"Tighter."
"Milady--"
"I said, 'tighter.'"
"Regrettably, I can't do that."
With a huff and a sigh, she whipped around to face her courtier, auburn curls swishing. "And pray tell, why not?"
"I...would cut off your circulation, milady."
She blinked, pink tinging her cheeks. "Oh...yes, I...imagine that would be bad."
"Milady, I ask that you trust me with these matters. One must show restraint."
She snort-laughed. "A rather fitting choice of words, don't you think? And please, no more 'milady.' I told you; when we're together like this, call me by name."
Now it was his turn to blush. "I can't! That's most improper!"
She sighed, though it was more out of amusement than irritation. "My dear courtier...you speak like that when I'm in such a state? By
your
hand?"
The princess rose, leaning up to meet her courtier face-to-face. Rope wound around her, pinning her bound arms to her chest. A bikini harness held her breasts firm and secure, and beneath her rose gold nightgown, rope wrapped around her ankles, legs, and thighs.
"You...you have a point..." mumbled the now red-faced courtier.
'Though by my hand, by your request...'
"Well? Call me by my name, courtier. Or shall I order you by royal decree?"
"That won't be necessary...Mara."
She smiled and leaned in close, nuzzling her courtier's cheek. "There. Was that so difficult?"
He shook his head no, letting out a small squeak of surprise as Mara turned around and fell back into his arms, the top of her head just below his chin. "Now, then."
The courtier blinked. "Now...?"
Mara clicked her tongue. "Is binding me all you wish for tonight? You have a lovely, sweet, intelligent, powerful, noble lady at your mercy in her own bedchambers. No one to disturb her until morn. No one expecting you. Surely you can think of all sorts of things to do with me before the sun rises."
She was coaxing him, he knew. But he'd be lying if he said improper thoughts hadn't crossed his mind. Thinking was one thing, however. Acting on them, another beast entirely.
"Ah...um...is there anything in particular you'd like me to do, mil--Mara?"
The princess tutted. "That won't do. I want you to take the lead. Do what your heart desires." She paused. "Hm, though...if things get too intense, will you stop--"
"Yes, of course!"
"--when I say the word 'radish.'"
"O-Oh...yes."
Mara chuckled. "It would do you well to listen before acting, my dear courtier."
Nodding, he moved his hand over the princess's bound form, trying to make up his mind what to do first. Mara watched intently, heart thundering in her chest as she waited for that first touch. Slowly, his hand descended...
...coming to rest on her shoulder.
"What...are you doing?"