Demon Kings Pet Ch 11

Chapter 11 - A Field in Bloom

The weeks pass quickly after the tournament. The young concubine, Elli, finds her time split between lessons, assisting Darafel with a plan for the crisis in another world, and somehow fighting for her master's attention. With two wives to please before he can play with his pet, time with the king has grown quite precious.

Elli stretches in bed. For the third time this week, King Orduzell has not come to wake her. Her room in the new harem tower is still dark, the sun not yet high enough to peak over the walls of the citadel. Several floors above her, the Queen and the Princess-Consort are probably basking in a view of the ocean from their own bedchambers. The former serf considers that maybe she should feel jealous, but she's got her own bed in her own room, and while this floor holds chambers for three more concubines, they remain empty.

If only it would stay quiet like this.

"Elli!" A high-pitched wail faintly resonates with the stones of the tower as it disrupts the sound of birdsong from outside. "Elli!"

Instead of her master's attention, she has somehow attracted another's.

Eidiimha, daughter of the God of Holy Might, was not what the blonde concubine expected. Sure, she spent the first week weeping and wandering the halls of the castle looking for anyone to commiserate with, but she also couldn't hide the way her eyes searched for her new husband. And the entire populace of the city was thankful that someone quickly figured out how to stop the sound of her moans from rattling the foundations of the earth each night the king chose her bed.

Elli found her quite peculiar. Her moods flickered like a candle while she wore her emotions on her sleeve, less like some noble princess, and not quite like the spoiled daughter of a lord. After that first week of moping, Eidii began coming to her for advice. On everything.

The holy wife had found that the mortal world did not meet her expectations.

Of course, the human servants bowed at her feet, and the inhuman ones offered all the deference that a wife of their ruler deserved. Her own servants fell over themselves to please her, especially the healer who survived the purge of the holy knights. And that was part of the problem. Eidii loved being adored, but she'd never been around her father's worshippers before. The other part of the problem was that the world itself, the earth and the wind and nature, reacted much the same way. Even with her magic sealed--and goodness, that was another big problem for a creature like her--mysterious things simply happened when the daughter of Eidannos was nearby. King Orduzell's magically-inclined supporters were working on that.

But for actually acclimating to life in the harem, someone seemed to have nudged the second wife into Elli's arms.

"Elli!" Her bedroom door, solid heartwood, begins to grow fresh branches before the Princess-Consort gently nudges it open. "Oh! Oh dear. It's not supposed to do that, is it?" Eidii spares a glance at the latest magical mishap. "Whatever. Elli! Can you tell them that I don't NEED someone to help me with my hair?"

Elli leans forward against her knees, propping her chin on top of them. "Your hair won't just fall out if they brush it." She still considers herself quite naive outside of the peasant's life, yet she isn't sure that naive is descriptive enough for the goddess-turned-wife. "You'll get used to it, just like you got used to the bath and having to eat and drink throughout the day."

"But Elli..." Like a petulant child, Eidiimha throws herself onto the concubine's bed, and a bird throws itself at the lattice of Elli's uncovered window to tweet a song written just for the goddess. "It's weird. Isn't it weird? I could do these things all on my own if he'd just allow it. I don't like having so many... dirty... hands near me."

"They all wash their hands, trust me." Elli sighs, already too used to this behavior to hesitate before she reaches out to pat impossibly golden locks. "They're not dirty, they just wish to please you." The former serf, who certainly hasn't washed just yet since she's still waiting for her maid to arrive with breakfast, wonders how the Princess-Consort isn't complaining about her touch.

"Could you help me with it?" Rosy lips pouted. "Please, Elli? Ari refuses to help me with any of this because she says she's too busy."

This morning is one for sighs, it seems. Elli briefly wonders if this was how Arisellia felt in their early days together, or if Saph still suffers similar moments in caring for the concubine. "Of course I'll help, Eidii. But you have to let your lady, Melanie, assist me."

"Alright. I can do that, she wasn't chosen like us, but she's just holy enough to allow it." The woman glows softly even with only indirect sunlight. Elli just wonders what she means by "holy" as she's never worshiped her father or any other gods herself.

In fact, the only thing she's worshiped has been her master's cock.

