In Service Of The Queen Ch 26

In Service of the Queen

by Davina Lee

An alternative future of women and their adventures

*

Author's Note

In the previous chapter, Adelaide and Tiara's paths have finally crossed again, guided by fate, and perhaps with a little help from Friend Vivienne and the gals of Deus Contra Machina. But Tiara's not in very good shape for a reunion. Truth be told, she not in very good shape for much of anything.

The band pulls out the ballad that Tiara wrote for Adelaide when they first met, hoping to give Tiara a chance to sober up and maybe add a little magic to the night. Meanwhile Adelaide steps in to cover the bass parts on some of the remaining songs while Tiara struggles to remain upright.

With a night beginning like that, what can we expect next for our two lovers?

Well, friends, this is it. The final chapter of our year long adventure. Let's find out, shall we?

* * *

Chapter 26: Nourris Ton Coeur

Empyrea Corps Hospital Train, Sleeping Car

The bench seats in Adelaide's compartment had been folded down into a double bed and the curtain to the windows looking out onto the narrow corridor had been pulled tight. All of Adelaide's possessions, her nurse's scrubs, the medical texts, her notebooks, and toiletries, had been shoved into the tiny closet space at the foot end.

Adelaide lay facing the outside window, with only a hint of bare shoulder peeking out from plain white sheet covering her. The outside window's curtains were drawn shut as well, closed off all but for a narrow crack in the center where they didn't quite meet. The gap was enough that early morning sun peeked in, casting a narrow sliver of its light over Adelaide and Tiara where they lay.

Adelaide shivered. Behind her, Tiara reached to pull the sheet up tighter. "Want the blanket?" asked Tiara.

Adelaide nodded, not turning around.

Tiara stretched to grab at a corner of the blanket that lay wadded at their feet. She pulled it up. "I didn't know if you'd come," Tiara said, letting her fingers linger for a moment on Adelaide's shoulder. "To see the band, I mean. I didn't know if you'd come."

Adelaide shivered once more and nuzzled against the blanket as Tiara brought it up over the two of them. "I didn't know if I would either," said Adelaide. "I didn't want to."

"What changed your mind, friend?"

"Vivienne."

Tiara chuckled briefly as she settled back in again, curled behind Adelaide, their heads resting on the same pillow. "I am indebted to Friend Vivienne. Again, it seems."

Tiara laid her hand over the blanket covering Adelaide's shoulder.

"This doesn't have to be anything, friend," said Adelaide. "A fling. Two people sharing a brief passion in a world that's gone crazy. That could be enough for us, I think."

"Friend Adelaide." Tiara rolled forward, lifting her head from the pillow and gazing down over Adelaide's face, where it was hidden beneath the bed covers. "Please don't say that."

"Where have you been? All this time. Where have you been?"

"Me?" Tiara shook her head. "Wallowing. I think that's what you'd call it."

"For friend's sake, you didn't even reply to my letters."

"I did," said Tiara, propping herself on one elbow. "I did. I just... I never sent them."

"That's the lamest excuse I ever--"

"Says the woman who showed me where she keeps all hers stashed in her textbooks."

Adelaide rolled toward the window and away from Tiara, pulling most of the blanket as she went. Adelaide huddled with her arms wrapped around herself and her face buried in the pillow.

"Sorry," said Tiara.

"

Hmph.

"

"Friend Adelaide..." Tiara once again laid her hand on Adelaide's shoulder. "I'm not very good at this. I just want things to be--"

Adelaide threw the cover back and rolled over with enough force to make the bed shake. Tiara drew back and stiffened.

"Friend Tiara," said Adelaide. "I'm more than happy to entertain your begging and pleading for me to take you back, but--"

"Begging and--?"

"Begging and pleading. Yes. But your breath is atrocious. You smell like two-day old stale beer. How much did you drink last night?"

Adelaide watched intently as Tiara stared wide-eyed and slack-jawed for a moment. Adelaide bit her lip, suppressing her smirk, as the corners of Tiara's mouth began to tick up.

"I've done a lot of wallowing," said Tiara.

"And you can do a lot of begging. But first, you're brushing your teeth. Look in my nook over there." Adelaide sat up and pointed. "There's a spare toothbrush."

"I missed you," said Tiara.

"Toothbrush," replied Adelaide.

* * *

In the sleeping coach corridor, five minutes later

Adelaide stood, her own toothbrush in hand, just outside the toilet and staring at the red letters that spelled out

occupied

. Behind the door, she could hear the water running.

At the end of the coach, the gangway door opened and Emilia stepped through. She was wearing a sleep shirt and nothing else. "Oh," said Emilia, glancing first at Adelaide and her toothbrush, and then at the sign that read

occupied

. "This one, too?"

