Now that she took this decision, Astrid has to talk with her friend. If they are to compete for the heart of the same man, she wants to do it openly, not behind Lanna's back. She owes her at least that much.She wants to go to Lanna's room directly, but her appearance is still a little messy since that... kiss. Her heart beats like a drum when she thinks about that. How lost she was in the moment. How amazing his touch felt. How soft and sweet his mouth was.She shakes her head. A bath will clear her mind and as it's still quite early in the morning, no other favorite is awake, so the bathhouse is empty.As she lets the water pour over her body, Astrid hears steps behind her. She doesn't bother to check as she thinks it's probably a maid, here to take an early bath before the work begins.She doesn't really have time to react when someone grabs her by the hair and smashes her head on the wall. The adrenaline hits and Astrid turns around and pushes the person off her."Who are you?" Sh
Astrid is grateful to the medic. The trip to the Summer Baths was long and every move of the carriage was extremely painful. She would have gone insane if the medic wouldn't have given her drops of a potion that made her sleep most of the time."She is a fighter." Loras stares at her almost amused under the worried look."She is, Your Majesty. I didn't expect her to recover and even on the road..." The medic answers while Astrid looks at them in silence. How boring it is to listen to a conversation and not be able to join. This is why she is so grateful to Loras. When they stop for breaks, the pain is manageable so she doesn't have to sleep. Loras stays next to her and reads her poetry so she wouldn't feel lonely. The sound of his voice is soothing and the looks on the guard's faces when they see their king reading poetry to a slave are priceless.Astrid sees the sun almost lost under the trees. Evening. When she last fell asleep it was only noon.She stares at the window and then at
What a blessing and a curse to be confined in a dark, wet cave with the king.Most of the time he is semi-naked and protests when Astrid asks him to put on some clothes. Her argument is that it's inappropriate, his argument is that she is his woman. His argument is better, but truly, she can't tell him that the real reason she wants him to put something on is that she isn’t constantly drooling after him.Well, an option is not to look, but she realized fast enough she can't..."Aren't you cold?" She tries again."No." He answers, containing a smile, as he always does."How about...?""No."She is done! If he's going to play this game, no reason for her not to win.She strips down and throws her dress on the ground. He gives her a curious look, but says nothing.For the next hour, she just walks around, naked as the day she was born, and enjoys seeing him covering his hardened manhood. She expected this to be harder, as she is not the type that is comfortable sitting like this, even if
The weather is warm, so when Loras rips her dress off, Astrid doesn't feel cold. No, the burning pleasure of his every touch makes her body burst into flames of pleasure. He kisses her neck, with his teeth, gently nibbling her soft skin. His hands explore her exposed chest, making her moan when he rolls his thumb over her nipples again. Then one hand goes down slowly, touching her belly, her hips, then grabbing her ass. Her breaths are starting to get shorter and shorter. And when his hand touches the soft skin in between her tights, she screams.The sensation was so sudden, so electrifying. She never felt anything like this before.Astrid looks at Loras. He moved his hand, grabbing her ass and pulling her closer to him. She gasps for air, wanting to say something. To beg him to stop or to continue, she is unsure herself."Shh..." He whispers in her ear, covering her mouth. "There's no one to hear you here. Only I exist for you."When she was about to protest, she takes a big breath.
