by Sadie Dane
“What would Corbin's thoughts be of the kingdom if he were to attend a graduation ceremony? He’d heard of them; every foreigner had. Atvia’s graduation ceremonies were spoken of in hushed whispers in every dark corner of the outside world. Some of what was said was simply gossip, but graduation ceremonies were truly a celebration of pleasure in every sense of the word. Would he be able to join in the festivities? Did she want him to?
She stopped suddenly in the hallway and grunted as he ran into her back. "Why are you following me?" she asked.
He blinked as if she had just revealed something to him. "I'm observing your practices, like I said."
"I'm done for the day," she pointed out. She walked back into her room, past the sunken tub and bath, through the curtains to where she slept. It was her second favorite place in the palace. The king had ensured that every linen, pillow, and canopy had been exactly the color and texture that she favored. Her canopy bed was soft and voluminous. The entire room resembled a garden of plush comfort. This was her own private space where no one else was allowed. But Corbin didn't know that and barged right in behind her as if he hadn't just stepped into her sanctuary. Odder than that, Gia didn't really mind that much. At least, not enough to immediately throw him out.
Even he did not seem to be immune to the charms of her room. "This is beautiful," he said, picking up a small pillow.
"Thank you. Almost all of it is a present from the king."
Corbin dropped the pillow. "On second thought, that blanket is an odd shade of green. A bit like the shade of green my face became when I skinned my first deer."
Gia laughed despite herself. She couldn't imagine rational Corbin doing anything so gruesome.
He was suddenly standing very close, staring at her intently. "Your laugh is the most amazing sound in the world."
"Pfft." Gia pushed him back. "You don't have to try so hard all the time."
He caught her hands. She'd been trying to create some space between them and had only succeeded in trapping herself further. "Why do you doubt the sincerity of my every action?" He brought her knuckles up to his mouth. He didn't kiss them so much as he brushed the back of her hand with his lips. "I think you are more used to being lied to and patronized than experiencing anything genuine."
How could he say something like that after witnessing a training session?
"Now wait one moment," he continued as he tightened his hold just as she tried to pull away. "Don't immediately get upset. I'm not saying you aren't real. I think you are fierce and sexy and tough and so many other things rolled up into one perfect body. But I don't think a majority of your interactions are authentic."
He spoke the truth, but for all the wrong reasons. There was submission and love, yes those were huge parts of training, but there was also using your feminine wiles, using any wiles really, to serve the kingdom. We must, at all times, in everything we do, make sure it benefits the kingdom. And then Gia had the added responsibility of the morale of the men. There were times when that took every manipulation tactic she possessed, and left her exhausted. Gia noticed then that he was sitting them both down on her bed. She let him pull her to the cushion. He settled her in the spot next to him and then disappeared.
When he returned he held a bowl. Her eyes widened in shock. "What are you doing?"
"I noticed you were the only one not to get your feet washed," he said, kneeling before her.
"But, what are you doing?"
He'd grabbed her foot at the ankle and she tried to yank it back. His grip was tight.
Warm water splashed onto her foot as he wrung the rag out. "I expected this reaction," he murmured while never taking his eye off his task. "Humor me, Gia. I know you could probably twist stomp your way out but, just sit and let me do what I want for once." He said all this while drawing small circles on her inner ankle.
She trembled slightly at his light touch. He was right; she could've slipped out of his hold if she really wanted to. But, that was the point she was just beginning to realize. She didn't want to. Gia liked this foreign prince and his soft hands, almost as much as his firm touch. But, she couldn't let him know that, so she crossed her arms across her chest and huffed. "Fine."
He gave her a knowing smile and continued washing her feet. When he started to massage, Gia just about moaned out loud. "So, how long have you been hora?"
"Seven summers, since I became a woman at sixteen," she replied with her eyes closed. She could feel the judgment in the way his hands had paused for a second on her feet and in his continuing silence.
"I had been training to be hora since the king bought me, but had to wait to begin the physical training till I was old enough."
"I don't think you were," Corbin replied.
"It's a grand thing for me then that you weren't there when the choice was being made," she said, saying as best as she could that she was done talking about that subject.
"What is life like for the potentials?" he asked.
Gia didn't know if he was wisely changing the subject or searching for an affirmation.
"Everyone gets what they want from the potential process."
"Rich, assuming every potential wants to be a slave to your king."
Gia would let the slight to her king pass this time. "Not every potential graduates the process. Some arrive and it becomes clear right away that they aren't here willingly. Others decide this life isn't for them after they get here and others are failed for a variety of reasons."
"You can fail potential training?" Now he actually sounded curious which was an improvement.
"Of course. No one with a genuine desire to be a bride could ever fail, they may just take longer. But there are those who say they want to be a bride when they are really more attracted to other aspects. If it isn't for the good of the king or the kingdom, then what worth does it have?"
"Sounds like he has you all well trained."
This time she couldn't ignore the comment on her king. "You shouldn't talk about things you couldn't understand."
"And why am I so unable to understand, Gia? Because I've looked at the available information and come away with a different conclusion? That isn't failing to understand, it's disagreeing."
