cover her robes afforded is now totally gone. "Fel, I need you... but it's been a long time for me." With one hand she pulls his hand to her cheek, rubbing her face against his palm. With her other hand, she pulls free the knots keeping her robe closed. Her eyes are open - watching him watch her.
She guides his hand from her face, down her neck, and then down inside her robe. She gasps, delighted at his rough touch on her chest. Her body responds. She closes her eyes and rests her other hand on his shoulder, kneading his muscles.
Felmor, finding control elusive, feels his hand moving downwards with a will of its own. Priyya, eyes still closed, smiles, and guides his hand down to her flank. She stifles a groan of pleasure. On his shoulder, her nails grip him, indicating how much she enjoys his ministrations.
After long minutes, Priyya's hand leads Felmor's over her thigh to a more intimate spot. Felmor learns something important, as Priyya bites her lip and her nails dig into his shoulder... even the most arid desert blossom has a ready source of moisture. Priyya, desert creature that she is, is no exception.
Her glow bursts into new flame and Priyya's wide almond eyes open. "Fel, beloved, take me to bed. Help me to forget my burdens for a night."
Felmor is caught, entranced by Priyya's beauty which literally glows from her body. He allows her to guide him along for a while, but soon his own desires start taking over, and his caresses and touches grow more insistent. The smell. the feel, the taste of her, was more addictive than any drink, any drug he had ever tried before.
His moans come faster now, and when she utters her plea, he is more than willing to comply.
"Aye, me Desert Rose!" He utters in a voice choked with desire, then pickks her up, and carries her to bed where he pulls the covers over them, and he releases Priyya from being the Surya-ka-Vahaak, for a while, anyway.
The night is long... and what Felmor remembers most clearly, in that pleasant state between sleeping and wakefulness in the wee hours of the morning, is Priyya's intensity. The same utter focus she brings to fighting evil, she brought to their bed last night. She wasn't thinking about the next day, what they had fought, zombie infections, duplicitous mayors, or even Sarenrae. She was entirely focused on him. It is a level of commitment, he doesn't know if he's ever seen from a woman. She was totally present in every moment they shared.
As he wakes more he becomes aware of other things: The smell of spent candles and incense; Laying on his back with an arm wrapped protectively around Priyya; She is curled next to him, nude, her head resting on his chest; Her voluminous hair flows everywhere, like a meandering river system...
It is very early in the morning, well before dawn. Even for him this is an early hour to be awake... until he increasingly becomes aware of what has ended his sleep - Priyya. Her hand is waking him in a very novel way. He looks down and sees her wide eyes are watching his expressions with pleasure. She smiles a seductive little smile. Her head turns away and her lips join her hand in waking him fully. She was happy to follow Felmor's lead last night, but in the dawn hours it seems clear that she has ideas of her own and Felmor is nothing if not a gentleman who allows a lady her preferences...
An hour or perhaps a lifetime later, as the dawn starts creeping into the sky, Priyya rises from the bed, stretches like a cat fattened on many delicious canaries, and opens the shutters. Nude, she sits and awaits the dawn, centering and opening herself to the will of Sarenrae. Priyya gives silent thanks for the joy Sarenrae has permitted her and hopes, but does not ask, that the Dawn Flower allow it to continue for a long time to come.
============================== SCENE BREAK =============================
Rath doesn't know exactly what he was expecting in a 'guest room' but this one room 'house' is clearly much too large for two people. He turns to ask James about it but the butler has already vanished. Since his meager belongings are here - he shrugs. This must be the right room.
He turns to Lureene. "How you are feeling, Meri Devi?"
