5 comments/ 25160 views/ 20 favorites Command and Vanquish Ch. 01 By: kaitlynB Command and Vanquish Ch. 01 Rayth stood outside the door to his room now, knowing Alenya was right inside waiting for him. He remembered back to how frightened she was of him when he asked, "Slave….what was that song?" She turned wide eyed, then flung herself to her knees, "Master!" she began to softly beg and tremble. "Master, please forgive me, I didn't know…" He walked down the steps and stood over her trembling body. "You didn't know it was illegal for you to use your native language? I find that hard to believe." He waited. He didn't know what to do immediately, and she didn't speak. But she began to softly cry. He bent down near her, hooked a finger under her chin, and lifted her tear soaked face. The look in her eyes, he'll never forget. Through the tears, her eyes were strong. They said to him, "I'll obey you in everything, but you can't ever really own me." Ironically, he had never been more compelled to make a purchase in all of his life. He looked seriously into her eyes. "I'll make a deal with you," he said, a twitch of a smile catching his lips. "I won't tell anyone…if you promise to sing for me like that when we're alone." Command and Vanquish Ch. 01 His throat tight, he authoritatively instructed her, "Slave…fix my bed." She did, and he turned to watch her. When she finished, she turned to face him nervously. What would be next, she wondered? Rayth locked his deep sapphire eyes on her small frame. He wanted to ravish her…but he didn't want her to overly fear him. He looked at her with seriousness, and moved to her. He came closer and closer to her, until she was pushed against his bed, his body so near she could feel the heat off of his body. His muscular frame towered over her, his hair falling in his face as his burning eyes bore into her. Quietly but authoritatively he demanded, "Why wasn't my room ready, slave?" She shook with fear. It had been a long while since he'd had reason to severely whip her. But she knew he was a good Master, and tried to muster confidence. "Master, please have mercy, some of the guards sported with your room today, and I tried very hard to arrange it back to your standards. I apologize to my Master that the room wasn't ready, but please Master…I beg your mercy." His face still hard, he raised an eyebrow and looked at her. She wouldn't meet his eyes, like a good slave. He looked around his room; everything was in good order. She must have done well. He smiled. "It appears," he said softly, "I don't need to whip you." Why did he say that, he thought? Of course he wasn't going to whip her; he didn't want her to be overly afraid. His mind was again torn…what now? He looked down at her. Without thinking, he just said what he wanted: "Strip." After only a moment's hesitation, Alenya removed her clothing in front of Lord Rayth. He said to her softly, "Now help me undress." Her hands moved to his clothing, and carefully, she began to remove each layer. Her hands glided over his muscular chest, his rippled torso, his powerful thighs. Her breath quickened at his magnificence. He had attended his body many times (he wouldn't let another slave touch him), but it always excited her to see her Master's gorgeous body. Moments like this, she felt lucky to be his slave. His face remained serious. He knew his little slave well…she was highly obedient, but not blindly subservient. Sometimes, like now, he recognized her independence, and her subtle unspoken message to him that he didn't really own her. Why did she obey him then like she did? Could it be she did it…out of love for him? Fully nude, he caressed the naked slave in front of him. He ran his hands over her milky white skin, using one hand to cup her chin. His serious, sensual eyes wanted to look into hers. She said so much with her eyes…and now as he looked into her upturned face, he saw it: admiration. She enjoyed being his, but as a good slave, she would never speak it unless given permission to speak to him. He pressed himself close to her, his hard shaft pressing into her soft exposed stomach. "Slave," he said huskily, "do you…" he almost asked the question, but was afraid to hear the answer. He changed his course, "…lay on my floor." He laid her at the foot of his bed. His strong arms encompassed her body, and he whispered into her ear, "open your legs wide for me." Breathing heavily, she wrapped her legs in familiar eagerness around his back. Easily, he pressed into her, taking her in deep plunging strokes. Somewhere in the cloud of his pleasure, he felt himself superior to his best friend; Jem didn't know the kind of ecstasy he was feeling…yet… Command and Vanquish Ch. 01A Chapter One Addendum: When Lord Rayth meets Alenya ********* He walked down the steps and stood over her trembling body. "You didn't know it was illegal for you to use your native language? I find that hard to believe." He waited. He didn't know what to do immediately, and she didn't speak. But she began to softly cry. He bent down near her, hooked a finger under her chin, and lifted her tear soaked face. The look in her eyes, he'll never forget. Through the tears, her eyes were strong. They said to him, "I'll obey you in everything, but you can't ever really own me." Ironically, he had never been more compelled to make a purchase in all of his life. He looked seriously into her eyes. "I'll make a deal with you," he said, a twitch of a smile catching his lips. "I won't tell anyone...if you promise to sing for me like that when we're alone." ********* Seated around the table, Jaimeth and Rayth were welcome guests in at the foreign lord's dinner party. Business wasn't the reason for the visit, as dinners usually entailed, but this relaxed atmosphere was for diplomatic relations, and a display of the lord's loyalty. "Ah yes," the lord invited as the meal was beginning, "please enjoy yourselves. Anything you wish, you please only ask," he smiled graciously, extended his hand, and sat as the serving slaves set the dishes around the guests. Jem gave Rayth a playful nudge, grinned, and whispered "missed you." "I'm sure you did." Rayth's breath caught as he saw her; there she was again! Fortune smiled on him: she had been assigned to serve the dinner guests for the night. Instantaneously she recognized him too, almost spilling the platter she was carrying. Her eyes immediately pled with the sole witness to her forbidden recital. Why did he have to be with the royal entourage of Pangain, and more frightening, the right hand man of Prince Jaimeth? She had heard stories of Jaimeth, none of which allowed her comfort around him. What could the man sitting next to Prince Jaimeth do to her, especially after she flaunted her native language in front of him? She only now recognized the magnitude of power the striking spectator had. Rayth winked in effort to answer her silent plea: he wasn't going to hurt her, or give anyone else reason to. His enchanted sapphire eyes grazed over her: he wasn't going home without this coveted treasure. Wink or no, Alenya was afraid: would that guest tell her master what she had done? ...and what did he mean by "if you promise to sing for me when we're alone?" She decided that Rayth was to be treated with extreme caution...no, she thought, extreme attentiveness in order to sway his mercy. After dinner, the men moved to the sitting room to enjoy a variety of special native drinks. Full and satisfied, the guests lounged as the slave poured, all listening to the host's plans for renovating his castle. Alenya knelt in front of Lord Rayth, and nervously asked him, "drink, Sir?" Rayth said absolutely nothing, just stared at her. He was fascinated, and even he couldn't explain why. Alenya's eyes shifted, and she began to slightly tremble. What was he doing? What should she do? Should she leave and serve the others? She waited, nervous. After several minutes, Jem picked up on Rayth's unremitting gaze. Rayth's visual journey over the girl was soaking in every detail, every curve. Jem now watched the scene, barely paying attention to their host. After a while, Jem interrupted, "Sir, my friend appears to be captivated by this lovely serving slave." "Oh! Yes, your majesty, she is very special. A nice girl, she has plenty of spirit. She is new, only recently sentenced...perhaps another girl will do a better job to serve you." He motioned to call for another girl. "No," Rayth said softly, looking calm and relaxed, "this one is doing just fine." Whether it was to antagonize Rayth or the host, Jem told the host, "Show her off for us." "Of course, your majesty!" he said, graciously. "Alenya!" he called cheerfully. "Assume the inspection position for my guests." Alenya felt like crying; all she wanted to do was get away from Rayth. For some reason, she felt she could bear this humiliation in front of anyone but him. To assume her inspection position, she set her bottle down and moved to the center of the room beside her master. Getting down on all fours and spreading her knees wide, she thrust her ass in the air. Her head was thrust up as she kept her back down but shoulder even, exposing her breasts. Her master began to slide his hands along her if she were a favored horse, showing his guests her muscle tone, how full her breasts were, squeezing them, spreading her ass cheeks through her dress, teasingly tickling the soft flesh on her feet to watch her wiggle and jump. Her master pointed out all the lovely places on her body, and his plans for how he would work her. As her body was displayed, Rayth could hardly stand it. Uninvited, he crossed the room and crouched down directly across from her face. His breath gently caressed her, making her skin tingle. She refused to look into his eyes, which made him smile, try as he may to suppress it. He reached out and stroked her blushing cheek softly with the back of his hand. When the host finished his presentation of the girl, Rayth, still staring at her face, softly said, "How much?" Both Jaimeth and the host lord laughed. "Sir!" laughed the host, "the girl is not for sale! I couldn't part with something this lovely." "Neither can I," Rayth said. "How much?" he looked at the host. "Everyone has a price." "Sir," the host seemed uncomfortable, "I'm really very reluctant to sell her. She isn't even broken in yet, and I believe she has the makings of a superb slave." "You're not entirely dissuading us from a purchase," interjected Jem, smiling, but narrowing his eyes at the host. Jem always got anything he wanted. Nothing was intangible. "Us?" thought the host, before saying, "Your majesty, it would not be my choice to sell her, but if you are very insistent, I hope you would be generous enough to compensate my loss." "I wouldn't dream of any other way. Would you consider the offer of," and Jem offered the host an ridiculous sum of money; none have ever paid more for a slave in record history. "SIR!" laughed the host, ecstatic! "For that sum, I will have her delivered to you with my own carriage!" The host's face sobered slightly when he realized Jem was completely serious. Shrewdly and disbelieving such good fortune, the lord suggested, "Your carriages must be full for your trip home; allow me to, um, say good bye to her, and have her sent in the morning." Satisfied, Rayth took his seat once more. Jem leaned over to whisper, "You're lucky I like you so much. But I had to buy her: your eyes glued to her the way they were, I thought you'd have to leave them here." ********* The next afternoon, Rayth was biding his time by fulfilling his promise to spar with Navin. Several other guards were in on it: Navin had ordered new swords for a couple of them to try; if they worked well, the entire guard would be equipped with the new blades. Just to be sure (and to have a bit of fun) a very intense sparring match was planned to test every conceivable angle and situation. Rayth, Navin, and the guards pulled the new swords out of their boxes, and soon were hacking away at one another. As the laughter and clanking metal seamlessly mixed, it was dubious as to whether they were working or playing. ********* Upstairs at the main Hall entrance, a knock came to the door. One of the guards pulled it open to find a puny messenger holding the leash of a half nude girl, standing gracefully with her eyes respectfully lowered. The burly guard looked down at the messenger, physically intimidating him. "What the hell is this?" "Sir," the messenger said, arrogant and extending a position of power of the guard, "I must deliver this girl to Lord Rayth, who purchased her last night." "Lord Rayth's busy," the guard moved to take the leash, "I'll take her inside." "Noooo..." the messenger shook his head and pulled back the leash, "I am to have his signature on my receipt that says this is the girl he purchased. We don't allow for mix ups when such large sums of money are exchanged." "I can sign for it," said the guard, and moved to take the receipt. "No, I need HIS signature." The guard was getting irritated, "Look little man: Lord Rayth is busy, he's not to be disturbed. You can leave the girl and he can sign your little paper later." "I'm not going Anywhere until I have his signature on my receipt." The guard was now fully irritated, and with a growl said, "Come inside, wait here." The guard grabbed the receipt, crumpling it, and took a hold of Alenya by her collar. He dragged her down the hallway, not allowing her to fully stand, but her head at his hip. When he got to the staircase, he still didn't let her up, and half dragged her falling body down every step. All she could do was try and position her hands and feet to make the fall less painful. The commotion of a body falling down the steps made the sparring men stop what they were doing and look up in curiosity. Rayth saw his new girl being pulled towards him, and had a mix of emotion: sad that she was being treated so roughly, but elated that she finally arrived. "Lord Rayth, forgive me Sir" started the guard, "I didn't want to bother you, but a piece of shit upstairs insisted on having your signature after you agree this is the girl you bought. Want to look her over and sign, Sir?" Lord Rayth eyes smiled, unable to unlock them from the girl kneeling in front of him. She looked up at him with tears of pain in her eyes, and smiled at him weakly as she was instructed to by her old master. Through a cracking voice, she recited her rehearsed mandated speech: "Master, I would be very pleased if you would agree to let me serve you." Rayth's eyebrows arched, surprised, and his heart clenched. Her trip through the Hall had tussled her hair, and he gently smoothed some of the stray strands of hair out of her face. "Well, I'd like that too." His eyes glinted genially. "Are you going to be good, do whatever I tell you?" She nodded weakly, "yes, Master." "I'm not going to have any problems with you?" "No, Master." "Am I going to have to whip you often?" "I hope not Master." "Alright then." He took the receipt from the guard, signed it, and handed it back. "Thank you. Take the girl and let her in my room, she can wait for me there." "Yes, Sir. Come on" he said to Alenya, as he grabbed her collar to drag her back up the steps. "Guard! That's a hell of an expensive slave. Use some care while taking her back." The guard shrugged, "Sure, sir. Com'on" he gently tugged Alenya's arm, and allowed her to walk. Once in his room, Alenya was overwhelmed by this contrast to her former free life. She had never been surrounded by such wealth: his enormous bed on a raised dais, the marble floors, expensive carpets, crystal wine glasses... Her free life was simple and meager, but happy, caring for working parents' small children before they were of school age. One day as she was walking to work, and apparently the night before a protest had consumed the street. The policing guards were still processing arrests and assessing the damage; they were in a very foul mood, and directed their anger at the entire neighborhood. One of them asked where she was going and what she was doing, and afraid of what they might do, and she made the mistake of her life: she ran. They thought she had something to do with the protests, chased her down and grabbed a hold of her. Toying with her, they took turns raping her, taking their frustrations from the previous night out on her small body. To silence her from reporting the rape, they created charges that said she had helped plot the protest and resisted arrest. She was sentenced to slavery. The lord of the land had legal rights to her, and eventually it was he who had sold her to Rayth. She hated the fact that she could be sold, and Rayth, as gorgeous and kind as he seemed, was still a living symbol of the injustice done to her. What kind of man held her captive, she thought? She began to look through his books, in his closets... ********* Rayth entered his room, terribly sweaty from the sparring. He laughed when he saw she jumped; she had been looking through his clothes, and felt "caught" when he walked in. "No, its okay, you'll have to get used to my things and where they are." He sat on the bed, and looked at her as she got on the floor. He didn't know how to feel. Should he tell her that she didn't need to kneel for him? Should he be strict and not get too close? He cleared his throat. "I...uh, am not used to having a slave of my own." He looked around a bit, trying to think of what to say. "I've been using the slaves that come with the Hall, I've never had reason to have my own." He smiled, eyes trying to asses her reaction, "So you're a first for me." His wet hair was matted down to the beads of sweat on his forehead, and as he looked down at her, she thought he looked adorable. He also seemed somewhat kind to her, not terribly harsh in his tone or manner, which made her feel relieved. She didn't know at the time that he would sway from kindness to strictness, sometimes rapidly, as he felt out his balance of being a personal Master with his own slave. She would take it in stride however, understanding the unspoken sentiment that he liked her, and she didn't want to lose that. He stood and paced the room, trying to think of rules and instructions. "You'll sleep in the slaves' quarters with the rest of the Hall's slaves, but you're to be at my disposal at all times. When you're not directly with me, you'll be taking care of everything in my rooms. I'll have the head slave show you around the palace to help you find the cleaning rooms, the kitchens, supplies, and so on." He paused and thought for a moment. "But you can start that tomorrow." He looked down at her. "Do you have any questions of me?" "Yes," she said, "how do you wish to be addressed?" He thought to himself, How DO I wish to be addressed? "Master" of course would set the proper relationship, but he was dying to hear his name roll off of her soft, sweet lips. He walked over to her, then crouched in front of her. The closeness of him made her nervous. He held in his hands a plain but elegant slave collar. "I had this made for you," he said, somewhat quietly. He set it on the floor, and reached to take her old slave collar off of her. As he did, he said, "you will call me 'Master' once you begin wearing this," he smiled crookedly, "Don't put it on just yet. I want you to say my name. Say, 'Rayth.'" She licked her lips then said "Rayth". Like sweet music stirring him, he had to indulge. "Say, 'I belong to Rayth.'" "I belong to Rayth." He gentle placed his own collar around her throat, and as he did, he murmured in her ear, "Say, 'Rayth is my Master.'" The collar clicked as it locked shut. She looked up at him with innocent eyes: "Rayth is my Master." He stroked her face as he savored her expression: so pleasant, but not broken; hopeful, but not expectant; nervous, but not terrified. He looked down at her parted lips, so soft, allowing a gentle current of air to rhythmically escape, revealing her anticipation. As if drawn in by a slow force of gravity, his lips found their way to hers, indulging the longing his skin felt for hers. Satisfying the hunger of his lips, his tongue grew envious, and gradually it worked its way into the smooth moist opening her mouth created. Enjoying the taste, his hunger grew, and soon he was crushing her mouth with his own in a passionate kiss of possession and love. Tongues intertwining, caressing one another's mouth, a frenzy of passion growing. He felt he couldn't taste enough of her, and in his eagerness leaned into her, bending her backwards; he placed his hands behind her shoulders to guide her to the marble floor, laying on top of her, pinning her beneath the weight of his body. A slight involuntary rocking of his hips was accompanied by the arching of her back. He placed his hands on her shoulders to support himself, and accidentally broke the seal of the kiss, too soon, ripped away like a bandage from a wound. When they parted, he sat up slightly and felt dizzy. He looked down at her in lust and shock: What kind of power did she have over him already? He shook his head, as if trying to break the spell, and tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He wiped back his hair, and wringing the sweat from his had, he said huskily, "As you can see, I need a bath. I'll call to have my tub filled and the supplies brought, but then you will bathe me and wash my hair." She blushed at the thought of seeing his obviously well defined body nude, but smiled at the irony of nudity between Master and slave. When a slave is commanded to strip, she feels a certain vulnerability, and feels her nudity is a service to her Master. When a Master decides to strip, his nudity he feels places him in a position of power, to be served in intimate ways. Why the same act is regarded differently depending on who is doing it, she didn't know. What she DID know was that while bathing Rayth was supposed to be service to him, she was going to personally savor the sight, smell, and touch of his skin. As he knelt beside her still laying body and began to disrobe, he wondered which of them felt more awkward. He was comfortable with how his body looked, and had been nude with countless slaves, but this one was different. He didn't just want a bath, he wanted to have an excuse to make her explore him. As soon as the male slaves finished filling the tub with steaming water, they left and Rayth sank his body in. She tried to keep her eyes lowered as she tried to hold back a smile; she wasn't sure who, she or he, was going to enjoy this more. She tried to be serious, respectful. He was still her Master; he could severely hurt her for any infraction, and she didn't entirely know what he was like yet. Rayth tried to look calm but serious at the same time. In reality, his heart was racing, but he kept his eyes hard as if he were going to watch for any mistake she made. She reached for the rag and soap, but that's not what he wanted. "No, girl. Stand behind me; wash my hair first." She gracefully rose, and moved behind him. She got on her knees, so she could cradle his head in her arms as she ran water through his hair. Using her fingers, she lightly combed his scalp, running fresh water through his ash blonde strands. His hard eyes looked up at her, watching her face as she watched her work. She caught his stare at her, and her breath caught; she stopped moving. His eyebrows raised slightly: "continue." She nodded quickly. She took some soap, and lathered it in her hands. Using her fingertips, she massaged the lather into his hair, kneading it in tiny circles to wash it. He closed his eyes, feeling the rhythmic pulse emitting from her fingers' work, enjoying the delicate touch of hands. The sensation almost drove him mad, her hands supporting the weight of his head, knowing they would be working their magic down his entire form. Delicately finishing the lather, she began rinsing away the white foam, carefully shielding his eyes, combing the water once more over his scalp. Water coursed through his hair and over her hands; she enjoyed the smell of freshly bathed masculinity. She pressed a final swipe backwards with the flat of her hand, trying to squeeze the excess water out before she toweled his choppy tresses. Command and Vanquish Ch. 01A She moved around again to the side of the tub and asked him, "May I wash you now, Master?" In his eyes he managed to look frosty and uncaring, but his raging hot hard-on betrayed his inner sentiments. "Strip. Straddle me in the tub." Catching her breath, she complied. Elegantly placing herself in the tub, she positioned each smooth leg on either side of his waist, resting her globes on his rippled stomach. The sensation it produced between her thighs was immediate and intense. In only a matter of moments, her juices were following his muscle-formed paths into the water, causing her to blush and become terribly self-conscious. His hot erection pressed into her backside, but self-consciousness was far from him. "I...I'm sorry, Master...I'm not sure,..." she stammered looking down and embarrassed. His deep voice half groaned, "What are you sorry for? Wash me." She nodded quickly again, sucking in a breath. She placed a cloth into the warm water between them, and after lathering the soap, she rushed to stroke his body in wide, hurried circles. He grabbed her wrist and bit his bottom lip. "There's no rush, Alenya, take your time." The lump this experience suddenly formed in her throat forbade her from speaking, and all she could do was nod. Slowing her strokes to a careful massage, she indulgently let her hands feel the heat from each curve she found. Each area was trim and rock hard, healthy bulges in all the right places. Especially... He deftly pushed her off of him so that he could stand. As his body towered above her, water cascaded down his well washed form. Alenya still knelt in the tub, looking up at him, now eye-level with his prominently aroused manhood. His body looked tensed, his hands fidgeting as he fought with himself to discover the "proper" way to do this. His square jaw seemed locked, but blended into a half smile down at her, his normally cool eyes warming as he evaluated her welcome response to the protrusion in her face. "Have you ever,..um..." he jerked his head in the direction of his cock, "you know...with your mouth?" "Yes, Master...my last master instructed me to him." "Let's see what you've learned. Go ahead, I won't strike you for touching me." Normally slaves' skin was not to come in contact with a Master unless the Master specifically instructed or forced it. But since Rayth gave Alenya free reign to touch him, she delighted to make the most of this opportunity. She reached around his brawny thighs with both hands to grip the tight curves of his ass. Pulling his body closer to her, she extended her tongue and began teasing him all over, tickling his head, caressing his shaft, and curling around his balls. She ran her hands down the crack of his ass and settled then on the back of his thighs, teasing the inner flesh with the tips of her fingers. Then, tightening her grip, she engulfed his cock with her lips, and plunged the length of him to the back of her throat. His knees buckled slightly as he threw his head back, clenched his eyes shut, and let out a deep moan. He placed his hands on her shoulders for balance, his rough calloused hands exciting her skin, making her more eager to plunge his length in and out of her mouth. Saliva worked it's way down her chin, evidencing the hunger she had for tasting his cock. Feverishly she slid him in and out, swirling her tongue around his heat, caressing the veins she had worked into standing out. She slid her hands to the front of his thighs, and with one hand gripped his shaft for greater control, the other hand cupping and teasing his balls. As her tightness, eagerness and intensity grew, his self-control diminished. He had planned to ravish her as their first sexual experience, but what she was doing felt too good; he couldn't physically bring himself to command "stop." Instead, his hips rocked in time with the movements of her mouth over him, and pumping into her face, his load exploded down the back of her throat. She swallowed hungrily, and as he softened, she held him in her mouth, using her tongue to encourage all remaining traces of his seed into her body. He began to calm down, and the redness began to recede from his face. He smiled self-indulgently as he slid back into the water, letting it's warm embrace intensify his satisfaction. Through his smile and narrowly-slit eyes, he quietly growled, "Get a towel for me." Alenya stood from the tub, and although wet herself, didn't use any of the towels, but brought the stack to the foot of the tub and knelt by its side. Reluctantly standing, he allowed Alenya to dry each leg as he stepped out of the tub. The soft cotton of the extended towel drank up every hint of moisture as her fingers once more traveled his body. Eventually, she stood to dry his shoulders back and neck, and Rayth stood perfectly still, enjoying the undivided attention this girl was providing him. As she stood in front of him to dry his neck under his chin, she couldn't help but see his smile. Cautiously, her eyes lifted to meet his; a mixture of playfulness and calmness consumed his appearance. Then, appearing slightly more serious, he licked his lips before he asked, "Slaves aren't to look at their Master's face, are they?" Immediately she dropped her eyes and bowed her head. The pleasant feeling she had instantly turned knots in her stomach. "Master, please forgive me, I shouldn't have..." she whispered before she was silenced by his lips over top her hers. Ending the soft full kiss, he whispered inches from her face, "it's alright, for now. Just be careful. There are those in the Hall who are less forgiving of even small slips." Rayth knew Jem would have removed some skin from her back had she looked directly at him. Rayth hooked a finger under her chin, and pulled her face back up to meet his. She kept her eyes lowered, and he felt torn. He liked her to read her eyes, but a good Master wouldn't allow it...what should he do? Barely he