"Under no circumstances!" Astrid protests."It wasn't a question. I said you will join me." Loras says already exasperated."Or what?"Loras gets closer, trapping Astrid in between his body and the wall."Or else I will tie you up to my bed and have you over and over again, not once giving you the satisfaction to finish. Until you beg me to end your misery. Until you agree with my every word." He says in her ear, with his typical arrogant smirk on his face.And it's truly, not the threat itself that makes Astrid agree, but that sparkle of excitement in his eyes that makes her believe he wants her to say no."Fine." She looks away, as her face gets red. "But I don't want to talk to him.""He's not allowed to address a member of my harem first, so if you don't initiate, he won't either."Sirius, The Lord of the South. One of the bastards that thinks it's okay to drag people out of their homes, murder their families and send them as "gifts" like they are some objects you can play with.A
"Your Majesty... It's inappropriate for a slave to give punishments to the lords..." Lord Sirius says. This man can't keep his mouth closed to save his life."What is even more inappropriate, Lord Sirius is the blatant disrespect for my orders that you showed. And because of it, because you seem to not care about respecting the rules, the rules won't be applied to you. The slave will decide." Loras responds and his voice leaves no room for arguing.Lord Sirius looks at Astrid with a mixture of fear and disgust and she realizes that no matter what she wears or what she'll become, in his eyes, she will always be below him.Astrid clears her voice. She would like to teach him a lesson, to pretend for a moment that she can change his mind by showing him how it feels like to be powerless, at the mercy of someone that doesn't care about your screams. But it would be pointless as people like him could never understand."I know, my lord that most of your money comes from slave trading. The wo
Loras takes his sword out and pushes Astrid behind him."Show yourself!" He shouts in the direction of the bushes."They asked for help!" Astrid takes a step forward, but he stops her."With so many people around searching for the witch, thieves might be lurking around, too. They use this type of thing to lure victims into an isolated area and rob them." Loras explains as he slowly approaches the bushes."So do we just ignore it?""Does it look like I'm ignoring it?"Fair point, but if someone is hurt, they don't have time for being cautious."Loras!"He pushes the leaves away with the sword. Behind the bushes, there's an old lady laying on the ground."Help me!" She begs.Astrid rushes to her as Loras looks around. But the fabric that binds the two together is too short for her to reach the woman."Loras! There is no one around!" Astrid insists and after he takes one more look around and sniffs the air, he puts his sword down."Madam, are you alright?" He asks, kneeling down next to
A while ago she wished, like any naive, young girl to find love, to build a happy family like the one she saw her parents had. Then, when they died, she wished she could die and join them. Then she wanted Loras. But now? There isn't much she isn't contempt with. Of course, she could ask Lanna to forgive her. Ask to know who wants to kill her. But if you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a wish in front of the witch that so few have the luck to meet... she feels like she doesn't have an important enough wish for such a chance."I don't know..." She answers sincerely.The witch doesn't seem surprised."You are not the first one. But don't worry, you will not lose your chance. When you have your wish, come find me.""How will I find you again?" Astrid asks."When your heart will find your wish, call my name and I will guide you." She answers.They hear some people coming and the witch rushes to say her goodbyes and vanishes yet again, leaving Astrid and Loras alone in the dar
"All hail to King Loras Dardarian and Queen Astrid Dardarian!" The guard announces them solemnly as they step through the gold doors. The banquet room is filled with the noble lords and ladies of the kingdom, diplomats from beyond the seas and high members of the land councils. They all bow in front of the royal couple as they slowly make their way to the other side of the room, where the thrones await.Astrid looks at Loras, who is holding her hand. So many years passed, so many troubles they overcame and with every second that they live she feels that not a thousand lives would be enough next to him. Loras notices her melancholic glance and smiles."This is not the day for unpleasant feelings, my little one! This is a day of celebration." He whispers, the feeling of his breath on her neck, still giving her shivers of pleasure after so many years."I am old, Loras. When will you stop calling me little one?" She laughs."Do you want me to find you another nickname in the next life?"A
"Where is my son?" Loras shouts, his voice unrecognizable.Astrid helps Lysa get up and whispers to her that Omar found his way to the dragon cave and is now with his aunts. Once she hears that, color returns to her face and she starts crying hysterically.Everyone turns to them, distracted by the noise. Everyone but the king, who is so blinded by his rage that he can't hear a thing around him."You're not lying?" Lysa asks, clinging to Astrid's arm with such force that she almost breaks it."He got lost in the corridors. The king's dragon sensed his distress and called for him. That's why he ended with us." Astrid explains and the guards around them exchange questioning looks before glancing at the king."Loras! Loras!" Lysa shouts, running toward him, ignoring the traitorous lords that throw her murdering looks. "Omar is with Astrid! Omar is alright! Our son is alright!"The king's fist freezes in the air and he turns his head to Lysa. His former favorite is in tears, happiness mixe
Astrid tries to swallow the lump in her throat as she looks at the cave's entrance, waiting for someone to run in and announce that Loras arrested the lords without spilled blood.Sansa's voice is in the background as her prayers echo on the cavernous walls, creating a soothing noise. It helps the other girls that are gathered in the corner, as far away from the dragons as possible."We just got here..." Tamara tries to calm Astrid down, but to no avail."Did Loras say anything to you about Lysa and Omar?" Astrid asks, holding Erik a bit tighter to her chest."He just seemed furious. But my brother is not the one that is easily overpowered by emotions. And he loves Omar. I think he will forgive Lysa too for his sake." Tamara confidently declares. Her reassurance seemingly more for herself than for Astrid."My lady?" Esmee asks. "I could take the little prince for a while. So you could rest."Astrid looks at her. She wants to say no, as feeling Erik close to her makes her feel better,
