Ashe and the Glass Sword

by KuroKoneko Kamen

  Ashe suddenly remembered about the ball, Juleka, and Picasso’s evil scheme. “Juleka!” He sprang to his feet. “I must go to her. Picasso…he plans to…that bastard!” Ashe clenched his hands into fist at his sides as he thought about Picasso’s perverted intentions towards the princess. “I must rescue her. I have to stop him!” Ashe stalked towards the front door.

  Blue reached out and grabbed Ashe’s arm to stop him. “Ashe, wait. You can’t go saving a damsel in distress looking like that.” The fairy raked his eyes over the bloody suit Ashe was still wearing, and raised an eyebrow at the hotheaded young man.

  Ashe looked down at his suit, spotted the bloodstain, and let out a frustrated grunt. “I don’t give a fuck about my appearance. This is no time for vanity. Juleka’s in danger!”

  “Ashe, please, they won’t even let you past the front doors of the palace looking like that,” Blue said in a chiding tone. “You look like a crazed, berserker knight.”

  Ashe frowned, and his shoulders sagged in defeat. “Shit. You’re right.” Ashe ran a shaky hand back through his hair. “I’m not thinking straight. I’ll go change.” He started to head for the grand staircase.

  “There’s no need. I can fix your suit with magic.” Blue held up his sparkling crystal wand. “You don’t mind if I change the color, do you? Snazz it up a bit?”

  Ashe spread his arms wide at his sides, and gave Blue an expectant look. “Do what you want.”

  Blue waved his wand in Ashe’s direction, and hit Ashe’s suit with a bolt of magical energy. Ashe’s suit began to glow with a blue-tinged, silvery light, and then transformed into a new suit.

  The style was mostly the same, but the silk material appeared newer, and was no longer threadbare. The suit’s color had also changed from white with gold embroidery to a sky-blue color with black and silver embroidery.

  Ashe looked down at the suit in awe. “Incredible. It would take me months to do such intricate embroidery, and it took you seconds.”

  Blue was smiling smugly, and nodding until he glanced down at the scuffed, brown leather shoes Ashe was wearing and cringed. “Ugh! Your shoes ruin the whole look.” The fairy waved his wand and pointed it at Ashe’s shoes. A bolt of magical energy hit the shoes, and they were transformed into a pair of male dress shoes that were made out of blue glass.

  Ashe gawked down at his new shoes. “Glass? You’ve got to be kidding me. Aren’t they a little…girlie?”

  “Nonsense,” Blue said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Hundreds of noblemen in Glass Kingdom wear enchanted glass shoes. It’s the latest fashion.”

  Ashe shrugged. “Whatever. Now, I’m going.” He stalked across the marble floor and exited the house before Blue could begin to discuss the next issue at hand, which was transportation.

  “Ashe, wait!” Blue called after him as he followed the young man outside. “This young man is going to give me gray hairs!”

  Blue spotted Ashe leading a horse outside of the stables by the reins. Ashe was about to mount the horse when Blue stalked over and purposefully stood directly in front of the horse. “Ashe, a normal horse will never get there in time.”

  “What did you have in mind then, Blue?” Ashe asked with an air of impatience.

  Blue waved his wand and pointed it at the white horse. A bolt of magical energy hit the horse, and it became surrounded by a silvery light. Seconds later, two large, white, feathery wings emerged from the horse’s back.

  Ashe sucked in a surprised breath. “A Pegasus?” He mounted the winged horse, and patted the top of its head affectionately.

  Blue nodded. “Yes. They’re as fast as dragons.”

  “Thank you, Fairy Godfather,” Ashe said, his voice rough with emotion.

  “You’re welcome,” Blue said, giving Ashe a warm smile. “Now go, and save the woman you love.”

  “Love?” Ashe flushed. “I don’t love her!” Blue simply arched an eyebrow at Ashe, which made the young man let out a defeated sigh. “I will. Hyah!” Ashe kicked the winged horse’s sides and the Pegasus started to run across the ground. It flapped its wings, and a few seconds later took off into the sky.

  Blue watched as the Pegasus started to fly away while heading towards the Glass Palace. He swore when he suddenly realized he’d forgotten to warn Ashe about something. “Ashe! My magic will only last until midnight!”

  Ashe glanced down at the fairy and waved. “Understood!”