After a quick trip up the staircase, Elli admires the sheen of the morning sun on Eidii's golden hair, while practically fighting the brush running through it. It wasn't that the goddess's hair was tangling, so much as the bristles just seemed to not want to let it go. The concubine feels a smile growing despite the work involved; the softness reminds her of the simple pleasure of caring for her youngest siblings, of untangling baby-fine strands and the frustration of knowing they'd get their hair dirty and tangled just moments later.

She locks that bittersweet smile and memory away quickly.

The servant beside her breaks the soft quiet of the room as she runs her fingers through her mistress's hair. "Your worshipfulness, may we braid your hair? I know some very fetching styles and your hair is just the perfect length."

Because everything about Eidii is perfect, she beams at the two of them through her dressing mirror. "Would you, Melanie? I want to be ready and have it out of the way when my husband gets another one of his dirty urges." The hopefulness in the Princess-Consort's voice is clear to Elli, even if the servant beside her twitches in fear.

"Of-of course. I'll make sure it's absolutely perfect."

Elli touches her own flaxen hair, wondering if perhaps she should ask for help too. Beyond simply being clean, she hasn't considered what she could do to attract the king back to her bed, as if he could be manipulated. And what would a lowly serf's daughter know of seduction?

It was a problem she'd mull over through that morning's breakfast and bath.

"You want to seduce him? But," Saph pauses the comb in the concubine's wet hair, "Why?"

Elli squirms, probably making the maid's job harder, but she couldn't help it. "It's silly."

"And?" Saph tugs harder to get the comb loose, saying nothing about how the blonde nearly tumbles from her stool. "You think any of the ladies of court haven't done the silliest things to get attention? One word, live birds. Wait, that's two, but still! You just want to look like you've put in some effort, not run around with a live bird in your hair. That's not so silly in comparison."

"I... am not sure I'm ready to ask about court fashions." Elli sighs. "It's just... Queen Arisselia has her role assisting him, and Princess Eidiimha is, well..."

"A trophy?"

Elli kills a snort with both hands over her face, "I'm sure she'll get settled and figure out how to turn this to her advantage. Once she gets over the novelty of this world. But then there's me, the concubine. And it's my role to make sure he gets everything he demands when, when..."

Sweet, wonderful, stubborn Saph doesn't bother hiding her snort, "The queen tells him no and the goddess gets bored of saying yes?" Elli can only nod with shame. "And it's been a while, hasn't it? I warned you, harems are always fighting for the attention of the one man who owns them. Having a couple lovers to pick from when you have appetites like his, I can understand, but harems always sounded like a bad idea to me."

"I only wish I was enough to satisfy his appetites."

"Honey, Elli, I love you, but, you do remember that you're being sent away for who knows how long, right?"

The concubine's heart crumbles at the reminder. "I know... and he's planning the campaign to take the rest of the continent, so he and Arisselia have been incredibly busy."

"So, it's a good thing he has another lover for now, and when you get back..." The maidservant leaves the comb hanging so she can wrap Elli up in a hug. "I'm sure he'll miss you so much that he'll just ravish you over and over and all over the castle."

The thought of actually being missed by her king brings another small smile to the young woman's face.

By afternoon, that smile is all but gone. Saph had helped Elli pick out an alluring gown and arrange her hair, but her king had yet to appear. The concubine spent most of the day listening as Darafel settled the last details and confirmed the list of supplies and helpers for their task. After lunch, she sat on a stiff pillow next to the bathing fountain, splashing idly with her feet as she tried to force herself to read or attempt to draw or anything to fein busywork.

Harems had shit all to do, it seems.

Elli couldn't even wander the castle halls and listen to the gossip anymore. All her news was granted by either Saph or the queen if she was especially lucky.

The only warnings she gets this time is the gentle bubbling of the water around her feet and the short-lived attempt made by the book's pages to turn into green leaves. And then the goddess's head lands on her lap.

"Elli..."

The concubine sets aside her quivering book to give Eidii her full attention.

"You can't just leave! I won't allow him to send you away for some stupid thing." The goddess pouts, looking up through long lashes. "Who will pay attention to me when you're gone?"

The fear of boredom. Elli already knows that feeling well. "It had been decided weeks ago. I'm more than happy to prove useful to our king." It isn't entirely a lie.

