Notes: 1) Sorry for the long wait and thank you for your patience! 2) If you see this anywhere but Literotica, it isn't supposed to be there!
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Once more in the smaller rooms, Lislora stroked her cousin's head. "The preparations should be complete to the Queen's standards."
The past day had been a flurry of cleaning and even the mattress on the Duchess' bed had been replaced, an expensive undertaking.
"Krouth has seen to it they have been." Draeseth pulled her closer burying his face in her breasts.
"You seem worried, cousin. Everything has been done. Isonei returns to the palace tomorrow. She'll be safe in her rooms."
He squeezed her so tightly she had difficulty breathing for a moment. His grip loosened and he lifted his head wearing a defeated look, "I've been scolded repeatedly for not visiting her. The Queen is certain that my inattention will have made my silver Duchess furious with me. She will doubt my affection and-"
"My Prince," Lislora cupped his face, "you and I know Isonei far better than her Majesty does. She would want you to be comforted." Putting on a smile she didn't feel she added, "If she needs you to sleep in her chambers on her return, I won't be angry with you."
Exhaling, Draeseth adjusted his position and pressed his face to hers. "I have two wives, both better than I deserve."
"We both love you, husband." Her smile became more genuine.
"Isonei will be pleased to see you when she returns as well, my flower. You've been a comfort to me and she may need the same. She needs to be held close like a child when she's unhappy."
She hesitated a moment, "You should be the one to do that. But if she needs some coddling I'll do my best." It was true, that task should fall to him, but if the tiny woman needed a shoulder to weep on and a friend to sit with she would offer both.
He dropped his head to her shoulder, "When I visited the Temple Kamrus Rimathe spoke with me of her state of mind. He and Gillaugrim admonished me to be gentle and patient with her. They feel she's become withdrawn and I was told it's common for a grieving woman. I should assure her that she's cared for, but not press for her affection. They want me to reconsider allowing her to become a Sister if..."
"I don't believe she would withdraw that much. When she's back in her rooms you'll see. Things will calm and you'll see that all this worry was for nothing," massaging the back of his head, she kept her voice soothing. "You'll see, my joy."
Held close, her cousin nodded and sighed, closing his eyes. After a time his even breathing told her he'd fallen asleep. Sleep didn't want to come to her as easily. It was easy to reassure Draeseth, but her own doubts began to bubble up the more he worried.
What if the Aran were sour that no one had come to visit with her? Lislora knew that she certainly would be if their positions had been reversed. What would happen when the woman learned that she'd broken the jewel in the knife? Or discovered the new maid had been one of Princess Kresh's?
Krouth had called the woman Karisian, but she was at least half Torgan. Her skin only showed a little of the peculiar bronze color those people were known for, otherwise, the woman looked and behaved very much like a Torgan maid. It had only been a day and a half, but thus far the woman had been quiet and industrious, and, she hated to admit it, nearly as quick as Krouth to fetch things despite the amount of work the three servants had been called upon to do.
If Draeseth ever did give the man a house and allow him to leave his duties it might be wise to have a maid who could match the man's skills to soften the blow of his leaving.
Gently, she shifted her position, turning to face away from her cousin into a more comfortable position. He made a soft sound and pulled her back against him, kissing her shoulder before seeming to drift back to sleep. The tickle of his breath on her skin was a little irritating, but she couldn't bear to pull away. It could be the last night they spent together for... the realization that she wasn't sure made her heart ache.
She would have to talk to Isonei. The Aran might need him to herself for a few days but perhaps they could make some sort of arrangement that would divide up the weeks. Sleep finally pulled her down as she contemplated it.
°°°°°°°°°°
Lislora woke as her cousin stirred, adjusting herself to hold more tightly to him. He laughed softly. "My flower, if I don't rise and join my brothers in the dining room they'll come here."
"I know, it's just," she hesitated and he rolled her onto her back positioning himself over top of her.
"You don't want me to sleep in Isonei's bed?"
"I don't know when I'll have you back in mine."
The smug smile that broke across his face made her want to pinch him.
"You could have said something last night."
"Neither of us was in the mood for that last night."