"What happened to the early shift?" asked Adelaide.

"It's my day off."

"Oh."

The door at the end of the corridor opened a second time and Daphne stepped through, also wearing a sleep shirt, and carrying a straight razor, folded and tucked into her palm. "Hey, Adelaide," she said, grinning.

"How's your stove?" asked Adelaide.

"Smooth," replied Daphne. "Everything's so nice and smooth... down there."

"Uh... uh-huh."

Emilia grinned, leaning toward Adelaide. "Thanks for the introduction," she whispered.

"Come on, honey," said Daphne. "I want to show you." She reached out and tugged at Emilia's fingertips.

"I need to pee first, babe."

As Emilia and Daphne turned and headed for the door to the next car forward, the red

occupied

sign in front of Adelaide rolled over to a green

vacant

, and Tiara stepped into the hall.

"All clean," said Tiara. She cupped her hand in front of her mouth as she breathed out noisily twice, and then nodded her head. "Who's that with Daphne?"

"The engineer's apprentice, Emilia," said Adelaide. "It's her day off."

"Oh," said Tiara. "She's cute."

"And her mom makes really good butter cake."

Tiara nodded.

"Stop thinking about Emilia's butter cake," said Adelaide. "You've got some serious begging to do."

Tiara pulled her mouth into a frown. Adelaide reached out for Tiara's hand.

"We slept together," said Adelaide, weaving her fingers in with Tiara's. "Emilia and me."

"I figured."

"It was just one night. I was missing you and..."

"It was butter cake, friend."

Adelaide chuckled.

"And my wallowing. It didn't always happen in my own bed. You deserve to know that."

Adelaide leaned her head against Tiara's shoulder as they took their first steps back down the corridor to Adelaide's sleeping compartment. "Sounds like we've got some catching up to do," said Adelaide.

"I've missed you."

* * *

Adelaide's sleeping compartment, one minute later

Adelaide stood facing the narrow nook that served as her closet, bookshelf, and vanity. She reached back without looking. "Toothbrush," she said.

Tiara passed her toothbrush forward.

"I've got those letters in here," said Adelaide, "if you want to read them. Or we can read them together."

Tiara said nothing.

"Friend Tiara?" said Adelaide.

Still no answer. Adelaide turned around.

Tiara stood grinning in a puddle of her own clothing. "You said I should be begging you to take me back, friend."

Adelaide stared at Tiara, her mouth hanging open.

"I'm ready to beg."

Adelaide stood stock still, her lip quivering, and finally fell forward into Tiara's arms. Adelaide mashed her lips against Tiara's mouth. "Help me out of this," mumbled Adelaide, raising her arms.

Just as Tiara freed Adelaide from her top and sent it sailing to the floor, there was a knock on the compartment door.

"Friend Adelaide--?" started Tiara, but she was interrupted by a second, more insistent rapping.

"

Mademoiselles?

" came a voice. "

Excusez l'interruption.

I have been asked to deliver something for your breakfast."

Adelaide lifted her gaze to Tiara. "Room service?" she whispered. "They must be on the wrong train."

Tiara shrugged.

"Um... This is the hospital train?" said Adelaide, her arms now encircling Tiara's waist.

"And this is your breakfast," said the voice.

After a moment of staring at each other, Adelaide nodded. Tiara reached around behind to pluck up the blanket from the bed, and proceeded to wrap it around the two of them.

Adelaide unlatched the compartment door and slid it open.

"

Pardon, mademoiselles,

" said the blushing woman in the white, double-breasted chef's coat and black pants. She reached to the cart beside her and picked up the first of several covered plates.

"

Omelet au fromage,

" she announced, passing the first plate over. "It's hot."

"Thank you," said Tiara, taking the plate at the edges.

"Croissants," said the woman as the next plate was passed.

Taking the plate, Adelaide inhaled deeply.

"Café au lait."

Adelaide held her hand up. "Let's pull out the side table, so we don't spill."

She reached over to pull the stowable tabletop from its storage slot and fold it out to partially cover the converted bed on one side. Adelaide plunked down the croissants and Tiara set down the omelet plate. The woman in the chef's coat passed one cup and then the next.

"Strawberries."

"Strawberries!" exclaimed Adelaide. "I didn't think these were in season yet."

Tiara, eyeing the bowl of berries, shrugged.

"Should we push the bed back into seats?" mused Adelaide.

The woman standing in the doorway had stopped reaching for plates. Silently, she passed over two napkins rolled around bundles of cutlery. With those handed off, she dashed her hand into her pocket and came back with a single piece of paper, folded over. She pushed it out to Adelaide.

