For Blood And Lust Pt 02

Note: While the eroticism of the story is self-contained, this story is the second of a series, and the readers are encouraged to read the first part in order to appreciate the characters and understand how they ended up in the specific situations in which they are. As always, your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Celeste looked out of the carriage at the approaching palace that served as the seat of King Philip Benedict while he was alive. Lion's Gate Citadel was so much more majestic than it appeared from a distance. As the caravan of horse driven buggies crossed the drawbridge, Celeste looked down at the moat that surrounded the citadel. The crystal clear water was home to graceful swans and red and white fish swam in circles.

On the other side of the drawbridge was the courtyard, a riot of color! Roses, lilies and exotic flowers spread across the blooming garden and she could see the peacocks strutting proudly, their vibrant feathers shimmering in the sunlight. There were no soldiers here as they all held their positions on the outer parameter. The courtyard was filled with the royal pikemen who formed the personal guard unit for the Prince. They all stood tall and proud, and it was obvious that each member of the guard had been selected for his towering height.

Celeste had no idea what fate awaited her. It would be a life in the dungeons for sure with painful manual labor such as brick making or construction work. Three years of such a life can change a person forever and she wondered what she would become. But why was she here? The caravan stopped at the main entrance and Celeste could see the prince disembark. After a moment, the carriage moved again and went all around the citadel's main structure until it was at the rear entrance.

"Personal Quarters. Residence of His Majesty!" said the coachman in a loud, announcing voice and the door of the carriage was opened. A courtier stood holding the door for Celeste. Surprised by the protocol, Celeste looked at him. He had no facial expression except a cold and serene calm about him. She gently stepped outside to see a graceful, middle aged woman approach.

"My my ... what a gem! I can see why he went to arrest you in person," said the woman as she approached her.

Not knowing who this was, Celeste bent one knee slightly to lower herself. "Oh rise please. No need for such formalities here," said the woman. "I am Lady Constance, mistress of the Keep."

A few minutes later, Celeste found herself inside the Lion's Gate Citadel, a world of opulence and grandeur. She followed Lady Constance with long and fast strides as they made their way over the marble floor. As they ventured deeper into the palace, she found herself dwarfed in front of the giant windows draped with velvet curtains. These windows looked so tiny from a distance but once inside, they were so overpowering and so majestic. The Intricately carved pillars rose to support a soaring ceiling painted with elaborate frescoes that depicted scenes from mythology and history.

By this time, Celeste was starting to feel like she would be a royal maid and the thought of that excited her. "Lady Constance. May I know the nature of my penance?" she asked.

Constance rolled her eyes. "Oh my God! Are you really that stupid?"

"Perhaps I am but can you please tell me what is in store for me?" Celeste asked as they came to a bathroom and stopped.

There were three other women, preparing a bath. Constance turned towards them and said, "She wants to know what will become of her!" The three maids giggled and Celeste looked at matron Constance. She was a well-maintained woman, unwilling to let go of her beauty as she aged.. "My sweet Celeste. Look at the inward curve of your waist. Why do you think the prince traveled all the way to the red light district to take you in his custody? The money you stole has no value for him but look at the way your narrow waist connects with your wide hips. The sight will definitely excite a man ... and some women too. Right ladies?" Mistress Constance said as she looked at the maids and they giggled. "Now look at your bust. Your breasts, my begonia, are so well developed, round and well pronounced! When you wear these tight fitting clothes, they announce themselves to the world and prince or no prince, no man can resist such feminine charms" Then she looked at the maids and said. "Some women are equally eager to get you out of your clothes," and the maids laughed.

Then the three women approached and Celeste found their hands working on her body as they removed her clothing, one after the other. Soon she was in the lukewarm tub, being bathed in rose water by the three women. One continued to deep cleanse her hair, while the other soaped her body. The third one would assist by offering soaps and oils and often pouring water on her.