whispered, "Look up at me." Very skeptically, she did. "You have the most beautiful eyes." "Master?" she whispered, "may a slave have permission to speak?" "mm-hmm." "I can't have the most beautiful eyes. That honor belongs to my Master." He chuckled slightly as his smile widened. A knock came to the door, just before a messenger slave entered. "Master?" the boy said. Rayth didn't say anything, but looked at the boy as if to say, "What did you interrupt me for?" The slave noticed, "Forgive me, Master, but Prince Jaimeth asked me to inform you that he and captain Navin are attending a charity fundraiser this evening. He would like to know if you would be interested in joining them, as your company is always appreciated." Rayth looked back at Alenya and winked. He directed to the messenger "Go tell Jem that I have prior engagements to attend to." ********* "Prior engagements, hell!" laughed Navin when the messenger told Jaimeth. Jem laughed too, "I didn't think he'd go. I don't get it, with the number of slaves I own, and with all the girls offered to us different nights, why he's suddenly so taken with THAT one, I don't know." Navin shrugged, smiling, "She's pretty, Sir." "Oh, I'm not saying she's not. But com'on, Nav, you see the hot pieces of ass I have running around here. Why doesn't he just stick his dick in one of them?" "I'm more curious," said one of the guards, "as to why he's entirely dismissive towards noble ladies who practically throw themselves at him and he can't manage a simple declarative sentence upon seeing that slave. Sir, you should have seen him this afternoon. I've never seen our Rayth have his tongue tied like that." Jem shook his head, "that's how he was last night! Hey, I'm happy if he's happy with his new little toy. Good for him." "...But?" Navin playfully asked. "But this is too easy to screw with him about the whole thing. I never get the opportunity to rag him about something good! He's always so...you know?...nothing ever bothers him, and he messes with me all the time. This is a gold mine!" One of the guards in the room laughed, "so it's okay to play with him a bit about this?" "Absolutely!" Jem said, smiling. "But don't over do it, I'd hate to see him cry like a bitch. Damn, when he gets pissed off his temper rivals mine." "No shit," said Navin, "I remember back at the military academy...I don't know what you did that day, Jem, but Rayth finally decided he'd had enough of your shit. Took four of my best instructors to pull you two off of one another." "He's the only son-of-a-bitch to actually throw a punch at royalty and live to tell about it," Jem said, then dramatically shrugged, "and we've been best friends ever since. Too bad he's not coming tonight. Well we'd better get going, I'm supposed to pick up my sister Lillian." The Hall cleared out for the night, leaving Rayth and Alenya practically alone. ********* Dishes of appetizers and finger foods were sprawled out over the blanket spread on the floor. Rayth reclined as he watched a company put on a private play for the audience of two. Alenya remained kneeling, enjoying herself, but trying to remain respectful of Rayth's position. Rayth's eyes danced between the play and his girl. Sometimes he had Alenya feed him, sometimes he wanted to feed her, and always the invitation to her to eat whatever she wanted. Tension emitted from both between playfulness and respectfulness, comfort with one another and remaining mindful of status. Part of Rayth wanted to enjoy her as a friend, where she would be comfortable to talk to him, touch him, and be open. The other part of him enjoyed the selfish indulgence of ownership where he could have anything he wanted, whenever he wanted, no questions asked. Also, Rayth knew that Jem would have a conniption if he discovered any slave in the palace had sway over the Prince's primary counselor. Rayth was struggling to find the right balance. During a musical number in the play, Alenya smiled as she tried to hum along. Casually reclining but stopping her breath with his eyes, Rayth asked, "Do you like to sing?" She looked embarrassed. "Yes, Master, although I fear I am unfamiliar with many of your country's songs." He nodded and looked back at the play. "I like your voice though. The song I heard you sing was beautiful." Looking back at her, "when we're alone, I'd like you to sing for me. It would be relaxing, and I don't care what language it's in. Sing for me now, pick one of your favorites." She blushed. "The song you caught me singing in the music room...that's my favorite." "Why's that?" "It seems to perfectly capture how I feel since my captivity. When I was free," hesitating to speak of her free life, but deducing it was safe to continue, "I used to sing it to the children before they slept. The words were beyond them I'm sure were beyond them..." she smiled warmly, remembering, "...but it was a relaxing melody." "The song sounded sad...maybe even defeated, yet at the same time so hopeful that..." he felt a bit shy "...that love was somewhere there for you." She blushed and bit her lip, "If I may, Master, I'm impressed that you got that without even knowing the words." He knew it! He knew he could understand exactly what she'd been singing. He felt the same way. "What are the words?" She smiled mischievously, then softly started speaking in her foreign language. After the initial confusion on his face, he realized she was joking with him by purposefully obeying him without doing what he wanted. He grabbed her wrist, pulled her to him and tackled her. Laughing, they tangled on the ground until he pinned her with his body to the floor. His face ever so close to hers, his eyes commanding, he said, "Tell me words." She hesitated for a long moment, lost in his exquisite face. As his unremitting eyes commanded her, her lip trembled and she whispered, "There's a place in everyone to be alone, to hide and heal a ruptured heart. Bleeding and dying, my heart has fallen to pieces, it can't be saved while I'm alone and hiding. I'll give the ruined pieces of me away, and a piece at a time buy something new..." he stopped her: "Sing it for me, like the day I heard you." Quietly, she did. ********* Alenya nervously followed close behind the head slave, trying to pay careful attention to everything he was showing her. The head slave seemed like a hard man, demanding perfection from all the slaves that would be required of them from their masters. He led her through the entire hall, showing her the rooms she would need to be familiar with and detailing rules of procedure. Finally, they came to the slave quarters, and he showed her into her small, sparse room. There was only a small bed, thin blanket, and a small cabinet. The head slave turned to leave her to herself and begin her day. "If you have problems or questions, you can ask me, but any of the slaves here should be able to help you. If you have problems with the other slaves, come to me, don't bother any of the masters." He grinned at her somewhat knowingly. "I understand you've been assigned exclusively to Lord Rayth?" "Yes, Sir," keeping her eyes lowered. He chuckled. "Lucky girl you are. You'll be noticeably different among the slaves here; most are generally assigned to the Hall, doing anything and everything that needs done for any master. Then there are the body slaves assigned to the royalty. You'll be in somewhat of a gray area between those categories, since you're only serving one master but doing his general duties. And you're lucky to have the master you do. He was the favorite of many of the girls here." Alenya nodded, and the head slave added a final comment before he left. "Keep to yourself and do a good job, and you won't have any problems. The less conspicuous you are, the better." Unfortunately for her, it was impossible to remain inconspicuous. From the first day, the other slaves held Alenya in great contempt. Systematically, Rayth began refusing the services of the female slaves who normally attended him and insisted Alenya take over their roles. One female slave who had gone to help Rayth dress for the day came back to the slave's quarters and threw his clothes at Alenya, "He wants YOU to do it!" A girl that the head slave had sent to Rayth's room to sexually gratify him for the night returned crying, "He refused me for that bitch!" All of the slaves had their favorite master: some were in love with Rayth, others passionatly in love with Jaimeth, while others preferred the kindness of the princesses. All slaves, however, were jealous of Alenya, because she was singularly favored by a master. No other slave received preference from any master the way Alenya did from Rayth. Try as Alenya may to make friends and eventually pushed into solitude, the other slaves turned cruel towards her to compensate. Worse for Alenya, Rayth was the only free person who was kind to her. Some of the guards found it amusing that Rayth was so taken with her, so they would make her life hard as a joke to Rayth. Other guards resented her supposed privileged status in the Hall, untouchable to everyone except Rayth and, of course, Jaimeth. Jem took a particular interest in exploiting his right. Occasionally for fun if he saw her walking down the hallway, he'd command her "kneel" then "stay." He would conduct his business, leaving her there for hours until Rayth came looking for her. A few times under Jem's direction the guards would tie Alenya up and leave her somewhere, so that she was unable to answer Lord Rayth's calls for her. Alenya wanted to obey Rayth, but especially with Jem she was sometimes powerless to do anything about it. Alenya's life was of constant tension, with the other slaves, with the guards, with Prince Jaimeth, and she had no one to turn to but Rayth. However since she was new and in her first weeks, she didn't want to trouble him, seem like a complainer, or worse, make it appear that she could influence him. She suffered in silence, never telling Rayth what was happening. At the end of one particular day, Alenya just wanted to go back to her room and cry. When she came into her room, however, she noticed someone had taken her blanket. Tears in her eyes and her throat tight, she found the head slave. "Please, Sir...someone has taken my blanket, will you make them give it back?" "You've misplaced your blanket, slave? You only get one. You're lucky I don't whip you for losing it." "But please, someone has taken it, I haven't misplaced it, please help me." "You can go ask around yourself. I'm busy with other things right now." Sniffling, Alenya went back to her room; she knew no one was going to give her blanket back to her. Once inside, she lay on her bed, hugged herself and cried. Ironically, Rayth's favoritism towards her turned her life into a nightmare. Shivering and crying, she fell asleep. ********* Jem, Rayth, Navin, and several guards sat around a table at a café playing cards. Jem had the night off, and the men were able to enjoy one another's company in a relaxed atmosphere. "Alright, Sir," said one of the guards, grinning at Jem who was studying his hand, "if we want to get a full game in, you're going to have to throw a card some time tonight." "Go to hell, I'm thinking," Jem replied. "Think faster," Rayth said as he kicked Jem under the table. "Shut up, I can't concentrate under this kind of pressure." Rayth started sniffling, mocking Jem. "Fine assholes, there," Jem threw down a card, "take it." "Jem, we said 'think', not 'play the most ridiculous card possible'," said Navin incredulously. Jem looked up at the sky, "I can't win with you people." "You certainly can't, Sir," said one of the guards tossing down his last card, "read it and weep." A refrain of expletives rose from the table as the rest of the players tossed their cards on the table in defeat. Another of the guards began collecting the cards to reshuffle and deal. As the cards were going around the table, the dealer announced, "Hey Sir, I think there's a table a few rows over that are dazzled by your impressive card playing skills." "They're all women, right? Probably star-struck by royalty," said another guard. "Com'on, they don't have a clue who we are," smiled Rayth. "No one would believe for a minute that Jem's sorry ass could pass for our esteemed heir." "Hey Jerk," Jem said shoving Rayth, "why don't you go over there and show them what a real man looks like? Maybe you could take one home? Oh that's right, those girls aren't your type, you don't own them." Rayth shoved Jem back, harder but still smiling, "Right, like I'm the only one at this table whose sole love life entails the slaves I own." "Love life? The hell with that, I just want something to stick my penis in. Alright stakes of this game, winner gets tonight with any of my body slaves. Rayth, since you're gay, you can have any one of the messenger boys you want." "I'd rather have a turn at your fine piece of ass," said Rayth, seductively rubbing Jem's neck. Jem laughed, "I hate it when you do that, you always have to take things too far. Seriously though, guys, winner gets any girl of mine that you want." "And in the odd event that you should win, Sir?" asked one of the guards, "What do you get?" "Alenya." The whole table laughed, except Rayth. He smiled, mouth hanging open, unsure of what to do. Finally, he shrugged as if he didn't care. "Lucky for me you're the worst card player I've ever seen." "But I have the biggest cock she'll ever see." Once again, the table laughed as Rayth tried to hide his tension. "Hey, are we getting drunken smashed some time tonight or what?" one of the guards asked. Command and Vanquish Ch. 01A "Absolutely," said Jem, "But really, I just needed to get out of Royal Square for a while. It gets to be stifling sometimes." "I feel for you, Sir," another guard said, "we could stay here all night and it'd be fine." "Nah, I like drinking within crawling distance of my room." "I like it too...you're too heavy to carry back anymore," joked Navin. "I'm not too heavy, you're too old, and so you don't break a hip, we're going back to the Hall after a while for drinks. Rayth, you made the arrangements with the slaves, right?" "Yep. I assigned my girl to it. She's really good, she does everything just the way I like it." "I'm sure she does, Sir," laughed one of the guards. Rayth kicked him and smiled, "You know what I meant. But yes, Jem, she's supposed to arrange the party for us when we get back." "What did she say when she found out she was serving all of us instead of just you?" "I don't know, I didn't talk to her directly. I told one of your slaves to pass the message on to Alenya." ********* "...the bed, order tomorrow's meals from the kitchen, wax the shoes in the closet, arrange fresh flowers, and be sure to scrub Master Rayth's floor well while he's gone. It's quite a list of things he left for you to do, hope you can get it all done." Alenya nodded, and hurried to get to work. Jem's slave had spoken quickly, too quick to remember everything precisely. Alenya thought something was suspicious, but didn't dare anger Lord Rayth. He hadn't whipped her yet, but his anger had certainly burned against her a few times that made her fear for her skin. She hurried to his room with a bucket, removed the furniture from the floor, and began feverishly scrubbing. He was a good master, and she smiled as she worked. She wanted to please him. ********* Jem and his entourage entered the party room of Princes Hall. They all looked around, surprised. The room was dark and empty where there should have been a party awaiting them. Jem folded his arms, raised his eyebrows, and looked at Rayth. "Smashing party, my friend." Rayth's face was dark and his jaw was set. He had passed instructions along to his slave, and what he had asked for wasn't done. Part of him was embarrassed that his girl had failed in front of Jem and their guards, the other part was angry that she had personally failed him. "Hang on a fucking minute," Rayth said, unusually hot and strode out of the room. Some of the guards smiled; they weren't used to seeing Rayth upset about anything. A few minutes later, Rayth came back in the room, holding one of Jem's slaves by the arm, dragging her to the center. He threw her down at Jem's feet, and the girl slightly shook. "Girl, answer me," said Rayth. "Did you pass along my instructions to Alenya?" "Yes, Master, I did! I gave her all of your instructions!" "Do you know where she is now?" "Yes, Master, she's in your room!" "Go get her, tell her to report here immediately," Rayth growled. "Yes, Master!" The girl leaned down, kissed Jem's feet, then Rayth's, then ran out of the room. Jem smiled, "Rayth, don't worry, I can have a few girls throw something together pretty quickly. It'll be alright, we'll get our drink on." "That's fine, Jem, but that doesn't excuse her." Minutes later, a confused looking Alenya entered the room. Worried, she hurried to Rayth's feet and knelt. A guard slapped her in the mouth, then grabbed her by the hair and threw her to Jem's feet. "You slut, don't think Lord Rayth is going to protect you, pay your respects to the Prince first when he's in the room!" Alenya nodded. She knew better, she knew to greet Prince Jaimeth first, she had just forgotten in her fear. After she kissed Jem's feet, Rayth snapped quietly, "look at me girl." Alenya knelt in front of him, then looked up at him wide-eyed. What had she done? "Girl, did you receive instructions tonight from one of Jem's slaves?" "Yes, Master." "And why didn't you follow through with them?" She looked at him hurt and confused, "Master, I tried very hard to." Rayth's eyes widened, "Oh really? Then where are the drink sets for us? Why isn't this room set up?" "Master?" Alenya began panicking, looking for answers, "Master, I didn't know I was supposed to...I don't recall being told that? I was told so many things you had wanted so quickly...Master, I may have missed that instruction, but I don't remember even being told." Rayth looked at her with hard eyes. It wouldn't have been so bad if she had just failed to do something he asked. But in front of Jem and the others, he couldn't tolerate it. "You'll begin paying better attention from now on. Go to the column in the middle of the room." Alenya looked at him, worried. "Yes Master," she said as she got up and moved. Once she was there, he came up to her from behind, and pushed her small frame flat against the column, using the ropes from the curtains to tie her hands high above her head. She knew he would whip her. "Master, please" she begged, tears forming in her eyes, "I would never deliberately disobey you. I only want to do what makes you happy..." He reached down to tie her legs apart, using the curtain ropes from either side of the room. He spread her feet far apart, tying them, forcing her to stretch her arms and pull her body weight on her wrists. Then pulling out a knife, Rayth cut Alenya's clothes off of her, destroying them. She hung from the column spread and nude. "Please, Master" she cried, "I didn't know you wanted this room fixed up, I would have done it for you, I swear..." Jem watched, smiling. "Rayth, your slave doesn't know how to take her punishments quietly, does she?" Rayth grabbed a fist of Alenya's hair, and hissed quietly in her ear, "Shut your mouth." Tears now streaming down her face, she whispered to him so only he could hear, "Master, please believe me, whip me if you must, I don't care, but I need you to know that if I would have known, I would have done it for you, I'd do anything for you Master, please believe me..." He stepped away, his heart breaking. He had to whip her. He had to do it. Jem and the guards couldn't see his slave mess up and he not do anything. He already had her tied and displayed. If he didn't go through with it, they'd know she could sway him. He had to let them know, and her...and most of all, he had to let himself know. In a low voice, Rayth asked, "Jem, can I borrow your whip please." Jem smiled, "Of course you can," and he took it off his belt. As Rayth went to take it, Jem grabbed Rayth's wrist and pulled him close. Jem leaned in towards Rayth to whisper, "It's alright buddy, you need to do this...but don't over do it. I half believe the girl, although this is going to do you both some good." Rayth's hard eyes met Jem's questioningly. Jem winked, and Rayth tried to swallow the lump in his throat as he turned towards his slave. Stretching his arm out to loosen it, he shook out the blades of the whip and approached her. She was already shaking, and his eyes soaked in the sight of the wide expanse of her smooth, vulnerable flesh. It was his territory to mark. Without speaking or giving her warning, he drew his arm back and brought the whip down with incredible force. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. Over and over in rapid succession, Alenya didn't even have time to scream for every blow before the next one hit. She tried to squirm, pull away from the blows, but she had to hang there and take it. CRACK. CRACK. He was hitting her all over. First her upper back, then her legs, her sides...she could never even predict where the whip would land. CRACK. CRACK. "Please Master!!!" She screamed, "Please no more! Please Master, I can't take anymore!!!" CRACK. "PLEASE Master!" Rayth's heart broke. He didn't want to hit her, and he thought she'd had enough, but he would have to hit her every time she asked him to stop. If he didn't, it would appear that he was caving to her wishes. "Please stop speaking" he silently plead with her in his mind. CRACK. "...Master..." CRACK. She seemed to get the point. He was only hitting her now when she spoke. She hung there in silence, waiting, completely at his mercy. After a while the silence satisfied him, and he cut her down. She was unable to stand and collapsed on the floor. He wanted to pick her up, but couldn't with people watching. "Alenya...go to my room and wait for me there." "Yes, Master," she said weakly, and went to gather her cut up clothes. "No," Rayth said, "you're not to have clothing until further notice." A small sob hunched her shoulders. She turned to him and crawled to his feet, the naked slave displaying absolute humility to her Master. "Master...please accept my apology...please believe that I wouldn't disobey you on purpose." "Later, Alenya. Go to my room." Barely able to pull herself up, she slowly left. Several of the guards were smiling as Jem was fighting back laughter, although Rayth wasn't enjoying the scene at all. Jem came up to Rayth and hooked his arm over Rayth's shoulders. Jem kissed the side of Rayth's head, and pulled him in. "See buddy? That wasn't so bad. And trust me, that was good for both of you. Now...I have a little slave to take care of as well. Where's that girl you gave the instructions to? The one who claims she told Alenya the message? Someone go get her, and bring her here." "No need to get her, Sir," said one of the smiling guards, pointing at the door. "She's been standing in the doorway watching." Jem had a huge smile on his face, still an arm wrapped around Rayth, "Excellent! Come in here, you little whore." The girl was somewhat nervous, but she had enjoyed seeing Alenya whipped. That had been her purpose, and she was satisfied. She knelt at Jem's feet. "Master?" "Are you familiar with Lord Rayth, slave?" "Yes Master?" "And you know that in the kingdom his second only to me, correct?" "Yes, Master." "So why the hell did you think it was a good idea to lie to him?" The entire room froze; the slave panicked and her chest heaved. "I didn't lie, Master..." Jem unhooked his arm from Rayth and backhanded her hard. "You cunt, now you're lying to me!" Jem smiled at Rayth, "I know my girls pretty well. You get to be able to read their body language, and I know when a little slut is lying...like this one." Jem turned back to the slave, "You told Lord Rayth that you had passed his instructions on, but you didn't did you? You told her a bunch of other things that she was supposed to do, but you never passed on the order to have the party room set up. So..." taking his whip out of Rayth's hands, he hit her hard, "...first you disobey Lord Rayth by not doing what he asked," he hit her again, "then you lie to him," he hit her again, "then you lie to me. Answer me!" He kicked her. Rayth looked down at the erring slave with complete anger and contempt as she clung to Jem's feet crying. "Master, yes, I did all of those things, please forgive me, I meant to harm to you or Master Rayth, it was only to get Alenya in trouble! Forgive me, it was wrong of me!" Jem kicked her away. "No kidding. I wasn't going to tolerate your disobeying and lying to my best friend, but then you tried to cover it up by lying directly to me. Guard..." two of the guards came over to gather the girl up. "Take this worthless piece of garbage to the dungeon. Whip her until she begs for death. When you think she means it...when she REALLY means it...grant her request." "NNNOOOOO!!!!! PLEASE MASTER NOOO!!!!" "Slaves don't lie to me." Jem said cooly. "Guard, when you're done, cut out her tongue. Nail it to the entrance of the slaves quarters. Let it be a reminder to the rest of my slaves." The guards drug the screaming and begging slave away, and shut the door. Jem smiled at Rayth and slapped him on the back. "See? Your girl really didn't do anything wrong. But don't go apologizing to her now...let her know she's subject to a whip." Jem rubbed his hands together. "Well boys, let's get a party together. I don't know about the rest of you, but I could use a stiff drink about now!" ********* A partially intoxicated Lord Rayth walked back to his room. The night had been fun, he enjoyed his time with Jem, but he couldn't shake the thought of what he did to Alenya. She really had tried to do what he wanted, and he whipped her for it. He was trying to justify it, and remember Jem's advice, but he felt terrible. He was once again internally struggling with himself over Alenya. He entered his room, and a guard pulled his door shut. He stood in the room, looking down at the nude kneeling girl across the floor. Her head and eyes were lowered, but he could see the tear streaks on her face. He swallowed. "Come here, girl," he said, quietly. She rose, and knelt again in front of him, face to the ground. He pulled off his outer garment and wrapped it around her. Then crouching down, he pulled the clothes snuggly around her. "Are you okay?" "Yes, Master." "I...um...found out what happened. You really didn't know about setting up the party room, did you?" Her face tightened as she began crying again, "No Master, I didn't." He nodded, somber, and reached out to wipe one of her tears away. His rough calloused thumb against her soft face made her feel his masculinity. "And you would have done it well, had you known, wouldn't you?" She broke down, "Yes, Master, I would have done it, I would do anything for you! But the girls, the other slaves, the guards...they all try to make me look bad in front of you! They hide my supplies, they spoil your food, they give me the wrong instructions...Master, I don't know what to do!" He looked concerned. "Other slaves are hard on you?" She sniffled, trying to talk through the sobs, "Yes, Master, they don't like it that I work for you, and ever since I came here they make it hard for me to do what you want! They even try to hurt me when I'm on my down time and not working for you...they stole my blanket, and we only get one, and now that I have no clothes..." she cried. He smiled largely and chuckled. As much as he hated to see her upset, she was endearing. "I'll get some more clothes for you." His eyes were warm as he brushed another tear off her cheek, then he stood up and strode to his bed. He pulled a large, soft blanket off, then came back and wrapped it around her. Crouching once more, he told her "You can have this blanket to use. I'd hate to see this one go missing as well, though, so from now on, you'll sleep in here, in my room." She looked up at him shocked and surprised, but then remembered herself and lowered her eyes. "Master? Do you mean it? Where will I sleep?" "Hmm...the carpet at the bottom of the dais is very soft. Use whatever pillows and blankets you need to feel comfortable, and sleep there." He wasn't ready to give her permanent guest status in his bed; that was a privilege someone like a fiancé or wife would have...not a slave. Alenya was still lightly crying, but now out of happiness. Rayth hugged her, "ssshhhh..." and laid her on her back. Carefully removing his own clothing, he pressed his body in between her open exposed thighs. Taking a breast in his mouth, he sucked, flicking her nipple. "So tasty," he murmured, "such a good girl." He plunged his hips forward, and in strong, slow, fluid strokes, took his pleasure. ********* Over the next several months, Alenya came to know Lord Rayth in and out. She knew exactly how he like his rooms set up when he was visiting somewhere, exactly what he liked to eat and drink, clothes he liked, reading preferences, and could read/react to his moods and mannerisms. He never tired of having her around, and was extraordinarily appreciative of her little touches to his things. He loved her, and although he fought with himself to maintain a proper Master/slave relationship, she became almost as close to him as Jem. Ironically, he did all he could to keep Alenya and Jem apart, aware that Jem relished messing with her to rib him. One day after Jem left his room, Rayth was laughing and shaking his head, and said part to himself, part to Alenya: "He's lucky he's royalty or I'd beat him." "Master, beg permission to speak?" stopped scrubbing the floor. Rayth looked surprised. "Okay." "May I ask Master a question?" "Sure." Alenya put down her cleaning supplies and knelt up, eyes lowered. "Master, if you don't mind...you and Prince Jaimeth are always insulting one another. How is it that you remain very close friends?" Rayth looked at her, a little startled. He never thought about a slave questioning Jem's and his relationship. But this was Alenya; he liked talking to her. Rayth stretched out and laid on the floor, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. He had such fond memories of Jem. "Well girl...Jem...uh, sorry, Prince Jaimeth and I are the same age. He was born third in line to the throne, behind his father and brother. I was born also third in line to my grandfather's title. The hard truth of things is, third in line might as well be nonexistent to noble and royal families. They have their heir, their lineage, their future. They don't need the other children. Jem and I were both sent to a good school when we were little...like a boarding school where we would be educated but our families didn't have to deal with us. I can't explain why, but since we were little, Jem and I gravitated towards one another. We always played together, shared our snacks, and stayed up at night telling ghost stories, becoming too afraid to sleep. Then strangest damn luck, or should I say tragedy, Jem's father and brother did a bunch of things that looked like they were trying to get an early seat on the throne. Jem's uncles and aunts started dying...until only Jem's father was left. It was suspicious to everyone. The Queen, Jem's grandmother, knew something was terribly wrong, but...it was her only surviving son. She's never had the heart to entirely call Jem's father out; he'd most likely be executed. Jem's oldest brother was in on it...I personally know him, and think he's an asshole, and believe he was looking to get on the throne at a younger age. But the Queen, to punish them both without executing them, promised the throne to Jem. We were nine. That was sort of one of the saddest days of my life. The guards showed up, we were both little, playing, and they came and took Jem away. They said he was the future king, and would be educated more intensely at the palace from then on. I of course was sad that my friend was gone; I was always kind of a loner, and Jem," Rayth laughed thinking about it, "has always been a loud-mouth, flamboyant prick. Bless him. I was sad to think I wouldn't see him anymore. 