She leaned back against him, her body going fluid as the rippling water in the pool, responding to his touch and to his voice. "No."
"You have found it pleasurable?"
She gasped at a particularly sensitive stroke of his thumbs over the peaks of her nipples. "Yes, I've found it pleasurable. Too much so at times."
His hands moved down to rest at her moist inner thighs. "You feel arousal and anticipation."
"Yes."
"Olan, you may begin." Olan was a very attractive, young male with a sensitive face. His skin of pale blue in this light almost appeared to be a translucent ivory. He was naked except for a tan loincloth that covered his privates. Intriguing and mysterious. As she watched, Olan knelt before her, opened the box and took out what looked like a...her gaze widened.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"What do you see?" Teacher asked as he slowly began to press her legs wider.
"I-it looks like a glass penis. It looks like...yours." It even had little white nobs all along the shaft.
"It is a phallus with special properties. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at its abilities."
He pressed the fingers of one hand down to unfold her outer labia lips and then paced downward, peeling back her inner wet lips, exposing her slit. She trembled with desire.
"What is Olan going to do?"
"He will show you how to use the passion wand. This wand has been made especially for you, Eli-ah. Today we will begin to prepare you to accept my lord into your body. We will show you how you will prepare yourself for pleasure."
His hand stroked down along her sides, over her hips, rhythmic pleasure rippling around and through her. And then shock flooded her when she felt a second pair of hands on her body, sliding along the insides of her thighs, pressing her wider. Teacher still held her thickened, wet red lips exposed, and she felt her juices dripping from her channel, lubricating her for penetration.
Teacher had only ever used the tip of a finger inside her to bring her to orgasm. She couldn't believe this thick effigy of a penis would be able to slide inside her.
"Why have you never...penetrated me, Teacher?"
"That intimacy belongs to my lord. Only his cock will penetrate you in such a way, and only after the ceremony of intercourse is completed. It is my task to prepare you to receive pleasure from the coupling. To educate you in the ways of Amak so there will be no fear, only desire and yearning."
She felt the tip of the cool glass against her opening, sliding up and down the length of her opened lips, swirling over her entrance. Her juices began to coat the tip and it slid easily along her slick labia lips.
"Teacher, please," she begged. She was so close, yet Olan did not touch her stiffened clitoris with the wand, simply stroked along her opening.
Their hands on her body, two men determined to give her pleasure was almost more than she could bear. She felt fingers begin to circle over her clit, around and around as the wand continued to slide and swirl over her opening, yet never quite penetrating.
The fingers on her clit wound her tighter and tighter until finally she was flying, scattering into tiny pieces. And then the wand pressed into her and before she could fall, she was flying once again upon the crest of the first orgasm. Olan pressed inward, one inch, two...then retreated. Over and over again.
Her hips began to thrust against the action of the wand. Again and again. She needed more. She wanted it completely filling her.
Teacher lifted her hips, cupping her buttocks, bracing her as she fought for yet another orgasm.
"She is tight, very tight, sire," she heard Olan say.
"Go easy.
She could feel her sheath clutching at the shaft, attempting to expand to take it deeper. Each time the tiny bumps stroked against her flesh, she shuddered with pleasure. Is that what her mate's cock would feel like inside her? It was ecstasy.
And then something momentous happened as the object began to vibrate, and she screamed as another orgasm ripped through her.
"What is that?" she gasped.
"It is a surprising treat, isn't it?" Teacher murmured.
"Oh, yes," she breathed as she undulated her hips. "More."
Olan reached up to clasp her hand and bring it down to the end of the phallus and curled her fingers around the base. He guided her as they thrust the object inside her, then retreated with it again and again.
"This is how you will pleasure yourself," Teacher whispered in her ear. "For yourself and for your lord."
"He would want to watch me do this?"
"Oh, yes, Eli-ah. Most definitely. Watching your orgasm will be a pleasure for him."