He made an amused sound and pressed his face to hers, "Perhaps not, but hearing you say you want me in your bed puts me in the mood for it, woman."
Her annoyance faded as he began to cover her face in kisses, "But we don't have time..."
"I can make a little time, Adareth sleeps longer than I do. I don't want to rush but quickly is better than not at all," his tone sounded as if he were sharing a jest. Draeseth lifted his head from the kisses he was trailing down her neck, "Unless you would prefer-"
"No! Quickly should be better than not at all." She laughed as he grinned down at her, "Though I do prefer it when you aren't rushed, my joy."
"I'll give you your release first, I can take mine more quickly when I need to."
"Why don't we try it on our sides again? We were interrupted the first time..." Lislora broke into laughter at the eager grin on his face and the way he nearly leapt up to turn himself.
"The way you were rubbing me and using your mouth, woman, no one has ever-"
"No one?" She interrupted him and lifted her head to look at him in surprise, "Not even Isonei?"
Draeseth flushed and looked at her lustfully, "I think she's too small to reach the way you do."
Being told that there was something she could do better than the Aran in bed sent a thrill through her. She turned her attention to it immediately, with, perhaps, a bit too much enthusiasm.
"Gently, woman!" He began to laugh in his throat as she apologetically placed tiny soft kisses across the ball she'd tried to suck into her mouth too aggressively.
His cock began to harden as she stroked it, pressing it to her cheek as she positioned her other arm to rub and press behind the balls she was lavishing with affection.
Groaning with pleasure, he adjusted himself to apply his mouth to her cunny. She couldn't help but shiver and make a small sound of anticipation against his skin, knowing that he'd soon be finding places with it that were perfection. In response, his hands gripped her hips and ass firmly.
It nearly distracted her completely from what she was trying to do. Focusing on pleasing him was delicious agony when all she wanted to do was focus on the way his hands and mouth felt on her skin.
She tried to remember to stroke his shaft as she massaged behind his balls as Isonei had shown her, doing what she'd intended to with her mouth was nearly impossible as he continued drawing helpless sounds out of her. From the wetness she'd begun to feel on her hand and her cheek, however, he seemed to be enjoying something she was doing.
When he stopped suddenly and lifted his head, she wanted to try to grab him with her legs and pull him back into position. But the pause let her hear the timid knocking just before the door was opened.
"If you don't knock louder than that you won't wake-" Rogath's annoyed voice stopped short.
"Out! The servants know better than to disturb me!" Draeseth pulled away from her and yanked the blankets over top, covering her.
"Not even Father's whores do that, brother."
She could hear the grin on the elder Prince's face and wished she could shrink into nothing.
Draeseth was rising from the bed. "My wives aren't whores." The door closed sharply. A moment later Draeseth pulled the cover back with a chagrined look.
"Forgive me, my flower. I should have promised to return later when we would have more time."
With a shudder, she rose from the bed and moved to the closet to fetch a gown.
"My flower..." he followed her and wrapped his arms around her holding her in place for a moment.
"I want to go home. Not even the bedroom is private here."
"I will take you home as soon as I'm allowed, my flower. If you need to be sent ahead I'll let you go, but I ask you to wait until the Arrangement has been signed. Let me send you home as my Duchess."
"How can I go out and face them after..." Lislora muttered, lifting her hands to cover her face and letting him turn her and embrace her.
"I will speak for both of us." He kissed her hair and held her close for a long moment. "I'll have Krouth fetch the water to wash in."
"Please." She gathered her things, choosing one of the more modest new dresses and took her time before she ventured back out of the closet.
Gharol brought the water in, keeping her eyes averted and dropped into a curtsy after pouring the pitcher into the basin. "Forgive me, my Lady. I tried to-"
"You have to knock more forcefully to offer a warning." Draeseth frowned at the woman.
"Ximesra knocked, your Highness, I tried to tell them that you shouldn't be disturbed but Master Krouth and I were sent to fetch the breakfast. I think he might have been able to give you more warning."
Draeseth made an amused sound in his throat, "He would have tried. I'll speak to Father about sending Krouth when there are two maids."
The Karisian made a dubious face.