"No, because you're choosing what you see and looking at the wrong information. You don't know what it is like being a woman in this world. The women in Atvia are lucky in comparison!"
"Hardly. I come from the other kingdoms. The women aren't required to submit under the pretense of the good of the kingdom and they sure as hell aren't punished by spanking for the whole kingdom to see!"
"You're right. They're just sold as children so their fathers can make an extra bag of gold."
"I'm sorry that happened to you."
"Don't worry about it." Gia pulled her feet away, drawing them up and under her body. She was getting her bedding wet but didn't really care.
"Stop doing that!" It was as if Corbin had taken over the job of feeling enough anger for the both of them. He dropped the rag and followed Gia onto the bed. He sat with a knee on either side of her body, his hands at her arms, trying to pry them apart, trying to literally open her heart to him.
#
Corbin knew once he'd started the conversation, he'd have to see it through to the end. His line of questioning had been dangerous. He could've asked Gia about the weather or the best crops to plant during the harsh Atvian springs. But, he'd been unable to avoid that which caused his body to tense in frustration every time he allowed himself to think on it too long. And it really wasn't the potentials, though that was a system he had yet to fully understand, it was her. Her loyalty, her submission, her unwavering trust. Did the king deserve it? Corbin didn't know him well enough to answer for sure. But, did Corbin want him to have it? No fucking way.
He wasn't one of those men that refused to acknowledge truth when it bent over in front of him. He knew what was happening to him and how she was resisting the same feelings. Maybe it wasn't love. Not yet. It was powerful.
What he didn't understand was the crushing force that demanded he claim her. He felt like the moment he met her he'd been constantly riding a fine line of dominance and passion.
"I won't let you lock me out, Gia," he said. "Something unfortunate happened to you and you latched on to the next person to show you kindness. But he isn't the savior you think he is." He had her wrists in his hands. She wasn't struggling, though he sensed the dormant strength in her limbs.
"And you are?"
Was it a question? Comment? A request? Whatever it was it shot to his heart. He softened. "I could be."
Gia lunged forward and took Corbin's face in her hands. Her lips pressed against his, effectively silencing anything else he was about to say.
Corbin was confused, something seemed off about the impromptu kiss, but it was her lips on his. He would think about the nuances later. Her hands moved up, fingers spearing through his hair. Her mouth was opened to him, an invitation that he was eager to accept. He explored her with his tongue, licking her lips softly and tasting her mouth. She bit his lip and he moaned.
He held her against him with one arm on her back, sustaining the kiss, while the other guided their bodies up Gia's bed so that they lay side by side. He felt her body against his from his lips to his feet. She sighed, such a soft, sweet sound that had the ability to make him harder than a moan would. Corbin needed to touch every inch of her. He kissed her eyelids, trailed the kisses down to her cheeks, her nose, and then dipped to her neck, licking and nibbling the soft skin. She trembled and kept her hands threaded through his hair, but otherwise seemed content to let Corbin keep the lead.
Her gauzy and soft clothing contrasted with her personality. They were also easy to take off. He pulled at the knot between her breasts and the fabric came free, falling on either side of her body. Corbin continued his exploration. He licked and kissed her breasts, careful to avoid the nipple while he kissed a spiral around the sensitive peak. When he finally drew the puckered bud into his mouth she arched off of the bed, urging him to suck harder. He bit her nipple and she gasped.
"Mm, so good," she said, though there was something different about how she'd said it. The gasp had sounded real, her words did not.
Corbin ignored this feeling and began on the other breast. Again, her body reacted honestly, but when she spoke it sounded scripted. He stopped and pulled away making a harsh noise. "Stop it, Gia."
She blinked at him. Her expression bordered on vacant, doll-like.
Corbin realized what she was doing and felt as though she had punched him right in the stomach. She was submitting, but not in any meaningful way. It was as if she'd withdrawn into herself. The real Gia was on the inside and this outer Gia was just a mirage, a finely tuned performance meant to please, but was not real.
He could not abide it.
"Get up," Corbin ordered roughly.
She jerked her head back, his tone registering in her mind.
"Against the wall, Gia."
"Corbin, no, I…"
"Against the wall!" He was angry. When they had started kissing she had been present, but at some point she'd shifted. She'd transformed from his Gia to the hora, bent on pleasing the men around her. The fact that she had even tried with him, as if he wouldn't notice the change, was infuriating. He placed her hands up, palms flat on either side of her head against the wall. Her naked breasts pressed against the cold stone. "I am not those men," Corbin roared, pointing at the door.
He had to calm down. He had every intention of punishing his woman, but could not while he was so angry. "Is that what you see when you look at me? Just another on a long list of people to please?"
"Of course not, Corbin."
"Do you think I'm interested in your body if your mind isn't also present? Gia, how could I ever want one without the other?" His words were quiet.
"This is who I am!" she yelled. "It's too hard to be with you how you want me. It would ruin everything, everything!"
He leaned in and spoke in her ear. "But what could it create? Imagine it. Imagine us."
"I can't."
She spoke more, but so quietly Corbin couldn't hear. "Tell me," he said with a sharp spank on her bottom.