"I can't seem to stop coming. It's too much."
"You are so beautiful, Elita. My lord will be at your feet so taken with your beauty. It is written in the ancient Kama Sutra that a man skilled in the sixty-four arts will be looked upon with love by his mate."
"Sixty-four?"
"That is the ancient book of Kama Sutra. Our own tenets show much more versatility. And in our laws it is not just the male who will be educated, but his lover as well, and both will find pleasure in each other."
She thrust her hips up, meeting the vibrations of the phallus, Olan's grip stopping her from embedding the object completely inside her vagina. Another orgasm beat against her and then he removed it and she felt opened and empty, her pussy grasping to be filled once again. She dropped back into Teacher's arms, gasping for breath, shuddering with the aftermath.
It was long moments before she resurfaced from the state of euphoria. She looked around and realized Olan had left them alone.
"Teacher?"
"Yes, Elita." He carefully turned her in his arms to look down at her. There was a tightness in his expression as though he tried to maintain his control. How could he do this for her and not yield to the need for fulfillment himself?
"The Northern Shore is so different from my desert home. The customs seem more pliable for the women of your culture. What if a wife were to want a lover? In addition to her mate, of course. Is such a thing ever allowed? Can a woman be allowed to love two men? To be a match to them both?"
He was silent for a long moment. "What exactly are you asking, Elita?" He lifted her to look her squarely in the eyes.
She did not flinch away from that direct stare. "What if I wanted you to be my lover? I know I must mate with Duarte. But can't I love two men?"
He set her aside on the soft cushion and rose to his feet. "There are things you don't know. What you ask is impossible. My lord will provide whatever you need. If you wish to be with two men, he will provide an adequate second."
Elita jumped up from the cushions. "It's not that and you know it. You know it isn't just about the sex. How can you not?"
He held up a hand. "Don't say any more. In this place I am your Teacher and nothing more. It cannot be more." And then he strode out of the room leaving her alone.
Chapter 12
* * *
The next morning Elita walked out to the pool for her regular morning swim and was surprised to discover that Teacher was not there. This was the first time he had not been in the pool when she had awoken. She decided to go ahead with her swim, assuming he would show up at any moment, anticipating he had simply been detained. Yet, by the time she was done, he still hadn't appeared and she started to worry.
A servant girl arrived just as Elita was getting out of the pool.
"I have laid out your clothes as the master directed. He asked that you be ready to leave for the Azurene Palace within the hour," she said as she bowed. "Will you need assistance?"
Elita just stared at her. The moment was upon her and she was certain she wasn't ready. "Where is...your master?"
"He left for the palace early this morning. The royal guard will escort you to Azurene. They are waiting in the outer courtyard, at your pleasure."
The girl seemed to wait for something--some response from Elita, yet she could think of nothing to say. The pain of loss s
hredded her heart. She hadn't even had a chance to say good-bye. Again. It was all so abrupt. She didn't want it to end this way.
She glanced at the girl who was awaiting her direction. "I won't require your help." Elita was no longer hungry for the succulent food. Her stomach was tied in knots.
Slowly, she walked into the bedroom and saw the turquoise outfit lying on the bed. Duty called to her, as apparently it had commanded his attention. The interlude was over. Her lessons apparently learned to his satisfaction.
She stepped to the bed and fingered the jewel-encrusted material. The skirt was split for riding. A pair of white leather boots sat next to the bed. A transparent white veil to wear on her head which would drape across her shoulders. Undergarments of pale pink silk to lie against her skin. It was an outfit made to be worn by royalty. Why didn't she feel more royal? She simply felt...abandoned. Totally alone to face her future match.
She dressed, then bound her hair in a braid that trailed down her back. She pulled the boots on, lacing them up the back. They came to just below her knees, studded with tyrian gemstones. The jewels embedded in this outfit alone seemed worthy of a high lord's ransom.