Constance stood in front of the mirror, fixing her makeup as she spoke. "You come from a profession where pleasing a man would be nothing new to you. But Prince Leopold is not a customer. He is royalty and you must remember that at all times. Always bow when you see him. Always look down when you are with him unless you are spoken to. Then you may raised your eyes to maintain eye contact but only for as long as you are spoken to. You must always address him as "your highness" or "my lord," and you must never raise your voice louder than the prince. No matter how passionate things become in bed, this royal protocol must never, ever be broken! Do you understand?"

"Yes." Celeste said.

"The prince has sixteen concubines. You will be his seventeenth one. Before withdrawing to his bedroom, he will decide which of them he would like to take to bed with him. You must always be ready and assume that it would be you."

As the maids rubbed, caressed and prepared her body for sex, Celeste was somewhere else. In a trance-like state she considered her situation. She had succeeded in seducing the most powerful man in the kingdom without even knowing it. This man wanted her! She sensed lust in him the moment she fell in his arms from the buckboard. After her time in the bordello, Celeste recognized lust when she encountered it, especially from such close proximity.

Now here she was, being instructed to be a submissive concubine to him, but she knew the nature of lust. She knew that if she played the respectful concubine, the prince would quickly grow tired of her. He would be out on the prowl looking for another woman to conquer, one who would treat him as his equal, until he had subdued her. Celeste understood that whenever a man desires a woman, she holds a certain power over him and he would eventually allow her certain liberties that otherwise would not be entertained. This power was stronger than royalty itself and Celeste would own him.

***

Stratagem Hall was bursting with important people, as all the loyal banners had gathered to answer the call of Prince Leopold. The Stratagem was a cavernous chamber, situated deep within the basement of the Lion's Gate Citadel. With its ancient stone floor and heavy oak doors, Its ambience was much different from the rest of the palace. The air hung heavy with the scent of aged parchment, candle wax, and the faint tang of metal from all the ancient weaponry adorning the walls.

Elders from different houses now gathered under the vaulted ceiling, adorned with faded banners and the cracked remnants of once-glorious tapestries. The only light was from the torches and the faint glow of moonlight filtering through narrow windows, casting long shadows that seem to reach out like grasping fingers.

When Prince Leopold spoke, there was an authoritative echo in his voice. "And thus my loyal elders, the situation is quite clear. All ships are being seized at various Vicarian ports and soon the princess will move into position to cut off all our ports. With Thogon and Latveria blocking our land access, and the princess blocking our ports, we will be forced into a famine.

There was a roll of murmur around the hall and then Lord Thorneside from the House of Black Spears roared like a lion. "Attack sire! Elrick Thorneside from the House of Black Spears says to you that we attack! We have waited long enough for our enemies to grow stronger and the time to act is now. The Black Spears are with you!"

Hundreds of fists hammered the tables in a sign of approval while too many voices attempted to speak at exactly the same time. "I disagree my lord," a familiar voice rose from the back of the hall causing everyone to stop and turn. A tall aging man, with white beard but a strong built and upright posture stood up. "No one here has fought more battles than I, my lord. The House of Grimshaw will always be at your service but going on the offensive would be unwise. We have enough troops to defend a Vicarian invasion of our towns and cities but not enough to mount an attack on theirs with the same success. The Grimshaws have given more blood to the throne of your father than any other house my Lord and should you choose to advance, we will march with you just like we have marched with your father, our beloved guardian but I am obligated to share with you my honest assessment. It would not be wise."

Elrick Thorneside turned around and spoke, "Lord Grimshaw. The realms are indebted to your service and the sacrifice that your house has given over the ages but, you are now of the age where jumping into the mud trenches and slugging with these dogs is no longer expected from you. It is time now for us all here to follow in your legacy."

