Tali awoke with a start. The candles of her room the only source of light. She sighed. Every muscle ached and protested as she moved to rise from her sleeping mat. She'd sweat like a whore in a temple. Washing her mat became just another pain her ass for the coming day.
She needed a bath.
Moving to her bathroom, she passed by her mirror hanging on the wall. She paused, looking herself over. Nothing. No evidence of torture, nor any of the previous evenings... activities lingered on her body. Not even any marks from where she strained against her magically enhanced bindings. Absolutely nothing.
Except for one thing.
She placed a hand on her stomach, tracing over the new tattoo over her womb. It pulsed pink in time with her heartbeat, the glow coming as a soft and gentle light beneath the surface of her skin. The seal served as the only piece of evidence the previous night really happened and had not been some sort of fantastical fever dream.
Also, her sudden lack of hair below the belt. She ran a finger of her mons, feeling the unfamiliar smoothness of it. Not even the hint of a stubble.
She scowled. How humiliating! Tied down and made to beg and cum like a common slut! The only dignity she'd managed to save for herself was the simple fact she kept all sensitive information to herself. Still, she'd failed to kill her target. And worse, she'd been made to enjoy his company when she was supposed to be sticking a blade in his throat!
Her face reddened as she remembered his hands on her chest, gently fondling her breasts like a generous lover. Her body still remembered the sensations of his and River's hands running over every muscle, every inch of her form; of River's fingers and tongue caressing her like she was the hottest piece of ass on the market. She could easily be convicted of heresy for saying what happened to her last night was torture in any sense of the word. And that was what almost broke her, the fact that it
wasn't
torture. Quite the opposite.
She wanted to hate them for what they did. Wanted to run back up there and stick a blade in each of their guts or die trying. At least it would have been more dignified than getting played with like some girl toy.
Dignified.
Did her own dignity even matter anymore? She was just a weapon, a tool to be used by the Bene Dai, an extension of the arm of the Night Mother. She held no more dignity and honor than a sword or knife, just an object to be used. She was an assassin, a spy, honor and dignity weren't exactly in the cards for her or any of them. Honor would have been simply challenging her targets to a duel. Dignity would have been opting out of participating in blackmail and stealing. Instead she'd bound herself to the life of a rogue, of a thief, of an assassin.
Of a killer.
Only, she hadn't exactly killed anyone. Not yet, anyway.
Sure, she'd participated in numerous, less than savory deeds against both good and bad people, but murdering an innocent remained one line yet to be crossed. Though could she call Prince Jax an innocent man after last night? She wasn't exactly innocent herself. She'd participated in more than enough crimes and takedowns of good people to take herself off that list. She'd already been stained by the dishonors and indignities of the life she'd chosen as part of an order of blades for hire.
What was one more to add to the list?
At the
very
least, she got to enjoy herself a bit last night.
Something wet ran down the inside of her thigh. She glanced down at herself. A line of grool ran down from her now dripping snatch. She blushed red with embarrassment, despite the emptiness of the room.
She needed a bath.
At the very least to help soothe her aching muscles.
Thankfully the water filled quickly, hot and steamy as she dunked herself in, reveling in the sensation of skin clearing. The mark remained unaffected. She'd need to cover it. The others couldn't know.
Her eyes widened as she remembered waking from her exhaustion induced coma the previous night.
She was still strapped to the table, though River slowly undid her bindings. For all that happened, River gently helped sit up. Across the room, Jax slept peacefully.
"You've had a long night so take a moment to collect yourself," River said, "Your clothes are in the bathroom, though if you want to dress out here, I won't complain."
Tali glanced at her. She'd lost her gown and pants at some point in the night, standing nude herself. Her body was a marvel. Tall and muscled, while still maintaining an extremely feminine quality. Her breasts, while smaller than her own, still provided enough to grab onto. Her skin was clear and completely shaved smooth. Not a single hair grew anywhere except her head. Even naked, she looked powerful.
She understood what the Prince saw in her. If a woman like that had been assigned to guard her 24/7, she'd be hard pressed not to be tempted herself.
Hell, she had been. The entire night served as nothing but temptation.
Slowly, she stumbled on shaky legs to the bathroom. Inside, the white crystal of the tower's exterior came inside to play. Quartz like crystals covered every wall and surface from the tiled floors to the large, swimming pool sized bathtub that occupied half the room. A pang of jealousy ran through her as she collected her effects. No doubt the prince used it as one of many boons to spoil his favorite toy.
Despite the soreness of her muscles, she dressed herself and stepped back out into the bedroom. River stood nearby, still naked, sword in hand, leveling the massive blade in her direction. Tali paused. She was in no condition for a fight and River knew it.
"Sorry, but I can't be too safe, assassin," she said.
Tali said nothing, lowering her hands. Her weapons remained on her back.
"My prince was right; I did have plenty of fun with you last night. But don't think for a moment that I won't hesitate to kill you should you threaten his life."
Tali nodded. No doubt that even naked with just her bare hands, River could easily kill her. With her sword, she stood no chance.
Slowly River approached her, her feet pattering along the smooth stonework of the floor. Tali raised her hands, attempting to appear as nonthreatening as possible. When she was close, River yanked her by her collar, pulling her up to kiss her. Her hands squeezed against River's breasts, unable to reach for any weapon, only able to fondle the aggressive woman's tits. River's tongue completely forced its way into her mouth, whipping her own into submission like an angry viper.
Her heart began to pound her chest as the lack of oxygen began to get to her.
With an aggressive growl, River separated from her. Tali's face burned hot, basking in the aura of this human weapon. For the first time in her life, Tali felt truly scared of another woman. River was a predator unlike any other, a weapon that surpassed her.
"The sun's coming up soon, assassin. Your coven should be expecting you back today."
Tali nodded, "... yeah..."
She moved to the balcony, climbing atop the railing.
"And assassin," River called.
Tali turned.
"Do come back and play with us again."
She said nothing, flipping over the railing and disappearing into the morning dark.
Some hours passed since then. Tali slipped back into the cell unnoticed, flopping onto her mat for a quick nap that turned into a long sleep. She'd lost track of time, no longer quite caring. Thankfully her bath worked wonders on her sore muscles.
The two of them were dangerous. They had her dead to rights the moment she walked through the door. Yet they didn't take the obvious opportunity right in front of them. Despite the uselessness of torture, and despite the easy choice of just offing her, they didn't. Her thoughts turned in her head like ocean waves. She glanced down at the mark.
Two months. She had two months to figure out just what she was going to do.
And the others.
What about the others?
She almost broke up there but didn't, despite the temptation to do so. Another Bene Dai might not be so lucky. None of their training could help them withstand what wasn't painful. She had to warn the others.
But... could she?
What would they say? What would they think? How exactly would that conversation go? She'd have to admit to succumbing to her baser instincts, to her hedonistic desires, to her emotions. To letting her target get away from her in the worse possible way.