Lureene stares at the opulence of the guest room; it dwarfed the size of her old room at the White Hart. She feels like a member of royalty. She turns to Rath-Hun, and giggles at him, staring at him with her sooty eyelashes ” I am feeling much better now, thank you Rath-hun. Crowds always make me uncomfortable for some reason.” She walks over to him, a burning look in her eyes, ”I wanted to thank you for protecting me from all those suitors, they were just not going to leave me alone!” She slips into his arms, and hugs him tightly, feeling him pressing against her body, and her hands run down his back, and sides, enjoying the feel of his taut, lean muscles. She starts massaging his shoulders, and asks him, ”I wanted to ask you, Sir Rath-hun, how are you feeling?”
While she's had a wonderful night, Priyya is happy to be able to shut and lock the bedroom door. This opulent place, the dress, her loose hair, the wine, the compliments from men who clearly found her very attractive, and all the attention has made her feel sensuous and intensely amorous... and the outlet for her passion, the dashing Captain, stands before her. It's all she can do not the jump him right now. Her corona, like a white wild fire, let's him know exactly how much she wants him.
Despite her desire, she stays unmoving, regarding him softly. He is such a sweet and agreeable man. He does everything I ask of him and never complains. He faces his deepest fears for love of me and loyalty to his friends. He follows orders and never tries to be 'alpha male' - so rare. How can I not give him a night where he is the alpha? What man doesn't desire to be King for a day? Priyya stifles the voice of Surya-ka-Vahaak in her head that bridles against any act of submission, even a loving one.
Priyya drops to one knee in a deep curtsy and bows her head. "I am yours to command, beloved. For tonight, you are my Lord and I, your desirous servant. YOUR will be done." She holds the curtsy and bow, waiting to know his will, delighted to see where the night takes them.
She walks over to him, a burning look in her eyes... She slips into his arms... She starts massaging his shoulders, and asks him, "I wanted to ask you, Sir Rath-hun, how are you feeling?"
She feels the pressure growing between their bodies as she works his shoulders. Oh my...
He looks down and smiles, "Think you know exactly how my body feels about being with you right now.... not like Chivalrous Knight. More like hm... Satyr looking at a Nymph, after 20 years on deserted island." Rath starts to expertly massage her wing muscles, kneading them deeply along her spine.
Despite the signals their bodies are sharing, Lureene sees a look in Rath's eyes that tells her something is on his mind.
Priyya drops to one knee in a deep curtsy and bows her head. "I am yours to command, beloved. For tonight, you are my Lord and I, your desirous servant. YOUR will be done." She holds the curtsy and bow, waiting to know his will, delighted to see where the night takes them.
Felmor looks at the pliant form of his Desert Rose, a look of naked desire on his face and in his eyes. Gahh, she be a goddess! I diinae know if’n I kin control meself He gazes into her eyes, those stunningly beautiful almond eyes of hers, and sees her desires to please him in any way possible. He also sees her love, Priyya’s love for him.
He pauses on her question to him, though, as he embarrassedly realizes he is not sure exactly what he wants her to do for him. He has not been a promiscuous lover and the very few times he has enjoyed a ladies company, there was never a request like this made. He falls back on his natural charms, gazing at her, drinking in her beauty, and says softly, with a voice choked with passion, ”Arise, me Desert Rose, my will be this: Would ye care ta dance with me, as we have some unfinished business, 'n we need ta finish what we started on th’ dance floor.”
Despite the signals their bodies are sharing, Lureene sees a look in Rath's eyes that tells her something is on his mind.
Lureene shudders in pleasure, and her mind is taken back to a time a week or so prior, when Rath-hun did this same thing for her Actually, he had done this for her multiple times, he really considered her wings angelic He always knew what to do for her. She also reads his mood, and knowing he wanted to speak his heart before acting on his desires, she responds ”What is on your mind, Rath-Hun?”
Priyya rises and smiles, "It will be as you wish, bel... My Lord." She enters his embrace, happy to dance with him.
"What is on your mind, Rath-Hun?"
He sits her down on the bed and continues to work on her muscles as he talks, knowing that the involuntary movements of her body may tell him something important.
"Love, relationships, and US is on my mind... I know our parting is saddening you. And we said at first that we would share with each other and not talk of exclusivity or husband/wife or things like that. But, do you still want that or want something else or don't know what you want?"
