Chapter 23: The Ball
The next morning, Hawke was up before her, he'd slept enough the last couple of days. He threw on some clothes and went and grabbed something to eat. Then he headed outside to check on Midnight, not seeing him he whistled. Midnight came running up with the beautiful white filly following. After Hawke grabbed a couple of carrots from the bucket he had set up, he gave one to Midnight doing his morning ritual, and Princess pushed her head forward, wanting some of what Midnight was getting. He gave her a carrot, and she bobbed her head up and down. Then he gave carrots to the other two girls that had come up behind Midnight and Princess.
"We're going to stay here a little longer, buddy. I need to take care of some things before we leave. I love you, Midnight."
Feeling restless, Hawke decided to go for a walk. He looked over at Larry, "where did you find Carver?" Larry took him to an area between two buildings. What was Carver doing over here? He used his senses and scanned the area. All he found was a pool of blood on the ground and a board with blood on it thrown against a wood pile, but he didn't spot anything else. He examined the board in frustration, knowing there wasn't much he could do with it to find out who had wielded it. Disgusted with the lack of evidence, he walked out to the main road.
He went to the mens dress shop and had a variety of pants that he ordered, then headed to the jewelry shop; he had seen that Elayne's dress had been delivered, and he wanted to add some final touches to her ensemble for tonight. He scanned the cases and saw a set that interested him. It would be perfect with her dress. The necklace had matching earrings, a bracelet, and combs for the hair. He had the clerk wrap it up and headed outside.
Looking at the sun, he saw it was past noon, so he made one more stop before he headed back to the castle. When he came into the courtyard, the soldiers were doing their daily routine. Ignoring some of them asking if he wanted to spar Hawke headed inside. He went to the girls' room, and they jumped up excitedly, running over to him.
"Are you okay, Papa Arik? Everyone said you were sleeping, but we didn't see you for a long time." Rose asked him worriedly.
"Yes, sweetheart, I'm ok. I was just really, exhausted, but I'm awake and visiting you. So, are you excited about tonight, my sweet little princesses?" They danced around him doing little spins.
He laughed and hugged each one. "Okay, my little ladies, I got some things to do, but I'll see you later, and ladies, make sure you save a dance for me. Love you girls." He kissed each one on the forehead before heading upstairs. He put his newest purchase on the side with the other stuff, hoping she would like it. He felt her coming towards him and saw how peaceful and beautiful she looked as she approached and embraced him.
He tilted her head up to look at him. "Afternoon, my love," he put his mouth to hers. After a few minutes, he lifted his head from hers, and she sighed contentedly, putting her head on his chest.
She raised her head and gazed at him, then caressed his chest with her hand. "Hawke," she purred seductively as she slipped her hand in his shirt. "Would you like to join me for a bath?" She unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his bare chest.
"I'm feeling a little dirty," she whispered against his neck, playfully nibbling on it with her tongue and teeth.
"And there are some areas that crave.....your special touch, my love." She placed her hand between his legs, stroking him before turning her back to him.
She seductively sauntered into the other room, stripping her clothes off as she went towards the washroom. He couldn't take his eyes off her perfectly heart-shaped rear. She turned her head fully aware he was staring at her, a playful grin on her lips as she added an extra wiggle before disappearing.
Growling, he hastily discarded his garments and made his way to the room where she was already relaxing in the bubbly water. As he entered, she couldn't help but watch his approach, her eyes tracing every inch of his perfectly chiseled form. Her gaze lingered on his aroused shaft and she couldn't resist sitting up in the tub, her hand reaching out to stroke him as she eagerly ran her tongue over her lips before trailing it along the tip of his shaft, her hunger evident in her expression. Taking hold of him, she gently pulled him into the tub with her, and once he was settled, she glided up against his skin. When their mouths met, she playfully flicked her tongue against his lips before giggling and turning around to press her backside against him, offering him the soap that she held in her hand.
He smirked at her teasing and took the soap and washed her back. He then moved his soapy hands to her shoulders, eventually reaching down to touch her breasts. She leaned against him with head on his chest, giving him better access as he ran his fingers over her body. She moaned and wiggled against him. While one hand played with her breast, the other slowly moved down her body, lightly brushing against her skin. As he approached the area between her legs, she began to whimper as he ran his fingers along her thigh and continued to run his fingers along her without touching the center.
"Hawke," she whimpered. He slowly brought his hand back up her, skirting her mound, and slid it to her other thigh. Her cries grew more urgent, "Hawke, I beg of you."
He lowered his mouth to her ear, "please what," he whispered. Again, he teased her between her legs, "tell me what you want, angel," his fingers gliding along her. "Do you want to feel my fingers inside you," she nodded, moaning as his finger teased her center.