"But Elli..." Divine cheeks puff up. Unable to resist, the concubine gently pokes on one until Eidii releases the air in a slow whine. "What am I going to do? He's leaving to wage war, and I really don't understand the rush on his part. Father told me it can take decades, centuries even to subjugate an entire planet. He'll be gone for who knows how long if he intends to make that much progress."

"It only took him three days to take this area."

"But my husband is leaving, and you're leaving, and there just aren't that many people willing to entertain me in this pitiable attempt at a harem. I just," The goddess swirls a finger in the gauzy red fabric covering Elli's thigh, "Oh Father, I wish I could keep you here at least. What am I to do?"

Good question. It's something that Elli's been pondering herself this last week. "You have your servants. And I hope you'll be kind to Saph while I'm away." Darufel was glad she didn't require the services of an unnecessary servant for this journey.

"But," A finger pressed against the goddess's pale lips serves to halt some of the dramatics. "They're not equal to you. They're far, far below my rank, and you're, well, a concubine isn't exactly at my rank but you're close enough to deserve special treatment."

Now this concept is beyond Elli's capability to understand, even if she suspected a book in the Aecaster library might have a handy chart. Gods, kings, clergy, nobles, noblemen's lovers, merchants, servants, freemen, serfs? She has no idea where such things stand with King Orduzell's court.

"Eidii, you're going to need to learn how to pass your time when he's too busy to entertain you." Elli's gaze shifts to the book laying forgotten on the stone floor. "That's why I'm practicing my reading, though in the early days before we were moved here, it was just Arisselia and me."

The goddess's golden eyes open wide. "What did you two do then? Surrounded by brutish creatures and heartless conquerors?"

"Well, my mother hadn't really had a chance to teach me about pleasing a man, and I never knew if or when I'd be sent away from home, so there was much Arisselia felt I had to learn." Elli shrugs, realizing the second wife's fingers are still idly playing with the soft fabric of her red gown. "She's a wonderful teacher, you just have to be careful how you ask her."

"She taught you her secrets?" Predictably, Eidii digs her fingers into the concubine's dress and thighs as she pouts. "I wanna learn those, but she dislikes me! Sorceresses have always challenged the authority of gods, and somehow she's been granted a higher position so of course she's going to savor it. Can't you show me what you've learned?"

"We're gonna need the massage oils." Elli bites her lip, figuring that this might stave off the boredom for both of them. "And you'll have to practice with someone else while I'm gone."

And that is how Elli soon finds herself sitting astride the shapely golden rump of a relaxed, naked goddess. Eidii lays across a bed of pillows, while their dresses have been carefully spread out across a pair of low tables. The concubine's strong hands gleam with oil as they work across a narrow, flawless back. Not a knot has formed, but being amongst mortals and getting accustomed to a husband's sexual appetites has led to acquired tension.

"I don't mean to complain, Elli," Especially not when she's the one getting pampered, the concubine is sure, "But isn't this usually servants' work?"

"You would trust a servant with something like this?" Elli imitates one of the Queen's tutting sounds, "Our first task as his lover and wife were to tend to his personal needs. I've learned that things like bathing, simple as they are, are often wonderful opportunities." Her thumbs rub a path down along the goddess's spine before circling low where buttocks meet back. "There's a sensuality in touch, and it's so easy for it to grow. We spent hours tending to each other's needs, Arisselia and I."

Elli's hands spread oil lower, across the smooth, taut rear.

"Taking turns, touching and exploring. Massage is all about caressing and warming up the body and muscles, and then, when you're good and relaxed, I can help you prepare for his affections."

"Prepare?"

Elli recoils as Eidii twists onto her back to look up at her.

"And how does one prepare for that heinous weapon he has no hesitations in using?" Golden eyes pierce right through her.

Somehow, she doesn't crumble away to dust under the goddess's inspection.

"Oil. Lots of oil, arousal, and some magic. It's amazing what our bodies can do with the right spellworkings."

Eidii licks her lips before reaching out to stroke her own hand along Elli's bare thigh. "So, if I have this lesson right... We rub oil all over each other, and then inside each other, and not only does it fight the boredom of being trapped in here every day, but we're ready for... that."

"Yeah, did you want to practice on me yet, or do you want me to keep going like I would with her?"