Priyya rises and smiles, "It will be as you wish, bel... My Lord." She enters his embrace, happy to dance with him.
Felmor gathers Priyya up in his arms, and they dance slowly together. The only sound is the beating of their hgearts, and the only lights provided by the twin moons outside, along with Priyya's glowing form. Their bodies press together and he lets his love for her envelope their bodies. They continue like this for some time, and Felmor whispers in her ear, "Desert Rose, ohh me Desert Rose, I love ye!"
Priyya has never been happier than she is dancing, holding, and brushing against Felmor in a swirl of silk, eldritch light, and love. "I love you, as well. Fel, I'd really like you to stay with me on whatever road Alita has in store for me. Even the dangerous ones."
"I cannae live wit'out ye, Priyya, 'n I be will ta go wit' ye ta th' Howling Wastes if need be." Felmor holds her close and soon feels his desire for her growing. "Would ye like ta take a bath, me Rose?"
She smiles, "If it be my Lord's will... I will happily take a bath, or bathe him, or be bathed by him. What would you have, Lord?"
Felmor gives her a grin looking like a schoolchild who has been given a lifeime of desert for the rest of his life, "I think all of the above will cover it nicely. Now being a gentleman, I was taught, Ladies first. But they dinnae say which part of th'bath they was talkin' about. So, why don't we do this, me Rose. You start bathin' me 'n then I start bathin' ye in when I feel like it." He strips and then climbs into the tub, allowing the hot water to fill up. He motions to Priyya, "If you would please, milady?"
He sits her down on the bed and continues to work on her muscles as he talks, knowing that the involuntary movements of her body may tell him something important.
"Love, relationships, and US is on my mind... I know our parting is saddening you. And we said at first that we would share with each other and not talk of exclusivity or husband/wife or things like that. But, do you still want that or want something else or don't know what you want?"
Lureene tenses then relaxes in Rath-hun’s expert ministrations, he can tell she is trying to organize her thoughts, so to answer his question. After a long time she responds, "Rath-hun, I have been thinking a lot about what you have said before, about us. I want to tell you something that happened to me when I was with Strae-hun, I mean Straehan.”
She pauses trying to still her nerves, as she still carries the memories of the encounter fresh in her mind. We were…intimate…Rath is surprised to see her blushing, she has never blushed before, at least not in front of him. ”During our intimacy, my passions threatened to overwhelm me and I was about to…kill him with my demonic blood. I wanted to feel his life force leave his body, it would give me such pleasure!”
She sits back, taking a shuddering breath. Once she has calmed down, she continues, in a whisper ”The image that kept me from slaying him was YOU, Rath-hun. When I pictured you, I was able to resist the urges. After that point in time, he left me soon afterwards. I think he sensed something has changed between us.”
She turns to look him in the eyes now, ”I find myself seeing that picture of you in my head more frequently, Rath-hun. I think it means something like love. You have always been there for me, and I dread the day when you will not be there.”
She hugs him closely, passionately, needing his comforting arms, ”II…I told you I would walk away from you and never look back, before, but now, I don’t think I can do that now. I…I…think I love you, Rath-hun. I will wait for you however long it takes”. Her eyes are starting to tear up, threatening to ruin her makeup, but she does not care. She looks into his eyes, waiting, hoping for the words she wants to hear from his lips.
Priyya looks at Fel in the tub and smiles, "My Lord, if you'd like me in the tub, I could use a little help getting out of this dress first." She turns her back to him, pulling her hair over her shoulder. He sees her dilemma, a long row of buttons goes down the dress from mid-back to her rear.
Fel starts undoing the buttons. About halfway down, seeing her smooth skin, he realises that she is wearing nothing beneath the gown. As he loosens the final buttons, the slope of her back blending into the soft curve of her rear, comes into view. Felmor hesitates, admiring her curves. He runs fingers down her spine. She shivers in anticipation.