5 years went by, and at 14 I decided to join the military academy for the next leg of my education. Strange luck again, Jem's advisors had him enrolled as well, so he could learn about the military he'd be one day taking over. Captain Navin was our class's instructor at the time, and seeing that Jem and I were compatible, he stuck us together in every obstacle, mission... everything we did. In an environment like that, you learn to lean on each other. We couldn't do it alone, and we worked together so well that we could just tell what the other was thinking. He'd give me a look, and I knew what it meant and what to do. I made a face, and he knew what I was feeling and what to do about it. No one else was able to do for me what he could, and heaven knows I'd chop off my arm if it would benefit him in any way. Still the academy was aware of Jem's position. In part, they tried to treat him like the rest of us, but no one could put out of their mind that he was the next king. Some tried to butter up to him, wanting a friend in a high place, while others were resentful of him because honestly he could be a total prick." Rayth paused, and narrowed his eyes, "I think that's how our friendship was cemented: he trusted me, and I respected him. I always showed him deference without kissing his ass, and I think I was the only one he felt entirely safe around. Command and Vanquish Ch. 02 Isabella woke up before she even opened her eyes. She was holding Jem's head as she lay next to him, and the conscious smell of his hair made her happy. She reached forward and kissed his forehead. It wasn't every night he allowed her to sleep in his room; most nights, he pounded out his daily frustrations into the wells of his body slaves. The previous night, however, the two stayed up late comically arguing the plans for their engagement party. They laughed together at the looks of consternation on the head slaves' face each time they disagreed over a menu choice, music selection, or formal announcement procession. Most of the slaves and palace staff were always shocked to hear the Princess argue with Jem, but as with making the plans for their engagement party, Jem always welcomed Isabella's uninhibited remarks. Now to hide the morning sunlight from his eyes, he stirred next to her and nuzzeled his head into her neck. She smiled: outside, he was so hard, so demanding, so...royally untouchable. Here and now, he was gentle, soft, and openly vulnerable. He murmured to her as he woke up: "I have a busy day today. This morning I have a training session with Navin, and this afternoon the military council is convening...will you come to the council meeting?" He kissed her neck, "you're so insightful." She held him as she replied, "of course I will, I would do whatever you wanted. ...Jem?" "hhmmm?" "I know why the council's meeting today...Rayth told me you're preparing to attack Espinan in response to their recent aggression." Jem stretched as he thought the conversation was taking an uncomfortable turn. "Yes, my lovely, that's true...they've left us little choice but to respond militarily." Isabella thought for a moment, then said, "I belong with you. My family...they never had any intention of bringing me back. I was expendable to them, one of many children. My brothers are all that are important to my parents. You, and your country, have greeted me with open arms." She snuggled closer to him. "My place is with you." Jem sighed deeply, happy, and closed his eyes once more. "You're a gift I don't deserve." ********* Prince Jaimeth was sweating profusely, and his blade's handle kept slipping. Dirt clung to his wet skin in the places he fell. He was out of breath, but smiling; he loved practicing against Navin, even though he knew he wouldn't win. He tried his hardest though. Navin stood back, blade still drawn, his cool eyes smiled at his young trainee, allowing Jem to catch his breath. Navin had small beads of sweat on his brow, but was no where near in the rough condition Jem was. "You see, Sir?" teased Navin, "You keep trying all that jumping around and strong-arm crap, and you just let yourself get worn out." Their respective fighting styles reflected their personalities: Jem was forceful, quick, cunning, and active. Navin barely had to move and was calculating, efficient, and patient. They were both considered excellent swordsmen, but Navin easily won against everyone he's ever fought, which firmly secured his position as captain of the guard. He stood patiently, ready, and smiled at Jem. "Com'on, Sir, the next commander of the armies ought to remain proficient no matter what the circumstances." Jem panted, shook his head, and smiled very largely. "I...I'm just..." he said between breaths, "..just getting started." "Give him hell, Navin!" one of the guards yelled, as several had stopped to watch. Jem laughed. Navin's eyes didn't leave the young competitor in front of him. "Focus, Sir." Navin crept towards Jem, feeling he'd had enough of a break. "Concentrate on what's in front of you. Don't watch my blade, watch me. Read my body language... read what I'm thinking..." Navin moved in for another strike, and Jem positioned himself to block the attack. Navin saw the instability of the stance and kicked Jem's legs out from under him; the Prince hit the ground hard. "Perhaps our concentration on other things today, Sir? I hear Isabella's coming to the meeting today...you welcome distraction, I see? Jem jumped up, somewhat offended and swung hard, easily blocked by Navin. "Distraction? She's the best general our military council has had in years, and you know it. She's extremely knowledgeable, innovative, efficient, and compassionate towards our soldiers..." he swung several times hard. "But really, Sir," Navin began in a counter-attack, both physical and verbal "Do you expect to tell her your plans to dismantle Espinan's royal palace, the place where she played when she was little, and expect her to ASSIST you in doing that?" Navin paused, waiting a response with Jem's sword and rationale. Jem paused as well, out of breath, but kept his guard up. "She's a great girl. Don't doubt it." "I don't, Sir." Navin said as he began his attack once more, and for the win, "Just give that great girl a bit of caution. This is a new situation for everyone, including her." Navin used his body to separate Jem from his sword, and called "Win." He held his blade to Jem's throat, and Jem looked up at him with a mix of emotion. Whether he was more upset about the imminent loss or the word of caution, Navin couldn't tell. Jem swallowed, and pulled himself back to reason: "Are the reports from the border in yet?" "From what I understand, Sir, yes," Navin replied. "Rayth's been pulling his hair out all morning trying to sort through the information and presentation line up. If you don't want to go into the meeting blind, check him." ********* Lord Rayth watched as the slaves laid reports in front of each council member's seat, and surveyed the room to make ensure everything was in place. He stared down at the list in his hands of the presenters he had arranged, his blazing blue eyes pouring intently over the document. "Lord Rayth?" a female voice said, approaching him. He looked out of the corner of his eye who was approaching, half annoyed to be bothered. Once he recognized who it was, he was further annoyed, and kept reading his document. It was one of the general's daughters who was accompanying her father as an excuse to access the palace. Rayth had met her before and right now didn't have time for her. "Hello, my Lady," he said not impolitely, but with certain lack of enthusiasm. She smiled at him, trying to play her feminine games to win his interest. She, like most women, found him irresistibly attractive. "Very exciting news that father tells me...we're heading to war?" "Yes, my Lady, a grand time guaranteed to all." Rayth noticed a mistake in his copy, and called one of the soldiers over to take it back and have it corrected. "Yes, Sir," the soldier said, and Rayth turned his attention to the map on the wall. The general's daughter thought this her opportunity make an impression. She walked up behind him and slid her hand along his waist. Barely reacting, he looked out of the corner of his eyes at her with annoyance. She leaned in to his ear as she rubbed his waist and chest and seductively whispered, "Perhaps we could discuss the implications later on in private." Still not moving, he said, "my Lady, who gave you permission to touch me?" "Excuse me?" "You heard my question." She dropped her hands and took a half step back. "My Lord, I demand you speak more respectfully to me...I am not one of your slaves!" Rayth smiled chauvinistically as he turned to face her for the first time. He looked her whole body over, lingering in places he shouldn't have. After mentally assessing her, he said, "I'd prefer you if you were." "OH!" she said in angered disgust, and stormed out of the room. Rayth stood there grinning, pleased with himself. Then he looked over to the corner of the room where Alenya knelt, waiting for him. She was trying her hardest to suppress a smile, but it wasn't working. She playfully met his eyes, and he good-naturedly winked. Knowingly, he said, "What are you smiling about, girl?" She shook her head and said, "That wasn't the most gentlemanly thing I've seen you do, Master." "Don't let him fool you, Alenya, he's no gentleman," Jem said as he suddenly strode in. Alenya put her head to the floor, and Rayth looked surprised. "Oh my goodness," he said sarcastically and smiled, "Prince Jaimeth arrived early for a meeting." "Don't be a jerk, Rayth, I was hoping to catch you privately to get a heads up before the meeting." "Alenya." Rayth said sharply. "Wait for me in my room." She left, relieved. Rayth knew how scared she was of Jaimeth, and he was kind enough to try and keep them apart. Jem asked Rayth once they were alone, "What do we have from the most recent interrogations? I heard you've personally captured and questioned a gem?" "The lead interrogator will give you the full report, but this one is in your area of 'expertise.' Espinan nobility, some woman, don't know the name, has been captured spying... "Nobility?" Jem interrupted, "Hell, she was probably running in our own high social circles..." Rayth agreed before he finished, "You've got it. She was caught with quite a large collection of information concerning, get this, your grandmother's palace. The problem is we can't figure out what she was planning to use it for. She's downstairs in the dungeons right now. We thought you'd like a...um...more pleasant introduction to her." Jem smirked knowingly. "Rayth...have I told you lately that I love you?" "No, sexy, but you can make it up to me with your fine ass after the meeting. Seriously though, Jem, she's not going to cave to traditional question and answer. She's arrogant. Fucking nobility, huh? So given your 'skills,' I was thinking we could try... "Fantastic idea," Jem finished and smiled at Rayth. "Mock-court setting?" "I was leaning more towards 'party entertainment.' I'm out, though, she already knows who I am." "You're no good to the good guy / bad guy strategy then. That's a shame, 'parties' are so much more fun with you around, and you're the perfect 'good guy' to my 'bad'. Well...can you do me a favor then? I really don't want Isabella to be around tonight; I don't want her to see this. And if I throw a 'party', she'll want to know why she's not invited." "What do you want me to do?" "I'd like you to take her out...take her shopping, and let her pick out some nice stuff. Take a couple of guys with you to carry her things, maybe? Or she also likes going to plays...maybe you and some of the guys can find a good one and take her to it?" "Will do." Rayth was very comfortable with Isabella, and they had grown to be close friends. "But...um...do me a favor in return." Rayth looked at the floor. "Don't mess with Alenya tonight? I know when you guys get drinking..." Jem rolled his eyes, then smirked at his friend. "I'll be busy with the other bitch, I don't have time to fuck with yours." The room began to fill with the generals and other military council members, and after a time they were seated. The first presenter began briefing the council on the most recent intelligence, and about five minutes into the presentation, Jem looked a bit concerned. He leaned in to Rayth and whispered, "We're going to have to strike Espinan soon." Rayth nodded, also concerned. The door creaked open and a shy looking Isabella stepped into the room. All the men stood up, which surprised and sort of embarrassed her. "Forgive me for being late," she said. "Not at all." Jem said, keeping his face and tone serious, but elated inside to see her. He loved her. Lord Rayth pulled a chair beside him out a little, inviting her to sit with them at the head of the table. Across the room, Navin's jaw set locked. The men took their seats once more as Isabella approached the head of the table. Then in a move that surprised them all, she didn't take her seat. Instead, she got on her knees beside Jem. He looked down mouth open and speechless, not exactly sure what she was doing. Then from her kneeling position, she reached up to take his hand, and it dawned on him: foreign dignitaries greet the host by kissing his ring, in Jem's case, his ring depicting his royal crest. Isabella took his hand, and pressed her lips lingeringly to his ring. Her tardiness had a purpose: she wanted all the high counselors to witness her respects to their royalty. Considering the nature of the meeting, this was a wise and strategic move on her part. She was declaring subservient loyalty to Jem, even in the event of war with Espinan. A very calculating woman, but very honest. Navin felt the corners of his mouth betray his impassive exterior; if no one else, he realized what she was doing. Jaimeth held out his hand to her, and allowed her to do it, returning the respect she was offering him, then invited her to sit beside him. "Please, continue," Jem said as he nodded to the presenter. The presenter picked up where he had left off. Rayth teasingly whispered into Isabella's ear, "Very subtle, my Princess." She playfully nudged him in the ribs. One by one, over twenty presenters gave accounts of various situations, statistics, current events, and strategies, and each was questioned thoroughly by the council. The main consensus: the coming war with Espinan would result in an overwhelmingly one-sided victory. ********* After the meeting, Rayth quickly entered his room. He found Alenya, and took hold of her to speak to her. Rayth's gorgeous chiseled features were hard, and brooked no discussion. He wasn't angry with her, but he had to move fast to keep her safe. She looked up at him, frightened. She took her Master seriously. "Listen to me, and listen well. I can't be around tonight...Jem asked me to escort Princess Isabella, and I won't be here to protect you. Whatever you do, and I don't care how you accomplish this, but don't let anyone, and I mean anyone, find you tonight. Hide here, in the kitchen, I don't care. I know them. Stay out of sight." "Yes, Master." Alenya placed her head on the floor, and then thought. Her heart raced; she wanted him to know. "Master, may a slave beg permission to speak?" Rayth stood a little straighter, and his heart clenched. "Of course, girl, speak." He didn't know what she might say, but she had his undivided attention. Alenya raised her head, and cautiously, nervously met Rayth's eyes. "Sir, I know that a slave is required to respect and obey her Master. Sir, I didn't want to be a slave, and given my choice right now, I would choose freedom. However..." Aleyna swallowed, "...even if I were not a slave right now, I would still greatly admire and respect you, and do whatever you would ask of me. I recognize that you are a very good man, and uncommonly admirable. I feel honored and privileged to know you, and be around you, even if the price I have to pay for your presence is slavery. I'm terribly grateful that a man as good as you are is kind to me. My respect and obedience to you is beyond what is required of a slave." Rayth stared down at her wide eyed. He was blushing, and his mouth felt dry. What seemed like an eternity, but was only a few seconds, Rayth slowly went on his knees in front of her, wrapped his arms around her, and engulfed her in a hug. He said, "I love you too." ********* The 'party' Jem was throwing was well under way, although the 'entertainment' had yet to arrive. The room was filled with men, Jem, a few of his guards, Navin, and Benito. The wine was flowing steadily as Jem's body slaves served. The sweet smell of rich foods filled the air, and it was becoming difficult to tell whether this was strategic work or masculine play. Jem, raising his wine glass, got the room's attention. "Alright, most of you know the rules, and those who don't just follow our lead. It's good guy/ bad guy strategy. She's got to warm up to someone, but it's a long night between now and then. Winner takes all, full rights to her the rest of the night, but remember there's a job to be done." Suddenly, a guard entered, pulling a nude woman adorned in expensive jewelry to the center of the room on a leash. The guard jerked the tether sharply as she was brought to her knees in front of Prince Jaimeth. Clothed men, some holding crops, surrounded her. Her nervousness was evidenced by the rapid rise and fall of her naked, quivering breasts. Her eyes were to the floor, but she held her head up, as if trying to appear confident. Jem glassy, playful eyes soaked in the sight of her as he smiled cruelly. He would single-handedly ensure this would be the worst night of her life. He spoke to her quietly, slowly, cocky: "Hello, my beauty. Welcome to the honored position of one of my serving slaves. Lovely jewelry; Espinan wealth, I believe. Bring it here. It now belongs to me, as do you." Anger flashed through her, her fists clenched, but a look around the room and she decided not to argue. "Good, get angry with me," Jem thought to himself. She walked to him and knelt, and he picked up a jewel encrusted necklace. He ran it through his fingers and asked, "Am I to understand you've never served before as a slave?" She blushed over her whole body. She said quietly, trying to hide the shaking in her voice, "No...and you know that. I am nobility from Espinan; it would be wise of you to release me immediately." The room of men snickered. One of the smiling men stood, and with great force brought a crop swinging down across her back. Her scream and fall to the floor made the men laugh. The man who struck her told her, "Don't advise my Prince unless he asks your opinion." He struck her hard again. "And don't break position unless one of us tells you to." He grabbed her hair and brought her back to kneel in front of Jaimeth. Never had she felt the sting of a crop, or such pain, in her life. Jaimeth was unmoved by her wide eyes and tears streaming down her face. "My girl, I'm sure you've owned slaves before. Try to act the way a pleasing slave would act. To, um," Jem pretended to search for words, "assist you, should you need help in deciding what a pleasing slave would do, all of these men have graciously volunteered to help you learn how to be pleasing. Invite their instruction, and you WILL thank them each time they helpfully correct you. You may start with the man who just struck you." The woman tensed, and remembered the feel of the crop. She turned towards the culprit on her knees, and looked at him: "Thank you for correcting me." Another man behind her brought his own crop down twice, rapidly and hard, across her back; she gasped and sobbed. He smiled as he lace the crop through his shoulders behind his head, "Now what kind of gratitude is that? To thank a man, cling to his feet, kiss and lick them, and beg him to accept your most humble thanks. Start with the first man, then turn around to thank me." Tears were streaming from her face as she moved to the first guard's feet to comply. She reached her shaking hands out to his feet, and grasped them tightly as she began to fervently kiss them. "Please, oh please, I beg you...please accept my most humble thanks to you..." The guard smiled down at her, but said with a tone of cruelty, "did I give you permission to touch me?" She wasn't struck, but he traced his crop over her skin. She broke down into sobs, realizing the type of night she would endure. The second guard grabbed her by the hair and pushed her face to the feet of the first guard, and he hissed in her ear, "shut the fuck up, you self-centered whore, and thank him like you were instructed to." "Sir, yes Sir, ...sirs, please forgive me, I mean...I mean thank you! Thank you sirs!" She spat out and cried, trying to kiss their feet through her crying. Jem looked across the room at Navin; they shared a look and a silent thought: cracking so soon? Jem was disappointed. Jem turned to Benny sitting beside him; the boy was wide-eyed, scared, but looked at Jem trying to feign confidence and a smile. Jem warmly placed his arm around his brother, whispering to him, "It's okay...this is necessary and it's very, very effective." Command and Vanquish Ch. 02 Jem calmly looked over her. "Straighten yourself up girl, you're ruining your makeup." He didn't want to push too hard too fast; sometimes if a girl is shattered too quickly, it is temporary. The best results are from a long, drawn-out breaking. He pulled out a butt plug that had a long delicate feather attached to the end. He handed it to one of his guards to insert it into her. Upon seeing the plug, she whispered, "no!", and the guard held her tightly. Wiggling it a bit at her puckered hole, the guard slowly pushed it into her, and she winced. The feather extended from her ass, and the guard behind her told her "Wiggle your ass, let me see you move it." Blushing deep red, humiliated, she shyly complied. "Oooh, I like that, that's nice." He turned to Jem, "What do you think, Sir?" Jem directed at her, "I like to see a girl dressed up. Wear that with pride the rest of the night. You're going to serve us all food and drink now, beginning with me. I'd like a dry red...please." She tried to stand to serve Jem his wine, but a guard brought the crop once again down on her back. "Serve on all fours, bitch." Tears in her eyes, she crawled, but as she moved, she was all too aware of the protrusion from her ass. Finally, she crawled to Jem, handed him the wine, then went around the room to serve the rest. Every time she approached a man, he fondled her breasts, grabbed her ass, played with the feather protruding from the plug, spread her thighs, or stroked her cunt. The plug inside of her seemed to throb, and worked her into near frenzy. She tried very hard to maintain her concentration, but the men were enjoying her body very much, and soon her reluctant body naturally responded. Her juices were clinging to her inner thighs, her nipples were erect, and her face was flushed as she knelt in front of Navin, "may I bring you some refreshment, Sir?" Navin's stoic face looked at Jem, with an ever so small hint of amusement in his eyes, then he looked back at the girl. "Slut," he said to her, "are you enjoying serving my men?" ********* All of the guards and Rayth were laughing as Isabella told her story as they walked to the playhouse. "...which came as a complete surprise to me. I believed steamed lemur brains with jelly were a universal delicacy, but the looks the slaves gave me when I requested a platter for dinner..." "Madam Princess, stop, I think I'm going to be sick," interrupted one of the guards, shaking his head. Another guard shoved the first and said, "You pussy, the Princess's stomach is stronger than yours." A third joked, "Madam Princess, if you ever get them made for you, let me know; I'd kind of like to try some." Isabella laughed, "You almost had your chance, I originally requested them for my engagement party next month. Ever since, the head kitchen slave has been reluctant to even hear my suggestions for the event." Several of the guards exchanged confused looks...why would a slave not comply with the Princess's wishes? Isabella, reading their thoughts, offered, "They're afraid of the Queen's reaction." "Fair enough," one of the guards said. "Speaking of which," Rayth inquired, "how do you think the Queen would react if I brought Alenya as my date?" Isabella's mouth dropped, but she was smiling, "...Well...perhaps it's best the Queen doesn't realize who it is. Alenya would have to look, speak, walk, and act like nobility to hide her identity." Rayth's eyes wandered in thought. "She has an inner grace that works to her advantage. She's scared of royalty, though, especially Jem...and anyone associated with Jem." "I could help her get over that, and I could talk to Jem on her behalf. In fact...why don't you let me work with her, Rayth? I could teach her what she needs to know for the party, and it would be nice for me, too. It will give me a friend there, so I don't feel so overwhelmed." Rayth looked innocently into Isabella's eyes and asked, "You would do that? You'd help her?" Isabella got lost in Rayth's beautiful face for a moment, then responded casually, "Of course I would. It might be hard on you, though: you're going to have to part with her for a few hours every day," she teased. A couple of the guards started ribbing Rayth as well, as it was common knowledge no other slave was even allowed to touch him except Alenya. One of the guards, held the door open as they reached the playhouse and walked inside. "Lord Rayth?" he asked and laughed, "are you SURE Prince Jaimeth is paying us for work tonight? This hardly seems like work...the Princess is awesome." Rayth replied, "which is why Jem loves her. And I think the Prince is doing as much 'work' as we are." ********* "How long has it been since you've eaten?" Navin asked the captured spy. "Th...three days, Sir." "You can call me Master." "Yes Master." "Slave, go fill a plate with food for me, and bring it back here." "Yes Master." She stood up to leave, but Navin grabbed her free-hanging leash and tugged it. She fell short, like a dog at the end of a chain. She turned to look at him, surprised, and saw the corners of his mouth turn to a smile. Another guard holding a crop brought it down hard across her breasts. "You didn't thank him for allowing you to serve him." Her eyes went wide once again, as she stuttered for words. Jem laughed, trying to draw the breaking out, and said "Let her go just this once...go ahead girl...go fix a plate for my captain." She crawled over to Jaimeth's feet and kissed them, "thank you, Master." He kicked her away, "go!" The captured spy brought a plate and knelt again in front of Navin. It was filled with cubes of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and some pasta noodles. "Pick up a cube of cheese with your teeth, then bring it to my mouth." The girl choked back a sob as she reached forward, and lightly clenched the cheese in her teeth. Navin's face was unmovable and emotionless as she inched closer to his face. He wasn't going to help her by leaning forward, she brought it all the way to the soft lips in his rough whiskered face. With her face still closer to him, he chewed slowly. "mmmm....that's delicious." He made her repeat this with most of the food on his plate, occasionally sending her to feed one of his guards in the same way. She began to salivate heavily, and it was noticed. Navin asked her innocently, "would you like to have something to eat?" She thought it too good to be true, but was too hungry to deny the bait. "Yes, Master, please? Please may I have something to eat?" Navin picked up a cube of cheese in his fingers. "Hold out your tongue. Don't pull this into your mouth or chew until I tell you to." She stuck out her soft pink tongue, closed her eyes, and felt the cold, smooth food rest come to rest. He let her there for some time, until saliva was pouring off her tongue onto the marble floor. He removed the food from her, and she looked at him with hopeful eyes. He chuckled a bit