Adelaide took it and unfolded the paper, holding the note in the light spilling in from the corridor, positioned so Tiara could see as well. Adelaide read the words aloud.

Use this breakfast to nourish your bodies, so that you may find the strength to undertake the journey that will nourish your hearts.

Avec amour toujours, Vivienne et Cosette

"Thank you," said Adelaide, smiling while raising her eyes to the woman standing in the doorway beside a now empty dining cart. Adelaide folded the note and held it to her chest. "Thank you, very much."

Beside her, Tiara nodded her agreement.

The woman in the chef's coat flashed a quick smile and slid the compartment door closed.

Tiara grinned. "It seems someone is looking out for us," said Tiara. "Two someones."

Adelaide nodded. "It seems so."

"Friend Adelaide?"

"Friend Tiara?"

"Are you ready to nourish our hearts?"

Looking up at Tiara, Adelaide nodded. "I think so. You?"

"Definitely." Tiara moved her mouth to Adelaide's and laid down a quick peck. "It's been too long."

Adelaide flashed a smile before leaning over to reach for the window. She yanked the curtain open, letting the morning sun flood the compartment. Bringing her hand back, she tugged at the blanket, causing it to fall to the floor with the pile of clothes.

"Are you not worried about someone looking in?" asked Tiara.

Adelaide shook her head. "Window's too high for the little ones to peek in. Anybody else? If they want to see me with my girl in my arms, I don't care."

"What happened to begging?" asked Tiara, picking up a strawberry. "Not that I'm complaining."

"No begging," said Adelaide.

Tiara nodded. She held the strawberry by the leaves and pushed it toward Adelaide's mouth. Adelaide took a bite.

"What else do we have here?" mused Tiara, sitting down on the edge of the fold-out bed and eyeing the little dining table that partially covered it.

"Omelet, of course," said Adelaide, bending to take a seat on Tiara's thigh. "It wouldn't be Vivienne and Cosette without

omelet au fromage

."

"Do you think they're outside, listening in?" asked Tiara.

"Did you want to check?" asked Adelaide.

Tiara shook her head. She picked up a fork and tore off a piece of omelet that she brought to Adelaide's mouth.

"Ooh, hot," said Adelaide, sucking a breath.

"Sorry."

Adelaide shook her head and reached across Tiara to pick up a croissant. She tore it in half, offering one part to Tiara and sticking the end of the other in her mouth. "I'm famished," said Adelaide. "I never realized it until I smelled these."

"I still remember that time--"

"My blood sugar? Yeah, I still get that."

"Do you have someone to look after you?"

Adelaide shrugged. "Rose and Maria," she said. "A couple of nurses in the apprentice program with me. You might have seen them at the concert, standing in the front row with Vivienne."

Tiara grinned. "I wasn't exactly at my best."

Adelaide chuckled. "They keep an eye on me."

"When do you head out again? The hospital train. Where are you off to next?"

"Prague," said Adelaide. "Our next stop is Prague."

"Seems like we're going in opposite directions," said Tiara. "We just came from there."

Adelaide reached for one of the cups of café au lait and blew across it before taking a sip. She held the cup in both hands. "It's a six-month deployment," said Adelaide. "I'm only a month in."

"I can wait a little longer," said Tiara.

"You better send me some letters this time."

"And work on getting sobered up. I'm guessing the band would probably appreciate that too."

"Put this on the table, please?" said Adelaide, passing her cup to Tiara. With that done, Adelaide wrapped her arms around Tiara's neck. "We'd better start making up for lost time," she whispered, "and bank some for the coming months.

"I missed you," said Tiara.

"You already mentioned that."

Tiara smirked and lowered her gaze.

"Show me?" said Adelaide.

Tiara looked up and nodded. She wrapped her arms around Adelaide's waist and pulled her in. "Gladly," said Tiara, dipping her head to place a kiss on Adelaide's lips.

When Tiara released her, Adelaide let her head loll back as she inhaled a deep breath. "Mmm," she said. "I've missed that."

Tiara leaned forward and touched her lips to the side of Adelaide's neck.

"And I've missed that," said Adelaide.

Tiara brought her head back up, grinning.

"And I've missed these boobies," said Adelaide, smirking as she leaned forward. Adelaide focused her eyes on Tiara's left nipple and went in with her mouth open.

"Take all the time you need to get reacquainted, friend," chuckled Tiara, wrapping her hands up in Adelaide's hair. "All the time you need."

"Should we stow the table?" asked Adelaide when she finally came up for air.

Tiara let out a long sigh and shrugged. "Nowhere to put the dishes," she said.