Priyya looks over her shoulder and smiles, "My Lord? Would you like me to disrobe?" Without waiting for an answer, she turns around and releases her gown which she has been holding up. It slides to the floor in a swish of silk.
Priyya greets Fel, wearing only the pearl necklace Alis purchased for her... and a pair of tight, thigh high, black leather buccaneer boots. The tops of the boots are folded down, exposing blood-red, satin lining. The black and red of the boots stand in delightful contrast to the bronze skin-tone of her bare thighs.
She takes his Captain's hat and puts it on, tilted at a rakish angle. Her look is impious. "Am I appropriately dressed or am I still wearing too much, My Lord?"
Felmor gazes at her with a look of wild passion in his eyes, his cheeks flushed with blood, and his whole body shows sign of his desire for her. He steps back from her, not only to get a better look at her marvelous form but also to avoid jumping her right then and there.
He favors his buccaneer with a hearty chuckle, and utters a lustful growl, "I always knew ye was a buccaneer at heart, me Desert Rose. Mebbe I need ta petition ye as me First Mate, he he."
He looks her over again, admiring every curves of her body, and every line, and winks salaciously at her, "I t'ink ye kin keep th' boots, but ye has gotta remove th' hat. I be quite attached ta it 'n I'd hate ta se it get wet." Priyya can tell he is being facecious, as the hat has been treated to resist water damage.
Rath puts a hand on Lureene's cheek, looking softly at her. She is so young and delicate in so many ways.
Without preamble he says, "Two weeks ago, I was happy to take this trip to the ends of the world. The civilized bits of this world have not much interest for me. All cultures show same illnesses... I was planning to go and stay gone."
"But I have been sad for past few days, debating my decision. You have given me a good reason to come back. Really... you are only good reason to come back. So, yes, I love you. Think that is real question, right?"
"So, I will go on journey and you will go on journey. And I will think of you and you will think of me. And one day, I will come back here and hope to find you waiting or some message from you left with Kirmoon family about where I can find you. Then I will come looking for you. Does that sound good to you?"
On hearing Rath-hun words, the words the little girl, known as Lureene, had been waiting to hear from this man, this wonderful man, she feels tears flowing down her face. As Rath brushes her tears away, before her makeup is completely ruined, he notes the traces of her mother have vanished and her human side has taken over and has shone forth on her face.
"Thank you, Rath-hun! I love you so much! If I finish my journey before you, I will look for you, to the ends of Elsemar if need be!"
Her lips move against his, and now her demonic blood starts flowing again, but it is well, Rath-hun notes, as this is who she is, and this is the woman he loves. He would have it no other way.
"Ohhhhhh, Rath-hun..."
Priyya enters the bath, boots and all, hoping some of Alis' magic can repair any damage to her new boots or Fel's hat. She has Fel lean back in the tub and pours in the bath salts to whip up a respectable amount of suds. When she is satisfied with the preparation, and Fel's eyes are about to pop out of his head from watching her every curve and contour as she moves about the tub with the grace of a seal, she pulls out a very large sponge. She soaks it and begins slowly and thoroughly washing every part of him. Some parts receive more attention than others.
At some point, Priyya notes that Lord Felmor has some rough patches of skin that could use an abrasive pumice. Unfortunately, a pumice stone is not included in their bath kit. Priyya improvises by using her whole body as a pumice stone - using friction to (inefficiently but pleasantly) soften his skin.
Rath hates doing it but he stops Lureene briefly. "Wait, Meri Devi. I know your desires and your needs. Are you saying you wish to be exclusive for the time we are apart? Being without intimacy for maybe a few years could be very hard for you. I am not asking this of you and you should think hard before trying that. There may be many temptations."
Lureene pauses briefly during the passionate kisses, and replies softly, "I know there will be temptations when we separate and leave on our own paths, I wish I could tell you I would never be tempted as it is nearly impossible to control my demonic passions for a long time. If I would predict the future and say you would never be tempted either, that would not be the case. All I can say is Rath-hun, I love you and I want to be with you once our journeys are complete.