  “No!” Blue yelled. “I don’t think you get what I’m trying to say! At the stroke of midnight my magic will…!” The fairy trailed off when he realized that Ashe was already out of hearing range, and had stopped listening to his warning. “Damnation! I just grew a gray hair.”

  Less than half an hour later, Ashe landed the Pegasus at the bottom of a flight of wide marble steps that led up to the palace’s front double doors. Ashe dismounted the Pegasus, and took off running up the steps. Due to the rare Pegasus, and Ashe’s otherworldly good looks, the guards didn’t stop him as he made his way into the palace. Ashe looked every inch a prince.

  Ashe stalked down the palace corridor and followed the sound of music and conversation to the ballroom. He hoped he wasn’t too late. His stomach was tying itself up into knots out of worry for Juleka’s safety.

  As soon as Ashe entered the ballroom he looked around wildly for any sign of Juleka, Picasso, or Lord Tremaine. Ashe didn’t see any of them, but he did catch sight of Knuckles, who was standing by one of the buffet tables that was covered with glasses of red wine. There was a rosy flush to Knuckles’s cheeks, and he appeared to be drunk.

  Ashe swiftly made his way over to his stepbrother. “Knuckles!”

  Knuckles raised his morose gaze from his wine glass to see Ashe approaching him, and his eyes widened in shock. “Ashe, you’re alive!” Fear swirled in his gray eyes as a sudden morbid thought occurred to him. “Are you a ghost?” Knuckles took a few steps back until he knocked into the buffet table.

  Ashe grabbed Knuckles by the front of his shirt, pulled the man forward, and snarled into his face, “Where are they? Where are Picasso and Juleka?”

  Knuckles looked at the solid hands gripping the front of his shirt. “You are alive. How is that possible? You should be dead.”

  “Fairy Godfather,” Ashe explained in a dry tone. “Now, tell me where they are! Or else, I’ll…!”

  Knuckles placed his hands over Ashe’s and offered his stepbrother a lopsided smile. “I’m glad you’re not dead. And I’ll take you to where Picasso and Juleka are. There’s no need for death threats, bro.”

  Ashe let go of Knuckles, but gave the man a suspicious look. He’d already made the mistake of letting his guard down around one of Lord Tremaine’s sons, and look where that had gotten him.

  “Follow me. It’s this way.” Knuckles took off, crossing the dance floor, and headed to the glass door that led to the terrace overlooking the gardens. They were just about to exit onto the terrace when Lord Tremaine suddenly stepped in their path.

  Christian shot Knuckles a murderous glare. “Knuckles, just where are you taking, Ashe? To drown him in the pond, I hope.”

  “No, Father,” Knuckles said, raising his chin in a defiant manner. “I’m taking him to Juleka and Picasso.”

  “You idiot swine,” Christian growled. “You are incompetent and useless, as usual. I order you to break Ashe’s legs-”

  “No,” Knuckles interrupted.

  “No?” Christian arched an eyebrow at his son. “You dare to defy me? I am your father, and you will obey me, or else I’ll have to punish you!”

  Knuckles let out a frustrated sigh. “I’m really sorry about this, Father.” Faster than should have been possible due to his large size, Knuckles moved behind Lord Tremaine, and sent a hand chop to the back of Christian’s neck, knocking him out cold.

  Lord Tremaine slumped forward and Knuckles caught him in his arms. He dragged his father’s unconscious body over to one of the windows that overlooked the terrace, and hid Christian behind the long
, red velvet curtains that covered the window.

  Ashe watched all of this happen with a stupefied expression on his face. He couldn’t believe that Knuckles had just stood up to Lord Christian Tremaine…and it appeared that this had been for his sake.

  Knuckles opened the door to the terrace, and ushered Ashe outside. Once they were outside Knuckles started to lead the way through the gardens.

  “Why are you helping me?” Ashe asked curiously.

  “Princess Juleka was kind to me,” Knuckles revealed, a blush rising to his chubby cheeks. “She danced with me. She wasn’t afraid of me. And she even made me sweets. She’s the first dame to ever be nice to me. The others run away in fear. She doesn’t deserve what Picasso is about to do to her. She’s a good person. If I thought I had a chance of winning her heart…I wouldn’t be taking you to her. I would be trying to rescue her myself. I think…I’ve fallen for her.”

  Ashe gaped at Knuckles in astonishment. Knuckles is in love with Juleka? He thought, and his expression softened. “Knuckles, you might just be a half-way decent human being after all.”