"Oh Elli, sweet, simple Elli." The concubine holds still, unoffended by the "simple" comment but unsure where the goddess is going with this. "She really is a deviously wicked sorceress. And I hate to say it, but brilliant in her way."

"What's wrong with practicing?"

"Nothing, absolutely nothing." The holy wife sits up to pat Elli's head, "Tell me, do you enjoy "practicing" with Arisselia?"

"Of course! It's almost as fun as when I'm allowed to help out in their bed."

"Elli?"

"Yes?"

A miracle occurs.

Eidii gently guides Elli to lean in closer, presumably to ask a question, and yet? Lips, warm and perfectly soft. Elli quickly leans into the kiss until they fall into the pillows with a giggle. It's even softer like this, laying on top of the glowing goddess, slotted between smooth, thin thighs with her breasts pushing against golden mounds.

"You do realize this goes beyond merely practice, right?" The hand on the back of Elli's head strokes down to cup the side of her neck. "Though I suppose it's more tactful than simply going around begging the rest of the harem for sex."

The concubine shakes her head quickly to deny it, "No, it's practice! Father and my brothers and everyone in the village made it perfectly clear that sex can only happen between a man and..."

The fountain in the center of the chamber joins the goddess's giggle in echoing across stone and tapestry. "Oh Elli, as much as men wish they were essential in the arithmetics of lovemaking, they're only necessary for breeding, not for sex! So tell me, do you enjoy having sex with Arisselia?" All-knowing golden eyes pull the truth from her lips.

Elli blushes, more aware than ever of the fingers drifting over her shoulder and down her back. "Yes, so far I've enjoyed it with, well... both my master and my queen. So, why not with you too?"

The next kiss is a long, lingering affair of exploration, leaving the concubine breathless.

"I can see why you're her favorite now. You don't suppose I can try ordering her to entertain me like this until you return, do you?"

"She might suggest it if she's locked up in here while he's off conquering."

"Damn. Well, I can only hope!" Eidii rubs a leg up against the concubine's. "So, how does the "lesson" go from here?"

The lesson, Elli decides, will have to be renamed to the "How to get each other riled up and begging to take a massive tool" lesson.

Encouraged by the casually affectionate graces of the goddess's touches, she rises up on her knees just enough to spread the glowing woman's thighs apart. "So first," With a cheeky grin, she leans down to kiss the tip of one perky breast while reaching for the oil bottle to add more to her hand, "We massage some oil in, and..." It's the first time she's seen Eidii like this, all open and anticipating. It's a wonder that the entire harem tower isn't reacting to whatever it is the goddess emanates. She flicks Eidii's nipple with her tongue before looking down at her own hand wiping oil into the wife's slit.

To her surprise, the fragile flesh there is paler than the rest of the goddess and not pink, red, or even more golden. The sight of the white rose opening up and beginning to glisten from the massage oil mesmerizes her. Her mind quickly compares this flower to her queen's, categorizing the longer petals and the tiny, hidden nub. Even the hole that leads deeper into the holy woman's body is different, more oblique and a bit scalloped at the edges. Her finger catches on the frilled edge as she spreads the oil around it.

"Elli, wait...." The breathy voice sounds almost foreign coming from the demanding goddess, but the concubine stops her finger and looks up at the woman she's exploring. "I like to be kissed when someone fills me."

The mortal nods, gliding her fingers back up the pale slit to press against the goddess's nub as she leans into a golden embrace. Pale and shining breasts roll into one another as their lips meet again. Eidii leads the kiss, guiding the concubine's lips to part.

Elli takes that as her cue and glides her oil-slicked fingers back down the goddess's slit. Her fingers slip easily into the canal before Eidii tightens the walls with a whiny moan. Slender hands grasp the concubine's rear, squeezing gently to encourage Elli to stroke as deep as she can reach.

"Ehem." The queen clears her throat loudly enough to be heard over the rumbles of both goddess and fountain.

Breaking their kiss, Eidii and Elli turn towards the sanctum's entrance to stare at the two standing at the far end of the fountain.

King Orduzell pointedly avoids their gazes with a leering smile directed lower. "Did you have to interrupt? I was just starting to enjoy this little play." He reclines on the ledge of the fountain, loosening his belt idly. "Go on, my pet, continue with the massage."