The heavy doors open and all heads bow in front of her. If the events from earlier wouldn't have opened her eyes, Lysa would think that they all respect her. She looks at her new husband and the dignified way he keeps his back straight and his hand on that decorative sword on his waist. He will find his end tonight. She looks around. They will all find their end. Including her. Two chairs were brought to sit tall on the other side of the room and Lysa walks to sit on one. Lord Connrad joins her soon after and the meeting of the traitors begins. "Noble lords of the kingdom!" Lord Connrad starts his grand speech. "For centuries, our influence was the foundation that the crown used to build this great nation. Every change good or great was passed through our opinions before a king would even consider implementing it. And that brought us to where we are today. On the top of the world. Second only to God's heavens." The Lords cheer in agreement and Lysa simply fails to understand the ne
Lord Connrad has a huge grin on his face as he stares at the woman that once was known as the jewel of the crown. Lysa is indeed a beauty, even so many years later, even after a child. Her figure is unchanged, the skin is soft and tight. Her breasts are defying any force of gravity that tries to tame them.The woman is shaking, terrified by what's to come, but doesn't utter a single word. After all, who would help her even if they hear her screams?She closes her eyes, trying to disconnect, to leave her body to this filthy word. But that seems to provoke Lord Connrad, because he grabs her hair and shouts at her, ordering her to look at him like she used to look at the king.Why would she? This scum is no king...In her mind, she returns to her first night with Loras. Sansa chose her to go. She liked how Lysa could hold her head high. She didn't realize that she was only doing it because she had nothing to lose. In the prince's chambers, she was shaking like a bird caught in hand. Lora
The bells ring louder than Lysa had ever heard them. Curious thing. She's been here for years and she never paid attention at the sound. Every hour... one ding for one past midnight, two dings for two past midnight. Every single day without a break and it's the first time she actually listens to them.The high priest in right on time. The old man always is. That might be his only quality as in the rest of the time he spends his moments preaching about how everything is a sin.Lord Connrad comes into her room without knocking and she throws him a threatening look that he chooses to ignore."You, my lady, are dazzling my eyes. Truly the jewel of the crown as the peasants refer to you."Lysa can't help but throw her eyes in the mirror. The dress is indeed dazzling. Impeccable white, crusted with endless diamonds that reflect the weakest light into a rainbow that then dances around her. A sight to counter her flawless body and rise her full chest. A bit of cleavage, just enough to attract
Omar is shaking at her chest, but Lysa signals him to be quiet. Lord Connrad sent two of his personal guards to escort them, but they still have to get to the meeting point unnoticed. "You said we are going to see auntie!" Omar whines and the echo of his little voice hitting the empty halls makes Lysa freeze. "We have to see a friend first." She whispers to her son. "It won't take long, I promise." The promise is a lie. Lysa doesn't know how long it will take, but it's enough that she is anxious, she is not going to bring her son in the same state. "I'm cold!" He whines again after a moment of silence and Lysa curses herself for not dressing him in warmer clothes. But at the same time, the guards would have gotten suspicious if the prince would have walked to his aunt's place all dressed up. "We are going somewhere warm, my love. One moment." She wraps her arms around him, trying to provide all the warmth she can with her own body. This old path was closed years ago so there are n
"What happened? Where is she?" Astrid bursts into the infirmary with Tamara, confused as hell, running behind her."Forgive me, Lady Astrid! Her stomach started bleeding, suddenly. It may have been more than an indigestion, I believe the stress made a hole inside her guts. She bled out the poor girl.""She was fine a moment ago and now you're telling me that she bled to death?" Astrid shouts, but the medic is already not paying attention to her anymore as she bows to somebody that just came into the room. Astrid turns around, surprised to see Lord Connrad."Thank you for your worry, my lady. My wife would have been honored." He says, barely contenting his smirk. "Your Grace. It's an honor to be in your presence."Tamara doesn't seem to reciprocate the feeling but politely nods at the lord. Since she doesn't know the situation, she is not filled with rage as Astrid is."Forgive me, my lady! My lord! I did everything that was in my mortal power. The rest comes only from God and he was t
"You look at me as if you just saw a ghost, Astrid." Sansa comments, trying to seem offended, but with a smile hiding behind her lips."I... didn't expect that...""Neither did I. To apologize to a... well, you are not a slave anymore... to a concubine of my brother was not something that I thought I will ever do in this life. But I am not that stuck in my own ways not to see the necessity to do it this time.""And what made you think that?"Sansa sighs."More than one thing I suppose. My brother seems better, happier. I can't ignore the good effect you have on him. You offered him a son, a lovely little baby that even if I hated you, I can't help but adore. You turned around the fate of the war... Maybe I started it, but... I never wanted to go through with it. It was too late when I realized that and I am glad it failed. You didn't take advantage of that victory to push everyone else aside for your own gain. And more than anything you seem to care about this kingdom in a way that on