One last time she gazed out over the pool that was now empty and silent, the sun glittering on the calm waters, and a fist clutched at her heart. She could not allow herself to think about Teacher. To him, apparently she had been just another pupil to teach the arts of pleasure to. She had been put out of his mind as easily as snuffing out a candle.
She lifted her head and set her jaw. Fine with her. She had a future to prepare for and a life as royal consort to the Lord Guardian of the Northern Shore. Pivoting away from the scene she stalked toward the door, yanked it open and exited the room.
The last leg of her journey was about to begin.
* * * *
The ride took most of the day, but as they drew closer to the palace, Elita was overwhelmed with the stunning architecture of the Azurene Palace.
An immense white structure of an ancient design, the golden spires rising high above the ground. Thick textured columns supported the corners of what was visible to her. But it was when they got closer and she saw the white sand of the shore and the immense vista of the ocean, the white swirling waves rocking against the land, that she truly felt the power of this kingdom that was about to become her home.
There were no high walls surrounding this palace as there were in her desert home. It almost seemed like a castle rising up from the surrounding white sands of the land--that it was one with the land itself. As they halted at the base of a long, wide set of steps, a pair of indigo and gold doors were thrown open and several servants dressed in turquoise and ivory uniforms hurried down the steps.
Elita noticed a woman who waited at the top of the steps. She was dressed in a glittering gown of pale blue that looked like it had stars sewn into its cloth. Her pale platinum hair was piled high atop her head, adorned with more stars.
One of the liveried servants helped Elita to dismount, bowed and led her horse away.
"This way, my lady," another servant said as he took her hand lightly and helped her to ascend the steps to the doors of the castle.
The woman at the top watched them silently, making Elita feel uncomfortable. Who was she?
She finally arrived at the top, and the servant bowed and stepped back.
"Welcome, Lady Elita," the woman in blue greeted her with a smile. "I am Otrielle Duarte, Raoul's mother. Welcome to Azurene."
The woman before her was absolutely stunning and she certainly didn't look old enough to be the mother of the Lord Guardian.
Elita remembered herself enough to curtsey. "Thank you, Lady Duarte. I am pleased to be here."
"Come inside. I've had a light meal prepared for you as I'm certain you are hungry after your journey. Did you enjoy your stay at the pavilion retreat? My son goes there often for seclusion when he needs time away from the palace. He had it built when he first ascended to the guardianship."
Elita followed Otrielle as she led her up a winding staircase to the second floor and into a cozy room decorated in colors of emerald and ivory. There were lush, green vines and plants in every corner of the room, some weaving their way over the walls, entwining around the table legs and into every nook and cranny.
"Please sit," Otrielle said as she turned to close the door, giving them some privacy. Then she passed her hand over a light sensor, turned, and walked to where Elita was seated and sat down across from her. "A plate of food will be here shortly." Her alert gaze studied Elita intently. "You are lovely, my dear. I've heard you had quite a harrowing experience with Kadin's minions."
"Thankfully, your guards were there to help me."
"Yes, Duarte didn't want to take any chances with the rumblings of movement by Kadin. I'm very pleased he was thwarted."
A knock sounded at the door and then a servant entered carrying a tray. He set it down on the shell-encrusted table between them, offered each of them a napkin and then poured something steaming into two cups.
Otrielle accepted the cup with a gracious smile. "Thank you, Lon. I'll call if we should need anything further.
The servant bowed and then backed away to the door. Otrielle turned back to Elita. "I hope you enjoy the tea. It is a special blend to Azurene. It should help to revitalize you after your tiring trip."
"I enjoyed the journey," Elita said as she took a tentative sip from the cup. The flavor was intriguing, sweet yet spicy and it did taste invigorating. "I'm used to riding quite a bit in the desert."
"I'm sure you must miss your home. It will be a change for you."
Elita looked around the room. "This room is very beautiful, so serene and lush."