"Don't complain if you whack your elbow, then." Adelaide placed her hands on each of Tiara's shoulders and pushed her backward, up against the outside wall of the coach. Adelaide slid down off Tiara until she was kneeling on the floor.

Tiara grinned as Adelaide placed a hand on each one of Tiara's knees and pushed to each side.

"Friend Adelaide," said Tiara, trailing her hand over her tummy until she let it rest over her sex.

Adelaide shook her head. "I'm not done with your boobies, yet." She pushed herself up on her knees and leaned in, nestling between Tiara's thighs. Adelaide reached around behind. "And then there's this fabulous ass. I'm going to enjoy every little bit of you before you get anything else. So just hang tight."

Tiara sucked a breath and let it out slowly as she slouched against the wall behind her. Adelaide moved in to touch the tip of her tongue to Tiara's tummy, just above her navel. She dragged her tongue up and to the side.

With both hands, Adelaide cupped Tiara's breasts from below. She looked up and grinned. Tiara stared back, her eyes fluttering and starting to roll back.

Adelaide traced a wide circle around Tiara's areola while Tiara shivered.

"Are you chilly, friend? I have a blanket."

"That's not my problem and you know it," replied Tiara.

"I know," teased Adelaide as she painted another circle, tighter this time.

"Oh-hh-hh," offered Tiara in response.

Adelaide grinned and hovered over Tiara's stiffened flesh, her mouth wide. Adelaide breathed out slowly, her hot breath fogging Tiara's skin as she did. As Tiara sucked a breath, Adelaide went in with her tongue.

"Mmm..." moaned Tiara, letting her head fall back and loll to the side.

As Adelaide continued slathering Tiara's chest, Tiara managed to bring her hands around to rest on Adelaide's hips. She tugged at Adelaide insistently, but Adelaide kept her pace.

"Ohh..." said Tiara.

"I really missed these bobbies," said Adelaide, grinning, right before lowering her mouth to pull Tiara between her lips hard enough to make her cheeks sink in.

"Mmm. Mm-hmm."

Adelaide released Tiara with a loud pop.

"Oh!" heaved Tiara. "Friend Adelaide."

"Don't go anywhere."

"I'm not--"

Adelaide reached over to the side table to paw at the bowl with the one remaining strawberry. She pinched the leaves between her finger and thumb and raised the berry to Tiara's field of vision.

Tiara grinned and her tummy shook as she chuckled.

"Last one," said Adelaide. "Open up."

Tiara locked eyes with Adelaide and pulled her mouth into an O. She quivered and fought against her grin as Adelaide brought the strawberry closer.

"I'm going to eat it myself if you can't calm down," teased Adelaide, pulling the berry higher and away from Tiara's mouth.

Tiara slouched back, her grin fading, but the corners of her mouth still twitching now and again.

"Better," said Adelaide, leaning in with her tongue poking out, to take a swipe at Tiara's upper lip.

As Adelaide tucked her tongue under Tiara's lip and dragged it from one side to the other, Tiara stiffened, arching her back.

"Would you like this?" Adelaide dangled the strawberry high above as she posed her question.

"You said no begging, friend," heaved Tiara.

"I did," said Adelaide, bringing the berry closer. "I also said I was going to enjoy every last bit of you. Do you remember that?"

Tiara nodded slowly, never taking her eyes off Adelaide's face and the smirk taking up residence there. "I'm not sure I believe you," said Tiara.

"About the begging?" Adelaide touched the tip of the strawberry to Tiara's chin. "Or about enjoying every bit of you?"

"With a strawberry?" Tiara smirked. "Friend?"

"However I want to." Adelaide shoved the berry at Tiara's mouth, parting her lips while she brought both hands around, between Tiara and the cushion underneath her. Adelaide squeezed.

Tiara giggled and squirmed as she reached to take the strawberry clutched in her teeth, holding it between her fingers and biting the end off. With red staining her lips, and a bit of juice trickling onto her chin, Tiara pushed herself closer to Adelaide.

Adelaide reached up using only one hand, keeping the other firmly planted on Tiara's backside, and latched onto Tiara's wrist. Adelaide tugged Tiara's fingers and the remaining berry to her own mouth. She bit off what was left of the fruit and tossed the stem at the fold-out table.

"You missed," said Tiara.

Adelaide frowned.

"It landed in the--"

Adelaide swooped in to clean up the juice on Tiara's chin with her tongue and, just as quickly, pulled back. She stared at Tiara's mouth.

"Um, thanks?" muttered Tiara.

Without a word of response, Adelaide fell forward, attacking Tiara's mouth.

Tiara pulled a noisy breath through her nose and arched her back as her chest filled.