  “Oh, shut up, that doesn’t make me happy at all, asshole,” Knuckles denied, but he looked pleased by Ashe’s words.

  Knuckles came to a halt in front of the door, which led to the secret garden. “They’re in there.”

  “Thanks, Knuckles.” Ashe tried to open the door, and found that it was locked. Realizing that he’d have to break down the door, Ashe turned sideways, and started to slam his shoulder into the door again and again. The door, however, wouldn’t budge an inch.

  Knuckles scratched his cheek with his index finger. “Er, if you don’t mind…I can break down the door.”

  Ashe was already panting for breath and turned to face Knuckles. He wiped a trickle of sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and nodded. “Yeah. Sure. Go right ahead. I’d appreciate that.”

  Knuckles ran towards the door and slammed his shoulder into it. The door’s lock was broken, and the door swung open.

  “Thanks.” Ashe ran into the secret garden and looked around for any sign of Juleka and Picasso. He spotted Juleka lying on the grassy ground with Picasso on top of her. Ashe was about to panic when he noticed that both of them were still fully dressed, and he breathed a little easier.

  Still, the sight was not any less disturbing. Picasso had put a blindfold on Juleka, and she was writhing beneath him. “Ashe, oh, Ashe…kiss me again, my love,” Juleka moaned as she arched her back.

  Picasso grinned wolfishly as he kissed a trail of kisses down the side of Juleka’s neck and headed for her delectable collarbone.

  A wave of anger crashed through Ashe, and his body started to tremble with rage. How dare Picasso touch Juleka while she was moaning his name! “Get off of her, you perverted bastard!” Ashe ran over to Picasso, grabbed the back of his suit jacket, and pulled him off of Juleka.

  “Ashe!” Picasso exclaimed with wide eyes as he caught sight of his stepbrother. “How the fuck are you still alive? You should be dead. I killed you!”

  Ashe roughly spun Picasso around to face him, and headbutt Picasso, breaking the other man’s nose. “Fuck! You just broke my nose! I’m going to fucking kill you!” Picasso reached into his jacket and pulled out a revolver. He pointed it at Ashe’s head, but Ashe tilted his head to the side, and Picasso’s first shot missed. Picasso’s eyes flared in alarm. “How the hell did you just-!”

  Ashe grabbed the revolver out of Picasso’s hand, and tossed it aside. Next, Ashe sent a right hook into the side of Picasso’s face, followed by a left hook, and lastly, he sent an uppercut to the bottom of Picasso’s chin.

  Picasso didn’t even have the chance to retaliate as Ashe pummeled his face. He let out a pained groan, blinked a few times, and then passed out. As Picasso fell back to the ground with a thud Knuckles called out: “Timber!”

  Ashe ran over to Juleka, crouched by her side, and ripped the blindfold off her face. “Juleka…”

  Juleka sat up and blinked dazedly at Ashe with an amorous expression on her face. “Oh, Ashe, there you are. I’ve been waiting for you. I was dreaming about kissing you. I love you.” Juleka’s gaze lowered to the suit he was wearing and her blue eyes sparkled with admiration. “Oh, is that your father’s mended suit? It’s spectacular.” Juleka started to run her hands over the front of Ashe’s suit. Ashe started to flush when he realized Juleka was essentially pawing at his chest.

  Knuckles walked over, picked up Picasso’s unconscious form, and slung him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “I’ll just…take out the trash and give you two some privacy,” Knuckles said, giving Ashe a crooked smile.

  “Thanks,” Ashe mumbled, feeling incredibly embarrassed by this strange turn of events.

  Knuckles carried Picasso out of the secret garden, and shut the door behind him. Now that he was alone with Juleka Ashe turned his full attention upon the girl, who appeared to be delirious. He grabbed her wrists to stop Juleka from caressing his chest through his suit. “Juleka, stop that. Snap out of it.”

  Juleka stared into Ashe’s golden eyes, and licked her lips. Her gray-blue eyes were hooded with lust. “Ashe, kiss me, please,” she said desperately.

  Juleka was trying to press her body against Ashe’s, and he was struggling to keep her back. Ashe’s gaze fell to Juleka’s pink, luscious lips that were glistening from her saliva. Her lips were slightly parted, and just begging to be kissed.