before pelting one of his guards in the crotch with the cheese. The cube lay on the guard's lap, as the guard cursed "Damn it, Navin!" and Navin looked at the slave, cocked his head, and said: "Fetch." The guard sat still, letting the cube rest on his lap, as the girl crawled to him, and situated herself in between his feet. Her body felt warm between his legs, and he became aroused, moving the cheese. The room saw this and laughed, and she looked up nervously at the guard. Her eyes darted back and forth between his face, the cheese...and the crop he was holding in his hand. His eyes went hard, but still playful, and said, "I believe my captain told you to fetch." Her head leaned forward, and her teeth grazed the length of his erection as she reached for her small bit of food. Jem was beginning to feel left out. He said to the guard who's legs she was between "Bring her here to stand in front of me." ********* The night air was a bit chilly as the entourage walked back, and the general concern was for the Princess's comfort. One of the guards asked, "Lord Rayth, wasn't it your bright idea to walk?" Rayth decided walking would buy Jem more time at the Hall. "Shove it. I thought the weather would be nice. Are you alright, Princess?" Isabella had her arms wrapped around herself. "Oh Rayth, call me Iz. And yes, I'm quite alright." "No, look Lord Rayth, she's shivering." Isabella tried to hide it, but it was true, she was very cold. "No, it's alright, if you guys can put up with it, so can I." "With all due respect, Madam," said one of the guards, "we weigh a lot more, so we keep warm easier." He stripped off his outer coat and snuggly wrapped it around her. "Thank you, you're most kind." "What shoes are you wearing? My wife never wears comfortable shoes when we go out..." "Oh, I'm fine, these are comfortable." "Like hell they are," said Rayth, as he picked up the hem of her long dress to look at her feet. "Rayth! That's enough!" she said wide-eyed, but amused. Rayth caught her arm and twisted lightly so she fell against him. "Walking back probably wasn't the greatest of ideas, I forgot who was coming." Isabella spoke with mock indignity. "First of all, you didn't 'forget' I was coming, since the entire trip was planned around me. Second of all, my presence shouldn't be a burden that requires special planning such as transportation. Third...walking is always a stupid idea." Everyone laughed, and Rayth picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. "Then I'll save you the trouble." He carried her quite a way despite her loud, laughing protests. Eventually, he settled her into the crook of his arms. He looked down at her with his blazingly blue eyes, flexed his arms to hold her more tightly, and said, "Be quiet. Let someone do something nice for you." Her heart thudded once as it missed a beat. She smiled up at him and resigned, "...fine." She snuggled into his chest as his body kept her warm. ********* One of the guards held the captive spy by the arms as he stood behind her. She stood in front of Prince Jaimeth, as his idea for the "final blow" formulated in his head. His eyes raked over her entire body, noting the stickiness between her thighs, her erect responsive nipples, and the blush that consumed her skin. "My dear little slave...I do believe it arouses you to serve my men." His coffee-brown eyes looked into hers, challenging her for a response. She could give none, only breathe harder and wait. "No?" he continued. "I want to see how responsive of a slave you are. You do realize that it is our intention to fuck you." She closed her eyes and exhaled; he smiled. "Don't play shy. I want to know what your hot spots are. What areas do you like the most attention given to? The guard behind you there...just let him make you feel good. He's not going to hurt you...not just yet. Stand there for me, let me see your eyes. As his hands travel over you, I want to see where you're aroused." The guard behind her released her arms, and murmured in her ear, "Stand still for my Prince, I know I can make you feel good. You'll like it." He continued whispering in her ear, encouraging her to respond, as his hands traveled over her stomach. He was moving his hands in smooth, fluid motions, and the press of her naked flesh against his clothed frame heightened her sensations. "Yes, girl, yes, it's okay to enjoy it, show us what you like..." ...he moved his calloused hands over her soft white breasts, taking a breast in each hand. He rolled each nipple in his finger tips as he kissed her ear, "oooh, I think she likes that...moan for me if you like that..." and she did. Some of the men laughed, but Jem kept his eyes locked on hers. His erection was mounting. The guard's hands traveled over her skin, down her back tickling her spine, poked her asshole with his fingers, teased the backs of her knees, spread her thighs apart to further expose her cunt. She was dripping, and beginning to weaken. "That's it girl, lean your weight against me, let me make you feel good..." the guard kept murmuring as he explored her. Part of her was terribly embarrassed, while the other part was happy to have pleasure for the first time this evening. Her heart raced, and after some time, the guard whispered, "try to stand on your own, my little minx, I want to show you something. Spread you legs very wide." She did. Jem's eyes were glued to the scene, and the guard slid to the front of the new slave. His fingers raked over her skin, reaching around to grab her ass, then dug his fingertips into the fleshy sides of her hips. He used his nose to nuzzle his way between her thighs, wetting his face with her juice. She faltered, and he used his hands on his hips to steady her. Reaching out with the tip of his tongue, he lightly brushed and flicked the tip of her clit. "Oh!" she threw her head back and began moaning now. The guards had stopped laughing so much, and the room filled with lust. Watching this delicious morsel who had served them so diligently all night was exhilarating. And one of them, just one, would have private rights to her in their bedroom. The guard between her thighs licked and tasted her over and over. Jem spoke with a somewhat husky voice, "girl that feels good doesn't it? Why don't you thank him for making you feel so good. Get on all fours, like a dog. Face the wall." She got on all fours. "Spread those knees apart, like the bitch in heat that you are. That's right, let me see you drip." The guard moved in front of her, and pulled out his cock. It was long, hard, and hot. "See that, sweetie?" he asked. "That's what it does to me to feel you. Let's feel that tongue now..." and he slid the smooth surface into her mouth, which felt hot against her throat. He pumped in and out, fucking her face. Jem thought she was ready. "Good girl," he said. "I'm going to give you a choice. Suck that cock in front of you, and think real hard about this. The choice is: you can let each and every man in this room have a turn with your backside, picking whatever hole he wants to, or you can have a 20 stroke beating for my entertainment, which I'll let you choose the man you want to beat you. You have from now until that guard explodes in your mouth to decide. And swallow all of his cum, or you'll have both the fucking and the beating." The guard was close, as he pumped faster and faster in and out of her mouth. Finally, with a loud triumphant grunt, he came hard, and shot several times in her mouth. He held his shrinking cock in her mouth until she had sucked it clean, then sat back down and panted, clothing himself. The girl looked frightened around the room of men. The beatings hurt, and hurt badly, but could she let all of them fuck her ass if they wanted to? No, she just couldn't. She couldn't believe it, but she was about to ask Prince Jaimeth for 20 strokes. "Well, lovely little bitch, have you decided?" ********* Rayth put Isabella down once they stepped inside Princes' Hall. "Thank you, gentlemen, that's it for the night." The other guards left, thanking Isabella for a lovely "work" experience. Isabella smiled and thanked them in return, then looked at Rayth once they had gone. She smiled at him, but her eyes told she wasn't naive. "Rayth...where's Jem?" Rayth's eyes sparkled, "He had some things to do this evening, but he loves you and wanted to make sure you weren't bored." "So cryptic, and so loyal...he sends his best friend to take his fiancé out?" Rayth shifted somewhat nervously, "Madam, sometimes things need to be done." "I understand that, but I believe you'll excuse me if I resent being a pawn." "Not a pawn, Madam, but you'll have to trust his judgment now and again for your protection. He just doesn't want to upset you. Neither do I." "What would upset me?" She challenged, then smiled. "Don't answer that. Forgive me. I understand what you're saying. Do you think he's available now? I'd like to say goodnight to him." Rayth shrugged. "I would think so, it's getting late, but just to be..." "Good night, Rayth." Isabella kissed him on the cheek. "It's been lovely. I'll say goodnight to Jem, then retire for the night." Isabella turned to leave, but Rayth grabbed her wrist to spin her back around, "Please just check his room. If he's not there, he's still working. Please Isabella? For me?" Isabella kissed him on the cheek again, "you're so charming when you care so much. Go to Alenya, I'll go to Jem. I promise I won't do anything to compromise you." "Thank you, Iz." She smiled sweetly at him before turning to leave. As he watched her go, his heart clenched at a momentary forbidden thought: what would it be like if THEY were together? The moment passed, the thought vanished as he sighed and made his way back to his room. He needed to hold Alenya. ********* "Well, lovely little bitch, have you decided?" "Yes Master, I will take the beating." "You'll take it? My dear, you're in a room full of men who are dying to fuck that tight puckered asshole of yours. If you want to be beaten instead, you had better beg, and beg nicely for it." Tears once more welled up in her already swollen eyes. Her spirit was broken, and Jem knew it. He had made himself the 'bad guy', and she would choose her 'good guy' to save her. She knelt at Jem's feet and began to kiss them. "Please" she began quietly, no spirit left. "Please, your royal highness, please be so gracious as to allow me to be beaten in front of you." Jem rubbed his chin like he was thinking. "I don't know, it might upset some people. You'll have to beg the man you want to beat you. Pick one out, and beg him nicely." She had to pick her own abuser? This was almost too much. But if she had to, she was going to pick the one person whom she had a small attraction to, despite herself. She crawled on her hands and knees to Navin's feet. Navin was shocked! He'd never been chosen in a room full of young, good-looking men before! He wasn't unattractive, but certainly didn't consider himself the cream of the crop. He was going to milk it for all it was worth. "Master, please, will you give me 20 strokes in front of the Prince?" Navin acted as if he didn't really care. "I'd rather have a turn at your ass, and give my men the same privilege." The girl almost went into hysterics. "But please? Please?! I've tried to be good to you, I really would have done anything you wanted, please don't let them hurt me, please just beat me yourself, please! I beg of you..." she clung to his ankles and buried her head into his feet, "...allow me this small kindness, and beat me, please!" "Do you really want it? I'll mark you terribly if I strike you, I swear it." The girl grabbed his ankles tighter, "Yes! Please! I beg you this small kindness?!" Navin sighed, "Fine. Go get on all fours in front of Prince Jaimeth." She practically ran to her spot in happiness. Navin removed his shirt, and stretched out, which made Jem laugh. He looked up at Navin's large rippling frame and smiled, saying, "Fuck her day up." Navin looked around and said, "someone put a cock in this girl's mouth to keep her quiet. Her screams will wake up everyone who's trying to sleep." One of the guards humbly volunteered for Navin's order. A cock filled her mouth, and the guard began pumping his hard shaft into her face. Navin took a step back, a deep breath, then hit her with every ounce of strength in his body. Even with a cock in her mouth, the scream was deadly, as she felt her skin part, and a bright distinct red line formed where the first blow landed. 19 to go. Benito began to cry, and asked Jem to be excused. Jem refused; he wanted to toughen Benito up. Navin took another breath and step, and again came down on her with all his strength. Another red line, another deadly scream. Little did she know she picked the least gracious punisher in the room to give her a beating. Navin was merciless, almost as merciless as Jem. Command and Vanquish Ch. 02 Strangely, in spite of the pain, the girl's body called out for Navin. She felt completely at his mercy, yet thrilled his was merciful enough to beat her instead of letting all of them fuck her. She wouldn't mind Navin fucking her though...looking at his rippling muscles as he flexed to beat her... Third strike, third scream, third red mark. She couldn't help it. The her thighs were wet with her juices; her pussy was crying out to be filled by Navin. She began to drip all over the floor, to the laughter of many of the guards. One of them went behind her to dip his finger into her and whispered to her, "You want to be owned, don't you, you little slut? You like the feeling of a man owning your skin, don't you?" He began to fuck her hard with his fingers. Fourth strike, fourth red line...but instead of a scream came a moan. Isabella walked into the room. She had a wide-eyed look of panic and horror on her face, like she might pass out. She looked incredulously at Jem: how could he just sit there? She had never seen this side of him before. She looked at Benito crying, and her heart went out to comfort him. Everyone froze. A very wide range of emotions went through Jem: worry about Isabella's reaction, anger at Rayth, disappointment that Isabella saw this, panic that he felt "caught", worried that this would blow the entire strategy for interrogation, fear that Isabella's compassion might turn against him, but curiosity if he can make himself look more "cruel" by playing off such a reaction. Jem thought quickly, and rose to greet her. "My dear Princess," he said with a smile on his face. "Please, sit and join us. We're almost through here, finishing up for the night. While Navin's finishing, you may ask us questions about what went on." Isabella was horrified, and looked at Jem with anger. "Do you think I'm going to sit here? No, no..." she looked around the room and realized her mistake. No one, not even her, should question/refuse Jem in public, especially not in front of a prisoner. Jem's eyes flashed momentary anger as she recovered. "I mean, please Sir, I am not used to these techniques or customs, and I would be most grateful to you if you would please excuse me." She looked up into Jem's hard eyes, as hers began to well with tears. "Please Sir, I only came to tell you I had a good evening, and to wish you good night. May I bid you good night in the hallway? I see you are busy, and wish not to interrupt." Jem's eyes softened a bit as he found his window to save face. "Of course, sweet Princess." And he ushered her into the hallway. Once alone, Isabella was frightened, and Jem firmly grabbed her arms, "My Princess, I'm trying very hard right now to control my anger. Rayth was to take you out to protect you from this..." "But I..." she interrupted. "LET me finish." Jem warned. "Certain things must be done. We're on the brink of war. Some things that must be done are not for the weak of heart. You're a good person; a better person than I am. That woman has information..." "That woman was one of my countrymen! I can tell from her features!" Jem exhaled fumingly, "Don't. Interrupt. Me again." Isabella's eyes filled with tears. He continued, "That woman had information that needs to be broken out of her. Breaking a person, no, it isn't pretty. But for the safety of our country, you damn well better believe I'll do the dirty work. Someone has to, and I happen to be good at it." Jem relaxed a bit with her, although his anger was still evident. "You could have blown it in there. Everything I did all night could have been blown if the captive was shown pity. I know you didn't mean it, but when you know I can't be with you, know it is for good reason." Jem rubbed his hands through his tussled brown hair, as Isabella didn't know if it was safe to speak yet. Finally she ventured, "Jem...I'm sorry. Please forgive me. May I take Benito to his room, and allow us to go to bed?" Jem looked at her incredulously. The audacity! "You want to get Benito out of there?" "I just think he's too young..." "I WAS TOO YOUNG!" he roared. The baggage of his childhood suddenly became evident. He was only 9 when he became heir, and had to learn quickly to stomach the job of sovereign ruler. No one knew the full toll it had taken on his development, but statements such as these were a window into the depths. Jem needed to collect his anger before returning to the room. "Very well. You two fucking weaklings can go cry yourselves to sleep. Stay in your room tomorrow until I call for you. You're not to see Rayth." Isabella almost couldn't believe her ears. He was sentencing her? He was too angry for reason, and she thought it best to comply, especially for Benny's sake. "Yes Sir," she tried nobly. "Thank you, and I'm sorry for what I did...I shouldn't have interrupted. Shall I go collect Benito or will you send him out?" Jem turned his back to walk in the room, and didn't answer her. After standing in the hallway a few moments, Benito crept out of the room. As soon as the door shut, he ran to Isabella, and she fell to her knees to catch his small body in a hug. They held one another and cried and cried. Eventually, Isabella picked him up, and carried him to her own bedroom. She didn't want him to be alone that night. Down the hallway, the sound of struck flesh preceded another blood curdling scream. ********* Rayth walked into his dark room and waited for his eyes to adjust. He looked around and wondered, I wonder if Alenya is alright? Pulling his clothes off, he didn't bother lighting the room; he just wanted to crawl into his bed. Pulling back the covers and climbing in, he nearly panicked when he felt something warm and hard move against his legs. He peeked down in to see Alenya smiling up at him before she whispered, "Welcome home, Master!" Rayth laughed as he saw what his clever girl had done: after she lay in his bed, she built pillows around her, making the bed surface even, then draping heavy blankets to make the bed appear smooth and unused. He threw the pillows off the bed, scooped her up, and collapsed onto his own pillows with her. Pressing a kiss to her forehead and smiling, he said, "I'm glad to see you made it." ********* The tear-stained face of the spy looked up at Navin, who was standing over her kneeling frame. "Be nice to her, now" he told himself. He had her alone in his bedroom. "I'm impressed, you handled yourself very well out there tonight." He searched her face for a response. "May I offer you some wine, beauty?" Almost unbelievable, she nodded her head. He poured a glass, and held the bottle in his hand. She took the glass, and gratefully took a sip, hoping it would dull the pain in her back. With the bottle, he poured a bit over her nipples, then sucked the wine off. "Be gentle with her" Navin told himself. She was still wet, and seemingly becoming more so. Using the opening of the bottle, he swirled it around her clit. "Such a beautiful girl" he murmured to her, and continued sucking on her nipples. He took her glass and set it on the floor, and gently pushed her back on the bed. He kissed all over her body, teasing her openings with his bottle of wine, before setting the bottle on the floor. He plunged his fingers into her cunt and murmured, "So lucky that a little beauty like you ended up here...tell me why..." He would stroke a confession out of her. ********* The next morning, Rayth was tying on his belt when he noticed a figure was standing in his doorway. Mildly startled, he looked over to see Jem standing in the frame of the door, arms folded. He didn't look happy. Rayth smiled at him, "Hey Jem, how did the party go last night?" Jem held his stare at Rayth, not returning the smile. Finally, he said "It went great...right up until the end. An unexpected visitor almost ruined everything." Rayth's smile dropped quickly, and his mouth went dry. After a moment of looking into Jem's hard eyes, Rayth said, "Isabella showed up, didn't she?" Jem's eyebrows raised, "Oh, you knew she was going to?" Rayth looked somewhat worried, "...She said she wanted to say goodnight to you. I had asked her to only check your room, and she promised me she wouldn't compromise...me." Jem, arms still folded, sauntered into the room, "No, what she almost compromised was the job we were finishing. You know how it's important to maintain positive control? Her compassionate nature was speaking for her for a moment." "Jem...I'm terribly sorry...I don't know, should I have stayed with her in her room until you were finished?" "Do what I ask of you, regardless of how you get it done." "Yes, Sir...I'm sorry Jem." Jem smiled when Rayth called him "Sir." Rayth hadn't done that since the military academy. Somehow, this broke the ice. "The strategy worked well. The spy warmed up to Navin, and I'm sure he spent the night pulling a confession out of her with each stroke of his cock. Speaking of fucking...where's Alenya? Haven't seen her since yesterday?" Rayth thought "there's a reason for that" before telling Jem, "She's with Isabella...they're getting ready for your engagement party." "So who are you planning to take? I know a certain general's daughter who practically begged me to throw you to her." Rayth grinned, "Actually ...I want to take Alenya." "What, to hold your drinks?" "No...with the right dress and a little social help, she could accompany me as any lady would." Jem didn't know whether to laugh or smack Rayth. He truly felt like doing both. "...you're serious, aren't you, you fuck?" "I don't want to be bored. I can't watch you be happy with a wonderful girl, and have some leech attached to me, saying boring shit, showing off to all her friends, and sucking the life right out of me. At least with Alenya, I know I'll have a good time..." he laughed, "...because I could tie her to a whipping post afterwards if she doesn't keep me happy." He wasn't at all serious about the last part, but knew it would appeal to Jem. Jem twisted his face in thought... "One condition, Rayth: Make sure not a single person knows she's a slave...fuck, I couldn't handle that kind of diversion" "Isabella said the same thing. She agreed to make Alenya presentable in time." Jem perked up, and his heart went out for Isabella. He momentarily forgot he was angry with her and said, "...did Isabella have a good time out with you last night?" ********* Isabella had Alenya stand, but Alenya wouldn't raise her head. Isabella belonged with Jem, and that made Alenya fearful. Isabella knew she had to make Alenya comfortable. "Alenya," Isabella said warmly, "if you're going to be Rayth's date, you have to get used to looking at and speaking with royalty and nobility." Alenya almost had tears in her eyes, "Yes, Madam Princess...I just didn't know that Rayth..." she stopped dead. She had just spoken her Master's name, a crime for a slave. Her eyes closed, then looked at Princess Isabella to see how severely she would be punished. Isabella gave her a hug and smiled, "Well, at least you're looking at me now. And don't worry, you may use Rayth's name around me. You'll have to use it at the party as well. Do NOT call him 'Master' while you're there. 'Lord Rayth' or 'my Lord' will be just fine." Alenya smiled shyly. The Princess was so kind to her! Isabella moved around her to correct her posture, pulling Alenya's shoulders back, lifting her chin. To make small talk, Isabella asked, "Are you excited to be going with Rayth?" Alenya bent her head again, which Isabella corrected. "Well, Princess..." Alenya smiled, "I'm very frightened to go to the party...but very happy that..." she had trouble saying his name, "...that...Rayth...asked me to go with him." Isabella winked at Alenya, "Rayth's devilishly good-looking, isn't he?" Alenya's eyes sparkled, "Madam Princess, I about faint every time he speaks to me." Isabella laughed, "Don't tell my Prince, but me too!" Alenya laughed as well, and felt encouraged, "Lord Rayth makes me very happy. Even if he is in a higher status than I am." Isabella sighed, "Alenya, I know the feeling." Isabella didn't have many people to talk to, except Jem's family. She was enjoying this opportunity. "Sometimes," she continued, "I think in some ways I have my own slavery to Jem. He loves me, we have so much fun together, and he buys me anything I want, but then, nothing I have is my own. Everything I do is in a way by his permission...if he chose to take it all away, that's his discretion." "Madam Princess, may I tell you something?" "Of course, Alenya! We must learn to speak freely to one another; it will be expected at the party," Isabella winked. "Princess, I've been at the palace a long time. Your Prince has always frightened me, and he terrifies most people except his family, my Master, and the guards. But with you, Princess...he's always happy and smiling. He's in a better mood, all the time. You bring out the best in him, Princess, and everyone, even we slaves, see it. It makes some of the girls who like him jealous; they wish they were you! But they couldn't have been. He's never cared for anyone like he cares for you." Isabella smiled as Alenya spoke, and hugged her when she finished. "Thank you for telling me that...I just hope I didn't spoil his affections be my actions last night..." ********* Navin found Prince Jaimeth and Lord Rayth still talking in Rayth's room. "Sirs!" Navin said, running in, "Problem...that Espinan spy spilled her guts; I had her tell me the information several times, and her story's the same every time, I think she's telling the truth." Rayth had never seen Navin so upset before, and instantly was concerned. "What's wrong?" "The information she had was for an assassination attempt on the Queen...and on you, Jem. The Espinan's have their elite small-team forces camped about 15 miles from here. They were waiting for her information to infiltrate the palace and Prince's Hall. My Prince, the idea is with you gone, the monarchy fails; no one else would be ready to assume sovereign rule." Jem looked stunned, "Nav, do you think the information they had would get passed our security?" "I don't know, Sir, the security is pretty tight; I oversee it myself, but I don't even like the sound of an attempt on your life, Sir." "...me neither. Where the hell is this camp?" The men moved quickly to the planning rooms to look over the maps, and Navin pointed, "That's the grid coordinate that she gave me." "The closest outpost we have, here," Rayth pointed, "is equipped enough to handle a battalion-sized unit." "That should be sufficient. The Espinan's elite teams are camped, but they're small teams. Sheer size should over-power them." "Just the same," said Jem, "I want it tactically impressive. Don't underestimate the small teams. Surround them first, give them no outlet, then push inward." Rayth knelt, "With permission Jem, I'll oversee the mission." Jem slapped Rayth once hard on the back: "Go." ********* Lillian, Jem's oldest sister, looked worried as Jem spoke to her. "Lillian, I want you to take Sonia and Benito to Lord Rayth's castle in the south. Since he's here all the time and never uses it, you are to make yourselves at home there with his family." "Jem, I just don't understand, if you're safe here, why aren't we?" Jem looked sad for a minute. "Rayth has conquered and captured the potential assassins. He's bringing them back here to the dungeons for interrogation tomorrow. Just in case anything goes wrong...if they break out, or escape or something..." Jem looked at her, hoping she'd understand. She hugged her younger brother tightly. "Oh Jem, nothing is going to happen to you." She let go of him and smiled, "I've seen you practice with your blade, and I know you. If ever last guard failed you, you'd take care of yourself." "...But I'm worried about you guys. If anything happened to any of you..." he trailed off. "You three are my life. If anything happens to you, my life's over." Lillian knew she would agree to Jem's request, and go to Rayth's castle. "Can we at least come back for the engagement party?" Jem's eyes turned cold. "There will be no engagement party. I'll be damned if any member of Espinan's royal family set foot on my soil." "That's already happened, Jem: your Princess." Jem looked off. "Don't remind me." ********* As Jem looked through the bars at the captured assassins, something inside him turned as cold as the dungeon walls. Why would the Espinans want to kill him? Over land? Over their debt? Pangain had been a responsible neighbor; they didn't want to hurt/intimidate Espinan. Why did they have to start this war? Jem was quickly tiring of everything to do with Espinan. And tiring of any challenge to him or his family. Jem said quietly to Rayth, "clean one of them up, and bring them upstairs. Divide and conquer, I'll break one at a time." "Yes Sir," said Rayth. As Jem turned to walk back up the stairs, he said over his shoulder, "When that's done, get my military council together. Time for the armies to strike." ********* Sonia ran through the halls of Lord Rayth's castle happily. "Come on, Benny! Rayth told me he had a room full of toys just for us!" Benito was struggling to keep up with his sister, but he was happy too. Lillian walked with Navin, who had escorted the family to the castle. "How do you think Jem will be?" Navin's felt a range of