Rath tries to understand the meaning behind her cryptic answer. "OK. So we will be true to our natures, finding intimate hm companions or not... but keeping our deep hearts for each other. Yes? Faithful in hearts - me to you, and you to me, yes?"
He nods to himself, as if checking off a box somewhere in his mind. "OK, this makes sense. One other thing..."
Her passions reigniting, Lureene wants a phallic discussion not a philosophic one, but she waits patiently for her what is he now - a beau, paramour, boyfriend? to say what he must. She is pleasantly surprised at what he has to say. It is decidely not philosophic.
"At White Hart offered you a night playing by your rules, let your scents take control of me, give in to power you hold over so many men. Would you like that tonight, now?"
"At White Hart offered you a night playing by your rules, let your scents take control of me, give in to power you hold over so many men. Would you like that tonight, now?"
Lureene gazes at Rath-Hun a look of naked desire in her eyes. She allows her phernomic scent to be released and exude from her body, the same scent that drove Corporal Mal to distraction earlier that evening. She then allows Rath-hun to take control here, as this was his night, as much as it was hers.
Felmor enjoys the ministrations applied by his Desert Rose. Before his passions rise to the surface, he reflects briefly, on how close he came to just giving up on his life, before he entered the White Hart Inn, and meeting his Desert Rose for the first time. By all the Gods, he must have been smitten with her, right then and there.
She draws his attention back to the here and now, and gazes into his eyes, a look of submission in her eyes. He feels those raw emotions now, those he keeps bottled up, so as not to lose control, but his Desert Rose held all the keys to his heart, and she was loosening the chains around it effortlessly.
He takes her in his arms and pulls her on him, kissing her savagely. Feeling her lithe body rub against him, squirming like an otter pup, Felmor loses control. Ach! She be a siren not a woman! He looks at her with a hard ferocity of a man whose desires with not be denied any longer. He crouches predatorily in the tub. Priyya's surprised expression at the sudden sea change in his behavior transforms into a slow smile of desire and welcome. He picks her up from the tub and tosses her on the bed, her sudsy and wet body dampening the covers. The only sound is the drip of water from her boots and her heavy breathing. She is consumed with desire and it thrills him. Without another word, he comes to her, determined to take his pleasure until dawn. He will possess every inch of this woman. The only words spoken in the dark watches of the night are hers, "Yes, My Lord, I am yours. All yours."
The sudden outpouring of Lureene's scents, which tickle his nose, and the look in her eyes is all the answer Rath needs. She wants this. Ravarath, Iron Monk of Lajmerae, knows a moment of fear; surrendering his self-control is daunting. He trusts her but can he trust himself not to go too far? What if... Rath silences his doubts. Love is about faith and risk.
He breathes her in fully and pauses.
He looks at Lureene sheepishly. "Sorry, this is more hard than I thought." He closes his eyes, centers himself, thinks of how much this will please her, breathes her in deeply, and attempts to let go...
AUTO-FAIL
The initial rush of desire almost overwhelms him... not because he doesn't desire her greatly already but because this is a mindless, insensate, animalistic passion and his control is a hollow dream. He opens his eyes and sees her and the surge of desire hits him anew. He is drowning in a tide of passion he cannot swim against. Through clenched teeth he hisses at her, "You better leave, Meri Devi. I can't stop this."
Lureene has seen this look many times but she's never seen a man fight it like this. At this point, most men, or women for that matter, would be tearing at her clothing and incapable of speech. Lureene slowly removes her gown while she watches Rath struggle. Revealed in all her glory, she says softly, "Rath-hun, don't try to fight it. I want this. I want you out of control."