  Ashe swallowed, his throat feeling dry. Fuck it. Ashe ran a shaky hand back through his hair. He was mad at her because she’d deceived him, but he still longed to kiss her, and feel her soft lips pressed against his own.

  Ashe shook his head vigorously to clear it of his traitorous thoughts. He couldn’t take advantage of Juleka like this. She was obviously under some kind of spell. Picasso must have successfully given Juleka the love potion. Ashe didn’t know what the effects of the potion were exactly, but he could tell that Juleka was aroused. “No. We can’t do this. I can’t take advantage of you like this. You’re not in your right mind, Juleka.”

  Juleka let out a frustrated sound. “Please, Ashe, just one kiss. I need it,” she begged with a hungry gleam in her eyes as she eyed Ashe’s mouth.

  Ashe’s gaze dropped to Juleka’s lips again. “Okay. Just one kiss,” he relented, and let go of Juleka’s wrists. As soon as Juleka’s wrists were free she grabbed Ashe’s face, pulled him forward, and smashed her lips against his. Ashe was a little taken aback by her enthusiasm, but after a few seconds started to kiss her back, moving his lips sensually against hers.

  Juleka impatiently prodded at his lips with her tongue, seeking and demanding entrance. Ashe gave in to her unspoken request, and opened his mouth so that Juleka could thrust her tongue inside. She swirled her tongue around Ashe’s, and Ashe caressed her tongue with his own so that their tongues danced.

  Ashe was used to taking the lead when it came to kissing, and he found that he surprisingly liked it when the girl tried to be forceful. It made him feel needed. Ashe let out a moan. Juleka tasted like dark chocolate, raspberries, and a fine wine. She tastes so good. Ashe thought.

  Her scent was all around him, enveloping Ashe like a warm, comforting blanket. She smelled like sun-ripened berries. He felt safe and strangely at peace in Juleka’s presence, and started to lower his guard. Smells good too.

  Once Ashe started to kiss her back Juleka removed her hands from Ashe’s face and brought them to his hair. She untied the blue ribbon that was keeping his hair in a ponytail, and ran her fingers through his silky, silvery locks.

  Ashe found the feeling of Juleka’s fingers in his hair and her nails gently scratching over his scalp to be incredibly soothing. Before Ashe even realized it, Juleka had somehow ended up on his lap where she was straddling him and grinding against him.

  Heat was pooling in his lower stomach, and Ashe moaned as his cock started to harden. Ashe’s eyes flared in shock. I’m getting hard, but how? Why? I haven’t been drugged. Am I really sexually at
tracted to Juleka? Subconsciously, I must desire her. Does this mean I really want to fuck her? Or rather…make love to her? Love? Ashe’s thoughts came to an abrupt halt, and he pushed Juleka back, breaking their kiss. “Juleka, enough. You said just one kiss. We should stop this. We need to stop this.”

  Ashe had never gotten an erection for any of the noblewomen he’d seduced for money. He knew that he was aroused because Juleka was different. She was special to him. And that terrified Ashe because if she meant something to him, she could hurt him. She could destroy him by breaking his heart.

  “Ashe, I want you. I need you so bad it hurts. I’m throbbing…aching with the desire to be one with you,” Juleka purred in a sultry tone. “I won’t let you deny me. I will have you inside of me.” A fierce, determined expression settled over her flushed face.

  The scent of sun-ripened berries suddenly grew more intense. It filled the air all around them. It was a heady scent - sweet, irresistible, and addicting. As Ashe breathed in the scent his cock hardened into a full erection, tenting the front of his blue silk pants. Ashe had never felt so aroused in all his life, and shuddered at the unfamiliar feeling.

  Juleka grinded her crotch against Ashe’s throbbing erection, and he let out a pleasured moan. Feels so…good. Ashe thought in a daze as he started to nuzzle the crook of Juleka’s neck and breathed in deep. “You smell so good, Juleka.”

  Juleka smiled triumphantly as her pheromones drove Ashe wild with lust. She gazed at Ashe with hungry, lust-filled eyes, placed her hands on Ashe’s chest, and abruptly pushed him back so that he ended up lying on his back on the grassy ground.

  Juleka scooted over his body until she was sitting on his stomach. She leaned over and kissed Ashe again in order to distract him as she unbuttoned his pants, and pulled down the zipper. She reached into his pants to pull out his erection before she started stroking it. Ashe groaned into Juleka’s mouth at the feeling of her soft hand wrapping around his cock.