The noble guardian spent the afternoon exploring much of the castle without the wolf, moving stealthily down the long hallways and in and out of open rooms. She tried to appear casual in her exploration but she was filing away every turn, every guard, and every hiding place. She climbed up the narrow, circular staircase to the top of the tower and studied the sprawling landscape. She examined the contours of the land with the practiced eye of a warrior. She easily pictured how Matayla's army must have looked as it marched through the village. She could imagine the fear that must have coursed through the King as he watched the mass of humanity moving toward his home. This army had stopped the fire, but what would they want as payment, he must have wandered. She could almost feel his helplessness as he had opened his home to Matayla, and then watched as his wife and daughter were murdered.
She then turned to survey the cliffs. In the light of day, she saw that the escarpment was not sheer. She could see winding narrow paths etched into the walls of limestone. From this height, she could almost follow the maze, but it would be difficult for an enemy to use the paths to attack. She watched a guard pick his way along one of the paths and disappear into one of the caves. Bane leaned forward, watching the entrance of the cave with a keen eye. She waited until he came out. It was a different guard. The first had entered carrying a full sack, but now it was empty. He kept his head down as he walked back down the path. Bane tried to mark the spot in her mind, memorizing the other features around the cave. Her eyes stayed with the soldier as he moved among the boulders.
Bane heard the footsteps behind her but did not move. Her body tightened, ready to defend herself if the need arose. She tilted her head just enough to see Gryph emerge through the doorway and step onto the platform. "Dragon," he said, announcing his presence. Bane turned, casting indifferent eyes on him. "Her Majesty has requested that you come to her chambers for the evening meal."
Bane considered the invitation. She had no desire to be in Matayla's presence, but she wanted to do nothing that would make Matayla suspicious. It would also give her an opportunity to investigate the inner sanctum. She nodded her head once, indicating her acceptance of the invitation. She returned to staring across the palace grounds, her eyes now tracing the stone wall. She noted every door and every possible way to breach the defenses. She did not immediately run to Matayla's summons. She wanted Matayla to know that she was not a puppet. She was a Dragon.
Gryph excused himself, hurrying to report to the Queen the Dragon's acceptance. Bane gave him time to do complete his task before she walked down the winding stairway and into the long corridor. She found Gryph waiting in the middle of the hall in front of a thick wooden door. He nodded in greeting before opening the door and stepping aside so the noble guardian could enter the Queen's chambers.
Bane entered and listened to the door click into place. The room was dim, lit only by several candles. Bane walked farther into the room, her eyes sweeping over the shadows. The table in front of the futon was spread with cheeses and fruits. Bane made her way to the low couch. Wind made the curtains surrounding the balcony door billow and she shifted her attention that way. Matayla stood in the entrance, her back to the room. The sheer red robe she wore whipped against her legs. Her hair was down and the wind lifted it from her fine neck.
Bane took a moment to admire the woman. Despite her feelings toward the ruler, Bane could not deny that the woman had a fine figure. She had sharp patrician lines in her face and her body. Her legs were long and Bane cursed herself for wanting to know what those legs would feel like wrapped around her hips. She was suddenly glad that she had chosen to put on the artificial phallus underneath her armor that morning. She had worn it because its presence sometimes helped her to focus her mind, but now she thought it might have another use.
Realizing the train her thoughts had taken, she gave her head a slight shake in an attempt to refocus. She knew she had to be on the defensive with Matayla. Even though she found the Queen attractive and desirable, Bane knew not to trust her. The warrior placed several different fruits on a small plate and walked toward the balcony. She stopped at the entrance and cleared her throat. Matayla looked over her shoulder, a smile curving her full lips. "Welcome, Dragon," she greeted in her husky voice. Bane stepped onto the balcony, offering the woman a treat from the plate. Matayla took a slice of orange and bit into it, sucking the juice from the interior before finishing the bite. Her pink tongue darted over her lips, tasting the excess moisture.
She leaned toward Bane, her full breasts spilling over the top of the bodice of the silk gown. In the fading twilight, Bane could see the light pink areolas peeking from behind the red garment. She took a strawberry in her fingers, the fruit as red as her robe. "I gave you two options for lovers last night, Dragon," she whispered. "Either the Captain or the boy would have been happy to fill your bed." She held the berry to the Dragon's lips. Bane opened her mouth and bit the fruit. Matayla leaned forward, her voice lower and sexier, "You could have had me."
The Queen's voice was warm on Bane's face as she finished feeding the berry to the warrior. She pressed her wet fingers to the warrior's lips, allowing the Dragon to suck the juice from them. The Dragon's tongue twirled around Matayla's long fingers, sucking them softly with a glint in her eyes. Her dark eyes never left Matayla's face. She watched as the tip of Matayla's tongue darted over her pink lips. The corner of Bane's lip curled and the warrior settled into one of the balcony chairs. "Why don't you show me what I could have had?"
Matayla felt a chill dart down her back. Bane's words were not a request. The Queen heard the command in the warrior's tone. Bane was watching the tall woman expectantly. It was clear from the expression on Bane's face that she had no doubt Matayla would obey. She nibbled on the fruit, waiting for Matayla to disrobe. Matayla felt her hands trembling. It had been a long time since anyone had dared to give the Queen an order. She wanted to refuse. She was appalled to find her hands at the ties to the robe, her quivering fingers undoing the knots that held it together. She tried to tell them to stop, but Bane's green eyes held her captive. She shrugged her shoulders and let the wisp of material fall onto the ground.
She pushed the thin straps of the gown off her shoulders, allowing the bodice to sag, revealing more of her full breasts and pink nipples. She pushed down, revealing her hard stomach. Her breasts sprang free, standing firm in the cool night air. Her nipples puckered under the warrior's gaze and the chilled wind whipping around her body. The gown fell down her hips as soon as she released the material. It formed a puddle around her feet and she stepped out of it.
Bane's eyes trailed up the Queen's long legs, lingering on the light colored bush at the apex of Matayla's thighs. Bane finished the fruit and allowed her eyes to trace the blonde's heavy breasts. She nodded in appreciation, setting the plate to the side. She rose and crossed to the trembling Queen. She trailed her fingers lightly over Matayla's pale shoulder, gliding down to the full breast. Her fingertips circled the nipple, watching as it tightened more. Matayla gasped and groaned softly, pushing into Bane's touch.
Bane's soft caress suddenly ended, clamping tightly on the hard nipple. She pinched tightly, tugging and twisting. A soft noise of pain escaped Matayla's throat as her body arched into the sharp, thrilling sensation. She tried to read the Dragon's face, but Bane expression was stoic and gave away nothing. Her green eyes were as dark as the Forest that surrounded three sides of the palace. Her mouth did not move into a frown or a smile as she squeezed tighter. Matayla whimpered, her knees weakening. Bane twirled the stiff nipple sharply and Matayla yelped. Bane broke the contact but immediately bent to rub a soothing tongue over the hard, throbbing breast. Matayla's whine faded into a soft moan of pleasure. She placed her hand behind Matayla's head, holding it in place as Bane's mouth sucked in more of her globe.