emotion. "Security-wise, he's going to be excellent, my Princess. He's personally a brilliant general, and has the world's best military and guard at his disposal. Personally...I wish the three of you would stay at Prince's Hall with him." "Why's that?" Lillian asked. She agreed, but wanted to hear Navin's thoughts. "Forgive me if I offend your family, but Prince Jaimeth is starting to take a mental downward turn. Negative, pessimistic, suspicious...I'm worried. Forgive me, Princess...but this is exactly how your father became before he went off the deep end and your grandmother promised the throne to Jem. I don't know...I just think it would help if you would still be around to help him through the oncoming war. War always brings out the worst in people." Lillian put her hand on Navin's arm to stop him and look at his face. The corners of her mouth turned in a faint smile. "I trust you to protect my brother...even if that means protecting him from himself." Navin nodded. "Let's also inspect the grounds for you, Sonia, and Benito. I'm concerned about your protection here, too." ********* Isabella came to Rayth's room, looking for Alenya. While the status difference was striking, Isabella considered Alenya an immediate friend who could understand her feelings; Isabella and Jem shared as dynamic a relationship as Alenya and Rayth. Alenya was carrying fresh linen's to Rayth's bed, and through a cracked voice Isabella asked, "Please...talk to me while I help you with that?" Alenya set the sheets down and spun to look at the Princess's tear-stained face in shock, unsure of what to do. "Madam Princess?" She fumbled for what to say, "W... what's wrong that I might help you with?" Isabella broke down into sobs as Alenya rushed to hug her. "It's Jem...he won't let me near him, he won't let me speak with him...I don't know what's wrong or what to do!" she cried. Lord Rayth stepped into the room to find his slave and the Princess on the floor, and didn't know who his heart went out to more. He was only supposed to come back to his room temporarily to get his whip then return to the dungeon, but Alenya looked up at him, her eyes pleading for help. Rayth approached the two, and crouched down to hug the Princess. "Madam," he murmured, "are you alright?" Command and Vanquish Ch. 03 The war room was buzzing as the military council poured over maps and plans. How could this have happened? How could their weakened enemy with no strategic advantage infiltrate a lord's palace and kidnap a prince? And for the young prince's safety, what was the next move? Isabella sat at the oval table completely absorbed in the report a counselor was explaining to her, asking questions and using her keen eyes to seek flaws. Rayth was frantically scribbling out written orders for tightened border security. Navin had gone to bring Lillian and Sonia back to Royal Square. When Jem wasn't staring out the window, eyes alternating between panic and anger, he was pacing the room with his arms folded trying to formulate a solution in his head. The stakes on the table: his youngest brother and his fiancé, both pieces of his life that he couldn't do without. Could he give up one to keep the other? One of the generals cleared his throat, "Sir, we can't pinpoint exactly where Prince Benito even is. We're going to have to negotiate at least in part until we can get his location." Jem's square jaw set. That isn't what he wanted to hear, but he nodded in acceptance. "What do we have to negotiate with? What can we offer?" "Jem," Isabella spoke up, "I have the message from my fa...the king of Espinan here; I've translated it for you. He's demanding my entrance in his gates before ever disclosing where Benny is being kept." "Do we have any way to work around this?" Jem asked, eyes darting over the faces of his counselors. "Well, Sir," one of the generals said nervously, "We could simply refuse to negotiate. We refuse their proposal and set our own terms. Then we could easily just barge our way into the gates and..." "No." Isabella said, shaking her head looking at the translated message. "They'll kill him." She met Jem's eyes, "They'll do it. They sent assassins for you, Jem, they want the royal family gone." She looked back down. "Benny might be already..." "Don't say it," Jem said quietly, holding up his hand and closing his eyes. Rayth looked solemnly at one of the counselors. Someone had to ask. "What advantage do they have to keep Prince Benito alive?" The counselor tapped his fingers on the table. "The goal is Prince Jaimeth. I know this sounds cold, but we're dealing with a cold situation. Prince Benito's death gains them little. They're after Prince Jaimeth, either physically conquering him...or mentally defeating him." "Very well. If it's me they're after, I'll go to Espinan myself to negotiate." "Sir," said one of the counselors, as the others exchanged nervous looks, "for your safety, the council could not approve such an action. Neither would the queen." "Jem," Isabella said, pausing in thought. "We could reverse their advantage if you do indeed exhange me for Benny. Let me go, give them what they want." "Are you out of your mind?" Jem asked, astounded. She stood up, pacing the room as she spoke, gaining confidence in her plan. "Espinan is all but defeated now; Benny is the only card they have to play. Once I ensure the exchange, then they have nothing, and you can finish this. Here's the plan: I'll wait outside Espinan royal gates with your bodyguards. When I have visual confirmation that Prince Benito is...healthy and well, I'll enter. Once Benny is safely back," she stood in front of Jem, placing her hand on his arm, "then darling, when you win the war, I'll come back to you." It sounded too easy... too risky. Jem scowled, looking around his council to gauge approval. "What assurances do I have that they'll let Benito go once she's in...and what assurances of her safety?" A general cleared his throat. "None, Sir. If you do this, you're taking it on good faith that the King of Espinan will act responsibly." "How comforting," Jem said sarcastically, half smirking at this sour situation. "Sir," said another counselor, standing, "this may be our best option. Once Prince Benito is safe, we'll be in position to demolish them, and punish them for this ridiculously foolish crime." Rayth's back was against the wall, arms folded, face dark. "I don't like this at all." "Neither do I," said Jem. "Let me do this," she plead with Rayth. "If ever my allegiance was questioned, let doubt be put aside now. As service to the country, let me bring your Prince home." "And we lose our future Queen?" Rayth asked, eyebrows raised, "Because that's what we're risking. Iz, who the hell knows what they'll do to you?" "I was born Espinan. It's natural that if I'm to be risked, I'm to be risked on my soil." She turned to Jem, "But I trust you to bring me home." Jem looked slowly over Isabella, his love. "I don't think I can let you go. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you." She smiled faintly, trying to hide her own anxiety. "We have more to think about here, Jem, than just you and me. We can't let Espinan push our country around; they're small, weak. What message will it send if we don't take the power out of their hands?" "What message does it send if we cave in to their demands?" "Sir," one of the council members interrupted, "Princess Isabella is more likely to be safe after the exchange than Prince Benito currently is. With your approval, your majesty, allow this council to vote on it." Jem looked at the ceiling, trying to hold it together. After a moment, he addressed the council rigidly, "I'll allow you to deliberate and vote in private. Someone come tell me when the council has decided. I'll be in my room. I leave this decision up to you." ********* The youngest Prince sat in the straw of his cell, dirty and cold. His wide little eyes kept peering though the bars, straining to see in the dimly lit corridor. For nearly a week, he'd been fed little, hungry after each meal. He tried so hard to be strong and not to cry. He was expecting Jem, his strong unbreakable brother, to come rescue him at any minute, and wanted to look his best. He felt helpless that he could be kidnapped. He wanted to make up for it by trying to handle it well. Still, his young mind could not abandon the fear and sadness that welled inside him. ********* Isabella stopped two slave girls in the hallway just outside of Prince Jaimeth's door. "Where are you going?" she demanded of them, and they lowered their heads. "Madam Princess, Prince Jaimeth has called us to give him a massage; he said he was feeling tense." Isabella looked pensive for a moment, then said, "quickly give me your robes, and your supplies." "Madam," one of the slaves said nervously, "we must hurry to Prince Jaimeth, he'll be..." "Fear me far more than you do him right now," she snapped uncharacteristically, "Do what I tell you. Give me your robes and supplies. I will go to him; you have your leave." After the girls complied with the Princess, the guards at Jem's door smiled as they pulled them open. Isabella slipped inside to see Jem laying naked face down on his bed; he didn't look up. "What took you girls so long?" he said, and Isabella stifled a giggle before saying (trying to hide her accent), "forgive me... Master." She sauntered to his bed, and lightly pressed a kiss into his exposed neck; too bold a move for one of his slaves. He shot upright, ready to dismantle the girl, but shrank back, startled to see who it really was. "Iz, what are you doing here?" "Lay back down, my love," she ordered playfully. "I believe you ordered a massage?" He searched her for an explanation before smiling and collapsing back on his stomach. "You'd better be good, I don't tolerate mediocre performances," he teased. She laughed and straddled his bare back, then rubbed some oil on her hands, "ooooh, Master, how I fear to displease you," she teased back, began kneading the oil into his skin. She felt for the tense spots with her fingers, and as she worked, he pieced together what she was doing: she was trying to lessen the blow. "The council has decided?" Isabella kept rubbing him, "Yes...they have." "That didn't take long..." he muttered, irritated. "Did they approve it the minute I stepped out of the room?" "Jem...I insisted. It's the right thing to do. Your brother comes home, you win the war. There's only gain to be had." He spun to lie on his back as she still straddled him, now his front. "There's loss as well...losing you." She tried to fake a smile, "It'll only be temporary." His face hardened, but not his usual angered demand. This face was sad, in pain. "They might hurt you, just to hurt me." His strong hands caressed her delicate arms. "Despite things I've done in the past, I love you with everything I am. Since I've know you, I've never envisioned my life without you. No one can do what you do; I need you...this country needs you. Iz... stay." She leaned forward, and took his mouth, stoking his tongue in long caresses. Hovering above his mouth, she whispered, "I belong to you...that doesn't change even if I leave." Using her hands, she lightly caressed his chest, kissing his mouth, trying to physically make him feel her reassurance. He gripped her arms, stopping her attempts, and spun her around on the bed so that he lay on top of her, pinning her between his body and the bed. He passionately raped her mouth with his tongue, trying to conquer her in a wordless argument. "No..." he said between engulfing kisses, "...stay...stay with me," commanding her with his tongue. She began to fight back with her own passion, trying to calm him, tame him, gently. "I must go..." she kissed his neck, his chest, moving down lower onto his body, dragging her tongue and nails along his skin, "then you must bring me back." He pulled her head up, not allowing her to go lower as her mouth intended. Instead, his eyes flashed his familiar concoction of mischievousness and resolve as he began pulling her clothing off of her: "You're mine, Iz, mine to hold, mine to love." Undressing her fully, he gripped her hand, and pressed his lips to the soft flesh of her wrist just below her palm. He teased this spot with his tongue, letting the sensitive area absorb his heat, then licked his was up her arm...to her neck. He whispered in her ear, "I'll make you want to stay," and gently nibbled her ear. He kissed his way down her chest, until he reached the valley of her breasts. He cupped them together, molding her breasts, then one at a time took each nipple in his mouth, first simply allowing her to feel the moist heat, then sucking hard with his lips, teasing the tip with a swirl of his tongue. Her back arched, and she moaned, "Oh! Jem...I WANT to stay, but ...we must..." she was beginning to lost control, and her legs became moist in between. They had played around with one another before, out of love, out of passion...but never before was it like this. She gripped his choppy brown hair and actually pushed his face lower, encouraging him to give her relief. He chuckled low. Giving Isabella pleasure was a special treat for him. For years, he indulgently had commanded his slaves aggressively to pleasure him. He never knew the bliss of giving until he met his Princess. He nuzzled his head into the sweet valley between her thighs, soaking in the sight and the sweet scent. By heavens, she was lovely. He engulfed her entire sex with his mouth, gently sucking, creating a mild pulsating for her. Then releasing her, he paid special homage to one area at a time, alternately flicking her clit hard and fast with his tongue, and plunging deep into her, reaching as far as he could for a taste. He lapped at her juices, which were flowing steadily now. Her hands were still in his hair, massaging his scalp, and she was moaning incoherently. He smiled, happy, feeling he was winning her over. He reached up as he licked her, and grabbed a nipple, rolling it, pinching it, sending shockwaves of pleasure through her. He built the steady tension, felt her tighten and squirm as he listened to her moan, his tongue feverishly working to send her over the edge. Her grip tightened in his hair, and although it pained him slightly, he plunged his tongue deep inside, knowing she was closed. Her back arched deeply, and using her hands and pelvis, she pushed his face hard into her sex, and rocked violently as she cried out. Her orgasm shook her to the core, and he wrenched himself free from her grip to lay at her side and hold her. His strong arms wrapped around her tightly as the tremors subsided, and panting she buried her face into his chest. When she was finally able to speak, she huffed, "Thank you, Jem." "My pleasure," he said sincerely. "Now you only get more of that if you stay." She reached up and lightly bit his earlobe playfully. "Your majesty...I have to go. You gave your council the decision, and they have spoken." He pulled her away from him...sad. He looked into her eyes, not knowing what to say. "When do you leave?" he finally asked. She looked down. "Tomorrow morning." Licking her lips, she continued, "Let me give you something to remember me by..." and kissed his neck, chest... ********* While Jem awaited news of Isabella's success in Espinan and the return of his brother, Jem grew mildly reclusive. He hadn't realized how much he would miss Isabella, and hated the Espinans for forcing the option of his family or his love. Of course he would never have let his brother suffer. But to have to give up Isabella? The woman who he'd spent countless hours with, either on official dinners, environmental conferences...or his favorite: time alone walking, conversing, or holding one another? He could almost see her smiling face, always pleasant, an equal to him, fulfilling him in ways his body slaves couldn't. He was angry, frustrated, and didn't want anyone to see him beginning to lose control. Navin had already "corrected" him once; he wouldn't give him reason to again. Instead, he wanted to take his frustrations out physically, with someone who completely understood him. Jem and Rayth spent much free time over the past few days swinging swords at one another one on one. Rayth knew Jem was suffering, and silently offered him a blade-drawn outlet. Besides, Rayth needed one as well. While Alenya was certainly his love with whom his affections lay, Rayth had a soft spot for the Princess who so easily infiltrated the daily life of Princes Hall. If Jem was like a brother, Isabella was like a sister. "Rayth?" asked Jem, bringing down his blade only to be blocked, "it feels... it feels like I'm coming apart." Jem stepped back and let down his guard. "I'm the fucking heir of Pangain, and I can't maintain possession of the woman I love?" This struck a nerve with Rayth, and he brought the attack again, "I know what you mean, buddy. I've been there...felt that way. With Alenya." Jem laughed, blocking, "You moron, she's a slave, my love's a Princess, there's a huge difference." Rayth attacked harder, somewhat offended that his attempt to empathize had been dismissed, "It's the same...woman from a different land, under different obligations because of it, and the man being forced to choose between loving her and disregarding duty, or adhering to her difference and separating yourself." Jem stopped, panted, and looked at Rayth with narrow eyes, "You think you love that slave the way I love Isabella? Is that possible?" Rayth chuckled, "Open your eyes, Jem, of course I love Alenya. I've been dying to treat her like you treat Isabella. I'd love to take her to the theater, have her sit by my side, ask her how she liked it, give her my coat for the way home..." "Aw, you romantic sap!" Jem laughed, "So why don't you just free her? Admit it, she's better suited to crawling on your floor than sitting by your side." Rayth rubbed his face, "it's complicated. I'm...I'm afraid. What if I set her free, and she rejected everything to do with her slavery...including me? What if she has another lover where she came from? She'd be gone, and I just know if I could deal with that." "Well son-of-a..." Jem trailed off, jaw slightly open, and stared at Rayth. Part of him had always thought Rayth would one day just snap out of liking Alenya once the novelty wore off. He'd never heard Rayth so explicitly detail his considerations of their future together. "Huh," was all he said, before a messenger ran in the room. "Your majesty!" the messenger ran in, and knelt, terrified to pass along this news. Jem and Rayth both stopped, sensing something terrible had happened. "What is it?" Jem demanded. "I've already reported to the Queen, and was instructed to tell you." The messenger shook, knowing Jaimeth would not respond well. "Your majesty, the entourage sent to escort the Princess was ambushed. Espinan soldiers killed all of them, sir. Once her bodyguards were dead, the Espinans kidnapped the Princess, Sir." "WHAT?!! They killed the...wait, where... where's my brother? Did they release my brother?!" Jem took a hold of the messenger by the shoulders and shook him, panicked and demanding, "Tell me they exchanged Benny for Iz!!! Tell me my brother is safe!!! Tell we didn't give Iz up for nothing!!!" The messenger was being throttled by Jem, and Rayth was far too panicked and shocked to do anything about it. "Sir! Please! No, Sir, they didn't release Prince Benito! They now have both your brother and your fiancé!" "Son of a BITCH!!!" Jem yelled, throwing the messenger aside. He was half crazed with anger, worry, panic. He drew his sword out and gripped it tightly. Rayth looked at him and worried what he would do. Then, Jem half came unglued, throwing his head back and yelling at the sky, falling to his knees, and tears squeezing from the corners of his eyes. "RAYTH!" he finally yelled, and Rayth bent down to give him a hug. Instead, Jem gripped Rayth's shoulders and looked into his eyes. Rayth had never seen such agony and sorrow in the eyes of his friend. "Rayth...convene the military council. I'm going to gut every last Espinan, starting with their king." ********* An Espinan Lord had overseen the mission to capture Princess Isabella. He was expected to turn her over to her father, the King, however, he was granted by royal authority to have a bit of "personal time" with her. Isabella shook as she stood naked in the bedroom of her captor. The man was reclining on his bed looking at her. How many times, she thought, had Jem done this: capturing a woman, disregarding her status, and using her however he wanted? She never realized the fear the countless new women sent to him must have felt. And she knew from seeing those girls later that he broke them. Her owner chuckled. "My dear, Princess, so many thoughts in your head. You really don't have to think so hard. I'll make it easy by telling you everything you need to do." Isabella didn't respond, just kept looking at the floor, angry. She wondered where Benny was, if he was okay. Her owner stood, and slowly sauntered towards her. "I've had my eye on you for quite some time. Always so graceful, sharp. And your family never seemed to want you. They have your brothers, and that's all they need." He stood in front of her and stroked her breast with the back of his hand; she gasped. "It made it easier for me to fantasize about...this." He groped her, all over, running his hands all over the length of her body. She tried to stand still, but she couldn't. He repulsed her, and she wanted to get away. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at the floor. "You shouldn't do this," her voice cracked. "When Prince Jaimeth comes for me, you're going to wish you were dead." He rolled each of her nipples in his fingers as he chuckled. "No, my dear, I'm going to enjoy this. And your prince..." he slid his fingers down her stomach, over her mound of curly hair, and in between her thighs, "...isn't going to save you from this, is he?" Command and Vanquish Ch. 03 She choked on a sob, and tried to push him away. He caught her wrists, and pulled on her arms until she went to her knees. Then taking a fist full of hair, he jerked her head back so she would look up at him. "Girl, you're going to wish YOU were dead unless you begin treating your Master a little more respectfully." Her eyes burned with anger, filled with tears. "You're not my master," through clenched teeth. "Hmm." He let go of her hair, and back-handed her hard. She fell on the floor and cried. The last time she was in this predicament was at the hands of Jem. She knew this could get worse, fast. He pulled her back up to a kneeling position. "Now, would you like to try that again? I said you should treat your Master a little more respectfully. And your response is...?" Swallowing the blood from the cut in her mouth, she kept her eyes down, "Yes...Master." Her owner threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, this is terrific! Worth every penny spent capturing you just to hear that. But I didn't capture you to hear you speak. I did it for this," placing his hand on her ass, smiling cruelly as her heart sank. "Come now, girl, no need to look so disappointed." He reached down and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. "You'll like this, I promise." She jerked her head away from his hand, and again he struck her. "Crawl to my bed, slut!" She had no choice but to do what he wanted. "Get up there, get on all fours on my bed." As she struggled to comply, her owner sat at the bottom and stared at her ass. Looking between her thighs, he noticed the wetness her fear had created. "My my, slut! I've barely touched you and you're wet already! The little Princess must like taking instruction rather than giving it." She shook as she heard him come up behind her. Using both hands, he gripped the cheeks of her ass and molded them. "Now...are you going to be good, or do I need to tie you here?" "You're going to have to tie me," she choked through sobs, "because I'll try and kill you if I get the chance." He laughed, and slapped her ass hard. "I believe you meant to say, 'I beg to be tied, Master'." "Go to hell," she cried. He pulled out a whip beside his bed. Drawing back his arm, he laid into her hard, until she was squirming on his bed, screaming. "I said get on all fours!" He hit her again. "Now, do you want to be tied?" Struggling to get back up, she said, "fuck you." A cruel laugh escaped him, "oh no, my dear, I'm going to fuck YOU. And for that..." he shoved a finger into her asshole hard, "I'm going to take my pleasure in your ass." She screamed as he probed her unexpectedly and unlubricated in her ass. "No!" she screamed, "Stop, please!" "Oh, so NOW you're begging. Too late for that my dear. Besides, you forgot to address me properly. I'll let you make it up to me. You can beg me, using my proper title, to go to the shelf and get some lubrication, or..." he slapped her ass hard, "...or I can fuck you raw, which I'm kind of hoping for, so go ahead and keep fighting." "No!" She cried, in fear, "Please...Master...please let me get some lubrication." "You beg to be lubricated so I can fuck you in the ass? Say it!" She cried, "Yes, Master...I beg to be lubricated so you can...so you can...fuck me in the ass." "Again, faster!" "Master, I beg to be lubricated so you can fuck me in the ass!" He chuckled, "Alright then, but only because you beg so nicely. Go ahead, girl. Go get some, then come back here and get on all fours." She did, barely believing what she was doing. She felt like this was a nightmare, and kept trying to wake up. If she couldn't wake up, she told herself, she would try and dream of a different place. She closed her eyes, and thought of sitting at the café alone with Jem on one of their first dates. She didn't know who he was at first, but she loved him. He was so wonderful... She was ripped back to reality as her owner shoved inside of her. It was too much, she was too full, and she felt like he was tearing her in half. She twisted in pain, trying to find a position to accommodate the intrusion better, but no matter where she moved, it hurt terribly. He pulled out slowly, then shoved back in. Pain seared once more as her owner groaned. "mmmm.....that's so nice, you're so tight, good girl..." Pulled out slow, thrust back in. In and out, stretching her ass. "Help me Jem..." she softly cried. "No one and nothing is going to stop this" groaned her owner in ecstasy. He pulled in and out, stretching her ass out, fucking her hard. He seemed to fuck her forever, raping her ass, harder, faster, until finally he exploded, shooting his seed deep into her. He gripped her sides, trying to steady himself, spent. "Alright...good girl..." he panted. He fumbled with chains at the side of his bed. Reaching around, he attached a collar and chain to her neck, tethering her to the bed. "Lay on the floor. I'm taking you back to your father in the morning." He lay on his bed and fell asleep. Isabella lay on the floor and cried. ********* A very despondent Prince Jaimeth sat at the council table, barely able to hold himself up. The meeting was somber as they reviewed their limited options. "We still have no idea where Prince Benito, and now Princess Isabella are," one of the generals said. "Perhaps we could offer a deal on the war in exchange for both of them; back out of their territory a bit, and see what happens." "No," said Jem. "Espinan doesn't act rationally. Their goal is to antagonize us, and this will be to their own demise," said Jem. He stared back at the table. "They aren't ever going to release Benny or Iz." The room froze as the idea sunk in. Heart of hearts, they knew Jem was right. Rayth stared into the table as well. "What are we going to do Jem? It's your army...your call." Jem was silent for a long moment. "We're going to destroy the royal castle, bring it down to rubble. I want every single member of the royal family dead; if they run for protection, kill them on the spot. The castle will be the prick of the needle: we'll bleed through the rest of Espinan from there." Navin's face was grave as he considered the implications. "Sir...it's possible Isabella's in that castle, perhaps living her old life as Espinan royalty. How do you plan to protect her?" Jem nearly shook with pain; he knew what he had to do. "They're trying to take advantage of her presence right now. We can't have any sort of plan to protect her. If I order special protection for her, they'll exploit it like they did when they took her...and when they took Benny. We can't give them leeway or any sort of advantage." He choked up, "Demolish the castle. We'll look for her after." Navin cleared his throat, shocked. "Sir...if she's inside that castle when we bring it down, and you're not ordering special protection of her, she could die by this order before we even find her." Jem stared straight ahead, tears forming. "I know. The order stands: castle comes down, all royal members die. All males regardless of status die. Female non-royalty take as slave." Rayth didn't look up. "And Benny?" "Exception made for children. Take all children as slave; we'll be on the lookout for him." Everyone sat still, before Jem sullenly said, "What the fuck is everyone waiting for? Crank out the orders, put your people in position. No one speak to me again until every last member of the Espinan royal family is dead." ********* Princess Isabella fought, bit, kicked, and swore at the soldiers who unceremoniously dragged her through the corridors of the dungeon. She recognized the place; it was the prison not far from the palace. "Stop FIGHTING!" one of the soldiers said as he slapped her. "Go to hell!" she screamed as she kept fighting. Finally, they opened a cell and threw her inside. She scambled to the cell door, trying to keep it open as the much stronger guards slammed it shut. One of the guards took out a whip and beat it once against the bars. "Stay back!" he instructed, sneering, "You have a special visitor." Isabella's anger flashed in her eyes as she back away from the bars, wanting to see who it was. She gasped and tears welled in her eyes as her father, the King of Espinan, stepped