Otrielle laughed. "It's very green, isn't it? My homeland is Jovantu, the jungle kingdom, and I'm afraid I've taken liberties, particularly with this room. My husband used to say it wouldn't take much to get lost in here. And I always said it would be such a joy to be lost in here together where no one could bother us. I'm afraid the bedroom is even worse." She laughed softly, but Elita heard a slight sob behind the sound.
"How did he die?" Elita couldn't help asking.
Otrielle looked out the window, her gaze seemed far away in that instant. "He was on a discovery voyage at sea. I couldn't go with him as our oldest daughter was preparing for her match and there was much to be done. I often wish I had gone with him," she finished softly. "It was a cluster of serpentine aquamonsters that attacked the ship. Only one man managed to make it back. He was found floating in the waters by a passing bartership or we would never have known what happened."
Elita felt the pain of the woman and leaned forward to clasp her hand. "I'm so sorry. It must have been a terrible loss."
Otrielle squeezed her hand and smiled. "Thank you, my dear. I loved him very much. Our arrangement was much like yours. I did not know Miguel before our match was arranged. I doubt I was much older than you. It was to cement a treaty between our kingdoms. But I grew to love Miguel more than life. I miss him very much. The underworld is not the only danger in this land of ours, although it is a significant one. We are safer here than most, because of the salt water, but still, there are other monsters lurking nearby and one must be cautious."
"I understand," Elita said as she straightened in her chair and took another sip of the tea.
"The tea is made from a special blend of dried and crushed seaweed that is grown here in our underwater fields. Another time I will take you to the underground observatory so you may see how it is cultivated and prepared."
"It really is all so different here, isn't it?"
"Each kingdom is unique in its own way. I hope you will find as much happiness here as I have found, Elita. Duarte is a good man and he will make a fine mate."
"When will I meet him?" Right now the man was a stranger, some far off shadowy figure she couldn't define.
"Soon, my dear. He is very busy right now trying to get affairs in order so that he may devote his time to you." Otrielle ros
e to her feet. "Come, I will show you to your room so that you may rest. I should have seen to that first, but I so wanted to get to know you a little. I have been eager for your arrival. And now that I have met you, I know we'll get along very well. I was not looking forward to removing myself to the outer borders."
"Oh, no," Elita exclaimed. "You will stay here, won't you? There's so much to learn and you've already made me feel so welcome. I would hate to see you leave." Somehow she felt very comfortable with this woman and did not want to see her departure from Azurene. After all, she was the Lord Guardian's mother. She should be here and not shifted off to some outer exile. She would never want to think that would happen to any of her own mothers.
Otrielle squeezed her hand. "Thank you, my dear. I'm sure we will get along very well. Come along now. Duarte would be very displeased if I allowed you to become too exhausted after your journey."
Chapter 13
* * *
Five days of fittings for her ceremonial gown and assorted other outfits had Elita trying to hide from the fitters. Quickly, she closed the door to her room behind her and locked it. Another minute and she would have run screaming from the dressing room.
She still had not met her future mate, Raoul Duarte. Everyone in the palace seemed to sing his praises, but for her, he was still a stranger, someone nonexistent. She gazed around the opulent room. After the ceremony, her things would be removed to the royal quarters of the Lord Guardian. This room decked out in mother of pearl accouterments, unusual objects of carved ivory and shell, wreathed in gauzy material in the colors of a rainbow, was magnificent. She couldn't imagine what the suite of the Lord Guardian would be like.
Elita walked out to the balcony and breathed in the wild, salt air. Today the sea seemed turbulent, rising in huge frothy, white seacaps, seagulls ascending and diving as they hunted for food beneath the surface of the sea.
In some ways, it reminded her of the rolling desert sands, and she felt a pang of homesickness. Alike but different. The waves surged and dipped. Just like the desert, there were pitfalls beneath the water. No part of the planet was entirely safe from its share of monsters.
Azurene: Divine Seduction Page 6