"Tell me, Elayne, tell me that's what you want." His thumb slid outside her clit while his finger teased her opening. She thrust her hips up trying to slide his fingers in her, but he pulled them away.
"Hawke," her whisper heavy with need, "put your fingers inside me, please," she panted. With a triumphant grin he obliged her as he thrust them deep up in her while his thumb played with her clit. She gasped, her eyes shot open, she raised her hips to his thrust, tightened against his hand as her body released against his finger leaving them warm with her juices.
He chuckled at hearing her pout. "That wasn't nice," she whispered as his fingers started sliding in and out of her.
"Really," he growled, "then allow me to make it up to you, stand up." She followed his command, rising to her feet as he spun her around and gripped her hips tightly. Without hesitation, he delved his tongue deep inside of her while returning to caressing her most sensitive clit with his thumb. Using his shoulders for support, she remained upright as his mouth worked its magic between her legs. She couldn't help but moan and thrust her hips towards him, feeling the intense pleasure coursing through her body with each movement. Her grip on his shoulders tightened as he picked up pace, until she finally reached a climax that left her body quivering. In one final plunge, she released herself into his mouth, and he eagerly drank up every last drop of her sweet essence. Without wasting a moment, he grabbed hold of her and pulled her down onto his shaft.
He stood up while she wrapped her legs and arms around him and carried her to the bed, lowering himself down with her on top.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Later after an early supper they headed back upstairs to start getting ready for the ball. He grabbed the package, leaving the smaller one behind and handed it to her, she looked at him curiously.
"It's your dress for tonight," he told her. Excited to see it, she opened it up and gasped as she pulled the dress out and stood up walking to the mirror. "Go get dressed, love. I can't wait to see you in it. Yes, I know, I'll get ready downstairs. By the way, there's some accessories in there also." He gave her a kiss on her cheek and grabbed his clothing before heading downstairs. He went over to the mirror getting rid of any stubble with a trickle of magic. He put on the blue shirt, then the vest and jacket. He threw on some cologne, then went over and grabbed something to drink while waiting for her.
Finally, she emerged from upstairs. He stood up, his mouth suddenly dry as he gazed at her. She walked over to him, "Hawke this is absolutely beautiful, but I don't remember seeing it in the store." She turned around walking over to the mirror.
The dress was made of a delicate, pale blue silk. The upper portion of the dress was adorned with lace, intricately embroidered with beautiful rose designs. Similar to another dress she had worn before, the middle section was cut out, revealing a generous amount of cleavage and showcasing her full bosom. The gown hugged her slim waist perfectly, and the lower half cascaded down in layers, trailing behind her with a short train. A daring slit on one side extended all the way up to her hip, adding a touch of sensuality to the ensemble. Completing the look were lace gloves that reached up to the middle of her arms in a matching shade of blue.
He presented her with the final package and handed it over. She looked up at him and he instructed, "Unwrap it, it's the last part of your outfit." As she opened the package and unlocked the wooden box, she let out a delighted gasp at what she saw. It contained a necklace, earrings, and bracelet adorned with blue sapphires and small diamonds encircling them. The necklace showcased a large blue stone in the center with two smaller ones on either side, while the earrings and bracelet had a similar design. She handed him the necklace and he assisted her in putting it on. After she had adorned herself with the earrings and bracelet he turned her around so she could admire herself. Taking the two combs he offered her, she placed them in her hair which was pulled up.
He found himself speechless, wow," he murmured. She blushed intensely, yet a wide grin adorned her face. He leaned his head against her shoulder and embraced her tightly. "Elayne, you are truly breathtaking. I have never beheld such beauty before, you will be the talk of the ball," he softly spoke into her ear.
She blushed again, adding that glow about her face. She reached a hand up putting it around his neck. "The dress is gorgeous Arik, but I don't remember seeing it."
"This dress was made specifically for you, my idea, my style, my design. And you look ravishing in it, just like I knew you would." Her blush spread across her face down to her neck.
She leaned back against him, her hands interlocked with his in front of her waist. As she watched their reflection in the mirror, his eyes roamed hungrily over her upper body. She couldn't resist him, and he met her gaze in the mirror, causing her to whimper. His hand moved up her shoulder, pulling down the strap of her dress to expose her breast. He cupped it in his hand and ran his thumb over her nipple. Her lips parted and she moaned in pleasure. He kept his eyes locked on hers as his other hand trailed down to the slit in her dress, revealing her thigh. Gently, he traced his fingers along her outer thigh before slipping them between her legs. When he touched her, he could feel how wet she was and his desire for her intensified. He slid his fingers inside of her and she started to close her eyes in pleasure. "I want you to watch as I pleasure you, my love," he whispered hungrily in her ear.
"Pull back the front of your dress and watch my fingers slide along you."