Rath's will snaps. He grabs the curvaceous blonde and, in what would be his last absolute moment of clarity that night, takes the pin from her hair. He tosses it away and the illusion of her angelic wings melts. He growls "I'll have the real you or not at all." He touches her wings admiringly for a moment and then tumbles her onto the bed, crushing her with his weight, pressing her deeply into the mattress. Reflexively, her bat-like wings wrap around him.
In those long hours until dawn, Lureene learns something of Rath. To be able to kill, stun, or disable a person with a touch requires a very intimate knowledge of the nervous system, muscles, and joints. Rath, unfettered by his normal restraint, plays on her nerves like a concert pianist. In addition to taking his own pleasure, he tries to drive her body to its limits of pleasure. He plays her body from its lowest bass note to its upper limit. It is a very long night, indeed.
Priyya awakes late the next morning, having missed the sunrise entirely. That hasn't happened in nearly 8 years. She panics momentarily and takes stock within herself... My spells and powers are undiminished. She breathes a sigh of relief and sends her profound thanks to Alita. Clearly a single 'slip' is not a grave offense. Priyya burrows under the covers, snuggling next to Fel. His leg is clammy. She reaches down and finds it isn't Fel's leg... it's one of her damp buccaneer boots from the previous night. She smiles at it and tosses it out of the bed wondering what happened to the other one. Curled against Fel's back she smiles and reflects on the night before. Treat a man like a King and look out... Parts of Priyya tingle and ache in a pleasant way, in remembrance of the evening.
After a time, she slides from the bed quietly and pads to the bathroom. She washes up, gets the final remnants of makeup off her face, and combs her tangle of hair to some semblance of order. She exits the bathroom and dresses in one of her new robes. Fel watches her from the bed, sharing his pillow with his Captain's hat. When she begins to put on her headdress, an inscrutable look crosses his face. She sits down on the bed next to him, trying to decipher his mood, "What is it, beloved?" She looks from him to the headdress, "Do you prefer my hair loose?"
Felmor wakes after missing the dawn, his internal clock not working this morning for some reason. As he stirs to wakefulness, he sees his Desert Rose, his Beloved,and just enjoys watching her movements. She moves with a feline grace that he found irresistibly sexy. She noticed him staring at her as she was starting to put up her hair, and he recalled the first time she undid her hair, and how beautiful it was.
After she asked him her question, he looks at her and gives her a tired smile, as the previous nights events were quite strenuous. ”If’n it please ye, me Desert Rose, wear it down fer today. I think it be fine fer th’ day.”
Priyya debates what to do. He asks for so little, and other Xerakai women do wear their hair openly on this side of the world... but she is Surya-ka-Vahaak. She smiles and rubs his leg beneath the covers. "I have a compromise."
She pulls out the lightest, sheerest veil she says. It is so thin, it is almost transparent. She places this on her head so that it barely covers the top foot of her hair and secures it with a thin circlet on her brow. Her hair is now loose and, technically, covered. She smiles, hoping he is pleased with the results. He can easily see her hair and it is swinging loosely down her back, but it is also modestly hidden.
"Get up, Captain Lazy-Bones! Time to find breakfast. After your enthusiasm last night, I am starving. Don't make me send Alexis in here to give you a morning hug."
Felmor nods appreciatively at the veiled cover she selected, Aye, that be just fine, me Desert Rose.” He then climbs out of bed and looks for a clean outfit to wear for the day. As he moves around, he feels his muscles cry in protest. Aye, she be a wild one. The thought of it is nearly enough to arouse him again. He stretches out his body, feeling his joints loosen up, and getting more flexible as he works out the kinks.
”Ach, I dinnae need any more hugs from th’ Princess, or anyone else, Just ye, me Beloved.”
Priyya brazenly watches him stretch, flex, and loosen up. If her focused stare doesn't... the dim flames licking around her corona tell Felmor that she is more than a little interested in giving him a reason to stay undressed.
The intensity of his tone when he calls her 'Beloved' causes a blush to creep across her skin. She thinks We've already slept late... what's another quarter of an hour?