into her view. "Well, well, my dear, I don't believe I raised you to be so aggressive. You must have learned those bad habits from that barbarian lover boy of yours. No daughter of mine would behave that way." "And no father of mine would allow me to be treated like a prisoner slave! Or have my bodyguards slaughtered! Or break an agreement for exchange between myself and Prince Benito!" "It appears then our familial ties are severed. But don't blame me. You're the one who spat on your family's name for a few nice dresses. You whored yourself to the enemy for a few decadent meals. You..." "You left me there with no intentions of paying your debts to bring me back! Now you've done THIS to me!" "This is true, my dear, but you could have accepted your duty a bit more gracefully. Now, I'm afraid, you'll spend what's left of your days here. But fear not, I've provided good company for you." He stepped aside so that she could see the cell directly across from hers. Huddled in the straw sat Benito, looking back at her in shock. Isabella ran to the cell door to grip the bars, "Let him go, I beg you! You don't need him, you have me! Send him back to his home!" Her father, the King simply laughed. "Why would I give up such a useful negotiating tool? Look what it's given me already: you! I wonder what else I can pull from your sorry excuse for a lover. Now that I have his brother, now you, Prince Jaimeth will call off his armies and give me anything I want." Isabella glared at the King and said icily, "Then you don't know Jem very well." "Perhaps I should renounce my country to get better acquainted. Think about that while you're locked down here. Goodnight...daughter." He laughed cruelly as he left with the guards, and she spit after him. Although she was in pain and angry, she turned her attention across the hall. "Benny...it's going to be okay. How are you?" He sniffled, "I'm okay. How did you get here? Did they hurt you?" She scowled, tears forming, "I'm okay. I was supposed to be exchanged for you. But listen to me, and listen well. We need to get you out of here and back to Pangain. The strategy was: get you home, then Pangain strikes to finish the war. Our strategy is...um, delayed right now, but we can still make it work. Let me think." She searched her cell, feeling the walls. Nothing, except a small air duct near the ceiling for ventilation. It was too small for her to fit through...but Benny! "Benny! Do you have an air duct over there?" He looked up. "Yes, but it's all the way at the ceiling. I've tried already, I can't get to it." "You need to reach it...I think it's big enough for you to crawl through. It will lead directly outside, and they don't guard the outside like they do the inside. Do you have anything over there to climb with?" "No, Isabella, there's nothing over here. They won't even give me a blanket to cover up with." "Cover up with...yes, Benny that's it!" She almost laughed as she said, "Don't tell your brother, once you get home, what I'm about to do. Turn around, you're too young." She pulled off her dress, and once naked, began to tear it along the seams. She needed long strips of cloth, and when she had them, she tied them together. "Pst! Benny! Okay, now, take this." She threw him her homemade rope across the hallway into his cell. "Can you tie a knot, and catch it on something to climb up?" "I think so, but it doesn't look very stable." "Oh, Benny, just try, you're small, nothing will break off easily." He threw the knot up, and amazingly, it caught on the first try! "Iz! I did it!" "Good, sweetheart! Now climb...quickly! And Benny...if you get outside, you need to run. Don't worry about me, this war depends on you getting home, SAFE. We're counting on you." "I don't want to leave you here alone. They're mean." "I need you to help me by getting home and telling Jem where I am. Go...run, hide, don't get caught. You must make it home." Benny struggled to pull his small frame up the improvised rope, but finally, he was able to barely squeeze himself into the air duct. Twisting himself inside, he poked his head out to look at Isabella in a silent goodbye before he turned and crawled through. ********* Jem lay on his back in the courtyard; recently, he had felt numb, but now was eagerly reading Rayth's report from Espinan. The armies of Pangain had taken full control of the border, and were crossing towards the palace in enormous quantities. As ordered, they torched every building between the border and the palace, giving no retreat to the Espinans. But they wouldn't destroy everything; once Pangain took over, they'd rebuild the country, then annex it. Espinan would cease to exist; Pangain would simply be larger. According to Rayth's estimates, the palace would cave and be utterly destroyed by the end of the week. The royal family would be dead. Aside from the rebuilding process, the war would be practically over. But Jem closed his eyes, miserable. He couldn't stop thinking about what was happening, or has happened, to Isabella and Benito. Were they still alive? If they were, were they okay? Was Benito getting enough to eat? What were the Espinans doing with Isabella? What would happen when Rayth tore apart the palace. ...Was she inside? Would she survive? One of his body slaves, barely clothed and unbidden, came out to him. "Master?" He didn't move or acknowledge she spoke. He was too deep in thought, in sadness. "Um, Master? Can I bring you anything? Do anything for you?" It hurt most of the slaves who loved Jem to see him like this. He hadn't called for a girl since Isabella had left. The girl cautiously approached, and stood over his lying form. Then crouching down near him, she touched his arm. "Let me make you feel better, Master." He suddenly jerked and gripped the hand she touched him with. His eyes glared at her hard, angry...but hollow. He saw her fear, and the sadist in him stirred. Time and time again Prince Jaimeth vented anger and frustration on his body slaves. It was his right; he was ridiculously powerful, heir to the largest, richest, strongest country in existence and could command anyone to do/give him anything. But somehow, looking at this girl now, a number of things fell into place. He had been thinking about Rayth... the war.... then Isabella... now this slave. He stood up, and made her stand with him. He looked over her body, curved, beautiful, sensual, ready to do whatever he desired. He owned her. Like Rayth owned Alenya. He remembered back to he and Rayth's last decent conversation. As Jem looked over the face of the girl keeping her eyes lowered in front of him, he wondered. "Speak to me plainly, slave, I promise...I will not harm you. Have you ever loved before, slave?" "Yes, Master." "Who?" "Master, it was..." she feared. Jem was notoriously harsh. "Slave," he somewhat chuckled, "my promise, I will not harm you." "Master, I once loved another Master deeply...the Master that owned me before he sold me to you." "Why did he sell you?" "Master...because you wanted me, and no one is permitted to refuse you anything." Jem thought, and the corners of his mouth hinted a smile. "Do you like it here?" "Oh, yes, Master!" Jem chuckled, "Of course you do." He knew that she knew better than to say otherwise. "Do you have any regrets?" "Only, Master, that I didn't give enough to him. I wish..." she blushed, speaking to Jem for the first time so openly, "I wish I would have done more, performed better, shown him my love more often." Jem sat, as an epiphany hit him. He regretted not being more loving towards Isabella, towards his family. He regretted not treating his friends better...not being more kind to Rayth. Rayth had been a wonderful loyal friend. Their last conversation; he had an idea of a kind thing he could do for him...involving Alenya. Jem stroked the slave's face. "Girl, go fetch captain Navin for me. He and I have somewhere to go." "Yes, Master." She rose to leave, but he caught her wrist and pulled her back to him. "First, give me the name of your former Master. I'll send you back to him when you return." ********* Isabella sat cold and naked as a number of soldiers rushed in to the prison, all of them yelling incoherently, stirring up quite a commotion. Suddenly in the distance, sounds of heavy thuds shook the prison. "I can't believe this!" "What the hell are they doing" "How did they get passed..." "What are we..." "This can't be...." So many soldiers' conversations jumbled together, deafened occasionally by a serious of shaking thuds. Isabella ran to her bars, "What is going on?" A few of the panicked soldiers turned their attention to her. "You! You whore!" One of them said, "This is mostly your fault, but it isn't going to matter much anymore. Do you see this?" He held up a piece of paper. "This is your death sentence." "What?!" she shrieked, "My father signed for my death?" More thuds in the distance. "No, you bitch. This is signed by your fucking lover boy across the border. Read it, whore, it calls for the death of every royal family member. They're tearing apart the palace, and they aren't going to stop until you're all dead." "That doesn't pertain to me! Prince Jaimeth would NEVER do that!" "Read carefully!" the soldier said, flinging the paper at her, "Specific orders were given not to show you any preference; you're going to die with the rest of your family." Isabella looked at the writing in shock and horror. The soldier was right; Jem practically signed for her death. "No..." she gasped, barely able to comprehend what was happening. "Do you hear that?" the soldier said over the loud thuds in the distance. "They're tearing down your family's palace. Once it's in ruins, the soldiers are going to hunt you down. When they find you, they're ordered to kill any royalty on sight." "This is a mistake..." she said incredulously. "No, what's a mistake is to let you hide in here. They're going to kill us all until all you royalty are dead. So you know what?" He unlocked her cell. "I'm going to give you to them." "No!" She screamed and struggled as he pulled her out. "There!" he said, releasing her. "Go ahead and leave. When you run into the Pangain soldiers, they're going to kill you. Good riddance." The soldiers ran off, still yelling and trying to come up with a plan. Isabella stood in the hallway for a long moment, not sure where to run. The Espinans wouldn't help her; they hate her for becoming engaged to Jem. The Pangains, by order of that message she saw, were going to kill her amidst the commotion. "This is a mistake," she said to herself, "but until it gets sorted out, I need to hide. I need to hide who I am; my identity can't be known until the war is over. Only Jem's direct word can save me." ********* Rayth walked through the ruins of the Espinan Castle. He was covered in dirt, blood, ash from the fires, as were all the soldiers who had brought the castle down, and carried out Jem's execution orders. Still, as he stepped over the piles of rock, ruins of art, he was looking, searching. A soldier ran up to him and handed him a report. "Sir...we don't have all the confirmed kills recorded yet, but we got the king, the queen, and all of the princes." Rayth looked gravely at the report. Yes...they had done their job well. "Any confirmed kills on any of the Princesses?" "Sir, we have many of the women dead, but we can figure out who is who. Many of the bodies are severely mangled. We can't tell if they're cooks, visitors, princesses..." Command and Vanquish Ch. 03 "Isabella?" Rayth interrupted. The young man looked down. "We couldn't find her, Sir, when we made the push in. But we're still sorting the bodies out, and processing the prisoners." Rayth rubbed his dirty face with an even dirtier hand. "Alright. Find me right away when you can tell me who's who." "Sir! Sir, someone's coming!" called one of the soldiers cleaning up. Rayth stared in the direction of the approach, "Who is that?" "It looks like a messenger boy, coming up over the hill...Boy! Stop! State your business!" The boy kept running towards them, and the soldiers drew their swords. Then they faintly heard, "It's me! It's me Benny! I'm with you guys! I'm Benny from Pangain!" "Oh my goodness..." Rayth said, staring shocked and happy. "OH MY GOODNESS!" He raced towards the small boy and swung him happily into his arms, hugging him tightly. "I can't believe this! Benny, we were so worried! I'm so glad you're safe!" "Rayth, quick, we have to save Isabella!" the boy cried, "She helped me escape, but we have to get to her before they do something awful! They already hurt her..." Rayth set Benito down, and looked at him seriously, "Where is she?" "Not far, it took me half a day to get from there to here." ********* Isabella found some supplies at the prison and quickly chopped off most of her hair, as a field slave might do. Then finding an old blanket, she cut arm holes and one for her head, draping it around her in a pitiful garment. "No one could confuse me for a Princess," she thought, pleased with her clever disguise. Gathering a few supplies, she ran out of the prison, deeper into Espinan, to wait out the Pangain attack. When it was over, she would beg Jem to spare her life. ********* Alenya was cooking a meal for herself in the small apartment set aside for her on Rayth's property. She spent most of her days trying to help care for his family's estate, but as they had most of the staff they needed before she came, she was allowed much free time and liberty. Her apartment was small but quaint, sparsely furnished but nicely decorated. The meal she was cooking was almost done, and the aroma saturated the room. A knock came to her door. She was surprised; she never had any visitors. Cautiously, she pulled open the door a crack, and peeked out. Panic overtook her face, and she gasped. Prince Jaimeth stood outside her door with his quintessential grin on his face. "Little slave, it isn't very nice to keep such esteemed guests waiting outside," he called through the crack. Her stomach sank; Rayth wasn't there to help her. Why, she wondered, why did he have to come here? She closed her eyes, opened the door, and knelt abjectly on the floor. Jem, Navin, and 5 other guards let themselves in, stepping over her body. "Sir, something sure does smell good," said one of the guards. "She must take care of herself nicely," remarked another. Jem walked around the whole apartment as if he were assessing it, and the others did the same. "Nice place you've got. All earned from sucking Rayth's cock? You must be good." Alenya trembled. Was he here to take her body? Navin grinned crookedly and playfully slapped Jem's arm. "Sir," he whispered smiling, "What are you doing?" "Sorry," Jem whispered back. "Force of habit, something I need to work on. Alenya!" he called, "Come in here." Jem sat comfortably on her couch and spread his legs. Thinking Jem was there for sexual gratification, she knelt between his feet. All the guards laughed, and Jem sat up a bit. "No, no, you can't do any better for yourself by sucking me off." He narrowed his eyes playfully. "What'cha cookin'?" "A stew, Master." "Hmm...we are all awful hungry. Serve us." She tensed, "Master, I apologize to you profusely, but I only made enough for one person." "Serve me, then," he said, smiling. She left the room, not noticing the soldiers had carried some packages into her house. She returned with the stew, and knelt, offering it to Jem. He couldn't stop grinning as he tasted it. "Mmm...girl, you're good. This is simply wonderful." He finished the whole bowl, and handed it empty back to her. "Thank you." She took the bowl to the kitchen, and returned to him. "Well, I did say we were all hungry. Luckily, I brought lots of prepared food with me. Boys," he addressed his guards, "Lay out the feast our cooks made for us and Alenya. Alenya, make sure you get your fill. This is a business dinner, since I have some business I want to discuss with you." The guards started laying out all kinds of foods, passing around dishes and beginning to help themselves. Alenya though it was a trap, and refused to take a plate that was offered to her. "No seriously, Alenya," Navin said, grinning, "go ahead, none of us are going to hurt you for anything at all you do." Cautiously eyeing the guards, she took the plate, and slowly, carefully, started filling it with food. The other guards were already eating. "Girl," Jem began, "this is a celebration. You've been a very good slave, and you've been very good to my friend. Even now, the way you served me your own meal, no question, is impressive. You're a credit to slaves, and I'm sort of sad to see you lose your slave status." She looked at him shocked, wondering what in the world he was talking about. "Alenya, look at me." She looked up, worried. "Alenya...from right now forward, you are no longer the slave of Lord Rayth." His face took on complete sincerity and kindness, something she'd never seen before; it sort of worried her. "You'll never have another Master again. As long as you're in Pangain, you're free. I'm giving you your freedom." A wave of exhilaration coursed through her, and she kept waiting for him to let her down by telling her he was joking. But he didn't! He smiled warmly, "Don't look so shocked, I am very serious. Please, stand. Free women, while remaining respectful to me, don't have to stay on the floor like that." She stammered, "Master, if you don't mind..." He stopped her, a huge smile on his face, "Don't call me Master. Sir works just fine." She smiled, tears welling in her eyes, "Sir, I'm more comfortable on the floor when you're here...may I stay down here?" "You may do whatever you want." He looked so kind; who was this?! "Alenya," asked Navin, "do you have any family around that you would want to live with, or that would finance your transition?" "No Sir, I have no family, and no money..." "Consider me, then, your family," Jem interrupted. "I'm confiscating this apartment from Rayth and giving it to you." This made the guards laugh; they knew Rayth wouldn't mind. "Also, as your family... from now on, anything you need, clothes, food, or hell even jewelry... you need only ask me, and you'll have it. You will be welcome in Royal Square any time." Jem's face looked very very sad for a moment as he said, "You'll be to Rayth what Isabella was to me. Do you understand?" Alenya stood, and looked at Jem's face. She saw the pain, and understood all too well. For some strange reason, the man she once feared more than any other person, she slowly approached, then feeling oddly natural, she leaned over and gave him a firmly embracing hug. He understood that she understood, and held her tightly. The two, former Master and slave, held each other sharing a mutual love for both Rayth and Isabella. "Come to Princes' Hall with us," Jem finally said. "We came to escort you back. Rayth will be returning in a matter of days," he smiled slyly, "and you're his welcome home present, from me to him. Come on, let's get you home and find something nice for you to wear." ********* Rayth and a host of soldiers followed Benny into the prison. It was completely empty and abandon to their dismay. "Rayth..." said Benny, looking worried, "her cell was right down there; right across from mine." Several of the soldiers searched every single cell. "Sir!" One of them called from the end. "All the cells are open and empty! There's no one here!" A look of fear overtook Rayth and Benito. They both moved down the hallways, frantically searching themselves for any signs of Isabella. "Her cell was right here," said Benito, pointing to the open, empty cell. "Sir, if the cell's open...they must have let her out." Rayth bit his lower lip, fearing the worst. "If they captured her the way they did...I doubt they let her out from the goodness of their heart." He looked at the faces of his soldiers; no one looked very hopeful. "Maybe they moved her to another prison, one further in." "Sir, no one from the palace would have ordered that...they were under siege, and now dead. The prison guards are the only ones who would have made a decision." Rayth lowered his eyes, then looked over their faces. He could read from them all: they all believed her to be dead. "Fuck," he spat. He rubbed his hair. "Well... we'll keep looking for her. Everyone, keep their eyes sharp. I need to get Prince Benito back to Royal Square, and report to Prince Jaimeth." Rayth looked around the empty prison one last time, sadness and anxiety in his eyes. "Fuck." ********* Isabella had run for days, trying to stay off the roads. The Pangain army was advancing quickly, however, confiscating territory to give to loyalists at home. They were annexing Espinan; the royal family was dead, and Espinan nobility that resisted was either imprisoned or executed. Prince Jaimeth had the leeway of the Queen to do with Espinan as he wished; the Queen was ailing, and no one was sure how much longer she had left. Try as she may, Pangain soldiers were soon everywhere. It wasn't long before one of the patrols stopped her. "Stop girl! Where are you going?" said one of the patrolmen on horseback. "I'm...I'm going home to my Master..." she stammered, her accent evidencing her origins. "And who is your Master, slave?" another demanded. She had been a Princess of Espinan; she knew the nobility, and gave them the first Lord's name that she could think of. The soldiers checked through a list, then one of them laughed. "All of his territory now belongs to Pangain. Slave! You now belong to us." Two of them jumped off their horses, wrestled her to the ground, and bound her hands behind her back. She struggled, but knew that if they thought she was a slave, they would spare her life. If the order she saw was true, they would kill her if they found out she was an Espinan Princess. "Ooooh, she's a feisty one" said one of the men tying her. He rubbed his hands along her thighs, "I'd like to get a taste of a spicy little Espinan bitch!" "Come on, we can do that later. Let's get her assigned to a lot for right now. Prince Jaimeth wants the territories ready to go, fully equipped with slaves when he starts handing them out." Isabella's heart twisted at the mention of his name. ********* Rayth rode close to Princes Hall with Benito in front of him on the same horse. Rayth was thrilled to have the young Prince back, and was terribly excited to see the look on the faces of the royal family. But at the same time, Rayth's heart was heavy. He had to break the bad news about Isabella to Jem. Rayth smiled and leaned in to Benito, "So, how do you want to tell your family you're back? Do you want me to sneak you in, and you can surprise them, or should I ride this horse right through the halls and make a spectacle?" Benny laughed, "I was just going to go inside with you, but I like the horse idea!" Rayth laughed too, "Alright then, it's settled." Benito leaned back against Rayth. "Rayth? Do you think Jem's mad at me?" Rayth's face crinkled, "Benny, why would he be mad at you?" "Because I didn't do anything to stop from being kidnapped. I wasn't able to be strong like he wants me to." Rayth's deep voice vibrated in a chuckle. "Good gracious, Benny, there was nothing any of us could do about that. Trust me, Jem feels worse about letting it happen to you than anyone, he doesn't blame you. And when the stories come about how you escaped all on your own, and made it all the way back to us? You're a hero." Benito beamed, "Really?" "Absolutely. Can I tell you a secret? If Jem would have been the one kidnapped, I'm sure we'd STILL be on a rescue mission for his sorry butt." Benito laughed, "thanks Rayth." "You betcha." They came in sight of Prince's Hall. Rayth called out to the guards, "Open the gate!" he leaned into Benito, "ready? This will be awesome...hold on!" Rayth rode the horse right into the Hall. ********* All the screaming, running, jumping, and hugging that ensued couldn't be stopped as bodies (and a horse) tangled together! Jem had grabbed onto Benny and wouldn't let go, even as his other family members crowded around him, as did all the servants, slaves, guards, and visitors. Never was anyone happier, and tears flowed from everyone freely. Jem set Benny on the floor, but wouldn't let go of him, hugging him tightly as he told him, "Benny, please, stay with me from now on. I want you with me, all the time." Sonia pouted, "But Jem, I haven't played with him in so long!" "Come on then, baby girl, come with me too!" Lillian, old as she was, mocked Sonia and put on a pouting face as well. "But Jem, I want to play with you guys too!" Jem threw his head back and laughed, in too good a mood to argue. His face was lit up as he said, "Fine, how about we all move like a giant amoeba from now on, never leaving each other's sight!" Lillian kissed Jem then Benito on the cheek. "I'm going to tell our grandmother, then set up a welcome home dinner. Benny looks like he needs a dessert buffet to rebuild all the weight he's lost!" She took off. Rayth let the family enjoy themselves in private; he stood in the background and watched. Only after the hugging and tears reduced to a happy euphoria did Rayth step forward, half smiling and said, "Jem...do you want to wait until tomorrow to look over the reports I brought?" Jem and Rayth have been reading each other's facial expressions for too many years. What Jem read in Rayth's face put an immediate damper on the happy reunion. "I, um, suppose we'd better look at them now. Sonia, stay here with Benito, just for a bit." Rayth and Jem stepped into a private room, and Jem asked, "Tell me...what's wrong?" "Jem...we did what you'd asked, the castle's destroyed. The rubble is barely recognizable. All of the royal family has been executed." Jem's face blanched. "Isabella? Do you know what's happened to her?" Rayth couldn't look at Jem. "No. Benito was in the same prison she was. When we checked the prison, it was completely empty. Most of the Espinan soldiers had run off; they abandon the royal family and renounced the protection of their country. If they took Iz..." A lump formed in Jem's throat, "Well...could they have moved her? Maybe moved her to the palace before you got there?" "There were people still inside when we brought down the walls. Some of them...well, we don't know who some of them are. The, uh...rocks falling severely disfigured those who stayed inside. We don't know who all was in there...most of the men came out to fight. We've confirmed kill of the queen...but she's one of the only women we can...we can recognize the features of." Jem grabbed Rayth's shoulders, holding himself up. "I've dreamt of this...nightmares... of this happening," Jem said quietly. "But I never really believed it. I thought she'd be okay...she'd come walking down the road, we'd rescue her with open arms, and you'd bring her home to me" he slumped to the ground, and Rayth helped him to get seated. "I don't know if I can go on without her. Rayth...do you think...?" Rayth shook his head softly, "Jem, I just don't know. I don't know where else she'd be. We haven't taken full control over the Espinan yet, but we're steadily pushing our way towards it. We'll be asking for information, looking for her...but no one has any leads so far." Panic waved through Jem, but he said, "we'll keep our eyes open. Maybe she ran and hid...maybe she's... I just want to know, um... where she is, one way or the other." Rayth nodded, "me too." Jem sat there, somewhat shocked. "Rayth...you're my best friend...but please, I'd like a few moments alone. Oh, um, while you've been gone...there's a package for you in your room. I wanted to thank you for everything you've put into this war... and for always being there for me." "Jem..." Rayth was at a loss for words. Seeing Jem like this, there was not much comfort he could give. "Thank you, Jem. I'll be in my room. Call for me if you need me." He left. Jem sat stunned on the floor and said to himself, "what have I done?" ********* "Slave, number 59701!" The Pangain soldiers who had occupied Espinan were assigning slaves to the new properties they had taken. "Lot 25! Slave, number 59702! Lot number 56! Slave, number 59703! Lot..." Isabella waited in a long line. So many slaves, so many of her former countrymen. They all looked so poor, so dejected. Their life would not be easy under the Pangains. The Espinans were bad, but they weren't terribly rich: they valued their property such as slaves. The Pangains were far more wealthy; slaves were more expendable. A slave could easily be whipped to death by a Pangain Lord, and he could simply buy a new one the next morning. "Slave, number 59709!" Isabella inched forward in the line, waiting to receive her assignment. Should she allow this to happen? She debated rushing forward and telling the Pangain soldiers her identity. But, she rethought that idea. Look at her, chopped hair, wearing rags, in a slave line. Who would believe that she was the beloved of Prince Jaimeth, powerful, rich, and handsome? She trudged on. It was her turn. "Slave, number 59714! Lot number 01!" A random assignment, but she smiled. Many slaves were being assigned to Lot 1. She surmised that Lot 1 was for someone very rich, someone very special in Pangain. Perhaps she would recognize him from a dinner party, and he could help her. ********* The guards at Rayth's door were smiling largely; one of the knelt to greet him while the other pulled his door open. "Sir! Welcome home!" Rayth smiled and slapped him on his back, "Thanks, it's nice to be back. Damn, I need a bath!" He was still somewhat laughing when he walked in, then abruptly stopped dead. There was a girl standing in the middle of his floor. He was sort of confused, wondering why a rich noblewoman was in his room. Narrowing his eyes, he looked more closely at the beautiful, sweet face smiling back at him...he almost lost his mind. "A...Alenya?!" he rushed over to her, not sure if he should be happy or frightened. He embraced her, and held her tightly, his face in shock. "My darling, what are you doing here? I didn't call for you? If Jem finds out...Wait...why are you dressed like this? Someone might..." "Sshhh...darling," she smiled and whispered