There was the thunder of applause once again and a few pulled out their swords to wave them in the air as a show of support. Prince Leopold raised his hands to calm the mood and then gave his decision. "My Lords, it was exactly at this spot that my father stood before you twenty years ago at a moment when the fate of our Kingdom hung in balance. On his call, you all came and you rode against the mighty Kingdom of Thogon. You are all warriors here and there is not a single house among us today that is not forged in the crucible of hardship and tempered by the fires of adversity. Today, we are confronted, not by the mighty Kingdom of Thogon but one of our own. My elder sister is flesh and blood to me. There is no one in this hall on whom this war will lay a burden as heavy as it does on my own shoulders. But, I want to see you all prosper and I want to see your children flourish. For the collective interest of us all, I must now declare war!" The hall exploded with loud cheers of support and rumbling of tables being hammered upon by fists.

As the prince nodded in appreciation of the support, a court messenger walked in and whispered in his ear, "My lord, her highness the queen mother has arrived. She wishes to see you most urgently."

The queen mother was a woman tall in stature, much like her daughter Vicaria but carried a subtle stoop of age. Passage of time had taken its toll on her countenance, leaving behind a tapestry of experience etched upon her expressionless face. With her hollow eyes, she looked at her approaching son.

"Your highness queen mother, I was not expecting you at such an hour," he said as he took her hand to kiss it.

"Has the death of your father not been enough? Must I now watch my children wage war against each other before I rest in my own grave?" the queen spoke in a hollow voice.

Prince Leopold took his mother by her shoulders and looked at her in the eyes. "Vicaria is moving her ships to block our ports. She has given me no option but to attack. I have full support of the houses."

"Leo, if you attack her she will defeat you. Most of those houses will only support you as long as you are winning. She only needs to inflict one defeat and you will see how these houses will leave you to be on her side. I knew these men before you were even conceived," spoke the queen looking back into her son's eyes.

Prince Leopold looked at his mother with an expression of disgust. "Mother, you and father always treated her like she was more capable, more intelligent. Look how you speak to the rightful heir to the throne! What would the houses think if they ever heard you say this to me? How could the world follow me when my own mother has more faith in my sister than I?"

"Oh Leo, I care not whether the world erects statues of you in every street corner or not. I do not wish to see you die." The queen mother said as she walked with slow steps. "I would rather see you alive and happy than amidst this ugly war. You are brave like your father and I do not doubt that for an instant. But your sister will not rely on courage to win this war Leo. She will rely on blind following. There are many who believe that your sister is a goddess. They will want your head and Vicaria will unleash them like dogs upon you. All these men who are beating the tables to show their support will have no problem changing sides. To them she is your fathers blood as much as you are. Think about what you are starting."

Leopold was in no mood to continue with this talk. He spent the next few minutes with his mother and then withdrew to his personal chambers. Mistress Constance welcomed him. "Will your highness sleep by himself or should I send in one of the night maidens to warm your bed?"

"Today has not been an easy day with my mother arriving without notice. I think I will need to release some tension before I can sleep," he said.

Constance looked at him with a motherly smile. "I have just the girl for your highness."

"Celeste?" he guessed.

"Umm hmm. What a gem! I can see why you brought her here."

"Is she ready? Don't you think she will need some more time to get acquainted?"

"Nonsense my dear prince. The woman is a sin. Even our bathers could not keep their hands off of her," she said.

"I can see why. I would love for her to be initiated then. It would be great for us to get to know each other," he said.

The prince then withdrew into his bedroom where the house maids were dimming the candles. He slipped into his night robe and then waited for the maids to make their final last minute touches. Soon they went out leaving him alone in the dimly lit room. It was not long that he heard the gentle knock on his door and the squeaking sound of it being opened. "Your highness demands the pleasure of my company," said a sultry female voice.

He turned around and saw Celeste. The bronze skinned woman was glowing in the dim candle light while a light was draped elegantly over her figure.The material was so thin, that it was almost transparent and Leopold could still study the enticing curves underneath.

Before he could say anything, Celeste turned around and locked the door behind her. It was unusual for a concubine to turn her back to the prince and he was a bit taken aback but Celeste was new and after looking at her statuesque perfection, the prince found himself in a forgiving mood.

Celeste then turned around and looked at the prince right in his eyes with a naughty expression on her face that tended to suggest that she was breaking rules and she knew it. "I have been bad, I know. What punishment does the prince have in store for me?" She asked, raising her head defiantly in a manner that was rebellious as well as teasing at the same time.