She hissed but spoke immediately, "I can't imagine it because it will hurt too much. I'll want it. I've never wanted something like this before but I know if I imagine it with you, I'll want it!" Her words came out like a flash flood, tears rimmed her eyes.
Corbin rubbed her bottom where he had slapped her. "Why can't we have it?" he cooed.
"It'll end," she whispered as if forcing the words from her throat.
"It doesn't have to." He bent down to truly admire her ass. He cupped a cheek in each hand. "We could be forever." He dared to say it.
She didn't respond; he hadn't expected her to. The fact that she stayed though, bent against the wall, was enough to satisfy him for now. It didn't get her out of being spanked though. He placed a solemn kiss against the top of her crack before coming to his feet. "Do you know what's going to happen now?"
She nodded at the wall.
"Are you excited for it?"
She squirmed.
Corbin thought he might be just as excited, if his straining cock was anything to go by. He smacked once, in the spot between the cheek and upper thigh. She yelped and immediately he saw the print of his own hand on her skin. The sight made him groan out loud. "God, this is so wrong of me."
She tensed, not knowing what he was referring to, so when he smacked again his hand nearly bounced off of her firm cheek. "All I can think about is claiming you, marking you, making you mine." He spoke as if under a spell. All the while he slapped his hand against her ass, alternating cheeks and pausing to admire the color.
"But Corbin…" Her words were tortured.
"Shh." Corbin hissed and slid a single finger up and inside her wet hole. "Don't say it. Whatever you were going to say, just don't."
He easily slid the finger in and out. She moaned as he took his time, exploring her pussy, the moist outer folds, and the warm, tight tunnel. He removed his finger; it glistened with her juices.
He slid his finger up to her puckered hole and Gia groaned, thrusting her ass out in as much of an invitation as he would ever need. With the tip of his finger he tested her tight entrance, so tight it made his cock twitch.
Corbin slid his finger from slit to hole, drawing more of her own juices for lubrication. He got an idea and abruptly stood, invoking a needy wail from Gia. In her bathing area he found one of her bottles of lightly scented oil that he'd noticed earlier. He poured a liberal amount on his hands and returned to Gia, sitting on his knees so he could worship her from behind. When he was finished rubbing the oil into her skin and back entrance, her ass shone like the sun. He stood, covering each of her hands with one of his. His dripping, rock hard dick found her now slick, puckered hole.
"Oh gods," she uttered as the tip of his enormous length nudged against her.
He thrust forward. Her asshole resisted his size. Sweat formed on his brow as Corbin struggled to keep his sanity all while advancing and then retreating, allowing her body to accommodate the intrusion. He persisted kindly, but with a clear goal. She grunted and groaned as Corbin curled his fingers around her hands. Soon, he was half inside her tight channel. A couple more thrusts and he found himself inserted entirely inside her. He froze, taking stock of the moment. She made sharp noises as if gasping for air. Corbin longed to move, to begin thrusting, but knew in the small rational part of him that still existed that she would need time. He tried to remain still, to give her what she needed. When he heard her sigh he began to move.
"This is where I always want you to be. Where I always want to be."
He held her hand and pulled it off the wall. Slowly, he guided their entwined hands down her body to her little nub of pleasure. Keeping his hand on hers he directed her fingers in rubbing her clit. She whimpered and their fingers quickened in their ministrations.
Her body greedily clu
ng to his cock and Corbin felt himself rapidly approaching his end. He needed her to come now.
She clenched her ass muscles and he exploded inside of her just as she screamed through her orgasm. Slick with sweat and oil, his body rubbed against hers as he pumped every last ounce of him inside of her, fueled further by her own carnal shudders.
#
"This looks positively cozy," the king said loudly, jerking Gia from sleep. She bolted upright in her bed. Corbin lunged in front of her as if to protect her from danger. The king scowled. "Calm down, Prince," he snapped.
Gia tried to get her bearings. The light outside was dim and tainted blue. Could it be dusk? Or is it dawn? She remembered how they'd moved from the wall to the bed, where they'd explored each other's bodies until they eventually passed out.
Corbin had wrapped his muscular arms around her and had held her tightly as they slept. Everything that had happened between them seemed like just a dream now, one she'd been rudely awoken from.
"Your highness, forgive me, is there an emergency?" Try as she might, she couldn't keep the husky, just-fucked tone out of her voice.
The king stood alone, directly across from them, leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed. His ageless face was half bathed in shadow. "Does there need to be an emergency for me to visit you, daughter?"
Gia cringed. "No, of course not." She moved; the motion caused the sheet she'd been behind to fall, revealing her naked breasts.
Corbin, who had remained otherwise silent-unless you counted the unspoken anger that radiated from him-cursed violently and yanked the sheet back up.
"Prince, if you know what is best you will get out of my daughter's room," the king said in a dangerously low voice.
Gia expected Corbin's answer before he uttered it. "I'm not going anywhere."
Never before had she wished so much that she had some supernatural power that she could use to freeze these two men and keep them that way until they were safely in separate rooms. One had always been the most important person in her life; the other was aggressively carving out his own space in her heart. Neither was interested in sharing.