in his ear. "You worry too much." In honesty, she was frightened a bit herself. He loved her as a slave; would he even want her if she were free? He pulled her away from him, gripping her arms, "What is this?" She looked at him cautiously in the eye and said, "Rayth..." she melted in a smile, saying his name openly and freely, "Prince Jaimeth has set me free for you. He brought me here as a free woman, but still belonging with you." He didn't believe it: shock and denial. "Come again? You're...you're here because... wait, has Jem hurt you?" Tears somewhat welled in Alenya's eyes as too many emotions stirred together for her to sort. "N...no. Um, Prince Jaimeth has been very kind to me. I almost don't understand it, but anything I've needed or wanted, he's given to me. This dress," she smiled down and smoothed her clothes, then touched her hair, "my hair, my jewelry...everything I have he gave me, so I would look nice for you," she finished impishly. Command and Vanquish Ch. 04 "Prince Jaimeth?" A guard knocked deftly on his door. "Present for you, Sir." Jem sat up on his bed and impassively laid down the report he'd been reading. The guard swung the door open to display a pair of similar looking slave girls dressed in silken green bikinis. Each had her arms tied behind her back, and were led into the room heads down, each striking a tantalizing pose. They were nervous, frightened, untrained, new to slavery. Jem wasn't sure whether to be annoyed by their inexperience or pleased with the charge of breaking them in. "Hmm...lovely...a gift from whom?" The guard pulled a note out, eyeing it humorously before responding, "the note says, 'Love, Lord Rayth.' Doesn't say where they're from or why they've been sent." Jem's succulent mouth curled into a smile. The note didn't have to say it. His friend, even though away to visit his new property, knew all too well of Jem's mounting unhappiness. From all perspectives, life should have been marvelous: the war was over, his inheritance larger, richer, more powerful than ever. He loved his friendships with Navin, Rayth, and a few of his guards, all keeping him grounded but always entertained. His brother, his baby brother, was home, and the experience emboldened a keen interest in political affairs. His sisters were happy as ever, joyfully spoiling their soon to be sister Lady Mia... Mia. His future queen; he inwardly cringed. She was nice, he told himself. She was kind, refined, and extremely pretty by any standard. All the things a man could want. So why didn't he want her? He's tried so very hard. At Navin's urging, he's tried including her in meetings. Her wide-eyed looks of confusion and overwhelm almost boiled his blood with anger. But why so angry? As he shook his head to clear it, the molten anger cooled into a hard pit of pain and disappointment. It wasn't supposed to be this way. Not for him. He was Prince Jaimeth, damn it, holding life by the horns in a wild ride of action, excitement, and success. He had no need or want of taming. "Marvelous. And where my beauties do I have the pleasure of receiving you from?" One cleared her throat. "Master...this is all a terrible mistake. We're not supposed to be slaves. We're nobility. Our fathers..." she choked on a sob, "...they may have wronged Pangain, but we're not to blame." She fell on her knees, "Please, Master, don't shame us for crimes we didn't commit." The guard who brought them in laughed, as Jem's smile widened to a flash of white teeth as he stood from the bed. "Oh, you're nobility?" he took on a look of feigned sympathy (the guard realized his pretense, the slaves did not) "Of course," he paced around them, "certainly you're to be treated with the utmost respect and care." He grabbed the one who spoke from behind by her tethered arms, and guided her with his body to lie face down, bent over his bed. He jammed his middle finger hard into her raw ass, she screaming and squirming as he calmly bent to her ear and cooed, "come now, all that fussing isn't fitting for a well-bred lady...show me the lady you claim to be..." "What do you want with us?!?!" She screamed, crying, struggling to get away. His face sobered. He looked calm. Too calm. "Perfection..." he whispered, running his hands unabashed down her bound body. "You're going to serve me, with all of your body, all of your being. I promise, my dear, you will beg me to touch you soon..." he ran his fingers over the length of her cunt and smiled. "Especially here, and in here..." he placed a finger inside, and his eyes danced with a pleasant discovery. "Slave? You're a virgin? No man has yet taught you want you were made for?" She cried. "No...please...I don't know how to do this..." "Shhh, lovely..." he couldn't stop smiling, "I'll walk you through every step, everything you need to know..." He moaned low in his throat, silently thanking Rayth for the two reminders that not all his pleasures were gone. He might have a sedated future ahead of him with Mia, which he half accepted, half rebelled against. Mia was a wonderful woman, he said to himself. Kind, shy, but deserving. He would treat her well, lavishly spoil her like he did with... ...dare he even think about her? She was gone. Not coming back. No one would replace her in his heart or mind. And no one dare try. A new fire of rebellion welled inside of him. He would not be beat; he'd forge his own excitement. Jem pulled back his hand and delivered a terribly hard slap to the tender flesh of his slave's plump bottom. "Do you know what it means for a man to fuck a woman? Do you know how fucking happens?" "N..n..no, ..M..master..." "Ahh...well...I'll make these lessons easier on you since you're new. Let me teach you both at the same time." He threw the other slave to bend over next to the first, then kneaded the flesh of both their asses, one in each hand. He removed his clothing, and pressed the hard, hot length of his cock in between the first slave's legs, then the other. He alternated pressing his searing cock against their dripping sex as he explained, "Feel that, sluts? That's what I'm about to drive up inside of you. Do you know where I'm going to put this?" From the crack of the door, Lady Mia had seen enough. She whirled around and shut her eyes tightly. "Damn it," she thought to herself. Why does she let it hurt? She knew he didn't love her from the start, and bless him for trying, but it hurt every night he didn't invite her to stay with him. Perfectly lovely outings would end abruptly once they stepped foot back into Prince's Hall; he'd joke with Navin and Rayth while a guard discreetly ushered her away, back into solitude, unseen, unnoticed. Some nights she would creep to his room, as she attempted to do this night, to wish him a pleasant evening and hope for an invitation to stay. Other nights, she knew all to well he'd rather do anything than acknowledge association with her. Unshed tears stung as she moved to make her way back to her room, unloved, sleeping in a cold bed alone. She abruptly turned and smacked into a hard, warm blockade. Startled, she felt a strong set of hands steady her by her arms. Shyly and afraid, never having acquired a comfort with Jem's personal staff, Lady Mia lifted her eyes to the cool stare of the captain of the guard. The corners of Navin's smooth lips were subtly upturned. "Excuse me, Madam," he said with sincerity. "I should be much more careful." Her eyes turned worried, "Oh, no, please sir," she plead weakly, "it was clumsy of me to..." Navin's heart mildly broke as he watched her rant. She was so lost, thrust into a sticky situation: an unfamiliar world attached to a man who didn't love her. And someone should love her. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't help himself. He was entirely drawn to her, increasingly more so every time he watched her, saw her, went anywhere with her. But she could never be his. She was Jem's. And Jem didn't even want her. Navin silently cursed the young Prince. She was finished, and looked up at him to accept her apology. Looking in her eyes, and unsure of how to respond, his mouth went dry. He managed to hide his thoughts, as always. "Really, my Lady, there's no need for all of that. I came to see Jem...I take it he's still awake? "Um, yes..." she fidgeted. "How is he this evening? Did he say where he'd be going tomorrow?" "No, um...I didn't get a chance to speak with him yet..." she chuckled softly, trying to clear the lump in her throat. "He was busy." His eyes squinted in question before relaxing in realization. "That's my boy," he silently said to himself, smiling inside, passive outside. But poor Mia, she didn't know what to make of it. Isabella had always just understood and accepted it. Hell, sometimes she picked out his girl for the evening. But Mia was different, sweeter...more suited to himself. He heard himself speaking without thinking: "Well, Madam, while we're waiting, we might as well have a drink. Have you eaten?" "No, Sir," she replied nervously. "Me neither," he lied, extending his arm. "Care to join me?" She blushed, biting her lower lip, and placed her hand in the crook of his arm. Her hand jumped back a bit at the feel of his obvious strength, but then nestled back in to absorb his warmth. Although nervous with Jem's men, she couldn't help but be grateful for their kindness out of pity for her. "You're an idiot for this," Navin's mind shouted at him overtop his assurances that it was entirely appropriate for the captain of the guard to escort the future queen anywhere she wanted to go. ******************* Rayth was looking over the daily news while finishing his breakfast. During his stay the new Espinan property Jem had given him, he ate alone most mornings, allowing Lady Alenya the new found pleasure of sleeping in late. He smiled at the thought of her lying so sweetly in his bed. She had been such an integral part of his life for so long, constantly with him, sharing thoughts, the two of them knowing each other inside and out, that the transition from Master/slave to Lord/Lady was relatively smooth. His main challenge was to discover her free choices for pleasures; the relationship thus far had been rather one sided in that respect. She knew what fabrics he preferred to wear, his favorite desserts, his taste in music. His strategy to close the gap was enjoyable: spoil her, give her everything, take her everywhere, and see what lights up her eyes the most. He smiled over his coffee mug as he slowly sipped the hot liquid, thinking about the lovely day he'd planned for them. No rush, he thought. It will be a long day, quiet morning; let her wake at her leisure. He drank and continued reading. Suddenly two of his supervisors rapidly strode up to him, and he eyed them curiously. The each took a knee in deference, and looked up at him, their irritation apparent. "My Lord," one of them began, "may we speak with you a moment?" "Of course." "Sir, we're here to seek the execution of one of your slaves. We would like to have simply rid of her, but she's your property. Only you can decide what to do with her." "What has she done?" "We can't explain why, sir, but ever since your arrival here, she's grown boisterous, rebellious, time and time again refusing to work and demanding to speak personally with her Master: you, Sir. We've tried everything to break her: whip her at least once a day, we've starved her, assigned her extra work, not let her sleep, but she just won't quit. The bitch sometimes, too weak to stand, just lies down STILL refusing to work until she speaks with you. You don't need this kind of problem on your hands, Sir. Let us rid of her for you." "Odd she would take continued whippings and starvation to insist on speaking with me. Do you know what it's about?" "No, Sir. She appears quite terrified of you. Any time we're out working in eyesight of you, she shakes and can barely speak or work. We can't figure out why the hell she keeps on insisting. Allow us to take care of this disturbance; she won't cause you any trouble once she's buried." "No, don't kill her," Rayth said dispassionately. "Bring me my whip. I'll meet with her, and see if I can't, um, 'talk' some sense into her. She probably wants to plead with me for freedom, and once she gets it out of her system, she'll be fine. Go get her." "Yes, my Lord." Once Rayth had his whip, he sat on one of his couches and sprawled his legs out to wait. He'd only ever cared about one slave, and she was free now. The rest of his slaves, most gifts from Jem, usually were of little concern to him. Why then, he asked himself, were the hairs standing on the back of his neck? A slave putting herself through torture simply for an audience with him? He had an unsettling feeling, and had actually decided to meet with her more to ease his own mind than extend his mercy. The noise from the hallway alerted him that they had her. He sighed once heavily, mildly stretched, then took up a dominant sitting position, both feet firmly planted on the floor, reclining back. The doors to the room burst open, and he remained placid as two guards dragged a terribly skinny, partially clothed woman with a shaved head between them. She couldn't hold herself up, let alone hold her head up, and slumped forward by their support until they literally threw her at his feet. He was mildly shocked at the sight of her, not sure what he was expecting, but not this. They said this woman was a fighter, but she looked too weak and beaten for additional punishment. He sat there for a moment, assessing her, unsure of how to react. He didn't have to, since she abruptly made the first move. All three men, somewhat stunned, watched as she pathetically pulled her body across the floor on her stomach towards Rayth. Feebly, she reached out and desperately clutched at one of his legs with both hands, using whatever remaining strength she had to hold on to him and bury her face at his ankles. Her desperation manifested in tremors that overtook her body, and through her muffled sobs she cried out two words: "Please, Rayth." The crime of speaking her Master's name was instantaneously punished as the two supervisors sprang on her, pulling her away from him. Rayth shot to his feet and held back the whip, his face confused and angry. "Hold her," he told them, "hold her between you." He waited for them to position her for a whipping and cocked back his arm. She should know better than to touch him or use his name. But when they pulled her to her knees he saw her face, and something in his heart wrenched. Something was too familiar, and he froze as the weak, crying slave lifted her eyes to his and softly begged, "Please no, Rayth, please don't do this...not to me..." His face went white as his world spun. Two seconds passed that seemed like an eternity before the wide-eyed, jaw-dropped Lord screamed a desperate, "LET HER GO! FUCKING HELL, LET ISABELLA GO!" The maddening realization that Isabella was alive was far too overwhelming for him to know what to do first! Scrambling to her, he wildly clutched at her whole body, lifting her small, weakened frame into his arms and holding her tightly. Feeling her limp frame, half of him broke into sobs while the other half laughed with the greatest joy he'd ever known! She, on the other hand, poured her tears fiercely into his shoulder, afraid that if she let go of him she'd be sent back to her world of misery. "Please Rayth, please don't hurt me, please don't let anyone else hurt me," He half cried and laughed at her request, kissing her head repeatedly, "No, no, my sweet angel, no one's going to hurt you, shhh, there you go, hold on to me, I'll never let anyone hurt you again..." She cried in relief, still clutching him. Before explanations could be made, the two stunned work supervisors turned pale, and began to panic: they had unknowingly severely beaten Prince Jaimeth's true love. "Um...Sir? We'd like to beg your mercy Sir, and that of the Prince...Sir, we had no idea that she was..." Rayth rapidly shook his head, "Neither did I, and I'm just as guilty as you are; don't fear." He pressed a very hard kiss into her head, then murmured into her ear, "Did you ever tell anyone who you were?" Sobs still overwhelmed her and broke up her speech, "No, no I didn't tell anyone....when I found out that Jem wanted me dead, I..." "Wait, WHAT? Iz..." he held her tight and rocked her like a child, "What on earth are you talking about? Jem never..." "I saw the order, Rayth, for the death of all the Royal family of Espinan, and I wasn't to be shown special leniency," she cried. Rayth couldn't believe his ears, "How did you see that? You weren't supposed to. We did that so your family wouldn't use you against us, or hurt you to get to us. You saw only the written order sent out; every Pangain soldier had verbal orders to find and protect you. Iz, I thought you were..." "No, I ran and hid," she sobbed, realizing the last year of personal hell didn't have to happen. "When they let me out of jail, I thought I'd be killed by Pangain or Espinan, whoever found me first, so I cut my hair, disguised myself, and..." Rayth let out a long yell of frustration, then, "All this time?! My sweet beautiful girl, all this time... Jem's been a mess since... we've ALL not been the same since you disappeared! Oh, but I'm so happy," he squeezed her once tightly, then pulled her away from him to look at her. Red eyes and tears from the two of them assessed each other, and remembering their old, close friendship, Rayth laughed, "you look like shit." Isabella laughed and cried, and hugged him again, "I've missed you so much. But it's strange, Rayth, when you...owned me...I was so scared of you." "Iz, I'd NEVER hurt you," Rayth tenderly pushed stray strands of hair from her face, "even if Jem's direct order really WAS to do something disgustingly awful. But sweetheart, Jem loves you so incredibly much, we have to get you back to him. I want it to be a surprise...but we need to get you cleaned up, I can't let him see you looking like this. You know our boy and his temper, if he finds out anyone hurt you, he'll lose all reason, and throats will be slit." The two supervisors still in the room gasped. Rayth laughed, "you're dismissed, and don't worry about Jem, I'll take care of him." They left. "Does that mean," Isabella was afraid to ask, "does that mean he still loves me?" Rayth smiled warmly holding her close, "He'll never love anyone else with all of his being like he loves you." He sat her away from him again, "But let him tell you that for himself. Let's get you cleaned up...and fed. My heavens, girl, don't they feed people better than this? You're too thin, I'll have food sent while they're taking care of you." "Rayth, please don't leave me, I don't want to be away from you." "Easy, love, will you be alright with Alenya? She'd be able to help you, take care of you, better than I." He called over his shoulder to an attendant, "Go wake Lady Alenya and tell her I request her presence immediately." Isabella's eyes questioned, "'Lady' Alenya?" Rayth's eyes sparkled, "So many changes. You probably won't believe it, but Jem freed her for me. He gave me my love, and now I'm returning his. I think we call that..." "My Lord," Lady Alenya said sweetly, coming in the room smiling, "I don't know what all the commotion you're making is about, but it woke me before you called. What is..." Alenya froze, seeing Isabella in his arms. Half of her heart broke seeing the terrible condition Isabella was in, the other half beat a million times per minute with excitement that her friend was alive! "PRINCESS!!!" Alenya cried, running to join Rayth and Isabella in hugging one another. "Oh my goodness, Princess, what has happened to you?" Alenya cried. "I don't know that you can call me Princess anymore, Alenya. Espinan is gone. Unless by my engagement to Jem that counts as..." Rayth and Alenya exchanged tense, sad looks. How were they going to tell her? Isabella, perceptive as always, realized something was wrong. "What is it? Rayth, you said Jem still loved me, as I love him with all my heart...what..." she drifted in thought. "He hasn't...well... has he?" Alenya smoothed her hair, "Madam, please let me draw you a bath and help you clean up. You were so kind to help me when I was a slave, allow me to return the favor, and bathe and dress you for Prince Jaimeth. I'll explain the situation while we're cleaning up, but rest assured, it's you he loves, not..." "Not who? He's with someone else?" Rayth nodded slowly. "The Queen wouldn't rest until her line was secure. But please, Iz, any way you look at it, Jem needs you, would die for you, would set the world on fire to have you. You need to go to him. Please, go with Alenya. I'll have food sent to you, then make arrangements for us to leave as soon as you're ready." Command and Vanquish Ch. 04 ******************* Mia sat alone in her room, pushing her breakfast around her plate. Her poor heart felt torn: Navin had treated her so kindly, warmly, and respectably; why did she have to be joined to a man who didn't really want her? When the Queen first chose the placid angel to soothe her troubled heir, Mia had been excited, knowing Jem wouldn't love her, but she would be treated well, with every luxury a girl could desire. She didn't know how hard this would be. Jem was like a blade: kept at a distance he was a cruel threat of pain, but the closer she got to him, the harsher the pain pierced her heart. From the first day his contemptuous glare crossed the room and settled on her, her stomach churned with the realization of her mistake. Jem had moments where he hid his regretful attachment to her, but the brittle façade could too easily be shattered. Her eyes filled with tears at the memory of each heavy sigh he heaved, each time his jaw locked in anger, each time he rigidly escorted her into a room. Could she ever make him love her? Tears fell on the floor as she contemplated the futility of making herself more acceptable. Unexpectedly Jem and Navin strode into the room, and both stopped dead, moved by the sight of the surprised/embarrassed beauty swatting away the evidence of her sadness. Jem turned his head to Navin but looked at the floor. "Can you excuse us for a moment, Nav?" he said quietly. "Of course, Sir, I'll wait in the hall." As Navin left, Jem set his warm brown eyes filled with concern on his fiancé. Panic welled in her as she realized he was about to ask for an explanation. Carefully, apprehensively, he walked towards her, his concerned eyes never unlocking themselves from her tear-filled ones. He knew he didn't really want to hear the answer, but as he stood in front of her, his face close to hers, his truly sympathetic, deep voice murmured, "What's wrong, Mia?" Somehow the question opened the floodgates and she began to sob. Unable to resist, he laced his hands through her hair and guided her head to his hard shoulder, offering her comfort while she let it out. He murmured soft reassurances to her, trying to soothe her; this only made her clutch him harder, wanting him to hold her, wanting to feel the care and love he was finally showing her. After he let her cry for a good while, he asked again, "Tell me, Mia, what's bothering you?" "Your majesty..." she began, her voice cracking, but that's all the further she got before he crushed his mouth over hers, and she felt his smile. "Jem," he softly said, finally breaking away, "everyone close to me calls me 'Jem,' and my fiancé needn't be formal with me." He looked down at her, and brushed stray tears from her cheeks with his thumb. "Jem," she said, only able to half smile, "I apologize for that display, I shouldn't..." He cut her off again: "Never apologize for anything you do. Royalty doesn't apologize and my fiancé won't..." "You're not making this very easy," she countered. His eyes danced with playful irony as his lips twisted into a smile: "My apologies." This made her bite her lower lip to stifle a laugh, both glad that some of the tension had melted. He began for her, eyebrow raised, "May I attempt to make this easier, then, but taking a stab at what would make a beautiful girl cry?" She nodded shyly. His eyes locked on hers, and she almost gasped at how intimidating even his intimate moments of concern could be. "My sisters cry when I'm being a callous asshole to them," he began. "It's frustrating for sweet, wonderful girls to be denied love despite their best efforts. Am I close?" She nodded weakly again, not able to look at him. "Wow," he said, half smiling, "I can't believe you just called me an asshole." Her eyes shot up, but then she realized he was playing, and he laughed as she smiled. "Tell me," he continued, "how you feel about what's happening between us?" "We don't love each other, Jem, and I'm not sure we ever really will." The painful truthfulness of her all too frank statement made him sigh as he looked at the ceiling. "No, we don't love each other," he began, but then looked back down at her, "but we can try for one another. I think it would be fair to admit you've been trying harder than I have." He took both of her hands and brought them to his lips, pressing a kiss on the back of each hand. "You are mine now, and you deserve better." He looked back into her eyes, "I promise you, you will receive more from me from now on. A lovely girl like you shouldn't live your life in sadness." "Neither should you, your maj...Jem. I'm sorry, I know you deeply loved..." He turned his head away, eyes hard, jaw locked, and snapped a hand up sharply. "No. Don't say it." "I...I'm sorry..." she stammered, "I...I just wish...I could have been more like her." His eyes, suddenly cruel again, stared at her with the silent thought, "No one can be like her." But looking once again at her face, and the sadness in it, his heart melted, and the emotional reality of the moment returned. "I promise...you will receive more from me. I will make this..." A knock came on the door before Navin stuck his head in. "Forgive me, Sir, but a message of the highest urgency just came in from Lord Rayth." Jem spun his head around, curious, "Rayth? His still at his new property, right? Is he having problems with the locals?" Navin searched the message over, "It doesn't say, Jem, but he's coming back tomorrow morning and insists you clear your entire day." "I love it when he commands me to do stuff. Does it say there's a problem? Is something wrong?" "No...no he doesn't say anything. It' pretty cryptic, but if I know Rayth I'd say he's really happy about something, and excited to share it with you." "Well...now that's curious. Oh, hell, what if he got Alenya pregnant already?" Navin laughed, "Don't jump to conclusions, let's just wait to see what it is." "But highest urgency? That message had to have been traveling fast to get all the way here this morning. Curious...very curious." Jem turned back to Lady Mia. "I trust Rayth immensely, and if he says to clear my day, my day for tomorrow is clear. Will you join me to hear what he has to say?" She smiled sweetly, "That would be lovely." "Very well. Enjoy the rest of your day. I'm going to make arrangements to have my schedule cleared," he said, turning to leave. Navin let Jem out, then stood in the doorway, looking at Mia. In a way, he was jealous that Jem got to comfort her, and she looked happier now. "Are you alright, my Lady?" She smiled at him, but different then when she looked at Jem. She felt strange; with Jem, they were forcing amiability out of responsibility to each other. Navin didn't really have to care about her, but there he was once again, genuinely concerned for her. She couldn't help but respect him; he was a good man. "Thank you, captain, I'm fine." Navin nodded, uncharacteristically uneasy. The solid, stoic soldier was never moved by anyone. Until her. "Good day, then, Madam." ******************* The courtyard to the palace buzzed with activity and excitement. All the kingdom's nobility gathered to gossip in their finest clothes while the slaves kept their plates and glasses filled. Everyone was speculating what exciting news Lord Rayth was bringing with him; whatever it was, Prince Jaimeth was determined to give him a grand reception. A perfect day for it as well; spring in full bloom saw a colorful display of flowers opening to welcome the guests, perfectly lit by the mild morning sun. Everyone parted to either side of the courtyard as the main doors opened and Prince Jaimeth and Lady Mia were announced. Mia bit her bottom lip and tightened her grip on Jem's escorting arm; every eye was on them, judging them, wondering how he treated her, wondering if she was good enough for him. The added tension on his arm alerted Jem to her apprehension, and he tenderly placed his other hand on top of hers, one as a reassurance to her, two as a public message that she was indeed dear to him. Taking their seats on the slightly raised dais, the chattering and activity resumed. Jem accepted the wine glass offered to him and swilled. "Come on, Rayth," he thought. "What have you got?" Since receiving Rayth's message, he couldn't explain why the knots in his stomach refused to untangle. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Lord Rayth and Lady Alenya were announced. As the doors were pulled open, Jem was grinning ear to ear upon seeing his friend proudly guide his lady into the room, both finely approaching. In a move that made Jem laugh out loud (he never demanded formal respects from Rayth), Rayth took Jem's hand and kissed his ring. Close enough that only those on the dais could hear, Jem asked, "Rayth, what are you doing?" Without answering, he quietly replied, "Hell of a gathering you have. I was going to tell you a bit more privately..." Rayth looked slightly somber towards Mia before continuing, "Lady Mia might wish to exit. It might not be entirely comfortable." Mia's eyes lowered, feeling once again excluded, but Jem took her hand, placed it on his arm, then placed his hand over top of hers. "Anything you have to say to me can be said in front of my fiancé. What is it, my friend?" Rayth raised his eyebrows once and cleared his throat. "Actually, I've come to ask you for something." "Anything. Name it." Rayth lowered his eyes as a sly smile stretched his lips. He backed away from the dais, and once on the floor, knelt prostrate in front of Jem. Jem's jaw dropped, the room gasped, and Rayth announced in a bold voice, "Prince Jaimeth of Pangain, I've come to beg your mercy." Jem had half the urge to laugh, but something indicated Rayth wanted to maintain a public display of formality. "Alright, Rayth...mercy for what?" "For possessing something very precious to you. You would have been very angry, your majesty, to have known I had it. Likely, you would have killed me had any harm come to it under my possession. For that reason, I beg your mercy." Rayth stayed on his knees, but looked into Jem's eyes; the two men held a steady gaze as Rayth continued, "In my defense, your majesty, I didn't know I had it, and the moment I knew, I sent a message stating it's immediate return to you." "What on earth is it?" "A slave." Jem's eyes narrowed in confusion. "What slave would I have cared about enough that a Pangain Lord, my best friend, would be begging on his knees in front of me to return?" "May I, Sir?" "By all means." Rayth stood and signaled the door which was pulled open. Slowly, a fragile looking girl with styled cropped hair stepped through, face freshly made up, dressed finely for a rich, regal appearance. The girl fought to maintain her innate royal dignity and composure as she looked across the room and locked eyes with her love. As if in a trance, she slowly, step by step, made her way to stand beautifully in front of him. Jem couldn't breathe. His face lost all color as his body instantly burned all over. He was paralyzed, couldn't move or think. This world spun, and he fought with himself to determine if this was a dream. On the edge of panic, he feebly uttered a one word question: "...Iz?" A single tear trailed down her face, hoarsely whispering, "Yes, your majesty." With no other thought, the rest of the room disappeared to him, abandoning all sense of upbringing, royal self-control, or masculine reserve, and he flew from the dais! In less than two seconds, he crashed into Isabella's arms, clinging, crying, kissing every part of her as hard and fast as he could. It didn't matter to either of them how many people surrounded them; no one existed but the other lover, nothing mattered but to have the other back. Their arms were unable to pull them close enough, lips unable to kiss hard enough. It wasn't long before their knees gave out, and right there in the middle of the court, the two desperately embraced one another on the floor, tasting kisses that they never dreamed could be so wonderful. "Iz, my love!" he kept sobbing. "My beautiful Isabella, where have you been? I've been so scared...so alone..." "Jem, I've missed you so much, you have no idea..." "I thought you were..." "I thought you wanted me de..." Neither could finish a thought before a kiss collapsed over their statements. She let him take her in his arms. She all too much enjoyed absorbing his strength and warmth, finally feeling the protection and love she'd been craving, and suffering too long without. The rich, familiar scent of him overwhelmed her, and brought fresh tears to her eyes as she clung to him, never wanting the flood of sensations to subside. The day before, she was merely a field slave. Now, the most powerful man in the world, her best friend, her lover, had his arms locked around her, and the familiar flood of intimacy concurrently excited and relaxed her. Jem held her tight to him, squeezing her light frame until even he feared it would break. Tears wouldn't stop pouring out of his typically callous face as he whispered incoherent reassurances into her hair: "My love, I'm never going to let you go, you're mine forever, I can't be apart from you, whatever you want, whatever you need, my love, my only love, it's yours, I'll give you everything..." He didn't care about the "how's" and "why's"; he'd get those later. All he cared about was the woman he held in his arms, who kept whispering back: "Hold me, Jem, I need you..." From the dais, Mia grew nauseous as she watched. She saw the man who only a day ago promised to love her abandon her in an instant for another woman. She knew her time as the future queen was all but over, but she was unsure of how to handle this very public pronouncement with any semblance of dignity. Tactfully Navin appeared behind her and placed his hand on the small of her back. The girl, near fainting, pressed into his comforting support. "Madam," he whispered discreetly into her ear, "perhaps I might escort you to your room to rest?" Mia was borderline frantic as she tried to search Jem for what she should do. He was too occupied to care about her in the least, so when she scanned the rest of the room for guidance, she found Rayth's eyes. The ice blue color that seemed to melt Alenya and Isabella only seemed bitterly cold to Mia. He nodded once at her, providing a silent instruction to leave with Navin. The lump in her throat grew. "Yes, thank you Captain," she raspily managed, "I would like that. I fear, however, that my legs aren't feeling up to sorts. May I have your arm in assistance?" Navin felt too sorry for her to even feel good about helping her. Silently, he offered her one of his arms to take a hold of, and wrapped his other arm around her frame to half escort, half carry her away. ******************* Jem pressed his body against Isabella's between his sheets. His poor beauty, the things she must have suffered, because she couldn't tolerate her body being exposed. When he had begun to undress her, her eyes couldn't look at his, and her arms stiffened in a panicked defense, ready to stop him from humiliating her the way countless guards had. His warm brown eyes, usually so hard, softened in melancholy understanding about what she was doing. He had hurt so many slaves himself; he couldn't imagine anyone doing the things he'd done to other girls to his precious Isabella. He needed to make her feel safe, regain her trust, and show her that loving could...and SHOULD...feel very good. He held kept pulling the sheets up and around them if ever they were to fall, keeping her skin covered to the rest of the world besides him, always putting her needs first, carefully monitoring her every reaction. He placed soft tender kisses to the side of her neck, her chest. He tried to take one of her nipples in her mouth, but her throat caught, he felt her tense and she began to cry. He looked with very deep concern into her tear-filled eyes. "My love, let it out, it's okay, please, you're safe with me, no one will hurt my beautiful girl..." he kept whispering reassurances to her. "Jem, I'm so sorry," she quietly sobbed, "I love you, I do, this is just hard...I still can't believe it, that I'm here with you, that things are okay...it's so much..." "I know, love, I know...ssshhh...it's okay, let me hold you...I can't feel enough of you... I want to feel it just so I know it's real..." "They hurt me, Jem..." His face went stone, "Tell me who hurt you, and they'll be dead by tomorrow." She somewhat smiled, "you can't kill all those people, you'll have no army left." He pressed a kiss into her neck, "I don't need an army, I have you." She ran her hands through his hair, gripping his head lightly, feeling the soft familiar sensations of their more intimate moments. He belonged to her. "Hold me, Jem." "I don't plan on ever letting go." He again began kissing his way down her body, and again she tensed, afraid. "It's okay, Iz, don't worry. Here, beautiful, give me your hands." He backed away from her slightly, and placed her hands on his rock-hard chest. He whispered, "You control it. Touch me, feel me, feel what's there for you. I love you...I'm yours, do with me whatever you want to. You control how things go and what you want done." Through tears of happiness and apprehension, she smiled and bit her bottom lip. "Ssshh...don't let the slaves hear you say that, it'll ruin your reputation. Prince Jaimeth of Pangain doesn't let anyone control anything about him." "Let everyone hear it, the slaves be damned. Let them hear who I love and what I'd give you. I wouldn't give myself over to anyone but you. Feel me, Iz...I'm all yours. Anything you want, I'll give you. Every inch of my being lives to make you happy, give you what you want." He guided her hands to slide over his arms, "Theses arms will swing a blade into anyone who tries to hurt you again," over his lips, "I'll command from anyone anything you wish," over his heart, "This heart loves only you," down his stomach, down to his legs and his...he smiled, "And this will bring you pleasure, not pain, if you'll let me remind you of how good it can feel." She smiled and drew close to him. "Why have you always been so good to me?" "Because you've always deserved it." She pressed an open kiss onto his mouth, melting into him. They clutched at one another, until she finally broke away to raspily confess, "I can't imagine feeling more loved, more secure, more perfect with anyone else. I love you, Jem, for everything that you are..." He rolled onto his back and slid her on top of him. Her hair covered his face as she pressed kisses down onto his soft, full lips, and let the naked globes of her ass slide against his stomach. He reached up and grabbed her breasts, pulling each in turn into his mouth, sucking each nipple, softly caressing them with his tongue. "Jem...you feel so good..." "So do you, Iz..." Her hands roughly raked the muscle-ribbed sides of his body down to his legs, tensely grasping at him. "I want you, Jem...I want to feel you..." "You control it, my love, take me at your pleasure..." Her legs had already rocked her back against his hot searing cock, and her moistened opening craved fulfillment from him. She closed her eyes tight, trying to shut out past horrors of rapes, trying to relive the sensual times she and shared in the past. Her love for him overtook her, and she impaled herself onto his cock. He threw his head back in a muffled groan; sex had always been plentiful for him, but there was something different about making love to Isabella. She wasn't just another warm opening. She was the love of his life, and making love to her was the sweetest thing he knew. He thrust up into her, matching her downward strokes on top of him. He looked up, ecstatic to see her lovely body enjoying itself, bouncing up and down on him, her hair gracefully swaying behind her. It took every muscle he had to keep from cumming, telling himself to stay hard and vigilant for her pleasure. Command and Vanquish Ch. 04 Riding him, feeling his hard body in between her legs, his cock filling her to the heights of pleasure, quickly overtook her. Pumping up and down on him hard, her whole body tensed, steadying herself on his shoulders, as an orgasm racked her entire body with tremors. This was too much for him, and he too came, shooting his seed deep inside of her. Breathlessly she panted, "That might not have been smart. We don't know if the Queen will let me come back to you or not." He rolled on top of her and lovingly looked down. "Nothing would make me happier than to have a child with you...and you WILL be my Queen. I won't have another." ******************* Jem spent much of the next week with the Queen, pleading his case to dismiss Lady Mia and reaccept Isabella as his fiancé, the future Queen of Pangain. The Queen disliked the idea for several reasons: Isabella no longer held title, she was formerly royalty of the nation Pangain just destroyed, and Lady Mia did nothing to deserve a dismissal. However, her age-weary spirit could not deny her heir. Jem would be King. She'd been slowly relinquishing control of her kingdom to him anyway, and he could make good decisions. She smiled inwardly at the admission that he wasn't even really making a request of her. Instead, he was subtly informing her who his Queen would be, and only out of respect was seeking her word to officially formalize his engagement. She relented. News spread quickly through the country, and never more quickly anywhere else but the nobility's social circle. In Prince's Hall, across from the Queen's palace, the commotion of change made everyone uneasy. ******************* "Thank heavens we're all going out tonight. The gossip, moving, and unnecessary panic around here is giving me a headache," Rayth said, putting the last layers of clothing on. "Oh, poor Isabella, if all this is giving you a headache, I can't imagine what it's doing to her," Alenya said, stroking makeup onto her eyes, intently looking in the mirror. Rayth chuckled, moving to stand behind Alenya, "And no sympathy for Jem?" Alenya put her cosmetics down to smile up at him through the mirror, "The Prince...is he in need of sympathy? He seems quite happy to me. I don't think shattering one girl's life to have what he wants has ever bothered him." "Ooooo! Quite scathing, my Lady!" Rayth chuckled and teased, "Nothing more kind to say about the man who gives you all the money and clothes you want, not to mention your freedom?" Alenya went back to applying her makeup, the burning in her cheeks clear and apparent. "Forgive me, my Lord. I'm forever grateful to him for the wonderful things he's done for both of us. But let him rape you once or twice, and see if you can forget about that as well." Rayth sobered a bit. "Forgive me, Alenya, I know it must be hard for you." He bent down and kissed the back of her neck, whispering, "But he can't be all that bad, because he gave us the ability to have each other, love each other," he slid his hands down her, "touch each other however we want to..." She laughed and tried to push him off. "Rayth! I'm trying to get ready! We shouldn't keep the Prince and Isabella waiting!" Playfully, his face took a serious look, his beautiful eyes blazing, "I'm not stopping you from getting ready...go ahead...keep going, I'll find something to do..." he rubbed his hands down the front of her again. Her face flushed and her breathing became harder, her hand unsteadily trying to finish her makeup. "Honestly, I don't know how you expect me to..." She gasped as he slid his hand beneath her dress and in between her thighs. "Rayth! We can't! We have to..." He groaned and spun her around to kiss her. "Jem and Iz be damned right now, I want you." She only faintly fought him, half-heartedly protesting. "We can do this later...afterwards...after we get back...not now..." "Let's stay in tonight..." "You just said you were happy to be going out..." "I lied..." They grasped at each other, kissing all over passionately. "We're going to be late," Alenya whispered. "No, that's okay," Jem called into the room, laughing, "We'll wait out here." "Damn it!" Rayth cursed, half smiling. Embarrassed Alenya straightened herself out, "Please tell them I'm almost ready and invite them in," she whispered. Rayth went to his door and pulled it open to see both Jem and Isabella smiling at him. "What?" Jem cleared his throat, "May we come in?" "By all means." Isabella rushed for Alenya, to give her a hug and help her finish getting ready (Isabella had tried to tell Alenya to have the slaves help her, but Alenya couldn't bring herself to do it). Jem and Rayth took a seat, mindlessly poking fun at each other. A knock came to the door. When Rayth pulled it open, he was surprised to see a somewhat tussled Navin look nervously into the room. "Uh, my Lord, is um...is Jem with you?" Jem got up and came to the door. "Nav! What's going on, my friend? This is supposed to be your night off, why are you still here?" "Your majesty, can I speak with you out here for a minute?" Jem looked somewhat confused, since Navin was almost always unflappable. "Sure...but I don't know if I trust Rayth alone in the room with the girls. He's owned both of them at one point or another, you know." "Fuck you Jem," Rayth said, embarrassed at the truth of the statement. "It'll only be a moment, Sir," Navin said, not noticing the dig on Rayth. Jem stepped outside and gave Navin a look as if to say, "nothing can be this big a deal." Navin nervously stared at the floor, trying to find a way to begin. "Sir...everyone's heard the news that you're going to be dismissing Lady Mia." "Yes...and?" "Sir, I don't mean to overstep my bounds here, because I know technically right now Mia is still tied to you. It's just that...well, Sir, I think Mia is a wonderful woman. She's been nothing but kind, sweet, and dignified through all the mess she's been thrown through." "So what are you saying? I shouldn't dismiss her? I should keep her instead of Iz?" "Um...no Sir. It's just that...I hate to see her go through this alone. This is a tough time for her...and she needs love. She needs someone to be kind to her, and to hold her." Jem was still confused. "You're saying that you think I should hold her?" "NO, Sir..." Navin was beginning to get frustrated. "Not you, but someone else should." "Who then?" Navin cleared his throat. "me." Jem tried to stifle a laugh, but his smile betrayed his inner amusement. "Captain, why exactly did you need to speak to me? Exactly what are you looking for?" "Sir, I've come here to ask your permission to court Lady Mia. She's still yours, and even if you dismissed her, out of respect for you, I feel that I'd need to ask you. I know it might seem inappropriate, and I hope you're not angry...Sir, I tried not to, but I couldn't help..." Jem shook his head and placed his hands on Navin's shoulders. "No..." "No Sir?" "I mean, 'No', don't apologize for anything. You've done nothing wrong, and I'd be happy to see you find happiness with a wonderful girl. You're right, she is wonderful. But not for me. Trust me, I hate seeing her hurt as well, and I feel terrible for her. She was forced into this, reluctant as I was. She deserves to be happy. I think it's a great idea, if you really care for her, that you try and be with her. Good luck... you have my blessing." Navin's face lit up, but he fought to maintain his composure. "Thank you...thanks Jem, I..." "You're wasting time. We'll all be leaving shortly, and you'll have the Hall to yourselves." Navin fidgeted a moment, then laughed, grabbed a hold of Jem, and pulled him in for a hug. "You're a good man, Jem." "Don't be too happy yet, old man, you're about 10 years older than her, she might say no." "With age comes wisdom, and after dealing with you, I'll look like a saint to her." "See you tomorrow, Saint Navin." Navin laughed as he turned to leave, and Jem stuck his head in Rayth's door. "Come ON! Aren't you guys ready YET?" Rayth, Alenya, and Isabella moved into the hallway, and Jem approached Alenya. Jem and Alenya both felt the tension still between them, as Jem had been quite cruel to her while she was a slave. He wanted her to be comfortable with him now, though, as his best friend's lady. "Lady Alenya, you look beautiful as ever," he said in his kindest, most sincere voice. He extended his arm to her. "Please, allow me for the evening." Alenya sucked in a subtle apprehensive breath as she place her hand in the crook of his arm. He smiled, and she tried to smile back as if she was dealing with a devil trying to act the part of angel. "Rayth trusts him," she told herself, "so I must learn to as well." She didn't look back to see Rayth's jaw lock, ever possessive of his girl. Isabella slid her arm around Rayth's waist. "Lord Rayth?" He looked down at her, his old familiar friend whom the two of them, perhaps too many times, had felt the unspoken, unacted-upon sentiment of more than just friends. Tonight, she was letting him know that although she deeply feared him when he owned her, their friendship was back to where it had once been. "I appear to be without an escort for the evening," she continued. "Would you mind?" Rayth warmly placed her hand into his arm, giving it a small squeeze, "Of course not, Madam Princess, but I warn you I'm going to strangle your fiancé if he does anything to Alenya tonight." She laughed and pushed him slightly with her hip, "Don't worry, I won't let him get to far away, he's mine, and I can't help be a little jealous myself." "Maybe that's why you and I get along so well. Putting up with Jem unites us," he chuckled. She kissed him on the cheek, "and maybe that's why Alenya will fit in so nicely...she's put up with him for a long time, and is learning a new way to do that tonight. I'm happy for the two of you, Rayth, it's about time she freely shared your love." "And we're all happy to have you home, Princess; it's about time you've brought things back to normal." ******************* Navin knocked on Lady Mia's door. One of her slaves pulled it open, and he entered to find her carefully packing her things. Upon seeing him, she smiled bitter-sweetly, "Hello, captain." "My Lady." He looked around the room, again unsure of how to begin. "I, um...I would like to say..." "Please, let me say something first," she said, the pain of what was happening making her more bold than she'd previously been. Still with her sweet, faint voice, she told him, "I wanted to thank you for everything. Of all the people here, you've been the kindest to me, sensitive to me, and I'm terribly grateful to you. When I think about it..." she sat on her bed, "...yes, it hurts to consider not being good enough to love, or always standing in the shadow of another woman, but in a way leaving will be a relief. I'll miss some things here..." she trailed off and looked at him. "It is a shame...I feel we might have been very good friends." "Thank you for the kind words my Lady," he said, trying to use his militant nature to armor his vulnerability. "I've actually come to talk to you about that...and about you leaving. I...I would you to stay." "I'm sorry but..." "Not with Jem." "...What do you mean, then?" Navin fidgeted and looked around the room, but after holding a stare with her for a minute, he cracked, disarmed his rigid defense, and decided to pour his heart out to her. After only three long strides, he reached her by the bed, dropped on his knees, and took her hands. He looked up at her intently, praying she would understand. "It's not fair. It hasn't been fair from the start. For an angel like you to be made to feel you're not good enough for a man is an unforgivable crime. You're a jewel, a treasure, that only the Prince's jaded eyes mistook for a stone. Damn his eyes for not seeing you for the loveliness that encompasses you. But I can't watch him throw something this precious away, and I can't let you leave without you knowing you're the finest lady I have ever met. I've been here so long. I've seen nobility come and go, ladies flaunt their finest, employ their greatest charm. I've seen slave girls dressed up and given to us, straining to give us anything we desire. I've never...NEVER...been taken with any of them. Not until you. From the moment I met you, I valued everything about you. My desire has only grown from there, to the point I'm about to boil over and destroy myself." He shook his head as if he were coming to his senses. Suddenly, his confession half embarrassed him, and he sought a way to continue with dignity. "I couldn't let you leave without knowing how I feel about you. I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay. Not with Jaimeth...with me." She looked down at him, shocked, but happy. "Captain...I don't know what to say. I would be lying if I said I wasn't strongly drawn to you as well, but I shouldn't. Prince Jaimeth..." Navin shook his head. "Jem's not a problem. I've already spoken with him. We have his blessing." "He's...he's okay with this? He won't be angry?" Navin smiled, "No...he wants you to be happy...and me." Her large blue eyes seemed to light up as she bit her lower lip. Cautiously, she took Navin's hand. Then, feeling somewhat foolish, she leaned in to kiss him, then backed away. "Forgive me, captain...but may I?" Before she could say anything else, he sprang up, and kissed her hard as he pushed her back onto the bed. He kissed her mouth sweetly, then tenderly pressed kisses to the sides of her face, holding her to him. Mia nestled into him, having for several weeks dreamt what it would feel like. "Perfect," she murmured to herself, which caused a deep chuckle to escape him. "Reading my thoughts are you?" He rolled over to hover over her, kissing down at her, feeling her cheeks with his thumbs. "Mia? There's something I'd like to show you, if you'd let me." Shyly, she nodded, knowing it was something physical. "Mia...have you and Jem ever been together?" "Yes...there were a few times when he wanted to try." He began kissing down her neck, down her chest, carefully letting her get used to the feel of him with her. "Did you like that feeling? Would you like to feel that with me?" She bit her lip before saying, "No, captain...I'm not sure either of us actually enjoyed those times." Navin kept kissing her as he quietly cursed, "Amateur." Navin knew in his mind that aside from Isabella, Jem never tried to please anyone but himself. Mia had never known what pleasure could feel like. He delighted in knowing he'd be the first to show her. He nuzzled into her neck as he explained, "I need to show you what loving SHOULD feel like. It will feel very good for you, I promise. If you'll let me, I'd like to show you what you've been missing. I promise, I'll be gentle with you, I won't hurt you. But if you're uncomfortable with anything I do, I'll stop the second you say." She felt silly for a moment as she responded, "I don't want you to stop...I think I feel comfortable with anything you do." He reached behind her and began to remove her clothes. "Would you feel comfortable if I took your clothes off?" She blushed, then smiled as she sheepishly said, "Maybe I'd be more comfortable if you took yours off first." A smile spread across his lips, but he wasted no time in pulling everything off. He stood at the foot of her bed completely nude in no time. He stood there, smiling as she soaked in the sight of him. He'd never been self-conscious about the way he looked. He trained hard every day, as evidenced by the rock-hard formations of muscle that covered him. The only interruptions to his smooth, rippled skin were occasional scars here and there from blades (most scars were from sparring in his younger days; only few blades ever managed to reach him during actual fights). He climbed back onto the bed with her, again letting her get used to the feel of him. She cautiously explored the expanse of his skin, growing excited at the look and feel of him. Jem had been the only other man she'd ever seen. While Jem was also well-muscled and attractive, his youth was no match for the mature masculine form that now lay beside her. She was overwhelmed with how good he felt. "My beautiful..." he murmured, running his hands over her body, "I'm going to touch you and kiss you, but just say the word and I'll stop if you want me to." "No please," she half groaned, "Go on...please..." He smiled as he hiked up her dress to her stomach and ran his hands between the hot, smooth, fleshy insides of her thighs. He pulled her legs slightly apart, toying with the wetness that had formed there. "So lovely...let me see..." he moved down in between her legs, allowing her to lie on her back on the bed. He spread her legs apart to see the rosy pink source of her pleasure. Growing rock hard himself, he began kissing her legs at her knees, instructing himself to control his desire to take her hard and instead focus entirely on her pleasure. He would make this a night she would not forget. He kissed up her knees, and nuzzled his face in between her thighs, letting her feel his hot breath pant against her sex. Then, pausing, he drew out his tongue to extend one, long, wet lick up the entire length of her. Her eyes went wide, she gasped, and used her feet to buck against the unfamiliar, VERY pleasurable sensations that coursed through her. He paused to murmur rhetorically, "That feels nice doesn't it?" His tongue reached out to lick her over and over. "Yes! Yes, that feels nice!" "Mmm...it tastes nice too..." he continued to lap at her, diving his tongue into her, rapidly toying with her clit. He ran his tongue over the length of her, then took her whole sex into his mouth, gently sucking in pulsating waves. "Oh...oh my goodness! I never knew it could feel like this!" "Oh, darling, it'll feel much, much better by the time I'm done with you." He swirled around her lips, spreading them, tasting every inch, licking all over, over and over, while she wildly grasped at his chopped light hair. She pulled his head into her, reaching down to feel his face, the rough patches that seemed ever present regardless of how often he shaved, tickling her thighs, driving her wild. Then applying steady consistent attention to her clit, she thought she would go out of her mind. "Heavens! What are you doing to me?" He didn't answer, just smiled as he kept at it, the same spot, flicking lightly, fast, steady pressure, building it up, putting her over the top. "AaaahhHH!" She screamed out, clamping her legs over his head as her orgasm shook her. He positioned himself to hold her through it, wrapping his arms tightly around her, kissing her face and whispering reassurances into her ear, holding her until the last tremor subsided. She'd never felt so good, and now wrapped tightly in his strong arms, the lovely scent of him relaxing her, she drifted off to sleep. When she woke, he was still there, holding her. "Hello, there, beautiful," he said, smiling down at her. "Oh, forgive me for falling asleep, I shouldn't have..." He silenced her with a kiss. "This is your night to feel good," he told her when he broke away. "When I leave here," she shyly asked, "how will we stay in touch?" Navin somewhat looked away. "You wouldn't have to leave here, and I wouldn't want you to. I have a permanent room here at the Hall. You'd be welcome there. I do have a home in the country side, but I'm only there every so often." He looked at her vulnerably. "I wouldn't be able to ever offer you all the things Jem could. But I'd give you whatever I have. You can have my home, my room, wherever you'd be comfortable."