Leopold looked at her from head to toe. "It seems that Constance has not coached you on how to behave it seems." he said sporting a smile so as to put her in her place without intimidating her or spoiling the mood.

"She tried her best. But I am sure that if your highness has brought a woman into his bedroom, the last thing he would want her to do is to behave!" With that, she removed the drape off of her breasts exposing them to his gaze. Tipped with erect nipples, they were well developed and perfectly rounded, competing for attention with her flat stomach and the inner curvature of her waist.

Constance was right. The woman was sin in flesh. She walked towards him, with slow and confident strides, always maintaining eye contact. Then she brought her hand to his chest and felt the muscles under the fur of his chest hair. Smoothly she slid the night robe off his shoulders allowing it to fall to the floor. She looked down at his manhood that had grown semi erect with excitement. He took her gently from the waist and brought his lips to meet with hers.

Just when their lips were about to meet, Celeste violently pushed the prince backwards with all the momentum she could muster. Unexpecting such a move, Leopold flew back and landed on the bed. "Had she just womanhandled the prince?" he thought as he crunched upwards to look at her.

With a naughty look on her face, Celeste crawled over on him like a panther stalking its prey. Mesmerized by the grace with which her body moved, Leopold looked at the bare breasts swaying freely under her. Celeste ensured that her bosoms glided over his body, brushing their smoothness against him as they went, until they were only inches from his face. Situating herself on him, she held his face in her hands and looked down like she was looking at a child desiring a candy and she holding the authority to give it. "Outside these doors, I will shower you with formalities, address you with all the royal titles" she spoke in her deep, sultry voice. "But once we withdraw into our private chambers, and the door is closed behind us, it would be a different matter." She said pulling his hair gently, causing him to look up towards her while she looked down. Then she jutted her chest forward, offering him a naked breast to suck on.. He looked at the hard red nipple and took it in his warm mouth. "Mmmm.... Now the other one," she commanded and offered him the other breast to suck upon. She took it in her mouth and sucked with newly aroused passion. Then she brought herself down, pressing her naked breasts into his chest and kissed him.

It was a dirty kiss, with her tongue wrestling against his and eventually overpowering. Leopold felt his cock hardening as he enjoyed the sensation of her naked bust against his chest. Instinctively, his hands went up her thighs as she straddled him. He felt the wide, roundness of her buttocks and then the narrowness of her waist until his hands went up feeling the smoothness her naked back. Suddenly she rose up, took his arms and pinned them against the bed. "You may look but you may not touch ... until you have earned it ... with patience." With a smile on her face, she crawled back on his body, sliding her breasts down his ribs, then his stomach until his cock was between her globes. She spat on his ember and then pressed her mounds together, trapping him between them.

The prince was rock hard now. He had been with his concubines but none of them had pressed his buttons the way this one did. He wanted to take her in his arms, kiss her with the urgency of his building passion and then claim her like she had never been claimed before. But there was an air of erotic authority about this woman that had made this experience different. He did not want to spoil it and therefore making it an experience similar to his other concubines. Something was extremely elating about this woman's rebellious demeanor and Leopold struggled to define what it was. Was it her courage to act out of line? Or was it the inappropriateness of the moment? Maybe it was both but whatever it was, he wanted to respect her assumed authority for his own titillation.

Celeste took the whole length of his manhood into her throat and sealed her mouth around in. She sucked him all the way up to the head with vacuum in her mouth, only to pause at the head of his engorged penis, Then she teased the bulb with her tongue. The sensation made Leopold weak in the knees and his moans grew faint with pleasure. After tormenting the tip of his penis, she took the shaft between her voluptuous mounds. The woman had a killer body and she knew how to use it. Leopold was amazed at how much saliva her mouth could produce. She alternated pleasuring his manhood between her wet mouth to between her saliva covered breasts, while Leopold twisted and turned in pleasure, not permitting himself to touch her.